Time To Take The Reigns Off Of Mark Sanchez

Captain Obvious moment: The Jets were poor on offense. Really poor. In fact, poor doesn't even describe the Jets offense. Inept is more like it. Here's some stats for you:

176 total yards of offense.
60 yards passing (!)
10 pass completions
A meager 2.6 yards per pass play, sacks included.
The team's leading receiver was Jerricho Cotchery... with 18 yards on 2 receptions.

Despite a defensive effort that was valiant even if not perfect (images of Rex Ryan continually running rookie CB Kyle Wilson out there in single man coverage are alarming), the Jets didn't muster enough offense to score double digits or sustain a drive longer than 35 yards. First downs achieved? 6. Absolutely embarrassing.

The onus does not fall on Mark Sanchez, or the offensive line, or the receivers however. This is squarely on the shoulders of Rex Ryan, Brian Schottenheimer, and the offensive coaches. The Ravens are in transition in the secondary, and missing Ed Reed. Yet, there was no vertical attack. No threat to the Ravens downfield. Sanchez looked timid to throw downfield, undoubtedly a result of the "don't screw up" leash he's dangling on. Only 2 of Sanchez's 21 attempts were thrown 15 yards downfield.

As poor as Sanchez has looked, the coaches are doing him no favors. This is a kid who the team drafted 5th overall in the 09 draft. He was brought to New York to be the franchise quarterback. Franchise quarterbacks make plays and are put into position to make plays. The Jets don't allow him to do so. In a Super Bowl year, the Jets seem determined to not allow a young QB to sink their hopes; yet, they are hindering their own hopes by doing so. Despite some claims to the contrary, recent history shows that the NFL is still a quarterbacks league, and the Jets are behind the 8 ball as long as Sanchez continues along the path Ryan and Schottenheimer have set for him.

Sanchez has decent though not ideal size (6-2, 225), a good arm, and decent mobility. Schottenheimer needs to tailor his gameplan to the strengths of his quarterback and let him sink or swim, because the Jets are not a Super Bowl contender with performances like last week regardless of how good the defense is.


How can you say no to a face like this?