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FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- Mark Sanchez understands the New York Jets starting quarterback job is still up for grabs. That doesnt mean he expects the final result to be anything different from what it has been the last four seasons: with him under centre leading the team every Sunday. "Naturally, as you progress in your career, you try and tighten up and hone in," Sanchez said Thursday after voluntary workouts. "But, like Ive said, this is something I dreamed about my whole life and now Im not planning on letting go." Sanchez is approaching this off-season as though he is the starting quarterback, despite his hold on the job being extremely tenuous. There is one less competitor in the mix, however, with David Garrard planning to retire because his balky left knee has continued to give him trouble. So with Garrard stepping away and New York cutting Tim Tebow two weeks ago, Sanchez, Geno Smith, Greg McElroy and Matt Simms are left on the roster. "Nothings changed," Sanchez said of his approach without Garrard on the team. "My mindset is the same: just stay focused, master this offence, improve on my fundamentals, be as accurate as possible, take care of the football and lead this team." It had been speculated by some that the competition to start would be between Garrard, Sanchez and Smith, despite GM John Idzik, coach Rex Ryan and offensive co-ordinator Marty Mornhinweg insisting it would be "open" to everyone. Now, Sanchez appears to have a clear advantage, although the organization is excited about the potential of Smith, the former record-breaking West Virginia quarterback who slid in the draft from a potential top-10 pick all the way to the second round. "He looks good," Sanchez said of Smith. "Hes sharp. He works hard, doesnt say too much. Just plays his butt off and competes. Thats great." Sanchez said Garrards retirement was "a little bit abrupt," but praised the 35-year-old veteran for "a career to celebrate." Now, Sanchez is the veteran of the bunch in the quarterback room. That could still change, of course, if the team pursues another experienced player to push Sanchez and mentor Smith, but there arent many options. The list includes the likes of Vince Young, JaMarcus Russell, Matt Leinart, Trent Edwards, Byron Leftwich, Charlie Batch -- oh, and, Tebow. Sanchez, however, insists that McElroy and Simms should very much be in the quarterback conversation. "Dont count those other two out," he said. "Trust me, its a fierce deal. Were all excited." Sanchez is particularly thrilled to put a miserable season behind him in which he turned the ball over 26 times, including when he ran into the backside of guard Brandon Moore -- the blooper-reel favourite "Butt-Fumble" -- last November against New England. He was benched for the first time in his career late last season, and appeared to lose confidence. And, the hits keep coming for Sanchez. Carolina wide receiver Steve Smith said during a radio interview Wednesday that, "I wouldnt let Mark Sanchez throw me a paper bag sandwich." Sanchez took the high road, refusing to fire back and instead wishing Smith and the Panthers well. And, frankly, hes got bigger things to worry about these days. Mornhinweg said during a conference call with season ticket holders Wednesday that the Jets would have a "bona fide quarterback competition. Period." He added that he has thought a lot about how the snaps would be distributed in practices, but theres now one less quarterback to consider with Garrard no longer in the mix. Mornhinweg also indicated hed like someone to rise to the top of the competition "quicker rather than later." "I have no idea," Sanchez said when asked if he could be that guy. "Im focused on playing the very best I can. As soon as they tell me, Youre the guy; youre not the guy, then well know. Theyve given me no indication on when that should be." Sanchez has been working with Mornhinweg and new quarterbacks coach David Lee on cutting down his turnovers, making him throw the ball away in practice rather than forcing a play and making a mistake. "Marty touched on it," Sanchez said. "He said its a mentality. Theres a point where you bite your nails growing up or something and then you just stop. Whatever it takes, you just stop. Its a habit. It becomes a way of thinking and a way of making decisions on the field." Sanchez is also looking forward to playing in Mornhinwegs West Coast-style offence, something he was somewhat familiar with from his days at Southern California. "Im from the West Coast," he said with a big grin. He also spent time with Jeff Garcia, who played for Mornhinweg in Philadelphia, during the off-season and thinks this is a system in which he can be consistently successful. "I love to feel that way, and thats the way I do (feel)," Sanchez said. "I feel good about everything going in, about the progression of things." ------ NOTES: RB Chris Ivory, acquired during the draft from New Orleans, said he hasnt been told by the Jets hell be the No. 1 back but is preparing as if he will. Hell have a better opportunity to play than in New Orleans, where he was behind Darren Sproles, Pierre Thomas and Mark Ingram. "It was just a tough situation over there," he said. "We all had our roles. Its just tough to fit four backs in a system." ... LB Quinton Coples was called out by Ryan last weekend for having a subpar day in the weight room, and the coach wanted to make sure last years first-round pick knew he was disappointed. "I agree with him," Coples said, adding that he "gave better effort" the next day, and "made sure that wont happen again." Cheap Royals Jerseys .ca looks back at the stories and moments that made the year memorable. Royals Jerseys 2019 . 