New York Jets QB Mark Sanchez ripped by teammates

The fallout from the New York Jets disappointing 2011 season continues to rain down.

Several anonymous players spoke to The New York Daily News, voicing serious concerns regarding quarterback Mark Sanchez.

"We have to bring in another quarterback that will make him work at practice," one player told the newspaper. "He's lazy and content because he knows he's not going to be benched."

Sanchez, playing in the bright lights of New York and failing to make considerable improvement, had already become the target for blame from many outsiders, including former Jets and now NFL analysts Boomer Esiason and Kris Jenkins. Now it appears, teammates who share the locker room and break the huddle with Sanchez do not trust him to lead their team.

"So many games, he looked defeated before he ever took the field," a team source told the newspaper. "He didn't have much confidence in what he was about to go do. You could tell throughout the week in practice. He never felt comfortable with some of the things we were doing. It was too much for him."

Sanchez entered the league with large expectations after the Jets traded a first-round pick, second-round pick and three players to move up to take the USC quarterback in 2009. Despite lackluster stats, Sanchez guided the Jets to a 19-12 record and two playoff appearances in his first two seasons with the team.

But this year, Sanchez struggled to hold onto the ball. While he threw a career-best 26 touchdowns, Sanchez committed just as many turnovers, throwing 18 interceptions and losing eight fumbles. The Jets lost their last three games, finishing at 8-8 and missing the playoffs by one game.

Immediately after the season, Sanchez's quarterback spot was looked at as the position the Jets needed to improve. According to one player, a certain Indianapolis Colts signal-caller who could be available would be a terrific replacement.

"(Peyton Manning) is a field general and will get everyone lined up," the player said. "He will get his playmakers the ball. We can win a Super Bowl with Peyton."

Manning could be made available by the Colts if the team selects Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck with the No. 1 pick in the draft, as they are expected to do.

Sanchez, meanwhile, has two years left on a five-year, $50.5 million deal he signed as a rookie. The high figure makes a trade or release of Sanchez a costly proposition for Jets management.

Image Source: Wikimedia Commons

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