On Monday, November 10, Mark Sanchez threw for over 300 yards and two touchdowns. In 2014. For the Philadelphia Eagles.
What?
It was an odd sight, and for good reason – Mark Sanchez was the joke of sports for an inordinately long time. We’ll do a quick run-through: the shirtless posing, the head scratching interceptions, the naked pictures, and the glorious, glorious Butt Fumble. Yet, here he was, playing meaningful football for the first time in two years.
People seem to forget that Sanchez was the starting quarterback for a Jets team that went to two straight AFC championships and were the first team to give Tom Brady and Co. actual trouble in a long time. He wasn’t a world-beater by any means. But for a guy in his first two years in the league, he was more than competent enough to lead a playoff-caliber offense.
His final few years in New York were as ugly as could be for a quarterback. He didn’t just look bad – he looked downright awful. His head was routinely called for, and he was dumped unceremoniously after spending a whole year on the bench.
Sanchez seemed headed for NFL anonymity before the Eagles signed him for peanuts this offseason. It was a mildly interesting signing, if you’re the kind of person interested by backup quarterbacks. He was to back up newly-minted savior Nick Foles and mentor a fellow USC quarterback, Matt Barkley. He’d refine his clipboard carrying technique and get into some blowouts to show that he could still play.
Then, last week, Nick Foles was carted off with a broken clavicle, an injury that’s going to keep him out for at least two months. Sanchez came in and threw for 200 yards and 2 touchdowns in limited time, leading the Eagles to a victory over Houston. He also threw two interceptions, though one bounced off of a receiver’s hands.
The second one was indefensible, and that’s what scares people. Everyone’s excited to see a success story, until Sanchez starts to falter – then the jokes and ridicule can restart.
But there are real reasons to think we’re seeing a new version of Mark Sanchez. He’s in an offense which takes most of the decision-making out of his hands, and any quarterback can play well in an offense that calls for mid-range, high percentage passes. He can move in the pocket with the best of them, and though he’s prone to untimely turnovers and some funky throws, he’s still got an absolute cannon.
To make a long story short: the Sanchize hath returned.
Bernstein is a member of the class of 2018.
