EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — As he was calling the signals for his first NFL play, Mark Sanchez’s mouthpiece fell out.

Sanchez recalled somebody laughing. He thought it was someone on the St. Louis defense, although he said, “it might have been someone on our team.”
No matter. Like a versatile actor, Sanchez showed he can switch from comedy to drama in an instant.
The rookie quarterback from Southern California threw a 48-yard completion to David Clowney on Sanchez’s first NFL preseason play, sparking the Jets’ only touchdown drive of the first half. They lost to St. Louis, 23-20, in the preseason opener for both teams at Giants Stadium.
Sanchez may have taken another step forward in his ongoing position battle with Kellen Clemens, although coach Rex Ryan said he was “really happy” with all three quarterbacks who played, including third-stringer Erik Ainge.
Ryan also wouldn’t commit to starting Sanchez at Baltimore on Aug. 24 in the Jets’ next preseason game, saying only, “we’ll see.”
Sanchez finished 3-for-4 for 88 yards, while Clemens was 4-for-4 for 24 yards in two series preceding Sanchez’s appearance. Clemens directed the Jets to a field goal, but it was Sanchez who got them in the end zone with an eight-play, 93-yard drive started by his completion to Clowney. The Jets were backed up at their own 7, yet offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer gave Sanchez a chance to make a big play.
“It worked out right, exactly the way we wanted it to,” said Sanchez, a California native who had his family in the crowd. “Obviously, I was ready to handle it.”
But Sanchez cautioned: “It’s still very early. There’s a lot of work to do.”
As for whether he’ll start against the Ravens, Sanchez said, “Who knows? That’s up to Coach Ryan. I think Kellen did a good job as well.”
Sanchez used a pump fake to tight end Dustin Keller to allow Clowney to beat single coverage by Justin King on a go route, and Sanchez said Clowney ran a “great route.”
Later on that drive, Sanchez hit Keller over the middle for 15 yards and on third-and-10 from the 28, he again connected with Keller, this time for 26 yards.
Two plays later, Thomas Jones vaulted over from 1 yard for a touchdown and a 10-3 lead with 11:40 left in the second quarter.
That was Sanchez’s only series. Ryan indicated he didn’t want to risk using him further, considering the Jets were without three starting offensive linemen.
Ryan added, “I think (Sanchez) showed us everything we needed to see.”
Clemens wasn’t as flashy, but was effective in his two series, except for one play.
The first series of the game ended when right tackle Wayne Hunter, filling in for Damien Woody (head), allowed a strip sack to Leonard Little. James Hall recovered at the Jets’ 27 to set up a field goal.
“I had a little pressure from the front side,” Clemens said. “I have to do a better job of protecting (the ball) and stepping up into the pocket.
“I thought overall it was a good starting point for us offensively,” Clemens said.
Clowney, who impressed in the first two preseason games last year before suffering a broken clavicle, picked up where he left off. He had three receptions for 102 yards, including a 50-yard touchdown on play-action from Ainge in the fourth quarter.