Mark Sanchez Thrilled About Competition

Aug 4, 2012; Cortland, NY, USA; New York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez (6) speaks with the media after a scrimmage at SUNY Cortland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports

After drafting Greg McElroy out of the University of Alabama, it looked as if the Jets found a back up quarterback who could potentially win the starting job in the future and lead this team to glory. McElroy who played 3 years of football in Alabama, lead the Crimson Tide to a 14-0 season which included the SEC Championship and BCS National Championship.

He was drafted in the 7th round of the 2011 draft #208 overall, but he didn’t see regular season play until last season, when Mark Sanchez and Tim Tebow seemed to have trouble getting things together. He played 2 games for the Jets, completing 19 of 31 attempts, 214 yards with 1 touchdown and 1 interception.

In March, the New York Jets have announced that they have agree’d to terms with veteran David Garrard, which would make him the 5th quarterback on the Jets roster, behing Mark Sanchez, Tim Tebow (at the time), Greg McElroy, and the youngest son of New York Giant’s great Phil Simms, Matt Simms. Last season around the same time he agree’d with the Jets this off season, he agree’d with the Miami Dolphins in hopes to winning the starting position that now belongs to Ryan Tannehill. He ended up undergoing arthroscopic surgery and missed all 4 pre-season games and was released at the very beginning of the season.

Now with Tim Tebow out of the picture and looking for employment in this league or this sport, enter Geno Smith. Smith who was hoping to be selected in the 1st round of the draft, slipped all the way to the #39 pick in the 2nd round. His numbers dropped during the 2nd half of the season in West Virginia during his Senior year, but overall he had an amazing 3 out of 4 seasons.

With bringing in Geno Smith, it looks like the front office of this franchise are slowly starting to give up on Mark Sanchez. Posting a 2nd career low in yards per game (in 4 seasons) with 192, had the lowest touchdown percentage of his career of only 2.9% after throwing 13 touchdowns, had a 4.8% in 2011 where he threw for 26, both seasons matching interceptions at 18. Everybody remembers his infamous ‘butt fumble’, where he ran into his own offensive lineman against the New England Patriots, which resulted in a fumble recovery that was returned for a 32 yard touchdown by safety Steve Gregory.

So it is safe to say with the recent moves by the New York Jets, the quarterback position is up for grabs and as of right now, there are 5 guys on this roster who are going to fight for #1 spot on the depth chart. Whoever that may be, will start the season against Darrelle Revis and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at home.

Mark Sanchez is aware of the competition in New York and is pretty excited about the idea of having to fight for his starting position which has been his since he was drafted.

Sanchez was asked if he expected to be the start this year, replying with

"“Sure, no doubt. Of course, you gotta own it and compete your butt off to keep it.”"

He mentioned he was “thrilled” to have competition going into training camp saying

"“They drafted a quarterback, let’s compete.”"

He also mentioned in an interview that he spoke with offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg before and after they drafted Geno Smith.

It will be interesting to see how things work out in New York and I’m sure just like last season when the Jets traded for quarterback Tim Tebow, all eyes will be directly on this team through out the preseason. Right now, I honestly think Geno Smith is the heavy favorite to win this position.