Rookie of the Week? Sanchez Is Two Much

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Rookie of the Week? Sanchez Is Two Much

Published: Fri, September 25, 2009 - 4:17pm ET
Randy Lange

By Randy Lange

Lange is editor-in-chief of newyorkjets.com. He covered the Jets for 13 years for The Record of Hackensack, N.J.


File Under: Jets Flight Crew, Rex Ryan, Craig Hentrich, Reggie Hodges, Bart Scott, Mark Sanchez, Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Week, Keith Bulluck, Ahmard Hall, Rob Bironas

09/25 — Mark Sanchez is 2-for-2.

The Jets rookie quarterback was voted the Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Week for the second time in this two-week-old season, the league announced this afternoon.

Sanchez bounced back from a first half in which the Jets had minus-2 net passing yards to complete 14 of 22 passes for 163 yards and one touchdown in the Jets' 16-9 win over their AFC East rivals, the New England Patriots.

Sanchez was selected from among five finalists through fan votes on NFL.com/rookies.

The Jets rookie becomes the favorite out of the gate in the running for Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Year. After the regular season, five players will be nominated for that award. Fans can vote for the winner on throughout January and the winner will be announced at a news conference at Super Bowl XLIV in South Florida.

Talking Football

One of the topics at Rex Ryan's news conference after today's final practice of the week before Sunday's Tennessee game involved some quotes from the Volunteer State from FB Ahmard Hall and LB Keith Bulluck about the Jets. Rex said no problem.

On Hall's comments about not liking Bart Scott, Ryan said: "Hey, bring it on. Nobody likes Bart. That's the beauty of it. Only his teammates like Bart. Trust me, Bart will be more than happy to accommodate him in return."

Also no sweat about Bulluck, the Titans' talented 'backer, talking about coming after Sanchez: "We're going to see it. Both those teams we played first wanted to do the same thing. He was up to the task then and I think he’ll be up to the task this week as well."

And for any who worry that each week there will be war of words before the contest on the field, Ryan replied that it's no big deal.

"We are who we are," he said. "We’re going to play like Jets and we’re a physical football team. I don’t think our guys really instigate anything, but we’re going to be out there one way or another so if somebody wants to fight us, we’ll line up and fight them. We don’t care. Whatever they want to do we're more than happy to accommodate."

Tighten Up

Ryan's message to his team Thursday was that they needed to cut down on mistakes made after that practice. Today's report: Mission accomplished.

"We had a few too many mental mistakes yesterday, so we had everything tightened up today. We had no mistakes out there today," Ryan said. "The attitude was great. It was professional. They prepared at night. You have to do those things. You can’t just go out there and be happy with what you’ve done so far. You’ve got to take care of your job. This team we’re playing is outstanding team, a physical team, one of the premier teams in the league. If you give them anything but your best preparation-wise or with the type of emotion you play with or anything, you’re going to get beat. I have a feeling we’re going to be up for the task."

The I-Reports

Ryan said his injury report had no changes. "Sanchez is still going to play," he said, referring to his report on "a little tendinitis" in his QB's knee that prompted the Jets to list him as a full participant in practice.

It still looks as though CB Donald Strickland will miss the game and CB Lito Sheppard might sit out. Both have been designated as "out" after not practicing all week. But the designation isn't binding and Rex reserves the right to make a game-time decision, especially on Sheppard.

Said the coach: "If a guy can go, he shows up and on Sunday we think he's ready to roll, then we're going with him."

The Titans' injury report is slimmer than the Jets' 14-player list, but possibly more problematic to them. Punter Craig Hentrich is already out with a calf injury (former Jet Reggie Hodges was signed this week to kick against the Jets) and today kicker Rob Bironas was added with a right ankle injury. Bironas did not practice today and is listed as questionable for the game.

Additionally, backup QB Vince Young was added to the Tennessee list as questionable with an illness, and TE Bo Scaife (knee) was limited for a second day today and is also questionable.

Change of Flight Plan

"Jets Flight Plan," the Green & White's weekly show on WCBS-TV, will move from its usual Sunday morning home for this week only. You can see the show Saturday at 11:30 p.m. on CBS-2 HD after the late local news.

The show continues its all-access look at the 2009 Jets from inside the doors of the Atlantic Health Jets Training Center. Host Sam Ryan sits down one-on-one with head coach Rex Ryan, you'll get an exclusive view of this year's wide receivers from WRs coach Henry Ellard, and we'll also look back at the career of legendary Jets linebacker Larry Grantham.

Cheers to the Flight Crew

CNNSI.com has posted its Week 2 NFL Cheerleaders photo slideshow. We're proud to report that the first 16 photos are of the Jets Flight Crew, and some of the shots are simply awesome. Check out the cheerleaders here. Check out the Flight Crew's Week 2 photos here.

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Fans Respond

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mark Blanchard Said:

Sun, September 27, 2009 - 12:49am ET

"Been a die hard fan since 66 and even QB'd at Hofstra because of the Jets training there. This is truly the firs time since the Weeb/Namath years that I feel the pure we can't be beat attitude. Congrats to Rex and his Fur Flyin Boys."

Offensive Comment?

drew Said:

Mon, September 28, 2009 - 2:32pm ET

"Hey Randy, does coach have anything in place to keep Mark's success from going to his head? Last thing we need is an arrogant QB who is a disgrace off the field. "

Offensive Comment?

Phill Comeaux Said:

Mon, September 28, 2009 - 7:04pm ET

"Eric yes the jets should drop 11 defensive players in pass protection that way the Saints can use al four of their speedy running backs + their surehands tightend Shocky. Eric, the Saints is a totally dangerous football team and can score on you from almost any player they put on the field. The Jets is no match because they don't have enough weapons to go head to head with the Saints."

Offensive Comment?