Matt Barkley will stay for his senior year
by Paragon SC on Dec 22, 2011 5:30 PM PST
in USC Football
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PrintI really thought he was gone.
But the kid has a fire burning in him to finish what he started at USC.
Matt Barkley sticking around for his senior year at USC is a big deal. The reasons don't matter as they are Barkley's alone. Only he can know what is best for him.
His family is his anchor and I am sure that they all had a hand in the discussions...nothing wrong with that.
The fan reaction was predictable...
For the most part the media has set a pretty good tone.
Why I think Barkley is staying at USC — because he feels he owes it to USC. That’s right — it’s not because HE thinks he deserves the Heisman or the national championship. Barkley is doing this because he wants to contribute to the return of USC football to the top.
Barkley is not a me-first guy. That’s what I learned about him when he was at Mater Dei.
Barkley's "you can't sanction heart" quote after the sanctions were handed down really set the tone for what this kid is all about.
Barkley took the time he needed and reached out to those who he knew could give him the best advice in this situation. Whatever decision he made was OK with Me. He owed us nothing, he has carried the weight of the world on his shoulders since he got here, how could you be upset if he chose the NFL
The video below really shows the character this young man has.
This is a very mature young man.
We are lucky to get another year with him.
Now, on the flip side, I am not quite ready to crown USC Champs yet. They have a lot of work ahead. Who is covering Barkley's blind side? As improved as the defense was this past season they still have some issues in the pass defense department.
The media will eat this up as we get closer to the start of the 2012 season. They will start to sing the tune of USC being back.
The future is bright...
USC figures to start the season ranked in the Associated Press top 5. Win out, then and the Trojans are in. But it's not that easy. Not when players are already tweeting Thursday that a national championship is on the docket. Not when expectations are going to be sky-high from Day 1 of spring practice.
"I think it'll be very important for our team this year to have the same mentality going into this year, being the underdogs," Matt Barkley said Thursday, in a private moment just after the news conference finished. "It'll be hard, but we're still gonna have that mentality.
"We can't let anybody get big-headed, myself included."
That Barkley recognizes the risks means he has his head on a swivel. Barkley is just the guy to temper that hype that will the team will be bombarded with going forward.
The media loves the dramatic.
And I think Barkley can handle it.
Barkley showed his even keel in how the USC athletic department set up his presser today...
For Matt Barkley‘s announcement Thursday, someone decided to set up USC’s six Heisman trophies behind the podium.
It was not, however, Barkley’s decision.
“I didn’t want that,” he said. “Whether it was a give away (of his decision to stay in school) or, even more so, the fact that it’s setting up for next year, I don’t want that image for myself. That’s not me.”
Keepin' it real.
We are in good hands.
Congrats Matt!
FIGHT ON!
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This is the first time in years...
that I’ve felt this excited and this happy for the Trojans. If there has ever been a QB in the history of Troy that could lead a team to a Nat’l Championship, Matt Barkley is the man for the job. If they come back anything at all like they were in the last half of this season, they are going to be a serious force of power. I’m not saying they’ll be the champs, as I don’t like to speculate. However, I’d sure like to think that they’ll have a damn good shot at the title and will be doing everything in their power to get there. As well as exciting us with great football.
For what it’s worth, I didn’t get the feeling that Matt was going pro. Something was telling me the same thing he announced… “unfinished business”.
It feels damn good to be a Trojan right now. We are in good hands indeed.
LOCK IN... FIGHT ON!
by SoCal70 on Dec 22, 2011 5:46 PM PST reply actions 4 recs
THIS
It feels damn good to be a Trojan right now. We are in good hands indeed
_________________________________________________________________________
"You can't sanction heart, and you can't sanction the will to win" - USC QB, Matt Barkley
This is truly a game changer...
Highly heralded for his big arm and football brain… he wowed Pete Carroll into making him the first true freshman to ever start a season for USC. Now he does it again. A sure first round draft choice is his for the taking but, it seems, that for Matt Barkley this is secondary to some ‘unfinished’ business remaining at USC. To be sure, Barkley’s decision to return is a real game changer not just for next season but for Lane Kiffin’s recruiting efforts going on right now. The Trojans will absolutely be a PAC-12 force next year and for Matt Barkley a chance to make a real statement to the NFL just before he really does go pro. Also, Barkley is now poised to be the crown jewel of the 2013 draft as opposed to being the alternative to either Andrew Luck or RG3 this spring. And for some poetic justice… the kid just might add a Heisman of his own to spice up that 2013 resume.
trojanWar
Breathtaking comments Mr. Barkley!
