Two QBs, Two Different Paths

Quarterbacks Matthew Stafford and Mark Sanchez are expected to be stars in this league, but which player is game-ready for the ’09 season? Today, I will discuss the two different situations theese rookies are in, and why you can expect to see Sanchez as the starter in New York this fall.

Welcome to the NFL

This past weekend, rookie quarterbacks Matthew Stafford of the Lions and Mark Sanchez of the Jets took part in their first NFL mini-camps. Does it mean anything in the long run for these two players’ careers?

Probably not, because as I wrote last week when I discussed the general idea of spring mini-camps, they’re more of an introduction to the 2009 season rather than a competition setting.

But for Stafford and Sanchez — two top-five quarterbacks — these camps are an introduction to different paths for the season. Let’s start with why Stafford can take his time to develop as an NFL quarterback compared to Sanchez, who must prepare every day for real live action in the fall.

Why Sanchez?

Because the Jets traded up to get him for a reason — to start.

As our own Michael Lombardi wrote Sunday, Sanchez is going to be the starter of this football team. I know it, you know it and the Jets know it. Once he’s under contract and in camp, this QB “competition” Sanchez has with Kellen Clemens will be a thing of the past — and the Jets will move forward with their plan as an organization.

Look, we know the Jets are not the New England Patriots, nor are the Baltimore Ravens just because they now have Rex Ryan as their head coach and Bart Scott as their linebacker.

I can’t tell you how good the Jets are going to be — no one can, so don’t buy into everything you read — but if you look at the moves they’ve made the past two offseasons, they believe they’re ready to win — now.

Say what you want about Redskins owner Daniel Snyder, but this Jets franchise has opened up its wallets just as much when it comes to bringing in high-priced free-agent talent. They don’t have time to draft a quarterback who’s going to sit for a year and learn the system, learn how the NFL works or to learn how to act and play professionally.

They tried with Brett Favre last year, and they will try again this year with Sanchez. Don’t mistake a draft-day trade to move up 12 spots as an excuse to find the quarterback of the future. They Jets traded up to get Sanchez to start in 2009 — and that’s exactly what he’s going to do.

Multiple opportunities, multiple chances. That is what lies ahead for Sanchez — because they drafted him to play now.

Why not Stafford?

Because he’s the “quarterback of the future.”

Unlike the Jets, the Lions are not built to challenge for the NFC North title in 2009. As we speak, they are cleaning house of the roster from 2008, and they haven’t been treating the previous two offseasons like the shopping spree the Jets have.

Yes, they have a new coach in Jim Schwartz, and they have a new offensive coordinator in Scott Linehan (who loves the deep ball), but they don’t have to play Stafford.

Schwartz is not going to be on the hot seat if the Lions don’t win the NFC North because this team screams of rebuilding. Attendance is down, expectations are down and the city itself isn’t expecting Schwartz to come in and rip off 10 or 11 wins in 2009.

Daunte Culpepper will get every chance to start under center in September. He has the big arm that’s needed in Linehan’s offense, and he has the experience that’s needed for a club looking for instant leadership this summer.

If Stafford does play — later in the season — it becomes a luxury for Schwartz and the Lions. They drafted him to play in Detroit for a long time, but they aren’t ready to compete like the Jets are.

This club can bring Stafford along just like the Bengals did with Carson Palmer years ago. He’s the ideal fit for this coaching staff, but they know he’s not ready to get under center for a team that has multiple question marks and multiple holes to fill.

Which move makes more sense?

Both of them.

The Jets need to win today; the Lions need to win tomorrow.

I understand Schwartz and the Lions will never publicly admit to rebuilding a franchise, but we all know that’s exactly what they are doing. It will take time to bring in the right players to fit the system in Detroit, while in New York, GM Mike Tannenbaum has already brought in enough talent and enough big-money players that he believes should equal wins — multiple wins — next season.

So you can buy the hype of the QB competitions this summer, but deep down we all know whom each team wants to play this fall, and whom each team wants to watch from the sideline in a visor.

Sanchez’s time is now — and the quicker the Jets announce it, the quicker they can begin to prepare for September.

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