Why Corp?
One theme from Pete Carroll and Jeremy Bates on why Aaron Corp was chosen as the starter was that Matt Barkley did not know the signals or communications well enough to run the offense properly and would need to read plays off a wristband.
Now is that a valid reason or an alibi for why the decision was made?
Carroll said if Barkley learns the signals over the summer, it could ``be a level playing field.''
Of course, Corp also went the entire spring without an interception and generally looked like the best quarterback. But nothing is ever set in stone, or at least that's the public persona.
Quarterbacks coach Jeremy Bates told Corp today not to ``look in the rearview mirror'' at the competition behind him.
``It will take a couple weeks into (fall) camp to assess (if Barkley is capable of starting),'' Carroll said.
I'll tell you what - everything I've heard from Pete and Bates suggests that they're really considering it but 12 practices is just not enough to make a final decision. If Matt has a big Saturday and keeps up his ridiculous performance into fall he'll win the competition. Interceptions or not - you just can't ignore all those TDs. Something tells me Barkley is the first player that's really testing Pete's compete and play mantra. He's played freshmen before but a freshman QB starting his first game at USC is not something we've seen at USC before. Fall practices will be absolutely electric.
Tyler:
I've said it before this kid is the real deal!
I started the Corp 4 Prez chant a little over a year ago when Mark and Mitch were fighting it off. Hmm, but Bark has really impressed. I wouldn't mind seeing him start, I would just feel bad for Corp for probably feeling the need to transfer. Then there's Mitch. Ugh... I hope he'll be the next Matt Cassel
A couple thoughts:
On the flip side; TDs or not - you just can't ignore all those Interceptions.
If Barkley is the better QB he can win the position next year as a redshirt freshman.
Just because a player wins the starting spot one year doesn't guarantee him that he'll be the starter the next. Not even if they're team captain, just ask Oscar Lua.
This is what Pete is doing:
1) Names Corp starter in the spring rather than Barkley so Corp does not transfer.
2) If Barkley is named the starter, it will either be a few games into the season or at the very end of fall camp. That way, Corp does not transfer.
This is really the only scenario there is to make sure Corp does not transfer.
It's all one big chess game and talent has nothing to do with it.
Mr. Sam Gilbert:
You can't ignore talent. Isn't that obvious, Sir? That is the difference between Mark Sánchez and JDB, Carson and Matt L., hello? With ALL due respect is that clear enough?
What are you saying Cap? that Mark was more talented or better than JDB? that Carson was more talented or better than Matt L? Winners, win...it's that simple.
Barkley is no doubt talented, but to imply that neither Booty or Leinart are is shortsighted at best. Leinart won the Heisman over some extremely talented players!
Carson was a freak, I knew after the Purdue game that Carson would be a Heisman Winner--are you saying that Barkley will win the starting job during the San Jose State game?
Two things: Corp is no Van Raaphorst, Corp is no John Fox. It will take a lot for MB to dislodge Corp from the starting position.
Carson Palmer started a few games as a freshman and was average at best, the same could be said with his sophomore and junior seasons in which he threw 29 TDs vs. 30 INTs combined. People only seem to remember his senior 33 touchdown Heisman-winning season
Mark Sanchez was a backup for a few years before having a great 2008 season.
Even Matt Leinart sat for a year before becoming the most successful QB in USC history.
Talent is great but experience should factor in, at least a little.
I'll support whoever wins the starting job but I just don't think a year of redshirting could hurt Matt Barkley. If he wins the job next year he can still be a four-year starter.
And Cheatthesystem,
damn you just a little for bringing up the names of the two QBs who started before Carson... next thing you know you will be bringing up the name of he-who-shall-not-be-spoken, aka the coach before Pete Carroll.