The last time we heard from our old friend The Anonymous Jet, he was explaining that Mark Sanchez had lost 80 to 90 percent of the Jets' locker room. It was widely reported and more than a little depressing for all the Gang Green fans with a crumpled up No. 6 jersey in the back of the closet.
Rapoport: Sanchez in for a fight
Though he's been the Jets' starting QB for four years, Mark Sanchez will have to battle to retain his job, Ian Rapoport reports. **More ...**
Now another New York Jets player -- this one willing to put his name behind his words -- is saying pretty much the opposite. Speaking at an event Wednesday, All-Pro center Nick Mangold was asked if he believed the Jets' locker room wants Sanchez behind center when the regular season begins.
"I believe so," he told the New York Post. "I haven't walked around with a pen and paper and taken a poll, but from the feeling I get, the locker room wants to win. Whoever gives us the best chance to do that, we want out there -- and at this point, Mark gives us that best chance."
Sanchez slumped badly in 2012 and was benched twice in the season's final month. The writing appeared to be on the wall when the Jets used their second-round draft pick to select quarterback Geno Smith.
Still, Mangold continues to believe in Sanchez, who helped lead the Jets to back-to-back AFC Championship Game appearances in 2009 and 2010. Mangold -- who also shared his opinions about the New England Patriots' bad week -- said the QB has looked good in organized team activities and minicamp.
"I think Mark is a fantastic quarterback for us, and I think he can do some good things," Mangold said. "He showed some good flashes in the spring, getting (new offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg's) system down and commanding the offense way that he should be. We'll see how training camp plays out, but either way, the competition will make him a better player."
Mangold is doing a better job than us of blocking out Sanchez's collapse last season. A guaranteed contract gives the quarterback one more life in Gotham, but plenty of doubt will follow him into a new season.
Follow Dan Hanzus on Twitter @DanHanzus.