According to a report by RealGM.com, the Jets management just keeps the shots coming. After reaching 2 straight AFC Championship games (2009, 2010), the Jets have done very little to help Sanchez grow, and seem to shoulder much of the blame on him. Below is the list of the Jets week 1 receiving core in 2009;
- 87 David Clowney
- 89 Jerricho Cotchery
- 16 Brad Smith
- 83 Chansi Stuckey
- 15 Wallace Wright
They did add Braylon Edwards along with Danny Woodhead during the season, however it is not like he was working with a perennial all-star attack. Below is a list of Jets 2010 week 1 receiving core roster;
- 89 Jerricho Cotchery
- 17 Braylon Edwards
- 10 Santonio Holmes
- 16 Brad Smith
- 88 Patrick Turner
Now lets take a look at their 2012 week 1 roster;
- 19 Clyde Gates
- 84 Stephen Hill
- 10 Santonio Holmes
- 11 Jeremy Kerley
- 85 Chaz Schilens
- 88 Patrick Turner
My point is, the Jets front office has given Sanchez very minimal help, and not a lot to work with since being drafted 5th overall in the 2009 NFL Draft. Now, 5 years later, the situation has only worsened. With Santonio Holmes (foot), Stephen Hill (knee), Jeremy Kerley (heel) and Clyde Gates (hamstring) all hurt or recovering from injuries, Ben Obomanu is the only currently available Jets’ receiver with substantial NFL experience. Ben Obomanu is not a #1 recevier and half of Jet fans don’t even know who he is.
RealGM quoted Sanchez as saying, “We’ve come up with some funny nicknames for some of them because you don’t even know their names and they’re just in there.” I know that Sanchez has thrown more interceptions than touchdowns (69 INT’s, 68 TD’s) in his career to date, but is he all to blame? Even if Geno Smith is the starting quarterback in week 1, don’t look for those numbers to improve as he truly has no one to pass the ball to. This is yet another sad, pathetic and embarrassing look for the Jets management. Jet fans better get to know Rex Ryan’s defense, as they will be on the field a lot more than the offense will be.
Justin Lerner: PureSportsNY