"I'd Pick Matt Barkley Over Andrew Luck"
 

Steve Sarkisian uttered these words today at a press conference and in doing so, sparked a bunch of columns all over the web about the statement. What do you think?

Personally, I think it's a completely asinine statement on par with saying "I'd pick Mark Sanchez over Matthew Stafford" in 2009. There isn't a single thing that Barkley does better than Luck.

Puts zip on the ball.

I'd say their arm strengths are about equal with Luck having the slight advantage. Even if Barkley were better than Luck in arm strength, Luck still has him beat in every other attribute.

If you think Luck has even slightly more arm strength than Barkley, you obviously haven't been paying attention.

Barkley is not Matt Stafford, but he's closer to Carson Palmer in throwing power than he is Matt Leinart.

Barkley can make every throw. I would question whether Luck can hit the deep out route like Barkley can.

I'll back this up with evidence:

See the throws at :17 and at :55

What happens if Matt Barkley stays for his Senior year eh?I think should he could be a much higher pick even the number one in 2013.Just needs perfect his game some more.

I'm thinking that's a highlight video of Seattle's next QB. I've never been a huge fan of Barkley's, but it might be more of a bias against USC QBs. I think he's going to be more athletic than people expect at the combine, and I do like his arm. He's got enough strength there to get the ball to his receivers quickly, and yes, he can throw the deep out. At this point, I also feel that the Andrew Luck Hype is bigger than Andrew Luck.

He's #1 pick material most years. He's Eli Manning-esque. I think he stays a 4th year to try to win a national championship.

Kiffen thinks Barkley's gonna stay if that means anything. Life has to be pretty sweet at USC, Barkley has the chance to go #1 if he stays, and the chance to win a championship. I think he stays.

Luck is the clear favorite, but Barkley isn't a bad consolation prize to the Luck sweepstakes. I think he is as good of a prospect as Sam Bradford when he came out.

Chance to win a championship? Really? The team that has already lost 2 games (and one of them to ASU) with a 3rd loss on the way in a couple weeks at Autzen stadium is a championship contender?

USC will be 3rd best team in Pac 12 next year--at best. I wouldn't put it past UW to pass USC next year as well.

After watching them in a head to head battle they are about even in every category with Matt Barkley having an edge in arm strength but luck being a better athlete overall. I like Andrew Luck a lot but he is no where close to John Elway or the greatest prospect ever that was a stupid comment by the guy on ESPN who said Cam Newton would have to sit and learn for at least 2 seasons and right now he is the #2 QB in total passing yards in the NFL.

I'm not saying Barkley is better than Luck, but I don't see any reason Barkley can't develop into an above average starter or better. I'd have no problem with Barkley being the #1 pick if it wasn't for Andrew Luck.

Are you serious? Look at the way SC has improved since their first loss. This team is starting a BUNCH of freshman who will be even better next year. In fact, every linebacker starting now is a freshman.

Yeah, 2 losses, 1 being from one of the top teams in the nation. Your post doesn't add up.

newsflash: college coaches are homers.

Yeah, and you have to imagine Sark was also saying this to get in Matt's head as well.

The idea that "Andrew Luck can't make all the throws" is utterly RIDICULOUS and just proves that you probably live on the East Coast (Phil Simms) and don't actually watch the games. Even the youtube videos people post on this very site show examples of tough NFL throws. No, he doesn't throw the deep out (which is the lowest percentage/highest risk intermediate throw in football), but that's by design. Peyton Manning never throws it either (his version is the deep comeback that is a route based on timing more than brute arm strength). I honestly don't even know why I need to defend his arm strength - it's beyond adequate. Is he Stafford or Russell? No. But he absolutely has the pre-requisite arm strength needed to be an NFL QB. LOOK AT ANDY DALTON RIGHT NOW. ANDY DALTON COULDN'T EVEN THROW A NON-DUCK POST AT THE SENIOR BOWL.

