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Mark Sanchez, the rookie who wasn't supposed to make it
based on statistics of other quarterback failures, is now on
the verge of making quarterback history.
In spite of the fact that he threw 34 TDs in his final year at
USC, Pete Carroll, Sanchez's college coach discouraged him
from going pro, saying quarterbacks who leave college early
for the pros generally don't succeed. He had the numbers to
prove it, too, pointing out that 62 percent of quarterbacks
who leave as underclassmen don't pan out.
Sanchez is one win away from becoming the first rookie
quarterback to start a Super Bowl. More than that, in one
NFL season, he's experienced more success than his
predecessors at USC -- Carson Palmer and Matt Leinart --
have in their pro careers. Palmer hasn't won a playoff game,
and Leinart hasn't even started one.
Sanchez? He's 2-0 in the playoffs and this close to making
history.
"It's very interesting," said wide receiver Braylon Edwards,
"because now here he is in the AFC Championship Game,
which is something that neither one of those other two
have done in their careers yet. I'm happy for him, and I just
hope he continues to get better. I just hope he continues to
be the quarterback Pete Carroll helped him become."
That will take time. In Sanchez’s last game at USC he threw
for 413 yards and four touchdowns. In his best game with
the Jets he threw for 265 yards and two TDs. He never
threw for more than two touchdowns in any start and did
that only twice, while four times he had three or more
interceptions -- including a five-spot against Buffalo.
But that's what rookie quarterbacks do. What they don't do
is steer their teams to conference championship games. So
Joe Flacco and Ben Roethlisberger did it, they're the
exceptions. Peyton and Eli Manning are more the rule, with
Peyton 3-13 his rookie year and Eli 1-6.
What stands out about Sanchez is not that his numbers
went up as the year progressed, but that his interceptions
went down -- evidence that he was following orders to be
careful with the football and make plays only when they
were there.
"I think [offensive coordinator] Brian Shottenheimer and
Mark have gotten more on the same page," Edwards said.
"I feel like they've gotten to know each other more. Coach
Schottenheimer, maybe because of the past and the way
[Sanchez] plays, knows Mark needs certain plays early to
get him going. And Mark understands what 'Schotty' expects
of him to be a better quarterback in this league.
"His confidence level hasn't increased. It's just his comfort
level. He's always had his confidence, as any good player
will. But that comfort level has gotten better. And when that
gets stronger you're able to manage the game better, make
plays and keep the ball out of opponents' hands."
All three were on display in last weekend's defeat of San
Diego. For the most part, Sanchez managed an offense that
became more effective as the game wore on and the
Chargers wore down. While the Jets did nothing the first
four times they had the ball, they scored on three of their
first five second-half possessions and killed the clock -- and
the Chargers -- with a five-play series at the end.
Unlike opposing quarterback Philip Rivers, Sanchez didn't
make a fatal mistake, and, when he had to make a play, he
did. Rewind the tape of the Jets' first touchdown, and you'll
see Sanchez buy time by rolling to his right, patiently wait
on receivers, then finding tight end Dustin Keller in the back
of the end zone.
"I've been around young quarterbacks, and it takes some
time," Edwards said. "But once they figure it out, they
definitely get better at a rapid pace. But it's only once they
figure it out."
Sanchez doesn't have it figured out. Not by a long shot. But
he's getting there, and having him start a conference
championship game in his first year is not just a start -- it's
more like a leap.
"I do feel more comfortable as the days go on, as you get
more experience each game," Sanchez said. "There's no
substitute for that experience. The biggest thing that has
made the difference in these last few games has been
knowing what it takes to win but also knowing what gets
you beat. And turnovers have gotten us beat.
"If that means making better decisions or not throwing the
ball or taking a sack, that's what we've got to go with. It's
worked to this point, and, hopefully, in the future I'll be able
to take more chances and really get a feel for things. But,
right now, it's better to be smart than good."
