Sanchez Ready For His Chance
By Ed Benkin
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Mark Sanchez knew it would likely take an injury for his second chance in the NFL. Now, Sanchez is looking to make the most of his opportunity.
A collarbone injury has sidelined Nick Foles for the next six to eight weeks, so Sanchez is now the Eagles starting quarterback. Sanchez didn't want to see Foles get injured, but the ball is now in his hands as the Eagles begin the second half of the season.
"Everybody wants to play," said Sanchez. "I'm excited about the opportunity to play. I'm not excited about the way it happened. Who knows how else I could have gotten in, but I'm thrilled about the opportunity. I just want to make the most of it and help the team."
Sanchez played well in relief of Foles last Sunday, and also performed well in the preseason. Sanchez said he prepared for each game as if he would be playing, and doesn't plan to change his approach now that he is the starter. The former Jet quarterback said he has settled into Chip Kelly's system.
"I feel comfortable with everything we've been doing," Sanchez said. "I've gotten plenty of reps during OTAs and camp, so I'll be ready to go."
Sanchez received his share of criticism in New York and it was clear last season it was time for Sanchez to move on from the Jets. Offensive Coordinator Pat Shurmur was quick to point out how Sanchez quarterbacked the Jets to two AFC Championship games, and insisted the Eagles didn't believe much of the negativity surrounding Sanchez.
"Mark came in the building and we started working with him," said Shurmur. "All the things that we knew and thought were going to show up showed up. We don't worry about that. If we worried about what everybody said outside the building, we would be absolutely out of our minds."
The Eagles believed they had found a more than capable backup when they signed Sanchez in the off-season. Sanchez will get the chance to prove it beginning next Monday when the Eagles host the Carolina Panthers.
"I think Coach Kelly is going to put me in a good position," Sanchez said. "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."
On the other side of the ball, Defensive Coordinator Bill Davis said Emanuel Acho and Casey Matthews would both see time at linebacker in place of DeMeco Ryans. Ryans was placed on injured reserve earlier in the week.
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