Keep it classy, Pete Carroll
I'm certainly not the biggest USC fan, but I really don't understand why Pete Carroll is taking Mark Sanchez's departure to the NFL as badly as it appears. Sure, Sanchez could benefit from another year of college, but the first round is the first round, so why the heck not.
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/allthingstrojan/2009/01/sanchez-carroll…
January 16th, 2009 at 11:43 AM ^
Sanchez is graduating (he is a redshirt Junior) and would be coming out next year with Bradford, Tebow, McCoy, and whoever else catches fire. I don't understand it either unless Carroll has very little confidence in those who are returning.
January 16th, 2009 at 11:46 AM ^
The whole "He should go now because Bradford, Tebow, and McCoy are staying" argument doesn't hold water.
Sanchez is a better pro prospect than Tebow or McCoy. Neither of those players would compete with Sanchez for being the top QB drafted. The only one who might compete for that slot is Bradford.
So he either competes with Stafford for being the first QB taken, or he competes with Bradford to be the first QB taken. Since senior QB's tend to fare better in the NFL, I think Sanchez made the wrong move if he wants to be a star.
That being said, if he goes to the NFL, makes millions of dollars immediately, and manages his money correctly, he'll be financially set for life.
January 16th, 2009 at 11:46 AM ^
Carroll seems like a real a-hole here. I guess you can do that when you get any recruit you want. How is this being portrayed by the MSM? Could you imagine the hell-fire that would be unleashed on Rodriguez if he did that?
January 16th, 2009 at 11:50 AM ^
Agree with you somewhat, but that's based on this year. I wouldn't be shocked to see McCoy emerge as a better prospect next year... might be hard in that system, but just saying. The competition COULD be tougher next year. I agree it's not a foregone conclusion that it will be tougher... hell, Mel Kiper still thinks Curtis Painter is going top 10 this year.
The fact that Sanchez will graduate this year really makes a mockery of Carroll.
January 16th, 2009 at 11:53 AM ^
How does Sanchez' graduation date have anything to do with it? Sanchez has started for one year only. Football experience is Carroll's concern, not classroom experience.
January 16th, 2009 at 11:53 AM ^
Since several of the past Rose Bowls have descended into Carroll lovefests by Musberger and Herbstreit it's been easy to overlook the guy's flaws...During the last Michigan-USC Rose Bowl he was quoted critizing Mike Williams' game as not NFL caliber (while comparing him to Dwayne Jarrett)...If you read the quotes of his recruits after their visits a surprising amount of guys at the same position come away saying that "Coach Carroll said I was his No. 1 guy."
Yesterday he not only angrily said he disagreed w/ Sanchez but he picked apart his credentials too, saying he doesn't have enough starts...More, this is a guy whose team seems to have about three practiced dances that they do during games and who generally has dickish things to say about opposing coaches...And he has Snoop Dogg on his sidelines, a great role model for young African American men.
January 16th, 2009 at 11:56 AM ^
he was quoted critizing Mike Williams' game as not NFL caliber (while comparing him to Dwayne Jarrett)
1. Mike Williams was a SOPHOMORE at the time, and was trying to sue the NFL to admit him. Completely different situation.
2. He was 100%, abso-fucking-lutely correct.
As to your entire post, when did we become such puritans? His players dance and celebrate on the sideline, and...HAVE FUN? My oh my. I understand that Bo/Lloyd were huge into stoicism, but I can't blame people for preferring something else.
As far as Snoop Dogg on the sidelines - you think that his presence at a USC game is going to effect the development of college kids? What does it even matter?
January 16th, 2009 at 1:49 PM ^
Snoop has started a youth football program in urban areas of California. Not that he's a saint, but he's not the worst guy on the block. He actually is a respected person by the black community which is a large portion of USC recruits.
January 16th, 2009 at 11:57 AM ^
How is "Mike Williams' game isn't NFL ready" a bad thing? Mike Williams flunked himself out of the league.
