Slow Down Jets Fans: A Little Perspective Is Needed.

The New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan announced today that their first round draft pick, QB Mark Sanchez from USC, will be the starter in the season opener at Houston.

That is all well and good. After all, Ryan inherited QB Kellen Clemens, but Sanchez is who he wanted and got. Jets fans need to gain some perspective about the 2009 season though.

First and foremost, just accept that the New England Patriots (without drastic injuries) are going to win the AFC East. Second, the Jets will be a double-digit loss team. Look at their schedule; they are probably going to start the season 0-4. My prediction, they will end off being 5-11 or 6-10 and easily miss the playoffs. 

That is just who the New York Jets are right now.

Remember this, Sanchez only started sixteen games at USC and was surrounded by elite talent. He does not have elite talent anymore. The Jets are good, but they are not that good; at least not as good as fans and New York sports media would have you believe.

Mark Sanchez is talented, no doubt, but he has never seen a pass rush like he is going to see from New England, Jacksonville, and Tennessee. Furthermore, the Jets do not have an elite and proven receiver for Sanchez to throw to and bail him out of jams.  Sanchez does not have a Randy Moss or a Larry Fitzgerald.  He has Cotchery, Coles, and Stuckey, and they have yet to prove just how good they are.

The good news for the Jets is that an improved defense along with RB’s Thomas Jones and Leon Washington and good special teams will give the Jets an edge in field position.  This will take some of the pressure off of Sanchez and allow Ryan and the Jets to go deeper into their playbook.

Still, Sanchez is a rookie, and the Jets’ schedule does not work in their favor. They open at Houston, host New England, host Tennessee, and then go to face the explosive offense of New Orleans. Their first really good chance at a win might be in week five which is a Monday night in Miami; where anything could happen. They very well could start the season 0-5.

Overall, Jets fans need to look at this season as a development year. Do not expect the Jets to make the playoffs or win more than six games. Also, embrace the notion that Clemens should take some of the snaps so that future NYJ franchise QB Sanchez’s confidence is not blasted.