Simply put, 2009 is a seller’s market for quarterbacks. The demand far exceeds the supply, and quality is relative. It’s the same reason why Hardee's continue to thrive along the rest areas of the New Jersey Turnpike.

Factor in the success that rookies Matt Ryan and Joe Flacco enjoyed this season, and you have to believe that the trend in NFL war rooms is to go to battle with a rookie. Or at least to draft one early. Ryan signed for six years and $72 million, and don’t you think that Sanchez already knows that?

Next year? Sam Bradford. Colt McCoy. Dan LeFevour of Central Michigan and Rusty Smith of Florida Atlantic may also be out there, as may be Houston’s Case Keenum, who led the nation in total offense this season. And there’s always Tim Tebow. The quarterback section of the NFL combine would remind Sanchez of the I-10 at rush hour.

Decision-making ability is what sets outstanding quarterbacks apart from merely athletic ones. In making the choice that he has, Sanchez exercised maturity, demonstrated wisdom. Next fall he’ll come home each weekday to a somewhat lonely townhouse that will be mostly barren except for a king-sized bed, an overstuffed leather couch and/or recliner, and a Jumbotron-sized plasma television. His life will actually be a lot less exciting than it is now — Will Ferrell and Snoop Dogg won’t be making cameos at practice — and the victories won’t come so easy.

However, in terms of maximizing his financial potential, Sanchez is making the right decision. And if he does not start next season? Or the year after that? Well, Cassell did not start until his fourth NFL season and Leinart, currently in his third season with the Arizona Cardinals, is holding the clipboard in Sunday’s NFL conference championship game.

And those two? They used all four years of their eligibility.

Fight on, Sanchez.

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