Once he was dubbed "The San-chise." Later, when
interceptions started to accumulate, he became "Broadway
Schmo." The truth is that Sanchez is somewhere in
between, and that's not all that bad for a guy who wasn't
supposed to make it.
A week ago, a San Diego reporter playfully asked Sanchez if
he thought Carroll could make it in his return to the NFL, and
the quarterback laughed. He didn't have to respond, his
presence in the playoffs says it all.
Sanchez didn't sacrifice millions of dollars by leaving USC
and he didn't sacrifice a career, either. He did what he what
he thought -- no, what he knew -- was best, and lucky for
the New York Jets. I don't know if they'd be where they are
without him, but I know they -- and he -- are better for the
experience.
So Carroll lost a good quarterback, and good quarterbacks
are hard to find, ones who win are harder. Maybe the facts
were against Sanchez's decision to turn pro, but Carroll
should have been looking at the player instead of a spread
sheet.
Then again, maybe he was.
"When you look at guys coming out in the draft, you can just
tell when someone has it," Jets wide receiver Jerricho
Cotchery said. "You can look at a guy and say, 'Hey, he's
going to be successful.' You can look at a DeSean Jackson
and see he's got it. You can have all these questions about
character and all those things, but he has it.
"You have the same feel for Mark. When you looked at him
on film you could see it. Obviously, coaches wanted to keep
him in college so they said he needed a little more
experience, but you could tell that if you got him with the
right coaching staff he was going to be OK. You could see it
on film. You can see a guy looking the safety off and coming
back and hitting another receiver. You can see that, and you
can see what type of player he's going to be."
Carroll saw it -- he just didn't want to admit it. It's time to
admit Sanchez knew what he was doing and made the right
move.
based on statistics of other quarterback failures, is now on
the verge of making quarterback history.
In spite of the fact that he threw 34 TDs in his final year at
USC, Pete Carroll, Sanchez's college coach discouraged him
from going pro, saying quarterbacks who leave college early
for the pros generally don't succeed. He had the numbers to
prove it, too, pointing out that 62 percent of quarterbacks
who leave as underclassmen don't pan out.
Sanchez is one win away from becoming the first rookie
quarterback to start a Super Bowl. More than that, in one
NFL season, he's experienced more success than his
predecessors at USC -- Carson Palmer and Matt Leinart --
have in their pro careers. Palmer hasn't won a playoff game,
and Leinart hasn't even started one.
Sanchez? He's 2-0 in the playoffs and this close to making
history.
"It's very interesting," said wide receiver Braylon Edwards,
"because now here he is in the AFC Championship Game,
which is something that neither one of those other two
have done in their careers yet. I'm happy for him, and I just
hope he continues to get better. I just hope he continues to
be the quarterback Pete Carroll helped him become."
That will take time. In Sanchez’s last game at USC he threw
for 413 yards and four touchdowns. In his best game with
the Jets he threw for 265 yards and two TDs. He never
threw for more than two touchdowns in any start and did
that only twice, while four times he had three or more
interceptions -- including a five-spot against Buffalo.
But that's what rookie quarterbacks do. What they don't do
is steer their teams to conference championship games. So
Joe Flacco and Ben Roethlisberger did it, they're the
exceptions. Peyton and Eli Manning are more the rule, with
Peyton 3-13 his rookie year and Eli 1-6.
What stands out about Sanchez is not that his numbers
went up as the year progressed, but that his interceptions
went down -- evidence that he was following orders to be
careful with the football and make plays only when they
were there.
"I think [offensive coordinator] Brian Shottenheimer and
Mark have gotten more on the same page," Edwards said.
"I feel like they've gotten to know each other more. Coach
Schottenheimer, maybe because of the past and the way
[Sanchez] plays, knows Mark needs certain plays early to
get him going. And Mark understands what 'Schotty' expects
of him to be a better quarterback in this league.
