FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) -Mark Sanchez has held his own against two tough defenses, playing more like a seasoned veteran than a wide-eyed rookie.
The first rookie quarterback to start a season in Jets history has led New York to a 2-0 start and earned the respect and confidence of his teammates in the process.
“I’ll tell you what, his approach and the way he’s relaxed and calm, that goes a long way, especially being a rookie in this league,” wide receiver Jerricho Cotchery said Wednesday. “He’s able to remain settled throughout the entire game, even when something bad happens.”
That poise might surprise the fans, media and some teammates. Not coach Rex Ryan, though.
“I think he’s right there with where we thought he would be,” he said.
e future, but the present, giving him the starting job over Kellen Clemens after two preseason games.
“I’m just working on that steady climb,” Sanchez said.
Well, the kid who’s being nicknamed “The Sanchise” and “Franchez” has validated Ryan’s thoughts through two games by showing a knack for handling pressure.
“When we go into games, he’s our quarterback and I don’t look at him as a rookie quarterback,” right guard Brandon Moore said. “He’s in there, he’s our guy and he’s got a job to do.”
Sanchez leads the AFC, and ranks fourth overall, in passing on third down with a 119.5 rating. He’s 17 of 23 for 228 yards and a TD in those situations, including 12 of 15 for 191 yards and a score in the season-opening win at Houston.
“I will say this: The first game, I think he exceeded our expectations in converting all those third downs,” Ryan said. “You don’t see that very often in any quarterback, let alone a rookie quarterback. He was tremendous. He’s doing a good job for us. He’s just having fun playing the position.”
since 2000.
“I’m trying not to peak too early and trying to improve every week,” Sanchez said. “Each week, I feel more and more comfortable with the offense and the game plan.”
The most encouraging thing for Sanchez is that Ryan and offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer aren’t scaling down the playbook. Sanchez even checked with Clemens to make sure he was getting it all.
“I said, ‘Am I doing everything right? What do you think? Are we holding back on a lot of plays?”’ Sanchez said he asked Clemens. “He said, ‘Dude, this is all we’ve got. We’re throwing a lot at you and you’re doing an awesome job at it. Just keep it up and keep studying.’
“What we’re doing is working. If we need to hand it off 50 times or put it in the air 50 times, I feel that this offense is prepared to do it, and it all starts up front.”
The offensive line certainly has had a lot to do with Sanchez’s early production, allowing only two sacks. Sanchez has also made things happen with his feet, stepping up and avoiding rushes while finding open receivers.
“I think he’s prepared,” left guard Alan Faneca said. “I think he puts himself through those situations and kind of prepares himself for the different options, so it’s not really a surprise. He definitely gives that off that he’s just prepared and is ready for any situation that arises.”
Moore said he was won over by Sanchez way before any games were played.
“When he first got here, most rookies don’t say much, but he saw me in the hallway and I’m not a very inviting guy sometimes,” Moore said, “and he was like, ‘Hey, Brandon! What’s up?’ It was out of nowhere and he’s asking me how my weekend was.
“He’s up front and very comfortable with the people around him, and that shows up on Sundays.”
Cotchery said he knew Sanchez was something special after seeing the way he handled himself at Baltimore in the second preseason game. Sanchez threw an interception that was returned for a touchdown on his first throw, and nearly had another returned, before calming down and leading the Jets into the end zone.
“That was a blessing in disguise,” Cotchery said. “Being able to experience that in the preseason and bounce back from it and then the next week just kind of put it all together, that was great. He’s been really very good for this team.”
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