Prior to Week 3 of the preseason, the New York Jets’ biggest off-season question was answered—rookie Mark Sanchez was named the starting quarterback.
Now the question becomes how Sanchez will fare playing in the NFL on the biggest media stage there is—New York City.
And the rookie will be tested early.
After an opening game on the road Sunday against the Houston Texans, Sanchez will return home to face the New England Patriots and Tennessee Titans before going back on the road to face the New Orleans Saints and the AFC East champion Miami Dolphins.
Talk about being thrown into the fire.
Defenses will be salivating at the idea of lining up against a rookie quarterback. The Texans, who have the personnel to be one of the better defenses in the league also have one of the best pass rushers in the game in defensive end Mario Williams.
But Sanchez doesn’t appear anxious.
“As soon as that game starts I’ll be more excited than nervous,” Sanchez said during Wednesday’s press conference. “Excited to be out there and get playing again and start the season up [is] important to me. I want it to go right and I want to win.”
And for Sanchez to start his NFL career on the right foot and chalk up his first “W,” his job will be to manage the game, take care of the football, and hand it off to a stable of running backs that are poised to be one of the best rushing attacks in the league behind one of the best young offensive lines.
Defense
The Jets will also have to rely on their defense to help with the field position game that they will be playing all season long.
While they gave up a few big plays in the preseason, the defense looked good overall and appeared to have grasped head coach Rex Ryan’s scheme that involves defensive fronts that are designed to disguise blitzes and confuse the opposing offense.
Despite being down a couple defensive starters due to suspensions, Ryan is confident in his defense’s ability.
“We got a lot of talent on defense. I think we’re well coached,” Ryan said. “I think this group is getting better with their communication. I understand it’s not where it’s gonna be come Week 10 or something, but I think it’s good enough.”
The major question on defense throughout the preseason was how the Jets 2008 first round pick, linebacker Vernon Gholston would play. He will be filling in for one of those suspended players, linebacker Calvin Pace, for the first four games as Pace violated the league’s substance abuse policy.
Gholston has had a slow start but has showed signs of improvement throughout the preseason, culminating with two tackles and a sack in the final preseason game against the Philadelphia Eagles.
He will now have four games to prove he was worth being drafted as the sixth overall pick. These games are pivotal for Gholston’s future as he looks to show that he deserves significant playing time after Pace returns.
Outlook
The Texans will try to get after the rookie quarterback early and often so the Jets offensive line will have their hands full keeping their QB upright against Williams and crew.
Ryan could do nothing but rave about the All-Pro defensive end, which came after he made a joke about adding Williams to his team and even letting him help out on the special teams issue New York is still trying to address.
“I think they should cut him and we may claim him. And we may let him punt if he wanted to,” Ryan said before seriously talking about one of the best defensive players in the league.
“The guy is a stud there’s no question about it. A guy like that comes out once every 20 years. He’s a special guy and a special athlete. He’s worked at his craft. He’s a tremendous player.”
Houston also boasts an explosive offense with electric running back Steve Slaton and one of the best wide receivers in the game in Andre Johnson.
If franchise QB Matt Schaub can stay healthy he could have a huge year.
It’ll be a tough road test and first game for the Jets as the Texans are on the verge of a breakthrough year after two consecutive 8–8 seasons.
But the Jets have the pieces in place to win early despite starting a rookie quarterback. It would be huge for Sanchez and the team’s confidence to open up the season with a win on the road.
With the difficult schedule New York has early on, it’s key for them to have a good start out of the gates.
If the Jets can get through the first five weeks of the season at 3–2 or better they’ll be in great shape to make a run at a playoff berth.
Matt Sugam also writes for The Daily Targum at Rutgers University.