"His confidence level hasn't increased. It's just his comfort
level. He's always had his confidence, as any good player
will. But that comfort level has gotten better. And when that
gets stronger you're able to manage the game better, make
plays and keep the ball out of opponents' hands."
All three were on display in last weekend's defeat of San
Diego. For the most part, Sanchez managed an offense that
became more effective as the game wore on and the
Chargers wore down. While the Jets did nothing the first
four times they had the ball, they scored on three of their
first five second-half possessions and killed the clock -- and
the Chargers -- with a five-play series at the end.
Unlike opposing quarterback Philip Rivers, Sanchez didn't
make a fatal mistake, and, when he had to make a play, he
did. Rewind the tape of the Jets' first touchdown, and you'll
see Sanchez buy time by rolling to his right, patiently wait
on receivers, then finding tight end Dustin Keller in the back
of the end zone.
"I've been around young quarterbacks, and it takes some
time," Edwards said. "But once they figure it out, they
definitely get better at a rapid pace. But it's only once they
figure it out."
Sanchez doesn't have it figured out. Not by a long shot. But
he's getting there, and having him start a conference
championship game in his first year is not just a start -- it's
more like a leap.
"I do feel more comfortable as the days go on, as you get
more experience each game," Sanchez said. "There's no
substitute for that experience. The biggest thing that has
made the difference in these last few games has been
knowing what it takes to win but also knowing what gets
you beat. And turnovers have gotten us beat.
"If that means making better decisions or not throwing the
ball or taking a sack, that's what we've got to go with. It's
worked to this point, and, hopefully, in the future I'll be able
to take more chances and really get a feel for things. But,
right now, it's better to be smart than good."
Once he was dubbed "The San-chise." Later, when
interceptions started to accumulate, he became "Broadway
Schmo." The truth is that Sanchez is somewhere in
between, and that's not all that bad for a guy who wasn't
supposed to make it.
A week ago, a San Diego reporter playfully asked Sanchez if
he thought Carroll could make it in his return to the NFL, and
the quarterback laughed. He didn't have to respond, his
presence in the playoffs says it all.
Sanchez didn't sacrifice millions of dollars by leaving USC
and he didn't sacrifice a career, either. He did what he what
he thought -- no, what he knew -- was best, and lucky for
the New York Jets. I don't know if they'd be where they are
without him, but I know they -- and he -- are better for the
experience.
So Carroll lost a good quarterback, and good quarterbacks
are hard to find, ones who win are harder. Maybe the facts
were against Sanchez's decision to turn pro, but Carroll
should have been looking at the player instead of a spread
sheet.
Then again, maybe he was.
"When you look at guys coming out in the draft, you can just
tell when someone has it," Jets wide receiver Jerricho
Cotchery said. "You can look at a guy and say, 'Hey, he's
going to be successful.' You can look at a DeSean Jackson
and see he's got it. You can have all these questions about
character and all those things, but he has it.
"You have the same feel for Mark. When you looked at him
on film you could see it. Obviously, coaches wanted to keep
him in college so they said he needed a little more
experience, but you could tell that if you got him with the
right coaching staff he was going to be OK. You could see it
on film. You can see a guy looking the safety off and coming
back and hitting another receiver. You can see that, and you
can see what type of player he's going to be."
Carroll saw it -- he just didn't want to admit it. It's time to
admit Sanchez knew what he was doing and made the right
move.
