Where Does He Go From Here?

By: Carlo Rivieccio

The time has finally come in New York.  Mark Sanchez, once designated the “Sanchize” has been told to sit.  The Jets brass has decided, in their infinite wisdom, to start second year QB Greg McElroy.  Not the guy they traded two draft picks for.  The guy who was inactive most of the year.

Much has been and will be said about the career of Mark Sanchez.  He’s gone from game managing rookie, to two-time AFC runner up, to questionably talented but needs more weapons, to finally where we are now, the dreaded “I get no protection, have a running game that would make most really good Texas High Schools laugh, my best receiver hates me, the rest of my receiving corps could not start on any NFL team and would possibly be practice squaders, My coach has no confidence in me, I have no confidence in me and I think my teams fans might sneak into my house at night and write curse words in their blood on wall” part of a young quarterbacks career that we’ve seen so many times.

I don’t blame Sanchez for being terrible this year, for several reasons.  First of all, as a fan, I ALWAYS thought he was terrible.  You can show me stats and ratings and whatever, but when I watched him, I never, ever said…Man, that guy makes me happy as a fan.

Second, he doesn’t have NFL quality receivers.  The Jets drafted a WR who can’t catch.  Signed a WR who couldn’t start in Oakland.  His best receiver went down early, but their chemistry was shaky at best, since, you know, Holmes hates him.

Third, he doesn’t have a quality running game.  Shonn Greene may have been a thousand yard rusher last year and be on pace for that as well this year, which is all well and good until you remember, being a 1,000 yard rusher is meaningless.  He averaged about 65 yards per game last year, only topping 70 yards seven times.

Many within the Jets circle are saying Sanchez will not be with the team next year.  They will actively seek a trade partner.  Which makes sense, as any time you can trade picks to move up and get a QB, then openly flirt with Payton Manning, then wildly overpay the QB to say you’re sorry, completely screwing your cap and future only to not have him after four seasons, it’s a no brainer.

Alas, the NFL, she is a strange mistress, and there will possibly be partners for the Jets as Quarterback Coaches might look at Sanchez as a project and want to be the guy to fix him.  So where does he go?

Here, we can pretend that trades in football might work like trades in any other sport.  Also, for the most part, we’ll assume that anyone that takes Sanchez will completely re-work his deal to be more cap-friendly.

THE BEST OF ALL POSSIBLE WORLDS

Seattle Seahawks

Pros:  In a perfect world the Jets would be able to work out a deal sending Sanchez and picks and getting back Flynn, since Seattle doesn’t need to pay a backup another guaranteed 8 million.  Sanchez would have to renogotiate his contract.   Sanchez gets reunited with his college Coach.

Cons:  Sanchez gets reunited with his college coach.  Who publicly stated that Mark Sanchez wasn’t ready for the NFL.  Sanchez would have to greatly drop his pay to make Seattle want him.

IT MAKES SENSE ON PAPER

Pittsburgh Steelers

Pros:  Would immediately lower the average age of the quarterbacks by about 17 years.  Would be an upgrade to their current backups.

Cons:  Doesn’t improvise like Big Ben.  Might get decapitated.

San Franciso 49ers

Pros:  Like Seattle, San Francisco now is paying a starter that isn’t starting.  They could be motivated to move Alex Smith and getting back a young man with playoff experience could benefit  the Niners.  Harbaugh can coach struggling Qb’s.

Cons:  Is there where the Jets are at?  Trading for Alex Smith?  Does Harbaugh want to go through the Alex Smith routine again?

IT’D BE A STRETCH

Chicago Bears

Pros:  Would be an upgrade from Jason Campbell.  Would be able to hear boos for a quarterback that isn’t him.

Cons:  Might be more unlikable than Cutler.

CAN’T AFFORD FOUR BAD QUARTERBACKS

Arizona Cardinals

Pros:  Sanchez would get a world class receiver in Larry Fitzgerald.  Arizona would get it’s potential starter.

Cons:  Sanchez still doesn’t get a great O-Line or running game.  Would start because the Cardinals current QB depth chart is abysmal.    Arizona can’t afford the cap hit for cutting Kolb and bringing on Sanchez.

WHAT WILL MOST LIKELY HAPPEN

New York Jets

Pros:  Knows the system.

Cons:  Is not good in the system.

Can anyone put it past the Jets to completely mess this up?  They’ve already ruined this kid’s psyche and they are on the hook for a $30 million dollar cap hit.  He can’t stay.  He has no reason to stay.  The Jets have no reason to keep him.  Which of course means, he’ll be the opening day starter.

But if I was a betting man, I think Sanchez is heading west.  To San Francisco.
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