Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez had a rough game last Sunday at the Meadowlands, where it was far colder and windier than it usually is in October.
Part of the problem is that the Southern California native and former Southern Cal quarterback doesn't have much experience in those conditions.
(We wonder whether the Jets factored that reality into their pre-draft assessment of the man they traded up to get with the fifth overall pick.)
On Wednesday, Sanchez addressed his plans for getting acclimated to throwing footballs in his new climate.
"It's something that I just need to practice with when we get our opportunities here," Sanchez said. "Even if we're inside practicing, I need to go outside for 20 minutes and just handle it and get used to it. I haven't played in that before, but I still wouldn't attribute the weather to any of those bad plays. A windy day doesn't affect your reads and the ball up to Braylon [Edwards], I've just got to put more air in it. [It's] the same thing with Dustin (Keller). The wind didn't affect those at all."
Still, the balls to Edwards and Keller were only two of the five interceptions that Sanchez threw.
Five interceptions. Five.
His passer rating for the day was 8.9. For the year, it's now at 56.7.
Sanchez also conceded that he needs to keep his emotions in check when things aren't going well.
"Anybody could have seen it," Sanchez said. "I might as well have had a sandwich-board sign. That's not good. You can't do that. It's just something that needs to be fixed and I'll continue to compete and do that."
But coach Rex Ryan, who wears his heart on his sleeve (right next to the gravy stain), isn't troubled by the Sanchez's show of emotions.
"That's the beauty of him," Ryan said. "I want him to be himself and that's part of it. I know he's 'Cool Hand Luke.' He normally is. If you throw five interceptions in a game, I think all of us would be affected. Again, he was ready to go and he never wavered. He just knew he was going to lead his team down the field and we were going to kick that field goal and win the game [in overtime against the Bills]. He knew he was. I don't think there is one guy on our football team that didn't believe it. That's kind of the feeling I got on the sideline. We all felt that Mark was going to help lead us down the field and kick the field goal. I think that's where we know we've got the right guy."
Fine, but without all those interceptions, the Jets and their 318 yards of rushing against the Bills wouldn't have needed to play beyond the fourth quarter in an effort to win the game. And the Jets also would have, you know, won the game.
Sanchez plans to get more practice in bad weather
Posted by Mike Florio on October 22, 2009 4:53 AM ET
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23 Comments 
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Latest stories in: Latest News and Rumors, NFL Mobile Exclusives - Rumors, New York Jets, Top Stories
Just wait until January and February. This kid has no idea what bad weather in the Northeast is yet.
Enough of Sanchez already...He has a long way to go before he's worth talking about.
The weather didn't cause him to run backwards into those sacks and out of FG range nearing the end of each half.
And October 18th weather is summer-like compared to what it will be at the Meadowlands or in Buffalo and Foxborough in December and January.
The Sanchize, huh?! Better stick with Dirty Sanchez because that's what the rest of the league calls him.
They've put this boy up on a pedastal and he will never be better than an average quarterback, at best.
Just you wait and see guys! You'll see....
The only time they call me Dirty Sanchez is when I throw a pick or get sacked (that's my favorite, not that there is anything wrong with that).
J-E-S-T-S.... Jests, Jests, Jests....
After last 'weaks' performance, someone should file a complaint against Miami, New England and Buffalo, as they will be getting three bye weeks a year during the Sahchize era....
Tell me again why the new stadium doesn't have a dome.
Really? why? i mean he had a 50% completion percentage to Bills Receiver (DBs) its pretty good
and no matter what he'll win pepsi rookie of the year even if he continues to deliver more INT then Dominos Pizza can deliver in a decade.
Ryan Leaf's career QBR is 50...
The heaped alot of praise on the kid early, Stafford has been better really when you factor in that he is on a terrible team.
Rex Ryan: "I know he's 'Cool Hand Luke.' He normally is. "
The real Cool Hand Luke is always Cool Hand Luke.
