Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Sanchez/Ryan Era Begin for Jets
By
Tom Boorstein
Published Sep 12, 2009
Modified Sep 12, 2009
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Tom Boorstein
Published Sep 12, 2009
Modified Sep 12, 2009
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Who has more pressure? Rookie quarterback Mark Sanchez, who is guaranteed to make $28 million, or rookie head coach Rex Ryan, who's been nothing short of outspoken since taking the job? Probably Sanchez, who has become a bit of a New York icon before playing a regular-season snap. Rookie quarterbacks can succeed in the NFL — just ask Joe Flacco and Matt Ryan — but they more often fall flat on their faces.
People will talk nonstop about Sanchez's ability to "manage the game" and the defense's ability to "make plays." They won't talk as much about the importance of giving Leon Washington the ball more on offense. Thomas Jones enjoyed a resurgence last year, but he's old and Washington is a more dynamic playmaker.
Rex Ryan presided over a great defense in Baltimore, but Ray Lewis and Ed Reed don't play for the Jets. Vernon Ghoston Gholston does. They do have Darrelle Revis and Kerry Rhodes, but this defense is still players away from being a top-five unit.
That defense will be put to the test Sunday in Houston. When healthy, Matt Schaub can lead a potent Texans offense that includes Andre Johnson and Steve Slaton. The Jets have owned the Texans since Houston's inception since 2002, but this game should be different. Sanchez may not be fazed given Houston's mediocre defense, but he'll still need to put up points. If he doesn't, the Sanchez/Ryan Era will start with a loss.
Tagged
football
jets
mark sanchez
Rex Ryan
sports
Tom Boorstein
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Queens man charged with hate crime at Jewish-owned bagel shop displaying Israeli flags
Prosecutors say the 22-year-old damaged property outside the Fresh Meadows shop twice in May.
By
Giulia Heyward
Published Oct 19, 2026 at 6:07 p.m. ET
MTA train yards are in such bad shape plants are growing out of the roof, watchdog says
In some cases, the damage was “clearly not recent."
By
Stephen Nessen
News
MTA train yards are in such bad shape plants are growing out of the roof, watchdog says
In some cases, the damage was “clearly not recent."
By
Stephen Nessen
High-ranking NYC officials to testify in ex-buildings boss Eric Ulrich's corruption trial
By
David Brand
Mamdani launches new team to help NYers keep SNAP, Medicaid benefits
By
Caroline Lewis
Riders at 53rd St. station where man was fatally shot say they worry about gun violence
By
Ramsey Khalifeh
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .