Joe Namath
ENDORSEMENT: Hall of Famer Joe Namath (inset) believes Mark Sanchez will play better this season because he won’t have to deal with the Tim Tebow distraction. (Getty Images; Richard A. Brightly (inset))
Mark Sanchez’s descent into one of the least efficient quarterbacks in the NFL hasn’t changed the way the standard for all quarterbacks in the Jets franchise — Joe Namath — views his capabilities.
The Hall of Famer said he still thinks Sanchez is the quarterback who led the team to back-to-back AFC championship games and is confident that will be seen again, now that the Tim Tebow sideshow has left town.
“I know that Sanchez is going to play better,” Namath said last night at the 20th annual Gridiron Gala, which supports the United Way of NYC. “He went through some major distractions last year. No matter how much you say, ‘It doesn’t bother me, that’s not a focus-breaker,’ bull. I promise you you’ll see a different guy this year.
“Mark’s not a puppy anymore. What he went through last year I think will only make him stronger. As far as Sanchez goes, even if he’s not with the Jets, he’s going to play as long as he wants to. He’s that good. He’ll get another job. As long as he stays healthy, he’s going to stay in the NFL.”
If Sanchez stays with the Jets, he could face the same problems Namath thinks plagued him during last year’s 6-10 season — his teammates.
“I keep stressing it’s a team game and if you look at how the overall team played last season, I don’t know who got a passing grade.” said Namath, before reeling off a few bright spots on the offensive line and secondary. “I know what he can do is better than what he’s done. I also know what it’s like to not necessarily have the weapons you’d like to have, not to necessarily have the time you’d like to get something accomplished as a passer.”
Because of Namath’s belief in Sanchez, he said he didn’t think the Jets needed to draft a quarterback last month, but the Jets legend felt confident Geno Smith would be a good fit — on the field and off — if he beat Sanchez out as the starter.
“From what I’ve heard from his coaches in college, they think a great deal of him, so that carries more weight than any of the rumors you might hear,” Namath said. “I have watched him for the past four years. He’s a sensational athlete, good size, [but] he’s got to fill out a bit. He’s a little bit lean to get out with the big men.
“If Geno beats [Sanchez] out at training camp, he deserves to start, [but] I don’t know that the deserving guy always gets to start. The contract speaks for itself sometimes.”