Watch Andrew Luck for one game. He'll throw a lot of short passes (displaying his insane accuracy and quick-decision making), and sprinkle in some intermediate stuff. Once in a while, he'll go deep. And the offense will be ridiculously effective. Don't confuse touch with not having a strong arm.

Would the hype be this out-of-control if it wasn't warranted? Is this some elaborate West coast scam hyping up a guy who really doesn't have an NFL arm? Phil Simms caught it!? That's ridiculous. Watch a game.

I really hope Barkley goes pro but the Seahawks are going to have to do a lot of losing to hold off MIA, WAS, even CLE, etc. At this point I'd be just as excited if they landed Barkley. While I think Luck is a superior prospect, I believe both QBs can and will develop into players you can win a Super Bowl behind. Go get 'em SeaMen - *Blow for Barkley* because the Colts won't win 3 games...

I agree that its not likely at all for USC to win a NC next year, but im sure Matt Barkley thinks otherwise.

Not really thread worthy so ill just post here . .

Where do you want Luck, Barkley, Jones, RG3 to go given that they are all in this draft.

I really dont want Luck to go to the Colts. Its just not fair. Im praying that the Colts dont get the #1. Another franchise should have a shot at having a top 5 QB for 10-15 years. The colts are looking at like 25 years of great qbs(if luck doesn't pull a leaf and live up to the expectations. I would like to see Luck in Miami. They have talent on offense, all pro LT, a legit #1, and a good TE. They would be very competitive very fast.

As for Barkley, I want to see him go to Seattle. The Seahawks need a qb in a bad way and might trade up to reunite Barkley/Carroll

I am a Shanahan fan and would like to see him have success in D.C. That being said, Jones actually fits in very well in Shanahans offense.

RG3 would be just be sexy in KC. Moeaki, Bowe, Breaston, Baldwin, Charles and McCluster. That's tons of diverse athleticism on one offense.

So I WANT
Luck to Miami
Barkley to Seattle
Jones to Washington
Griffin III to Kansas City
Not all of these dreams will come true but I would love to see Luck in Miami and RG3 in KC.

I dont think you've watched enough of USC this year. They are a very young and very talented team. Next year their offense will be able to score with anyone in the country. ASSUMING Matt comes back. If not, thats when it gets tricky. Barkley, Woods, Lee, Farmer, McNeal, and a young offensive line this year would be coming back, looking to light you up every saturday.

The 56 points given up to Stanford looks a lot worse than it really was, triple OT doesnt help that either. The defense has been improving great strides week in and week out. They had Luck confused most of the night and got great pressure on him. Like Punisher mentioned, 3 of our linebackers in the rotation right now are freshman. Perry definitely needs another year before he leaves for the pros and Kennard will be back as ends. Might lose McDonald at safety but could see the rest of the secondary back.

This USC team that is competing every week is a very young and talented team and they will only get better. Barkley knows that, Kiffen knows that. Knowing that Barkley is very big on getting his degree, and I feel like deep down he wants to be the top guy in the draft. People have been hyping him up since his freshman year in high school, why would he want to be second best for cryin out loud? He would be going into next year as the top guy, and with a chance to win a NC. Sounds like a decent set up.

If Barkley comes back they have a chance, but its a little early to start talking about whos going to win next years NC.

People mentioned the fact he might come back for the chance to try and win a NC. Thats why its came up.

I've been hesitant to say this because Luck hype is beyond out of control but I actually think Barkley will end up a roughly similar pro in terms of success when compared to Luck. People have seriously lost their minds over Luck IMO. That isn't Luck's fault, he's a great prospect and I don't agree that his arm strength is a valid concern. But people are expecting him to be some sort of alien defense-destroying robot QB and it's just not realistic.

Distance, yeah...they're about the same. But I like the zip Barkley puts on his short and intermediate throws. He's got a slight, but clear advantage over Luck in that department.

Oh yes, I want that too friend.

Luck in Miami, Barkley to Seattle, Jones to Washington/Seattle and RG3 to KC all seem like the best fits.