Sanchez dons headset for Jets' preseason finale

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. - Even though Mark Sanchez will not take a single snap Thursday, he still will be very involved with the Jets offense.

Sanchez and all the starters will sit out the team's last preseason game against the Eagles in Philadelphia, but he won't spend his time simply watching from the sideline.

Instead, Sanchez will channel his inner Brian Schottenheimer and call some plays, according to coach Rex Ryan.

"I'm hoping he sees the bigger picture," Ryan said before delivering the news to Sanchez Tuesday. "We'll just let him have at it."

Ryan hatched the idea while coaching in Baltimore with Ravens defensive stars Ed Reed and Ray Lewis as a way to give them a taste for the responsibilities of the coaches and coordinators.

Reed and Lewis' first attempt at play-calling came during a series in a game against Washington when the Redskins were in their no-huddle offense and Ryan didn't mince words about the outcome.

"It was hilarious," Ryan said. "It was brutal.'

The experiment didn't help on the scoreboard - the Redskins scored on their next two drives - but it did elicit some long-term results. What Reed and Lewis gained - some perspective - is what Ryan hopes Sanchez can gain in his sophomore season.

"I do think you can get a lot out of it," Ryan said. 'After that first experience that [Reed] and [Lewis] did, I think they have a bigger appreciation for what you do as a coach. The other thing is, the next year they couldn't wait."

Sanchez undoubtedly would like to get in some work in the final tuneup, but the second-year quarterback will have to contribute with the headset while backups Mark Brunell and Kellen Clemens get the actual reps.

"Just like Brunell helps me and Kellen helps me, I'll be looking at coverage. I'll have a play-caller headset. I'll focus, pay attention and help as much a I can," Sanchez said. "Hopefully, they'll let me make a few calls. That would be nice."

Whether Sanchez calls a single series or a whole quarter, Ryan wouldn't commit, but he did playfully insinuate what happens when you hand over the reins to players. "Ray always pressured, Ed always covered," Ryan joked. "We'll have to say to [Sanchez], 'We're limiting your passing.' "

Sanchez may not bloom into the offensive coordinator of the future, but he'll at least gain a more nuanced understanding of the offense while getting ready for the season opener against Baltimore. And he'll be helping his teammates, even if it's not from inside the huddle.

"It's a little different," Sanchez said. "It's about supporting guys when they're playing, helping them when they come to the sidelines."