Giants Punter Steve Weatherford: 'I Haven't Seen A Lot Of Maturation From Mark Sanchez'
NEW YORK (WFAN) - Despite the craze that is Tebowmania, Mark Sanchez remains the starter of the New York Jets coming into the 2012 season.
Head coach Rex Ryan has said it and general manager Mike Tannenbaum has confirmed it, and the general consensus surrounding the football team is that the 25-year-old is poised to have a solid campaign following a rather disappointing performance last season.
But still, there are thousands of questioners and non-believers -- media members, fans and players alike -- who are of the opinion that Sanchez is simply not on the path to becoming a star quarterback in the NFL.
And it appears that Giants punter Steve Weatherford is one of them.
Weatherford was with the Jets for Sanchez's first two seasons, and thought he admits to very much liking the Southern California alum, he told NFL.com that he simply hasn't seen the quarterback develop the way that he thought -- and hoped -- he would.
"I like Mark and I think he's a very talented quarterback, but from my standpoint, I haven't seen a lot of maturation from the position," Weatherford told NFL.com. "When you're a quarterback and you come in, and you're expected to be the face of the franchise and expected to lead the team, that's a lot to take on as a rookie. But as the years go on, I think you're expected to mature skill-wise, and also mature as a leader. And to be honest with you, as much as I like the guy, I just haven't seen that."
After word got out of Weatherford's comments, the six-year NFL veteran took to Twitter to explain himself, tweeting, "Dear bloggers, Mark Sanchez will make people forget about Tebow, but the competition will sharpen him. He has what is takes to be great."
In his third NFL season, Sanchez threw 26 touchdowns to 18 interceptions, completing 56.7 percent of his passes.
Do you agree with Weatherford's comments, and even if you do, does it irk you that a punter is saying this about a quarterback? Offer your thoughts and comments in the section below...
