Mark Sanchez Headed to the Big Apple
Jets Trade up to Draft Their Quarterback of the Future
Apr 27, 2009 Derek J Griebenow
Jets Trade with Browns to Draft Sanchez
The Jets needed a quarterback and they got one in USC standout, Mark Sanchez. Former Jet intern, turned NFL Commissioner; Roger Goodell, gave the good news to New York fans Saturday as he announced the 5th pick in the 2009 draft.www.nfl.com/videos
2009 Rose Bowl MVP Mark Sanchez has only 16 collegiate starts; but has done nothing but impress. He threw 41 touchdowns with 16 interceptions for arguably the best team in the SEC. Sanchez is ready to become the Jets quarterback of the future for new head coach Rex Ryan.
Many believe the Jets are built to win now, and that Sanchez was the missing piece to the puzzle. The Jets lured defensive genius Rex Ryan from the Ravens, and added LB Bart Scott and safety Jim Leonhard to an already solid defense.
Who Starts, Kellen Clemens or Mark Sanchez?
The Jets will most likely say that there will be competition between Clemens and Sanchez for the starting job. The fans will most likely demand to see Sanchez. So who starts?
New York would love for Sanchez to step in as starter and lead his team to the playoffs in his first year like the Falcons Matt Ryan (2008 1st Rd. pick). Although Sanchez played just 16 games in college, he did run a NFL type west coast offense at USC.
USC is known for producing NFL-ready players. Carson Palmer(Bengals), Matt Leinhart(Arizona), and John David Booty(Vikings), are just a sample of the quarterbacks USC has in the NFL. Sanchez hopes to prove he is the best of the bunch, and being able to start right away may help his cause.
The offensive line is solid in New York, so Sanchez won't get abused the way David Carr did in Houston(sacked 249 times in 75games), and the way Matthew Stafford might in Detroit.
Kellen Clemens has only 8 starts for the Jets and hasn't shown the talent to be a full time quarterback in the NFL(5 TD, 11 INT). Sanchez should start since the experience will be crucial in his development, and he can't do any worse than Clemens.
Jets Thinking Playoffs in 2009
With Rex Ryan bringing his defensive style to New York, and strengthening the defensive unit; the Jets must expect a playoff season in 2009. Ryan sure hopes so since coaching jobs can change like the seasons if you don't win.
The weapons on offense are solid; but young. Receiver Jerricho Cotchery(6 yrs.), is the most experienced of the group, and has shown he can play; but he's not a number one receiver. With Laveranues Coles in Cincinatti, the Jets may want to sign a big receiving target for Sanchez.
Second year tight end Dustin Keller is undersized(6'2”), but has shown the ability to spread the field and make plays. He may become a safety blanket for whomever starts under center.
Favre Out – Sanchez In
The drafting of Mark Sanchez has fans just as(or even more) excited than when they traded for Brett Favre last season. Only difference is that Sanchez will be around longer than Favre.
Jets fans are excited to see what is in store for their franchise that hasn't won a playoff game since 2005, or a Super Bowl since 1969( Super Bowl III). The hope is that Sanchez is the second coming of Super Bowl quarterback Joe Namath; a legend in New York.
Whether he plays in 2009 or 2010, Jets fans are anxious to see the future of their franchise on the field.Only time will tell if this was the right move for New York.
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