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Dr. Saturday - NCAAF

Dr. Saturday

Thu Jan 15, 2009 6:27 pm EST

Pete Carroll may be 'disappointed' in Mark Sanchez, but can he say it out loud?

By Matt Hinton

Via Adam Rose at the L.A. Times, here's Pete Carroll at Mark Sanchez's "I'm Going Pro" press conference today, taking his quarterback to task for going "against the grain":

I would describe the coach here as brutally honest yet patient -- he showed up, and he did at least say he was "thrilled" for Sanchez. Then again, I don't know Pete Carroll, so perhaps I can't always tell when he's angry (well, sometimes I can). Trojan beat writer Scott Wolf, for example, described the scene as "pathetic":

USC coach Pete Carroll was extremely ungracious during the Mark Sanchez press conference. He stormed out of the room and did not even sit at the table before Sanchez addressed the media. Something he never did when Matt Leinart, etc., announced their decisions.

Carroll never sat down at the table but stood with his palms on the table. His anger was clear if you spend time around him.

Not a great moment.

Wolf is not known as "Caesar's" biggest fan, but Rose agreed that Carroll was "peeved," and that seems to be the reaction that's picking up steam. Sanchez is earning his degree this spring (from the Annenberg School of Communication, which ain't no joke), and he said all the right things today. I don't know where Sanchez is going to be drafted or what kind of career he'll have, but it seems an especially inopportune time for his coach to tell to a rapt media audience, essentially, "I expect this kid to fail." I don't know what else he could mean by pointing out the "less than 50-50" success rate of first round quarterbacks.

On the other hand, I'm willing to suspend judgment (three cheers for open-ended ambiguity!). Carroll has coached in the NFL and sent three quarterbacks into the draft before Sanchez, two of them top 10 picks. He presumably knows a first round quarterback when he sees one, and he's not obligated to lie; when he says "[Mark] is going against the grain ... he knows this," it suggests this conversation has been going on for weeks behind closed doors, maybe longer, and has involved more professional naysayers than just Carroll. I'd like to think the point of press conferences is to allow the subjects to tell the truth. So I can fault Carroll's timing, maybe, but I don't have a problem with a genuine response trumping decorum, either.

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  1. The Thrilla in Vanilla
    1. Posted by The Thrilla in Vanilla Thu Sep 03, 2009 11:01 pm EDT

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    Carroll is set at the QB position, with 4 guys (including an incoming blue chipper and an undefeated transfer kid) competing for the starting gig. But it's really hard to believe that he has only Sanchez's best interest in mind.
    That said, I do expect Sanchez to fail at the NFL level.
  2. Paul S
    2. Posted by Paul S Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:06 pm EDT

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    even though I thought Sanchez was going to have a sick year next year, USC shouldn't worry, they have Mitch Mustain and incoming true freshman Matt Barkley, I'd actually favor Barkley right now
  3. LB #31
    3. Posted by LB #31 Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:18 pm EDT

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    With almost all of the other star college QBs returning for their senior seasons, I think Sanchez is making the right move, at least financially. He'll be the no. 2 QB in this year's draft which means he'll be at least a 1st or 2nd rounder. He might slip down further if he wainted until next year when NFL teams are sure to have more QB prospects to chose from.
  4. ghedi092780
    4. Posted by ghedi092780 Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:08 pm EDT

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    usc will still win
  5. codythemexican
    5. Posted by codythemexican Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:28 pm EDT

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    carroll has produced 3 nfl qbs but how many of them are currently starting??? 1, and how many have won or even reached a super bowl?? none! i hope sanchez knows what he's getting himself in to. i agree with carroll, i would go back to usc for another year, and hone his skills while being the "savior" of that prestgious (football wise) school, and perhaps play in the bcs title game. if he does that, it'll elevate his status, no doubt and he'll be a sure first rounder; no matter what his standing is in the heisman race. while i don't blame pete carroll for being upset, and while i think theres alot more to this story, i do think that carroll needs to respect his decision and if or when he fails, if there's a spot on carrolls coaching staff, save room for sanchez.. it's a very understandable move b y sanchez but it's the wrong move. the league isn't in a dire need for qbs for at least another year or two, but what do i know?
  6. Allan
    6. Posted by Allan Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:41 pm EDT

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    i too fear that the cards are stacked against sanchez and that he has made a bad decision. matt leinart was a more talented and more experienced qb when he entered the draft and look how that turned out for him. i am looking forward to two years of mitch mustain. he is going to be a beast behind that huge trojan offensive line next year.
  7. ISAAC G
    7. Posted by ISAAC G Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:57 pm EDT

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    Sanchez is afraid of the competition he will have in next years draft thats why he is coming out this year.
  8. James
    8. Posted by James Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:35 pm EDT

