[Jetsfan115]

New York Jets coach Rex Ryan believes quarterback Mark Sanchez has improved in every area this offseason according to Conor Orr of the Newark Star-Ledger.

He's confident enough that he thinks Sanchez will do away with some nagging perceptions this year -- namely, not being a strength of the team.

"As a rookie he was looked at as a weakness of our football team and I said 'There's going to be a day where he's viewed as a strength,'" Ryan said. "And I think that day is right now."

Ryan added: "I don't think there's one area he hasn't improved in, from leadership to learning the system of the opponents. It's physical things, he's throwing the ball better with more zip, more accuracy, just from a physical standpoint, he's a bigger, stronger guy."

The coach said he's sure that Sanchez can take the Jets to the playoffs this year.

"Absolutely I am," Ryan said. "He shows it every day, in the classroom with his teammates, in the weight room. He's working as hard as anybody I've ever been around. It's just being around the other guys, I see him stepping up, challenging his teammates."