CHICAGO — Analysts and fans like to compare current athletes to former athletes. Former North Dakota State quarterback Carson Wentz received a lofty comparison after being selected No. 2 overall by the Eagles on Thursday night.
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Wentz, who was asked about being compared to Packers legend Brett Favre, said he still has a "long way to go" before he can "live up to that comparison."
"Growing up, I was a Favre fan," Wentz said at Chicago's Auditorium Theatre. "I loved watching him play, loved his grittiness, warrior mentality. He was a gunslinger. The biggest thing I liked about it, was how much fun he had.
"He enjoyed every game, every moment, and didn't take it for granted. That's the player I am, too."
Great expectations come with being the No. 2 overall pick, but Wentz is confident he can handle it.
"You just block it out," he said. "You don't let the pressure or the expectations get to you. For one, I can say I'm going to put a lot of expectations on myself. I hold myself in a high standard. I block out all the noise. I'm confident in myself that it will all workout as it's supposed to."
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There is no lack of competition in Philadelphia right now with Sam Bradford, the No 1 overall pick in 2011, still begrudgingly on the roster. The Eagles also recently signed back up Chase Daniel to a healthy contract.
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But Wentz said he's just "ready to go to work," and the Eagles can expect to get a "competitor."
Not only does Wentz enter the NFL with giant expectations because of his selection, but also because he's headed to the NFC East, where everything seems to be magnified.
"You see teams all the NFC East teams on 'Monday Night Football,' see them in the prime-time games," Wentz said. "That's exciting. Obviously you get more of a national stage with the four teams in that division."