SportsNation Blog Archives
Mark Sanchez
- Vote: Whose performance meant more: Brady's, Brees', or Sanchez's?
- Chat: Gary Horton recaps Sunday and previews Monday Night Football, 4 ET.
Bear with us for just one minute, but we've always wanted to use this phrase:
Out on the frozen tundra of Gillette Stadium, the Patriots brought a blizzard to bear against the hapless Titans.
OK, we're good. Maybe the field in Foxboro was more slushy than frozen, but the part about the Titans being hapless? Totally true. How else would you describe a team that let up five passing touchdowns in one quarter and couldn't manage even a field goal on offense? It's not a good week in Tennessee, but the fans in New England are having flashbacks to 2007. It's a long way from Brady's jitters against the Jets, which had so many in the Bay State concerned (although the Jets suddenly have problems of their own).
Of course, Drew Brees may have had an even better day. Though he didn't set any records, Brees threw for four touchdowns against a team that's nearly the polar opposite of the Titans. For one, until the Giants met up with the Saints on Sunday, they had won all their games. Might Brees' performance be more impressive than Brady's, given that the Titans have practically given up? All we know is that for all Brady and Brees' heroics, Matt Schaub leads the league in touchdowns. Weird game, football.
272 yards and a touchdown from rookie QB Mark Sanchez on his debut? Jets fans will take it! In one of the most anticipated starts of the season, Sanchez held his own and led his team to a big-time victory over the Houston Texans.
Where does this performance put Sanchez on your fantasy football radar? Is he now a viable starter for your team? Or was his Week 1 success more due to the Texans' struggles? It's time for you, SportsNation, to decide. Vote below!
- Vote: Tackle Week 1's hottest topics »
- Discuss: Talk about the Jets, or any other team on the NFL team talk page! »
“Sanchez is money on 3rd downs. I'm a huge USC homer, but I didn't think he would play this good.
” -- tjroundup
“Sanchez looks pretty good so far. I wonder what Pete Carroll was worried about? Kinda makes ya wonder...if ole Pete was trying to " secure " another title. Its obvious Mark is NFL ready. Im not crowning him the next Joe Namath ... but i would take Sanchez > Leinhart anyday.
” -- Bleedzorange1977
Michelle Beadle will be Michelle Beadle and Colin Cowherd will be Colin Cowherd today on "SportsNation" TV.
Argue the hot topics and vote on the biggest stories from the world of sports. The show airs on ESPN2 at 4 p.m. and midnight ET.
Note: Broadcast voting results as of this afternoon (ET).
Where would you prefer to watch a boxing match?
You'll be able to watch Floyd Mayweather Jr. versus Juan Manuel Marquez on Sept. 19 at theaters nationwide or from your own couch on pay-per-view.
When is it OK for Manny to be Manny?
Dodgers fans welcomed Manny back from his suspension with open arms and cheers. Now that L.A.'s lead has dwindled, he's hearing some boos.
What would be best for the development of Mark Sanchez?
The Jets plan to start their rookie quarterback immediately. The upside: He'll gain experience. The downside? He's not facing USC's opponents.
Who is the better Wrangler jeans spokesperson?
Neither Brett Favre nor Dale Earnhardt Jr. has won the big one in recent memory, but both draw tremendous positive and negative attention.
Which WR would you pick after Larry Fitzgerald?
Will Randy Moss, Andre Johnson or Calvin Johnson provide the best bang for your buck in fantasy drafts this season?
What is "SportsNation" TV, and how do you make your voice heard? Read about the new ESPN show that features fan opinions with calls, tweets, polls, rankers and more.
Mark Sanchez will reportedly be the Jets' starting quarterback when the regular season opens, making him part of a lineage that includes Bubby Brister and Browning Nagle.
Actually, it may be exactly that lineage new coach Rex Ryan is hoping to escape in turning to his hotshot rookie. Chad Pennington certainly had his moments, and Vinny Testaverde put together some winning seasons, but Canton isn't going to come calling for either. SportsNation isn't convinced that Sanchez is ready to be a star right now -- voters recently ranked him behind Jason Campbell, Brady Quinn, Kyle Orton and others in the outlook for 2009. But as SportsNation commenter 96Orange puts it, when the other option is former Oregon Duck Kellen Clemens, what's the downside here?
"There is no learning curve on the bench, especially when there isn't a star ahead of you. If you think he'll develop into a top tier QB, you'll need him to start playing and start learning. Eli had Kurt Warner, Aaron Rodgers had Farve ... Sanchez isn't going to learn much by watching Clemens ... maybe if Pennington was still around, but otherwise ... play the game." -- 96Orange
- Before the news broke, 69 percent of SportsNation felt Sanchez was the right choice.
- 57 percent of SN felt Sanchez looked better through two games than Matthew Stafford.
