Jets Get Out-Quarterbacked in Loss to Pats
Sanchez throws game away
Posted on Monday, November 23, 2009 at 5:00 PMJust when we thought Jets rookie QB Mark Sanchez was going to simply manage the offense from this point in the season, comes another example why the Jets' coaching staff has failed to get a grip on reality.
Coming into this matchup vs. Gang Green, the New England Patriots were 55-1 when they win the turnover battle. Make that 56-1 after Sanchez (8-for-21, 136 yards, one TD) threw four INTs and fumbled once in the latest Jets fiasco.
Why would you allow your rookie QB to just throw the game away? Well, with 19 turnovers in 10 games this year, you could make an argument that the fifth pick in last April's NFL Draft has thrown away the season.
Let this be a lesson for the future when so-called experts bring up the first year success of rookie QBs named Joe Flacco or Matt Ryan.
In all fairness, Gang Green's sixth loss in their last seven games did not just fall on Sanchez's shoulders. There were dropped passes, Pats wide-open receiver Wes Welker (15 rec., 192 yards) scorching Rex Ryan's defense and poor line play on both sides of the ball that had New York down 24-0 late in the second quarter at Foxboro.
Ryan has failed his team with the "let the rookie learn on the job" approach. The ball is precious and Sanchez has not been made to understand one very valuable rule: throw it away and live for another play. Unfortunately for this veteran Jets team, the coaching staff has let the QB be irresponsible with the football.
The Pats' first score came in the first quarter on a 53-yardinterception return for a TD by DB Leigh Bodden. In fact, he wasSanchez's favorite target on the day as the rookie QB threw not one butthree of his four INTs to Bodden. With Gang Green down 24-14 in the second half, Sanchez inexplicably forced another pass into the New England night just outside of the Patriots' end zone. That was the final INT and last completion to Bodden, which cemented New England's 31-14 victory.
Can anyone explain what Jets offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer is trying to prove by allowing his young pupil to throw aimlessly into the opponent's defense? New York, you have a problem. Hello! Run the football when you find yourself down by 10 points to an angry Patriots team.
So you have to punt; big deal. At least you're making it more difficult for Tom Brady (28-for-41, 310 yards) and company to score.
Let's make one thing clear; I am not calling for the benching of Mark Sanchez. I just wish the Jets coaching staff would take the keys from his hands and let him drive in the back of the bus.
Let the rest of the Jets players have a say in throwing away the season.
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