After throwing an interception last week, Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez flew wildly at Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma’s knees despite the fact that Vilma wasn’t carrying the ball or particularly near the man who was.
The moment was inexplicable: either a total brain fart or one of the dirtiest plays you’ll ever see.
The NFL fined Sanchez $5,000 for the cheap shot, and Sanchez called Vilma to apologize about it. He’s going with the brain fart explanation.
“I told [Vilma], ‘You know, I’m running down the field. I’m upset after the pick.’ I said, ‘Hey dude, I didn’t know what I was doing.’ . . . I don’t want to be the guy on film that’s quitting on the play,” Sanchez explained.
“At the same time, I don’t want to take that guy on head up and then get in trouble for putting myself in danger. So I just told him that I got to be smart about that. And he said, ‘No problem at all. I understand. And good luck.’ He was a great guy about it and a real class guy.”
If Sanchez had seriously injured Vilma, the play would have received a lot more attention.
Luckily for both of them, the Saints’ leader on defense is just fine
And luckily for Saints fans, Eric Mangini traded Vilma away to New Orleans and only got a fourth-round pick in return.