Mariota & Winston can’t keep up Pace

Calvin Pace apparently doesn’t think Marcus Mariota, Jameis Winston or anyone at the top of next year’s draft can be a savior for the Jets. Most fans a are hoping the team loses its final three games to “Suck for the Duck” — Oregon’s Mariota — but Pace isn’t buying it.

“One draft pick isn’t going to change things,” Pace said. “If you end up with a high draft pick, that guy still has to get seaso seasoned and become a pro. Very few ti times you see guys come in and chan change a franchise with one guy.”

Colts qu quarterback Andrew Luck, for one, de debunks Pace’s theory, but it’s going tot be hard for any players to think t there’s a benefit to losing games, es especially since they may not be on the Jets next season.

Perhap Perhaps supporting Pace’s theory: ESPN’sESP Mel Kiper said on a media co conference call Thursday that he didn’tdid believe either Mariota or Wins Winston were franchise quarterbacks. No Nonetheless, the draft analyst thinks one will be wearing Jet green a year fr from now.

“One of thosetho two is going to be, I would think, a New York Jet,” Kiper

said.

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The Jets could be getting their best player back on the field this week. Muhammad Wilkerson (turf toe) returned to practice on a limited basis after missing the last two games. Rex Ryan described Wilkerson as being “50-50” on whether he could play Sunday in Tennessee. The defensive lineman also wasn’t sure if he would play.

WR Percy Harvin (sprained ankle) missed practice for the second straight day and looks less likely to be available.

“I know he is optimistic and I hope he is right, but I am a lot less optimistic,” Ryan said.

TE Jace Amaro (concussion) practiced fully.

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Special teams coordinator Thomas McGaughey said he would have openly expressed interest in the University of Houston’s head coaching job regardless of the Jets’ record.

“Anytime you get the chance to be a head coach or even be interviewed to be a head coach, that is one of the goals in my life,” he said.

However, McGaughey did admit that his timing (he was quoted talking about it Monday after the Jets’ OT loss to the Vikings) wasn’t ideal.

“(Jets director of media relations) Bruce (Speight) slapped me upside the head a little bit. It probably wasn’t the best timing.”

Ryan has said he supports McGaughey pursuing the job.