Mark Sanchez Is Answering His Critics

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Are my eyes deceiving me or does Mark Sanchez look like one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL? After a poor week one effort against the Ravens — which had a lot to do with questionable playcalling — Sanchez has reeled off four straight wins and tossed for 828 yards, eight touchdowns and zero interceptions. Those aren’t Peyton Manning or Philip Rivers numbers, but the productivity and efficiency is there.

Are the Jets still a run-first team? Yes. Does their physical attacking defense help Sanchez? Yup. Has he been asked to beat a team with his arm yet? No. All that said, it’s hard to argue the guy hasn’t made dramatic improvements since last season. He’s more patient in the pocket, is avoiding pressure and taking more shots downfield.

With a receiving corps that features Santonio Holmes, Braylon Edwards, Jerricho Cotchery and Dustin Keller, Sanchez should be able to make bad defenses pay, and peeking ahead at the upcoming schedule, the Jets have a bunch of suspect teams ahead, like the beat-up Packers, Lions, Browns, Texans and Bengals.

As long as the rushing game holds up, Sanchez will be able to use play-action and exploit one-on-one coverage. He’ll never be confused for Drew Brees or Tom Brady, but lucky for him he doesn’t have to be. However, he’s no longer just a game manager. You don’t trade for Holmes and Edwards with the intention of not using their skill sets.

Now, Sanchez will pitch his share of clunkers and what-the-hell-was-that throws. After all, he’s a maturing quarterback being asked to lead a Super Bowl contender. Even veteran signal callers struggle when the spotlight brightens. I’m not prepared to anoint the guy the next great thing or reserve him a spot in the Hall of Fame, but he’s definitely making his many critics, myself included, eat their words.

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