Here is a fun little brain-teaser for all of us armchair guys who like to mock drafts and project college player's careers into the NFL. Using only the following information I give you, I'd like you to summon up past memories and gather up any intel you need in order to re-assess where you would draft Mark Sanchez. Here are the parameters you may use: 1. When trailing/tied in a game. 2. When trailing/tied in the 2nd or 4th Qtr. 3. When tied/trailing-10 inside 5 minutes in the 2nd Qtr. 4. When tied/trailing-10 inside 5 minutes in the 4th Qtr. 5. 2 minute drill in 2nd Qtr with score +/-7. 6. 2 minute drill in 4th Qtr with score +/-7. 7. When score is +/-3 during game. 8. 2 minute drill in 2nd Qtr with score +/-3. 9. 2 minute drill in 4th Qtr with score +/-3. 10. Number of times he regained the lead after a deficit. 11. Come from behind victories. 12. Now pretend that his team is not the #1 Defense allowing 9.0 PPG and 221 YPG, but rather the Miami Hurricanes with 24 PPG and 317 yards, where he is placed under true game stress on a weekly basis. Now how would you rate Sanchez after only considering these "single shared elements" that comprise great QB's: clutch play, carrying your team on your shoulders through adversity, comeback victories when the game is on the line.... whatever you want to call that special "IT" factor that Marino, Elway, Brady, Montana, Manning, Favre, Steve Young, and Matt Ryan possess. Give your assessment of where he should be drafted, if there even is a change; if he is any less of a risk; how he compares to Matt Ryan/ Joe Flacco coming out last year. Remember, this is all in good fun.
I watch a lot of PAC-10 football as an ASU alum and I think Sanchez looked just as good as Carson Palmer did in college. He moves pretty well, but I think he will mainly be a pocket passer in the NFL. I would also say he is a lot better than John David Booty. Not many USC quarterbacks are stars in the NFL. If he was on the board when the Jets pick they would be dumb to pass on him (I think they pick 18?). That is where I see him being drafted....it all depends on when Stafford is taken. If Stafford is passed over by the Lions then Sanchez is likely to drop a good deal.