FLORHAM PARK, N.J. – Mark Sanchez has heard the critics through his first two NFL seasons, the people who have said the New York Jets could have won the last two AFC championship games despite their young quarterback.
Well, on a team with a win-now approach, Sanchez knows the pressure is squarely on him this season to step up. And it starts Sunday against the Dallas Cowboys.
He'll have a new set of wide receivers other than Santonio Holmes, with newcomers Plaxico Burress and Derrick Mason, and that has been "a good challenge, he says.
Coach Rex Ryan knows Sanchez's completion percentage isn't high — it was 54.8 last season — but adds that he doesn't "have him on my fantasy football team." Ryan says the wins are all that matter.
THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) — Mark Sanchez has heard the critics through his first two NFL seasons, the people who have said the New York Jets have won the last two AFC championship games despite their young quarterback.
Well, on a team with a win-now approach, Sanchez knows the pressure is squarely on him this season to step up. And it starts Sunday against the Dallas Cowboys.
He'll have a new set of wide receivers other than Santonio Holmes, with newcomers Plaxico Burress and Derrick Mason, and that has been "a good challenge, he says.
Coach Rex Ryan knows Sanchez's completion percentage isn't high — it was 54.8 last season — but adds that he doesn't "have him on my fantasy football team." Ryan says the wins are all that matter.
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