Mark Sanchez Practices (Screaming) In Front of a Mirror

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- There are so many things a rookie quarterback -- even one as hyped as Mark Sanchez -- can do better. He can be more accurate, less nervous, a quicker learner...any number of things.

Sanchez's coach wants him to be louder.

Jets coach Rex Ryan said Tuesday that one of the things Sanchez needs to work on in his preseason competition with Kellen Clemens for the team's starting quarterback job is his voice -- specifically the way in which he uses it to try and draw defenses offsides. Sanchez said today he was getting the message, and getting better.

"Just judging by the no-huddle situation [Wednesday], I felt like I was really in command," Sanchez said after the first of two practices at Jets mandatory minicamp. "Whereas before, I might have been a little quiet because I didn't want to say anything wrong. But now I'm going to go play, be myself, have fun and let the ball go. I felt more comfortable with that today. I've been in the hotel room, screaming into the mirror and getting things going. It's getting better every day."

Sanchez said he was looking forward to next week's rookie OTAs, when he'd be able to run drills and run an offense with Clemens nowhere to be seen. Not that he doesn't like having Clemens around, but he does want to win the job.

Ryan, in fact, said he's been amazed by how well Sanchez and Clemens have worked together, to the point where one will actually criticize receivers for running poor routes for the other.

"I don't know that I've ever actually seen that before," Ryan said. "But it's great. They're pulling for each other, and they also understand that this competition is going to make them both better."