If Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez is unhappy about having to compete with rookie Geno Smith this summer, he’s not showing it.
Instead, Sanchez says he loves the fact that he’s competing, and he considers Organized Team Activities a lot of fun.
“I’m having a great time,” Sanchez said. “I’m in an awesome situation. I’m the luckiest guy in the world. That’s how I always feel. I just have a positive attitude. I’m trying to bring those guys along, get guys working hard, study my butt off and prepare each day. Whether it’s a competition or whatever you call it, I’m going to be ready. I’m going to give it my best, feel good about it and move on. Anything on the outside, I just can’t help. We talked about it last week, whether it’s criticism about this or that, or what you’re wearing or who you’re seeing, who cares? Honestly, who cares?”
Sanchez noted that he has been in quarterback competitions before, both at Southern Cal and in his rookie season, when he beat out Kellen Clemens for the job. (Sanchez did not have to compete for the job during last year’s circus-like training camp, as Tim Tebow wasn’t given a chance to earn the starting job.)
“I’ve competed my whole life, whether it was in high school or college, beating out other quarterbacks my first year here playing with Kelle, that’s all I’ve known. So this is nothing new. It’s nothing big or scary. I’m just being myself and doing my very best and that will be good enough,” Sanchez said.
The biggest difference for Sanchez may be that when he beat out Clemens, most Jets fans were rooting for him to win the competition. Now that he’s competing with Smith, most Jets fans are rooting for him to lose.