I don't necessarily think he has to work on his footwork. When given an acceptable offensive line, he displayed great pocket presence, footwork, mobility, and evasiveness, especially last year. the game against the browns is one that really sticks out. the offensive line this year, especially towards the end, has been in an absolute shambles. Brick and Hunter constantly allowed pressure from both edges. On many plays, within a second or two of the called hike there would already be pressure in the backfield which Sanchez would have to deal with. any QBs footwork will look shitty if the QB doesnt have the time to even properly drop back. any QB's footwork will look shitty if any evasive measure he takes just leads to another area of pressure in the backfield due to porous protection across the O-line. in regards to sanchez, this is just concerning the supposed footwork issue. We really just need to build back the offensive line to what it once was, not just for Sanchez, but for the Jets if they want an identity as a run-heavy smashmouth ground and pound offense.
One of Sanchez's biggest problems is his footwork and pocket presence. Both are lousy by NFL standards. After 3 years in the NFL, he still does not know how to step up into the pocket. His first step everytime he feels pressure is either to the right or left. High School QB's are taught to STEP UP into the pocket and not move laterally with their first step. Everytime he feels the slightest pressure he gets happy feet. Just watch how Brees, Rogers and Brady move around the pocket when they are pressured. A large number of the sacks last year were a result of Sanchez's poor pocket presence and footwork, and not poor Oline play. This is one area where he needs immediate improvement.
He's a THIRD YEAR QB. None of those QB's were polished in year 3. Yes, these are things he needs to work on, and given proper coaching these are things he will improve on.
WHAT? Brady and Rogers weren't polished in their 3rd year, are you kidding? Even Brees was in the pro bowl by his third year.
Brees was not in the Pro Bowl in his third year, and you think Rodgers was as good as he is now when he was in his third season? He wasn't even starting in Year 3.
Like taking the snap from center, stepping up into the pocket is a fundamental skill that QB's are taught at an early age. Third year NFL QB's should be able to do that in their sleep. For whatever reasons, Sanchez looks very uncomfortable moving around the pocket. That's why you don't see more 5 and 7-step drops. Sanchez is much more comfortable with the 3-step drop and quick throw. This is where Shotty's hands are tied with the plays he calls.
Sanchez was a total dissapointment this year but I'm convinced he has had a shoulder or neck issue since the Baltimore game. He just looked uncomfortable mentally and physically most of the year. If we don't get the d fixed and the running game fixed this Rex Ryan team isn't going anywhere. With the 09 D and running game we can win with fill in the blank. If the D continues in decline and we can't get the running game going it's really not going to matter.
There are things he needs to work on and getting more comfortable in the pocket is one. But he got killed this year and that would make anyone skittish. They have called plenty of 5 and 7 step drops going into this year. But this year we didn't have receivers who could get downfield and we didn't have a line that gave Sanchez time.
Rogers won the superbowl in his third year, Brade had been superbowl MVP(TWICE) by the end of his third year, and yes Brees was in the probowl AND won comeback player of the year in his third year... http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/BreeDr00.htm Did they get better? Maybe but they were certainly polished after three years.
Brees was in his FOURTH season when he went to the Pro Bowl, Rodgers was in his SIXTH season when they won the Super Bowl, and yes, Brady had won a SB by his third season, but he was no way the QB he is today.
I'm not talking about years they sat on the bench, I'm talking about years they played so it is a fair comparison to Sanchez.
Why not include those years? Do you think they weren't working on their game and getting better while sitting the bench?
any qb showing flashes of ability. I cant use the word greatness, that would be too much credit. point in case, reverting to rookie form in multiple important games in year 3. yes, regression
either way our qb rocks white pants after labor day and is a broadway officianado who won some playoff games im now now convinced mark sanchez should be the qb for the next decade. *vomits*
I think practicing with scrubs or running the scout team gives you no feel at all what it is like to run the offense at game speed against opposing defensive players who are trying to kill you.
Obviously, there's a difference from practice to the feel of a real live game. But they absolutely improved their skills while being the 2nd string. They didn't just become polished players. Expecting Sanchez to come in and throw it around like Brees, Brady or Rodgers in year 3 is fairly ignorant in my opinion. He's getting better and it's going to take time. He has things to work on, but he can and will get those things fixed. ETA - and to add another thing, those QB's had Weis, Payton and McCarthy to learn from. Those are three excellent offensive minds to work with and is a big advantage.