FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — Jets’ fans saw a longtime wish fulfilled Monday, as Mark Sanchez almost perfectly emulated Tom Brady.
Too bad for the Jets it was during a session with reporters, and not on the field.
The Jets’ quarterback spoke for the first time since injuring his right (throwing) shoulder against the Giants on Saturday night, but wasn’t very forthcoming with information about his injured shoulder. Don’t blame Sanchez, as it seems quite obvious that the new regime of general manager John Idzik seems determined to channel the New England Patriots when it comes to injury information, or the lack thereof.
“I’m not going to go through the details of the shoulder injury,” Sanchez said. “I’m just going to say that I have an injured shoulder and we’ll take it day-to-day. I’m trying to get back for Week One. … That’s the goal, so (we will) just keep our fingers crossed and take it day-to-day.
“I’m trying to get back as soon as possible and be able to practice as soon as possible,” Sanchez added.
Sanchez, who didn’t practice Monday and won’t do so Tuesday, already has been ruled out for Thursday’s preseason finale against Philadelphia, although coach Rex Ryan left open the possibility that he could practice Friday, the day after the Eagles’ game. Ryan also was mum on any details about Sanchez’s injury, and wouldn’t comment on the status of the Jets’ quarterback competition, saying there is “no timetable” for announcing a starter.
That’s good news for challenger Geno Smith, who thus still has a chance despite a dreadful performance against the Giants. After throwing a touchdown pass in the first quarter, Smith had three interceptions and gave up a safety when he inadvertently stepped out of the back of the end zone. Smith started a week after missing the Jacksonville game because of a sprained right ankle.
“It feels pretty good,” he said of the ankle, “still not close to 100 percent yet, but it’s something I’m treating every single day and every single day it (has) felt stronger. I’ve been able to move better, so it feels good and it’s only going to get better.”
As for the criticism that he was picked off three times because he was staring down receivers, Smith said, “I was going through my normal reads. I may have been late on a couple passes here or there. A couple of my passes weren’t as sharp as I’ve always been. It’s just something that can be corrected.”
Ryan declined to say if Smith will play against the Eagles, in a game traditionally played by reserves trying to earn a roster spot.
“It’s up to the coaches,” Smith said when asked about potentially playing Thursday. “I just follow the orders that are given to me. If I’m out there playing, then I’m going to play hard.”
EDWARDS, McKNIGHT AMONG CUTS: Three veterans — WR Braylon Edwards, RB Joe McKnight and G Stephen Peterman — were among 15 players cut Monday. Edwards, who was on his second tour of duty with the Jets, was signed July 25, the day training camp opened. But he didn’t practice all last week and sat out the game against the Giants on Saturday with an unspecified leg injury. He apparently became expendable because WR Santonio Holmes (foot) practiced Monday for the first time all summer and rookie free agent Ryan Spadola has impressed the coaches.
McKnight led the NFL in kickoff-return average in 2011, gaining 31.5 yards per attempt, but was plagued by migraine headaches and a concussion this summer and didn’t play in any preseason games. ESPN reported that troubled RB Mike Goodson, who hasn’t been with the Jets throughout the summer, is expected to report to camp Tuesday. Ryan said he was unaware of Goodson’s potential return. The emergence of fourth-year pro Vlad Ducasse at left guard apparently led to Peterman’s release.
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