Former New York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez recently revealed his favorite career moment with the unique Nick Mangold by his virtual side.
Baseball’s battery has nothing on football’s quarterback-center relationship. Arguing that 60 feet and 6 inches allow for a smoother, closer relationship than that of the quarterback-center version is a tough chore.
For two individuals to be so … familiar with one another in such a setting is always an interesting aspect of America’s Game. Perhaps it’s why the relationship between Mark Sanchez and Nick Mangold remains so … touching. (Remember, the shotgun was never a huge part of Brian Schottenheimer’s offense in those days.)
The New York Jets nostalgic duo recently reunited on an episode of Grilled, presented by FanDuel.
Much was discussed, but the most interesting nugget came courtesy of a Mangold question that Sanchez answered quickly.
What was your favorite moment as a Jet?
The organization’s all-time winningest playoff quarterback (4-2) has no shortage of memories in his arsenal. Four playoff road wins will allow that to be the case. While many would have automatically assumed Sanchez would choose their final playoff win, the triumph against the New England Patriots up north, he went in another direction.
“I think my favorite, favorite moment was—and this was a testament to you guys, upfront, Bill Callahan, and the confidence Schotty (Brian Schottenheimer) had in the group—the fourth down in the divisional game against the Chargers,” Sanchez told Mangold.
The Thomas Jones plunge helped seal Sanchez’s second playoff victory (during his rookie season) and lifted the Jets to their first AFC championship game since 1998.
Mangold, the leader of that offense in many ways, agreed with the kid who once touched his backside so often.
“You’re right,” Mangold replied. “That fourth-and-1 in San Diego, when they knew what we were doing (and) we knew what we were doing, and we just went out there and imposed our will … that’s one of the proudest moments I have from our playing days.”
A decade later, the Jets are still looking for their first playoff berth since the duo of Mark Sanchez and Nick Mangold took the field. The current 0-7 team is readying themselves for the mighty 6-1 defending champion Kansas City Chiefs this Sunday.
