Tom Brady and Mark Sanchez.
On one hand, you have Brady, the passed-over sixth-rounder, who got his break in a Wally Pipp-like circumstance and hasn't looked back since on his way to football immortality.
And then on the other hand, you have Sanchez. The can't-miss quarterbacking prospect out of USC, given the reigns from his first day, really, and someone who's been dubbed the face of the franchise, er "Sanchize," since his draft day.
But, if you dig a little bit deeper, the similarities start to pop up.
If you throw out their first seasons, you start to see statistical similarities. In 2001, a season in which Brady stepped in for Drew Bledsoe and made 14 starts, he threw 18 touchdowns and 12 interceptions en route to an 11-3 record. Sanchez, who's leading his 9-2 Jets team, has thrown 16 touchdowns and eight interceptions in his 11 starts this season.
In his earlier days, Brady was aided by some of the best defenses in the league. Sanchez is backed by a Jets defense, which, at least prior to the season, was thought to be one of the game's best.
Perhaps most importantly, however, both quarterbacks seem to have "it." Say what you want about how ugly the Jets have been winning this season, but the fact remains that they are 9-2. A lot of that is thanks to Sanchez, who always seems to save his best work for late.
Is Mark Sanchez the next Tom Brady? Share your thoughts below.
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