Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez has been booed at home a few times this season, and with good reason. But Jets coach Rex Ryan thinks that’s about to change.
Ryan said that with the Jets having no margin for error against the Chiefs at home on Sunday, Jets fans will show their support. And he said he wants the offense to be introduced before the game so that there’s no doubt that the fans support Sanchez.
“I think our fans definitely understand where we are,” Ryan said, in comments distributed by the team. “We’re fighting for our playoff lives, so they understand that. Have we made it easy to be a Jets fan all these weeks? Probably not like we’ve wanted to, but again, the one thing they know from our team is you’re going to get everything we have. Is it going to be good enough? We think it is. Sometimes, it’s not, but we’re going to lay it out there for us and for them. I think that our fans appreciate that. The fact that we’re going to have a double-take on introducing the offense, I want everybody to know that Mark Sanchez is a pretty good quarterback. I think it’ll be good. I think it’ll be a shot in the arm when he comes out to a bunch of applause, because I think that’s what will happen.”
Jets fans want Sanchez to be more than just “pretty good,” but I think Ryan will get his wish and Jets fans will cheer Sanchez during pregame introductions. Whether the cheers turn to boos as Sunday afternoon wears on will be up to Sanchez.