The Campus

Media Credit: New York Jets [Click to enlarge]

The biggest talk in New York football this offseason was not about the former Giants' wide receiver Plaxico Burress and his conviction for possession of an illegal pistol, but it was instead the announcement that Mark Sanchez, the newly drafted Jets quarterback, was named the starter by the new head coach Rex Ryan. Many people thought it was a bad move. Even Eli Manning didn't make his starting debut in the first NFL game after being drafted. But a few weeks into the season, those same people started thinking something else: this is the franchise's new quarterback.

Week One - New York Jets @ Houston Texans

Mark Sanchez makes his NFL debut in with the home crowd cheering for the opposing team. But that did not seem to phase the rookie one bit. Sanchez came out firing at full blast. He completed over 50% of his passes for 272 yards with one touchdown and one interception. With a little help from Thomas Jones (running back) and poor defense by the Texans, those stats were all Sanchez needed to win his first ever NFL game in a 24-7 victory. Sure Jets fans were happy, but more worried about whether or not he can come back and do it again next week against division rival Patriots.

Week Two - New England Patriots @ New York Jets

Tom Brady was in town, and it was time to see if Sanchez could live up to every Jet fans' hopes. But it wasn't looking good in the first half. Jets' offensive coordinator seemed hesitant to let Sanchez throw a lot and when he did, there just wasn't any confidence. On the other end, surprisingly, Tom Brady wasn't doing much himself. It seemed as though the Jets defense was doing their part. The Patriots got on the board first with two field goals. The Jets responded with one of their own. The Patriots drove the ball one last time in the first half, going eighty-yards in fourteen plays which resulted in another field goal. The game went into half-time with the Pats up 9-3.

The fans were a little disappointed until the third-quarter began. The Jet's offensive coordinator realized nothing was really working so he let the rookie loose and Sanchez responded. First play of the second-half resulted in a forty-five-yard completion to receiver Jericho Cotchery. Two plays later, Sanchez threw it into Dustin Keller for his second touchdown of his career. The Jets took the lead and never looked back. Jets defeated division rival Patriots by the score of 16-9.

Week Three - Tennessee Titans @ New York Jets

The Jets once again had a tough match on their hands. The Titans held the best record in the NFL last season and their pass-rush combination was one to be reckoned with. The Jets got off to a very quick start. They began the game with a ten play drive that lead to a rushing touchdown by Mark Sanchez. During the kickoff that followed, Titan's kick returner Mouton fumbled the ball and the Jets recovered. After showing off his legs, Sanchez now showed what he can do with his arm, connecting with Hartsock on a very well sold play action for a touchdown. The Jets were quickly up by fourteen.

Tennessee slowly started to chip away at the lead, first taking back a touchdown in the second-quarter, with a five-yard rush by LenDale White, then later following it up with a field goal to make the score 14-10 going into the half. Like the Jets did to open the first half, the Titans did just that to open the second-half. Collins took the titans sixty-yards on seven plays ending with a touchdown pass to Washington to give the Titans a 17-14 lead.

Later in the quarter, the Jets recovered a fumble on a punt return by the Titans, which gave them excellent field position. Sanchez was then given the ball, and he did nothing but lead his team to victory. Sanchez completed a six-yard pass to Jericho Cotchery for a touchdown, giving the Jets a 21-17 lead. The Jets later added on insurance with a field goal in the fourth-quarter making the final 24-17. Mark Sanchez became the first rookie since 1970 to win his first three games. Could he make it four straight in New Orleans?

Week Four - New York Jets @ New Orleans Saints

If you would have asked anyone how this game would turn out, they would have said the exact opposite of what actually happened. In this game, Sanchez played how a rookie quarterback should have played in his first season. Thought the Jets' defense played very well all game, this whole game was decided by Sanchez on offense. He threw three interceptions, one of which was returned for a touchdown and fumbled the ball in the opposing teams' end zone, which also resulted in the touchdown for the Saints. On the other side, no one expected the Jets defense to hold Drew Brees, who is probably the second most dominating quarterback in the NFL today, to 190-yards with no touchdowns. Jets earned their first loss of the season to the Saints in a 24-10 defeat.

With his first lost over and done with, everyone is waiting to see if Sanchez will be able to be the Sanchez of the first three weeks. Sanchez also found out the morning of October 7, 2009, that he will be getting some help in his game. The Jets acquired wide receiver Braylon Edwards for two players and two future draft picks. I guess we'll have to see how things turn out in week five. Jets play on Monday against the Miami Dolphins down in Florida.

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