It's Official --- Sanchez to Start on Sunday

by Matt Birch on Dec 18, 2009 2:08 PM EST

Mark Sanchez has been named the official starter for Sunday's game against the Falcons. Not a big surprise by any means, but Rex has removed all doubt as to who would be behind center.

He will, however, be wearing two knee braces which could present some mobility concerns. That being said, with the Jets facing another weak run defense, and 20 MPH winds and snow in the forecast, it's likely that he will be handing the ball off 40-50 times and Schotty's gameplan will be conservative as it was for Clemens.

"Mark will start," Ryan said Friday. "No great surprise to anybody."

"It’s going to be a Joe Namath throwback game for Mark," Ryan said. "He slid right in front of me during practice to make sure that I knew that he was ready to go. He feels confident. He threw the ball really well today."

Good to hear.

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Well it will be a good game to see how Sanchez reacts. I am going to the game Sunday so I can’t wait to see the Defense in person!

by chrebetsthebet on Dec 18, 2009 2:49 PM EST reply actions

Clemens should have gotten the nod .....

Sanchez shouldn’t feel insecure about missing another start. The team has invested heavily in him and he’s their guy. But -— he has lost his share of games for us this year. Sunday is critical if the Jets want to keep any shot at the playoffs alive. In my opinion, Clemens gives us the best chance to win this Sunday (which is what Rex always states is how he bases his decisions).

by Jeff I on Dec 18, 2009 2:58 PM EST reply actions

I really don’t think the Jets are gonna win on Sunday threw the air. All things being equal Sanchez is much better than Clemens. If he is healthy and able to play he id going to start regardless. We live by the Sanchez, we die by the Sanchez. That’s they way it is.

by chrebetsthebet on Dec 18, 2009 3:15 PM EST up reply actions

Gotta respectfully disagree there along the lines of what I said in another post earlier.

If Sanchez misses another week that means he’s going to come into Indy where he will play his first game back from injury.
This year, especially on the road, we have seen him to get off to very slow starts, leading to some sub-par 1H performances.
While he has normally come out in the 2H looking like a different QB, if we allow ourselves to fall behind by two scores at the half in Indy, we’re probably toast.

He needs to play and get that knee nice and limber. It will not only help mentally- as it will build his confidence going into Indy, but also hopefully get him accustomed to playing with the knee brace(s) so he will be more comfortable in the pocket and mobile.

GGN Staff Writer
www.ganggreennation.com

by Matt Birch on Dec 18, 2009 3:22 PM EST up reply actions

Doh, chrebet slipped a post in before mine!

Not disagreeing with his post, but the one above it.

GGN Staff Writer
www.ganggreennation.com

by Matt Birch on Dec 18, 2009 3:23 PM EST up reply actions

Your post was much more precise! Haha

by chrebetsthebet on Dec 18, 2009 4:25 PM EST up reply actions

If Sanchez is healthy he starts, if the weather is as bad as expected he will be turning and handing the ball off 75% of the time. Teams will have to respect his big play potential though, more than Clemens. Also agree with Matt, we can’t ask him to come in against the Colts cold, this is also a great test for Sanchez for the future, swirling win, very cold weather, he will need to learn to deal with it. He is our guy and when healthy should start, in my opinion it’s as simple as that.

Writer/Assistant editor
Eternal optimist
New York Jets
Gang Green Nation
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by David_Wyatt on Dec 18, 2009 3:36 PM EST reply actions

I agree with you and Matt also...

If he’s cleared and is good to go, then he should start. The bad weather is in our favor, especially if Ryan and Turner are out (which i think they are, but i might be wrong). This will definitely be a ground game and Mark won’t have to do much (which undoubtedly was the game-plan anyway).

Run-game and defense will be the key to victory on Sunday, both of which we lead the league. With that plus Atlanta’s horrible road record, plus the possible absence of Ryan and Turner, the Jets have more than a good chance at winning this game.

by Crackback on Dec 18, 2009 7:36 PM EST up reply actions

#6

is he going to change to #9 in the offseason which is what he supposedly wanted all along or is he now permanently stuck w/6?

by JetsFan1991 on Dec 18, 2009 4:46 PM EST reply actions

Not sure, Weatherford is wearing number 9 at the minute, so it’s possible. Didn’t know he wanted number 9 to begin with, why did he want 9 for? he was 6 in college as well wasn’t he.

Writer/Assistant editor
Eternal optimist
New York Jets
Gang Green Nation
www.ganggreennation.com

by David_Wyatt on Dec 18, 2009 4:52 PM EST up reply actions

I thought the story was that he wanted #9 in college and ended up with 6. I think he’s settled with it. He had plenty of chances to get #9 with the Jets, as Ainge moved to #10 and Weatherford only came in late in the summer.

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by dvdvil on Dec 18, 2009 5:09 PM EST up reply actions

there was some story they told in a game earlier in a year that he came in and picked jerseys and he picked the 6 because he saw it upside down thinking it was a 9. they made it sound like it was in the NFL, but maybe it was in college? Idunno

by JetsFan1991 on Dec 19, 2009 2:47 PM EST up reply actions