I watched the whole game as well, and would disagree w/ you about Sanchez. It's one game, but if he plays like that consistently, I think it's clear that he has taken it up a notch this season. His throws were excellent throughout the game, as was his decision-making.
The Jets are a well-coached team with talent. Lots of low expectations based on locker-room strife at the end of last season & an anemic preseason, but both are basically meaningless now. They're a tough out.
Well, it's kind of tautologous to say that if he consistently puts up a Pass Rating of 120 something, then he would have "taken it up a notch this season."
But, I've been watching him for three years and almost from day one he was able to complete the 20--30 yard sideline pass or a crossing route in the 10--15 yard range when his receivers got some separation and he had time in the pocket. I said at the outset that he is a legitimate "NFL Quarterback" and that's what legitimate NFL Quarterbacks do.
I wouldn't call his throws throughout the game "excellent," but simply throws you expect an NFL QB to make with that much time against a secondary that offered little resistance. That puts him above at least half a dozen and maybe as many as a dozen other starters, including the guy he went up against on Sunday. The exception was the end zone pass (I forget the receiver) when he put the ball where only his guy was going to get it.
He showed the old Sanchez with his decision making on the 'what in the world was he thinking' pick he threw early on, but was rescued because he was playing a really bad team. So, I'm gonna wait before saying that his decision making has turned around.
So, if I'm proven wrong in December about Mark, I'll be the first to admit it, but I think we'll continue to see an inconsistent, if acceptable QB, who will keep you competitive in a lot of games but who ultimately won't take you to the promised land.
As for the Jets themselves, I don't pay any attention to the preseason, but I do think the lockerroom is something to worry about the moment things go bad. And, don't overlook the fact that the vaunted D did give up 28 points to a Division II offense; don't tell me it was garbage time or meaningless scores...good D's don't let teams put points up on them even when they are way ahead.
As for being "well coached," I'd agree that Ryan is probably as good as there is on the X's and O's of a defense; but to me at least half the job of an HC is control of the lockerroom and he has clearly failed at that, so far. Jury's out on Sparano. They couldn't get him out of Miami fast enough.
And, as a divisional opponent, I always regard the Jets as a "tough out." I'll be interested to see how tough an out they are against a pissed off Steelers team this week.
