Mark Sanchez: Jets QB Finally Showing Maturity in Face of Adversity

A lot has been said about Mark Sanchez as not just a franchise quarterback in the NFL, but as a starting quarterback.

The former No. 5 pick in the draft is subject to a ton of scrutiny because of the media market he plays in and the added expectations of his draft status and loud-mouth coach.

It also doesn't help that Jets fans expect the world at this point. Gang Green has been to the AFC Championship Game in back-to-back seasons but have yet to get to the Super Bowl.

Plain and simple, a lot is expected of the young Sanchez.

We've seen him buckle under the pressure. We've seen him act and do some of the wrong things. But all in all, it is safe to say that Sanchez was still growing up. He was immature.

That is changing and people have taken notice.

ESPN New York's Rich Cimini even wrote:

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On Wednesday, Sanchez deflected questions about his personal improvement, preferring to talk about the offense as a whole. Lately, he has approached his media sessions with all the enthusiasm of a patient headed for a colonoscopy. He doesn't smile much. 

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And then quoted Sanchez as saying:

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"I told you guys, I'm just focused," he said. "I'm excited, we have a great opportunity. We're in a good spot, but it could get better, hopefully. And we have to make it get better."

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The kicker in all this is Sanchez's attitude, production and the team's success since Rex Ryan made arguably the smartest remark he's made as a Jets coach.

Following the loss to the Broncos almost one month ago, Ryan pulled Sanchez from a few first team practice reps and told the media about it.

The Jets are 3-0 with Sanchez throwing seven touchdowns and only one interception during the stretch. Coincidentally, the Jets also rushed for over 100 yards in each of those games. 

Early in the season the Jets couldn't do that. At all.

Sanchez was forced to throw the ball too many times and for too many yards; that is not his game.

With a running game that actually works, Sanchez is remarkably better, has cut down on mistakes and makes throws when he has to.

Call it what you will, but I'll call it growing up once and for all. Sanchez wasn't happy about Ryan pulling him from practice, and he's responded. Rather than getting down on himself, the quarterback has been better because of it, and so are the Jets.