My take on USC Football

USC Preview in 2010

2010-05-23T12:45:00.000-07:00

Quarterback: USC has two solid quarterbacks. Matt Barkley remains the starter, but Mitch Mustain is no slouch either.

Running back: Allen Bradford will bring consistency to the run game and is expected to get 15-20 carries a game. It's up for grabs who will be the no.2 guy, but incoming freshman Dillon Baxter showed what he can do in the scrimmage, and he is rising up the ranks fast.

Fullback: Stanley Havili is the best fullback in the country, hands down. Run, catch, block, he does it all. He needs the ball more.

Wide receiver: Replacing Damian Williams is a challenge, but Ronald Johnson is more than ready to be the go-to guy. Expect Brice Butler to have a breakout season. Incoming freshmen superstars 6'5 Kyle Prater, Markeith Ambles, and Robert Woods could all see significant playing time next year as well.

Tight ends: Nobody has made an impression to replace Anthony McCoy. WRs Jordan Cameron and David Ausberry have moved to TE to provide depth in place of injured Rhett Ellison and Blake Ayles. Ellison can only do so much. Ayles has the most potential but has not applied himself. If these guys aren't careful, top-ranked incoming freshman Xavier Grimble could overtake them.

Offensive line: Lack of numbers and injuries in the spring was an an issue, but this a talented group of linemen, and it's nice knowing Seantrel Henderson comes in this summer. Once they find their rhythm, this will be a force to be reckoned with.

Defensive end: Replacing Everson Griffen shouldn't be a problem when you have Nick Perry, Wes Horton, Malik Jackson, and 6'5 295 lbs. Armond Armstead all impressing the coaches. Nick Perry is poised for a breakout season, and Armstead's size presents trouble for opponents.

Defensive tackle: Jurrell Casey is a proven talent. DaJohn Harris has shown promise, and the return of 330-pounder Hebron Fangupo is good. It hurts to lose Christian Tupou for the season, but he'll be back in 2011 at a position that should be deeper and more talented by then.

Linebacker: It's nice knowing all three starters return, but so do their injury histories. There isn't a of depth with Uona Kaveinga transferring and Jarvis Jones threatened with a career-ending injury, but of the top 4 LBs (Smith, Morgan, Galippo, and Kennard) it's a solid group. JC transfer Glen Stanley should also provide depth and get playing time.

Defensive backs: The return of Shareece Wright is good news for USC. Although his playing time was limited the last 2 seasons to injury and academic ineligibility, Trojan fans can tell you he is the best DB on the team. This should be a strong position with Wright starting and either TJ Bryant or Brian Bauchum starting alongside Wright.

Safety: This is the biggest question mark. There is a lot of young talent, but it is inexperienced. TJ McDonald and Jawanza Starling have potential to be truly great safeties, but they're only sophomores and will both me making their first career starts this September.

SPECIAL TEAMS: Former Fresno State special teams coach John Baxter joins USC. Baxter had a lot of success with the Bulldogs last year, so we should expect some improvement next season.

Kicking: USC's kicking game didn't look that great last year especially when fans were accustomed to David Buehler the year before. Joe Houston and Jake Harfman have to step it up.

Punting: Poor punting gave opponents better field position to score, and they did. Let's hope it improves in 2010.

I expect slight improvement from last year's team. USC is still another year away from being Pac-10 champions, but they could certainly finish 2nd place in the Pac10. I'm expecting the Trojans to finish 10-3 going into their bowl game.

A List of Demands

2008-11-08T08:36:00.000-08:00

USC: Keep on winning! I can't stress it enough. Keep on proving why the USC defense is so great. And to the offense, NO MORE PENALTIES!!! PLEASE!!!!

Cal: Please lose to USC, and lose to some more teams while you're at it.

Oregon State: Please lose just one more game. That's all I ask. Losing two more would be too much to ask, I realize.

Stanford: A decent PAC10 record there. USC has to beat you guys just for the revenge factor But after that, feel free to finish your season with a victory over Cal.

Oregon: Nothing to say really, except please be a 3-loss PAC10 team..

Arizona: It's your job to beat Oregon State. It's either you or Oregon's responsibility.

UCLA: I could ask you to beat Oregon State, but I'm not sure I can't trust you. Besides, you can lose to them and I'd be ok with that.

Washington: I don't care. I actually hope Washington finishes winless. I've never seen a 0-12 team. I was hoping it was going to be Stanford in 2006, but they ended up beating you to get their lone win.

Washington State: I don't care.

Arizona State: What happened?

