Blame Defensive Line Depth!

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Clancy Pendergast complained about USC’s defensive depth this week. Clay Helton said he thought Pendergast referred to the defensive line, which lost Kenny Bigelow and Noah Jefferson to injuries.

So if this is an issue, why is it that USC has 15 commitments for the Class of 2017 and not one is a defensive tackle? Whose fault is that? The NCAA? Steve Sarkisian?

194 thoughts on “Blame Defensive Line Depth!”

  2. Pendergast needs to get out there and start recruiting. I think that he’s an outstanding DC. But he doesn’t like to recruit. In this day and age, recruiting is part of your job in college football.

    • Pendergast has always refused to recruit and he was hired with the understanding that he doesn’t have to. You’re barking up the wrong tree. Gomer took him on knowing this would be something other coaches would have to take up the slack for.

      Then Gomer gave Tee Martin the OC job because he’s SC’s best recruiter and he didn’t want to lose him. All these decisions make SC what it is, a spotty, weak-minded outfit that always has its fans saying next week is our week.

      And you can bet your bottom dollar that if we lose to ASU, Gomer will say we improved and are about to put it all together. I would almost pay to see that if it were something you could buy.

      • All of Helton’s media interview’s comments seem scripted. All of us have seen the same minor to no improvement. His time is about up anyway!

      • We’ve got 8 games left and we’re 1-3. I don’t see any cupcakes in those last 8 games. Could we go 9-3? I wouldn’t bet the ranch on it. Winning all 8 of those tough games seems to me like a tall order. Will he win 7 of those games. I wouldn’t put money on that either. It seems to me that he will win 5 or 6 and it could be worse. That means that the best we can hope for is 7-5 or 6-6 and hopefully not worse. There’s going to be a lot of unhappy people at the end of this year and rightfully so because that team is not in a rebuilding year. They have talent.

        • Were unhappy NOW! We can see what’s ahead—more losses and more Helton BS during his pressers.

          • If we’re 7-5, I think they might keep him another year. If we’re 6-6, his chances are not so good. If we’re 5-7(which is a real possibility) and we don’t even go to a bowl game, I don’t think that he’ll be back.

        • You Rah-Rah’s thought bozo u would upset Alabama!. LOL

          If the bozos go 6 – 6, the season should be considered a SUCCess.

    • Clancy didn’t want the gig to begin with, he was praying that some NFL team would offer him a job. Clancy is aloof, an excuse machine and doesn’t recruit, what a hire!

      • I like Clancy. I think that he’s an outstanding coach. But I’m not sure that I dis-agree with what you said. Maybe we need to find a coach who likes college football and wants to stay here for awhile, not just to pay the bills for one year.

  3. One detail that Helton is not very smart. UW just won the coin toss and deferred to the second half. That’s what Pete did all the time early in his years. Play D first and get the ball back after halftime.

    #SMART
    #LOGICAL

  5. So how many scholies they have for next year now that three were vacated.

    After FACT CHECKING WOLF, we find USC has 2 D line commits, one an end and the other is James Lynch, a def. tackle. 23 offers have been made for the DT position.

  6. WA is taking it to Stanford – WA bottling up McCraffrey – 40 yds for Stanford in 16 plays – current drive.

    • I am amazed at what Peterson has done with Washington. Not a lot of 4 and 5 star players, just kids that have been taught how to play and now how to win.

  9. Warning! Warning! For those of you that were clamoring for and demanding Chris Peterson–do not watch ESPN. WA is putting a beat down on Stanford. So, unless you want your head to explode, stay away. You have been warned.

    • Ha ha! Haden really, really screwed SC by picking Sark. Although, I keep hearing that Petersen didn’t want to come to SC anyway. Oh well, as the saying goes, that ship has sailed.

      • Not happening tonight. Stanford’s got too many people hurt and the Huskies smell too much blood and are very-coached, too well-coached for master hirer Pat Haden. Hope he’s watching. The Drunk probably isn’t. Way too painful, even on a DVR loop down the line.

  10. I’m a USC fan and I’m enjoying the proficiency of the Washington team. This is how football is meant to be played. If I was USC I would stay at home and forfeit the Washington game.

