New York Jets quarterback Geno Smith's absence at fellow quarterback Mark Sanchez's "Jets West" camp in Mission Viejo, Calif., may be working to Sanchez's advantage.
The New York Daily News is reporting that Sanchez is winning over teammates and showing the Jets organization that he is capable of the leadership he has been accused of lacking the past couple of seasons, while looking like the good guy what appears to be a rocky relationship with Smith.
The Jets drafted Smith in the second round of the NFL draft in April with designs of making him their starting quarterback at some point during his career.
But while Smith, the former West Virginia University standout, reportedly has chosen to remain in Florida to train, Sanchez got 11 players to work out with him during his camp.
According to the Times, Sanchez is aware of his precarious standing with the organization and is attempting to address the situation while laying down the gauntlet to Smith.
""You've got to constantly improve, you've got to constantly get better, you've got to make the playoffs," Sanchez said to the newspaper. "Teams that don't make the playoffs a couple years in a row - coaches get fired, players get traded, things change, organizations blow up and start over. So we're with a new regime. (Jets general manager) John Idzik wants a quarterback competition. I'm still here. Let's compete."
He added that entering a huddle and trying to take charge no longer is a foreign concept to him.
"It's becoming more and more natural," he said.
The Times reported that Sanchez's teammates have come away impressed with Sanchez's demeanor.
"He's running the meetings," tight end Konrad Reuland said. He's kind of an extension of the coaching staff basically when he's out here. He's the one running everything and drawing things on the board. I think that's important. I think guys respect that, putting this on and having us out here."
Added tight end Kellen Winslow Jr., "(Sanchez) handles himself like a pro. He knows what everybody's doing."
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