Jets-Ravens: Things I Will Be Looking for from Tonight's MNF Game

Tonight we see the green take the field for the second time this preseason. It is sure to prove a much bigger test than the first game against the Rams. Not only do we find ourselves on the road but we find ourselves facing one of the toughest defensive teams in the National Football League.

So, like my last article on preseason week one, here I will highlight some of the aspects that I will personally be looking for from tonight's game.

1. Mark Sanchez

Are people tired of hearing about him yet? Well, I doubt any Jets fan is. Starting for the very first time, the real test comes tonight.

He introduced himself to the New York Jets fans and the NFL as a whole with a bullet pass to speedster David Clowney on his first snap. Tonight, I think he may have to reign it in a little.

So what are we looking for from tonight? Obviously we are looking for him to move the offense, complete passes, and score touchdowns, but there are other things that will be worth watching.

How much control does he have in the huddle, how is his leadership? Does he change the play at the line, how does he recognise the pressure that is sure to be on him?

If he is sacked or intercepted, how does he respond? How does perform under the lights of Monday Night Football and in front of a hostile crowd? How quickly does he run through his reads, and if the pocket breaks down, how does he look noticing this and getting the ball away?

2. Nick Mangold

Mangold did not play in the first preseason game because of injury but he should be back tonight and that is a welcome sight to the Jets and Mark Sanchez.

Although I have no doubt that he will be fine, it might be worth paying attention to how he looks, is he fluid, any signs of the injury lingering. How does he read the Baltimore multiple look defence?

Mangold has developed into a fine centre, and one of the better ones in the league, I don't think there will be any issues but the most important thing is that he comes through without a injury.

3. Vernon Gholston

Houdini himself. How is Vernon looking? Do you notice he is on the field at all, does he get any kind of pressure on the defence. Does he recognise his coverage obligations, how quick is he to respond?

One of the things that I will be looking for tonight is how animated he is. Not all players get fired up by beating there chest like Tarzan, however some animation from the mild mannered gent from Ohio State would not go a miss.

Rex has put all his confidence in Gholston naming him starter for Weeks One-Four while Calvin Pace serves his suspension, however at some point this preseason he is going to have to prove he can do the job. He might well be the weak link, but he has the talent to be a difference maker on the positive side.

4. Jamaal Westerman

This goes hand in hand with the previous. Gholston has had a relatively quiet camp but Ryan could not help but gush over the prospects of Westerman. He seems to be one of the most versatile players on the team and is nearly a sure lock to make the team.

Jamaal can line up inside, outside with his hand in the dirt, and even contribute on special teams. It might be worth taking a look at Westerman tonight to see where he will line up for this team.

With Ellis and Pace out for the first game, Houston could be the coming out party for Westerman.

5. David Clowney

To be honest you could put a lot of players in this slot, Britt Davis, Marcus Henry, Brad Smith, Chansi Stuckey, or even Dustin Keller. However Clowney is the guy that I'm looking forward to seeing tonight.

Clowney will be remembered for his preseason numbers last season and his catch off of Sanchez's first pass in the NFL.

However, something tells me that he will want to be remembered for more. We all know that he has pace, but does he have the hands and the ability to run the short intermediate routes?

Clowney struggled earlier this offseason with catching the ball, a problem he put down to trying to do too much; saying that before he had the ball in his hands he was looking to turn up field and break off a big play.

However he has been much improved lately, watching the ball into his hands and then doing what he can. He spent the best part of the offseason working on his upper body strength, and barring any injury, now is his time to shine.

There will be several other things to watch out for in tonight's game, but these five are the specific ones that will interest this fan.

All that is left to say is...let's hope we come out of the game without any injury's.