Lange is editor-in-chief of newyorkjets.com. He covered the Jets for 13 years for The Record of Hackensack, N.J.
File Under: Kellen Clemens, Baltimore Ravens, Rex Ryan, Mark Sanchez
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08/16 — Mark Sanchez will get his first NFL start in Preseason Game 2 at Baltimore on Aug. 24.
Bruce Speight, the Jets’ senior director of media relations, announced to reporters after the conclusion of this morning's practice at SUNY Cortland that Sanchez, who got one very productive series behind starter Kellen Clemens against St. Louis on Friday night, will move into the starter’s position. The showing will come on a fairly big summer stage — on ESPN’s Monday night telecast, against a Ravens defense coordinated for four years by Rex Ryan coming off a preseason-opening home shutout of the Redskins.
After the announcement, both QBs spoke with reporters in a tent shielding them from the hot central New York sun. As Sanchez said, the starting nod from Ryan and OC Brian Schottenheimer “is just a matter of rotation. Nothing’s changed yet.”
Sanchez and Clemens have been alternating first-team reps. The rookie from Southern Cal, after completing three of four passes for 88 yards on an eight-play, 93-yard touchdown drive vs. the Rams, worked with the ones at this morning’s practice.
Ryan, who didn’t announce his starter for the Ravens game after the loss to the Rams, will be speaking with reporters at his daily late-morning news conference in about 15 minutes.
We'll have Eric Allen's story on the two quarterbacks' postpractice remarks for you later this afternoon on newyorkjets.com.
Update, 12:49 p.m.: Ryan an hour ago confirmed his decision to start Sanchez vs. the Ravens.
“I wanted to make sure I checked with the doctors and the trainers to make sure there were no surprises,” the coach said. “And we also wanted to let the quarterbacks know that Sanchez will start the game against the Ravens. As far as play time, there’s so many things that go into that. I’m not ready to tell you how many snaps and all that kind of stuff. I can tell you both guys have a heck of a challenge [next] week. Heck, the whole team will.”
Fans Respond
Here's your chance to tell Randy what you think! Add a Comment | Hide All Show All (23)12th man green Said:
Sun, August 16, 2009 - 12:12pm ET"I always thought this game Monday night would be a perfect chance for Sanchez to show what he can do against a very great Defense like the Ravens have , Plus we can move on and already know he is going to be our QB for the season. Go Sanchez & Jets !!"
Chris Said:
Sun, August 16, 2009 - 1:03pm ET"Now all the green and white need is a real playmaker WR"
briguyintampa Said:
Sun, August 16, 2009 - 1:16pm ET"VG...How bout you play as big as you are....Saw you get blown off the point of attack on Friday Night. I mean, cmon guy, stand your ground and man up!!!! Glad to see the Sanchize get the start. He needs to see more live action. "
jgwjets Said:
Sun, August 16, 2009 - 1:38pm ET"Good news, Kellens arm didn't impress and Sanchez looked confident. It would be nice if the O-line wasn't banged up, he'll need the starters vs the Ravens."
Jets Fan Since '64 Tom Said:
Sun, August 16, 2009 - 1:54pm ET"One thing I like a lot is the way Rex and his staff seem to really be going for it. Ask MS to throw the bomb (to Clowney, who's had a drops problem, no less) on his first NFL play ever. Start MS against Rex's old team, with one of the best D's in the league and one that Rex couldn't possibly know better, which only makes MS's assignment tougher. Haven't seen this from a Jets HC in a long time."
Jimmer Said:
Sun, August 16, 2009 - 1:56pm ET"We're only keeping 5wr's. Cotchery, Clowney, Stucky, Wright and Smith. And they should go in that order. What will teams do against Cotchery, Clowney and Keller on the field in the "I"? Probably a deep nickel zone, which TJ and Co will eat for breakfast in the running game. Exactly what Ryan wants."
scjoe Said:
Sun, August 16, 2009 - 2:21pm ET"If Sanchez starts, I sure hope Mangold,Fanaca, and Woody do as well. This will not be the Rams they are facing. It wouldn't be nice to see this kid go down in just his second pre season game."
Jimmy Cheese Said:
Sun, August 16, 2009 - 2:21pm ET"Good to see them rotate the QB's, although I don't think 1 drive is enough to consider him a star. Ratliff tossed a couple nice ones as well last year during pre-season garbage time. But Hey... it's definately looking good. As for VG... I'd like to see Murrell in there to start. VG is a bust, even his attitude in his comments shows he's just not mentally commited to football anymore. Go Jets!"
Jet Green Said:
Sun, August 16, 2009 - 6:11pm ET"Unless Kellen is clearly outplaying Sanchez (and right now it seems the opposite is closer to fact), it would make little sense for him to start. As long as Sanchez is holding his own in the competition, he will be the opening day starter."
Ray Said:
Sun, August 16, 2009 - 6:55pm ET"This is nothing more than the rotation they had already planned on, nothing is decided. Before last weeks game you should have known Sanchez was going to start this week. Game three will tell us who the starter is going to be. Although my money, like everyone else's is on Sanchez at this point. This game is going to tell us alot. Baltimore's D is a HUGE step up from St. Louis."