To MB7
From a USC alumnus and old-timer.
Your comments mean alot to me and to many.
Yes, there is alot of unfinished business.
Fight on!
By the way, I am not that sentimental of a guy. But, for some reason the entire team brings forth such joy and pride in how we play the game!
Fight on to Victory!
Engrave this on a Brass plaque at the entrance of Heritage Hall . . .
“I love being a USC student-athlete, it is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience, but I am not postponing my dream and objective of playing in the NFL for one year so that I can just have one more year of college life,” Barkley said. “I’m staying because I want to finish what I started … finish alongside the most dedicated and courageous teammates I could ever have, and know for a few short years, I dedicated myself fully to achieving all that I can as a USC football player.”
Matt Barkley could become the greatest Trojan ever. Ever.
Fight on Matt! We are lucky to have you in our family too.
by uscdude on Dec 23, 2011 2:15 AM PST reply actions 1 recs
I think you’re right----
He embodies the right mind, body and spirt.
He came to SC for the RIGHT reasons, not just a singular reason.
by trojanarchitect on Dec 23, 2011 9:03 AM PST up reply actions
forgot ---
So who would be at the bottom of the list….. RB?
The press now refers to the sanctions as the Bush sanctions.
by trojanarchitect on Dec 23, 2011 9:05 AM PST up reply actions
i would agree 100%
integrity rarely seen in college football. instantly, he’s one of my favorite college football players.
by Quacker Backer on Dec 23, 2011 1:13 PM PST up reply actions
These kids, Barkley and McDonald, did a great thing.
Sure, their decisions to come back are a real boost for the program. But what this does for the School and the Trojan Family immeasurable. (For that reason, We should all be grateful to Matt Leinart, too. Here’s a kid who made a tremendous financial sacrifice for the joy of playing one more year of college football.)
How I wish we had more juniors like these kids. Manny Wright, Lofa, Mike Williams, LenDale, Sanchez — oh, what could have been if you’d all decided to stay.
Can’t wait for the start of the 2012 Barkley Farewell Tour as he levels and torches the college football landscape from here to New York City — with a special shout out to a corrupt organization in Indianapolis.
IMHO it is a mistake......
Not just for MB7 but for anyone, the risk/reward just is not worth it in the grand scheme of things. I would feel that way regardless of the outcome. I do not believe in revisionist history. Even if it works out great, it doesn’t mean it was a smart decision. If you get behind the wheel of a car while intoxicated and manage to make it home safely it doesn’t mean it was a good decision. It is the risk vs. reward that must be weighed without the benefit of foresight, and based on that I think it is a mistake for anyone in a similar position. With all that being said as a proud Trojan alum I am extremely happy and excited about the prospects of the team next year and actually even going forward because Matt’s return helps us in recruiting and in preparing the next QB to succeed. So I appreciate what the kid is doing and I know it is what is best for us,I just question whether it really is what is best for HIM big picture.
If the money really doesn't mean that much to you
then why is it a mistake? For most people, yes, a guaranteed financial future would be the smart decision, but money isn’t everything to some people. I’m just glad that Matt was able to put the wishes in his heart above the “practical” option of grabbing the money now if it will make him happy.
Any chance Kalil will change his mind?
Wouldn’t that be awesome?
Your Conquest Chronicles name
is awesome. I have a 4th and 9 t-shirt I wear to the gym and the guys wearing ND shirts (an amazing number wear them, btw, for being in Seattle) still scowl at me.
Maybe greatest USC play ever. 4th and 9 . . . Leinart drops back . . .
Kalil has signed with an agent.
He’s gone.
"That's what the FBI can never understand - that what Paulie and the organization offer is protection for the kinds of guys who can't go to the cops. They're like the police department for wiseguys." Henry Hill, Goodfellas.
Feeling Loco?
CONGRATULATIONS condoms!!
I think it’s great that Barkley is returning. It’s a great example to young kids and a huge boost for the whole conference. We certainly learned this year why it’s important to have all our marque teams performing well. So welcome back! Next year will be a doozy! im excited. also, with both of our non-conference schedules being, um, not to difficult, our game(s) should be national blockbuster(s)! Good luck this offseason! Let’s kick the SEC in the gut.
You can start by winning a Rose Bowl
‘laytex’? how about latex.
Oh, Mama, can this really be the end
To be stuck inside of Mobile
With the Memphis blues again
-R. Zimmerman
"let's kick the SEC in the gut?"
USC has a winning record against the SEC. How about “the Ducks finally win a big OOC game for f*cks sake?”
