Can Mark Sanchez Lead The Philadelphia Eagles?
Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
The Philadelphia Eagles came away with a much needed win on Sunday against the Houston Texans, but an unlikely hero arose and sealed the W. That mysterious hero was backup Quarterback, Mark Sanchez. When starting QB Nick Foles broke his clavicle in the first half, Sanchez stepped in and delivered a win that would put the Philadelphia Eagles back in first place in the NFC East. With this impactful performance, can Mark Sanchez continue to lead the Eagles to the playoffs?
When Philadelphia Eagles Head Coach Chip Kelly decided to sign Mark Sanchez in the offseason, many scoffed and laughed at the move. Sanchez, once viewed as a franchise QB and was a first round draft pick, had faded into obscurity while he was a New York Jet. Mark Sanchez soon turned into a walking joke by all football fans. Whether it was the infamous “butt fumble”, his GQ Magazine photo shoots, or eating a hot dog on the sideline, fans and the media ripped him. Sanchez’s confidence was shot, his last years in New York were a living nightmare. The fans hated him, his coaches never had his back, and the team was flat out garbage.
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Things had boiled over when Jets Head Coach Rex Ryan put Sanchez back in a preseason game during the fourth quarter with the third string offensive line. Well, Sanchez blew out his shoulder and that was that. Chip Kelly isn’t Rex Ryan, Kelly knows the importance of the Quarterback position. It showed when Mark sliced up the Texans defense with relative ease on Sunday. This isn’t the Mark Sanchez of old. Sanchez seems to have regained that lost confidence that New York seemed to destroy. People forget that Sanchez led the Jets to two consecutive AFC Championship games. Mark’s skill didn’t just disappear, he still has it.
Can Mark Sanchez make all the throws? Yes. Does he have years of playoff experience? Yes. Can he run Chip Kelly’s offense with efficiency? Yes. There is no doubt in my mind that Sanchez can lead this team. At this point, Mark might even be a step up from Nick Foles erratic play. The Eagles offense is QB friendly, and Mark Sanchez has all the physical tools to spearhead the teams attack. If you can pick on Mark when he has blunders, then you should be able to give him praise when he steps up.
Without Mark Sanchez, the Philadelphia Eagles season might be over. That’s the honest truth. The same people who scoffed at the team for bringing him in this season should thank the football Gods, because the Eagles dodged a bullet. Mark looked as confident as ever on Sunday. It seemed like he’s been running Kelly’s offense for years. He showed great poise in the pocket, ran for first downs, found open players, and made a number of gorgeous throws. Unlike New York, Philadelphia has a scary amount of weapons for Sanchez to play with.
The Philadelphia Eagles new quarterback is Mark Sanchez. He was once forced into mediocrity by the city of New York, its fans, coaches, and media. He was once the butt of everyone’s jokes (no pun intended). He was once viewed as a washed up bust. But that’s over now, its 2014, not 2012. Mark Sanchez should be taken seriously because the Philadelphia Eagles looked pretty impressive at times on Sunday. While you’re laughing at his butt fumble highlight, Sanchez and the Eagles will be racking up wins. Mark Sanchez has all the talent, experience, and team to lead the Eagles. Sanchez isn’t a joke anymore, he’s the new QB of the Philadelphia Eagles.