With this fine piece of journalism http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york/je...hez?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter BUFFALO -- Sunday notes, thoughts and observations: • Comparing quarterbacks is one of the great debates in pro football. Different systems and different circumstances blur the lines, but let's take a look at the rookie seasons of Mark Sanchez and the Panthers' Cam Newton, both No. 1 picks that started from Day 1. Newton, who has played eight games, needs only 52 passing yards to surpass Sanchez's rookie total (2,444). Newton needs only one TD pass to match Sanchez's total (12). Newton is completing 60.6 percent of his passes, about seven points higher than Sanchez. Newton already has three 300-yard passing days; it took Sanchez 32 starts. Like I said, different systems, different circumstances. But clearly, Newton is more equipped to carry a team than Sanchez was as a rookie. The burning question is, will Sanchez ever be that guy? That's another issue that can be debated. Obviously, Sanchez can win in the postseason, and that can't be under-estimated. Newton still has to prove that. But in terms of pure passing, there's no comparison. Sanchez loves what Newton is doing in Carolina. "He’s killing it. Unbelievable," Sanchez said. "I don’t know, I haven’t studied him or broken down tape or anything, but I know he’s a freakish athlete and when things break down, I wish I could run like that. You go from one or two reads and take off. He’s his own check down, so that’s huge. "That’s pretty cool, that’s a pretty cool weapon. And he knows that, he’s been smart that way. But he’s made big plays when he needed to and it looks like he’s understanding quite a bit what’s going on. So I’m thrilled for him. As a quarterback you root for other quarterbacks, and he’s doing a heck of a job." Newton will encounter his share of adversity, it's inevitable. Look at the seasons of Joe Flacco, Josh Freeman and Matt Ryan. The good ones figure out a way to overcome it. Sanchez can handle the rollercoaster, but it's fair to wonder how high his goes.
I like reading the comments below his articles. Most of them are bashing him, telling him to pick a different team because he obviously hates the Jets.
Can someone change the thread title to something more truthful? "Cimini Fondles Little Boys" works................
you can tell he just couldnt wait to write this article... had he waited until next week he would say that he already has more td passes and yards. instead he outed himself by saying he only needs x tds and passing yards. that tells me he couldnt wait. and he isnt telling anyone anything they dont already know. sanchez is a serviceable qb who has some potential. newton is a spectacular physical specimen who has the potential to be great. any of us who see sanchez as having the potential to be one of the all time great qbs is fooling ourselves. he will never be john elway or payton manning, the sooner we realize that the better.
I thought NFL football was about wins and losses and not passing yards and TD passes. Sanchez has two conference title appearances in 2 years, is 4-2 in the playoffs, and 27-17 as a starter. Give me a guy who wins. Statistics are for losers, which Newton has done quite a bit of this year despite the numbers. Oh, and he has killed the Panthers once lethal rushing attack.
If you compare any rookie QB to Newton's statistics so far he would destroy any of there's....so this is no big deal. Also, like others have mentioned, 2 wins.
Newton's probably going to be a better QB than Sanchez, guys. Wins included. Also the wins argument is very stupid. Newton has been tasked with saving the franchise. Mark Sanchez is tasked with being Trent Dilfer on the 2000 Ravens.
Newton probably will end up a better QB than sanchez in the long run but what he is doing right now makes anyone who started as a rookie look terrible. Also, something tells me newton won't be in the top 5 in passing yardage his whole career. Ask stat Jeff about regression to the mean. That math shit works.
Wins are over rated to be sure...........everyone loves that likable loser. That's why the mods here are so popular.
You're smarter than this. The wins argument is stupid because Mark Sanchez doesn't personally win games, the New York Jets do. Other than at RB, The Jets are a vastly superior team. Sure, I'd trade Newton for Mark's 54% completion and 12:20 ratio if it meant I got the rest of the 2009 Jets roster. And I'm not a Sanchez hater by any means, I like the kid, he's just got a long way to go. But he does improve, albeit slowly, and doesn't regress.
He's comparing Newton to Sanchez instead of Stafford because he's a Jets beat writer. Everybody's afraid of non-sunshiny perspective.
Ok, if you like fantasy stats better, Cam Newton Has more 33% more INTs, and a QB rating of 84.2 to Sanchez' 83. Woot.
