Eagles Prepare To Have Mark Sanchez At The Helm
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Sam Bradford has yet to be ruled out for Sunday's game, but all signs point to Mark Sanchez starting.
Bradford suffered a concussion in Sunday's loss to Miami. Several reports say Bradford will be out for the Eagles' next two games. The team has not made a Sanchez start official, but Bradford was on the sidelines during practice on Tuesday. If Sanchez is under center on Sunday, players such as Riley Cooper have complete confidence in the man they call the "Sanchize".
"I feel confident that Mark is going to run our offense efficiently," said Cooper. "I like the way he runs the offense. He loves everyone to get up to the line and he does a really good job of it. I feel confident he will run the offense very effectively and efficiently."
Sanchez had some success with the offense last season, but was also starting when the Eagles collapsed down the stretch. However, many of the other offensive players spoke highly of Sanchez, and Offensive Lineman Lane Johnson admitted there is a bit of a faster pace with Sanchez at the helm.
"Mark's probably a bit more conscious of the tempo," Johnson said. "He may go with a little bit faster pace. The tempo may be a little bit faster."
While the pace may be different with Sanchez running the offense, Offensive Coordinator Pat Shurmu insists the system will remain the same. Shurmur made it clear the offense doesn't need any major changes if Sanchez is forced to play against Tampa Bay.
"It'll be the same offense," said Shurmur. "We'll kind of just veer towards some of the things that whoever is in there might do better, but it's virtually the same offense."
No matter who is playing quarterback for the Eagles, the team can ill-afford the type of mistakes which cost them a victory last Sunday against Miami. With Sanchez, Shurmur believes it comes down to making the right decisions in critical situations.
"I think Mark is very aggressive" Shurmur said. "He's very aggressive with his throws. I think it's always important to match that aggressiveness with staying in the moment, and matching the situation that kind of reveals itself within each play."