In my weekly notes column, I mention how one of the first impressions of Joe McKnight at USC involved a visit from Peyton Manning. Tragically, he is the second USC athlete senselessly gunned down in Louisiana. Point guard Ryan Francis was murdered in Baton Rouge in 2006
I also spoke to quarterback Max Browne about whether there was any discussion of having him introduced with the seniors before the Notre Dame game, since he graduated and knew it was his final home game.
“It was never brought up on my end or Helton’s end,” Browne said
What a tragic ending to the once-brilliant athlete’s life! Rest in peace, Joe.
As much as they’re trying to package it as some heartwarming situation, this awkward thing about Max Browne not being introduced as a graduating senior on the senior day and his rather abrupt departure make me suspicious of something that’s not discussed outside the locker room. I once ran into Max Browne and his friend at a local eatery some weeks ago, and he didn’t look like a happy camper at all even during my casual observation without listening in on the conversation. I wish him the best wherever he goes, regardless.
I cannot imagine why Browne would be happy. He worked for 4 years to be the Man, and now he is a nomad looking for an oasis.
But that is life in the entertainment business, and football is entertainment. And if you are trying to be NFL material, or a top singer or actor, there is a lot of competition
Nope! You can’t expect him to be happy. In fact, anyone can understand why. But like you said and even Darnold did, it’s a business, and life goes on without you when you lose a competition.
And isn’t it funny how players are called cowards, when they decide to transfer on their own? Because that’s what Max Brown would have been called if he left when Cody Kessler was named the starter.
Yup. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose…..fight on
Remember Gentleman John Hall’s “Notes On A Scorecard”?
22 you’ve committed another “Trump”. Allan Malamud wrote “Notes on a Scoreboard.” for the defunct Herald-Examiner and then for the LA fishwrap until his untimely death.
John Hall wrote a more in depth daily sports column for the LA Fishwrap which I always find more interesting and informative than Jim Murray’s formula column.
Is it any wonder Jim Healy referred bozo u people as the “Brain Surgeons.”
Enjoy watching USC in the Rose Bowl….
Brain Surgeon USC 1
Pathetic Ruin 0
“LA Fishwrap”? What, do you think you’re T.J. “Total Jerk” Slimers, who sued the LA Times because they fired his sorry butt? As far as “Brain Surgeons”, on the UCLA blog, don’t they facetiously refer to you as “the brain”, because you’re always running that sewer of a mouth of yours.
Wasn’t fishwrap a Jim Rome catch phrase?
Both. Slimers probably got it from Rome.
Was it called Hall Around Town when he wrote for the Times? There was an article that said that .
Typical Wolf. Let’s not talk about the great plays McKnight made or how he, along with Barkley, led USC to an amazing game winning drive at Ohio State.
No, let’s say he was a disappointment and a jerk to the media (Wolf).
I’ll personally remember his performance in the Rose Bowl against Illinois which I witnessed firsthand where he took over the game with his running and receiving.
If the eyewitness accounts of McKnight’s death are true, this guy who stood over him screaming at him and shooting him again for extra measure should rot in prison for the rest of his life.
Typical Wolf is right. The man must have some serious self-esteem issues when he calls out a former player who has been murdered in cold blood because he was “withdrawn” with the media. I posted earlier in the week that Wolf must have had a horrendous experience while at USC, and this has manifested itself within his daily postings about anything negative regarding USC. What a pathetic human being.
Same ole Blogger – whining about what coulda been if Darnold started earlier (although he can’t explain the Utah loss where Darnold did start), dissing players from 10 years ago, still can’t understand why Browne isn’t a senior, focused on players who are leaving the program, and even got a reference to Garrett.
But as usual, the Blogger misses the real stories. Tonight’s game for the Pac-12 championship is arguably the most important game of the year for USC as it will determine if USC gets in the Rose Bowl or not. And recruiting is gearing up and USC must take advantage of this recruiting class with a stunning win streak and down year by UCLA. Reloading is critical for Helton’s success.
Rumor mill: Najee Harris is expected to decommit from ALA soon. Could USC bring onboard the top two RBs next year?
We have 3 silent commits!
Who are they? Or is everyone completely in the dark about that too.
All I was told 3 .. 2 5 stars and 4star.. One is at Ucla now..
Bolden I assume is one!
Tell me, what is the point of being a silent commit?
No idea.. Probably to keep them open to changing their minds.
Doesn’t surprise me at all
Fred,
You’re not surprised? You frequently criticize USC for not playing physically enough anymore.
If that’s a true statement, why do all these super hot shot RBs want to run the ball for SC, which also relies on a Heisman-type QB and great WRs for much of its offensive fire power?
