USC’s Mark Sanchez Leaves, Pete Carroll’s Not Looking Back

Over the past week USC’s football team learned that it will keep All-American safety Taylor Mays but lose quarterback Mark Sanchez to the NFL Draft.

Although Pete Carroll seemed openly disappointed by Sanchez’s decision, it was more out of concern for Sanchez rather than any worries over who will take snaps when the Trojans open against Ohio State next September.

Carroll admitted in a news conference at Heritage Hall today that Sanchez “is going against the grain in this decision. We know that, and he knows that.”

Later in a radio interview on KSPN, Los Angeles, Carroll pointed out that “early out quarterbacks drafted in the first round make it at 40%.” Then speaking specifically about Sanchez, Carroll said, “His pre-draft evaluation wasn’t what he thought it was.”

As to criticism from sportswriters who chastized Carroll for not sitting by his quarterback at the press conference, Carroll claimed it was not about Sanchez’s decision but the logistics.

Carroll had insisted that the presser take place at a podium not behind a high table that “made Mark look like he was four-foot-six.” Carroll went on to say, “We support Mark, and we’re gonna try and help him as much as possible.”

In 2007, Sanchez got to start just three games for the injured John David Booty. This year was his only full season as a starter. He threw for 34 touchdowns with 10 interceptions.

Those numbers certainly aren’t mediocre. However, they pale in comparison to the numbers that Heisman Trophy winner Sam Bradford put up at Oklahoma with 50 touchdown passes against only 8 interceptions.

Bradford’s decision to remain in school one more year probably influenced Sanchez more than anything else. With Texas’s Colt McCoy and Florida’s Tim Tebow both opting to return to their teams in 2009, Sanchez’s name jumped close to the top among quarterbacks in this year’s NFL draft.

His main competitors right now are Georgia’s Matthew Stafford and Josh Freeman from Kansas State. However, Sanchez’s best game was his last, throwing for 413 yards and four touchdowns as well as running for a score in USC’s 38-24 Rose Bowl win over Penn State. That may just have catapulted Sanchez ahead of Stafford and Freeman.

His challenge now is to compete against them in the combines. Having spent four years at USC, challenges are nothing new for Sanchez. Two years ago, he had to compete with John David Booty for the starting role. He lost.

This past season he had to compete with Mitch Mustain and Aaron Corp as well as a dislocated knee. He won.

Although Pete Carroll wasn’t thrilled about the quarterback’s decision, he has no grievances with Sanchez, the person. “I love Mark. I think the world of him and I’m fired up about the challenges that lie ahead of him.” He added, “He will always be a Trojan.”

But Carroll was obviously more fired up about the challenges that lie ahead of him and his 2009 USC football team. He called together the whole squad for a 4 P.M. meeting at Heritage Hall.

“We had a heck of a meeting today. We went through all the things that were topical. Carroll bubbled over with his usual enthusiam. “We turned our attention to what lies ahead and that’s another championship football team.”

In the 30-minute meeting, Carroll told his returning players, “You think I’m uncomfortable in this situation right now? Hell no, because we’ve been through this for years. We’re going to be great, because of you guys in here.”

After the 2002 season, Heisman Trophy winner Carson Palmer moved onto the NFL, leaving Coach Carroll with two untested quarterback hopefuls, Matt Leinart and Matt Cassel. The rest is history.

Today’s meeting focused on two very familiar subjects during the Pete Carroll era at USC – opportunity and competition. He told his players that they shouldn’t be disappointed by teammates leaving to go to the next level.

“This has happened a million times here. It doesn’t matter who goes; it matters who stayed. This is all about seizing the opportunities you get. Everything you do counts. If you want to go, go get it. The competition is on.”

And nowhere will that competition be more evident than at quarterback where Arkansas transfer, Mitch Mustain has to fight it out with Aaron Corp, who had topped him for the number two spot in the Rose Bowl.

But the 2007 High School Player of the Year, Matt Barkley, is already on campus and will definitely push both Mustain and Corp for that starting spot.

One thing Carroll won’t have this coming season that he had back in 2003 is coaching continuity. Not only are the Trojans losing their quarterback and most of their defensive starters but their offensive and defensive coordinators as well.

So, the biggest challenge of all, once again falls squarely on Pete Carroll’s shoulders, and he is definitely looking forward to it.

“We’re off and rolling now. Let’s get this thing hauling.” Team dismissed.