ent is in the playoffs, where the Mocs lost in the second

MISSION VIEJO, Calif. -- If leadership counts for anything, New York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez might have a leg-up on teammate Geno Smith for the starting position. Sanchez has been the engineer of Jets West Camp, a three-day get-together at his former high school for several of his teammates, which concludes Saturday. The itinerary includes classroom work to study film and plays, as well as on-field passing drills. The camp has given some of Sanchezs teammates a chance to see him in a somewhat new role. "Hes kind of an extension of the coaching staff," said tight end Konrad Reuland. "It shows that hes taking the initiative and you always want that out of a leader. When we have our meetings, he runs the meetings. I think thats important. I think guys respect the fact that he puts this on. Hes done a good job with it." For Sanchez, its all about the competition and preparing for it. Being the star quarterback at Mission Viejo High School and USC helped him realize the importance of being prepared on the field, and building bonds off of it. The camps schedule included off-the-field activities that allowed the players to build a rapport and grow closer to each other. Thursdays extracurricular activity included go kart racing, while Fridays passing drills ended with a water-balloon toss. "Any time you spend time away from the (Jets training) facility to be out here with the guys is never a bad thing," Sanchez said. "Teams that are closer generally do pretty well. You just trust those players. You develop that rapport off the field." This is the fourth year that Jets West Camp has been held. It is strictly voluntary and Sanchez doesnt worry about who attends and who doesnt. One noticeable no-show was Smith, who remained in Florida. He claimed that he wasnt aware of the camp. Sanchez said he invited everyone. "I dont hold it against any of the guys that cant make it," he said. "I probably should have said that right away. There are no hard feelings about anything like that. "Guys are on vacation and some guys are getting married. Theyre doing stuff. There are plenty of other things they could be doing. If they can make the sacrifice and be here, awesome. If they cant, totally fine." Smith wasnt the only Jets quarterback to miss this weeks trip to Orange County. Greg McElroy and Matt Simms were also no-shows. That prompted Sanchez to call on USC quarterbacks Max Wittek and Cody Kessler -- the winners of the water-balloon contest -- to help out when he needed a break. Sanchez is aware that things havent gone his or the Jets way recently. Hes not hiding from the mistakes he has made on or off the field. That includes a recent video on which he was caught exposing his bare backside while dancing with two women. "The video is a little embarrassing but its a good reminder that youre in the spotlight and you need to be ever-watchful and careful of who youre with and what youre doing," he said. "Whether its harmless, whether youre in the privacy of your own setting, you feel like everything is fine and safe, youve just got to be careful. Thats just a good example of that." After last seasons 8-8 record, the Jets brought in a new general manager in John Idzik and a new offensive co-ordinator in Marty Mornhinweg. Shortly thereafter, Idzik announced that there would be a competition for the teams quarterback spot. "This is a league that changes very quickly," Sanchez said. "Its What have you done for me lately? "(On) teams that dont make the playoffs a couple of years in a row, coaches get fired, players get traded, things change, organizations blow up and start over. Were with a new regime, John Idzik wants a quarterback competition. Im still here, lets compete. Thats all I can control. Thats really what Im focused on. I cant worry about anything in the past except getting better from it and moving on." Sanchez is looking forward to the competition with Smith -- and to retaining his starting spot. "Any kind of competition is good," he added. "When it comes down to competition, I put my money on myself. I bet on myself and go play and go win the job." Hes not alone. Sanchezs teammates are equally as passionate about turning things around for the organization. They see Jets West Camp as a good place to start. "This is great because Im behind on offence," said tight end Kellen Winslow, who had 75 receptions in 2011 but played in only one game last season because of contractual issues. "I need to catch up. Im just coming in trying to be a piece of the puzzle, trying to make plays for the team. "In this league youve got to get better or youre just getting worse. Its all about repetition and getting better every day. Im lucky to have