Sanchez Reaches Out to Former MVP Gannon, Talks Decision Making

Uh, talking decision making with Rich Gannon? Do people forget his five interception performance in the 2002 Super Bowl loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers that sent his Oakland Raiders into serious tailspin, one that still continues today?

In fact, it seems as though there is no light at the end of the tunnel for Al Davis and his Raiders. As his famous phrase goes, "just win baby, win," well that doesn't seem like it is going to happen anytime soon in Oakland.

I don't know why Mark Sanchez decided to reach out to Gannon of all people. I'm sure there are plenty of other quarterbacks better than him that would be willing to work with the effervescent Sanchez. But, nonetheless, I am glad to see he is reaching out to someone with at least a decent track record and it could be worse. He could be asking Brett Favre about how to take care of the football.

Sanchez is still recovering from offseason knee surgery but hopes to be ready for minicamp in June, but he still wants to stay sharp and work on the mental side of the game with Gannon. Gannon worked with Sanchez for two days recently, studying film at the Jets' complex in Florham Park, N.J.

"The great thing about Mark is he doesn't just want to be good; he wants to be great," Gannon told USA Today. "And he's willing to put in the work to get there.

"He has a very bright future."

Although Sanchez helped the Jets reach the AFC Championship Game in his rookie season, he endured an up-and-down year where he threw an AFC-worst 20 interceptions, was sacked 26 times and fumbled 10 times.

Gannon told the newspaper that he and Sanchez talked about making the right decisions on third down and in the fourth quarter.

"We watched the interception and sack reels until 8 o'clock at night," Gannon told USA Today. "Then he had to get treatment the next morning. I was up at 6 and in at 7 watching the film with him.
"I really applaud a guy like that who wants to get better."

Gannon told the newspaper that he was impressed by Sanchez's progress in his recovery from arthroscopic knee surgery in February.

Sanchez had the patella-stabilizing ligament in his left knee repaired in February, and he has participated in individual and passing drills since organized team activities began last month.

"This kid is back already throwing and is much further along than I thought he would be," Gannon told USA Today. "The goal is to have him back almost 100 percent by June 14 minicamp. He's throwing the ball particularly well, even though he told me he's not 100 percent yet with that knee.

"I don't think it's going to be an issue."

It better not be an issue because the entire Jets season is resting on the health of that left knee.

Case in point: This past Thursday’s OTA at the Jets’ practice facility. Sanchez threw a nice back-shoulder 50-yard bomb that David Clowney caught after a slight adjustment. After Clowney waltzed into the end zone, Sanchez slapped his knee in frustration -- the ball should have been thrown in front of the wide-open receiver, requiring no adjustment at all. Last season, Sanchez might have made that connection perfectly.

But to really understand the progress Sanchez is making, it’s important to go back one play earlier. On a quick wide receiver screen to his right, Sanchez dropped back, planted his feet and seemed to lock his left -- surgically repaired -- leg in the grass. As a result, when the ball was released, it took a nose dive -- incomplete.

Quarterbacks coach Matt Cavanaugh quickly came over to Sanchez and motioned with his throwing arm to keep the release point up to avoid having top spin on the football. The next play, Sanchez did exactly what Cavanaugh instructed and the result was the long touchdown pass to Clowney.

"I’d be lying if I told you I saw that," said head coach Rex Ryan, when asked about Cavanaugh’s subtle instruction to his young QB. "That’s why we have Matt."

Sanchez said it was no big deal. "They're pretty happy with my mechanics," he said. "I’m using my legs. My feet are under me. I’m driving the ball."

Sanchez is still limited. Seven-on-seven drills are no problem. But team drills are still a no-no. In fact, Sanchez sneaked into a team drill last week for one hand-off to a running back, and got reprimanded by Ryan, who got an earful from team owner Woody Johnson.

"Rex said, ‘Next time you do it, make sure Mr. Johnson is not out there,’" said Sanchez, who is attacking these practices with his trademark boyish bounce and grin.

Sanchez said he hopes to be ready for all team activities for a three-day minicamp beginning June 14. But Ryan stressed that Sanchez has not been given clearance by the team’s medical staff.

Despite the additions of some big-name veterans -- LaDanian Tomlinson, Jason Taylor and Antonio Cromartie -- Ryan knows this team will get only so far without a healthy Sanchez. That’s why he’s being careful. But so far he likes what he sees.

"He really knows this offense well," Ryan said. "All that time rehabbing the injury has been a blessing, because he’s been here with the coaches all the time. He looks fantastic. Last year, you saw a lot of positive things, but you also saw a lot of negatives. Right now, he’s throwing the ball great. He’s got such a great grasp of the system and that’s so encouraging to me."

"Now, I’m visualizing it," said Sanchez. "I’m seeing the concept. Audible mechanics. Route depth. Little nuances ... every day it’s feeling better."

Ryan and the rest of the front office is saying that Sanchez will be ready for training camp in July in Cortland, N.Y.