What Defines Success?

by Paragon SC on Apr 28, 2009 8:00 AM PDT in USC Football Comment 4 comments

Michael Lev looks back on Pete Carroll's comments from Jan. 15th.

So far, Mark Sanchez’s decision to forgo his final year of eligibility at USC looks like pure genius. Sanchez worked his way up to the top five in the 2009 NFL draft. He went to the team he wanted to play for. And he will play in a city that will afford him the best marketing opportunities America has to offer.

All of which begs the question: Was Pete Carroll wrong in advising Sanchez to stay in school?

The reflex reaction is a resounding yes. But that wouldn’t be true to Carroll’s premise.

Remember, Carroll never said Sanchez wouldn’t be a high draft pick. Carroll’s point was that Sanchez was hurting his chances of having a successful career.

“The plight of the early-app quarterbacks, even first-round draft picks, is less than 50-50 (for) them being successful,” Carroll said on that awkward Jan. 15 day when Sanchez announced he was leaving. “When it’s like that, it’s really hard to champion the cause.”

Although some believe Carroll’s agenda extended beyond Sanchez’s best interest — specifically, that the coach had a mouthful of sour grapes — let’s assume Carroll really was looking out for Sanchez. The next issue becomes: What defines success?

If it’s all about the Benjamins, then Carroll was wrong. Based on Matthew Stafford’s contract, Sanchez is going to get at least $20 million in guaranteed money.

But Carroll’s argument wasn’t about money, and I doubt Sanchez would measure his career in those terms either.

I said something similar shortly after he declared. We all knew Mark would make a boatload of cash but because he such a competitor the bigger question was would he succeed in the NFL like he did in college?

We won't know that for a couple of years but again what defines success? People will claim Caroll's remarks are self serving but if you look at the last few NFL drafts I think its safe to say that Carroll knows what he is talking about...

Plenty of coaches have been disappointed when players leave early, Pete was just vocal about it. Take it anyway you want...I appreciated his candor.

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Here's the thing

We can’t have it both ways: either Mark Sanchez had a great college career (only 16 games?) or he didn’t (losing the Oregon game his sophomore year in place of Booty) and losing the OSU game last year.??? Having only 16 games in a college career isn’t much to go on, but the scouts and GM’s saw what a lot of Sanchez have seen in him since his high school days. A severe competitor, who knows the game of football, and a natural-born leader on the field. Which is it?

Secondly, the NFL hardly drafts great quarterbacks. This might seem to be a hypocritical statement from me considering the fact that I just praised the acumen of GM’s in the above paragraph. . . but stay with me here.

Several teams have QUALITY QB’s who were either undrafted (Kurt Warner/Cardinals, Romo/Cowboys, and Delhomme/Panthers) or were drafted late in the rounds (Brady/Patriots- the best NFL QB before being injured last year; 199th pick in 2000 and his replacement Cassell/Chiefs; 230th pick 2005).

What is the measurement for success in this regard? Is it a Matt Ryan or Joe Flacco rookie season? Or is it a Joe Montana 1 1/2 year grooming before taking off type of success we’re all willing to be patient with. (btw: Joe Montana 3rd round/ 82nd overall pick 1979).

And look at all the total busts who’ve been thrust into the NFL limelight. Harrington, Akili Smith, and the gawd-awful Ryan Leaf!!!

I’ll go on record saying that Sanchez WILL NOT turn out like Leaf, Smith or even Harrington (who’s still in the NFL for some reason).

Give him time, he’ll be alright. He’ll make some mistakes, but I guarantee you, they’ll be on the field and definitely not off the field. Guaranteed.

Comer4tide to Nico2.0: "How come I've never heard of any of your random songs?"
Todd to Comer: "Because if you had, he wouldn't listen to it. BOOM. Roasted."
Nico to Todd: "Shouldn't you be off voguing somewhere?"

by BixBeiderbecke on Apr 28, 2009 9:07 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I'd love for him to bust out. . . .

. . . that Mexican mouthpiece in his first NFL game.

I’d just love it! Brown and proud!

Fight On!

by BixBeiderbecke on Apr 28, 2009 9:25 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I can see both sides, but vote for Mark

I think I understand PC’s perspective, and don’t believe at all that it was self-serving. PC did insinuate that Mark may not be drafted high as the scouts lacked sufficient game experienced. But, Mark’s winning attitude overrode this concern.

The big issue that may have swayed Mark was the new collective bargaining agreement with rookie salary caps that is likely to come next spring. With confidence in his ability, and perhaps the financial window of a lifetime partially closing in a new CBA, Mark absolutely made the right decision. Very smart move, Mark!

by DFWTrojan on Apr 28, 2009 1:08 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I had this discussion with a few of my friends

The consensus was that Mark made the right financial decision, but whether or not he will have a successful NFL career remains to be seen. The bottom line is Mark has “set for life” money right now, so if that is success then he has it. I don’t know if he has what it takes to be a great QB. The Jets are a team on the rise, so he should have a good shot to prove himself.

A lot of people think Carroll was wrong to have said what he said at Mark’s press conference. I thought he showed his frustration for what Mark was doing. He may have lost his composure, but I still don’t think it was the big deal everyone is making it out to be. Pete and his program helped Mark become a millionaire. A couple years from now the only people who will be talking about this are over at BN.

by frak on Apr 28, 2009 2:09 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs