New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan announced earlier this week that Mark Sanchez would be the starter for the Jets’ first preseason game on Friday. Although some say rookie QB Geno Smith has outplayed Sanchez in training camp, the Jets veteran quarterback believes he was the right choice to be behind center at the beginning of Friday’s game, according to ESPNNewYork.com.
"I feel like I'm putting together a good camp and think I earned the right to start in this first game," Sanchez said. "We'll see how it goes from there, but I have to keep playing well to stay on the field and that's the plan.”
According to Geno Ssmith, even though Sanchez got the nod for Friday, the battle to be the regular season starter is not over.
"I don't have any reaction toward it," Smith said when questioned about the possibility of being the first man off the bench. "The competition is still open. I'm just continuing to work and to grow.”
Both quarterbacks have been highly scrutinized since the beginning of training camp. According to ESPNNewYork.com’s Rich Cimini, the Jets are privately hoping Smith can learn enough of the offense to become the opening day starter. Sanchez is coming off a sub-par season and the Jets are looking to rebound from their 6-10 finish.
As far as Sanchez is concerned he’s still planning to be the Week 1 starter and doesn’t feel he’ll be on the bench when the Jets square off against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sept. 8.
“No, I just don't think about not playing ever,"he said. "That really doesn't affect the way I approach things, the way I practice, the way I play."
Although many analysts are picking the Jets to go anywhere from 6-10 to 8-8 (at best), Sanchez still has the confidence his team can make its way into the 2014 post season.
"I think you have to have that mentality that this team is built to last," Sanchez said. "That we're built to make a strong run, to get hot at the right time, to sustain some injuries and then move on from them. Get guys healthy as soon as possible. I mean, it's natural, it happens every year.
"But I feel like we have the talent to make that happen and now it's about realizing that talent on the field and going out and playing well."
The Jets’ first preseason game is Friday at the Detroit Lions. The game is scheduled for 7:30 EDT.
