Content available exclusively for subscribers
Please subscribe now to unlock this article!
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. – It may not be much of a quarterback competition, at least based off Wednesday’s Organized Team Activities (OTA) on the practice field.
Incumbent quarterback Mark Sanchez looked the best of the quarterbacks who got quality reps.
His command of the offense was strong and his pocket presence seemed better than last year.
A season ago, he showed severe regression in his ability to read defenses, often forced the ball to his first read whether his target was open or not. On Wednesday, his pocket presence was more comfortable and relaxed.
In particular, Sanchez seems to have formed a good relationship with his tight ends, including Konrad Reuland and Hayden Smith. Reuland was open and found by Sanchez several times on underneath routes and Smith made an athletic grab in traffic from a Sanchez pass.
The fifth-year quarterback had very good timing overall, something that is a positive in the new West Coast Offense that is timing based. He also had a comfort level in knowing when to use his running back as an outlet, hitting Chris Ivory and Joe McKnight several times throughout the morning.
Sanchez did have three interceptions on Wednesday, although one of those passes happened on a play where he likely would have been sacked.
Sanchez looked and appeared more confident this year than at any point last season.
He said that he is hearing positive feedback from new offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg about “95 percent” of the time.
“[He said that] ‘I love what you’re doing, I think you’re making great decisions there’s just a couple in there we want to cut out’,” Sanchez said after OTAs.
It wasn’t a good day for Geno Smith, the second round pick who has been anointed the starting quarterback by many in the press. Behind Sanchez, Smith got the second most reps in practice and didn’t show all that well.
To start with the few positives, Smith does throw a very nice ball. You heard it noted here during rookie minicamp but his spiral is very tight and his release looks effortless when he slings it. It is fast and concise throwing motion.
But there is lots of work to be done.
Smith needs to learn to place the ball better. Consistently, the ball is thrown off stride to his receivers, making the catch a difficult adjustment. In addition, Smith needs to put the ball on the correct shoulder of his receiver, something that is slowing down his wide receivers from getting yards after the catch.
His deep ball can be really bad in terms of his placement. Too often, Smith places the ball too far in front of his receiver’s deep route.
Under center, Smith doesn’t look comfortable. His stance is very high, not surprising since he’s used to operating out of the shotgun.
His intermediary passes on Wednesday were fine but were more off rhythm than during rookie minicamp.
Surprisingly, Matt Simms had more reps on Wednesday than Greg McElroy, who played in two games last year and had one start. Simms is not long for this league, as evidenced through rookie minicamp and again on Wednesday. His pocket presence is subpar and he almost hops and skips in the pocket. He still shot-puts his deep passes.
McElroy looked good in limited reps. He throws the ball on his mark and did a solid job, in particular in the vertical passing game. His arm isn’t as strong as Sanchez or Smith but he places his deep ball in stride.
Even with limited reps, McElroy didn’t sound like someone who was defeated.
“Just go out there and enjoy it, enjoy the guys. Work with the guys and try to help everybody help out,” McElroy said. “That’s my focus and I know that’s my focus as well. Be a cheerleader for each one of the guys.”
May 22, 2103
Premium will return by 9:30 pm on Thursday.