Bell: Jets' Mark Sanchez destined to lose this quarterback battle

Jarrett Bell | USA TODAY Sports

CORTLAND, N.Y. — They can call it a battle all they want, but the New York Jets quarterback derby has that distinct feeling of a formality.

Geno Smith, the second-round pick, was drafted as the next quarterback of the future, and unless he suddenly develops two left feet, struggles with the Xs and Os or has the energy sapped from his rocket arm, it's only a matter of time before Mark Sanchez is officially relegated to the bench.

If not for the $8.25 million salary guaranteed for this season, Sanchez undoubtedly would already be gone by now.

As people in the Jets camp keep repeating — feeling the effects of new general manager John Idzik joining forces with coach Rex Ryan — it's a new day.

The competition is essentially a matter of how fast and well Smith, who threw for 42 touchdown passes last season at West Virginia, shows that he can handle the transition to the pros.

For Sanchez, it's another case of what goes around, comes around in the NFL career spin cycle.

"Things change when you have new management, and that's the way things roll," Sanchez told USA TODAY Sports. "Whether it's fair or not, who knows? There's a good and bad side of fair."

Good and bad?

"If it's good for somebody, they'll probably feel it's fair," Sanchez explained. "And the other person probably feels like it's unfair."

Just four years ago, Sanchez was the hot-shot passer whom the Jets moved up in the draft to select fifth overall. He beat out Kellen Clemens to start as a rookie and, surrounded by a stiff defense and grinding rushing attack, went on to advance to consecutive AFC title games in his first two seasons.

It's been a free fall since then, his last two years riddled by interceptions, a benching, seemingly waning confidence and even a butt-fumble. During last season's 6-10 swoon, the Jets offense ranked 30th for yards and passing yards as Sanchez threw 18 interceptions while his 66.9 passer rating was second-worst in the league.

Sanchez had his chance even though the odds were, like now, stacked against him. In Marty Mornhinweg, he has his third coordinator in three years, including the disastrous stint with Tony Sparano and the ill-fated designs to incorporate Wildcat schemes.

Sanchez loves the vibe with Mornhinweg, installing a quarterback-friendly West Coast system stocked with answers for where to go when the rush and schemes dictate fast thinking. If only Sanchez had Mornhinweg a while back.

"I don't have time to worry about, 'Maybe if this had happened ...' " Sanchez said.

Time is running thin. His mission is to embrace the competition and play well enough to delay Smith's eventual ascent to the lineup.

In Monday's 11-on-11 drills, Sanchez worked with the second string. The quarterbacks are rotating spots on the daily depth chart, and it was Smith's turn to play with the starters.

Smith looked sharp during some stretches Monday but was hardly flawless. During one series, a pass over the middle was picked off after his pass glanced off the hands of the intended receiver. Four snaps later, working from the shotgun, a deep sideline pass for Ben Obomanu never had a chance. Overthrown.

Sanchez took the next series and had his first throw intercepted by linebacker Josh Mauga after misfiring on a slant pass.

It's tough to draw conclusions based on a few minutes, given variables such as the supporting cast and the daily installation of 20 to 30 passes. But there's little question that Smith has the superior arm strength.

Idzik and Ryan have said the starter will be selected by a "collective" decision, with input from the staff.

Said Mornhinweg: "There's a lot of things that we'll look for. Certainly, the quarterback will be evaluated every day, every play, every practice. Normally, what happens is one man significantly removes himself from the other fellows. So when that happens ... we'll make the call. The tougher one is when it's very, very close. We'll be ready for that, and then you go on some gut instincts there."

Mornhinweg praised Smith's ability to quickly progress with the playbook; he said that the rookie was outstanding when quizzed on how much he retained during the layoff before training camp.\

"Very bright guy," Mornhinweg said.

"Mark, on the other hand, has a wealth of experience."

Smith might have an edge in another regard. The Jets have been running some read-option plays, and he's demonstrated a quickness and fluidity that suggests such packages can become a viable option.

"Like I said all along," Smith said, "I've got to prepare myself to do whatever it takes to help this team. If I have to run or pass, whatever it is, I want to be up for it and I'm going to be prepared."

Smith has an impressive demeanor that he will need amid the intensity of Big Apple scrutiny. He's confident but hardly cocky with it.

Asked following Monday's practice about the possibility of starting as a rookie, Smith told USA TODAY Sports, "I'll be sure to be ready whenever I get my chance."

The pressure on Sanchez, meanwhile, is wrapped in his past. He knows what it's like when the fans are calling for him to be benched, and now the heir apparent is in the midst.

Ticked off?

"I'm here now, and you've got to play the cards you're dealt," he said. "Have I played better in certain situations? Absolutely. Were there circumstances that I couldn't control that didn't contribute to my success? I'm sure. But it's neither here nor there. There's no time to dwell on that."

Not here. Not now.

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Follow Jarrett Bell on Twitter @JarrettBell