LatinoSports.com sportswriter Andrew Rosario explores the Jets universe in the first installment of his pre-season outlook for Gang Green. Rosario catches up with second-year Jets QB Mark Sanchez (above) in part one. PHOTO BY BILL MENZEL / LSV

East Rutherford, NJ – It wasn’t the way the New York Jets wanted to open up the new Meadowlands Arena.

At least it wasn’t as bad as the way the New York Giants played in their last game across the street to end their season last Jan. 3, losing 41-9 to the Carolina Panthers.

The Jets may have lost 31-16 but when they look back at the film, they will be pleased with the overall performance from players they expect to take them to the big game in Dallas, Feb. 6.

Let’s start with second-year quarterback Mark Sanchez, who has already claimed that this is his offense. There have been big changes in that offense, with the line losing All-Pro Alan Faneca, the 9-time Pro Bowl player who was cut in April. Leon Washington, the multi-purpose back who was traded to Seattle after suffering what many thought might be a career-ending injury.

Let’s not forget to mention how the organization decided to part ways with Thomas Jones, one of the more popular Jets and a work horse running back, who gained over 3,800 yards in his three years with Gang Green.

Jets fans had a quick case of DeJaVu in their very first possession. After a 1-yard run by Shonn Greene, Sanchez attempts a pass to Tomlinson that bounces off his shoulder pad. Giants safety Antrel Rolle picks it off and rumbles to the Jets 1-yard line.

Said Sanchez, “Oh man, I don’t think you script a worse start on the first play of the second season.” It gave the Giants a quick 7-0 lead but Sanchez rebounded quickly, leading them to a 14-play, 68-yard drive, ending in a 4-yard touchdown pass to Brad Smith.

In that drive, he completed seven passes for 41 yards. Greene chipped in gaining 25 yards while LT gained 21 yards on the ground and in the air. “It was important to move on and get to the next play,” said Sanchez. “I wanted to make sure I wasn’t trying to force anything after that.”

The Jets defense, which has been without holdout Darrelle Revis, got the ball back right away as they blocked the Giants attempted punt leading to a 36-yard Nick Gold field goal. After a 32-yard Lawrence Tynes field goal tied the game at 10, Sanchez, in his last possession of the night took his offense 69 yards in 10 plays leading to another field goal from 22 yards out. He finished his night completing 13 passes on 17 attempts, one touchdown and one pick. This was his assessment on how he responded after the first possession interception. “We battled back and I’m proud of our efforts. I think maybe last year I would have been down in the dumps and this year things will turn around.”

Gang Green went back to work this past Saturday in Carolina, earning a hard-fought 9-3 victory that didn’t feature much offense at all. Sanchez was 5 of 10 passing for 12 yards, a setback after he recovered from a poor start against the Giants. Tomlinson's 20-yard draw play was the Jets' top offensive play in the win over the Panthers.  The Jets will now turn their attention to the Washington Redskins Friday, hoping to play a bit more consistent and combine the best efforts of their first two pre-season games into one performance.

The Jets shocked the football world last year by coming within one game of going to their first Super Bowl since 1969. They have their own weekly HBO series “Hard Knocks.” They have said anything less than getting to Dallas would be a failure.

Adjustments will be key if they plan to keep that date in February on the schedule.

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