In this segment, the defense gets some scrutiny.

Q; marvgoux said:
Would you say USC alumnus and new Egyptian president Mohamed Morsi’s leadership style is more Pete Carroll or Mike Garrett and does President Max Nikias have any plans to honor him at homecoming this season?

A: I’d say Mike Garrett at this point. I think Morsi’s got his hands full at the moment and I would not anticipate any visit to USC during football season. He might not be allowed back in his country.

Q: USC ’91 said:
Immediately after Matt Barkley announced his intention to return for his senior year, his family seemed uncertain as to whether they would apply for a special insurance policy to cover extraordinary injuries, as other high-prospect returning players have done. Do you know whether they ultimately decided to take or skip that insurance policy?

A: Last I heard they were leaning against it but it’s a good question and I’ll see if I can find out this week.

Q: dtksr1 said:
Scott, I think the real liability on the defensive side is not all the D-line, but DC Monte Kiffin’s success in positioning of defensive players. I am still concerned his NFL pedigree of thinking will put players out of postion in the college game for cheap scores as we have seen the last two years.

A: There was an interesting moment last weekend at the Coliseum when Lane Kiffin talked about how vital it was to hire defensive assistants with college experience because they face a variety of offenses. He was referring to linebackers coach Scottie Hazelton. This seemed like a dig at former linebackers coach Joe Barry, who had NFL experience and left USC following feuds with Monte Kiffin.
But following Lane Kiffin’s logic, that meant his own father wouldn’t have the ideal resume for his coaching staff. Monte Kiffin did coach in college but that was back when the wishbone was being used, not the spread.