| QB Mark Sanchez couldn't have gotten off to a better start in 2012. (US Presswire) |
Like it or not -- and, yes, we know, many of you hate it -- Mark Sanchez and Tim Tebow will be inextricably linked this season. And as such, we plan to chart their ups and downs from one week to the next in something we're calling Sanchbow: Chronicling the Jets' QBs in 2012.
This is, without a doubt, the biggest takeaway from the first week of the 2012 NFL season: The preseason doesn't matter. Sure, it's important for adding depth and filling out special teams -- basically roster spots 45-53 -- but how a team performs in August absolutely has no bearing on what they'll do once the games count.
The Cowboys made that clear last Wednesday, when they went into MetLife Stadium and took it to the Giants. Four days later, the Redskins dismantled the Saints. And in perhaps the biggest from-outta-nowhere performances of the week, the Jets -- you know, the same outfit that scored a grand total of one (!) touchdown in four preseason games and that was with third-team quarterback Greg McElroy on the field -- hung 48 on the Bills.
The Week 1 nod goes to Sanchez. (Click to enlarge) |
Yes, we know, it's the Bills. But this year was supposed to be different. Buffalo's defense has a chance to be really good, and the offense has a ton of talent around quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick. It could still happen, of course, it just didn't come together in New Jersey. But these are the occupational hazards of getting in the way of the league's highest-scoring offense that just so happens to be led by its young franchise quarterback.
This sounds just like your typical Rex Ryan PR shtick-- making ridiculous claims in the face of what seems to be irrefutable proof -- but the man was telling the truth (for a week, anyway). No Jets team under Ryan ever scored 48 points,, which adds some validity to his "this is the best team I've had" remarks from last month.
Even more prescient: Sanchez, who said in the preseason as the offense floundered, “We’ve got to score touchdowns instead of field goals to win. We understand that. We’ll keep improving. … I’ve said it before, we’re saving our good stuff for the regular season.”
And Jets wideout Santonio Holmes echoed those sentiments: “When Week 1 comes around, all bets are off … and the guns are firing.”
They weren't joking. When it was over, Sanchez was an efficient 19-of-27 for 266 yards with three touchdowns and one first-quarter "here we go again" interception that proved to be harmless.
But this is as much about the Jets' starting quarterback as it is about the guy behind him on the depth chart: Tim Tebow. The biggest concern when the team traded for Tebow in March? That Sanchez would collapse under the weight of the inevitable media circus that would follow. It's way too early to make any grand proclamations about where Sanchez is on his NFL journey, but this much is certain: through one week, he seems as comfortable under center as he has at any point in his three-plus years in the league. Maybe that's the Power of Tebow, a function of Sanchez's maturity or just dumb luck. Whatever, the Jets are 1-0 after blowing the doors off the Bills, and last season's end-of-year implosion is a distant memory.
Could things change? Absolutely, starting Sunday when New York travels to Pittsburgh. But for now, Sanchez is the unquestioned leader, Tebow's role continues to evolve, and Bart Scott was right (and former Bills quarterback and Hall of Famer Jim Kelly was not.)
Film Room
| Jeremy Kerley lines up in the slot with WR Santonio Holmes to his right. Kerley runs a rub route with Kerley going outside. Sanchez fakes a quick out, Kerley turns upfield and beats Bills CB Leodis McKelvin on a great throw and catch. (CBS) |
Tracking Tebow, Redux
We spent many, many, many words last season on the Phenomenon that was Tebow. We could very well end up doing it again. ("Tracking Tebow" was supposed to be a preseason feature because Denver coach John Fox told everyone Kyle Orton was the Broncos' starter. That lasted a month. At this point, we wouldn't be surprised if Tebow eventually earns the Jets' gig and is subsequently named head coach, owner and NFL commissioner.) For now, we'll just update his progress from one week to the next until the inevitable happens.
Tebow's totals aginast Buffalo were underwhelming -- five carries for 11 yards and no pass attempts -- and the wildcat wasn't nearly the secret weapon that Ryan had alluded to in recent weeks. We're guessing that changes.
Eye on Sanchbow
| Mark Sanchez is unfazed by the gun show. (AP) |
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