If I know that a coach is going to be honest with me - especially a coach with NFL experience - about my chances of making it in the NFL, then I'll appreciate his honesty. Since he was right about Williams, maybe other kids will listen to his analyses a little more seriously.
I'm sorry, but if Pete Carroll tells me I'm not ready for the NFL, I'm going to listen.
January 16th, 2009 at 2:02 PM ^
.........where he says he doesn't have enough starts. How did that work out for Cassel?
January 16th, 2009 at 2:04 PM ^
Please come up with one more example.
January 16th, 2009 at 2:05 PM ^
How did being a career backup work for every Michigan QB with pro aspirations ever?
Every rule as exceptions, don't obsess in them.
January 16th, 2009 at 11:54 AM ^
I'm torn on this.
First, I agree with virtually everything Carroll says. I think it is hard for these scouts to glean a tremendous amount from 13 games of film to make a definitive evaluation. I think Carroll is, actually, concerned that Sanchez may be messing things up for himself.
That said, Carroll should keep those concerns to himself - not hold a press conference about it.
January 16th, 2009 at 12:02 PM ^
"That said, Carroll should keep those concerns to himself - not hold a press conference about it."
Why go after your own players in public? Most coaches don't go after their kids in public for commiting various rules violations or even committing crimes, much less trashing their football resumes.
January 16th, 2009 at 12:04 PM ^
I took his statement as saying that he dislikes the current evaluation system because it can entice kids who don't have long track records to turn pro, despite it not being in their best interests. I think he's mad at the situation, and Sanchez is an example.
January 16th, 2009 at 1:51 PM ^
I doubt he's concerned too much about how it impacts the team because they are loaded at QB. I know Sanchez is proven compared to the others but they do have a lot of great options coming next year plus they are loaded at RB so QB play doesn't have to be amazing for them to be successful. I think Sanchez is not making a smart decision but it's his choice and I don't have millions lying in front of me right now like he does.
January 16th, 2009 at 2:04 PM ^
but agree with you that he should keep that stuff private
January 16th, 2009 at 12:00 PM ^
but this definitely wasn't one of his best moments. I am not so sure why he is that mad. Sanchez is good, but I don't think he was any more gifted coming out of high school than the other QBs on their roster. They might have some growing pains next year, but they might not miss Sanchez at all once somebody else actually gets under center.
January 16th, 2009 at 12:03 PM ^
I really don't think he's made because he's upset it's screwing his team, because it almost certainly isn't. I think he genuinely thinks Sanchez is making a mistake.
My problem is that said belief should be limited to a conversation with Sanchez and his family - not be press conference.
January 16th, 2009 at 1:12 PM ^
That was my issue with the line taken by PC - you don't stand before a press conference and constantly reiterate that one of your kids isn't ready for the pros yet. You suck it up, stay the party line that you wish him the best, and try to talk him up. Behind closed doors is where you tell Sanchez that he is making a mistake, and try to convince him otherwise. But you tell a bunch of reporters you don't think one of your kids is ready for the pros (which will undoubtedly have an effect on how some scouts view him) is something a head coach just should not do.
January 16th, 2009 at 12:11 PM ^
I am an SC alum (sorry guys) and I have seen quite a few interviews done by PC. This is pretty far from the angry or agitated PC. He is giving the reporters straight talk on how he and the staff felt. If he thinks Sanchez could use another year to not only improve his game, but his chance of being successful at the NFL level why sugar coat it? They aren't lacking in talent to replace him, but PC truly loves his kids and wants to see them succeed. He wouldn't tell a kid to not declare for the draft without reason. Maybe in five years Sanchez will have proved him incorrect, but I'm with Magnus on this one if PC says you aren't ready - you probably aren't ready.
January 16th, 2009 at 12:15 PM ^
For the record - Carroll didn't say a peep when guys like Keith Rivers or Reggie Bush bolted early - so it's hard to construe this as "selfish".
