Mark Sanchez wants his Jets teammates back — all of them. Well, at the very least, their three key free agents.
That’s what the third-year quarterback said Thursday during an appearance on “The Dan Patrick Show,” according to NJ.com.
“Keeping as many guys as possible from last year’s team is the most important thing,” Sanchez said. “We have a decided advantage against a lot of teams with new offensive or defensive systems, new coordinators, new quarterbacks, new coaches.
“We have a good thing in place; we have a real good thing going, and we’d love to just build on that.”
Sanchez was talking specifically about wide receivers Braylon Edwards and Santonio Holmes, as well as cornerback Antonio Cromartie. All three were important contributors during the Jets run to their second consecutive AFC Championship game and can become free agents once the current NFL lockout ends.
Sanchez, who said he has to raise his game if the Jets are to fionally reach the Super Bowl, has organized two quasi mini-camps for his teammates — one in southern California and another in New Jersey — since the lockout began in March.
“I think that’s one of the most important things,” he said. “It’s really important for the chemistry; just to see the players again, just to talk about football, to see how everybody’s family is doing, go grab some food. Guys had a paintball tournament. That kind of stuff really does carry over to the field. For us to get together, it is a decided advantage when we start camp.”
That said, he admitted the forced work stoppage is “really ruining our momentum.”
Sanchez, who was selected by the Jets with the fifth pick in the 2009 draft, was the beneficiary of a five-year, $50 million contract before he ever played a down in the NFL. He acknowledged that those days will likely be over once a new collective bargaining agreement is reached.
“I just think that’s the way things are headed,” he said. “There are veteran players that have proved themselves, and now … I’ve seen the kind of hard work and dedication that it takes, that these guys have put in.”