Mark Sanchez Is Not the Reason for Jets' Struggles

The New York Jets have been a disappointment this season. They have failed to become an elite team in the league.

Many expected Mark Sanchez to take the next step in his third season and become an elite quarterback, but that has not come to fruition, and now that the Jets are most likely out of the playoffs, fans are ready to jump ship.

The Jets are struggling for many other reasons than their quarterback. These other positions are also causing Mark Sanchez too appear worse than he actually is. 

Actually Improving

Despite people saying Mark Sanchez is not improving and in fact regressing, the stats prove otherwise.

One stat that everyone wanted Sanchez to improve upon was completion percentage, which he has, along with his quarterback rating.

He has career highs in touchdown passes this season and could come close to 3,500 yards, and he also has ran for six touchdowns this season, as the Jets are the best team in the NFL at converting in the red zone.

Offensive Line

The Jets have had two of their members of the offensive line named to the Pro Bowl. This is not representative of how poor the line has been.

Nick Mangold's injury in the beginning of the season caused the line to struggle, which in turn caused the running game to struggle. This all leads to Mark Sanchez struggling because he doesn't have the protection he needs or the running game to assist the passing game. Sanchez is a good play-action quarterback, but if the running game is not going he can't resort to the play-action pass.

Every time Sanchez drops back to pass he has to move around to avoid sacks and has to rush to get rid of the ball. To say he has been protected is false. He is unable to sit in the pocket and allow the recievers to get open, especially down the field.

If you look at all the elite quarterbacks in the league, they are effective because of the protection their offensive line gives them. Players like Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers sit still in the pocket without any worry of getting hit.

Mark Sanchez hasn't had that luxury this season. It is important for a quarterback, especially a young one, to feel comfortable in the pocket and the Jets offensive line fails to allow that.

Wide Receivers

Sanchez's wide receiving core has changed all three years. This season the Jets got rid of Jericho Cotchery, Brad Smith and Braylon Edwards.

Santonio Holmes was not on the team for Sanchez's first season. Last year he started the season in Week 5, as he had to serve a four-game suspension, so this has been his first full season with the Jets. Although it may be because of the offensive line, Holmes has been unable to get open down the field. He was supposed to be the Jets' deep threat this season but that hasn't happened.

The Jets' number-two wide receiver is Plaxico Burress, who has missed a few seasons because he was in jail. Although Plaxico has been a good red-zone threat, which is why he was brought in, it took some time for him to get back to playing like Plaxico Burress. Plaxico is not the receiver who will help Mark Sanchez in the future because he had to shake off rust and he will be retired soon, forcing Sanchez to get used to someone else.

Offensive Coordinator

Brian Schottenheimer has been atrocious this season. His untimely trick plays have not worked at all. When the running game starts to get going, he moves away from it.

He has probably been the most crucial factor in Mark Sanchez's struggles. His play-calling does nothing to help the growth of his young quarterback.

Whether the Jets make the playoffs or not, Brian Schottenheimer should not be employed by the New York Jets next season. It's interesting and baffling that teams are interested in him as a head coach.

The Jets must move in a different direction in order to improve offensively.