McElroy gets cheers after replacing Sanchez for the Jets

Mark it down on the New York Jets' 2012 season highlight reel. At 4:48 of the third quarter against the Arizona Cardinals, Rex Ryan finally pulled Mark Sanchez and put in another quarterback.  The move was made more notable because the exchange did not include anyone named Tim Tebow.

To the delight of the Gang Green faithful, Greg McElroy entered the game to rousing cheers and capped off his first drive with a short touchdown pass to Jeff Cumberland after guiding the team 54 yards on 10 plays.

It was kind of strange to hear the din of applause inside MetLife Stadium; especially when the Jets are on the field.

Starting QB Sanchez — who threw 3 INTs in the first half — could only watch with a clipboard and baseball cap as McElroy gave the Jets something he couldn't — a 7-3 lead and, ultimately,  some sort of hope throughout Jetland.

McElroy got the call after Tebow's broken ribs put him on the inactive list. Third-stringer McElroy, a seventh-round draft pick, was next on the depth chart and was making his 2012 debut.

One can only wonder if, had Tebow suited up, would the calls for "Te-bow, Te-bow" finally have been answered.

Only the head coach knows for sure while the plot thickens.