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Because of the Jets' reputation as a strong defensive team with a run-first offense, I don't think people appreciate just how much Sanchez is asked to throw the ball. Last year, Sanchez averaged 31 pass attempts a game (9th most in the league). This year, 34 per game (again, 9th most). Usually, when young QB's throw that much, they have issues. Look at Josh Freeman this year compared to last. Look at Joe Flacco. His completion% has gone up, he's thrown more TD's (not to mention, having 6 rushing TDs this year), and he has actually improved this season by traditional statistical measures (though his Y/A declined after the 59 pass attempts against the Giants).
Which emphasizes the point. Why was Sanchez throwing 59 times against the Giants? In four games, Sanchez threw 40+ passes and none of them were games where the opponent took a big lead (hell, against the Broncos, the Jets led throughout).
Only once this season did Aaron Rodgers throw 40+ passes in a game. I understand the Packers were rarely behind but the Jets weren't exactly down big in those games where Sanchez threw a lot. In fact, when the Jets were blown out, against the Eagles, for example, Sanchez only threw 26 times.
Sanchez will have to be able to win games throwing but he's still a young QB and while Stafford balled out this season, fellow draftee Josh Freeman had a terrible year in arguably a similar situation offensively. (Whereas Freeman was asked to throw a lot BECAUSE OF the terrible Tampa defense, Sanchez was asked to throw a lot DESPITE the slightly above average Jet's D; yes, blame Schotty)
Then there's clutch Sanchez. He's won games in the 4th quarter. Pro Football Reference gives him 9 4th quarter comebacks and 11 game-winning drives in his 3 years.
Then there's Sanchez in the playoffs. Sanchez has a 94.3 QB rating in the playoffs with 9TDs and 3INTs.
Sanchez has shown enough in the playoffs and with the games he's won in the 4th quarter to show he belongs as the starter.
Which emphasizes the point. Why was Sanchez throwing 59 times against the Giants? In four games, Sanchez threw 40+ passes and none of them were games where the opponent took a big lead (hell, against the Broncos, the Jets led throughout).
Only once this season did Aaron Rodgers throw 40+ passes in a game. I understand the Packers were rarely behind but the Jets weren't exactly down big in those games where Sanchez threw a lot. In fact, when the Jets were blown out, against the Eagles, for example, Sanchez only threw 26 times.
Sanchez will have to be able to win games throwing but he's still a young QB and while Stafford balled out this season, fellow draftee Josh Freeman had a terrible year in arguably a similar situation offensively. (Whereas Freeman was asked to throw a lot BECAUSE OF the terrible Tampa defense, Sanchez was asked to throw a lot DESPITE the slightly above average Jet's D; yes, blame Schotty)
Then there's clutch Sanchez. He's won games in the 4th quarter. Pro Football Reference gives him 9 4th quarter comebacks and 11 game-winning drives in his 3 years.
Then there's Sanchez in the playoffs. Sanchez has a 94.3 QB rating in the playoffs with 9TDs and 3INTs.
Sanchez has shown enough in the playoffs and with the games he's won in the 4th quarter to show he belongs as the starter.
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