Jets’ Sanchez no longer playing like a rookie

McClatchy Newspapers

The day after New York Jets rookie quarterback Mark Sanchez threw five interceptions in an October loss to Buffalo, general manager Mike Tannenbaum handed him a list.

It was a “Who’s Who” of NFL quarterbacks.

Terry Bradshaw. John Elway. Brett Favre. Dan Marino. Kurt Warner, among others.

All had thrown five interceptions in a game at least once in their careers (Bradshaw and Marino twice).

That’s all Sanchez needed to see.

It was a pick-me-up from the man who took Sanchez with the fifth pick of the 2009 draft and a show of confidence that the Jets were willing to absorb the growing pains of a young quarterback.

Sanchez responded to the subtle message. Sanchez, who tied fellow rookie Matthew Stafford of Detroit with 20 interceptions in the regular season, has played nearly flawless football in the postseason.

In his last four games — including playoff wins at Cincinnati and at San Diego — Sanchez threw just one interception and has led the Jets to the AFC championship game today at Indianapolis.

“I do feel more comfortable as the days go on and as I get experience each game,” Sanchez said. “There is no substitute for that experience. The biggest thing that has made the difference in these last few games is knowing what it takes to win and also knowing what gets you beat.

“Turnovers have gotten us beat. We’re 10-0 when we win the turnover battle. That’s a known fact, and that’s the way we’ve got to play. If that means not throwing the ball (or) taking a sack, that’s what we’ve got to go with. Right now, it’s better to be smart than good.”

Sanchez, 23, is bidding to become the first rookie and youngest quarterback to start a Super Bowl, though history is not on his side. The three previous rookie quarterbacks to start championship games — Tampa Bay’s Shaun King (1999), Pittsburgh’s Ben Roethlisberger (2004) and Baltimore’s Joe Flacco (2008) — did not reach the Super Bowl as rookies.

But Sanchez, who played in big games in college at USC, joined Flacco as the second rookie in NFL history to win two playoff games, and he won’t be intimidated by the moment. The Jets won at Indianapolis 29-15 on Dec. 27, although that was when the Colts pulled their starters in the second half. The experience, however, could pay off today.

“This feels right,” Sanchez said. “It feels the way you dream it would feel just growing up. You get to go play at Indy again for an AFC championship your rookie year, that’s unbelievable. We’re facing a great team in their environment and in a tough place to play, so just go play and have fun and do what we’ve done forever.

“The field is going to be the same size. The ball, it’s still a Wilson NFL ball and you throw it like you know how. Once you eliminate the distractions and everything surrounding the game, you can just go play.”

Sanchez pointed to that game at Indianapolis as a turning point in his rookie season. He completed just 53.8 percent of his passes during the regular season, and his passer rating of 63.0 ranked 285h in the NFL. But in the post season, he’s 24-of-38 (63.2 percent) for 282 yards, two TDs, one interception and a 92.2 rating, while the Jets’ top-ranked rushing game did its thing.

“The communication between (the coaches), myself and the guys in the huddle took a turn for the better during that game,” Sanchez said. “We really started talking about situations and just reiterating the importance of the football, playing the field position battle when we have to, knowing that we have a great running game and we can rely on it, and when we do throw it’s important to be accurate.

“We’ve got to keep working that way and keep hammering home the importance of playing smart and getting completions when you can and converting on third downs and putting yourself in third-and-manageable. We want to keep riding that wave.”

Jets rookie head coach Rex Ryan, as defensive coordinator at Baltimore last season, saw a similar process with Flacco and the Ravens, who also were built on defense and running the ball.

So he’s not surprised to see Sanchez mature from mistake-prone to mistake-free during the past month.

“You judge quarterbacks on wins and losses most of the time,” Ryan said. “We know he’s a rookie quarterback and all of that, but we look at him now as not a rookie anymore. This is postseason, and he’s just our quarterback.

“He doesn’t have to put it all on his shoulders, and that’s why you see the success that he’s had.”

Sanchez was at his best last week at San Diego with the Jets trailing 7-3 in the fourth quarter. He led the Jets to two fourth-quarter touchdowns, including a 2-yard touchdown pass to tight end Dustin Keller. It was the first fourth-quarter comeback of his career.

Sanchez, who adorns the cover of this week’s Sports Illustrated, is sporting a beard that he started before the first game at Indianapolis. Now he’s 60 minutes from the Super Bowl.

“I try not to think about it like that,” Sanchez said. “Just keep going and keep playing. Don’t change a thing. Go to the same places to eat and study like crazy. I’m definitely not shaving.”

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Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.

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