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    I have to agree with Pete. Mark is basing his move on one full season (and at that he missed a couple of games). I see why he is anxious though because next year the competition for the dollars will be much more intense; so get the cash now is Mark's desire. With Mustain, Corp and the top HS quarterback coming into the program, I really believe Pete is thinking of Mark.
  9. Run TMC Hammer
    9. Posted by Run TMC Hammer Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:13 pm EDT

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    How Carroll can be mad at any kid wanting to get paid to play is beyond me (I hope there is more to this story). These kids should get paid fair market value, and that is not a scholarship. With the Heisman QB staying in school, it just means Sanchez will go earlier and get more money to take care of his family. ESPN quietly just signed a TV deal worth BILLIONS to broadcast the BCS. The NCAA cut back on the number of scholarships per team. There is no union to split up the money fairly or protest that jobs are being lost. It's a no brainer to go pro if you are projected in the first round
  10. Mr Hollywood
    10. Posted by Mr Hollywood Thu Sep 03, 2009 6:55 pm EDT

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    As a USC fan I gotta say i agree with Pete Carrol and share his disappointment in Sanchez's decision. However, this guy did make the best possible decision for himself and his wallet. he's probably a first rounder being the best quaterback in this yrs draft and avoiding the likes of Bradford, Tebow, and McCoy next yer definately buys him 3 or 4 rounds higher than he'd go next year. As for the success of USC, I think alot of people forgot that the project starter Mitch Mustain was a former SEC starter at Arkansas, 2nd string Arron Corp was a 5 star recruit just last year and the quarterback coming in this yr from Mater Dei is also a 5 recruit. I think Carrol is genuinely concerned for Sanchez and his sucess. USC always reloads and are stacked at quarterback as they've been for 7 years.
  11. TrojanAbe
    11. Posted by TrojanAbe Thu Sep 03, 2009 2:44 pm EDT

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    I personally think the fact that Leinart is not starting despite being drafted in the first round heavily factored into Sanchez's decision... more so than the prospects of a national title. I believe this for two reasons: 1) there was general perception that Leinart could have been drafted higher (and thus gotten more money) if he had left a season earlier (the year the Trojans won the national championship), and 2) well, I kind of mentioned it already. With Taylor Mays and a decent tailback in C.J. Gable coming back (as well as a plethora of other talent on both sides of the ball), I'm pretty sure Mark Sanchez would have come back to compete for a national championship in what would have been his final year. But no... it definitely appears to go beyond that. I'm genuinely sad to see Sanchez go (I'm a USC student), but I think there are several legitimate factors that weighed into his decision of declaring for the NFL. As other posters here have mentioned, Sanchez could face stiffer draft competition next year (especially considering that Bradford and Tebow are coming back).
  12. Joshua D
    12. Posted by Joshua D Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:14 pm EDT

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    Draft Experts say Sanchez, if he has good workouts which he will, could be the 1st QB taken in the draft, 2nd at worst.
    If that is correct, Sanchez clearly made the right decision. Lots of 1st round QBs fail - true. But that includes Senior QBS.
    Leinert would have been the top draft pick if he came out in his junior year. Carrol clearly gave him bad advice to stay for Carrol's own self-interest.
    More importantly, it is one thing for Carrol to tell Sanchez behind closed door to stay, but once he makes his decision, he should respect it and not torpedo him. Name one other college coach who would have done that.
  13. Canon
    13. Posted by Canon Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:17 pm EDT

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    For those of you that watch Trojan football closely, you will realize that Sanchez and Leinart are not comparable. Some QB's win in college (Leinart) and look good doing it, but Sanchez will be much better in the NFL than Leinart. Sanchez, without a doubt, should be coming back to SC. He made the wrong decision for himself, his family, his school and his teammates. Taylor Mays, who was a guaranteed top 10 pick, is coming back to win a title and fine tune his skills. That should tell Sanchez something.
    Booty was never really NFL QB status, Leinart is too slow and too loppy, Carson Palmer, when healthy, is the closest thing to Sanchez, although Sanchez is more athletic running wise.
    For those of you who think USC will be fine next year, think again. Corp will probably end up winning the starting job. He passed Mustain for the #2 spot this past season. Mustain has a really weak arm. I don't care what his starting record was at Arkansas. That was a running school that had 2 NFL RB's in the backfield when he was there. Mustain will be benched, Corp will probably start next year and go 11-2 or so.....and then Barkley will come in as a redshirt freshman or a sophomore the next year and lead USC for 3 or 4 years to a few titles. That is my opinion on all of this. Sanchez coming back would have been title time next year, and Barkley would have brought us more in the future.
  14. OnTap
    14. Posted by OnTap Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:19 pm EDT

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    I'd be interested to hear what Carroll thought of the chances of his other qb's. Did he say that Leinart wouldn't be able to beat out a 40 year old because he's too busy out trolling for chicks and getting hammered? If he said that, then I'd put some stock in what he has to say about anyone else's chances for success.
  15. Gil S
    15. Posted by Gil S Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:34 pm EDT

