“I JUST WANT TO PLAY BALL, AND IWANT TO WIN.”
Quarterback Mark Sanchez represents a contrast to the Broncos’ free- agent defections lastweek.
On a sunlit Monday morning, staring back from the podium where Peyton Manning and Brock Osweiler once explained how they helped the Broncos win big games, Mark Sanchez stood confidently.
Dressed in a suit and tie, he began his introductory news conference with opening remarks. He couldn’t be blamed if he pinched himself. Relegated to backup duty on two NFL teams over the past three seasons, Sanchez joins the defending Super Bowl champions with a chance to compete for a starting job at quarterback.
“When I got that phone call and ( Philadelphia Eagles president of football operations) Howie Roseman said, ‘ I’m trading you to Denver,’ I was like, ‘ Denver, Colorado? Are you kidding me? OK. Yeah, let’s do it,’ ” Sanchez said. “This is just an absolute dream come true. My family is thrilled and I can’t wait to just immerse myself in this community and this winning tradition, and hopefully add to it.”
Sanchez represents a contrast to the Broncos’ free- agent defections last week, when Osweiler’s loyalty was questioned. The Shock and Osweiler campaign, as the Los Angeles Times phrased it, is over. Sanchez is all in with the Broncos, embracing an opportunity he wasn’t convinced would surface again.
“I’ve seen a lot in this league. I’m not married. I don’t have a girlfriend. I don’t have kids. I just want to play ball, and I want to win,” Sanchez said. “I really want to win, and I’m so lucky to be in a spot like this.” What spot that is remains uncertain. The Broncos acquired Sanchez, 29, for a conditional seventh- round pick in the 2017 draft as the first step in a process. General manager John Elway told the former firstround pick of the New York Jets to be prepared to challenge for the No. 1 job. But against whom? The Broncos remain interested in San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick but would prefer not to use more than a third- or fourth- round draft pick to acquire him. The Cleveland Browns also are reluctant to offer a second- round draft pick for Kaepernick, given his multiple injuries and two- year decline.
The Broncos have kicked the tires on Brian Hoyer, who is under contract with the Houston-Texans, and have talked to the representative for free agent Ryan Fitzpatrick. The Jets want to re- sign Fitzpatrick but have only offered him backup money — a three- year deal worth $ 21 million, accord---
ing to reports. Free agent Robert Griffin III is not yet a priority, but the Broncos continue to keep all avenues open — from free agents to the April 28- 30 draft, where a quarterback such as Memphis’ Paxton Lynch could be available.
The acquisition of Sanchez buys the Broncos time and prevents an overreach in a trade or on a free- agent contract. Elway is willing to exercise patience. Sanchez, who had Elway’s poster on his wall when he was a kid, walks into high expectations for the quarterback position in Denver, but he doesn’t require SPF protection after playing in the spotlight of Los Angeles ( at USC), New York and Philadelphia.
“All that experience can only help me as I move on inmy career,” Sanchez said. “And going into my eighth year ( in the NFL), I am battle tested. I have been through the fire. I have been in some tough media markets. I have played in some great games. I have seen the highs and lows of this league. I am not going to squander this.”
Denver wide receivers Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders have reached out to Sanchez about working out with him. Sanchez is prepared to go wherever needed to accelerate his learning curve with a new team and a new offense.
Sanchez made 10 starts the past two seasons with the Eagles as an insurance policy for the injured Nick Foles and Sam Bradford. He went 4- 6, throwing 18 touchdownpasses and 15 interceptions. He replaced Brett Favre in New York and has a chance to compete to take over for Manning in Denver.
“Nobody follows those guys,” Sanchez said. “You try to emulate them, but you don’t try to be Peyton Manning.”