Mark Sanchez has been the scapegoat for the New York Jets’ lack of success since he joined the team in 2009. Last week against the Buffalo Bills, Sanchez took a sputtering Jets offense to new heights in a 48-28 blowout that could launch him to a breakout year.
Sanchez joining the Jets has been scrutinized since Day 1, according to the Associated Press. He had just one year of QB experience at USC when he decided to join the NFL draft. His talent propelled him to be a first-round pick, but critics wondered if he was ready for the rigors of the NFL.
It has taken more than three seasons, but the Southern California product silenced some doubters with his breakout performance against the Bills―at least for now.
When the Jets brought Tim Tebow to town, Rich Cimini of ESPN New York wrote Sanchez was “floored.†His performance in Week 1 may lead to a diminished role for Tebow in the Jets' offensive scheme.
But there are still come critics who are just waiting for the fall from grace. Dan Loumena of the Los Angeles Times is telling fans to just wait for a few losses.
While one week may not be enough to predict a whole season, Sanchez’s performance against Buffalo was a pleasant surprise for Jets fans. Here is why 2012 could be his breakout season.
Career-Best Season Opener
It appears the fourth time is the charm for Sanchez. In his first three career Week 1 matchups, the 25-year old never recorded a passer rating of 100 or more.
Against the Bills, his PR was 123.4. Sanchez’s previous career-high PR for season openers was in 2011 against the Dallas Cowboys (88.7).
Buffalo’s secondary gave up 232.1 yards per game last season―19th in the NFL. Sanchez threw for 266 yards in the season opener against an improved Bills defense that features standout defensive end Mario Williams.
The offense that struggled mightily in the preseason took off against the Bills. This week, the Jets face a Steelers defense that gave up 253 yards to Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos.
Manning completed 73.1 percent of his passes against the Steel Curtain. Sanchez completed 70.4 percent of his passes against the Bills. This matchup will give Jets fans a measuring stick to judge “Sanchize†by.
The Offensive Line
The offensive line delivered for the Jets against the Bills.
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Typically overlooked in a quarterback’s success is the importance of the offensive line. The Jets offensive line didn’t give up a sack and allowed only one tackle for loss. The Bills defensive line isn’t known for QB pressure but the addition of Williams, who has 53 career sacks, should have changed that.
It didn’t.
It was a solid performance for the offensive line that garnered a significant amount of criticism last season, and had an up-and-down preseason. The veteran group promised an epic comeback, according to Cimini of ESPN New York, and delivered on the promise in Week 1.
Right tackle Austin Howard had the task of blocking Williams Sunday. He gave up just one QB hit in the 20-point victory, according to ProFootballFocus.
ESPN’s box score from the Jets-Bills game shows the Bills with no QB hits and just one pass deflection. That’s a confidence booster for any offensive line.
The O-line also helped running back Shonn Greene total 94 yards on 27 carries and a touchdown. Credit the offensive line for a significant amount of the offense’s success. Everything runs through the trenches in football and the Jets dug in last week.
They will have a tougher task against the Steelers' front that sacked Manning twice, had three QB hits and deflected six passes.
Who Is Stephen Hill?
Stephen Hill was Sanchez’s most effective target last week. Hill had five receptions, six targets, 89 yards and two scores in his rookie debut. Maybe the Jets’ scouts were on to something here.
The rookie came out of Georgia Tech―the same Georgia Tech that runs the triple-option. Hill had 49 receptions in college. That’s it.
The most receptions he had in a season at GT? 28 in 2011. Jordan White of Western Michigan led the FBS with 120 receptions in 2011. Hill’s 28 ranked him 328th.
While his Week 1 stats may be a bit surprising, the former Yellow Jacket is 6’4†and 215 lbs. Sanchez looked for him in the red zone and found him multiple times.
Sure, Hill is raw with his route-running, but a big frame and reliable hands provide Sanchez with a target he hasn’t had yet in his career. Hill also runs a 4.36-second, 40-yard dash.
The Jets traded up to snag this guy in the second round of the draft and it paid dividends in the season opener.
Sanchez seems to have a great relationship with the young receiver. Hill creates matchup problems for defenses that ripple down to Santonio Holmes and Shonn Greene.
The Jets have a new top weapon in the offense, and it isn’t Tebow. If Sanchez and Hill can continue to build on this success, they could become one of the better combinations in the NFL.
Scheduling
A favorable schedule could propel Sanchez to big numbers this season.
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Sanchez put together a strong performance against a weak Bills secondary. This week, he faces a Steelers defense that was the best in the league against the pass last season.
After this week, Sanchez’s pass game faces a pretty favorable schedule before heading into their bye week:
Week 3 at Miami (25th pass defense in 2011, currently 17th)
Week 4 vs San Francisco (16th pass defense in 2011, currently 22nd)
Week 5 vs Houston (3rd pass defense in 2011, currently 9th)
Week 6 vs Indianapolis (15th pass defense in 2011, currently 30th)
Week 7 at New England (31st pass defense in 2011, currently 18th)
Week 8 vs Miami
These rankings are skewed due to the fact that it’s only one week into the season, but the Jets face a Top 15 secondary from last season just twice after the Steelers game.
This is a favorable schedule for Sanchez, who needs to prove he can play at a high level consistently.
Flying Under the Radar
Are there two top-QBs in New York?
Jim McIsaac/Getty Images
The ball is in Sanchez’s hands and the better he performs, the less Tebow will be a factor. Fortunately for him, the typically-outspoken Jets have been overshadowed by the New York Giants.
The Giants’ loss to the Cowboys in Week 1 has given the media in New York something else to feast on for a bit. Should the Giants panic, or should they not?
The Jets have taken a back seat to the Giants in the headlines and that seems to be benefiting Sanchez. In his fourth season, he is developing into a crafty veteran quarterback.
One NFL.com blog from Adam Schein notes a “different Sanchez†than in previous years. Schein noted a development in his commitment, arm strength and attitude this offseason. It looks like he may have been right.
Arguably, the most promising development from the Bills game was the reaction of the QB to the opening drive. Sanchez threw a pick just seven plays into the first offensive series. In atypical fashion, he bounced back to throw for nearly 300 yards and completed more than 70 percent of his passes.
Sanchez seems to have figured out how to bounce back from adversity, and just in time. Jets fans are hoping he becomes the franchise QB and 2012 could be the year he makes that statement.
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