Elite football recruits: Take heed of the Mark Sanchez example

Bumped. GO BRUINS. - N

"The truth always comes out"

Those are Pete Carroll's own words, when (wrongfully) accusing UCLA staff of spreading misinformation of Ken Norton Jr. taking over as defensive coordinator for DeWayne Walker to elite recruits. The timing of this accusation was curious, as it came fresh off the heals of the de-committal of top-recruit Morrell Pressley from Southern Cal to the Bruins.

Now Pete Carroll is losing Mark Sanchez to the NFL draft, and once again, those words shed some light on the big picture.

"The truth always comes out"

Pete Carroll has enjoyed quite a bit of success at Southern California for nearly a decade now. Much of that success is borne from the ability to lure elite recruits to the program on a yearly basis, stacking nearly all positions 2 or 3 players deep of 5 star talent.

Mark Sanchez was a 5 star recruit, widely considered the best QB in the country, with enough talent to probably start as a freshman or sophomore at most programs.  Pete Carroll somehow lured in Sanchez the very same year he convinced Heisman-trophy winner Matt Leinart to bypass the NFL for another year of ballroom dancing and Reggie Bush pushing, all the while having another 5 star QB recruit John David Booty waiting in the wings as a redshirt freshman.

Well you know the story. Leinart lost to Vince Young, then slipped in the draft, lost millions, and is riding the pine in Arizona. John David Booty took over, played fairly well for two years, now is riding the pine in Minnesota (I think). Mark Sanchez rode the pine for 3 years at Southern Cal, patiently waiting his turn, then finally got his chance and had a fairly good year his fourth year. 

Pete Carroll somehow keeps his gravy train going by convincing recruits that it's not necessarily playing time that makes players better, it's the competition in practice.  Yet, when it's time for those players to make the decision to take their game to the NFL, all of a sudden, playing time is now paramount. "I really think he (Sanchez) needed more experience" Carroll said.  You know what I call that? A TWO FACED LIAR.

So which is it, Pete? What makes a player better: playing time, or the competition in practice? Or is it simply: whatever is good for Pete Carroll and Southern Cal?

Mark Sanchez got his degree (don't laugh), did his time on the pine for three years (getting better with competition at practice), had a nice fourth year and is projected to be the 2nd QB taken in the draft. He decided to take his opportunity now. There are no guarantees in sports. He made his decision. And for that, Pete Carroll publicly embarrasses him by acting like a selfish, jilted lover and giving him the cold shoulder at his press conference.  Nice way to send the guy off, Pete!

Mark Sanchez in now discovering what it means to be in the "Trojan Family". That is, you are part of the "family" as long as you do what is best for the "family" first. Sounds more like a DICTATORSHIP to me!

"The truth always comes out"

UPDATE (N): Arash Markazi, a writer on SI.com who just happens to be a Trojan alum eviscerates Pom Pom for embarrassing himself:

It was a sad display for the usually gregarious Carroll, who spoke of Sanchez as a statistic rather than a person and a player he's known for five years. If that's what Carroll has to say about Sanchez in front of the cameras, I'd hate to hear what he's going to say about him behind closed doors when NFL scouts and general managers start calling him.

 

Again note to all the recruits. According to a Trojan alum himself you guys are nothing but a "statistic" to disgraceful Pom Pom Petey. GO BRUINS. -  N