Philadelphia Eagles

Mark Sanchez feels his arm is stronger, wants to start

Published May. 31, 2015 9:13 p.m. ET

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Despite the fact that the Philadelphia Eagles traded for Sam Bradford this offseason, Mark Sanchez believes he will have every opportunity to win the starting quarterback job. He might have something extra up his sleeve in 2015, not literally speaking. Sanchez feels like his arm strength is much improved and will continue to get better as we get closer to the start of the 2015 season. Remember, Sanchez was playing the 2014 season after undergoing surgery on a torn labron in his throwing shoulder.

"Just going back and watching some of the film from last year," Sanchez told Phil Sheridan of ESPN.com. "I could see the zip on the ball. I could see all that stuff that was filmed early, without even a defense. I’m throwing (to) the flat and I’m looking at the play, and now I know the play. So I’m expecting that ball to be there now. And I’m watching that ball float across the screen. I’m like, 'Man, I’ve come a long way since that.' That’s encouraging."

Sanchez no longer feels the same way he did when he put together the game tape he referenced above.

"With all the reps I’ve had, all the rehab I’ve gone through, it can only get better and better and stronger," Sanchez said Thursday. "This is definitely the best I’ve ever felt."

According to Sanchez, head coach Chip Kelly gave him his word that he would be able to compete for a starting job like everyone else on the Eagles' roster.

"(Kelly) didn’t have to persuade me," Sanchez said. "He didn’t have to say anything special. It was just, basically, 'Hey, you can compete just like everybody else.' Whether that was Nick Foles or, now, Sam and Tim (Tebow) and Matt (Barkley) ... it didn’t really matter. I knew there would be competition coming in."

Sanchez finished 4-4 as the Eagles' starter in 2014, but his 11 interceptions and 3 lost fumbles were a major factor in some of the losses. Sanchez's deficient velocity was on full display in a late-season game at Green Bay. If he can recapture the velocity he showed as a rookie, he could give Bradford a run for his money. Sanchez has the leg up with experience in Kelly's system and his skill set is better fit in this offensive scheme than any other he has played in.

(h/t ESPN)

Photo Credit: Benny Sieu/USA TODAY Sports