Howard’s Point of View
The Philadelphia Eagles are now 6-2 after their win over the Houston Texas on Sunday, Nov. 2, the Eagles are currently in first place in the NFC East. That’s the good news. The bad news is that injuries continue to plague the Birds. Starting linebacker Demeco Ryans is out for the season with an Achilles injury. But the biggest story is the broken collarbone injury that will sideline starting quarterback Nick Foles for at least a month.
Nick Foles has shown great glimpses of potential throughout the season, but it has been overshadowed by interceptions and costly turnovers. Despite a 6-2 record, the fans of Philadelphia have voiced their displeasure with Foles by wanting to see what back-up quarterback Mark Sanchez can do.
A former starter for the New York Jets, Sanchez has a few years of experience in the NFL. This showed in the Eagles win over the Houston Texans when Sanchez was able to step in off the bench and lead the Eagles to a 31-21 victory. Sanchez threw for 202 yards and two touchdowns in three full quarters but threw two interceptions as well. To be fair, one of the interceptions was due to a dropped pass by rookie wide receiver Josh Huff that fell into the hands of Texans defensive back Jumal Rolle.
Overall, Sanchez performed very well against J.J. Watt and the Houston defense, but those turnovers shouldn’t be overlooked. Fans were becoming restless with the development of young Foles and wanted to see Sanchez in action. It’s safe to say they got what they wanted. Some believe that Sanchez is the answer to the Eagles problems. But that is not necessarily true.
Yes, in his time in New York, Sanchez helped the Jets advance to the AFC championship game in each of his first two seasons. However, we must remember the Jet’s defense both years were ranked in the top five for total yards allowed; they carried that team.
May I remind you that in the 2012 season in his last year as a starting quarterback, Sanchez not only had the worst quarterback rating in the NFL at 66.9, but in NFL history as well. This same guy that Philadelphia fans are excited about is the same quarterback that has thrown 70 touchdowns to 71 interceptions in his career.
Has Foles had trouble with interceptions this season? Yes, no doubt about it. But a 70 touchdown to 71 interception ratio is unacceptable. Those are lows that even Foles has not reached. Eagles fans should slow down before they get on the Sanchez bandwagon.
Despite Foles struggles, he has put up some good numbers. A healthy Foles is what this Eagles’ team needs. No disrespect to the infamous “butt fumble” Sanchez. We can bash Nick Foles and blame him for some of the Eagles struggles, but before his injury, he lead the Eagles to a 5-2 record, tied for second best in the NFL.
Sanchez can have success in this offense because he is familiar with what it takes to win games as a starting quarterback in this league. But Sanchez has proven through his numbers over his six-year career that he isn’t a reliable starter. Therefore over time it wouldn’t be surprising to see his success plummet.
The Birds are not looking to miss a beat with Sanchez as they get set to take on the Carolina Panthers on Monday Night.
Jason’s Point of View
After defeating the Houston Texans 31-21 on Sunday, Nov. 2, the Philadelphia Eagles are now 6-2 and are currently in first place in NFC East. During the game the Eagles suffered injures to starting middle linebacker Demeco Ryans, with a torn Achilles who is out for the season and starting quarterback Nick Foles who broke his collarbone. Foles will be side-lined for a month.
The injury to Ryans could prove to be a disaster to not only the Eagles defense, but to the team as well. Not only did the Eagles lose their defensive captain but they also lost their quarterback Foles. He has 13 touchdowns 10 interceptions and 2,163 yards this season. Foles has not lived up to this year’s expectations coming off a season where he threw 27 touchdowns with two interceptions and 2,891 yards.
Stepping in for Nick Foles will be backup quarterback Mark Sanchez, former New York Jets starter. Sanchez who is infamous for the hilarious butt-fumble, stepped into Sunday’s game and led the Eagles to a 31-21 win, where Sanchez threw two touchdowns, two interceptions -one of which was a bobbled pass by rookie receiver Josh Huff- and 202 yards.
In the win, Sanchez performed like a true starting quarterback leading the Eagles to a win with the team not skipping a beat.
With the poor play of Foles as of late, some fans have demanded a change at the quarterback position, seems that some fans will now get what they want.
While in New York, Sanchez in his first two years 2009, 2010 in the NFL, helped anchor the New York Jets to two consecutive AFC Championship games. Some may believe that Sanchez did nothing to help the team, that it was the top five ranked defense that did all the work, but those who believe that are mistaken.
In 2009 Sanchez threw 12 touchdowns, 20 interceptions and 2,444 yards with a quarterback rating of 63.0 and reached the AFC Championship game. Sanchez’s numbers topped all rookie qbs including, Matthew Stafford of the Detroit Lions and Josh Freeman former Buccaneers quarterback. While in 2010 Sanchez threw 17 touchdowns, 13 interceptions and 3,291 yards with a 75.8 quarterback rating and another trip to the AFC Championship. In 2011 Sanchez posted another 3,000+ yard season with 26 touchdowns and 18 interceptions with a 78.6 quarterback rating.
Sanchez has shown that he is a capable quarterback when given the offensive weapons.
The more mobile Sanchez will be able to run Head Coach Chip Kelly’s spread no-huddle offense better, Sanchez has better mobility than Nick Foles.
Yes, Sanchez has had his blunders and poor performances, but that is a product of the Jets trying to make Sanchez do to much with no offensive weapons.
In the Eagles high powered offense, Sanchez will shine like a star. He is able to roam the pocket because he is a mobile quarterback, and has showed he is able to hit targets on the mark when given the right weapons.
Mark Sanchez will have great success if not more success in this high powered spread no-huddle offense than Foles has had. Sanchez will show fans and the NFL on Monday Night Football, that he is more than just a “butt fumble”, but a serious quarter back in this league and not someone who should be in the shadow of Nick Foles.
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