New York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez has at least one supporter: New Jersey governor Chris Christie. Christie defended Sanchez's play over the last two seasons and admonished a NY Daily News reporter for a heated exchange with Jets coach Rex Ryan, USA Today Sports reports.
Sanchez helped the Jets to two AFC Championship games in his first two years, but the feats have been overshadowed by his last two dismal seasons, which can be summarized by Sanchez's statline of 52 turnovers. Despite two consecutive seasons of subpar play, Christie voiced support for the quarterback on Monday during WFAN's "Boomer and Carton" show.
"It seems like the fans have amnesia about this guy," Christie said, via USA Today Sports. "Yeah, he was awful last year, but by the way, he had no weapons last year to throw to, he had no receiving corps, he had no running game and the offensive line was below average. So what are you looking for from the guy?
"I think they've treated him awfully. It seems like they're determined ... and I think this new general manager (John Idzik) is just determined to play the guy that he drafted (Geno Smith)."
Christie also addressed an exchange on Saturday between NY Daily News beat writer Manish Mehta and Ryan, who threw a mini-tantrum in response to being asked about Week 1's starting quarterback.
"Idiot," Christie said of Mehta. "The guy's a complete idiot. Self-consumed, underpaid, reporter ... the only reason he's empowered is because we're spending all this time this morning talking about Manish Mehta ... Who, by the way, I couldn't pick out of a lineup and no Jets fan really gives a damn about Manish Mehta ... We shouldn't be giving this dope, you know, the amount of airtime we've given him already."
Sanchez is listed as "day to day" with a shoulder injury; he's already ruled out for the final preseason game on Thursday.
