Sanchez better prepared for season opener
Mark Sanchez #6 of the New York Jets stands on the field before a pre-season game against the Philadelphia Eagles at MetLife Stadium. (Sept. 1, 2011) Credit: Getty Images
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- Mark Sanchez wants to forget about the dreadful performance turned in by the offense in last year's season opener, the awful display that took place in front of a national television audience.
The Jets left a pterodactyl-sized egg on the turf field of their new stadium in their 10-9 loss to the Baltimore Ravens, something that Sanchez believes can be attributed to one thing.
"Last year, we were just trying too hard," Sanchez said Wednesday. "You get that pressure from 'Hard Knocks' and you have to show the world everything you've got, and we have all these new players and we want to do so much."
About the only thing the Jets did that night was leave a nasty stench. They managed just 176 total yards of offense and Sanchez completed only 10 of 21 attempts for 74 yards as the Jets picked up just six first downs.
So Sanchez said they've learned their lesson from that debacle, and the emphasis in Sunday's season opener against the Dallas Cowboys at MetLife Stadium is to play their game and be loose.
"We just want to be ourselves and go with what you know," Sanchez said. "We are a good rushing team, but we can throw the ball when we need to. We are going to have great field position with our special teams, our defense is going to get the offense the ball back, and that's it. Don't get too cute. Don't make anything up on game day.
"Just play and have fun."
Sanchez might be able to have a whole lot of fun against the Cowboys' suddenly banged-up secondary.
Starting cornerbacks Terence Newman (groin) and Mike Jenkins (neck / knee) both might be forced to sit out, opening up things even more for Sanchez to work some magic with wideouts Santonio Holmes, Plaxico Burress, Derrick Mason and Jeremy Kerley.
Sanchez said the Jets won't alter their approach if it turns out Newman and Jenkins can't play. He's sounding more and more like the leader Rex Ryan wants him to be, one of the many things that's impressed Mason in his short time with the team.
"His ability to have a short-term memory, him being so young but him having the intelligence of a veteran," Mason said, "a guy that goes out there and commands respect in the huddle. I think it's very critical for your quarterback to be a leader and show that leadership. And since I've been here, he's been able to do that."
One thing he hasn't been able to do yet: significantly improve his completion percentage. Sanchez has connected on only 54.4 percent of his passes in his first two seasons, a career number that increased slightly last season when he completed 54.8 percent of his attempts compared with 53.8 percent during his rookie season.
"If he's at 55 and we're winning games . . . " Rex Ryan said. "I don't have him on my fantasy football team, I just want my quarterback to win."
Still, Sanchez understands it's an area he must improve. He said there's been an emphasis on not forcing the ball at his first or second reads when the play isn't there, instead doing things like tucking the ball away and scrambling for some positive yardage, throwing it away or dumping it off for a short gain to one of his backs.
He has to be at the top of his game each week if the Jets are going to have a legit shot at being an elite team.
"If anything it's only gotten more intense and more important for me to be accurate," Sanchez said. "When you get playmakers like that, just get them the ball and be accurate with it, give them a chance to catch and run.
"So that's my focus going into the game and understanding the game plan. I feel good about it already."
