It was only a few months ago, but somehow it seems like everyone has forgotten.  This article we just found was dated January 16th - three months ago.  But on Saturday, not one mention of the jerk that is Pete Carroll.  The USC coach totally threw his QB, Mark Sanchez, under the bus when Sanchez announced he was going pro.  Comments such as this were what came from Carroll’s mouth: “The facts are so strong against this decision.  After analyzing all the information, the truth is there — he should’ve stayed for another year.”

And now, all the facts - at least as far as the draft goes - are out there.  The New York Jets had the 17th pick.  They traded 2 picks plus 3 players to the Cleveland Browns - why? To draft a quarterback that Carroll seemed to think was making a huge mistake.  Yeah, Pete, good call!  Sanzhez went so low in the draft that Carroll must feel vindicated - um, actually he should feel like jackass.  Sanchez went 5th overall to the Jets.  A professional football organization decided that Sanchez was such an excellent prospect that they would make a big time trade in an effort to pick him as their QB of the future.  And yes, it’s the same Sanchez that three months ago Carroll said: “Mark’s chance to increase his value and become the top player in college football next year would have been worth $10-$20 million or more — likely more.”

Maybe Sanchez could have stayed one more year and made a bit more money.  But there is no doubt he 100% made the right decision in coming out when he did. Is it worth injuring yourself (as he had done in the past) in an extra year of college for the chance to move from the 5th pick to the 3rd?  No way.  Is it possible that Carroll is far more selfish than people give him credit for and was and that his start quarterback would not stick around for 11 more wins at USC?  Very likely.

But for all the sports writers out there that love to criticize college coaches (i.e. Pat Forde) - where are you now?  Sure, Carroll may not have agreed with Sanchez’s decision, but should you really say publicly that your player is not ready?  Aren’t you just doing your damnedest to submarine his chance of success.  Of course you are.  So why not call him out?  Especailly now, as he was completely in the wrong.   Matt Leinart stuck around one year too long, and look where it got him.