NFL commentator and former New York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez knows all too well about the challenges of playing in the very long era of Tom Brady. Yet, he says that having a great coach in Rex Ryan and a roster full of dependable Jets players made battling Brady and other AFC rivals the experience of a lifetime.
“There were so many times that, gosh, we were so close. We’re talking a half a football one way or another to get to the Super Bowl,” Sanchez said this week. He also adds that behind the scenes that the Jets had great team chemistry.
“You know you're on a good team when the coach doesn't have to police the locker room (because) there are veterans in there to handle it. I didn’t realize until later that was really a luxury.”
Sanchez also said that his time in New York was wonderful not just for the football, but for the whole experience of living up New York City’s food and culture. He hints that he may have been spoiled a little.
“It was amazing. There’s so much good food (in New York). Anything you want. Italian food, great pizza, great steakhouses, it was all good. And every time my family came to town, we’d always go somewhere new.” Sanchez also said that pizza is his first go-to food on Super Bowl Sunday.
“Super Bowl Sunday is the number one time for pizza, and I’m a New York pizza guy,” said Sanchez, currently an NFL color analyst for FOX and FS1. “For me, it’s usually sausage and pepperoni. I’m pretty traditional.”
For that reason, Sanchez said was happy to partner with Papa Johns for Super Bowl LVI. The Atlanta-based chain, known in past years for giving away a million pizzas on Super Bowl Sunday, is currently talking up its New York Style pizza for this year’s big game. The company chose the ex-Jets QB as its rep for the week.
“After being in New York for a couple of years I really enjoy thin crust—fold it, dip it in garlic sauce, and I’m good to go.”
During his time in New York, Sanchez and the Jets went to back-to-back AFC Championship games in the 2009 and 2010 NFL seasons. In both contests, the Jets were bested by AFC rivals, first with Peyton Manning’s Indianapolis Colts beating New York 30-17 in the 2009 AFC title game, followed by a close 24-19 defeat by Pittsburgh Steelers the next year.
Following 2010, New York’s biggest rival, the New England Patriots, booked their own place in the AFC Championship eight consecutive times, while going to the Super Bowl three times in those eight years.
But for as much respect he has for Brady, whom Sanchez says is very likely the best quarterback of all time, he admits he’s excited to see two newer QBs take the Super Bowl stage for the first time, this weekend. On Sunday, February 13, Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals take on Matthew Stafford’s stacked Los Angeles Rams.
On Monday, I spoke to Sanchez via Zoom, and he spoke about who he thinks will win Super Bowl LVI, as well as his time as a quarterback in the NFL.
Andy Frye: You spent half your NFL career in the AFC East and had some success in New York. What was it like playing in such a tough division?
Mark Sanchez: It was a heck of a run, especially the first two years. We had some good veteran talent. But we had a good offensive line and some talent at the receiver positions with Shonn Green and Dustin Keller, and then we were able to get LaDainian Tomlinson.
But, you said it. That division ran through New England, and that was tough to deal with. Tom Brady was in the first third of his Hall of Fame career, and he was well past warming up. It was always a challenge playing them, but, gosh, I had so much fun.
AF: In the 1980s, running backs were huge, and now football fans are led to believe that quarterbacks always want to throw first. What’s your take?
Sanchez: Well, I grew up in Southern California so LaDainian Tomlinson was one of my idols. I was from Orange County and he was with San Diego, and I just watched him all the time. He came to New York while he was a highly sought-after free agent, and I couldn’t believe he was coming to our team. I remember having dinner with him the first time, trying not to “fan out.”
But then I saw him work. And I saw him study, and learn protections, and improve at pass blocking. My favorite thing about him was that every time we’d break the huddle he would tell me his route immediately, so it was the last thing I heard. So if it all went hell in a handbasket, he’d say “you know where I am.”
Related story: Tom Brady talks about retirement, his next career move
AF: We’ve got an amazing darkhorse in the Bengals, yet the Rams seem to have all the weapons. How does Super Bowl LVI unfold?
Sanchez: For the Bengals, bottom line, they gotta block them up front. The Rams have such as great defensive line. And if the Rams can just take care of the football, I just think they outmatch Cincinnati. The Rams have so much talent across the board. But they have to have a great game from (Rams cornerback) Jalen Ramsey against (Bengals receiver) Ja’Marr Chase. That’s going to be a great matchup.
I hate betting against Joe Burrow, but I think it’s time for Matthew Stafford. I think Burrow will be back in this situation. But Stafford’s paid his dues.
Read Andy Frye’s interviews with Tom Brady and Eric Dickerson.
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