The Jets held their annual Green and White scrimmage Saturday night in Cortland, N.Y., in front of a crowd of 9,420. For just over an hour the offense and the defense battled in their first game simulation of the summer.
There was a glaring difference between starting QB Mark Sanchez and backup QB Tim Tebow. Sanchez, in spite of missing three of his five starting linemen, looked crisp and efficient. Sanchez was 11-16, with one touchdown to RB Bilal Powell. He was sacked three times. Tebow finished 0-3 and was sacked once. There were no interceptions.
Sanchez commented on the absence of C Nick Mangold (in London to see his sister compete in weightlifting at the Olympics), RG Brandon Moore (at the Hall of Fame for Curtis Martin's induction) and RT Wayne Hunter (lower-back injury). "It was a good challenge, but for us it was something these young guys were excited about. ... I thought they did well under the circumstances."
Sanchez also said he was pleased with the overall tempo of the scrimmage.
Although he looked well behind the curve, Tebow remained positive pointing out the lack of interceptions and the overall tempo. He discussed what he is still placing emphasis on as he continues to grow comfortable with the system.
"I think if I had to choose one [area] it would be just rhythm and timing, just in our passing game, just in understanding Coach Sparano's timing, the rhythm from hitch to hitch at checkdown. [It's] something that I've done less in my career, so being able to do the play actions, dropping back ... and not being in the gun."
Ryan said that overall he was pleased and that there were not too many mental mistakes, which is one of his major pet peeves.
LaRon Landry, who is on a "pitch count" as he rehabs his Achilles' heel, missed his regularly scheduled practice day on Friday so he could participate in the scrimmage. However, Landry walked off the field well before the scrimmage was complete. It is unclear if he sustained another injury or was in discomfort from the existing one.
Others missing the scrimmage were LB Bryan Thomas, held out with a groin injury, and NT Sione Pouha, out because he still has stitches in his forehead.
Matt Simms, the team's fourth quarterback, seemed to channel his father, Phil, heaving a 31-yard touchdown pass at the end of the scrimmage.
The Jets go to Cincinnati for their first preseason game Friday night.
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