January 16th, 2009 at 12:20 PM ^
Hmmmm, just about everyone on this blog has agreed that M's big problem was that we did not have a QB.
Are you seriously saying that USC will not be worse off with an inexperienced QB next year rather than Sanchez???
This is total BS.
PC just saw his hopes for the MNC go off to the NFL.
He was also sending a message to all his players -- leave early and I'll trash you.
What an a-hole!!!!!!!
January 16th, 2009 at 12:27 PM ^
Between Threet/Sheridan and Mustain/Corp/Barkley
Carroll didn't trash Sanchez, he said he wasn't ready. He didn't insult him. He told him he would support him as a member of the Trojan family, but felt it better for him to stick around. He has had plenty of players leave early and not said anything about it.
Maybe, just maybe, PC is right and Sanchez isn't ready. It would be amazing if he knew more about football and his players than the rest of the world wouldn't it?
January 16th, 2009 at 2:02 PM ^
correct sir.
January 16th, 2009 at 12:31 PM ^
Uh, yeah. USC will just throw another 5-star QB out there. It's not even remotely comparable to Michigan.
January 16th, 2009 at 1:54 PM ^
USC loses more than one player to the early draft every single year, and Carroll ALWAYS keeps his mouth shut. So no, you can't surmise that he's going to trash everyone.
2nd, Mark Sanchez was an unproven, first time starter 5 months ago. USC has 5-star QB's coming out their ears - they'll be fine.
January 16th, 2009 at 1:54 PM ^
So many USC players have left early and they were not effected. They are so loaded at RB that QB play is not a huge deal and they have great options at the position anyways. Plus, that QB will have great WR's as well. Not an a-hole but an honest coach. IMO.
January 16th, 2009 at 4:20 PM ^
Jeeez, I did not say USC would suck next year. What I said was:
"Are you seriously saying that USC will not be worse off with an inexperienced QB next year rather than Sanchez???"
I stand by the post. You think the odds of USC winning the MNC without Sanchez are the same?? If so, head for Las Vegas. They will take that bet and give you good odds.
January 16th, 2009 at 4:24 PM ^
Next year would have benn bumpy with an almost completely green defense.
January 16th, 2009 at 12:29 PM ^
have RRod and not PC. He seems to be a good guy, and a good coach. He has never been accused of not caring for his pl;ayers and their well being and ultimately that is what you ask of a college coach. Oh, and he wins 12 games every year too. The 60 Minutes piece on him was pretty money. That being said, Musburger has a Tebow-Like man crush on him and that is annoying.
January 16th, 2009 at 12:49 PM ^
Your sarcasm is annoying.
January 16th, 2009 at 12:57 PM ^
Sarcasm?
Are you upset we have RR?
January 16th, 2009 at 12:51 PM ^
All I gotta say is welcome back to earth Pete. Here's to grinding through a tough season like the rest of the nation. Oh and I really think he should quit his bitching, last time I checked he had the #1 ranked QB in his class sitting on the bench.
January 16th, 2009 at 1:07 PM ^
The Detroit Lions would like to welcome its newest member.
I think the rest of the QB's are going to stay in school, then grad school until Detroit gives up the first pick
January 16th, 2009 at 1:25 PM ^
Since Sanchez is graduating this year with his degree, the only reason he should stay in college is for more reps and experience. Yet, one of the things you so often hear about college QBs going to the NFL is that they almost always need to “unlearn” the system they were in, that practicing in the NFL for a year will put them far closer to being a great NFL QB than another year in college. So in Sanchez’s case (as well as guys like Stafford), it makes far more sense for them to sign with a team, ride the bench and learn the system, and then take over in the 2nd or 3rd year. Heck, most college QBs, even the 4-year starters, wind up going this route (and yes, there are always guys like Flacco and Ryan who break this mold). So to claim that Sanchez would somehow become a much better QB by staying in college really doesn’t hold true, unless PC really thinks that there is some fundamental flaw with his game that wouldn’t work in the pros. That type of evaluation, though, falls on the scouts, and I presume that if a team is going to spend a high draft pick on you, they’ll do their homework and determine if it is a dealer-breaker or not. And depending on the flaw, I’m not sure any amount of time spent in college or the pros would really be able to fix it.
