Peyton Manning or not, NFL Network analyst Brian Baldinger tells The Post’s Justin Terranova it is time for the Jets to move on from Mark Sanchez. The former offensive lineman, and New Jersey native, talks free agency as the NFL Network begins covering a busy time in the league leading up to the draft.
Q: Should the Jets go after Peyton Manning?
A: If you look back, they made the move for Brett Favre and that worked great for a while before it went south. I don’t think the Jets should be afraid of doing it, though. But if there’s one team out there that’s in front of everyone else it would be the Cardinals. I think it’s clear they made a mistake with Kevin Kolb, they have a top receiver in Larry Fitzgerald and they basically play in a dome. Why shouldn’t Peyton do it?
Q: If the Jets don’t get Peyton, should they stick with Mark Sanchez?
A: He’s a middle-of-the-pack guy and that’s when the running game is at its best, the defense is elite and the receivers are very good. And I don’t think that’s going to change. I don’t think you need to look at another year of Sanchez playing quarterback. He’s not going to make that jump to the elite status.
Q: What are the Jets’ other needs in free agency?
A: Every year Rex Ryan has been there they’ve tried some casualty case to find a pass rush. They have to find someone that will do that, you just can’t scheme guys to get to the quarterback all the time. That’s when you get burned for 99-yard touchdowns and lose a chance to go to the postseason. And the Jets just need more speed everywhere.
Q: Where are the areas the Giants need to improve?
A: They were not a good run-blocking team last season. So, I think you have to address that and the linebacker position where guys weren’t healthy and how limited they were in that position. They lost both tight ends [to injury] in the Super Bowl and will probably lose Mario Manningham in free agency. He showed how important that third option is to Eli Manning.
Q: Is there anything that has surprised you since the Saints’ bounty story broke?
A: The part of the story about intentionally injuring and knocking guys out of the game, I’ve never seen that. I still can’t watch injuries in the NFL. Calling games I can rarely look at a replay of an injured player. So my stance on that is pretty harsh and that’s something that has to be cleaned up.