Mark Sanchez is just getting started with the New York Jets — he hasn't even signed a contract yet — and he already is under enormous pressure.

The former Southern California star not only must meet massive expectations in the media capital of America — where your every move, on and off the field, is tabloid fodder — but he also has a rising rookie-quarterback standard to measure himself against.

Rookie success used to be an extreme rarity at the QB position. But recent rookie stars such as Matt Ryan, Joe Flacco and Ben Roethlisberger have changed that perception.

Where do they fit in among the best rookie quarterbacks of all time? Here are our top dozen precocious pro passers:

12. Jeff George (Indianapolis, 1990)

Before he was a Falcon (and a Raider and a Viking and a Redskin), George flashed star potential as a Colts rookie, passing for 2,252 yards and 16 TDs (against 13 interceptions). George had a golden arm but lacked the leadership ability to become a franchise QB.

11. Joe Namath (N.Y. Jets, 1965)

From the Amazing Statistics Department: Namath's rookie year was one of only two times in his career that he posted a positive touchdown-to-interception ratio (18-15). If only that were the only legacy Sanchez had to live up to.

10. Peyton Manning (Indianapolis, 1998)

Yeah, he threw 28 interceptions. But he also started every game and set NFL rookie records for yards (3,739), attempts (575), completions (326), touchdown passes (26) and consecutive games with at least one TD pass (13). And he hasn't been too shabby since.

9. Joe Flacco (Baltimore, 2008)

Many view Flacco as a mere caretaker on a team that relied primarily on its defense to reach the AFC title game. But Flacco wasn't exactly Kyle Boller, either, completing 60 percent of his passes with a positive TD-INT ratio (14-12).

8. Jim Plunkett (New England, 1971)

Before he became a Super Bowl champion with the Raiders, Plunkett withstood regular poundings with the Patriots. His rookie season was his best before the Raiders resurrection, featuring 19 touchdown passes and 210 rushing yards.

7. Greg Cook (Cincinnati, 1969)

Cook is one of the NFL's all-time one-year wonders. He threw 15 TD passes for the Bengals with gaudy averages of 9.4 yards per attempt and 17.5 yards per completion. But an initially untreated arm injury proved career-ending; Cook attempted only three more passes, in 1973, before retiring.

6. Fran Tarkenton (Minnesota, 1961)

Tarkenton had many "That's Incredible!" moments as the scrambling, playmaking rookie QB of the expansion Vikings. Minnesota was just 3-11, but Tarkenton did his part under trying circumstances, throwing 18 TD passes and rushing for 308 yards and five scores.

5. Vince Young (Tennessee, 2006)

The NFL's passer rating doesn't account for rushing yards or victories, so ignore Young's 66.7 rookie mark. He ran for 552 yards and seven TDs and led the Titans who started 0-3 and were 4-12 the previous season to an 8-5 record as a starter.

4. Matt Ryan (Atlanta, 2008)

Ryan's first NFL pass was a 62-yard touchdown to Michael Jenkins, and the Boston College product was just getting started. Ryan led the Falcons to an 11-5 record (they were 4-12 in 2007), passing for 3,440 yards and 16 touchdowns and raising the bar for the next batch of rookie QBs (yes, that means you, Sanchez).

3. Charlie Conerly (N.Y. Giants, 1948)

This NFL Rookie of the Year, right, pictured with Frank Gifford, put up amazing numbers at a time when pro football was still figuring out the forward pass. Conerly had a 22-13 touchdown-to-interception ratio; by comparison, Hall of Famer Sammy Baugh's was 22-23 that year. Conerly also punted 17 times for a 39.9-yard average.

2. Dan Marino (Miami, 1983)

The gold standard for rookie quarterbacks ... yet not No. 1? The main argument against Marino is that he started only nine games. But man, was he spectacular when he played: 20 TDs (against 6 INTs), a 58.4 percent completion rate, a 96.0 rating and a 7-2 record. The following year, Marino obliterated just about every passing record there is.

1. Ben Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh, 2004)

Sure, Roethlisberger had a great support system in place with a hard-hitting defense and a hard-charging run game. But it's hard to argue against a 13-0 regular-season record as a starter. Or a 66.4 completion percentage. Or a 17-11 TD-INT ratio. Or a 98.1 rating. As an encore, Roethlisberger helped the Steelers win two Super Bowls in the past four seasons.