Mark Sanchez Surveys His New Home in the NFL and the Northeast

The differences between the sports landscapes of New York and Los Angeles are like those between fire and water.

The raging inferno of New York demands nothing short of excellence, dominance and championship-caliber play; anything less is deemed intolerable by the seemingly maniacal fan base.

Los Angelinos' attitude toward their sports franchises differ in that while they can be as powerful a force as a crashing tidal wave, they are mostly cool and fluid; able to absorb whatever hits may come.

Soon, quarterback Mark Sanchez will experience that difference.

After spending the last four years in the college football paradise that is the University of Southern California, Sanchez makes the cross-country trek to the lions' den of the New York-metro area and play under one of the most intense spotlights in football.

Not only must Sanchez, who spent only one year as a starter for the Trojans, make the difficult transition from the collegiate level to the pros, but he must also learn how to navigate the relentless and sometimes hostile New York media and fans.

Questions:

1. How do you compare yourself to the last two first-round USC quarterbacks drafted this past decade (playing styles; strengths/weaknesses)?
2. Do you feel at a disadvantage coming into the NFL with only one year of experience as a collegiate starter?
3. What sort of expectations and goals have you set for yourself this year?
4. What kind of role for yourself do you think both helps the Jets and allows you to mature: being a game-manager or a focal point of the offense?
5. What kind of offense have coaches Ryan and Schottenheimer put in front of you? How does it compare to the one you ran at USC?
6. Is there more to becoming an NFL quarterback besides learning plays, studying film and training?
7. How are you trying to build relationships with your teammates? Are off-field activities about as important as what happens on the field and in practice?
8. Have you ever played in bad-weather environments, like the kind you'll face in New York, before? What are you doing to prepare for it? Is it more of a physical or mental adjustment?
9. What will be the biggest adjustment you'll have to make: the season's length, game speed, the opposing talent or play-calling responsibilities?
10. What sort of challenges or opportunities does playing a team twice a season present?
11. How much of an adjustment is there to go from living and playing in Los Angeles to living and playing in New York and New Jersey? How does this area compare with SoCal?
12. Did playing in Los Angeles prepare you for playing in a major media haven like New York, or is NYC a totally different animal?
13. How much do you pay attention to what is said or written about you in the media?
14. Are you concerned that your GQ photo shoot my bring un-necessary attention to you and project the wrong kind of image, as far as being a rookie quarterback? What about "old-school" veterans--on either the Jets or opposing teams--who might  not appreciate rookies drawing so much attention and publicity before playing?
15. Can you understand why some quarterbacks, especially those from big-time programs or those playing for marquee teams, are criticized for being overly image-conscious?
16. What about the different types of fan bases? Is it a challenge going from a relatively laid-back collegiate fan base that is used to success to a notoriously cannibalistic one like the Jets; one that is accustomed to failure and disappointment, and is not shy about venting their frustration?
    
17. Do you think about what it would mean to help turn the Jets into a franchise that is a consistent winner and player in the AFC title picture?
18. What do you think would produce a more intense, jubilant reaction: helping USC win the Rose Bowl and the NCAA title, or leading the Jets to a Super Bowl win?

Secondary sources (people who would strengthen points and add relevant perspectives):

• USC head coach Pete Carroll
• Jets head coach Rex Ryan
• former USC quarterbacks Carson Palmer & Matt Leinart
• Hall of Famer Troy Aikman (QB'd for a SoCal school, then went on to play in a football-crazed market and succeeded)
• Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb (has experience playing in front of hostile home crowds)

Aim of the article: to get inside Sanchez's head and show how well he understands the total situation of what he's getting into as being the likely starting QB for the Jets.