Erik H Said:
Sun, August 16, 2009 - 8:16pm ET" Jimmy Cheese....Finally a cool head. OMG these guy's are killing me. Three drives by MS and it over, Sanchez is the next Namath!. (And I hope he is) but please!!!! all of them are the ones who stood and cheered Chad when he went down so Kellen could get in, but now kick him into street. Grow up fans, big wallet and big smile don't win Superbowl's. Experience win's, not some times ALL THE TIME. "
Jets Fan Tom Since '64 Said:
Sun, August 16, 2009 - 9:28pm ET"Erik H, a little healthy skepticism about MS is okay. But the elephant in the room is that KC has never shown much. I've never seen him throw nearly as well as EA did last week. As for Chad, injuries took him down and he can't really throw anymore either, so that's water under the bridge. And the wildcat, by the way, is a gimmick for losers. Call me when you see anybody use it in the Super Bowl."
Ray Said:
Mon, August 17, 2009 - 2:03am ET"Really Erik? All the time? How much NFL experience did Kurt Warner have the first time? How about Tom Brady when he stepped in? I hope Clemens does step up and take the reins, but for a guy in his 4th year in the offense he's not showing it so far. If ever he's going to take the helm it is going to have to be this week. BTW Sanchez had ONE drive friday."
Row Said:
Mon, August 17, 2009 - 10:21am ET"Clemens was 4 for 4 in a conservative offensive approach. He deserves as much time as Sanchez gets in this next one. Woody, don't let the team sell out.. It's not about ticket sales, it's about winning. Sanchez didn't fill a need, and was a wasted pick. "
Kaya Said:
Mon, August 17, 2009 - 12:40pm ET"Row, what in the world are smoking? Clemens had 2 series vs Sanchez 1 series against the Rams. Conservative? Well Yeah, after watching his 30 yarder wobble like a pancake in the air."
Erik H Said:
Mon, August 17, 2009 - 1:14pm ET" JF since 64... Put down the Scotch! I said nothing about "The Wildcat" If you were talking to me. Good points on everything else. Ray... I am with you, I hope also (But Doubt) KC steps up. By Experience I meant TEAM, Brady had it all around him. Give KC the ball and 8 games. he Busts..bring in GOD. lol"
Row Said:
Mon, August 17, 2009 - 2:04pm ET"I can't believe almost all Jets fans and media are giving Sanchez the starting job because of 3 passes. Count it guys, the guy threw 3 passes! Only one college season, ridiculous!"
Jets Fan Tom Since '64 Said:
Mon, August 17, 2009 - 2:14pm ET"Sorry I confused you, Erik H, I didn't mean you with the wildcat. I threw that in because every time you hear how great Chad and the Fins will be this year, you also hear, "...and then they have the Wildcat." Meanwhile, the teams most likely to make the SB -- Steelers, Chargers, Colts, Giants, Cards -- don't go near the damn thing. Why would you if you have a real QB? Thanks on the other points. "
Jets Fan Tom Since '64 Said:
Mon, August 17, 2009 - 2:19pm ET"Nobody's giving MS anything yet, Row. They just see some positive signs and aren't hallucinating, like you are with this mythical KC that only you has seen. Didn't you once also post how he "knows how to win"? I'm skeptical of MS in some ways, too, but not of USC. A year starting there is worth a few elsewhere. As for "didn't fill a need and was a wasted pick," now you're just going for a laugh."
OriginalJet Fan Said:
Mon, August 17, 2009 - 4:08pm ET"Like what i saw in 1st game from MS, if he can repeat it vs ravens , then I,ll be a believer, right now I,m just a "hoper". More concerned with seeing VG step up and a healthy o-line to get run game untracked , which was mostly non-existant in 1st game, take out the end around and Greenes one run and they netted less than 50yds."
Ray Said:
Tue, August 18, 2009 - 4:04am ET"Row the problem is that Clemens isn't taking the lead like someone in the offense for four years should. I don't want Sanchez rushed in there, but if he is the best option then we need to go with him. Kellen needs to show something this game. MS might struggle against Baltimore's D, so Clemens needs to show he can handle it."
Squirrel Master Said:
Tue, August 18, 2009 - 2:21pm ET"Sanchez gave us something in that drive that KC has been unable to do in 4 seasons - HOPE. KC just doesn't seem right behind center. When you got you got it. Truth is KC lost the QB competition last year which ultimately became irrelevant becauseof BF. Putting money and hype aside we want the guy that gives us the best chance to win. Unless something drastic happens that guy will be Sanchez. "
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Ira Said:
Sun, August 16, 2009 - 11:58am ET"This comes as no surprise. Its 4 weeks from the opener in Houston and Sanchez needs as many reps with the 1st unit in practice and games as possible. Its time to get down to business and get everybody on the same page. Also would like to see VG or anybody else who will take Pace's spot ithe 1st month get more reps with the ones.GO JETS!!!!"
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