    • I’m surprised Arizona was able to take Washington to OT before losing. SC could be in trouble when they play the Cats too. Yikes.

      • SC will squeeze into a minor bowl. Hopefully, we’ll be coached by an interim coach for that game because Herman will be tied up with the big boys.

        • I think you’re spot on with your minor bowl prediction. I have a bad feeling that Lynn is going to give him at least another year though, especially if he can at least get to a bowl.

          • So if we get 5 wins and don’t even get into a bad bowl, we still have to keep Gomer? Great. What if we get 6 and get in the Rumaki Bowl? Bring on WEST MICH!

          • Wait until UW gets a hold of us in Seattle on 11/12. Once Swann gets a load of that hammer job, he might come to Jesus, if he hasn’t already.

          • Oh Yah. Even the complete blind die-hards won’t be able to sell hope going into that fiasco. USC won’t get within 20, and that’s if we play good.

          • Forget W&L’s predictions. We know this season is lost. Do you think Helton will be around by then?

          • I used to think Gomer would have at least two years minimum. But with the unbelievably bad way USC has looked and with Herman and Miles available (but only for now), I don’t see Swann giving Gomer two unless Gomer wins out, which is impossible.

            Swann’s been around the very best in the game. Imagine how he feels when he’s listening to Gomer talk about USC and his plans? I’m not buying it. If Swann waits until 2017, Herman and Miles (not really a favorite of mine) will be long gone. If Swann wants Herman, he’s got to go now. If he doesn’t, then we’re lame until Swann locks up who he targets.

          • I agree. Swann isn’t buying into Helton’s BS!
            I’m sure Swann is in Houston talking to Herman.

          • If only that were true. Landing Herman will take a top-notch effort. I’m not sure USC is capable of pulling that off, seriously. My instincts tell me we aren’t. Too bad, but we’ve earned the rep as a stoopid football (not athletic) program. It wasn’t long ago when all the UW people were laughing that we took the Drunk off their hands so they could get Petersen. Good for them.

          • Swann’s legacy is at stake. I’m sure he’s been given the green light by the BOT’s.

          • But nobody will blame Swann if he gives Gomer two years. Some would say it’s the right thing to do. USC’s in a bad spot as usual.

            I’d vote to keep Gomer if he showed any reason to think he had the makings of a great coach – like Carroll did. But Gomer doesn’t. Even his pressers make me cringe. We’re stuck. It was those stupid rich BOTs and Nikias who wanted Gomer. What makes you think they suddenly got smart?

          • Rich Alumni money is important to the BOT’s. A lot of those rich alumni support a winning football team. If it’s not displayed, then the check book suddenly shuts. Money always speaks loud.

          • We’ve been saying that all the while we hired the Kiffer, the Drunk and Gomer. Look where we are now.

          • You have a point. I agree. I really believe Swann wants to win big and has convinced the BOT’s with his approach. We’ll see very soon!

          • Jack what would you say if USC beat Washington. Would you have that come to Jesus meeting yourself? lol

        • Herman won’t come. Why would he? Come to a program when head coaches get fired at the airport or one year on the job. He’s got his assistants and their families to consider.

    • No, it will be really, really fun to watch the contrast between the coach SoCal could have had, compared to the coach they have.

    • But the Dr. Rachel Maddow of Inside USC defended Pat Haden’s choice and said Petersen isn’t a good head coach.

  18. Man Im getting sick to my stomach watching this Washington team. I don’t know how the interviews went but I’m guessing Petersens first choice would’ve been USC had he only gotten a good degree of autonomy to run the team, hire assistants, etc..or just gotten most of what he would’ve wanted. I need a drink and a strong one at that right now.

  21. And we paid Pat Haden how much to find Clay Helton rather than a full time press to hire Petersen?

    • Haden was too busy stealing monies from the foundation to worry about doing a actual coaching search.

    • Petersen turned down Haden at the end, which is why he took the Drunk. If Swann had been our AD then, he would have landed Petersen because he understands what great coaches require and that they won’t put up with.

