The New York Jets won their second straight game with a 19-13 victory over the Buffalo Bills Thursday night in Toronto. However, that is not the reason for the amount of buzz around rookie quarterback Mark Sanchez. Just days after being taught how to properly slide by Yankees manager Joe Girardi, Sanchez dove head first and injured his right knee on a third down play early in the third quarter. He left the game a play later after feeling pain and did not return. The coaches stressed all week not to slide head first and to take care of his body, but the 22-year-old went on instinct and picked up a big first down deep in their own territory. Head coach Rex Ryan was very displeased after the game and even said the rookie has to "grow up" and learn that he has to slide, making note that Sanchez represents the organization.
As for fans of the Jets, I don't think you can be against what Sanchez did out on the field. He is a gamer and there is nothing else you can ask for out of the leader of your team. The Jets were only up 16-10 at the time and it was a third-and-6. The play he made kept the drive going and even though he had to leave the game, New York tacked on three important points to make it a two possession game. Now if Sanchez were five yards short of the first down and he dove head first, then I can see where there would be a problem. You certainly slide in a situation like that, but what happened last night was totally acceptable.
Ryan expressed how upset he was about it after the game, but I cannot take his side on this one. As a big fan of the Jets, I want my players giving it all they have and if that means diving for a first down in a key spot in the game, then so be it. I don't care if it's the quarterback or the last man on the depth chart. Give me someone who lays it out on the line and I will be a fan of that person any day of the week. I understand Sanchez already had a left knee injury, which caused him to wear a brace for the game, but you can't stop someone from doing what it takes to win a ballgame.
Some people might argue back with the idea that risking your body in this situation isn't worth it. But I say that it's football and people are going to get hurt. That's how the game is. I applaud Sanchez for getting the first down and all Jets fans should do the same. Hopefully, all this negative attitude by the coaching staff doesn't mess with the rookie's head. He already has enough to think about while out on the field in terms of managing a game, making accurate throws and most importantly, not turning the ball over. In the end, I have no problem with what occurred last night. People get hurt in football. Deal with it.
Shawn Marosek
5 comments:
I think the biggest problem that occurred with Sanchez was how he slid. I heard that the Jets even brought in Joe Girardi to teach the youngin' how to properly slide. So if I was Rex Ryan, I think I'd be pissed off too at the rookie for not using his head and sliding feet first instead of head first. That's why he has to "grow up".
Too bad Buffalo didn't rip his knee completely apart :p... let the Jets have as many injuries as the Bills have and see how they do.
The issue is here, if he slid with his feet he would have been marked down at the start of the slide, which would have been a yard or two short of the first down. By diving he was able to pass the sticks. He made the right decision in my opinion. However, he's made many dangerous dives this year that haven't been for first downs. The coaches want to break this habit before he gets seriously hurt. I can see both sides of the argument.
And for having a QB from Harvard Jaxster, Fitzpatrick isn't very smart:p...
We need to get this blog going again! I will have to contribute more.
What happened to your Pal Times buddy? haha
creep pic
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