The Jets Clearly Need Change but Moving on from Sanchez is not the Answer

Posted by on Dec 26, 2011 in Main, Opinion | 10 comments

The Jets Clearly Need Change but Moving on from Sanchez is not the Answer

I’m officially back from my Christmas Coma and I think the ugly loss (of which I was there) finally has sunken in.  There are many reactions and calling of heads of coaches and certain players on twitter and from the media and I mostly agree with them with the exception of the opinion of Mark Sanchez.  Some are saying that the “Sanchez Experiment” is over.  WRONG.

In a report that came out from, of all people, Mike Florio from PFT, that the Jets are thinking twice about Mark Sanchez and moving forward without the QB.  The claim is that he doesn’t have “IT Factor” to lead the Jets to the promised land and that the reason why the Jets fell short this season was due to Mark Sanchez.

A league source tells PFT that the Jets are beginning to realize that Sanchez may not be the answer at the position.  That said, the Jets will not publicly acknowledge even the possibility that Sanchez is falling out of favor.

Let’s not forget about the fact that a brand new WR Corp was introduced, the complete and utter breakdown of the Offensive Line, the questionable game plans by Brian Schottenheimer, and finally the fact that Mark improved on almost all of his statistics from the previous two years.  I’m also going to throw in the fact that he’s a QB playing in New York.  That alone is a ton of pressure that most QB’s throughout the league could not handle.

It is NOT time to move on from Sanchez

If the Jets as an organization have no faith in the Sanchez, then why did you let him throw the ball 59 times against the Giants?  Why did you abandon the run?  Why do you ignore the fact that the Jets depth charts are horrible especially on the O-line.  Why do you put all the pressure on Mark Sanchez in the Giants game?  Exactly, because you DO believe in him and he is the franchise.

Drafted in 2009, his five-year contract expires after the 2013 season.  I say figure out a way to improve this offensive line BIG TIME this year.  I also believe it is time to move on from Brian Schottenheimer.  Bring in someone who can design plays that fit to Mark Sanchez’s strengths.   Mark has the tools but needs a very good mentor to take him to the next level.  Brian is NOT that guy.  Schottenheimer is a smart guy but he doesn’t fit with Sanchez.

If Mark doesn’t improve VASTLY, then in 2013, I agree, let’s move on, but NOW is not the time.  He’s good enough to take us to the promised land but the problem lies with protecting him.

I don’t think it wise to cut ties with the QB who brought you to the AFC Championship his first two seasons.  I get the fact that many will say that we got there DESPITE his play, but I’m not buying it.

I think if we stay with Brian Schottenheimer but move on from Mark Sanchez, it would set the organization back.  It’s clear that the Jets have to make changes as we are not the same team as 2009 and 2010.   I’m not going to address the defensive side of the ball but here is what I would do for the offense.

  1. Improve the offensive line.
  2. Replace Brian Schottenheimer.
  3. Bring in a deep threat WR.
  4. Add more depth to the RB position.
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  • Kjmf11

    You are 100 percent right. It is hard to throw when you spend half the game on the ground and the other half fearing for your life. Wayne Hunter is terrible. I would also like to add a number 5 to your list.. A blocking TE.

    • http://www.jetstwit.com/ Erik Manassy

      I agree with the TE.

    • Jmsmith83

      Sanchez plays scared. It has nothing to do with his line. Did you see the embarrassing flinch a few weeks ago. No football player would flinch like that,he is soft and the reason our team loses each week.

      • Quikheal

        I agree that Sanchez isn’t great. Drafting a QB would put the Jets back in rebuilding mode. Shotty has to go. He doesn’t put Sanchez is positions to succeed. But if you think that we don’t have holes at other positions you are crazy and are only focused on Sanchez. I’ve been a Jet fan for over 30 yrs and I played plenty of competive football and I have worked with plenty of pro football players. Look at what made Denver successful this year. They run the shit out of the ball. Play great defense and don’t turn it over. When the Jets run the shit out of the ball, play D like they are capable of and don’t turn it over the Jets win. This yr the Jets can barely run the ball. Their D is nowhere as good as its been. They lead the league in special team TO’s. It’s not all Sanchez. The Jets have a lot of improvement needed at many positions.

