Is Mark Sanchez Surrendering the New York Jets’ QB Competition?

Jul 31, 2013; Cortland, NY, USA; New York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez (6) drops back to pass during training camp at SUNY Cortland. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports

For a long time now, there has been a great deal of talk about Mark Sanchez’s psyche. How beaten down is he? Can he rebound and lead this team again, or is he too damaged to take the reigns again? Where is his head? This offseason has been no different, as Mark has gone through this highly publicized QB competition against Geno Smith.

There was talk yesterday, based on quotes from Mark, that he has mentally thrown in the towel. People think he is so damaged, that he has conceded the starting job to Geno Smith. Let’s see what Mark had to say.

First, on whether there are “forces” against him in the competition:

Yeah, I mean you just put it out of your head. I mean there’s always going to be adversity, there’s always going to be things that are working against you and you just fight through them and keep playing, control what you can. You can’t worry about other people’s opinions and things like that. God, these flies are everywhere. Good golly, jeez.

Does he think he is the underdog?

I don’t know. Depends on who you ask I’m sure. I’m not really worried about it.

But, how does he feel about how the competition is going?

I feel good. I feel comfortable. My arm feels good. I feel strong. My legs are working. Coach (David) Lee has us conditioning like crazy, so I feel like I’m in good shape. Just keep pushing. Just keep competing and control what I can.

He talked about where he has improved, thanks to coach David Lee:

I think my fundamentals and my footwork with Coach Lee have been, he’s just pounding that into your head about your footwork and making sure that’ll match up with the timing of these routes. That’s a huge emphasis in this system. Your footwork and your resets, your hitches in the pocket should time up with your reads. I think that’ll be a little more fluid.

He doesn’t know how he is going in the competition, what’s wrong with that? If he said he knew he was ahead, people would get on his case for being overconfident. Can Mark every say anything to please everyone? I doubt it.

People are overreacting to what he had to say. Maybe he is just being humble, because Geno is playing well. Why should he go into the room and announce he is absolutely winning? The people in that room have just watched practice, they know it isn’t true. Let Mark do his thing, and let the chips fall where they may.