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    i respect mark's individual right to make his own decision, but I feel he is making a gigantic mistake. There is no better bargaining tool than having won a national chanpionship and or a heisman trophy. he has neither. He is also throwing away an opportunity to get the much needed experience gained by playing another year. Going to USC is an honor, the school is well respected, graduating from USC would also be a plus for Mark. He had LA and Hollywood in the palm of his hand ,and he threw it all away, for what? I thought he was much smarter. Finally, as a LA native hispanic , i feel that he threw away a tremendous opportunity to lift the image of his fellow hispanics. I have a great deal of respect for his coach, and I don't blame him for being upset!
  16. Canon
    16. Posted by Canon Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:17 pm EDT

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    Is everybody on here crazy. I know McCoy and Bradford are solid but did they really dominate the bowl games that much. Don't forget that they play in the big 12, which we all know is the worst defensive conference in the nation. Every QB threw for 4000 yards in that conference.
    Bradford and McCoy are solid, but not as NFL ready as USC QB's because they don't run a pro style offense like USC does. Also, Sanchez takes 95 percent of snaps under center.
    Tim Tebow is the least of Sanchez worries. He will in now way be drafted in the NFL to play QB. Maybe tight end or fullback or something. Tebow is probably a 5th rounder. Sanchez will be the first QB taken this year...he is better than Stafford, but if he waited another year, he would be better and wouldn't be losing as much money as everybody thinks.
  17. seettemptation
    17. Posted by seettemptation Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:12 pm EDT

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    It's good to see another hispanic in the NFL as it is ruled by African American and no disrespect by any means. It's just feels good to see one of your own time to time especially at quaterback position. I wish him the very best, I really can't say if it was good or bad that he leaves USC a year early but seeing next year he will have competiton with a loads of senior quarterbacks coming out of next years draft so i feel he is looking at it that way.
    Cheers
  18. Canon
    18. Posted by Canon Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:17 pm EDT

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    Carroll is the best coach in college football. He knows the NFL life better than any coach. He is the man, and Mark made the wrong decision. When coaches want players to come back, it is always in the best interest of everybody. Leinart decided to come back on his own. Carroll didn't twist his arm to stay....but he probably thought it was a good decision. College only lasts 4 or 5 years, why rush out of it.
  19. Canon
    19. Posted by Canon Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:17 pm EDT

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    Winning the Heisman is very overrated by the way....especially for QB's. Rarely does it carry to the next level. Eric Crouch, Chris Weinke, Jason White, Charlie Ward, Matt Leinart (may be the best NFL QB on this list).....I know there are others, but you get the point.
  20. Eric K
    20. Posted by Eric K Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:52 pm EDT

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    I have to say...I thought Carroll was pretty level-headed in his comments. It makes complete sense that he's disappointed, and the track record of early-exit QBs in the NFL is clear. He wasn't being bitter by pointing that out; just highlighting that he and Sanchez disagreed and that the data is on his side.
    As a SC fan, I wish Mark was coming back, but I can't hate on his choice. It was obviously the smart financial move. He'll test out great at Pro Day, and without Bradford/Tebow/McCoy in the draft, he's a lock to be one of the top-2 QBs taken.
    People are making a lot out of nothing on this one.
  21. suckafree704
    21. Posted by suckafree704 Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:46 pm EDT

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    Sorry Canon tha best coach n CFB name is URBAN MEYER
  22. Rod
    22. Posted by Rod Thu Sep 03, 2009 6:57 pm EDT

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    Texas longhorns vs. usc trojans......2010 national championship game.........texas prevails.......31-28.
  23. Canon
    23. Posted by Canon Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:17 pm EDT

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    suckafree.....have you heard of carson palmer????.....how about troy palamalu????...... how about Lofa Tatupu?? how about Steve Smith (the ny giants leading receiver).....Lendale White leading the NFL in TD's....Yeah, USC must suck right??? Get Real.
    I love all those NFL QB's that Florida produced.....didn't Danny Wuerfle win the Heisman too?? he was one of those Florida studs. And I am sure TEBOW will be a great NFL qb....talk about not being able to throw a 5 yard out.
  24. Canon
    24. Posted by Canon Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:17 pm EDT

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    NOPE, Urban has had a few good years, but in those years did he coach his team to more wins than USC. Just because east coast bias voting gets his team to the title to play an overrated big 10 or big 12 team, doesn't make urban better. Carroll has been doing it for nearly a decade now
  25. Realistic
    25. Posted by Realistic Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:22 pm EDT

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    Its a good choice. I have respect for Sanchez and Carrol. Lets just put it this way: next year his chances of being picked in round one are pretty shallow. I think that Carrol is sincere about what he said about Sanchez, i know he wishes him best, but I think Sanchez made a right move, bottom line. Sanchez is a well raised kid thats family oriented so comparing him to Leinart is not fair. He'll be just fine and so will USC and Carrol.

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