Podcast: Quarterback Mark Sanchez
From Tampa, Florida
Thanks to the folks at Gatorade, I got a chance to sit down and talk to Southern Cal quarterback Mark Sanchez. He’s rated either No. 1 or No. 2 among quarterbacks coming out of the college ranks this year and headed to the NFL.
So, it wasn’t a surprise that Sanchez asked me more questions than I asked him. He wanted to know all about the Chiefs and who the head coach was going to be. Sanchez met Tony Gonzalez for the first time on Thursday night in Tampa and got an earful from the Chiefs tight end as well.
I can tell you already that he’s a very polished young man when it comes to dealing with the media and the stuff that comes from being the in the spotlight quarterback. Very intelligent answers, well spoken and polite.
The kid has those tools to make it big. The question the Chiefs and 31 other teams must address is whether he has the physical and mental tools to be a successful NFL quarterback. That’s all coming up with the NFL Combine, workouts and then April’s NFL Draft.
My first question to Sanchez was whether he was prepared to start his career with a football team that will likely not be very good. Here’s what he had to say:
You can sometimes tell a great deal simply by the way a person talks, uses the language, his voice inflections and in Sanchez’s case, I agree, all signs are green and go. In that short interview he showed maturity, and he displayed a humble persona.
I like the fact that he also showed confidence that he’s up to the task of leadership. (Excellent question posed by Bob on that score). Sanchez more than passes my character test at this early stage and that is indeed something for the Chiefs to strongly consider.
Rip ‘em, did you happen to hear Stafford on the radio today? He was very impressive.
He also has some pretty big names in his corner Staubach and Aichman(?)
His old man was on too, impressive man in his own right.
Stafford will more than likely be a Lion. But, Sanchez will still be sitting there at #3. It’ll be interesting to see if the Chiefs grab him, pick up a free agent QB, or stick with what they have.
Interesting…I was reading where Matt Cassell will actually make MORE than Brady this year if they put the franchise tag on him.
I was impressed with both QB’s not sure if both were sitting at 3 which I would want to get picked think I would have to look at alot of tape. As much as I’d like to see the Chiefs go Defense and get some high intensity guy I wouldn’t be too disappointed in a Stafford or Sanchez pick. Also I don’t think both will be there Detroit will more than likely grab a QB if anybody suffered more at the QB position than the Chiefs this season it was Detroit although they have more holes than the Chiefs do. So Scott yes it will be interesting and as this Pioli era is going we will not be getting leaks as to which way they are heading.
JohnNDallas,
No I failed to hear the Stafford interview but have heard him do sideline mini-interviews in the past. I agree that he too, seems to ‘get it’.
I suspect if the Chiefs go QB, it will come down to which one falls to #3 and the grade they have on the guy.
Nice young men the both of them, but I would rather not take either and wait tell next year and get McCoy with a top 5-8 pick that we will more than likely have. There will be several next year coming out with lots of talent. So go with Aaron Curry LB with that #3 pick. IMO
I know some people who are mature beyond their years, and I don’t know of a way to measure it except being in the situation. Matt Ryan did a great job this year for Atlanta. So do we draft Mark Sanchez and gamble on his ability at the NFL level? We have gambled on Matt Blundin,Todd Blackledge, Mark Vlasic,Brodie Croyle,Elvis Grbac,everybody but Charlie Brown. So why not do it again?? I like the Grahm Herrel(sp) plan later in the draft. But then again I am not the big tuna or the like so what do you think???