Can teach a guy to throw in bad conditions, it is stupid to wait for those conditions to see if he can though.
Guy makes a few million this year, he better get his ass outside and practice in the wind/cold.
He is a rookie...i agree enough about Sanchez...he still have more upside than alot of QBs. He just has to learn how to play in the NFL on the center stage rather than on the sidelines.
And we all jumped on Brett last year. What does Sanchez have over 10 INTs. Give the kid a chance....he is going to be a good qb once he gets the experience. They are only 1 game out of first and can right the ship. I think their bigger problem is on defense now that Jenkins is out for season.
thats good news for the New Jersey J-E-S-T-S and even better news for all the opponents.
Instead of 5 INT he will be able to hit all open DBs and end up with 7 INT
good job Mark, at least Ryanos Leafez was on GQ
Posted by Mike Florio on October 22, 2009 4:53 AM ET
Why Florio? This post wasn't that important, it could've waited until a more humanly hour. I'm at work every day at 8, but waking up before 5am to play on your computer makes me cringe.
I'm from North Jersey, and I hear this winter is supposed to be one of the worst we've had in years... Good luck with that "Sanchize"
@DirtySanchez
hillarious stuff. Sanchize lol at least the JESTs didnt give up a lot and were able to fill many more holes like RB (proably only good positon)
Lets be serious, if that Team would play in Houston, nobody would even care about them because there is Thomas Jones, Leon Washington, Harris, Revis, Rhodes, Fergueson and BigMc Jenkins
everybody else O-V-E-R-R-A-T-E-D
thats why i call em NEW JERSEY JESTS
keep on paying big time cash to big time free agent clowns like Pace, Scott, Faneca & company
watching the Rex Ryan's and his Jests is like watching a new version of Roseanne (married with Rick James)
I bet sanchez is longing for the days when he simply got in trouble for raping a girl at USC.
Lets all remember that he is a rookie. In addition, he is a rookie getting ready to play in an environment that he is not used to. He will get used to it there is no choice. I do like that he is doing something about it though - that says a lot about him. I like Sanchez, I think he is going to be a great QB for the jets in the years to come. Right now, he is doing well - he threw 5 interceptions - its not the interceptions we should focus on, we should focus on what he is doing to prevent it from happening in the future. Lets not forget a QB named Peyton Manning and his first year or two. Give him room to grow and someday you will have a QB that ranks with the best in the NFL.
Will
Krow says:
October 22, 2009 8:00 AM
Tell me again why the new stadium doesn't have a dome.
Because football is suppose to be played outdoors, not indoors.
realityhater, only half of your screen name is correct...."hater".
What relevance does an allegation have? Nada. You just sound like a jealous, maybe even nervous, rival team fan who needs to throw something out there to make yourself feel better. What's the matter? Is your team the "Jan Brady" of the NFL? "Marcia..Marcia..Marcia. Why does everything always have to be about Marcia??
Now, can this Sanchez and Ryan crap please just go away?? They played well at the beginning of the season, but the scare of them leaving you in the dust is over.
Let's talk about something more exciting, like the beating the Fins are going to get from the Saints on Sunday. I can't wait for that!!!!
Will says:
October 22, 2009 12:32 PM
Lets all remember that he is a rookie. In addition, he is a rookie getting ready to play in an environment that he is not used to. He will get used to it there is no choice. I do like that he is doing something about it though - that says a lot about him
_________________________________
yes that he is throwing tons of picks
you compare sanchize to manning? first of all manning was playing on a reaaaaallly bad team and got sacked about 3000 times, sanchizez is playing behind a quiet expensive and solid oline
next try
i mean he "had" a hell of a career
- fastest super bowl champion ever (took him only 3 games)
- pre season champion 2009
- pepsi rookie of the week award (10x)
and soon Ryan Leaf Award 2009
i still think he is sooo overhyped and gonna work @ Taco Bell within 3 years