- Chat: Mel Kiper Jr., 1 p.m. ET
“This guy should have nightmares of Ray Lewis. Sanchez is another Brady Quinn. Jets 6-10
” -- phinishstrong
“I am quite proud of the Ravens D but still, Sanchez doesn't look comfortable. Looks like he has no idea what he's seeing sometimes and it seems like the Jets are gambling with what could be a fairly successful season. Not that Clemens is a savior by any stretch, but he's not nearly as likely to throw Pick 6's on back to back drives. Ray simply dropped what would have been another TD.
” -- Jon_Young
Michelle Beadle and Colin Cowherd plan to bounce ideas and your opinions off the low-hanging "SportsNation" TV scoreboard.
Argue the hot topics and vote on the biggest stories. The show airs on ESPN2 at 4 p.m. and midnight ET.
Note: Broadcast voting results as of this afternoon (ET).
Whose pictures are you more likely to search for on the Web?
Are you more likely to be looking for online photos and videos of actress Jessica Biel or quarterback Tom Brady?
Which quarterback would you rather have?
The Chargers' QB has a six-year extension reportedly worth $92 million, but he doesn't have a Super Bowl ring like Eli Manning.
Do Mark Sanchez's good looks help make him a better QB?
The Jets' rookie signal-caller has already posed in bathing suits and shorts for GQ, and winning could only burnish his media-friendly image.
Which running back would you pick No. 1 in a fantasy draft?
Vikings RB Adrian Peterson is a popular choice, but ESPN fantasy guru Matthew Berry argues that Michael Turner will have a better year.
What do you think of Chiefs coach Todd Haley?
When the first-year head coach said that nobody had made the K.C. roster, yet, was that a smart motivational ploy or a stupid stunt?
What is "SportsNation" TV, and how do you make your voice heard? Read about the new ESPN show that features fan opinions with calls, tweets, polls, rankers and more.
The NFL preseason isn't exactly the height of excitement. But when fewer than one out of five voters claim they don't watch any of it, and 40 percent of SportsNation is more interested in it than baseball's pennant races, well, it's difficult to ignore. At least the first full weekend of games offered some quarterback debuts to make way too much out of.
The Good: Mark Sanchez didn't get the start in the Jets' first preseason game, but he wasted little time completing a 48-yard pass when he did get on the field and will start the team's next game. Matthew Stafford survived his first game behind the Lions' line and even threw a touchdown pass (we grade on a curve when it comes to the Lions).
The Bad: Josh Freeman's numbers suggest he'll miss seeing Iowa State on the schedule, although Byron Leftwich wasn't any more prolific for the Bucs.
The Ugly: It's never good when the savior is cautioning people not to panic, as Jay Cutler had to after throwing a pick on an unmemorable day against the Bills (some would say it's also not good when Trent Edwards shows you up).
- 55 percent of SportsNation, including Michigan, says Daunte Culpepper over Stafford.
- 69 percent of SportsNation, including NY/NJ, says Sanchez over Kellen Clemens.
- 67 percent of SportsNation, not Minnesota, says Tarvaris Jackson over Sage Rosenfels.
- Chat: NFC North blogger Kevin Seifert at 1 p.m. ET.
- Groups: Purple people eaters | The New York Jets | Lions Bandwagon'
“I actually think both Sanchez and Stafford will do well this year. They both seem to have "moxy", and are not afraid to try and fail.
” -- teamjordan_2345
“Childress im thinking you need some thicker glasses. Jackson once again looked right into the headlights and froze just like those northern deer. The guy you traded for shined with a hurt ankle. Keeping what performance in perspective. Jackson is not an NFL QB. The only reason this guy had any solid perfomances is because he was facing 8 and 9 man fronts to stop AP.
” -- vikings42011
It's one thing to look good throwing passes in seven-on-seven drills or posing in the pocket while wearing a red jersey (we see you, Matt Stafford). Any quarterback can look good in a red jersey -- well, maybe not Jared Lorenzen.
The real test for a quarterback trying to earn a starting job comes when the whistle blows for real and defensive linemen are trying to do things to him that would make Brock Lesnar wince. And you thought preseason games were a waste of money. Well, actually, you're right about that, but they do play a role in settling quarterback duels.
While the opening exhibition game between the Titans and Bills didn't offer much in the way of quarterback drama (no matter what Vince Young thinks), the first full weekend of games will be a different story. One of the biggest auditions comes with Brady Quinn, Derek Anderson and the Browns visiting Lambeau Field. SportsNation ranked Quinn No. 2 when it came to quarterbacks battling for jobs, behind only Oakland's Jeff Garcia. The bad news for the former Golden Domer is voters also ranked Anderson No. 3.
Hey, look at that. A post about quarterbacks that didn't mention Brett Favre or Michael Vick ... until now. Our bad.
- Voters think Mark Sanchez is a better bet than Stafford to earn his contract.
- SportsNation also higher on Jay Cutler, Aaron Rodgers than Stafford.
- Voters believe Quinn's future brighter than Young, Matt Leinart and others.
