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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." 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Durant finished with 24 points and 13 rebounds, Jackson matched his career high with 23 points on 10-of-14 shooting and Lamb scored 12 points on 5-of-7 shooting, lifting the Thunder to a 94-88 win over San Antonio and snapping the Spurs 11-game winning streak. The memory of how Michigan lost to Michigan State last season is one of those indelible moments that never goes away.Only 10 seconds away from winning, the Wolverines watched punter Blake ONeill bobble a snap and inexplicably fumble the ball into the arms of Michigan States Jalen Watts-Jackson, who returned the ball 38 yards for the winning score as time expired.The Spartans insane 27-23 victory marked their seventh victory in the last eight meetings with the Wolverines. The teams meet again Saturday in East Lansing (Noon ET, ESPN) and the Michigan players are certainly anticipating the opportunity to exact revenge.Senior safety Dymonte Thomas was on the punt team and has replayed last seasons final play in his mind countless times.I was on the field when that play happened, Thomas said after last weeks 41-8 trouncing of Illinois. I just couldnt believe what took place, and we had that bye week after, and during that whole bye week thats the only thing I thought about. I couldnt think about anything else and couldnt wait to get revenge.Next Saturday, weve got our chance and our opportunity, and so Im just excited and ready to go out and play with these guys. I love my teammates, and I love the way that we are playing together, and its going to be fun playing next Saturday, especially since its a rivalry game.Michigan State (2-5, 0-4 Big Ten) has endured a down season to reduce the luster of this seasons matchup. The Spartans have lost five consecutive games, including four by double digits.The college football power in the state has seemingly switched hands with the Wolverines (7-0, 4-0) ranked second in the nation in only their second season under coach Jim Harbaugh.But Harbaugh isnt about to view the Spartans as anything but a super dangerous opponent.It doesnt matter whats happened before this week. For us or for our opponent, it never does, Harbaugh said at a press conference. (What matters) is what happens on the game day. We know the task in front of us. We know the challenge.Its up to us to go out there and prepare for that game so we can go out there and be confident, execute and have a chance to be successful.The Michigan State players know they are viewed as disappointments but also are aware that ending the current slide againnst their main rivals would be particularly sweet.ddddddddddddAnd a good number of them, such as senior linebacker Riley Bullough, have never walked off the field a loser against the Wolverines.Bulloughs lineage of family members as Spartans includes older and younger brothers, uncles, his father and a grandfather.Ive been watching this game ever since I can remember, obviously been a Spartan fan my entire life, and growing up, it seems like it was Michigans game, Bullough said at a press conference. They were in control of the series when I was young, but thats kind of turned in the last few years, so to kind of be a part of that has meant a tremendous amount to me.So this game is huge for us this week and our entire season, I think, so were going to go out and play hard and do everything we can to get a win.Bullough was ejected for targeting in last weeks 28-17 loss to Maryland as Michigan States woes continued.We need to stay together, and we need to understand that we lost the football game, not one specific person, we lost the football game, Spartans coach Mark Dantonio said. If we can at least all accept responsibility in that, then I think we all move forward.Redshirt freshman Brian Lewerke will be the starting quarterback, making his third career start against perhaps the toughest defense in the nation.Michigan allowed only 172 yards against Illinois, marking the fourth straight game that the unit gave up fewer than 200 yards.The Wolverines rank first in the nation in scoring defense (10.0 points per game), total defense (207.0 yards per game), passing defense (111) and third-down conversion defense (13 percent). Michigan also ranks fourth in rushing defense at 96.0.Its a tribute to all of our hard work in the spring and the summer, cornerback Jourdan Lewis said. Its paying off right now, the fruits of our labor.Sophomore outside linebacker Jabrill Peppers, who has 10 tackles for losses, continues to dabble on offense while flashing his gamebreaking return skills.Sophomore quarterback Wilton Speight has thrown 13 touchdowns and been intercepted only twice for an offense averaging 48.7 points per game. ' ' '