MISSION VIEJO, Calif. – Mark Sanchez left no doubt who he believes will be the Jets starting quarterback this season.
When asked if he would win the competition with Geno Smith, he replied quickly, “Absolutely.”
Sanchez, speaking at his “Jets West” camp in Southern California, said he always believes in himself.
“When it comes down to a competition, I put my money on myself,” Sanchez said. “I bet on myself and go play and go win the job. If that’s the way it’s going to be like it’s been made clear it is, let’s go.”
Sanchez spoke with reporters after the second day of workouts at Mission Viejo High School. There were 12 Jets players, including Sanchez, and two quarterbacks from USC working out Friday.
Notably absent is Smith, the rookie quarterback the Jets selected in the second round. Smith opted not to come work out with Sanchez and other teammates, which has caused headlines. But Sanchez said “it’s no big deal.”
Sanchez invited Smith, but it sounds like he never heard back from him.
“I don’t hold it against any of the guys that can’t make it,” Sanchez said. “There are no hard feelings about anything like that. Greg [McElroy’s] not here. [Matt] Simms isn’t here. Guys are on vacation. Some guys are gone getting married. They’re doing stuff. There are plenty of other things they can be doing. If they can make the sacrifice and be here, awesome. If they can’t, totally fine. I would never hold a grudge against anybody who’s not here.”
Sanchez also commented on the video of him dancing with his shorts down that went viral last month.
“It’s just a good reminder,” Sanchez said. “Obviously, the video’s a little embarrassing. It’s just a good reminder that you’re in the spotlight and you have to be ever watchful and careful of who you’re with, what you’re doing, whether it’s harmless, whether you’re in the privacy of your own setting, you feel like everything’s fun and you’re safe, you’ve just got to be careful. That’s just a good example of that.”
He then smiled and added, “I’ve got to work on my tan lines.”