Mark Sanchez Will Be Able to Audible Now

Cimini says the Jets are going to give Mark Sanchez more authority to change plays once he spots something in the defense.

It hasn't been advertised, but the coaching staff quietly has given the third-year quarterback more freedom to change plays at the line of scrimmage. Sanchez has come a long way from the color-coded wrist band, circa December 2009.

This is overdue. The team's refusal to give Sanchez this kind of authority cost it dearly in the AFC Championship Game on the now infamous fourth quarter goal line series. On third down, the Jets passed even though Pittsburgh only had a linebacker and a safety on the left side of the field defensively. Checking the play into a run to that side likely would have resulted in a touchdown and a very different finish. What made it even more puzzling was how inconsistent the Jets were in delegating Sanchez authority. In the first game of last year, Sanchez was pretty much calling every play based on what he saw at the line.

Here is hoping the Jets find the happy medium this year.