Jets Q&A with Mark Sanchez

Mark Sanchez can probably recite that old "Toys 'R' Us" jingle by heart, a perfect tune if there ever was one to describe the Jets' franchise coverboy quarterback.

All of 23 years old, Sanchez remains a kid in many ways, refusing to let the intense spotlight accompanying an NFL quarterback playing in New York's mega media market change him one bit. His charming personality and genuine likability factor are two key ingredients that could raise his Big Apple profile through the stratosphere, provided he wins more than he loses, of course.

The jovial Southern California native, who's about to embark on his second season, lets you in on part of his world in a chat with Newsday, discussing things ranging from football to women to video games:

How beneficial has it been having a veteran like Mark Brunell around?

Mark Sanchez: "I think Brunell's been a huge help. He always uses the analogy, when things get tough, the monotony kind of sets in, he's like, 'Be the thermostat, not the thermometer.' It sounds so cheesy, so cheesy, especially coming from him, like my dad, you know? But it's true and you have to be that way in this position."

Saw you on "Hard Knocks" getting beat by Brodney Pool in FIFA. What's your favorite video game?

Sanchez: "FIFA is huge with EA Sports. That's one of my favorite games. 'Madden' is fun and 'NCAA' is fun and it's challenging. If you play 'Mario Cart' or something, anybody can learn how to play that real quick. 'Madden,' you've got to figure things out. [But] 'FIFA' is even another level. You've got to know what kind of pass - lob pass, lead pass, low, high, chip shots, corner kicks, bend on the ball. It's so fun and it's challenging. It feels like you are out on the field. There's a lot going on. When I mess up, that's when I get so mad and heated."

What's your all-time favorite cartoon?

Sanchez:"Spider-Man. I've been a huge Spider-Man fan. Spider-Man was always my favorite because he's so unassuming. He's like a total nerd and then he's into the hot girl. She thinks he's a dweeb, and then when things go wrong he's always there to save the day. You know, friendly neighborhood Spider-Man."

Speaking of hot girls, what's it like being adored by so many women? Please enlighten.

Sanchez:"It's a compliment, that's for sure. But you've just got to be smart, and understand that's the lifestyle that you've kind of been thrust into. The most important thing, just like any of the external things away from football, is that if it's not going well on the field, I don't care how good looking you are. No beautiful external thing would ever satisfy me like playing well. So I'd rather play well than have a hot girl friend."

We live in the New York metro area so what's been your weirdest encounter here?

Sanchez:"Had a lady who wouldn't let me get out of the elevator because she swore to me that I was Adrian Grenier. She's like, 'You're the guy from 'Entourage.' I was like, 'No I'm not. But thank you, I've gotten that before.' She was like, 'Yeah, you are.' I was like, 'No, I'm not. Look, I have moles on my face, he doesn't have those. No. OK, you need to move out of the way.' She would not move. This lady was dead set on it and it was creepy. It was super creepy because I was by myself. I was ready to hit the alarm. Swear to God. It was weird."

So then who are some of the celebrities you've come across and what's that like?

Sanchez:"I've met Justin Bieber at 'Saturday Night Live,' I've met Serena Williams. I like it because you respect them so much, and you finally get a chance to meet them and get to tell them. And most of the time, you don't even end up telling them because you get so caught up in not wanting to be so cheesy. And then you're just like, 'Hey, good to meet you, respect what you do.' And you say it kind of on the low when you really wanted to tell them, 'Man, that is so cool, I'm happy for you. Good luck.' But you don't want to be over the top. They'll think you're a weirdo or something."

All-time favorite Rex Ryan-ism?

Sanchez:"He would say 'Boomerang ball' when I'd throw a pick. 'You'd throw that one and it'd come right back at you. It's all right, kid. Just stop throwing those 'Boomerang balls.' He would literally say that. The third interception of the game, he's like, 'All right, you probably want to cut out the Boomerang balls' here kid. You are making it tough on us.' I'm like, 'Dang it.' "

If you weren't doing this NFL thing, what would you be doing?

Sanchez: "Something in the entertainment business. I'd love to be in a band or something like that or in a Broadway show. That would be cool to me because it's a similar kind of feeling when we are playing in front of all those people."

Worst dresser on the team?

Sanchez:"Shaun Ellis. Not even traveling. Just pretty much every day."

Best dressed?

Sanchez: "James Ihedigbo or Bart [Scott] or J-Co [Jerricho Cotchery]. J-Co is smooth. He doesn't try to show it too much. Bart and Dig kind of flaunt it a little more, where J-Co tries to fly under the radar but looks pretty fresh."

A SCOUT'S TAKE ON SANCHEZ

An NFL scout gives his take on Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez:

His greatest strengths

“He is very agile in the pocket and uses his speed to his advantage. He has a big enough arm to make every throw he needs to. Sanchez has a particularly good pump fake that works most of the time in either buying him some time or forcing defenders to make a decision sooner than they’d like. Has good command in the huddle, with players around him feeding off his energy. Did a good job last year in overcoming interceptions problem by simplifying things late in the season.’

His biggest weaknesses

“Will force too many passes, which got him into trouble last year. He did that a few times in preseason, so that suggests the problem isn't over just yet. Has learned to slide, but has to do it consistently or else risk injury the way he did last year.”

— BOB GLAUBER