Sanchez ready to face competition in New York.
Quarterback Mark Sanchez seemed untroubled regarding his future with the New York Jets on Monday, telling reporters he is “fired up” for the new season.
Speaking to the media on the first day of voluntary work-outs, he brushed off reports regarding his future, with rumours surfacing for the first time that he may well be traded.
Instead, the 26-year-old revealed he is looking forward to the new year and taking on the competition for a starting berth for the Jets.
“I just heard it from from people around and…I don’t know. I don’t know what to say. That’s more an upstairs question, so I’m not really worried about that,” he said as reported by NFL.com.
Sanchez will face competition from recently acquired veteran David Garrard and Greg McElroy, while Tim Tebow is also on the roster but is unlikely to figure in the franchise’s plans this season.
Despite his struggles, Sanchez has dismissed speculation he ever thought about leaving the Jets, where is signed through until 2016 on a contract which includes a guaranteed $8.25m this season.
“I enjoy being here. Everyone has to compete for their spot and I totally respect that. As far as I’m concerned, I’m preparing to play well for this team and do everything in my control to be the best quarterback on the roster. I think it’ll bring out the best in everyone on the team.
“My heart and soul is into this thing. That’s really where my head’s at. I’m fired up about this year and hope it’s a good one,” he concluded.
Sanchez’s first target will be to cut down on the number of turnovers he commits, registering 26 in each of the last two seasons. He struggled last year, going 6-10 and was subsequently benched for the first time in his career.
However, he has started the pre-season schedule with a positive attitude, and will be hoping his confidence rubs off on his play on the field. Whether or not he will hold off the likes of Garrard in camp to claim his spot as the starting quarterback for the Jets, remains to be seen.
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