Seahawks brass showed up en masse to USC's pro day Wednesday, presumably to watch USC quarterback Mark Sanchez.
It makes sense, as Sanchez has everything you could want in a quarterback prospect for the West Coast offense.
In just one season as a starter, he put up numbers as good as anyone in the country, showed leadership ability, accuracy, mobility and football smarts.
To continue...
Strengths
Get ready because there are many. The first thing that stands out about Sanchez in interviews is his cockiness, which isn't necessarily a bad thing for a quarterback. Many of the all-time greats displayed the same brashness.
Like them, Sanchez backs it up with a terrific work ethic and love for the game. Though he failed to lead the Trojans to a national championship, as is expected of any USC quarterback, he was as responsible for his team's success as anyone.
The numbers are of course great. He threw for 3,207 yards with 34 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. It should be noted that he did so without the usual suspects of elite college talent surrounding him. He was undoubtedly USC's best player on offense.
He stays calm in the pocket, goes through his reads and progressions quickly and always throws an accurate, catchable ball, while leading his receivers. He also has good mobility and throws well on the run.
Like all USC quarterbacks, Sanchez has spent time in a pro style offense in college, but he also operated one in high school, lessening concerns about his lack of experience.
Weaknesses
As anyone can see, Sanchez only started at the collegiate level for one season. It's unknown how much of a difference that will actually make however, as Sanchez pretty much did everything you'd like to see out of a prospect in that one season. Plus, he's already graduating with a degree.
Other than that, there isn't much you can say about him that's bad. He won't be burning the midnight oil studying game tape, and that can be a concern as far as him reaching elite status in the NFL.
But his work ethic is strong, so he may develop into that type of player at the next level.
Sanchez seems to be the perfect prospect for the West
Coast offense, but how much of that is due to lack of
scrutiny in only one season of playtime?
How does he fit in Seattle?
Based on game film, there isn't a better prospect for Seattle's West Coast offense in this draft, and you'd be hard pressed to find a better one in any draft.
He's great in all the areas one looks for in a West Cost quarterback with accuracy and quick, smart decision making.
However, GM Tim Ruskell typically prefers consistent production. But if he and the 'Hawks brass have reason to believe Sanchez's 2008 performance wasn't a one-year fluke, there's no reason he shouldn't be the pick at four.
Quarterback Matt Hasselbeck has two years remaining on his contract, which means Sanchez would have two years to sit, a situation most believe is ideal due to his inexperience.
Ability wise, Sanchez could develop into a better quarterback than Hasselbeck ever was, though he won't have famed quarterbck guru Mike Holmgren to guide him, which will always be a concern until proven otherwise in the post-Homlgren era.
Draft position
Sanchez certainly has the charisma to make NFL officials fall in love with him. And while he was criticized for leaving USC a year early, it perhaps shows his competitiveness and love for the game. This stands in contrast to Matt Leinart who stayed with nothing more to prove, seemingly to party in college for one more year.
After an absolutely dominant Rose Bowl performance against Penn State (413 yards, 80 completion percentage, four touchdowns, no interceptions), many mock drafts had Sanchez going number one. He has since settled behind Georgia's Matt Stafford.
Now, it looks as though the highest Sanchez could go is number four to the 'Hawks. He probably won't last beyond eight, where Jacksonville picks, but you never know.
Here's the entirety of Sanchez's performance in the 2008 Rose Bowl:
Reach Jeff Richards at nextseasonsports@gmail.com