I don’t doubt that PC cares about his kids and probably doesn’t feel Sanchez is “ready” for the NFL, but I question how sticking around at USC is really going to make a heap of difference as to whether or not Sanchez will be a good pro.
January 16th, 2009 at 1:52 PM ^
More experience = better production
Less experience = worse production
It's really pretty simple.
January 16th, 2009 at 1:55 PM ^
Reggie Ball would like to speak with you about a flaw in your equation.
January 16th, 2009 at 1:59 PM ^
So would Harry Caray.
January 16th, 2009 at 2:07 PM ^
and, he is not an exception. There are a lot of 2-4 year college starters who just suck.
January 16th, 2009 at 2:10 PM ^
I agree. My oversimplistic point is that extra experience usually does not hurt. And often, it is good. Quarterback is a position where intelligence and experience - and not pure, physical skill like you see at RB or CB - is much more of a necessity.
January 16th, 2009 at 2:19 PM ^
Completely agree with you. Carrol has to know that he is better of if Sanchez stays but knows that he's got a good number of lottery tickets holding clipboards this fall.
January 16th, 2009 at 2:17 PM ^
Football outsiders did a study of first round QB's in the past 20 years, to try and find what factors correlated the strongest with NFL success.
#1 was # of games started in college. Their argument was not, however, that more experience made QB's better. Their argument was that QB's good enough to start a large number of games in college were good enough to succeed in the NFL.
January 16th, 2009 at 4:39 PM ^
And #2 was Percent of passes completed. Sanchez % was 66 this year.
January 16th, 2009 at 4:48 PM ^
You're right, #2 was completion percentage. I wasn't bringing it up purely as it relates to Sanchez - more to add to the above discussion. But year, that would bode well for Sanchez.
January 16th, 2009 at 7:34 PM ^
FYI, the author of that piece wrote this at ESPN:
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3350135
He goes on to say that more game film of any prospect allows NFL scouts to determine if he's a system fluke (Couch, Cliff Kingsbury) or a legit player.
January 16th, 2009 at 2:22 PM ^
But my point was that if you want experience, and the end goal is to play professional football, you might as well gain experience in that environment, with that system, than learn a different system in college. I agree with PC that Sanchez lacks the experience, right now, to play in the pros, but that could also be said for virtually anyone else transitioning from the QB position in college to the pros. If Sanchez feels ready to go, and he can be a high draft pick, why not get paid to learn how to run an NFL offense for a year as opposed to a college one?
And for the record, I don't understand why people say any college kid should stick around, athlete or not, if he has a much better opportunity to gain the necessary experience in the real world. I had a number of friends who left the Engineering School during the tech bubble of the late 90’s and early 00’s, and it didn’t seem to hurt any of them getting a job in their later years. Sure, some of them came back later to complete their degrees, but they learned far more during a year of work than they would have learned as seniors taking 12 credit a semester.
January 16th, 2009 at 2:00 PM ^
I agree with him 100%. As Chitown said, he said nothing when Bush and Leinart left, so I think he is concerned for Sanchez, as staying will make him a better QB and more money. And what he said about lack of experience is also totally right.
January 16th, 2009 at 4:45 PM ^
So, if PC was being honest, what was PC trying to accomplish?
A) Get Sanchez to change his mind and not enter the draft.
B) Cost Sanchez millions of dollars in the NFL draft
C) Destroy the confidence of Sanchez
D) Send a message to other kids that might think about leaving early
E) ----- add your own ----
How exactly did PC believe his statements would help Sanchez???????
January 16th, 2009 at 2:51 PM ^
Pete Carroll also was against Mike Williams going into the draft.
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/columns/story?id=1740100
However he handled that situation like a normal college football coach, unlike this Sanchez ordeal.