NFL

Sanchez rebounds after Pick-6 in Jets preseason loss; Geno hurts ankle

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UP & DOWN: After throwing a pick-six on his third pass of the game, Mark Sanchez rebounded and threw a 28 yard touchdown pass to Jeff Cumberland (inset, top) in the Jets’ loss to the Lions. (
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DETROIT — Same old Sanchez.

In the Jets’ preseason opener against the Lions, fifth-year quarterback Mark Sanchez showed the good, the bad and the ugly that Jets fans have gotten used to. Sanchez threw a terrible interception that was returned for a touchdown, but then rebounded to lead a nice touchdown drive, showing his talent and his shortcomings in one short period.

Rookie Geno Smith had a nondescript first NFL game that ended early with a right ankle injury in the 26-17 Jets loss last night. Sanchez started and played three series with the starting offense. Smith had two drives with the starting offense and then played two others with the second team. After the game, Smith had a slight limp, but said his ankle was just sore and he did not expect to miss any time. X-rays showed no fracture.

Sanchez, trying to shake off two lackluster seasons and hold onto his starting job, did not get off to the start he wanted to. On his third pass of the game, he threw an interception from inside his own 10 to Lions rookie defensive end Ziggy Ansah, who returned it 14 yards for a touchdown.

“We can’t throw picks there,” coach Rex Ryan said. “There’s no doubt about that.”

It was vintage Sanchez. He was backpedaling on the screen pass, feeling pressure from Willie Young and then threw it across the field into Ansah’s hands. Sanchez said fullback Tommy Bohanon, his intended receiver, fell on the play.

“Bad plays happen,” Sanchez said. “[Lousy] plays like that happen. Freak plays happen. That guy, they picked him in the first round for a reason. He’s a hell of a player. He goes up and makes a really good play with a lineman at his feet and picks the ball off. We happen to be at our own 10-yard line and he scores. Well, so what? You can’t do anything about it. Just don’t let it happen again and hopefully it doesn’t.”

Luckily for Sanchez this game was at Ford Field, plenty of miles away from most Jets fans, who surely were screaming at their TVs or wishing they were Time Warner Cable customers.

Sanchez bounced back from the rough beginning and led a seven-play, 80-yard touchdown drive later in the first quarter. Sanchez finished the night 10-of-13 for 125 yards with the touchdown and interception.

“Other than the one [lousy] play, I thought it wasn’t too bad,” Sanchez said.

Smith took over in the second quarter and the Jets had two three-and-outs with him in there. Smith completed 6-of-7 for 47 yards. His one incompletion was batted down. Smith looked accurate and did not have any hiccups, but was not asked to do much either. He made mostly short passes. The Jets managed just two first downs with him in the game.

“I think I played exceptionally well,” Smith said. “I haven’t checked the statistics. Just from my viewpoint of it, I was making the right reads, making the right checks, being quick in my decision-making.I think I did a pretty good job getting the ball out of my hands getting it to our playmakers.”

Smith opened the second half still in the game, but rolled his ankle on the fourth play of the drive as he eluded the Lions’ pass rush and rolled to his left. He limped off the field, was replaced by Greg McElroy and headed to the locker room.

After the game, Smith said the ankle was just “a little sore” and it was not sprained, although it is likely a mild sprain the Jets are just not disclosing.

It’s hard to give either quarterback an edge. If Sanchez had not thrown the pick-six, the edge would go to him. Smith’s injury could now complicate the quarterback competition, depending on how severe it is. If he is unable to practice this week or play next weekend against Jacksonville, Sanchez will be the clear favorite to start the season against the Buccaneers.