It's official. When the 2009-2010 NFL season kicks off, Mark Sanchez will be the starting quarterback for the New York Jets.
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The announcement came one day after the Jets' 24-23 loss against Rex Ryan's former Ravens squad. It was thought that the performance of Sanchez and Kellen Clemens against Baltimore would be the barometer for Ryan's decision. Yet, despite posting a lower passer rating than Clemens, Sanchez was declared the starter on Tuesday.It took Sanchez until New York's fourth possession against the Ravens' imposing defense to complete a pass, as the former USC quarterback started 0 for his first 4. His first attempt was a screen pass, which ended up in the gut of Haloti Ngata, who returned the pick 25 yards for a touchdown. Sanchez almost had another pass intercepted, but Ray Lewis couldn't handle what could have easily been another pick-six. The 5th overall pick showed poise after his miscues to bounce back. Sanchez finished on a more solid note, completing 3 of his final 4 throws for 43 yards, the last of which was a strike to Leon Washington for a 19 yard score.
Washington was electric, making a strong bid for an increase in touches- not to mention the contract extension he's been searching for. The versatile back logged 176 all-purpose yards on 13 touches in just two quarters of play. The Florida State alum ran 8 times for 48 yards (6.0 YPC) and hauled in 2 passes for 35 yards, including the 19-yard touchdown reception from Sanchez. Washington also returned three kickoffs for 93 yards, 52 of which came on his first return.
Leon's receiving ability gives the rookie Sanchez another viable target in addition to WR Jerricho Cotchery and second-year TE Dustin Keller. Still, with the departure of Laveranues Coles to the Cincinnati Bengals, the Jets are looking for David Clowney to step up and fill the void left by Coles in the role of #2 receiver.
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Though he has just one career reception, he possesses the height (6'1") and the speed to be a big play threat down the field. In two games thus far this preseason, Clowney has 5 receptions for 136 yards and 2 touchdowns. Three of his five receptions have gone for 20 yards or more, which is second best this preseason. Only the Jaguars' Troy Williamson has more, with four. Outside of Clowney, the rest of the Jets receiving corps has been less than impressive. Brad Smith, the converted Missouri quarterback, had several key drops against Baltimore, including one that appeared to be an easy touchdown.The inexperienced Sanchez will lead the inexperienced Jets receivers when they take on the Giants in the annual New York-New York preseason meeting this Saturday night at 8. The Giants have their own wide receiver concerns, minus Plaxico Burress and Amani Toomer. Needless to say, both teams are dealing with major changes on both sides of the ball.
The Jets have more to make up on offense, having made major additions on defense. Pro Bowl linebacker Bart Scott and talented safety Jim Leonhard defected from the Ravens, following Ryan to New York. The Jets also added two-time Pro Bowl cornerback Lito Sheppard in a trade with the Eagles.
The Jets revamped defense is still coming into its own under their new head coach. Rex Ryan's Jets D has allowed only three drives of 10 or more plays, however, opponents have managed only 3 points on those possessions, one of which resulted in a missed field goal. For the Giants, after the departure of defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, their defense has also allowed only three drives of over ten plays in the first half against Chicago, those drives only yielding 10 points.
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On the flip side, running back Danny Ware is replacing Derrick Ward in the Giants backfield, and the new DW leads the team in receptions and receiving yards, with 6 catches for 73 yards. Domenik Hixon and rookie Ramses Barden lead Big Blue WR with just 3 receptions apiece, while rookie WR Hakeem Nicks has 2 catches for 64 yards. However, in its first two preseason games, the Giants offense has not produced points on either of their two drives of 10+ plays, which ended in one missed a field goal and a turnover on downs. Meanwhile, the Jets have scored 16 points on four drives of 10 or more plays this preseason, including a 17 play scoring drive in the fourth quarter against the Ravens, which left Gang Green a 2-point conversion short of a victory.Things to look for in Saturday's game:
- How will Mark Sanchez respond to his new role as Jets starting quarterback?
- Besides David Clowney and Leon Washington, who will step up in the Jets passing game?
- Can both defenses continue to hold opponents to limited points on drives of 10 plays or more?
- Will any Giants receiver do anything to distinguish himself?
Just for fun predictions:
- NYJ: Sanchez 8-15, 95 yds, TD, INT
- NYG: E. Manning 5-7, 100 yds
- NYJ: Greene rush TD
- NYG: Jacobs rush TD
- NYJ: L. Washington 120 tot yds
- NYG: Ware 95 tot yds (65 rush), rec TD
- NYJ: Keller 4 rec, 50 yds, TD
- NYG: Barden 3 rec, 70 yds, TD
- NYJ: Clemens 3-7, TD, 2 INT
Final: Jets 24, Giants 21
