LaDainian Tomlinson: Scrap the Wildcat if Mark Sanchez continues

If Mark Sanchez continues to have a hot hand this season, former Jets running back LaDainian Tomlinson believes Rex Ryan should consider scrapping - or at the very least, limiting - the use of the Wildcat.

During a Tuesday radio spot on WFAN, the future Hall of Famer said Sanchez's stat line in Sunday's win over Buffalo proves the quarterback is capable of handling a bigger workload. While Sanchez (19-for-27, 266 yards, three touchdowns) flourished in their 48-28 win over the Bills, the Wildcat was a non-factor. The Jets totaled 22 yards on eight plays with Tim Tebow taking a direct snap out of the formation. He had just 11 yards on his five carries - the longest of which was 4 yards.

"Each year he's getting better and better, the numbers are proving it," Tomlinson, who recently became a Sirius radio and NFL Network analyst, said of Sanchez. "If he continues to handle this workload and progress the way he's progressing, you have to cut down on the Wildcat."

Then he added with a laugh: "If you're going to score like this, it makes no sense to even have the Wildcat."

During his WFAN interview, Tomlinson said the discord within the Jets locker room didn't reach its peak -- and the media's radar -- until it was clear the Jets weren't making the playoffs in 2011. But in order to sustain the good vibes following Sunday's win in the season opener, Tomlinson said both Sanchez and mercurial wide receiver Santonio Holmes need to have success.

"That's what everything is predicated on," said the former running back, who rushed for 1,194 of his career 13,684 yards (fifth all-time) during his Jets tenure. "As long as they win and Santonio is getting catches and contributing in the game and Sanchez is being successful, I think they'll be fine."