Mark Sanchez faces stiff competition from Geno Smith to remain the Jets’ starting quarterback. But it’s a competition Sanchez believes he’s going to win.
Sanchez told ESPNNewYork.com that he’s excited about the opportunity to prove himself against Smith in training camp.
“When it’s a straight-up competition for the job, let’s roll,” Sanchez said. “It really doesn’t bother me at all. It really doesn’t affect my confidence or anything like that. We’re competing for something. All right, I’m going to win. That’s just how I am.”
Jets fans have harshly criticized Sanchez, but he sees no reason he can’t be the same quarterback who had Jets fans viewing him as one of the most promising young players in the league.
“I’ve been that guy; nothing has changed,” Sanchez said. “The results haven’t been what we wanted, but I haven’t changed. You don’t just switch and say, ‘This year, I’m going to do it.’ You have to be that guy at all times. I’m confident I can go out and make the plays for this team to win. You can’t guarantee wins and you can’t promise anything like that, but I know we’ll be the best-prepared team and the hardest-working team. We’ll have the potential to have a good season.”
If Sanchez doesn’t perform well in training camp, he’ll be watching that potentially good season from the sideline.