- More than 70 percent of SN expects Vick to throw a regular-season pass in 2009.
- Chat: AFC North blogger James Walker talks Browns at 4 p.m. ET.
- Groups: Dawg Pound | Detroit Lion fans | The New York Jets Fan Club
“I was never a huge Sanchez fan until he started coming into the restauraunt that I worked at as a night job. He is the most respectful and mature kid out of any football player I have seen come out of college in years. Im not just saying that because I have met him a few times. Im saying that because anyone who is in his shoes now a days seems to get soooooo big headed and lose focus of why they are where they are. I did not get this vibe from Sanchez at all.
” -- jryanfrink
“Rosenfels is HANDS DOWN better than T Jackson. If Childress will swallow his ego and let him start the Viks will win the division, if not then I feel Green Bay will win the division. Cutler is a spoiled baby and it will take him two years (at least) to become a man in the NFC North.
” -- 3hypocycloids4cusps
Some quarterback battles are worthy of Bruce Lee. Others more closely resemble Larry, Moe and Curly. But through it all, we're talking about summer entertainment. And when the other option is figuring out which punter a team will go with, we'll go with the contrived quarterback drama, thank you very much.
Browns coach Eric Mangini says he doesn't have a timetable for naming a starting quarterback. And the truth of the matter is that it probably doesn't really matter whether Mangini decides to start Derek Anderson or follows SportsNation's advice and goes with Brady Quinn when the Browns open the regular season at home against the Vikings (and their own quarterback to be named later).
Pick the right guy and maybe the Browns go 8-8. Pick the wrong guy and maybe they go 4-12 again. By December, people on the shores of Lake Erie may all be talking about Colt McCoy or Sam Bradford anyway.
But at least the Browns are choosing from two seemingly viable options, if only compared to how voters feel about the battles in Minnesota (Tarvaris Jackson and Sage Rosenfels) and San Francisco (Alex Smith and Shaun Hill).
- Almost half of SportsNation says Mangini needs to pick by first preseason game.
- Although 74 percent of voters expect Anderson and Quinn to both start multiple games.
- Faint praise? Voters like Quinn more than J. Russell, M. Leinart or V. Young.
- Who are the best of the embattled quarterbacks? Rank those fighting for jobs.
- Groups: Dawg Pound | Vikings Fans | 49er Red and Gold
“Mangini will be under alot of presser. I think he goes w/ Quinn, because Mangini will get less grief is he doesn't work out compared to going with Anderson.
” -- justsandmann
“has this ever worked? waiting until the last minute to decide on a starting qb? they must have their reasons, but if i was a browns fan. i would want this figured out and soon..
” -- jaredlawson
Chad Ochocinco is still a member of the Bengals, Anquan Boldin is still a member of the Cardinals and Brett Favre is still indecisive. So not much has changed since last we left the NFL, right? Terrell Owens is in Bills camp talking about the unfairness of any further delay in Michael Vick's comeback? Right, so maybe not everything is right where we left it.
As incredibly wealthy people move into college dorm rooms across the country for the rite of passage that is training camp (or orientation at Sarah Lawrence College, take your pick), there are more than a few familiar faces in new places. Back in May, SportsNation gave the Eagles the highest marks for their offseason moves, but considering first-round pick Jeremy Maclin remains unsigned as camp approaches, they may not even be among the best shoppers in their own city if the Phillies find a way to tack on Roy Halladay on top of the Flyers adding Chris Pronger.
Offseason acquisitions are one topic on the agenda for today's "SportsNation" (4 p.m. ET, ESPN2), but how does your scorecard look for moves like the Redskins signing Albert Haynesworth and the Bears trading for Jay Cutler?
Sometimes we all need a little extra space to vent. ESPN profiles give fans space to post their own blog entries and go toe-to-toe with commenters.
- Fireballr7: Saying it's too early to praise or condemn MLB players for play thus far, this blogger proceeds to do the former for some early success stories.
- chargerdom21: In arguably the longest blog in SportsNation history, the case is laid out, in extended detail, for what to expect from Chris Johnson, Steve Slaton and Matt Forte in fantasy football this season.
- ghostcasino: Some saw Shaq's NBA Finals tweeting as sarcasm; this blogger think it an olive branch to pave the way for a Hollywood comeback.
- Dozaone00: Finally able to spend some quality work time blogging again (let freedom reign!), a Jets fan breaks down what may happen with Sanchez and without Favre.
- PADR321: And the honeymoon is over. Offering a Philadelphia perspective so perfect you have to wonder if it's satire, a Phillies fan says it's time to forget the World Series title and get back to booing the bums.
- 3-indagame: Even Ron Zook had a longer grace period than this. At least one Broncos fan is already calling for Josh McDaniels to be fired.
- Robert Flores: The SportsCenter anchor is officially on the soccer bandwagon, which is why he's calling US Soccer "doughy soft" after the debacle against Brazil.
- More blogs: Check out all the SportsNation blogs.


