Mark Sanchez is having a rough start to the season and things have not even officially kicked off yet. The New York Jets quarterback has had plenty of buzz around him lately and almost none of it is positive. Fans were unhappy with his performance last season and have been pretty vocal about their displeasure. When the Jets drafted rookie Geno Smith, many believed and some even hoped that Sanchez would be shown the door. Instead, Tim Tebow was traded away and the media has continued to hound the current starter. First they questioned his talent and now they are questioning his...hair?
During a post-practice interview, Sanchez sported a simple headband that has quickly become an Internet phenomenon. Sanchez has slightly longer hair so it is only natural that he uses something to keep it out of his face. Clearly, he needs to keep his hair pulled back so he can have better accuracy on the ball and a headband is the natural next step. Well, fans are now having a field day with the new accessory. One fan even created the @SanchezHeadband Twitter account that has a few hundred followers.
While sporting the headband, Sanchez took time to address the recent quarterback carousel. The quarterback situation is only growing more interesting by the day and a competition to be the team's starter is heating up. Sanchez says he views Smith the same way he viewed Tebow, he will help but really he just wants to compete.
"I don't see why it would be any different. I will help Smith out as much as I can, but when we have to compete, we have to compete, that's the way it goes," Sanchez said.
That is a healthy attitude for a guy whose job is not exactly certain. Smith has only made a brief appearance at the Jets facility for a post-draft press conference. He is set to return for rookie camp next week where coaches will get their first look at the potential starter. The situation feels similar to 2012 when the Jets signed Tebow, once again leaving many to question Sanchez's future in New York. After Tebow was traded away, Sanchez said he never had a problem with the quarterback, but they certainly were not friends.
"If the guy's got a flat tire on the side of the road, I'm going to stop, I'm not going to blow by him. But at the same time, I'm not sending him gifts on his birthday. You don't get too close to guys like that. You're professional, and you're cool," Sanchez said.
For now, all the quarterback can do is play well and hope to retain his spot. The media scrutiny will not stop. If he begins to play bad, Smith will get his number called and all Sanchez will be left with is that headband.