Waiting to see Curtis McNeal play

2008-10-26T14:44:00.000-07:00

After seeing what small running backs like Jacquizz Rodgers and Keola Antolin can to opposing defenses, it made me realize how great it is to have a smaller running back.

Then I realized that USC has someone who can fit that same role: Curtis McNeal.

He got cleared by the NCAA to be officially eligible to play a few weeks into the season, so

it looks like he's redshirting this year, but when he starts playing next season, then we'll see.

Like Rodgers and Antolin, McNeal is 5'8" 180 lbs. On rivals.com, he's ranked #20 as an all-purpose back for the 2008 class, and Jacquizz Rodgers and Keola Antolin were #23 and #21 respectively. I'm assuming McNeal could do the same.

With an improved offensive line in 2009 that should be physically bigger and stronger next season, it only looks good to have a 5'8" guy hide behind his line and sneak up on the defense.

Freshman Impact at USC

2008-10-06T23:06:00.000-07:00

Here is some notable playing time from freshmen. It just shows that no matter what year they are, if they have the talent, the coaches will play them.

Drew McAllister --- interception

Blake Ayles --- 1 touchdown

Armond Armstead --- 2 tackles (1 sack)

Others who have received playing time:

-Tyron Smith --- offensive line

-DJ Shoemate

-Jurrell Casey

-Uona Kaveinga --- made a tackle

-Malik Jackson ---- made a tackle

So much talent... just be patient.

2008-10-06T22:38:00.001-07:00

I know the USC team is loaded with superstars, but all of them will get their time to shine if they are patient. Their patience will also score them a nice multi-million dollar NFL contract.

Pete Carroll is using a three-back rotation now with CJ Gable, Joe McKnight, and Stafon Johnson. The backs all look pretty good, I can't complain. So far this season, Mark Sanchez has been passing the ball alot, so the tailbacks aren't getting as many carries, although they've responsed well to screen passes. Either way, as long as they gain yards, they've done their job, right?

It's looking like Allen Bradford will redshirt this year. He has a sore or bruised hip, which has kept him out of practice and the Oregon game, and redshirting is not a bad idea. He had good experience these first few games and two more years of eligibility should do him some good.

For Marc Tyler and Broderick Green, the redshirt freshmen, there will be a point in the not-too-distant future where they will be the primary backs. They have another 3 1/2 years at USC, so they will certainly be the go-to guys.

Curtis McNeal, a true freshman recently cleared by the NCAA to play, is most likely redshirting. I hope the 5-8, 180 pound running back will show the same playmaking ability as Jacquizz Rodgers.

USC has two running backs already in line for 2010: Dillon Baxter and D.J. Morgan

Afterthoughts of the USC-Ohio State game

2008-09-19T10:57:00.000-07:00

USC made a huge statement beating Virginia and Ohio State 52-7 and 35-3 respectively. Several questions arose regarding USC's offense: new starting QB, 4 new starters on the offensive line, and a receiving corps that came off of a mediocre 2007 season. All those questions were answered. Of course, since it is early on in the season and there are new starters, there's always room to get better.

I know only 2 games have been played, but when you take the average of those two games, USC has won their games 44-5. 5 points?!?! A 3pt field goal and a safety? WTF?!

Isn't it funny how there was so much buildup to the USC-Ohio State game and then all of the sudden it stopped?

To any Ohio State fans who criticized USC's performance against Stanford and used it as justification for their potential to beat USC, this 35-3 beatdown is especially enjoyable. When you bash the Trojans and their loss to Stanford, you have no right to make excuses when your team gets crushed by the Trojans... Of course not all Buckeye fans were talking trash like that, but for the ones who were, those fans got everything they deserved. No excuses necessary.

And it makes little difference if Beanie Wells was injured or not. USC had a 32 point win over the Buckeyes. The offensive line for Ohio State did not block well, and even though Wells is better than their other backs, he wouldn't have been able to do much with the whole SC defensive line swarming the backfield.

It's not our fault if Ohio State's coaching was bad. And it's not our fault if Ohio State got penalties; USC got just as many. It's a matter of being well-prepared for the game, and USC was.

That's pretty much it. And best of luck to Ohio State the rest of the way. And let's hope good things for USC the rest of the season.

Another 10+ players from USC in the NFL draft in 2009?

2008-06-30T17:08:00.001-07:00

If you thought USC sent tons of guys to the draft last year, you might see just as many in 2009.

These are best-case scenario predictions. Granted, everything goes as planned for USC and
there are no injuries, things could look good for the Trojans.

