Fight On!! Sanchez making his mark.

The Pete Carroll era at USC lasted from 2001 through 2009, during which the program enjoyed a period of dominance that it had not experienced since the 70's.  From 2002-2008, USC posted an 82-9 overall record (6-1 in bowl games) which included 2 national championships, 2 Orange Bowls, 4 Rose Bowls and a "Top 5" final ranking in all seven seasons.  The Men of Troy were on the map and from the look of things, they would be staying for a while (well, things changed when NCAA sanctions hit, Carroll fled to the NFL; but let's save that for another day).

The starting quarterbacks during this period were Carson Palmer, Matt Leinart, John David Booty and Mark Sanchez.  Palmer, Leinart and Sanchez were all drafted in the first round of their respective drafts; Palmer being drafted 1st overall in 2003.  With Sanchez just having completed his second NFL season, would it be fair to ask whether he's the best quarterback out of USC in the Pete Carroll era?

Sanchez was 14-2 as a starter & 2009 Rose Bowl MVP

Unlike Palmer and Leinart, who both starred in multiple seasons, Sanchez only started one season during which he led USC to a 12-1 finish and a Rose Bowl win over Penn State.  A Thursday night loss to Oregon State in Corvallis, OR, derailed any hopes the Trojans had of playing for a national title that year.

In the days following the 2009 Rose Bowl, Sanchez declared for the NFL draft; a move that wasn't exactly welcomed by Pete Carroll, who publicly criticized Sanchez for the decision.  I think Carroll must have known that without Sanchez, USC was headed for a rebuilding year.  They finished the season 9-4, so Carroll was onto something after all.

Sanchez was drafted 5th overall by the New York Jets, and started all but one game in his rookie season.  He led the Jets to the playoffs for the first time since 2006 and their first playoff win (Against the Palmer-led Bengals) since the 2004 season.  The Jets played in their first AFC title game since the 1998 season.  In his second season, he led the Jets back to the AFC title game, only to fall short against Pittsburgh.  All in all, Sanchez has played in (6) and won more playoff games (4) than Carson Palmer and Matt Leinart combined.

Palmer & Leinart were both Heisman Trophy winners at USC

Carson Palmer led Cincinatti to two AFC North division titles in 2005 and 2009, but the Bengals came up empty in the ensuing wildcard games.  In the 2005 playoff game against the eventual Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh, he suffered a late hit to his knee, and his absence derailed any momentum the Bengals had picked up, costing them the game.  In his most recent playoff game, the Bengals lost to the Jets, leaving Palmer's playoff record at 0-2.

Leinart, who could gone 1st overall in the 2005 NFL draft, opted to stay in school and almost led USC to their third consecutive national title.  He was drafted 10th overall in 2006 by the Arizona Cardinals and saw plenty of action during his first two seasons.  However, following an injury during his second season, he never regained his starting job; having to make do as Kurt Warner's backup during Arizona's run to the Super Bowl in 2008, as well as the 2009 playoffs.

Palmer might not even be at Cincinatti next season, and who knows if Matt Leinart will ever get another start, let alone make another roster.  Their futures are uncertain, but we do know that Mark Sanchez is only getting better.  Slowly but surely, he is being tasked with more than just "managing the game".  He has led the Jets to wins against tough teams, both in the regular season and in the playoffs.

So having seen the evidence that has been presented, I think it might be safe to say (albeit prematurely) that Mark Sanchez is indeed the best quarterback out of USC during the Pete Carroll era.

Clay Matthews: The second coming of Ray Nitschke.

In just his second year, Clay Matthews has developed a reputation as one of the best linebackers in the NFL.  He's big, strong, fast and very athletic; simply put, the man is a BEAST!!  He is slowly but surely establishing himself as a Packer legend, following the footsteps of one the best players to ever wear the Green and Gold; Ray Nitschke.

I'm not a Green Bay Packer fan, cheesehead or whatever it is they call themselves.  I'm not steeped in the tradition, or even know much about the Lambeau mystic, the Frozen Tundra and all that stuff.  What I do know however is that Ray Nitschke is one of the best to have ever played the game.  If you're a Green Bay fan reading this, and there's something you think I ought to know, feel free to educate me.

The man could use a good dental plan.

The list of great linebackers goes deep.  You've got "Hollywood" Henderson, Mike Singletary, Lawrence Taylor.  Then it gets deeper with Chuck Bednarik, Dick Butkus, Jack Lambert and Ray Nitschke.  That's old school and it's as good it gets.

Drafted out of Illinois in 1957, Nitschke was a key player during the Packers dominance in the 1960's.  While he was known for his hard hits, he was a good all-around linebacker, intercepting 25 passes during his career.  Along with the NFL Championships, Super Bowls, All-Pro selections and Hall of Fame honors, Nitschke is one of only 5 players to have their numbers retired by Green Bay; not bad considering how many great players have come through.

Along with Penn State, USC takes a lot pride in the moniker "Linebacker U" due the number of great players at that position over the years.  Junior Seau, Willie McGinest, Chris Clairbone, Lofa Tatupu and Keith Rivers are just to name but a few.  It definitely wouldn't hurt to add Clay Matthews to that discussion.

The three amigos prior to the NFL draft.

Matthews teamed up with Rey Maualuga, Brian Cushing and Kaluka Maiava to form one of the best linebacking units in the country.  From 2006-2008, USC faced Michigan, Illinois (who should have never even been there in the first place) and Penn State in three straight Rose Bowls.  Not only did the Trojans win all three games decisively, but they were dominant in every sense of the word; thanks in part to the aforementioned gentlemen. 

In this era of parity, winning one championship is probably more than enough because it's not as easy for teams to dominate an entire decade like they used back then.  Should Green Bay win Super Bowl XLV, and Matthews goes on to a lengthy career, it wouldn't be a bad thing if he were to considered in the same breath as Nitschke.