AP

Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez said he’s certain he won’t turn the ball over 26 times this year (as he has each of the last two years) for one simple reason.

He decided not to.

“I totally believe in the power of your mind,” Sanchez said, via Brian Costello of the New York Post. “As long as I’m studying and as long as I understand the plays and the reads like I know I do, then that’s just mental makeup. It just shouldn’t happen. It’s crazy. It’s really hard to convey to somebody. I just have to go do it. That’s the most important thing.

“I just have to show it. I just have to prove I can take care of the ball like I know I can and get the ball to the right guy.”

Sanchez said his positive mental attitude has translated into fewer turnovers than in any previous camp. But he also knows that because of the sheer volume the last two years, and the one play in particular, it will always be an issue for him.

“I don’t really care,” Sanchez said. “People say ‘butt fumble’ to me and I’m like ‘all right. Yeah, it was a blooper play. It sucks. OK, so what?’ “ . . .

“There’s plenty of other funny plays, but that one probably tops the charts. I don’t know. Who cares? It’s one of those things that it happened during the season, so what? If we win a bunch of games this year, it will just be something we laugh at. If we don’t, so what? I’m still going to laugh at it. It’s funny. Who cares?

Actually, if he doesn’t knock the turnovers off, he probably won’t get a chance to get to 26 this year, since Geno Smith is waiting in the wings, and may win the job anyway.