Jets and Mark Sanchez exceed expectations

Written by Tom Oldfield

Mark Sanchez certainly made a statement in his first NFL season.

The New York Jets placed their trust in Sanchez and were rewarded with a run to the AFC Championship game.. The quarterback is currently considering knee surgery during the off-season but he let nothing slow him down in his rookie year and, though the loss to the Indianapolis Colts with the Super Bowl in sight was a bitter pill to swallow, he can reflect on an outstanding first season in the big league.

When he was taken with the fifth pick in the 2009 draft, Sanchez was not even guaranteed to be the Jets’ starting quarterback. But after getting the nod over veteran Kellen Clemens, he went from strength to strength as his team-mates came to count on him more and more.

Never short of confidence, Sanchez’s solid play during the last few weeks of the regular season lifted the Jets into the playoffs. Victories over the Colts and Bengals put Rex Ryan’s men over the line before Sanchez enhanced his growing reputation in the wildcard round. Outdueling Carson Palmer, he led the Jets to a 24-14 victory over Cincinnati.

Efficiency was the name of the game against the San Diego Chargers and Sanchez again answered the call as the Jets delivered a 17-14 shock. Peyton Manning and the Colts might have been too hot to handle last weekend but Sanchez can hold his head high. Learning on the fly this season, he passed countless tests as he recorded 12 touchdowns, threw for 2,444 yards and earned a spot on the All Rookie Team.

And the praise keeps coming. Ryan sees Sanchez “becoming a leader” while numerous Jets have admitted how easy it is to forget that he is a rookie quarterback. He might have fallen short of the Super Bowl this year but you can expect to see a hungrier, stronger and more experienced Sanchez back next season as the Jets try to spring a few more surprises.

Tags: Mark Sanchez, New York Jets, Rex Ryan