Ex-Jet Mark Sanchez excited about first start for Eagles
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Mark Sanchez throws during the third quarter of an NFL football game against the Houston Texans, Sunday, Nov. 2, 2014, in Houston. Credit: AP / Tony Gutierrez
Former Jet Mark Sanchez, now the Eagles' starting quarterback in place of the injured Nick Foles, looks back at his career in New York as a great learning experience.
"There's a ton of experience in there in those five years, and the most important thing is to eliminate the mistakes that happened then,'' Sanchez said Wednesday as he prepared for Monday night's game against the Panthers at Lincoln Financial Field.
"I think coach [Chip] Kelly is going to put me in a good position, and it's my job to make the right decisions. I'm thrilled about the opportunity and I'm excited about moving forward with this team.''
Sanchez replaced Foles, who suffered a broken collarbone, Sunday against the Texans and led the Eagles to a 31-21 win. Sanchez completed 15 of 22 passes for 202 yards, with two touchdowns and two interceptions.
Sanchez, the Jets' first-round pick (fifth overall) in 2009, helped the Jets to back-to-back appearances in the AFC Championship Game in his first two seasons. He did not make the playoffs the next two years and suffered a season-ending shoulder injury in last year's preseason game against the Giants. He signed a one-year deal with the Eagles during the offseason to replace backup Michael Vick, who signed a one-year contract with the Jets.
Sanchez had appeared to win the starting job with the Jets before getting hurt. He was replaced by rookie Geno Smith.
"It's been a while since I started a game,'' said Sanchez, whose last start came on Dec. 30, 2012. "And that's hard going four straight years playing and then being out a year, not even being able to practice, then watching somebody else play. It tests you a little bit. It makes you appreciate it even more and makes you want to play all that much better when you get in there.''
Bob Glauber retired in 2022 after covering the NFL for nearly 40 years. He was selected in 2021 for the Bill Nunn Career Achievement Award by the Pro Football Writers of America, and is a three-time winner of the New York State Sportswriter of the Year by the National Sports Media Association. President of the PFWA for the 2018-20 seasons, he is the author of “The Forgotten First” and “Guts and Genius.”
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