Jets rookie QB Mark Sanchez, sharing first-team work with Clemens, completed nine of 17 passes for 70 yards - and four of the incompletions were drops. Somewhat surprisingly, the coaches let him run a methodical no-huddle offense - not a hurry-up - and he handled it reasonably well for a rookie.
The Jets' No. 1 pick outplayed Clemens (5-for-7, 26 yards), intensifying the QB battle on the one-year anniversary of the Brett Favre trade. On this night, they didn't solidify the position like they did by acquiring Favre, but Sanchez's performance caused a buzz within the organization.
Owner Woody Johnson liked it. Coach Rex Ryan loved it.
"I'm not a quarterback expert, but when guys were open, he was putting the ball on the mark and they would've been first downs, all of them," said Ryan, alluding to the four drops. "He was impressive to me. I keep talking about that deep sideline throw and the comeback (routes). You have to be able to make that throw, and he does consistently."
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