Mark Sanchez blew the Thursday night game against the Broncos -- there's no denying that. Considering the Jets' suffocation of Tim Tebow prior to Sanchez's untimely pick, it's safe to assume that a seven-point lead was enough to secure a victory.
A poorly-executed out was the one throw he couldn't make, the one he had to avoid, and yet he tossed it anyway. Inevitable disaster followed.
This one's on him, and he knows it. He admitted exactly that.
However, Mark Sanchez isn't the reason the Jets are mediocre at 5-5. The Jets are 5-5 because their collective talent is mediocre, especially with Shonn Greene, LaDainian Tomlinson and Jeremy Kerley on the sidelines.
The offensive line, with the exception of Nick Mangold (when healthy), has been disappointing this season. Wayne Hunter has been an absolute disaster, exposing Sanchez to far too many devastating blows.
Their receivers are highly overrated. Both Santonio Holmes and Plaxico Burress are one-trick ponies on the down side of their careers. Holmes is only reliable running slants at this point, and Burress is only effective in the redzone.
Where is Sanchez supposed to turn, especially with Kerley absent from the slot?
Dustin Keller is a solid, all-around NFL tight end, but he's hardly an explosive weapon. He's dependable; he's not a truly dangerous playmaker.
Where are the playmakers for this offense? How is Sanchez supposed to thrive?
Anyone who knows football knows he cannot possibly thrive given the current offensive circumstances. Maybe he can win, but he can't possibly put up All-Pro numbers and shine like the superstars of the quarterback position.
It doesn't help that Brian Schottenheimer is arguably the most clueless and inconsistent offensive coordinator in professional football. It's maddening how often he eliminates the run-pass option on third-and-shorts. Force the opposing defense to make a decision...please! Don't just go empty shotgun and tell them exactly what's coming.
Defensively, we have a "monster" defense with only two legitimate stars: Darrelle Revis and David Harris. The only stars on the ENTIRE team are Revis, Harris and Mangold. No one could honestly view this team as a serious Super Bowl contender, could they?
Bart Scott, Jim Leonhard and Eric Smith are bums. Antonio Cromartie is good relative to his position but showcases his weaknesses (lack of strength, over-committing) as often as his strengths. The defensive line is average and nothing more.
Where exactly, on their roster, does this Jets team separate itself from mediocrity?
The answer is...they don't.
At this rate they'll continue to beat terrible teams, battle against average teams and lose to top-tier teams. Don't fool yourselves...
These are the 2011-12 New York Jets.
Five-and-five.
Just...average.
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