Sanchez: 'I can lead this team...'

Monday night can’t come soon enough for QB Mark Sanchez.

“I think we’re so ready to play an opponent for real, to get things going in our new stadium, in a game that counts. I mean, this is huge for us,” he said after practice. “We can’t wait. Guys are so excited.”

All the days of mini camps and offseason workouts have come down to this moment: the first game of the season. On national TV. Against the Baltimore Ravens.

It was these same Ravens whom Sanchez struggled against almost a year ago. Despite a late comeback by the Jets, Baltimore converted two turnovers into touchdowns en route to a 14-point halftime lead, before eventually holding off the Jets’ reserves in a 24-23 preseason victory on Aug. 24.

“Not my best performance and hopefully I won’t be completing any passes to whoever’s deep this year,” the quarterback said with a laugh. “But I think the positive to take away from that game is we’re coming back, throwing a touchdown later in that game, putting together a drive after a couple stalled drives and a turnover and now, with a better grasp of the offense, hopefully we’ll have a better performance.”

The change in Sanchez is evident.

Though it still remains to be seen whether he can protect the football like a veteran this time around, his confidence – in his teammates, and more importantly, himself -- is unwavering. The unsure rookie of last season is lone gone.

He admits he still has much to learn, but he believes the uncertainty that plagued him at every turn last season won't be a factor anymore.

“I’m thrilled about the growth I’ve had,” Sanchez said. “It seems like in just one year, it feels like so much experience from just playing and all that game experience has really helped in these situations and practice. And in the situations that’ll come up this year, hopefully I’m better and more prepared. There’s still along way to go. You can never be perfect. (But) that’s what we’re working towards.”

Now that he feels more comfortable in his own ability, Sanchez said he "abslutely can" be the leader of this Jets’ offense. When asked how he’s able to balance being “the guy” and not putting too much pressure on himself, he replied: “Most importantly, it’s about reminding yourself that you have guys like Braylon [Edwards] and Jerricho [Cotchery].

“Braylon’s woked so hard this offseason to be a dependable wide receiver, a guy who knows the system, is always in the right spot. J-Co, you can lean on him all the time. Dustin [Keller]’s having a great camp, ready for the season.

'The offensive line, they’ll keep your jersey clean. The running backs will take pressure off you. So when you think about it that way, it’s don’t put too much pressure on yourself, don’t try and do too much and be ready to just be the point guard. Get the ball out of your hands and take care of it.”