      • Quikheal

        I agree that Sanchez isn’t great. Drafting a QB would put the Jets back in rebuilding mode. Shotty has to go. He doesn’t put Sanchez is positions to succeed. But if you think that we don’t have holes at other positions you are crazy and are only focused on Sanchez. I’ve been a Jet fan for over 30 yrs and I played plenty of competive football and I have worked with plenty of pro football players. Look at what made Denver successful this year. They run the shit out of the ball. Play great defense and don’t turn it over. When the Jets run the shit out of the ball, play D like they are capable of and don’t turn it over the Jets win. This yr the Jets can barely run the ball. Their D is nowhere as good as its been. They lead the league in special team TO’s. It’s not all Sanchez. The Jets have a lot of improvement needed at many positions.

  • Jmsmith83

    So you want to spend money to fix 4 areas of the offense instead of fixing the one major issue, a scared inexperienced qb who is regressing with wr’s any qb would dream to have. Have you ever played football at any level? Are you related to Sanchez? I know you are a die hard fan. But pretending Sanchez is an NFL quarterback is ridiculous. Everyone that feels the way you are simply unable to cope with the fact we made a horrible decision to draft a qb witon only 16 games under is belt in college and surrounded by great athletes in a horrible conference. As I say this my son is playing with his Christmas toys wearing his brand new Sanchez jersey. The rest of our team is more then solid and deserve the opportunity to win. Sanchez mistakes make the rest of the team weak. i.e. The picks and fumbles after our D does there job.

    • http://www.jetstwit.com/ Erik Manassy

      All I’m saying is, let’s see how Sanchez does WITHOUT Schottenheimer.  If we move on from Sanchez this year, who do we have?  Peyton Manning will be a short-term plug (if he was the last piece I say do it, but we have WAY TOO MANY ISSUES that we need to address first).  Drafting a new QB will take time (do we want to start him as a rookie too, no.  We had no choice once Favre went away).  McElroy is not ready.  Replacing a QB and not addressing the O-line, O-Coordinator is silly in my opinion.

      And lastly, way to go with the personal shots.  No I’m not related and yes I played.

  • Kkapnick

    Just b/c Sanchez flinched does not mean he’s soft. Its a natural sub conscious reaction and I’m sure others would do the same.  The team is so inconsistent it seems like its something with the coaching. If you’re not confident with your coach how can you be confident on the field? Fire Schotty. 

  • Kkapnick

    Just b/c Sanchez flinched does not mean he’s soft. Its a natural sub conscious reaction and I’m sure others would do the same.  The team is so inconsistent it seems like its something with the coaching. If you’re not confident with your coach how can you be confident on the field? Fire Schotty. 

  • duffy

    Sanchez needs someone who will work with his big arm and good middle of the field sight, not someone who calls about two deep plays a game. Take advantage of keller and his big play ability. But all that doesn’t happen without a good four seconds to let his wide receivers work the cornerbacks. That doesn’t happen without a offensive line with no holes. They need to build around fergusen, mangold (and moore?) and get some people to replace slauson and hunter. This way there will be no more penalties and more big holes to run through and more time to throw. This also is the problem with the running game. It’s only 30% greene’s fault, 70% the offensive lines fault. Offensive linemen on the jets have gone away every season, due to injury and trades/free agency. Each year the jets running game has gone a little bit more to. This is why the jets running game was so good in 2009 year. But so bad this year. Greene has been getting older, so he should be better this year compared to last year. But it was the opposite. So
    Improve the offensive line.
    Replace Brian Schottenheimer.is what we need to do.