The man who traded up in the 2009 NFL draft to select Mark Sanchez says it’s time for Sanchez to play better.
Jets G.M. Mike Tannenbaum was blunt in an interview with Mike Francesa on WFAN, saying Sanchez’s growth as a quarterback “isn’t where it needs to be” and adding, “No, he didn’t play well.”
However, Tannenbaum defended Sanchez as the right choice to lead the team going forward, noting that Sanchez has the right mentality, even if he hasn’t shown the right passing ability.
“The thing that I am thrilled about Mark is his intangibles, and his work ethic, and his character,” Tannenbaum said, via Jenny Vrentas of the Star-Ledger. “And no one is more disappointed in the season than he is. I know we have the right person, I know he has the right traits and attributes, I know he is made for this market. He plays better in big games, and we have to cut down on his turnovers, and improve his footwork and decision-making and all the other fundamentals. But he’s the right guy, and I know we’ll see a better Mark out there next year.”
All the intangibles in the world don’t make up for the fact that Sanchez didn’t play well. But Tannenbaum still believes he made the right move to draft Sanchez fifth overall in 2009.