Sign Of The Timeouts

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USC.ALABAMA.2016.2I remember Clay Helton seemed to burn timeouts last season. But last year night was a record: Three timeouts in the first quarter!

It was a sign the stage was just too big for the team. Or the coaches. Or everyone. Cowboys Stadium filled with Alabama fans is not a waltzing stadium. But USC acted like it was playing in Tuscaloosa.

7 thoughts on “Sign Of The Timeouts”

  1. Word on the street is that Sark is getting a job at Bama!

    Maybe they need a blogger too?

    #JustKiddingSW

  2. I tried to overlook the early time-out spree by Helton, but it didn’t bode well. He’s a great guy but not exactly a quick study. He’s prepared, but not ready. He says all the right things but looked about as steady as Browne staring down those four ALA DLs who had him shaky all night.

    I can’t imagine what it’s like being in a USC football staff meeting now. I just hope Helton doesn’t need to call TOs there too.

  3. Let’s face it, USC will not be relevant again until an experienced winner is in place, and allowed to do his job, without any influence from administration. Clay Helton based on my memory of him being at SC , has always been a coach that just hangs around, with figure head titles. Lane Kiffen, and Steve Sarkisian didn’t think enough of Helton to make him a relevant staff member, but Pat Haden names him the permanent head coach. Helton will never out coach, David Shaw at Stanford, or Chris Petersen of Washington, but I’m sure the Trojans will win some Pac 12 games because of talent alone. Is that what the administration has reduced their expectations to , a few conference wins, and mid level bowl games ? I certainly hope not, but it sure seems that way.

  5. Those early timeout habits are remnants of the Sark and Kiffen tenures who always called T.O’s early in the game. Helton is part of that offensive philosophy.

    What I remember was that Norm Chow used to always talk about scripting the first 15 plays of a game and then making adjustments based on what the defense showed you in the 1st quarter. A purely brilliant move that allowed Norm then to tailor something (adjustments!) as the game went on.

    I don’t hear any of that from the Sark/Kiffin/Helton offensive philosophy. Those guys seem to think they can win the game in the film room during the week. Drawing up plays with an overhead projector is completely different from getting creative on the field.

    Remember Bill Walsh and Joe Montana drawing up plays in the dirt during a game? It’s why Montana ruled in the 4th quarter. They never stuck to one gameplan, they made adjustments as the game went on. Not with USC’s current crew.

  6. KLAC 570 AM this morning reported Sarkisian has been contacted for a possible gig w. AL by Kiffin.

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