Jets football blog

Sanchez feeling the heat

Heading into the half last week against the Broncos, Mark Sanchez led the Jets just past midfield. With 10 seconds remaining, it appeared they would spike the ball, run a quick play and try and secure a makeable field goal.

But instead, Sanchez faked the spike and whipped the ball out to an uncovered Dustin Keller, who was pounded at the line of scrimmage. Offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer was on the sidelines, displeased.

"I was frustrated with (that) one for sure," Schottenheimer said. "He was trying to make a play, we were in a situation where we were calling to clock the ball. He saw that Dustin was uncovered and tried to kind of make a play to throw it out there and thought Dustin could steal a couple yards and get into field goal range. (continue)

Rodgers takes a shot at Sanchez

Speaking on his weekly radio program in Milwaukee, Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers called Mark Sanchez's photo spread in GQ magizine “embarrassing.”

Sanchez, though, ended up not taking the comments very seriously, treating what Rodgers said like any of the numerous jokes he received from teammates.

"I think he was, obviously, making a joke out of it, and that’s fine, giving me a good ribbing like the guys on our team," Sanchez said in a statement distributed by the Jets. "That’s totally understandable, but I’m just happy that it ended up working out for a good cause and we got to partner with two great companies and one great charity, with Hugo Boss and Tuesday’s Children. It worked out for the better and I can take a little razzing for the way it ended up. I know he’s just joking around, so that’s totally fine."

Here is the exact quote from Rodgers:

"Look at this, that's embarrassing," Rodgers said, referring specifically to the photos of Sanchez wearing a black tank top and white pants. "Page 94 of this GQ thing here, that's terrible." (continue)

New receivers no problem for Sanchez

 Mark Sanchez dropped back into the pocket, surveying the chaotic scene in front of him.

The Jets' third-year quarterback looked around at his tight end and his trio of wide receivers, quickly scanning to see who was open. Without hesitation, Sanchez looked at his slot receiver darting underneath, firing a strike to one of the new guys for a completion.

Derrick Mason, practicing for the first time with his new team, snared the pass with relative ease, showing there wasn't any need for much of an adjustment period on this day for Sanchez, Mason and the Jets' other two core wideouts --Santonio Holmes and Plaxico Burress.

With three new wide receivers, including Mason and Burress, one might think Sanchez is concerned that it will take a while to get in sync with everyone. But he's not about to co-sign on that theory. (continue)

 

Mark Sanchez willing to restructure contract

Mark Sanchez said he'd be willing to re-structure his contract to ease the Jets' salary-cap burdens now that the quick free agent signing period is underway.

Among other players, the Jets stand to lose Braylon Edwards and Santonio Holmes if they cannot make a deal.

"Absolutely. My agent has already talked to me about it,'' Sanchez said. "So whatever we need to do to win, it's on. I think our whole team feels that way. (Darrelle) Revis, me, whatever.''

Sanchez said he's confident team management feels that way, too.

"Whatever it takes. That's (Mike) Tannenbaum, (Woody) Johnson, Rex's third down conversion.That's them trying to throw touchdown pass, that's them getting a sack. That's what we do on the field. Well this is what they do in the offseason,'' he said. "I know they'll position us and acquire the best talent we possibly can with the finances we have. (continue)

Sanchez looking to maintain continuity

Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez lamented this morning that the current NFL lockout, which has lasted nearly four months, "is really ruining our momentum."

But Sanchez, entering his third season, hopes that by organizing two sets of player-run workouts, Jets West for the offensive skill players and Jets East with more than 40 of his teamates, the Jets will reap the benefits if and when the lockout is settled and players can return to work.

"I think that’s one of the most important things," Sanchez told Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio on "The Dan Patrick Show." "It's really important for the chemistry; just to see the players again, just to talk about football, to see how everybody's family is doing, go grab some food. Guys had a paintball tournament. That kind of stuff really does carry over to the field. For us to get together, it is a decided advantage when we start camp." (continue)

Sanchez talks to NFL network

Mark Sanchez stopped by the NFL Network – because really, what else does he have to do during the lockout? – and chatted about a few things including a couple of players whom he may or may not be throwing the football to once the season begins.

