Mark Sanchez Makes New York Jets Immediate Contenders

New York Jets rookie quarterback Mark Sanchez played impressively in Gang Green’s 27-25 preseason victory over the New York Giants Saturday night at the Meadowlands.

Sanchez, 22, completed 13 of 20 passes for 149 yards in his first start since Head Coach Rex Ryan named him the No. 1 quarterback last Tuesday after a game versus the Ravens in Baltimore.

“He (Sanchez) played great," Ryan said of the former USC signal-caller who the Jets selected in April with the fifth overall pick in the NFL Draft.  “He is what we thought he was.”

Sanchez, a symbol of Mexican-American identity who signed a five-year contract worth $50 million with the Jets in June, displayed great poise and arm strength in the face of the Giants relentless pass rush.

“I was impressed by the rookie, I really was,” Giants defensive end Justin Tuck said of the native of Long Beach, California.  “We had some pressure on him all game, and he was able to make some big plays.”

The 2009 Rose Bowl MVP, who flourished for a season in Coach Pete Carroll’s sophisticated, pro-style offense as a Trojan, led the Jets to four scoring drives in only two-and-a-half quarters.

“He played against great competition at S.C., and I don’t think the big stage is anything that he’s not used to,” added Tuck, 26.  “He handled himself very well.  When we got a lot of pressure on, he found a way to scramble and make good plays under pressure.  It looks like they made the right decision to make him their starting quarterback.”

Giants defensive end Osi Umenyiora mentioned Sanchez’s 31-yard touchdown pass to Chansi Stuckey after he had been flushed out of the pocket.

“He threw it up there,” said Umenyiora, 27, a two-time Pro Bowl selection for the Giants.  “Thankfully for him, the Lord answered his prayers.  I think he’s going to be pretty good.”

Despite being physically manhandled by the Ravens ferocious defense in his previous outing, Ryan liked what he saw from Sanchez and he decided to officially declare him the victor in the quarterback competition against Kellen Clemens.

After being informed by Ryan that he would start Opening Day versus the Houston Texans, Sanchez said he was “a little more confident.”

“You talk a little different, you walk a little different, you act a little different,” admitted Sanchez, a 2008 First Team All-Pac 10 selection and All-American honorable mention.  “Once they name you the guy, there’s a quiet calm that comes about you.”

The New York Jets offensive and defensive lines are extremely solid.

Additionally, Thomas Jones and Leon Washington comprise one of the most formidable running back tandems in the sport of football.

Sanchez does not need to be the reincarnation of “Broadway” Joe Namath to immediately thrive under the immense glare of New York’s spotlight.

With the capable supporting cast that he has been surrounded by, he simply needs to be Mark Sanchez, and that should be enough for the Jets to have a very productive season in 2009.

Knowing that a ballplayer like Mark Sanchez is now the face of the Jets organization, supporters of Gang Green can finally enjoy a “quiet calm” and realize that the franchise is about ready to fly.

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