Sanchez jokes about Carroll's NFL plans

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CINCINNATI -- After one try, New York Jets rookie Mark Sanchez has as many NFL playoff victories as the college coach who declared the quarterback wasn't ready to turn pro.

Sanchez

USC coach Pete Carroll criticized Sanchez for his decision to enter the draft after his junior season. The news Carroll was leaving USC for the Seattle Seahawks gave Sanchez the perfect opportunity to respond moments after winning his playoff debut 24-14 over the Cincinnati Bengals.

"I just wanted everybody to know I completely disagree with his decision," Sanchez said, unable to stifle laughter. "Statistics show that it's not a good choice."

Here's what Carroll said one year ago about Sanchez's decision to enter the draft: "The facts are so strong against this decision. After analyzing all the information, the truth is there, he should have stayed for another year. He lost out on a chance to fully prepare himself. The facts are there's a 62 percent failure rate for underclassman quarterbacks."

Statistics certainly didn't look like a failure Saturday. Sanchez finished with only three incomplete passes -- one of them a dropped touchdown by Braylon Edwards -- and a 139.4 passer rating.

"I talk to Coach a bunch," Sanchez said of Carroll, the former Jets and New England Patriots coach. "I told him I was going to hammer him about it. I wish him the best, whatever happens, whether he stays in school or not."

Tim Graham covers the AFC East for ESPN.com.

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