New York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez has taken plenty of abuse - most of it justified - from teammates, media and fans alike for his performance as the team’s starter the last two seasons.
Teammates anonymously took shots at the Jets signal-caller last year and have continued to do so well into the offseason.
But not every member of the Jets appears to be down on Sanchez as the team’s starting quarterback. Center Nick Mangold expressed support for Sanchez during a promotional event on Wednesday.
“I believe so,” Mangold said when asked if the locker room supports Sanchez, via Bart Hubbuch of the New York Post. “I haven’t walked around with a pen and paper and taken a poll, but from the feeling I get, the locker room wants to win. Whoever gives us the best chance to do that, we want out there -- and at this point, Mark gives us that best chance.”
Sanchez had arguably the worst season of his four-year career last season. He completed just 54.3-percent of his pass attempts with 13 touchdowns and 18 interceptions. He also fumbled 14 times and lost eight (butt fumble included) - both career-highs.
The Jets have to get better quarterback play next season regardless of who is the starter. Mangold said he liked what he saw from Sanchez during the team’s offseason program and thinks it will be a tall task for rookie Geno Smith to supplant Sanchez as the Jets’ starter.
“Mark had a little bit better idea of the ideas and of seeing things, which are things Geno is going to have to work his butt off on,” Mangold said.