      Once Swann decides to move, he won’t go soft on the big target(s). Anyway, that’s my prediction and I’m sticking with it.

        • Don’t know but one guy in the Mike Riley mold is Marc Trestman [OC Ravens, former HC Bears]. He also won CFL championships with Montreal, is a great communicator and teacher.

          • You must really, really hate SC to mention Trestman. That man’s career has been a dumpster fire outside of one good year in the CFL.

          • Hence a logical choice by Nikias who wants to turn USC into the University of Chicago.

        • Ya sure, Petersen’s so stupid he was hanging around with Haden the day before the hire. Petersen just decided to let himself get jagged so he could finally visit L.A. and go the The Ivy.

  24. Hmmm wonder what the ‘Haden’ will do with LAPD wanting more scratch for security at the Coliseum. Or is this one more of ‘Cappers’ “…that is not in my purview….I’m still communicating with Wells Fargo on our joint statement re. my justifiable efforts for the Mayr Foundation…back to the golf course…”

  25. ….there it is evaporating ….in the gloaming….why?…..if only…….we’re a national power…….we get the best…..it isn’t fair…..WA cheated….

  26. Just checked around Social media and Haden is getting it hard from all angles with tweets like “So, not a good fit at USC huh?” Or “He didn’t interview well? did Pat interview him for the football coaching job or the Psyc teaching opening?!?”

  28. He should had won it last year rather than that Bama guy that ram the ball 50x a game vs crappy teams

    • He lost it because ‘marketing’ him is too demeaning for a Stanford man …. those phi beta kappas haven’t a clue on what other programs know.

      I doubt his stock rises especially after this game – he’s gotten a lot of attention because he’s a white running back.

      • Right now Jackson would win it, and I don’t see anyone, including Houston, stopping them. Of course we shall see how L’ville handles Clemson.

  29. You have to understand something about Steve Sarkisian, and Clay Helton, their offensive philosophy is to out score you, and the last one with the ball wins. That’s why they stock up on receivers, and as many quarterbacks that they can sign. Remember the type of football that was played in the old WAC conference in the 70’s and 80’s? Nobody played defense, but it was bombs away for all the teams, especially BYU, and San Diego State.

  30. Petersen realized after Sark that its all about the line of scrimmage, it took him 3 yrs to fix Sarks recruiting .

  31. Something noticeable and telling about the UW-Stan game is the disparity in speed. UW receivers get separation. Compare that to the SC receivers, not so much.

      • Right. I mean the SEC is widely considered the best DL producing conference while their admissions requirements- save Vandy- are subpar to say the least. Coincidence?

        • Problem also is most of the best of the best DL and OL HS recruits leave the state and hook up with winning programs. USC has lost out by wanting other position players.. 20 WR between two classes and now we see how it becomes a issue of concern with depth.

    • Don’t kid yourself. Academics aren’t USC’s problem. It’s all about leadership and coaching. USC has neither. Nothing will be fixed unless it turns out Swann is the right guy.

    • UCLA banged up Stanford pretty good – just no win. I wonder if Mora is watching the Stanford/U-Dub game?

    • I guess the UW defense wasn’t too impressed with Stanford’s most interesting O line in the world bit a few games ago.

      • Remember what SC’s d-line looked like against ALA, STAN and UTAH? Get ready for some open holes.

  34. These twists and stunts and creative ways of getting pressure, what is this? Surely these are no inventions of this mad scientist Petersen, because I have never seen them in the last how many years of watching USC football. Is it a new form of football? I will say this, Petersen teams are fundamental, mean, chippy and sometimes dirty but hey…

  35. The best thing about Washington blowing Stanford out this evening, is that it makes Pat Haden look stupider then he already looks……Dummy

    • Too busy trying to recapture the Pete Carroll days to see and hire a real coach who I believe could have been swayed to come to SC.

  37. 15 commitments for the Class of 2017 and not one is a defensive tackle ? SW, I hope you are joking. Surely.

  39. IF…they did like Bama and other winning teams, they would immediately go after JC all Americans…they tried last year after it was too late…that’s how McKay filled needs &built the ’62 team

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