Sanchez Can Be a Top 10 QB Next Year

"To take that next step, to be one of the top 10 quarterbacks in the league," Scott said Wednesday of the team’s expectations for Sanchez. "It’s Year 4 and in Year 4, the game slows down for you."

This is what Bart Scott had to say about the progress Mark Sanchez has made since last year. I know you might think I'm joking, but I couldn't agree more. Do I think Mark will have stats like Brady? No! Do I think this offense will be putting up points left and right? No! Do I think Mark needs all that to happen for him to be a top 10 QB? No! I think people have a misconstrued perception of what a top 10 QB looks like. I feel like most fans think of monster stats or huge TD numbers when thinking of a top 10 QB. Why can't we also look at success?

If Mark can lead this team to a Super Bowl this year, he would have done something amazing. In his 1st 4 years, he would have gone to 3 AFC Championship games, and won a NFL Championship. How many other active QBs have that resume? The best part is, he doesn't need to become all that much better to do it either. All Mark needs to do is become as efficient of a "game manager" as Alex Smith last year.

If Mark can cut down on the turnovers, and bump up his completion percentage, he could launch this team on a run much like the 49ers last year. This defense we have is the real deal. I haven't felt this comfortable with the depth of our defense, in the last 3 years. We will be in every game this year, and all Mark really needs to do is, not lose games for us. If he can do that job well, he will have become a master of his craft.

Of course something this good always comes with a catch. The only way Mark becomes that efficient "game manager," is if the O-line regains its 2010 meanness. Back in 09 and 2010, our O-line feared no one, and took what they wanted at will. Last year, the O-line looked out of their comfort zone, and it showed in their production. Now that the team is going back to the "ground n' pound," I expect the O-line to get back into that comfort zone. 4 out of the 5 linemen from the 2010 team are still starting. The guys are there. They just need to wake up and remember who they are. If they can do that, the running game and the passing game will enough to push Sanchez to a Super Bowl, and the top 10.