Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Michael Vick should follow the Mark Sanchez model?

Philadelphia Inquirer sports columnist Ashley Fox gives the following piece of advice to Eagles QB Michael Vick:

"Well, there is a way to organize a workout, and then there is Mark Sanchez's way, and Vick would be wise to follow Sanchez's blueprint. It is, after all, the gold standard, and as we all know the Eagles are the NFL's gold standard, so nothing less should do."

As a Jets fan, I have yet to consider anything Mark Sanchez does to be the 'gold standard'. I'd say he's working his way there but thought he's probably still a 'bronze standard' or, at best, 'silver standard' right about now. Then I read Fox's description of the voluntary workout Sanchez organized for his teammates:

"Sanchez recently held a five-day passing camp with 14 of his New York Jets teammates in Southern California, where the quarterback lives in the offseason. Sanchez rented plush villas on the Pacific Ocean to house the players. He catered lunch every day from a local restaurant - including fish tacos - and had a truck on site from the famed West Coast hamburger joint In-N-Out Burger.

Every day, there was an optional morning workout with Sanchez's personal trainer, followed by a film session when the QB reviewed cut-ups from last season, and then an hourlong practice. Sanchez made up playbooks, provided Gatorade, had ice baths set up on site, and even had a postpractice "skills" competition that included a water-balloon toss. He gave away prizes, including a 65-inch 3D television, Meister watches and iPads. Everyone in attendance received sandals and gear.

Sanchez recruited sponsors and trainers. One night, he took the guys to see a Lakers playoff game. The camp even had a catchy name: Jets West.

Not surprisingly, most of the Jets' key offensive players attended, even free agent-to-be wide receiver Braylon Edwards, 40-year-old quarterback Mark Brunell, and veteran running back LaDainian Tomlinson.
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This coupled with the comments from Rex Ryan's book makes me very optimistic about Sanchez as a leader. Now, if only the lockout can end...

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