Asked if Jets free agent wide receivers Santonio Holmes, Braylon Edwards and Brad Smith can all be re-signed by the Jets, Sanchez said:

“I honestly do. I think that’s what Mike Tannenbaum does best and he’s the best GM in football. Mr. [Woody] Johnson, that’s part of his job. And Rex, that’s keeping all of us together. He wants the offense to run smooth, he wants us to pick up where we left off and to do that, we need all of our guys back. I think that would be the best-case scenario.”

Later, in an off-camera interview with the network, Sanchez was asked about speculation that Randy Moss could be in the Jets’ plans. He didn’t exactly give the type of ringing endorsement a player gives when he really wants someone to join his team. (newsday)

Sanchez dates 17yo?

On Friday, sports web site Deadspin.com teased a story involving Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez and his alleged romancing of a 17-year-old girl, promising full details today. The complete story included photos allegedly taken inside Sanchez’s bedroom and an account by a 17-year-old high school student, referred to as “E.K.”, who claimed to be romantically involved with Sanchez, 24.

The law would not prohibit such a relationship if conducted in either New York, where the age of consent is 17, or New Jersey, where 16 is the legal age to consent.

The woman who took the photos, listed in a letter from her lawyers as “E.K.”, provided the pictures to the site before getting cold feet and seeking counsel, Deadspin said.

In today’s story, Deadspin quotes E.K. as having been in contact with the Jets and been advised by the Jets public relations staff on how to handle the situation. When the original post came out, the Jets issued a brief statement: “We are not going to discuss Mark’s private life.” (Ledger)

No excuses for Sanchez

For the third straight day, Mark Sanchez looked good on the practice field, "zipping the ball around," coach Rex Ryan said. Though Sanchez again was limited in practice Thursday because of his sore right shoulder, Ryan insisted he "feels great."

"He was throwing the ball great today," he said. "Like I say, no excuses. They're going to get us at our best."

The Jets turned up the volume in practice, booming loud music and recordings of cheering fans through speakers set up inside their indoor facility.

"It gets pretty loud in that stadium," Ryan said, referring to Luxas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. " . . . Make practice as difficult as you can. That way, in a game, hopefully it's the same or even easier.

Asked if the music was his own, the coach laughed and said: "That's definitely not from my iPod, because there would be a lot of country on there." (Newsday)

Sanchez expected to be 100% for Colts

Rex Ryan yesterday left no question about the status of quarterback Mark Sanchez and his sore right shoulder for Saturday's AFC wild-card playoff game against the Colts in Indianapolis.

"He's going to be 100 percent," the Jets coach said. "I think he's healthy and he's going to be ready to go."

Right guard Brandon Moore said the "vibe" he has gotten from Sanchez is that the sore shoulder is "a non-issue."

"He's in there rehabbing, and it may be a little sore, but I feel like we're going into this game with a normal Mark Sanchez," Moore said. "He can make all the throws and do all the things he needs to do to be successful. From what he's told me and the way he's going about his business, he's fine." (Post)

Sanchez will start vs Bills

The question of the week — will Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez play on Sunday — was answered today.

Coach Rex Ryan said Sanchez will start in the regular-season finale against the Bills. How long he stays in will depend on how the game progresses.

The Jets have already wrapped up a postseason bid, so they considered whether to sit Sanchez, who is nursing a “sore” throwing shoulder. Ryan put off his decision until today, weighing several factors including Sanchez's health, maintaining the quarterback’s groove of the past few weeks and wanting to enter the playoffs riding a win.

“He’s got a good thing going right now, and he’s comfortable and I just wanted to keep that going,” Ryan said. (Ledger)