NFL – Dirty Sanchez Starting for Jets

The Jets know that their rabid fans won’t be patient enough to wait for Mark Sanchez to develop in to the franchise quarterback he’s supposed to bed. But they’re also not hedging their bets. “Dirty” Sanchez is going to be the Jets starter to open the season, and before you get all optimistic, the Jets have not made a rookie their opening starter in nearly 50 years.

Sanchez’s debut in the NFL was anything but reassuring. He was nearly sacked by Ray Lewis on his first snap, and forced a pass that was picked off for six by the stingy Baltimore defense. It was a stark reminder to the rookie that the NFL is not USC, and that he has a lot left to learn. Dirty ended the game with 3-of-8 passes completed for just 83 yards, including a 25-yard reception by Leon Washington for a touchdown.

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The decision to tab Sanchez so early leaves perennial back-up, Kellen Clemens, on the outside looking in. First he lost his starting job to Brett Favre. Now he’s losing it to a rookie. Clemens had 5-of-10 completions for 60 yards, one touchdown and one interception in a showcase that was anything but stellar. The mood in New York is that Clemens was never meant to be anything more than a backup. He’ll have Erik Ainge, the former Texas Longhorns standout, to contend with for backup honors.

Sanchez will have a few weapons to work with, namely Jericho Cotchery and Leon Washington with Thomas Jones being leaned on as a workhorse back. There have been plenty of rumors that Brandon Marshall will somehow land in New York to bolster the receiving corps, but the point is moot because it is obvious that Sanchez has a lot to prove in the NFL right now. Those of you that thought Sanchez would be the cure-all for the Jets after they moved up to draft him, are horrifically mistaken.

Matthew Stafford of the Detroit Lions was nabbed with the first overall pick in the 2009 draft, and his play in the preseason has been promising. Of course, the expectations on Stafford are low. If he can win three games this year, then Detroit will have something to smile about. Joshua Freeman, the 17th overall pick and the top pick of the Buccaneers, is going to be given the grace of enjoying a clipboard while McCown and Leftwich get slaughtered on the field instead. Those are your three first round quarterbacks from the 2009 draft.

The question is whether Stafford and Sanchez will be the Matt Ryan and Joe Flacco of 2009.

If anyone has the opportunity to recreate Flacco, it’s Sanchez. He’s an exceptionally talented slinger, and the game against Baltimore had more to do with being rightfully terrified of Ray Lewis and Ed Reed. The comparisons are similar, but not staggeringly similar. Flacco had a mediocre receiving corps to work with, and the team relied on their ground game to win. The Jets will very much do the same, but Baltimore’s defense is far better than the one in New York. Sanchez will be leaned upon to actually win games, and that can be a daunting task for anyone, including a guy with the nickname “Dirty”.

The time for Sanchez is now. Is it the right time? No. But that’s what New York gets for being impatient.