According to Mark Sanchez, he won the Jets’ QB competition during the preseason. The truth will remain a mystery as his shoulder injury has likely ended his season.
Sanchez hurt his shoulder after Rex Ryan put him in with 11 minutes left in New York’s third preseason game. Playing behind a second string offensive line Sanchez was sacked. The QB competition in New York was over.
Ryan was heavily criticized for the move. He called it a competitive decision as he was trying to win the game.
Now Sanchez will likely have surgery on to repair a torn labral in his shoulder. Sources close to the QB say he is planning to try rehab first in hopes of playing again this year. If Geno Smith plays decent football, it is unlikely Sanchez will get back on the field even if he is healthy.
In an interview with Rich Eisen of NFL Network, Sanchez said, “I won the competition. There’s no doubt.”
Did Mark Sanchez really win the QB competition though? Despite what the fifth year signal caller claims, most signs point to no.
If Sanchez was going to the be the starter, Ryan never would have put him in at the end of a preseason game. More to the point, Rex Ryan’s job may have depended on who the starting QB was. He has always been a supporter of Mark Sanchez. He drafted Sanchez in 2009 to be the “Sanchize.”
After two miserable years ownership was tired of Sanchez and got Ryan to draft Geno Smith . The rumor throughout the preseason was that as long as Smith looked okay the job would be his.
Unfortunately for Mark Sanchez, whether he won the QB competition or not, his shoulder injury makes the statement moot. It sounds like he is trying to save a little bit of pride in a season lost.
The Jets play the New England Patriots on Thursday Night Football in what Geno Smith is hoping will be his second win.
[image via Wikimedia Commons ]
