More Rancor

There is nothing rancorous in the comments on Carroll's website.

He states facts why he thinks Mark needed to stay in school FOR MARK.

Stop trying to create a story that doesn't exist.

Wolf, stop watching "Days of Our Lives". You're being way too melodramatic.

Come on people! Why would a college coach encourage star players to leave early?!?!? A slight conflict of interest...dontcha think?

To me, I'd think red flags about the player if the coach was inviting him out the door!

Rule number one of public relations is to show a united front. PC is savvy enough to know that. So if he's voicing public disagreement, there is a purpose to it. I generally see PC as a good guy who wouldn't go out and wreck one of his player's future over a disagreement. As a practical matter, airing the disagreement doesn't help PC with new recruits who have Heisman potential.

(Accidently hit enter and sent that too soon...)

So there must be a purpose to PC doing this. This may be some kind of teachable moment that transcends Mark Sanchez. Because Sanchez isn't teachable on this issue anymore.

I know it sounds ridiculous, but can Sanchez back out of his decision and return? That's the only way PC's airing of this makes any sense to me.

BoscoH, You're right but the public that PC is trying to relate to is his team. He's sending a clear message: you come here, you make a commitment. What would it sound like for PC to say, "well, heck, he's going to take a shot at the NFL. All of you guys should."? With so much NFL potential talent at SC, Pete has to send the message that staying at school for your entire eligibility makes sense in virtually all cases.

BoscoH -

To answer your question: I may be wrong but I believe players have a 72 hour window to change their mind.

The Donkey wishes Mark had stayed, he also wanted Reggie, Lendale, and Lofa to stick around. But he also knows that the reason high caliber High School players attend USC to play for Pete is to get to the NFL.

I agree that this blogger is overreacting to this situation, but it's obvious Carroll is irked about something. It's my hunch that the source of PC's anger is not Sanchez making a decision that goes against his coach's advice and the wishes of his parents, but rather that an agent somehow got involved. PC hates agents -- aside from the sleaze from Stockton, Scott Boras -- and to have one slither in here would certainly set him off. We'll see.

sounds like MS is no longer wanted around the program.

sounds like MS is no longer wanted around the program.

sounds like MS is no longer wanted around the program.

There are rumblings around campus that Scott Wolf has a penis. This seems rather far fetched considering his melodramatic nature and girlish tendencies. Stay tuned for the developing story.

Silly, silly fart smelling Wolf-bag.

Meyer had this to say about Harvin:

"Percy is the most dynamic player I've ever coached and can change the game on any given play," Gators coach Urban Meyer said. "He has the best first step I've ever seen and his ability to plant his foot and go is unmatched. Percy is a relentless competitor who wants to win. We wish him the best of luck and we look forward to having him around our program."

PC might learn from Meyer's graciousness.

This agent angle sounds like it may have legs. I think PC may be heated at an agent. I wonder who Mark has hired.

BoscoH, like TrojanSmith said, a player can change his mind within 72 hours (as long as he doesn't sign with an agent).

Wolf is making a mountain out of a mole hill. I've read the interview and saw the press conference. It's OK to be honest and disagree and still be in support of Sanchez.

@TrojanSmith - This is easy for Meyer to say after he's won the NC. Carroll would have been effusive in his praise for Leinart if he had left after the championship year, and I don't remember him being anything but gracious and supportive with Bush and White when they left (Bush was obviously ready, White arguably was not). Sanchez is leaving behind unfulfilled potential, and we all know it (even Scott Wolf). He's got more to prove - he's too good to leave SC having accomplished less than JDB.

Sanchez' Decision Process:
Reason #5. Can't win the Heisman next year...already given to Tebow
Reason #4. Can't win the National Title....inexperienced defense
Reason #3. New offensive coordinator...might not be as comfortable/productive in the offense
Reason #2. Tebow, McCoy, Bradford all stay.. less QB's to compete with in draft
Reason #1. Won't lose in Oregon anymore...no NFL team there.

Palmer, Leinert, Booty, Sanchez......who's got next?

Regarding Bush and White, there is significant evidence that a running back should leave early if he can. Those guys risk injury too easily.

Taylor Mays should have left early too if you ask me. How is his stock going to go up at all by staying another year? He loses a lot of money but I guess in the end, he wants the degree, which makes sense.

Seems like Pete is pretty selfish. I remember being at a fundraising dinner and Pete spoke. He ripped Tupa and Rocky Hinds for leaving. Pete doesn't like kids leaving I guess even when they are great and can make lots of money like Mark or Tupa (MLB for Seattle).

Cheezzy

Section 12, Row 52...you hit the nail right on the head!

This brings back memories of the Hancock Bowl back in 1991(?) when Larry Smith and Todd Marijuanavich when at it.

Bluesteele,

At least try to get the names right before you enlighten us with your keen insight. I'm sure you meant, Lofa Tatupu, not "Tupa". Good luck to the Bruins this year. Maybe you'll hit .500. Oh, to dream!

Moron.

FL

Ucla basically is a more productive football program than Usc. They estimate USC spends approx 3X what Ucla's spend on their program so you times that by our 4 wins and it's 12 wins. I bet next year UCLA wins 8 so that's equivalent to 24 wins which USC has never done.

In general, the guys that spend the most win the most in any sport. Once in a while there are exceptions but if SC cuts their payroll to Ucla's payroll you guys are last place in the Pac 10 like you were with Hackett. At least UCLA never gets dead last place in the Pac 10..

In short, why would it bother me that SC wins when they should be winning. You are spending the cash. Funny thing is Floyd almost makes as much as Ben H yet, ahhhh ya, that's right, Ucla is dominating.

I think people are missing something. There are TWO separate issues here.
1)Could Mark Sanchez improve his ability by staying in school another year.
2)Will he improve his draft potential if he stays in school another year.

The answer to the first is, of course, yes. This is almost always the case. I am sure he could benefit by staying two or three years in school. He would get better each and every year.

The key issue here is -- will his draft potential be better next year. It is always possible that it will. But that is taking a huge risk . The answer is probably no. Most likely it would stay around the same.

What I find so strange and puzzling is Carroll's intense anger in all this. Is this a side of Pete Carroll that we have never seen before -- that he has kept hidden?

When you are a Trojan you are suppose to be part of a family. Why would you so publicly attack Sanchez?? Isn't that stuff that a family is suppose to keep "inside the family?"

And most importantly, why would you publicly denigrate Mark's draft potential by throwing out the suggestion that he "will be a second round pick?"

Aren't you suppose to feel happy for someone in your family when they achieve their dream? And don't you sometimes try to stay positive for someone in your family -- even when they made what you feel is a mistake?

Listen -- there is NO ONE who suggests that Mark doesn't have lots of NFL potential. It isn't like he hasn't already competed against the best and beaten the best in college football. This isn't someone coming out of high school or someone who has never played major college football.

If I was looking at this as simply an unbiased observer I would think that Pete was simply being selfish -- upset that he won't have Mark next season.

What would Pete say if Mark changed his mind in the next three days, got injured next season, and was never able to be a high draft pick.

I am sure Pete would be so proud of Mark then.