8 Iowa State on Saturday, sending the Cyclones to their third consecutive loss. The Longhorns (14-4, 3-2) got their biggest win of the season with their third in the row in the Big 12. https://www.cheaproyals.com/ . Jane Virtanen scored two, and Alex Roach and Elliott Peterson rounded out the offence for the Hitmen (40-15-6). Brady Brassart chipped in with three assists. Colton McCarthy scored twice, Brayden Point had a goal and two assists, and Jack Rodewald also scored for the Warriors (15-35-9), who were 2 for 5 on the power play. Royals Jerseys 2020 .Y. - New Orleans forward Anthony Davis was chosen Friday to replace the injured Kobe Bryant in the NBA All-Star game that will be played in his home city. Royals Jerseys China . -- Eastern Kentucky thrives off creating havoc for others. Milan Lucic and Kyle Okposo, two of the NHLs top free agents, took full advantage of two of the leagues worst teams eager to pair a veteran with a young star.The 28-year-old wingers each got $42 million, seven-year contracts Friday even though neither is a proven or prolific scorer.Okposo, coming off a 22-goal year with the New York Islanders, moved upstate to join the Buffalo Sabres, who havent made the playoffs since 2011 or finished higher than seventh in their division in three years.Lucic, who scored just 20 times last season with the Los Angeles Kings, is following the money to play for the lowly Edmonton Oilers.Its about time this team starts heading in the right direction, he said of the Oilers, who want to surround Connor McDavid with experienced talent.NHL teams didnt waste time making a flurry of deals on the first shift of free agency. None involved a superstar player, not after Steven Stamkos decided to stay in Tampa Bay with an eight-year, $68 million contract agreed to earlier this week.Two days later, Tampa Bay may have made the best series of moves overall in a bid to stay near the top in the Eastern Conference. The Stanley Cup contender signed standout defenseman Victor Hedman to a $63 million, eight-year extension and goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy to a $10.5 million, three-year extension.Its been a good week for us, Lightning general manager Steve Yzerman said.It has been a bad decade for the Oilers, who havent made the playoffs since they lost Game 7 of the 2006 Stanley Cup Finals to the Carolina Hurricanes and had the fewest points in the Western Conference last season for the second time in three years.Lucic said two people, Oilers general manager Peter Chiarelli and the 19-year-old McDavid, were the reason he joined a franchise that most highly touted free agents have ignored in recent summers.The McDavid factor changes it all, Lucic said.Lucic was also lured to Edmonton in part because of his relationship with Chiarelli, who was his general manager when he played for the Boston Bruins. Chiarelli said 12 teams tried to sign Lucic, indicating one of them was the Kings, the only franchise that couldve offered him an eight-year deal under the NHLs collective bargaining agreement.He was offered a longer term, Chiarelli said. He was offered more money.Like Lucic, Okposo will get a chance to play with one of the leagues most promising players, 19-year-old center Jack Eichel.ddddddddddddHe knows Jacks a great, young player, Sabres general manager Tim Murray said.Heres a look at some of the other notable moves on the opening day of NHL free agency:- The New York Islanders signed forwards Andrew Ladd (seven years, $38.5 million) and Jason Chimera (two years, $4.5 million) after losing Okposo and Nielsen.- The Vancouver Canucks signed winger Loui Eriksson (six years, $36 million) coming off his 30-goal, 33-assist season in Boston.- The Detroit Red Wings signed center Frans Nielsen (six years, $31.5 million) to address a need with the departure of Pavel Datsyuk and re-signed center Darren Helm (five years, $19.25 million) before he could have been on the market.- After spending his entire, 10-season career in St. Louis, David Backes (five years, $30 million) bolted to play for the Bruins.- The Montreal Canadiens signed forward Alexander Radulov (one year, $5.75 million) to play in the NHL for the first time since he was with the Nashville Predators during the 2011-12 season.- The Calgary Flames signed forward Troy Brouwer (four years, $18 million) hoping he can bring some success he helped St. Louis and Chicago have in the postseason.- The San Jose Sharks added forward Mikkel Boedker (four years, $16 million) and defenseman David Schlemko (four years, $8.4 million) to bolster their chances of getting back to the Stanley Cup Finals.- The Florida Panthers, stockpiling goaltenders, signed James Reimer (five years, $17 million) with Roberto Luongo and Reto Berra on the roster.- The Toronto Maple Leafs, who probably dreamed of bringing Stamkos back home, had to settle for signing winger Matt Martin (four years, $10 million) to perhaps play on their fourth line.- The Philadelphia Flyers signed forward Dale Weise (four years, $9.4 million) to address one of the teams needs.- The Minnesota Wild signed center Eric Staal (three years, $10.5 million) four years after making a splash by giving Zach Parise and Ryan Suter 13-year, $98 million contracts.---AP Hockey Writer John Wawrow and AP Sports Writer Stephen Whyno contributed to this story. 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