Mark Sanchez zipped passes all over the field with precision Saturday, looking very much like the franchise quarterback the New York Jets expect him to be.

That doesn't necessarily mean the starting job is Sanchez's to lose -- yet.

Both coach Rex Ryan and offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer have praised Sanchez's work ethic and poise during rookie minicamp. But the two also have been quick to point out that holdover Kellen Clemens has performed well in offseason workouts.

"He has the head start and he is clearly ahead in terms of the system," Schottenheimer said of Clemens. "Not that Mark is doing badly at all, he is doing well. But things that come natural to Kellen, Sanchez has to think about."

Clemens, entering his fourth season, will compete with Sanchez for the starting job and appears to have his work cut out for him. The Jets traded up to get the fifth overall pick and draft Sanchez, whom they targeted early in the scouting process.

"I'm looking forward to watching these guys compete," Schottenheimer said.

Sanchez has been solid in all four rookie camp practices, particularly in Saturday afternoon's session when he completed his first six throws in 7-on-7 drills.

"Going through the cadence everyday and saying the calls over and over again helps," Sanchez said. "It's going to be that repetition that really makes me feel comfortable."

After calling an impromptu meeting of the offensive rookies Thursday night, Sanchez met with the offensive line Friday night.

"We had extra time and the bus wasn't leaving yet," Sanchez said, "so we just all got together instead of sitting around staring at each other and watched a little film."

Sanchez has impressed Ryan with that kind of leadership, as well as his ability to retain increased amounts of the playbook.

"I think so far, so good," Ryan said. "Once we put in two straight weeks of it, day-in, day-out, we'll see if it's overwhelming to him, but right now clearly it's not."

Schottenheimer has liked Sanchez's accuracy, but also is surprised by his feet.

"He has very, very good footwork," Schottenheimer said. "He has quick feet. ... He's ahead of the game with most college quarterbacks that I have been around in terms of footwork. That clearly gives him an advantage in terms of accuracy."

Maualuga earning fans in Cincinnati

On his first night in town, Rey Maualuga realized he was already popular. The Cincinnati Bengals did a teleconference with nearly 5,000 season-ticket holders, who got a chance to ask questions of the top draft picks. Who got the most questions? The linebacker from Southern California, by far.

When the Bengals took him with the 38th overall pick, Maualuga was angry that he had dropped to the second round. When he flew to Cincinnati for a weekend rookie minicamp, he was still stinging over the perceived slight. It didn't take him long to get over it.

"I was upset, but that was the immature part of myself," he said. "I didn't think about the team and the fans and everybody out there that was ecstatic that I was here. I apologize for not being too happy then. I thank the fans for having me in open arms."

There's a reason for the outpouring. In the past two drafts, the Southern California linebacker tradition has delivered what the Bengals needed most.

Marvin Lewis has been trying to acquire a tone-setting linebacker throughout his six-year run as head coach. So far, he's come up empty. There's been nobody like Ray Lewis, who led his record-setting defense in Baltimore.

Lewis thought he'd finally gotten his wish when the Bengals drafted David Pollack and Odell Thurman with their first two picks in 2005, but Pollack broke his neck and Thurman was repeatedly in trouble. Pollack had to retire, and Thurman was released before last season when he returned from a suspension.

Maybe this time the Bengals will get it right.

They drafted Keith Rivers from USC with their first pick last year, and took his former teammate with their second-round choice this year. Rivers broke his jaw on a hit from Pittsburgh's Hines Ward in the seventh game last season, but has fully recovered.

Rivers and Maualuga could be bookend 'backers next to middle linebacker Dhani Jones. Maualuga, who played middle linebacker at Southern Cal, practiced at outside linebacker during minicamp, a new spot for him.

"I don't have any reservations about how good he can be," Lewis said.

Bengals fans are hoping that he turns into the type of impact player that Troy Polamalu became for the Steelers. Both have a Samoan heritage and a reputation for making hits that can change a game.

"I've got a long way to go to get to where he's at right now," Maualuga said. "From Day 1 until I'm done playing football, I'll work my butt off to do what I can and become a name that everybody will remember."