Jets Will Struggle to Score Points
Rookie Sanchez may get exposed with lack of firepower around him
Posted on Wednesday, August 26, 2009 at 10:52 AMThis just in: Rex Ryan has decided to start Mark Sanchez at quarterback for the Jets' first game of the season against the Texans. But the rookie out of Southern California may have a hard time getting Gang Green into the end zone.
After two preseason games I keep wondering who will opposing defenses lose sleep over when playing against the Jets. I can't see defensive backs tossing and turning the night before the game when they're thinking about playing against the wide receivers in green-and-white. 
A lot of that was on display in New York's preseason game against Baltimore Monday night. Sanchez was in trouble right from his first pass, facing a strong Baltimore unit. The 25-yard interception to the house by Ravens defensive tackle Haloti Ngata happened because Baltimore's all-world linebacker, Ray Lewis, was breathing down Sanchez's neck. Sanchez is going to have to get used to being under pressure and will take his lumps behind center.
The first two preseason games for the first-year signal caller have been totally different — one well-played game and one ugly one. The game against the Giants this week should be interesting to watch for Jets fans because they're probably not sure what to expect. Rookie quarterbacks have a track record of being inconsistent so fans of Gang Green are going to have to be patient. The long journey for Sanchez to become a professional quarterback will not be a smooth one, but that's understandable for a such a young player.
Fourth-year veteran quarterback Kellen Clemens has also looked shaky, which forced Ryan to make the decision to go with Sanchez. Still, despite being relegated to second-string, Clemens will need a strong performance against Big Blue Saturday night to inspire confidence if called upon by the coaching staff.
There are positives to be found in this Jets offense, though. The one constant threat on offense is the super versatile Leon Washington, who continues to be the Jets' most effective weapon, even if he may be too small to play every down. Washington and Thomas Jones will have to be as productive as they were last season if the Jets want to make any sort of run towards the playoffs in a tough AFC East division.
The smash-mouth football Ryan wants to play may be the only option this season with the such inexperience at quarterback. A combination of Jones, Washington and rookie third-round pick Shonn Greene will give the Jets defense some badly needed rest, but will it be enough to score points? Lets face it — Sanchez is at least one year away from winning games for the new coach. Until that day arrives, the rest of the Jets players will hope that the rookie doesn't give the ball away and put the team into an early hole. With the lack of firepower I see from Gang Green, they will need to keep these games low-scoring if they plan on winning more games than losing.
MORE:
