Jets’ rookie QB Sanchez considers regular-season debut a ‘must win’ vs. Texans

Sanchez considers Jets debut a ‘must win’

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — Mark Sanchez is approaching his regular-season debut for the New York Jets with a slight sense of desperation.

“This is a must win for us,” the rookie quarterback said after practice Wednesday. “That’s the way we feel, and it’s going to be like that every week.”

What’s a little more pressure added to an already hyped-up season opener for the new face of the franchise, right?

“This first game,” Sanchez said, “we just want to get things started off right.”

The Jets take on the Texans at Houston on Sunday, and Sanchez realizes he’s in for a rude welcome to the NFL.

“I know Houston feels the same way,” Sanchez said. “They are tough to play at home, they’re rowdy, they’re tough, they’re loud and we need to prepare for that. It’s going to be a fun atmosphere and I’m excited to be a part of it.”

Sanchez will have several family members in the stands at Reliant Stadium to witness him become the first rookie quarterback in Jets history to start a season.

“Prior to the game, hopefully it won’t be too emotional because I’ll just be excited and hopefully that’ll be done by warmups,” Sanchez said. “After that, it’ll be snapping into game mode and getting my focus down and really honing into my keys.”

The Texans’ defense has also seen what made Sanchez so coveted in the draft.

“When you watch him on film, he’s made some good plays moving around the pocket,” linebacker DeMeco Ryans said. “He’s a good player. We want to put the ball in his hands and make him beat us.”

Coach Rex Ryan selected Sanchez as his starting quarterback two weeks ago, raving about his solid mental makeup — something the rookie has maintained even as he prepares for his first NFL start.

“You guys know, you guys have seen him,” Ryan said. “He’s the same guy, and that’s a good thing. Be yourself, be consistent. He’s going to do just fine.”

Sanchez’s teammates also believe that about their young offensive leader.

“Once he was named starter, he turned it up a notch,” running back Leon Washington said. “You could even see it today in practice, the leadership skills he has been developing this entire preseason. I know in the back of my mind that he’s a rookie and he’s going to make mistakes, but this guy carries himself like a veteran already. I look forward to him to go out there and be special for us.”

Wide receiver Jerricho Cotchery, expected to be one of Sanchez’s primary targets, saw a lot of the quarterback on television in college at Southern California.

“He was very relaxed in every game I saw him play,” Cotchery said. “He was just having fun out there and just making a lot of plays. He’s a very talented guy, a true leader and a guy who’s going to make plays, so just do your thing out there. It’s no different from college.”

Sanchez played well in the preseason, starting three games and working out any potential rookie jitters.

“I think the preseason helps with a lot of that,” he said. “I know as soon as that game starts, I’ll be more excited than nervous, I think. Excited to be out there, playing again and starting the season up. It’s important to me. I want it to go right and I want to win. We’ll see what happens.”

Sanchez hasn’t lacked confidence since being drafted by the Jets fifth overall in April following a trade with Cleveland. Like his brash head coach, Sanchez has been unafraid to say what’s on his mind and point out what he’s doing well — along with what he needs to improve.

“I think I learned a lot of that from growing up and having to go up against my brothers in everything,” said Sanchez, the youngest of three boys. “I never wanted to show my brothers that I was hurt or I was tired or they were just kicking my butt in basketball, football or baseball, or anything.”

One of the biggest areas Sanchez thinks he has improved is his ability to eliminate dwelling on negative plays.

“When I miss a play I know I had, I’m the first one yelling at myself and I have an ugly face on and I’m disappointed. But at the same point, this team doesn’t need that. There’s no time to go back to another play because you’ve got another third down coming up.

“If you miss a play on second down, forget it because if you’re not ready on third down, you’re going to miss that one and then we’re punting.”

As he reflected on his rise from college star to NFL starter, Sanchez credited Ryan for helping him make what so far has been a smooth transition.

“When it’s football and it’s serious, there’s no doubt what he wants and what he expects from you,” Sanchez said. “He expects your best every time. As soon as that play is over or as soon as practice is over, he’s back to Rex, who’s a good, ol’ guy.

“He drives a pickup truck. He’s awesome. He’s everything you’d want in a coach.”