I was one of the USC Trojans football fans back in the fall who wasn't ready to accept John David Booty even getting the starting job back when healthy from Mark Sanchez. So clearly, you see I am a Mark Sanchez fan all the way. And of course I have been following the whole Sanchez-Mitch Mustain-Aaron Corp. QB competition all spring from my computer here in New Jersey. And of course, I was somewhat relieved to see Sanchez has secured the starting QB position according to head coach Pete Carroll and offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian - and reported of course all over the nation, including today's (4-16) Los Angeles Times.
But Trojan fans and haters, do you really believe this is set in stone? Sanchez won't have to look over his shoulder for Mustain and Corp come that first practice in August? I hate to admit, but all this means recent announcement out of SC means is Mark Sanchez is the starting quarterback for the months of April, May, June, July, and up to the first day of practice in August. Wow! Big deal! Really as a Sanchez fan, I would be feeling much better had USC announced there was no starting QB heading into the 2008 season and August camp.
I have always been leary of Mustain and his antics at Arkansas two years ago. Unless he has changed the attitude which seemed apparent two years ago (I'm know I'm just a fan and have never met the kid, so this is all speculation based on media accounts of the '06 debacle with Houston Nutt and Arkansas) I cannot imagine Mustain taking this recent decision too well.
Mustain's recent comments to the Los Angeles Times are a chill up my spine: "They didn't say it was over," he said. "Until they give me that, I'm going to keep playing."
USC coaches did in fact tell the Daily Trojan those same words (not quite sure the LA Times story did not have quotes from coaches of the same variety) so I'm not claiming he's making this up by any means.
So, as a USC fan and Sanchez fan, this doesn't bode well on two fronts. Following are the two scenarios that will have me worried regarding my favorite football team and the guy I want calling the signals all spring and summer before kick-off versus Virginia even arrives:
1. Mustian will be more motivated more than ever, out-play Sanchez in August and leave me rooting for a team with an individual I do not care for at the moment.
2. Mustain pulls some of the same behaviors he pulled at Arkansas when things did not go his way, and he becomes a major distraction (bringing the media in with him) to the Trojan program to begin the 2008 season.
Call me crazy. Tell me I'm too hard on Mustain and the kid got a raw deal from Nutt. Or tell me you have the same feelings. Tell me I completely overlooking Corp and that is foolish. Tell me you're an UCLA fan and you cannot wait for the turmoil Mustain may cause.
Whatever you think, let me know.
GO TROJANS
Cheyenne Frontier Rodeo Days
Comments (9)
What happens the first time someone comes off the blind side edge, where Sam Baker no longer is, and knocks over Mark? Does he then become a Dirty Sanchez?
thehemogoblin | 04/16/08, 07:06 PM
Report Offensive CommentI wouldnt be worried about Mustain bringing the media into SC if something doesn't go his way. SC shouldn't be worried...every player should be used to the media attention around that program
badgerfan07 is ashamed | 04/16/08, 08:20 PM
Report Offensive CommentI'm an UCLA fan, and I think the coaching staff should leave Sanchez as the starter. They've already said that he's the starter, even though the best quote I've seen is, "If the season was starting Saturday, then Sanchez would start." which isn't setting too much in stone.
I think Mustain could perform better than Sanchez, but it seems as if the USC coaches have seen differently.
I don't think the press would damage USC b/c those LA'ians are too used to having flash-bulbs go off in their face anyways. Look at what the negative press about Reggie Bush and his teammates a season ago did to them: it didn't even faze them.
How 'bout 'em | 04/16/08, 08:41 PM
Report Offensive CommentSeems like maybe Carroll and USC dont think a Latino can handle the reins at QB.
Cassidy's House: Perfect Gem | 04/16/08, 08:51 PM
Report Offensive CommentHow''bout'em, you make a great point about the negative press with Reggie Bush, and I should have taken that into account. Still, I fear here that it will be during a season with a player still in the program who may be more than happy to communicate with the media - as opposed to Bush who did not exactly cooperate with the media. Really, I hope I have it all wrong about Mustain, but I can't help feel the way I do based on the way things played at Arkansas.
EastCoastKeith | 04/17/08, 08:22 AM
Report Offensive CommentOh yeah, I said before in another blog that Mustain should've performed better even with a crazy ol' Nutt in his ear and McFadden/Jones backing him up. I said the same of Sanchez b/c the teams he started against were not the toughest of opponents, but that was Booty's team though.
How 'bout 'em | 04/17/08, 03:48 PM
Report Offensive CommentI wouldn't worry about Mustain so much. Carroll can show that kid the door if he acts up. With Corp already there and Barkley on the way. Mustain becomes a bit expendable.
J. HOVA: ALL FOR THE LOVE | 04/17/08, 04:25 PM
Report Offensive CommentI already got my "6" (Sanchez) game jersey, and, other than "4" (McKnight), and "58" (Maualuga), the only other number available was the leftover "10" (Cushing deserves the respect for his number). No "16" or "15" this year, so settle in for a great NC season. Sanchez is a phenomenal leader, as well as a great ball handler and passer (he makes all the receivers look like their great selves, after a season of badly-timed JDB passes, handoffs that were visible from the MetLife blimp flying over Omaha, and sacks and interceptions of JDB). FIGHT ON !!!!
jerry4usc | 06/26/08, 08:39 PM
Report Offensive CommentGO TROJANS, i am an Arkansas Hog fan. I also like the Trojans even though they kicked our butts good. but if you look back at the Trojan vx Hogs came, when Mustain came in as a freshman and gave us life after at the end of the game. The kid got a raw deal, he is a good kid, and he will hustle, he likes to win. Nutt ran him and the offensive co ordinator off. He pulled Mustain in the 9th game, after he had helped win us 8 games in a row, and did not play him again That is why he transferred, he knew Nutt wasn't going to let him play. I don't blame the kid for leaving, i wish we could have had him last season to go along with DMAC, JONES AND HILLIS, i think we would have been a better team. Nutt had all the High coaches mad at him, are of are top in state recruits were leaving the State. give the kid a chance, don't believe every thing you read in the media. just look what the media is saying about coach Petrino, they are only telling one side of the story. GOOD LUCK TO THE TROJANS this season, man you all are loaded at quarterbacks, if one gets injured you have two good ones to come in and mop up. i am jealous. ha.
COUCHMAN48 | 07/03/08, 03:18 PM
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