job. Im happy to be back."Yeezy 350 Nz . The (11-11-4) Jets are seventh in the Central Division with 26 points. Fifth place Dallas and sixth-seeded Nashville also have 26 points, but the Stars have three games in hand on Winnipeg while Nashville has two. Cheap Yeezy 350 Nz . -- Brandon Jennings made the most of his first game with the Detroit Pistons on Sunday night. http://www.wholesaleyeezy350nz.com/ . Already owning gold from competition in Vancouver in 2010, Loch posted a combined four-run time of 3:27.526. That included a track-record third run of 51. Wholesale Yeezy 350 Nz . The Brazilian goalkeeper signed a loan deal with the Major League Soccer club on Friday as he looks to get playing time ahead of this summers World Cup in his home country. Yeezy 350 Nz Online . The 18-year-old American had five birdies in her bogey-free round for a 17-under total of 196. Lee held the overnight lead but mixed three birdies with two bogeys for a 70.SPARTANBURG, S.C. -- Chattanooga coach Russ Huesman feels the Southern Conference took an unwarranted hit on its reputation a few years back, one it is ready to wipe away with a stable, improving league.The SoCon had been one of the countrys best Football Championship Subdivision leagues since college football split into Division I and Division I-AA more than three decades ago. Yet after FCS powers Appalachian State and Georgia Southern left the league to move up three years ago, Huesman thought few took the conference as seriously as before.Absolutely ridiculous, he said. Weve gotten a bad rap for a few years now.Expect that to change, Huesman said.His Mocs were picked to win a fourth straight SoCon football title by league coaches and media at the leagues preseason gathering Wednesday.Theres no doubt the league saw an overhaul in recent seasons. Georgia Southern reached the NCAA playoffs 11 times and won two national championships during their two decades in the league. Appalachian State was in 16 NCAA playoffs and won three straight FCS titles from 2005-07.The last time both Georgia Southern and Appalachian State made the playoffs in 2012 was also the last time the SoCon had three teams in the NCAA tournament. East Tennessee, Mercer and VMI -- whove combined for zero playoff appearances. VMI has not had a winning record since 1981. East Tennessee restarted football last fall after an absence of 11 years while Mercer went even longer between teams (no football from 1942 to 2012) before restoring the program.The changes may have cost the SoCon in the selection room. Western Carolina, at 7-4, was on the bubble last year for the 24-team field but was ultimately left out.Catamounts coach Mark Speir thought his team had done enough to get in, but ultimately let a bunch of men in Indianapolis decide whether we get to play anymore.Southern Conference commissioner John Iamarino understands the reluctance to buy into the leagues recent changes. He thinnks time and stability will ultimate sway doubters about the SoCons power.ddddddddddddWhen youre worried about realignment issues, it makes it harder on the coaches to recruit, Iamarino said. Weve got two programs that are very young and its just going to take some time to be successful.Maybe not that much time, said Western Carolinas Speir, who has spent all but three of his 26 football seasons coaching in the Southern Conference.From top to bottom, this league is as strong as its ever been, he said.Newbie Mercer toppled league champion Chattanooga last season while the Citadel returned to the NCAA playoffs for the first time since 1992, including a FBS victory over South Carolina of the Southeastern Conference.The Citadel was picked second to Chattanooga in coach and media voting. The rest of the coachs picks were Samford third, then Western Carolina, Mercer, Wofford, Furman, VMI and East Tennessee. The media selected Western Carolina third, then Mercer, Samford, Wofford, Furman, VMI and East Tennessee.Western Carolina running back Detrez Newsome was named the leagues preseason offensive player of the year while Chattanooga defensive lineman Keionta Davis got picked for player of the year honors on the other side of the ball.Huesman said his team is ready to contend with a strong league and build on what its done in recent seasons. An emphasis for improvement is in the playoffs, where the Mocs lost in the second round the past two seasons, and against FBS opponents, which Huesman said is where he and other SoCon teams can most strongly debunk the idea the SoCon has slipped.He pointed to the Citadels win over South Carolina and Furmans takedown of UCF last season as evidence that the conference is robust and ready to rumble with anyone in college football.I think thats going to help the league moving forward, he said. ' ' '