Should Mark Sanchez be on the Hot Seat?

June 14, 2012; Florham Park, NJ, USA; New York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez (6) laughs after minicamp at the Atlantic Health Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-US PRESSWIRE

Mark Sanchez needs to have a big year. The acquisition of Tim Tebow makes that more apparent, for obvious reasons. But should Mark Sanchez really be in the hot seat? Rich Cimini says yes in his Take 5 piece on espn.com.

My question this morning is, “Is that really fair?”

Yes, it’s quite easy to say, but is it justified? The answer is an unqualified no, and turn the page where we will talk about why.

Four road playoff wins. There really isn’t much to say other than that. At his age to have that accomplishment under his belt is unheard of. And along the way, didn’t he beat these guys:

Feb 5, 2012; Indianapolis, IN, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) throws in the pocket during the second half of Super Bowl XLVI at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-US PRESSWIRE

May 21, 2012; Englewood, CO, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (18) walks off the field following organized team activities at the Broncos training facility. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-US PRESSWIRE

Peyton looked a little bit different when Mark Sanchez beat him, but it was still him. Beating those two guys is an accomplishment.

Sanchez’s scoring production has improved every year, through 2011 where he accounted for 32 TDs, 26 passing and 6 running, which actually put him ahead of Eli. He has had several come from behind/fourth quarter wins, yet he is on the hot seat?

His accomplishments should give him the benefit of growing pains, yet they don’t. He is scrutinized more for his INTs, than complimented for his TDs. Turn the page and we will talk about why…

First off it’s the wonderful “what have you done for me now?” New York that we live in. Admittedly Mark Sanchez makes bad decisions at times, and when he does, they are magnified. People quickly forget his impressive wins when he throws interceptions to defensive linemen (see week 17 2011 vs. Dolphins). It’s understandable, as you are clearly not making the right throws when defensive linemen pick you off multiple times. And when the reporters ask many more questions about that, rather than giving just as much time to good play, we all tend to forget.

But we have to remember the good in Mark.

And, anything the starting quarterback does will be magnified a million fold when Tim Tebow is your backup quarterback. Whether you like his ability or not, he is a figure that draws a lot of attention.

Tim Tebow, for all of his faults, many of which I personally have outlined, is a good leader. He couldn’t have taken the Broncos as far as he did without being able to lead. As such, everything Mark Sanchez does will be magnfifed, knowing the team has a natural born leader on the bench.

What am I saying? Rich is right that Mark Sanchez is on the hot seat. But it isn’t fair, as he really shouldn’t be.