New York Jets: 5 Reasons Mark Sanchez Won't Lead Gang Green to Super Bowl

The New York Jets have fallen far short of their 2011-12 expectations so far this season.

Some blame the running game, the offensive line or the coaching.

The majority of critics of the Jets point the finger at their quarterback Mark Sanchez. As is the deal with most teams, the Jets will only go as far as their quarterback can take them.

It appears the Jets won't go far this season with their disappointing play and here are five reasons why Sanchez will not lead Gang Green to a Super Bowl.

Sanchez in Not a Top Quarterback

In his third year, Mark Sanchez doesn't look like he's progressed much and he certainly isn't anywhere near the conversation of being a top quarterback in the NFL.

He has proven that near the end of the game, he is pretty reliable if you need a late drive down the field to win a game.

Sanchez is not the type of quarterback that can throw a team on his back and take them to the promise land like an Aaron Rodgers can.

With that being fact, Sanchez can't take a game into his own hands and dominate to victory.

He needs help.

No Running Game

The last two seasons, the Jets have been known for having a strong running game as they have been near the top of the league in yards.

This year, the Jets find themselves ranked 31st with 80 yards per game on the ground, a stark contrast to their last two seasons.

Shonn Greene hasn't proven to be a lead back like the Jets had hoped and the days as a top running back for LaDanian Tomlinson are pretty much over.

With a weak rushing attack, the Jets will have to rely on their young quarterback to lead their offense instead of their running backs, a fact that is alarming.

As I said in the last slide, Sanchez is not ready to take this team on his back this year, if ever, and lead them to a Super Bowl.

But as I already mentioned, a weak running game will force Sanchez to take a role he isn't prepared to take.

"Schotty" Play Calling

I haven't heard too many Jets' fans out there who still have much, if any, faith in their offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer.

Schotty has been known for making head scratching play calls and was heavily criticized early last year for not giving Sanchez longer pass plays. Instead, he made Sanchez throw short passes that got the Jets offense nowhere.

Don't forget last year in the AFC Championship game when the Jets were inside the one on second down, Schotty called two consecutive pass plays that fell incomplete.

Finally on fourth down, Schottenheimer finally thought it wise to hand the ball to one of the best goal line running backs in the game, LaDanian Tomlinson.

He was promptly stuffed, forcing a turnover on downs and ultimately a Jets' loss. One can only wonder had he used his brain and given it to Tomlinson or even Greene earlier, if the Jets would have gotten into the end zone.

If your name isn't Peyton Manning, most likely you will often be as good as the guy calling your plays.

Sanchez is no Peyton Manning so that means he relies on Schottenheimer to make the right play calls.

Given Schotty's history on the sideline, that doesn't bode well for Sanchez's future and ultimately, the Jets' Super Bowl chances.

Fewer Options at Receiver

After the 2010 season, the Jets tried to replace their top receiver, Braylon Edwards, and Jerricho Cotchery with Plaxico Burress and Derrick Mason.

The situation with Mason has been a disaster, as after several issues with his coaches, he is no longer with the team.

As for Plaxico, he's been quiet this season except for Weeks one and three where he had a touchdown apiece.

There hasn't been much production from the Jets "replacements," and with no action at the deadline, it won't get much better.

If the Jets can't get their rushing attack going, they will have to rely heavily on their passing game to score points and Sanchez will have to do that with less options than last year.

Tough to Repeat

Whether you believe it or not, Sanchez and the Jets have done enough to get themselves to the AFC Championship game two years in a row.

That is an impressive feat in itself and not something you can take away from them.

What's even more difficult to do than what Gang Green did is to do it three times in a row. Very few teams have done it in NFL history and the odds are against them.

There may be nothing the Jets can do to fight history and get another chance to play in a Super Bowl.

One thing's for sure, Sanchez has got to play better if they even want to have a chance.