I didn’t say that wasn’t USC’s goal, but they just aren’t there yet IMO. Attempting to be physical is different from actually doing it
Obviously the these super RBs have more faith in USC than you do.
By the way, both ucla and ND have extremely physical defenses. That’s not even in dispute. Yet USC kicked them both around but good.
USC’s already a lot more physical than you give the Trojans credit for and that’s why RBs might choose USC over ALA.
All three of USC’s loses were against physical teams, and ND, and UCLA’s records speak for themselves. The Trojans have improved without a doubt, but I’m not going to label them a physical team , yet . But you act like I’m diminishing SC’s success by not calling them physical, but I’m not.
USC lost to ALA because they were unprepared, started the wrong QB and nobody can beat ALA.
USC lost to STAN and UTAH because we started the wrong QB to begin the season (duh) and because CH had a poor game plan and was intimidated by STAN. The team was very capable of being physical, had the athletes, but had no confidence with a shaky Browne as our QB. None.
Swann had the big talk with CH after STAN. Darnold was immed named the starter and our team also started playing more physical and has improved every week in that dept.
You and I just disagree. I think USC plays very physical football now and you don’t. So be it. I think these super elite RB recruits agree with me or they would be looking elsewhere.
Enjoying the spirited discussion between Jack B and Fred Sampson!
More substance than we will ever see from Bitter Blogger….
If it’s Friday, it’s time to learn if UW can take CU down leading to USC’s only shot at the Rose Bowl. Will be very interesting to see where the Playoff Committee puts CU and USC in their next poll as it will likely determine who the Pac-12 rep is.
In the meantime, the poor little gutties remain banned from their rented digs in January, one of the funniest facts in all of sport. Bye, bye little gutties. That’s the Trojans’ rear ends you’re staring at.
Hope Washington blows out The Buffs. That’s what it might take for USC to go to the Rose Bowl.
I’m afraid you’re right. This Playoff Committee, which is on the verge of looking no better than the computers nowadays, might drop CU about one spot with a UW loss because they don’t like to penalize teams playing for a championship.
Yet in the Big Ten, championships don’t even matter.
As more info comes out, especially from the Rose Bowl Committee itself, it seems like the RB might be more of a pipe dream – even if UW wins.
Controversy rules again as CU, a possible loser to both UW and USC, as well as MICH, could somehow play in Pasadena. Head-to-heads matter sometimes, other times they don’t. Crazy scenario looming.
They are looking for a way to get two Big Ten teams in this year and keep Washington out, even if they win.
If UW beats CU, no way the Committee keeps the Huskies out. Rioting in the NW. Maybe push CLEM out, because that’s a team with some shaky Saturdays.
Big Selection Show for 4 hours on Sunday. Should be wild, maybe a little like watching CNN cover the Hillary flop. Lots of discombobulation.
If you listened to what the chairman said on Sunday this could be a possibility. They keep harping on UW’s strength of schedule, but they ignore the fact that Miching gan played 8 home games this year and has lost two of their last three, one to an unranked opponent.
But UW is #4, ahead of MICH. If UW wins, no way idle MICH can leapfrog.
He also stated the margin is razor thin. Translation, they want Michigan in and UW out.
Well, they’ll have some big explaining to do if they try to bump up 2 out of last 3 loss MICH over UW after just beating #8 CU.
If they really were going to put MICH in, they would have MICH at #4 now, but they don’t.
If UW and CLEM win, final 4 are ALA, OHIO ST, CLEM and UW. Those 4 teams are all very deserving IMHO.
I agree 100%. But, remember, Barry Alvarez is a big player on that committee. I’m not sure who the Pac-12 has representing us; and don’t tell me Condoleeza Rice or Tyrone Willingham, how they got on the committee should be another ESPN 30 for 30, but they don’t have the same muscle as a Barry Alvarez.
Mullins the AD from Oregon is on committee
Jack, you should be right!!!! But that doesn’t mean you will be. Without any clear priority of criteria and with the ambiguous guidelines the committee operates under God only knows what they will do.
I don’t understand it. Some of its subjective. I don’t know how influential Alverez and Osborne are. They might have a lot to say. Ya got me!
Alvarez is really powerful.
Doesn’t surprise me.
Off-topic: Stupid that neither Adoree nor Sam are on the Heisman lists….
Lamar Jackson has already won the trophy. Done deal.
USC was too late to the party. Nobody to blame but ourselves.
Adoree will win some other big trophy this year and Darnold will be on the cover of every 2017 pre-season football mag. Good enough for me. What counts now is winning the Rose, Cotton or Alamo.