A Quick Note for the Quitters
No comment from this thread will be deleted. You will have to own them when we get it turned around and beat Southern Cal. You will never ride the bandwagon when we come back. Not on BN. GO BRUINS.
by Nestor on Sep 4, 2010 9:24 PM CDT
perhaps, im not allowed to mention laytex ( O'Dictator Pope, so sorry!)
every time i come on here to offer support and kind words the censors have a tissy. Soon, im going to stop agreeing that usc got shafted by the ncaa and should sue and instead im going to start thinking,…. well, maybe they got what they deserved, being that they have never been anything but jerks. Perhaps a more closed society would be a nice home for you. one without a first amendment.
I wonder why DeAnthony Thomas finally had enough and bolted the smog cloud for clean air where one can actually think like a human being…..
good luck next year, keep poking. i dare you. im sure the ncaa is ready to hear it again. just keep poking.
Fascinating! (insert: total sarcasm-smirk right here)
Slap! Slap! Slap! Slap! Slap!
Hey dumbass! We never asked you to hug our nuts to begin with, so. . . . .?
But please, continue to suck our thighs. Just to show us that you haven’t COMPLETELY given up on us.
In case you need it really spelled out for you: we here at CC are thoroughly unimpressed with your opinion and humor. It seems so. . .so. . .country. Good luck on all that “thinking” you’re doing out there in Eugene.
Eugene? Thinkers? Is that why your dad painted all those flowers on your VW bus? Genius.
by BixBeiderbecke on Dec 23, 2011 2:03 PM PST up reply actions
LOL! honestly i came back to this site and my original post was deleted. or so i thought anyway.
GEEZ,…now i kinda wish i could delete my response to the (supposed) deleting of my first response…. blush Guess i deserve it,…..here, let me bend over for you guys.
by Quacker Backer on Dec 23, 2011 2:36 PM PST up reply actions
bet it was my own damn fault too. i was probably 'back arrowing' to before i even posted.
please excuse my old and unfamiliarity with the ways of the iWorld…. emBAR-ASS-iiiinnngg!
by Quacker Backer on Dec 23, 2011 2:44 PM PST up reply actions
welcome to life...
CORPSMAN - Usually a young, long haired, bearded, Marine-hatin' Sailor with certain medical skills, who will go through the very gates of Hell to get to a wounded Marine.
Conquest Chronicles
Btw, in case you don’t want to sound like a moron (since you’re a law student), you might want to know it’s latex not “laytex” and a tizzy not a “tissy.” Also, to avoid problems you might want to think before you type, the first amendment applies to political speech and not to Jr. High level comments on a blog. That said, your comment was not deleted, but left to stand in its full intellectual glory. Merry Christmas!
"That's what the FBI can never understand - that what Paulie and the organization offer is protection for the kinds of guys who can't go to the cops. They're like the police department for wiseguys." Henry Hill, Goodfellas.
Feeling Loco?
its *extended* to political speech, not exclusively so.
are you really concerned about trivial forms of a temper tantrum? i am country, and tissy is another way of saying hissy fit, it means nothing but is suppost to infer a connection with sissy, again, mindless speak. pick your battles.
but the jr high comments are excellent (outside of the constitutional context) and fair and latex was CLEARLY misspelled, congratulations. GUILTY! now prove it’s not a typo.
again, look into the first amendement. now i understand that the word “whore” IS most often used in a political context, but i can still constitutionally call someone a whore without being political or violating a criminal code even though it made Mother Terasa very upset.
(and the word ‘political’ is not in there)
by Quacker Backer on Dec 23, 2011 5:12 PM PST up reply actions
but i still looked like a douche above! lol
do you ever have one of those days where you just keep doing stupid things. you recognize it,… but then do another stupid thing?
that’s me today. i. just. can’t. stop. sticking. foot. in. mouth. =)
Thanks! Merry Christmas to you and yours!
by Quacker Backer on Dec 23, 2011 5:17 PM PST up reply actions
calling the Trojans
“condoms” is so unoriginal. I recall Bruins fans saying that crap when I was still in grade school 30 years ago. There should be an intelligence requirement for posting on this board.
LOCK IN... FIGHT ON!
yes and the old tees -- "Trojans burst under pressure" etc....
blah blah — but I ‘d rather be a Human as our team name than a bird better suited for an oven.
by trojanarchitect on Dec 23, 2011 4:01 PM PST up reply actions
i am really happy barkley is returning.
also, i can’t wait to see how Marquis Lee develops. awesome!
i don’t think the title can be handed back to usc just yet, but next year will be epic. i can’t wait! honestly, we have GOT to take the SEC out.
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