| Mark Sanchez On The Verge Of Making History |
| 2010 Pro Bowl Rosters AFC PRO BOWL ROSTER OFFENSE STARTERS RESERVES Quarterbacks (3) Peyton Manning, Indianapolis Philip Rivers (injured), San Diego Tom Brady (injured), New England # Matt Schaub, Houston # Vince Young, Tennessee Running backs (3) Chris Johnson, Tennessee Maurice Jones-Drew, Jacksonville Ray Rice, Baltimore Wide receivers (4) Andre Johnson, Houston Reggie Wayne, Indianapolis Brandon Marshall, Denver Wes Welker (injured), New England Randy Moss (injured), New England # Chad Ochocinco, Cincinnati Fullback (1) Le'Ron McClain, Baltimore Tight ends (2) Dallas Clark, Indianapolis Antonio Gates, San Diego Tackles (3) Jake Long (injured), Miami Ryan Clady, Denver # D'Brickashaw Ferguson, New York Jets Joe Thomas, Cleveland Guards (3) Logan Mankins, New England Alan Faneca, New York Jets Kris Dielman, San Diego Centers (2) Nick Mangold, New York Jets Jeff Saturday, Indianapolis DEFENSE STARTERS RESERVES Defensive ends (3) Dwight Freeney, Indianapolis Robert Mathis, Indianapolis Mario Williams, Houston Interior linemen (3) Haloti Ngata, Baltimore Vince Wilfork, New England Casey Hampton, Pittsburgh Outside linebackers (3) Elvis Dumervil, Denver James Harrison, Pittsburgh Brian Cushing, Houston Inside linebackers (2) Ray Lewis, Baltimore DeMeco Ryans, Houston Cornerbacks (3) Darrelle Revis, New York Jets Nnamdi Asomugha, Oakland Champ Bailey, Denver Free safety (2) Ed Reed, Baltimore Jairus Byrd, Buffalo Strong safeties (1) Brian Dawkins (injured), Denver # Brandon Meriweather, New England SPECIALISTS PLAYERS Punter Shane Lechler, Oakland Placekicker Nate Kaeding, San Diego Kick return specialist Josh Cribbs, Cleveland Special teamer Kassim Osgood, San Diego NFC PRO BOWL ROSTER OFFENSE STARTERS RESERVES Quarterbacks (3) Drew Brees, New Orleans Brett Favre, Minnesota Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Running backs (3) Adrian Peterson, Minnesota Steven Jackson (injured), St. Louis DeAngelo Williams, Carolina # Frank Gore, San Francisco Wide receivers (4) Larry Fitzgerald (injured), Arizona DeSean Jackson, Philadelphia Miles Austin, Dallas Sidney Rice, Minnesota # Steve Smith, N.Y. Giants Fullback (1) Leonard Weaver, Philadelphia Tight ends (2) Vernon Davis, San Francisco Jason Witten, Dallas Tackles (3) Jason Peters, Philadelphia Bryant McKinnie, Minnesota Jonathan Stinchcomb, New Orleans Guards (3) Steve Hutchinson, Minnesota Jahri Evans, New Orleans Leonard Davis, Dallas Centers (2) Andre Gurode (injured), Dallas Shaun O'Hara, New York Giants # Jonathan Goodwin, Saints DEFENSE STARTERS RESERVES Defensive ends (3) Jared Allen, Minnesota Julius Peppers, Carolina Trent Cole, Philadelphia Interior linemen (3) Kevin Williams, Minnesota Darnell Dockett, Arizona Jay Ratliff, Dallas Outside linebackers (3) DeMarcus Ware, Dallas Lance Briggs (injured), Chicago Clay Matthews, Green Bay Brian Orakpo, Washington Inside linebackers (2) Patrick Willis, San Francisco Jonathan Vilma, New Orleans Cornerbacks (3) Charles Woodson (injured), Green Bay Asante Samuel, Philadelphia Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (injured), Arizona # Antoine Winfield, Minnesota # Terence Newman, Dallas Free safety (2) Darren Sharper, New Orleans Nick Collins, Green Bay Strong safeties (1) Adrian Wilson, Arizona SPECIALISTS PLAYERS Punter Andy Lee, San Francisco Placekicker David Akers, Philadelphia Kick return specialist DeSean Jackson (injured), Philadelphia # Percy Harvin, Minnesota Special teamer Heath Farwell, Minnesota |