Once again, these are possible NFL draftees. Here is the list, not the draft order:

1. Rey Maualuga --- LB --- he's 6'3" 260 lbs., he hits hard, and is a fast runner.

2. Brian Cushing --- LB --- another great linebacker; gets the job done. no more injuries..

3. Fili Moala --- DT --- ESPN and the media say he's one of the best defensive tackles in the country, and the most underrated.

4. Kyle Moore --- DE --- had a few interceptions last season, did a great job overall, impressed me the most of all the defensive players.

5. Kaluka Maiava --- LB --- he's played in several games, started a few games. But he hasn't had the opportunity to be a full-time starter because there is so much talent he's competing against.

6. Cary Harris --- CB --- probably the best CB on the team. He hurt his shoulder against Washington State last year and sat out for a few games. During that time, USC barely beat Washington, lost to Stanford, and barely beat Arizona. As a CB and a good pass-blocker, you could tell the defense was hurting without him when he was out.

7. Taylor Mays --- S --- will be a junior next year; his stock has risen greatly since last season; if he builds on his success from last season, I could see him going to the NFL. A 6'4" 230 lbs. safety with speed...

8. David Buehler --- PK --- he has good size and strength for a PK. He has experience as a fullback and safety in his football career, so he has the speed of a safety, which helps on special teams; it also makes him versatile. Against Arizona State last year, an ASU guy ran a kickoff return for a touchdown, and it was impressive to see that Buehler was able to keep up with the ASU guy. He dove for the ASU guy, but fell short. Still, it was amazing that of all the defenders, SC's placekicker nearly stopped that touchdown.

9. Jeff Byers --- OL --- the best lineman in the 2004 HS class. Started last year, looks to be the leader of the offensive line next year.

10. Patrick Turner --- WR --- he's decent, but this is his last year at SC, so he has to step up.

11. Clay Matthews --- LB --- started a few games when other starters were injured, did a pretty good job.

12. Kevin Ellison --- S --- I don't have much to say, but I have no complaints either.

13. Stafon Johnson --- TB --- great season last year. If he has a monster season this year, he might consider...

LA and OC

2008-06-10T14:56:00.000-07:00

Next season, Pete Carroll should run play featuring players from LA County

QB: Garrett Green
RB: Stafon Johnson
RB: CJ Gable
TE: Jimmy Miller
OL: Garrett Nolan
OL: Charles Brown
OL: Thomas Herring
OL: Zack Heberer
OL: N/A
WR: Travon Patterson
WR: Scott Stephens

Then how about an Orange County play?

QB: Mark Sanchez
RB: Marc Tyler (played in LA, but lives in OC)
FB: Adam Goodman
TE: Blake Ayles
OL: Alex Parsons
OL: Matt Kalil (lives in IE, but played in OC)
OL: Martin Coleman
OL: Michael Reardon
OL: Khaled Holmes
WR: DJ Shoemate (lives in IE, but played in OC)
WR: Sean Calcagnie

These would be fun plays to watch.

Can't Wait For Virginia

2008-05-24T01:38:00.000-07:00

Still 3 months to go before football season begins...

The season opener at Virginia is on my mind. Just waiting in anticipation for the 2008 debut and seeing the team showcase their talent.

In preseason rankings, it looked like Virginia was unranked, but I hold them to higher esteem, as I do with all of SC's opponents. Even the name "Virginia" sounds like a good team, or at least a respectable title.

If healthy, the running backs will exploit Virginia's defense, and the passing game will be secondary. But fall camp has not even started yet, nor has the scrimmage in August, so I am making these claims off the knowledge I have. If I hear good reviews of his passing in the summer, not to mention a good performance from the new offensive line, they'll be good to go on August 30th.

Why Mark Sanchez Should Start

2008-02-22T23:54:00.000-08:00

I look forward to seeing Mark Sanchez start in 2008. He can scramble and run the ball if he has to, and Booty could not. I respect Booty's legacy at USC, but I am ready to see our new quarterback.

His personality is another notable quality. He is an outgoing person and I can imagine very vocal in positive reinforcements, which will inspire his teammates to play well. His first career start in an emotional come from behind victory against Arizona was great. I liked how he celebrated with the students after the game. It's great seeing him show his emotion and excitement when he plays. Because when he's enjoying it, you enjoy it. He's a "feel good" type of player.

He lead USC to a 38-0 shutout over longtime rival, Notre Dame, and he completed 4 TD passes. And depsite a 24-17 loss against #5 Oregon, he hung in there and had an impressive showing at the end, completing several deep passes.

If Mark Sanchez will start, I think he will get the crowd more involved in the games, as he did against Arizona. If USC has a quarterback who displays passion and enthusiasm, it will be some great football in 2008.