Mark Sanchez receives support from Jets owner Woody Johnson

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NEW YORK — Jets owner Woody Johnson defends embattled quarterback Mark Sanchez’s work ethic and says he thinks “everybody’s a little frustrated” after the team failed to make the playoffs.

Johnson, appearing on MSNBC on Thursday to discuss his support of Mitt Romney’s presidential campaign, says a Daily News report in which an anonymous player said Sanchez was “lazy” is off base. “He’s the first guy in the building every morning,” he said, “and the last guy to leave.”

It’s the first time Johnson has commented publicly since Rex Ryan’s team finished 8-8 and out of the postseason for the first time in three years.

“There is frustration,” Johnson said, “and that’s what you want.” He adds that the Jets have “a lot of work to do” to turn things around next season.