I WANT MY ROCKSTARS DEAD.

In defense of Mark Sanchez

If you don’t like football, don’t click “read more”. 

I’m going to try and make this short and sweet because honestly, I’m tired of defending the guy. I’m not even a Jets fan. But as I am a fan of other teams that are publicly marked disasters, I’ve learned to feel bad. 

Let’s just get this out of the way first: Mark Sanchez knows how to win. It’s not necessarily reflected in numbers, because how could it be? But he is 4-2 in the playoffs from 2009-10 on teams that were not Super Bowl teams. This includes a game-winning drive in one playoff game in 2009 and one in 2010. Lest we not forget, Sanchez was a rookie and a sophomore in those two seasons.

Now, to the numbers. In 2009, Sanchez threw for 2,444 yards and averaged 6.7 yards per attempt. In 2010, he threw for 3,291 yards and averaged 6.5 yards per attempt. This year, Sanchez threw for a career high 3,491 yards and a 56.7 completion percentage. His yards per attempt was a modest 6.4. Typically, a Hall of Fame quarterback averages 7.0 yards per attempt. His quarterback rating was 79 this year, up from his career average of 73. He threw for twice as many touchdowns as his previous career high. (Not to mention he rushed for twice as many touchdowns this year as his previous two years. The guy has some grit.)

Are the Jets passing more? Not really. Sanchez attempted 30 more passes in 2011 than in 2010. The increase is easily explained by the inexplicable 59 pass attempts against the Giants on Christmas Eve. There exist 5 quarterbacks in this league who can win while attempting 59 passes a game and none of them rhyme with “Manchez”. 

The Jets are ultimately not as deep as receiver as they used to be. They had a good, healthy Braylon Edwards. They had a versatile Brad Smith. They had a solid Jerricho Cotchery. All pieces that were mysteriously overlooked this offseason. 

Let’s look at the rest of the offense. Sanchez was sacked 39 times in 2011. That’s 2.5 times a game and a significant increase from each of the previous two years. A quarterback is only as good as his offensive line. This offensive line is not good.

The Jets are running the ball less. They have decreased their rushing attempts by nearly 100 times per season since the beginning of the Sanchez era. From 2009 to 2010, the Jets’ rushing yards decreased by 400 yards. This year, that number decreased by 800. The rushing game didn’t exist this year. No football team can win with that model. 

I don’t think I need to sit here and analyze defense. Their effort was just as poor. 

In closing, blame Schottenheimer. Blame the front office. Blame Rex Ryan. Mark Sanchez is a solid third-year quarterback with significant playoff experience. He’s only going to get better.