Mark Sanchez believes the one and only reason he is not the starting quarterback of the New York Jets right now is that he injured his shoulder. Prior to the controversial injury, which Sanchez suffered when Ryan put him on the field in the fourth quarter of the final preseason game, it was still unclear if Sanchez or Geno Smith would be the team’s starter come Week 1.
The belief is that New York’s front office has been itching to turn the reins over to Smith, but the decision became complicated when the rookie threw three interceptions in the fourth preseason game. Apparently that poor performance was enough to make Sanchez feel he had the job locked down.
Sanchez said he is eager to be there for Geno, but added he's disappointed in getting hurt because "I won the competition. There's no doubt"
— Rich Eisen (@richeisen) September 12, 2013
That’s debatable, to say the least. During his his hilarious press conference after Sanchez suffered the shoulder injury, Rex Ryan said he would not have put Sanchez in the game if it was not “important.” If Sanchez is so confident he had already won the starting job, why was the fourth quarter of the final preseason game important?
It was important because Ryan still hadn’t made up his mind. If anything, Smith’s three interceptions put Ryan in a more difficult position because the former West Virginia star’s horrific showing would make it tough to justify starting him Week 1. As long as Sanchez remains injured, none of that matters.
Earlier this week a report surfaced indicating Sanchez could need shoulder surgery to repair a torn labrum, which would likely end his season. Sanchez does not envision that happening.
Just spoke to @MarkSanchez who said doctors "pleasantly surprised" by his "progress" and plan is to rehab & "get back on field" for '13 Jets
— Rich Eisen (@richeisen) September 12, 2013
Talk about confidence. I guess that’s what it takes to win in the NFL. Oh, wait…
H/T Eye on Football
