Mark Sanchez Moves Into Starting Lineup

The Jets have made a decision that could foreshadow a permanent solution to their quarterback conundrum.

Quarterback Mark Sanchez, New York's first-round pick in the 2009 draft, will start the team's Aug. 24 preseason game against the Ravens, it was announced on Sunday.

The goal this summer was to bring Sanchez along slowly -- if he happened to beat out Kellen Clemens for the starting job, so be it.

Clemens started New York's preseason opener, a 23-20 loss to the Rams Friday night, and finished 4-of-4 for 24 yards with a lost fumble in two series.

Sanchez played just one series on Friday. After entering the game with 28 seconds left in the first quarter, he threw a nice 48-yard pass to David Clowney. Sanchez then hit tight end Dustin Keller on a pair of passes for 40 yards, setting up a Thomas Jones touchdown.

Sanchez was the better quarterback on Friday night, though Clemens didn't do anything wrong.

"That kind of goes back to what we said earlier," Clemens said Sunday. "[The rotation is] a predetermined plan. Mark is a very talented player. I am in a competition with a guy who obviously has some pretty serious ability. I don't rank myself all that low, either."

Next Monday night is a good test for Sanchez -- the Ravens shut the Redskins out Thursday, 23-0, holding the Washington offense to just 196 total yards and only 2.9 yards per carry. The Redskins' first-team offense, led by quarterback Jason Campbell, went 0-for-2 on third downs. Campbell did hit on passes of 12, 11 and 15 yards.

"I have my work cut out for me," Sanchez said. "And that's why it wouldn't be right of me or anyone at my position to make this the make-or-break game. It's not that way at all. [Just] be relaxed and poised and play and go through my checks and my reads just like I have and build on that last game."