Jets to name Sanchez winner of QB battle

[.GR]

The future is now in New York.

The Jets have seen enough of rookie Mark Sanchez and Kellen Clemens to determine a starter — and their choice is Sanchez, FOXSports.com has learned.

Coach Rex Ryan informed the QBs of the decision Wednesday morning.

Despite a rough start against the Ravens in his last preseason game, Sanchez never lost his cool and battled back. The team has been impressed with his command of the huddle and the offense. Sources say the team has been impressed with how much he has not looked like a rookie. Drafted out of USC, Sanchez has gone 6-of-12 in two preseason games, with one touchdown pass and one interception.

Clemens, in his fourth season, is 9-of-14 for 84 yards in the preseason. He also has one score and one pick. Entering his fourth season with the Jets after being a second-round pick in 2006, Clemens also had a solid but unspectacular camp, but threw 12 interceptions compared to the rookie's five.

A former Ravens coordinator, Ryan took over as coach in the offseason after the departure of Eric Mangini. Ryan said early in training camp that he would like to have made a decision on his starter by the Jets' third preseason game, and he apparently saw enough from the two quarterbacks through two games.

The Jets signed their franchise quarterback to a five-year deal that could be worth up to $60 million, including $28 million guaranteed, just a few weeks after the draft. Sanchez was already being touted as the new face of the franchise and it appeared it was his job to lose after that.

Sanchez had a sizzling NFL debut Aug. 14, when he came in with 28 seconds left in the first quarter, completed a 48-yard pass to David Clowney on his first snap and engineered an early scoring drive in New York's 23-20 loss to St. Louis.

He struggled against the Ravens in the team's 24-23 defeat at Baltimore, but Ryan said he expected both quarterbacks to have their problems against the defense he helped build during the previous 10 years as an assistant and then coordinator.

Sanchez forced a pass on the second play as he was hit by Ray Lewis, and Haloti Ngata rumbled 25 yards for a score. His second pass was almost picked off by Lewis, who dropped the ball, but Sanchez settled down after that.

Ryan made it clear after the team drafted Sanchez that he wouldn't be afraid to start a rookie quarterback, particularly after watching Joe Flacco lead the Ravens to the AFC championship last season.

The Jets traded up in the draft to acquire the fifth overall pick from Cleveland and Mangini. New York jumped at the chance to select Sanchez, who was considered one of the top prospects in the draft despite a lack of experience.

Sanchez went 14-2 as a starter with the Trojans, leading them over Penn State in the Rose Bowl in January. The Jets were comfortable with Sanchez's ability, putting him through a private workout and holding a classroom session in a hotel room at the owners' meetings in California in March.

 

[Pugz]

I also heard that Stafford may be the starting QB on opening day.

 

[yezzir]

it was only a matter of time. hopefully he'll learn how to adjust to the NFL game sooner rather than later.

 

[.GR]

I really like Mark Sanchez. I hope he does well.

 

[WHO-DEY-BENGALS_18]

I like Sanchez too. Hope nothing but the best for him in his NFL career.

 

[cruzg24]

I think Sanchez will be a decent QB. O-line will be the name of the game in his 1st year.

 

[kdogg]

I also heard that Stafford may be the starting QB on opening day.

I hope that isn't true, he shouldn't start until mid-season or when Culpepper starts to stink it up.

As for Sanchez, I think this was very good decision.

 

[JoshHoward5]

I also heard that Stafford may be the starting QB on opening day.

Oh god no. Please don't ruin his chances by putting him in WAY to early. If he sits all this season I would be happy. They need to get some O Line support before putting him in.

Also the Sanchez thing seems like a good decision, because he won't be looked upon to be the savior for this team. They have a really good defense, and good rushing attack. I see him having a very comparable season to Joe Flacco.

 

[yezzir]

Oh god no. Please don't ruin his chances by putting him in WAY to early. If he sits all this season I would be happy. They need to get some O Line support before putting him in.

Also the Sanchez thing seems like a good decision, because he won't be looked upon to be the savior for this team. They have a really good defense, and good rushing attack. I see him having a very comparable season to Joe Flacco.

exactly what i'm expecting from the Jets too. something along the lines of what the Ravens did last year.

 

[WHO-DEY-BENGALS_18]

I watched the Jets-Ravens game Monday and Flacco has such an arm it's un-real. Sometimes he has too much arm when he goes to throw a short pass he puts too much on it, definitely one of my favorite quarterbacks in the NFL. Baltimore never has been much of an offensive team, well with Flacco it's going to change. They'll throw it more this year I bet having more trust in him in certain situations. They played him pretty conservative like they did Matt Ryan in a lot of areas with a running game.

Anyhow, I think Sanchez will be a good QB with time but I don't think he has the arm Flacco has, we'll see - Got to give it some time.

 

[WCorpZ]

I was amazed to hear this I really thought Clemons had a shot but this was like a no choice pick for the Jets. I feel Sorry for Clemons, i didnt see anything too amazing from Sanchez that game. I really think hes a dud but we will all see right. Look at brady, Cassell, anything can happen right.