Mark Sanchez certainly has the right attitude when it comes to the quarterback competition happening with the New York Jets. He believes he will be the team's future starter and is not letting anything get in his way. As he competes with rookie Geno Smith, Sanchez is only envisioning himself under center in Week 1 and not Smith.
As the Jets continue with OTAs and dividing up first-team reps with the four quarterbacks on the roster, Sanchez is planning on being the guy to beat. When asked if he thinks he might start the season on the bench, Sanchez replied, "I don't plan on that happening. I'm planning on playing. I'm planning on starting."
He certainly does not lack for confidence. Sanchez's job and roster spot with the Jets has been in question ever since New York opted to draft Smith in the second round. Many believed that Smith was the heir to the Jets' quarterback throne and not Sanchez. However, when backup David Garrard retired, Sanchez's job was safe for the time being.
With four quarterbacks on the roster, Sanchez becomes the veteran to the other rookies. While he is defending his job, he has no issue with helping the other guys succeed too.
"Part of that comes when you're just confident in yourself. If I was insecure about something or couldn't either this market or this pressure or...can't handle this competition, maybe I wouldn't say much to him. Maybe I'd be a little scared to give him help. But I don't feel like that. I just don't. That's not my personality. I'm confident, I'm ready to go, I can do it, I know I can."
Sanchez is certainly talking like the team's starting quarterback. Both he and Smith have seen some struggles since OTAs began. Head coach Rex Ryan is not happy about the number of interceptions being thrown by the quarterbacks. Sanchez threw three in his first practice alone. He claims to just be shaking off the rust. If Sanchez is going to win the starting spot like he says he will, he better cut down on the turnovers. In the past two seasons, Sanchez has thrown 36 interceptions, not to mention the fumbles.
The Jets coaching staff is looking to name a quarterback sooner rather than later. The job is likely up between Sanchez and Smith. Ryan is hoping that the better player emerges, quickly.