Rex Ryan 'proud' of Mark Sanchez's performance vs. Panthers
Rex Ryan said Wednesday he was "proud" of Mark Sanchez after his former quarterback led the Philadelphia Eagles to a 45-21 victory over the Carolina Panthers on Monday Night Football this week.
Sanchez went 20-of-37 for 332 yards, two touchdowns and zero interceptions in his second game with the Eagles. The sixth-year veteran signed with Philadelphia in March as a backup to starter Nick Foles, but when Foles broke his collarbone in Week 9 against the Houston Texans, Sanchez was named the starter.
Philadelphia (7-2) leads the Dallas Cowboys by a half-game in the NFC East.
Ryan was asked about Sanchez after coaching him for the previous five seasons. The Jets drafted Sanchez fifth overall in 2009, Ryan's first in New York.
• MMQB: The offseason meeting that turned Sanchez around
Before signing with Philadelphia, Sanchez missed the 2013 season with a shoulder injury suffered in the preseason. That was his last season with the Jets, who released him in March in order to sign Michael Vick.
New York is 2-8 and has endured quarterback troubles of its own. Geno Smith opened the season as the starter, but was benched in favor of Vick in the Jets' Week 8 loss to the Buffalo Bills. The Jets have a bye this weekend before playing at Buffalo in Week 12.
- Mike Fiammetta
