Mark Sanchez: Now the Leader of the New York Jets?

According to Mark Sanchez, his new three-year extension means that he is now and always has been, the leader of the New York Jets. Sanchez stating his case (via Pro Football Talk):

“I’m going to be the starting quarterback for the next few years here, and that’s exciting. It gives the team just a reminder that I’m the leader of this team, and I’m excited to get back, and I’m going to be working my tail off these next few months to become the best possible starting quarterback that this franchise can have.”

Well, at least he thinks that's the case, because quarterback confidence is such an important skill to have. The problem is, football skill also an important skill to have, something Sanchez has been lacking in during his career.

Ah, I'm being too mean (Sanchez is such an easy target), and I think we all are. He is an average quarterback with average statistics, and if he was playing in Kansas City, he and his deal would not be given a second thought.

Alas, Sanchez is playing in New York, the perfect media market for him to be sautéed about his skill and his ridiculous statements in which he attempts to back up his skill.

Sanchez did nothing to prove he was advancing as a quarterback last year, and the leap that so many third-year quarterbacks take was non-existent. He never showed he was able to command the respect of the Jets clubhouse, something most leaders would have no trouble doing. 

Sanchez has gotten chance after chance in his brief career, and it appears he will continue to get chances.

Whether he makes anything of them remains to be seen, and whether he can become a "leader" (an nice title at best, at it's worst an overused writer's crutch) is also up for debate.

A "leader" is an overrated term that is handed out in football locker rooms, but for whatever reason, it's deemed an "important" quality for a quarterback to have. I think what the rest of the Jets would really like for Sanchez to be is not scared while playing, and if you want to call it leadership, that's fine. 

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