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AFC Championship notebook

He’s not bolting from custom wear

Associated Press / January 23, 2010

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Mark Sanchez is hoping lightning strikes twice.

The Jets’ rookie quarterback showed up at his news conference yesterday in Florham Park, N.J., wearing a black T-shirt with the word “Wonderboy’’ printed across the chest, complete with a silver lightning bolt.

“Yep, Roy Hobbs,’’ Sanchez said with a big smile.

Hobbs, of course, is the power-hitting character played by Robert Redford in the 1984 film, “The Natural.’’ The movie was based on Bernard Malamud’s 1952 novel of the same name in which Hobbs carves his beloved bat, “Wonderboy,’’ out of a tree that was split in half by a lightning bolt.

“I’ve had it for a while,’’ Sanchez said. “I’m wearing everything that could bring a little something good.’’

The Jets have been a superstitious bunch during their playoff run, which explains the scraggly beard Sanchez has been sporting the last few weeks. Even coach Rex Ryan has refused to cut his hair or wash a grease stain out of his sweat shirt.

Despite being confident and saying he believed his team should be favorites to win the Super Bowl, the fact the Jets are having an Internet presale for items with “AFC Champions’’ printed on them kind of caught Ryan by surprise.

“But the other teams are doing it, too . . . just so everybody is clear on that,’’ Ryan said. “But, I’ll be honest, I was like, ‘What? I like it, I like it.’ ’’

Sanchez is hoping for a Hollywood-type ending - you know, Hobbs style - complete with confetti and a trophy.

“Every time you start to daydream just makes it more real, makes it more fun, more exciting and makes you want to focus even more,’’ Sanchez said. “It’s been a fun week, but we need to end it well.’’

Ellis will wear cast
Jets defensive end Shaun Ellis and linebackers David Harris and Bart Scott are probable for tomorrow’s game despite being limited at practice yesterday with injuries. Ellis has a broken left hand that will be in a cast. He’ll have surgery after the game, whether the Jets win or lose. “I’m just going to go out there and see how I adjust,’’ Ellis said. “I’m not going to go out there and be a handicap to the team. If something’s not going right, I’ll just come out.’’ Harris (right ankle) and Scott (left ankle) were not noticeably hobbled during practice. Safety Kerry Rhodes was a full participant after bumping his right knee in practice Thursday . . . Colts cornerback Jerraud Powers missed his third straight practice and is questionable for tomorrow. The rookie starter appeared to hurt his left foot in last Saturday’s victory over Baltimore. If Powers can’t play, coach Jim Caldwell has said rookie Jacob Lacey would start in his place.

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