Pete Carroll and Mark Sanchez: “It was Carroll who discouraged Sanchez from going pro, saying quarterbacks who leave college early for the pros generally don’t succeed. He had the numbers to prove it, too, pointing out that 62 percent of quarterbacks who leave as underclassmen don’t pan out. ‘The facts are strong against his decision,’ Carroll said. Maybe. Only the facts are strong in favor of it now. Sanchez is one win away from becoming the first rookie quarterback to start a Super Bowl. More than that, in one NFL season, he’s experienced more success than his predecessors at USC – Carson Palmer and Matt Leinart – have in their pro careers. Palmer hasn’t won a playoff game, and Leinart hasn’t even started one.” [CBS Sports]