Spotlight Question

Q.) According to you, if Mitch Mustain is "better -- not just equal to -- than Mark Sanchez," he will be the next starter. Isn't that obvious, though? If he's better, why wouldn't he be the starter? Wouldn't Pete Carroll pick the better player to start over a lesser player who doesn't provide as good of a chance for the team to win?

A.) I think that misses my point. For example, a better question might be why does Sanchez start over Mustain if they are both equal? Here's the thing: Obviously, if Mustain is better he starts. But usually in spring practice, there is not a dramatic difference between talented quarterbacks. So the coaches make a choice.
Eliminate Mustain and Sanchez from this and look at it this way. Quarterback A and quarterback B are similar in performance. Quarterback A knows the offense, is more experienced and a safer pick. Quarterback B is less experienced but might potentially be better over the course of 12-game season.
But coaches like safe choices, so they go with quarterback A. Under that scenario, quarterback B really needs to be better to win the job.
A lot of people felt this was what happened a couple years ago, when John David Booty beat out Sanchez as the safer choice. That doesn't mean it was the wrong decision, it just illustrates some of the reasoning behind the choice.