Both coach Rex Ryan and offensive coordinator Tony Sparano have been impressed with the work starting quarterback Mark Sanchez has put in this offseason to learn a new offensive system.
"I would say he's probably put in the most amount of work, which he should," Sparano said today. "It’s a credit to Mark that he has been able to put that kind of time in. It’s really important to him, and he's done a tremendous job."
Sanchez played his first three pro seasons under offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer, so it's his first time learning a new system since his rookie year. When the Jets traded for Tim Tebow, the move raised speculation about how Tebow's presence would affect Sanchez's authority in the locker room, but Ryan said Sanchez's mastery of the new offense has been the biggest way he's been able to lead.
"You talk about the leadership of Sanchez, I think the best thing about Sanchez’s leading is in the classroom," Ryan said. "When Tony will fire off questions and Sanchez has all the answers, I think that speaks volumes to his teammates, and I see that over and over and over again."
Sparano also praised Sanchez's physical abilities, saying that he's in "outstanding physical shape" and "throwing (the ball) well."
One theme this offseason, for both Sanchez and Tebow, is improving accuracy. Ryan said Tebow has always had a "nice touch" on the deep ball, but he needs to become more accurate overall. Sanchez, meanwhile, needs to be more consistent, Ryan said.
"There's times when I think Sanchez can throw it with anybody in this league," Ryan said. "And then there’s other times when it's like, 'Ooh, gosh, Mark missed it.' "
He added: "Those are things we've got to get better at for sure."
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Ryan said he was "shocked" when he learned center Nick Mangold declined Ryan's offer to take a few days off in training camp to watch his younger sister, Holley Mangold, represent the U.S. as part of the women's Olympic weightlifting team. Ryan said he would try to convince Mangold otherwise, but knew that he is locked in to his decision to be there for his Jets teammates.
"It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see your sister do something that is absolutely incredible," Ryan said. "I know how important this season is, and this game is, and our football team is, but there's other things that are equally important, maybe more important in the big picture."
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Ryan said safety LaRon Landry, a free agent signing who has not been at OTAs, has a copy of the playbook and they have also exchanged text messages. Ryan is not concerned about Landry's ability to pick up the defense this summer.
OTAs are voluntary, so the Jets have not given a reason for Landry's absence. He is coming off a season-ending Achilles injury.
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Ryan praised the performance today of the Jets' top three draft picks: Quinton Coples, Stephen Hill and Demario Davis. He said he has been pleasantly surprised with how well Hill gets off press coverage, an area in which Ryan thought he might struggle.
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Sparano, who spent three-and-a-half seasons as the Dolphins head coach, didn't have much to say about their decision to participate in HBO's "Hard Knocks."
"I'm a New York Jet," Sparano said.
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