New York Jets not doing Sanchez any favors

The third season for any NFL QB is the time where he finally defines himself  as either a franchise QB or a perpetual work in progress.

For New York Jets QB Mark Sanchez, 2011 was shaping up to be a bright and successful season.  After all, entering his third year, Sachez would be coming off back to back AFC Championship appearances in which the Jets re-tooled their offense to provide Sanchez with the receivers needed to succeed.   The fast WR in Santonio Holmes; the tall WR in Braylon Edwards; the third down guarantee in Jerricho Cotchery; the smooth hands TE in Dustin Keller, and the back-field RB in LaDainian Tomlinson.

However, something has changed.   The Jets for some reason have decided to change it up.  Gone is the sure thing in Cotchery, apparently being replaced by 37 year old Derrick Mason.   Gone is the tall WR in Braylon Edwards, replaced by another tall WR Plaxico Burress, who hasn’t played in 20 months and is already injured.

Why now?  Why have the Jets, already hampered by a shortened training camp, changing it up on the Sanchez?  After all, the QB position is the premier position in football.  Do the Jets have any fears about the chemistry that Sanchez must form in such quick fashion with Burress and Mason?   Will Sanchez even get to play in the preseason with Burress and Mason on the field together or will it have to wait until the team’s opener on September 11 against the Dallas Cowboys?

In an all or nothing head coach in Rex Ryan, we can’t say these changes are surprising.  After all, Derrick Mason is a former Baltimore Raven (Ryan’s former team) and Plaxico Burress was the big offensive splash of the free agency period.   Ryan does have a flair for the dramatics.

But will these changes ultimately disrupt Sanchez’s third season and push the Jets further away from their ultimate goal of a Super Bowl?