Mark Sanchez on Eagles' Tim Tebow signing: We needed another camp QB
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Mark Sanchez responded to the team's signing of Tim Tebow on Friday, saying the Eagles needed another quarterback in training camp while Sam Bradford recovers from knee surgery.
Sanchez spoke Friday after taking batting practice with the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park, reports CSNPhilly.com.
"[Tebow's] obviously a great guy, he works hard, and we needed another guy to throw while Sam's still recovering," Sanchez said. "So that's kind of the reasoning there, at least as it was explained to me. We're excited about the upcoming year and I think we have a great group."
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The Eagles announced the signing of Tebow on Monday, before he participated in the team's first offseason workout. Tebow has not played in a regular-season NFL game since 2012 with the New York Jets. He signed with the New England Patriots in 2013, but was released during training camp.
Last month, Sanchez signed a two-year deal reportedly with a maximum value of $16 million and $5.5 million guaranteed with the Eagles. He spent last season with Philadelphia, appearing in nine games (eight starts) and completing 64.1% of his passes for 2,418 yards, 14 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.
Sanchez' new deal came a few days before the Eagles acquired Bradford in a trade with the St. Louis Rams. The Eagles sent quarterback Nick Foles to the Rams, and both teams also exchanged draft picks.
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Bradford missed last season after tearing his ACL in a preseason game last August. The same injury also limited him to seven games in 2013.
"Not really," Sanchez said when asked if the signing of Bradford after his new deal surprised him. "I knew we were going to have to do something. Like I said, it's going to be a fun year. Coach [Chip] Kelly knows what he's doing. Don't worry too much, it's only April. Things will fall into place and we'll be just fine."
The Eagles finished 10–6 last season, but missed the playoffs for the third time in four seasons.
- Mike Fiammetta
