Sam Darnold To NFL

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USC QB Sam Darnold declared for the NFL draft via Instagram. This wasn’t even a suspenseful, drawn out decision. I suspect Darnold knew he had to go with his draft stock so high.

Beyond that, I got the impression as the season went on that it became a bit of a grind at USC. There were so many commitments, including a weekly podcast, plus being a student was a burden. So was the dysfunction on the coaching staff, where offensive coordinator Tee Martin said he barely got to see Darnold during the week and three people called plays. Would this coaching staff make him better? Throw in an often below-average offensive line and what were the compelling reasons to return?

Do you think USC would win a national title next season with Clay Helton’s loose ship? And now you will start seeing some ignorant people claim USC is better off next season with JT Daniels at quarterback. Sure.

305 thoughts on “Sam Darnold To NFL”

  1. glad you finally got around to making the post. Why does it have to be suspenseful? No brainer blogger!

    • Please don’t tell Ronald Jones it doesn’t have to be suspenseful. Maybe by procrastinating he’ll change his mind and return!
      #IThinkWe’reGonnaEvenNEEDTheSeniors toReturn
      #DealWithItNCAA

      • Sam is the kid you love and hate to get mad at. Sorry to see him go, I personally felt another season of playing time would have helped him. Now we move on to the King of the LA River. Fink is the guy, he can run and pass.

        • Fink will run a very different offense, RT! Way less pass oriented —-way more run oriented!

          • I am personally excited to see Fink hopefully get the shot. His run will open some other lanes and the pass too.

          • I hope you’re not disappointed, steveg.
            I watched Fink in spring practice and he just wasn’t a natural thrower [—he’s gotten much better, but he’ll still be one of the weaker QB’s in the Pac 12 as far as passing stats]. He can kill it as a running quarterback, though. Carr, Ware and Fink in the same backfield will represent a problem for most Pac 12 defenses.
            And we don’t know yet whether Sears grew up enough over the 2017 season to be ready for some action in 2018. [He sure looked like crap in fall practice—he could’ve been sacked every pass play if the defense didn’t let up on him].

          • Betcha Carr is 225 the next time we see him run, Gabby. He can handle the weight better than Ronald, too —he ‘s taller and built bigger. Deland will have him ready to go.
            [They always list Rojo as taller than Carr—but when they stand side by side, Carr is just a bigger kid all the way around].

          • Eactly….That’s why I mentioned this name. From what I saw he has the bigger bone structure. The extra weight and muscle growth will help with durability issues, similar to what we saw from RoJo this season. One aspect of his game that really impressed me was his pass catching skills, tracked the ball well. And for a freshman, his pass blocking was more than adequate, something you usually don’t see in a young player.

            With Deland providing the proper guidance, I expect great things from Carr next season.

          • Great minds think alike, Gabby. I think Carr is gonna be one of the real bright lights in 2018.

          • This is the offseason that most young players begin to really solidify and bulk up, between freshman and sophmore years.

          • Think of how great Pittman is going be as a junior at 225 lbs, steveg! He can already out-battle most defenders for the ball —but with 5 to 10 more lbs of muscle he’s gonna be scary.

    • Scott Wolf stumbles into the Wedding half way through the best man’s speech with an announcement lol

  2. Hope he lands somewhere with an Offensive line. With his luck, Seattle will get him

    • You had Sam pegged but the coaching staff poisoned his belief in SC. Millions of dollars motivate many, but with insurance, I believe Darnold was set to come back if he was having fun and felt he could keep developing here at SC

      • You are wrong in that Sam would have grown had he stayed at USC. 12-14 more games under his belt would have contributed immensely to his knowledge, reactions, and judgement. Who knows what USC would have brought in for a new QB coach. He also would have had some talent pressing him to perform. But going to the nfl is not a bad choice, hope he stays out of the cold of Cleveland.

        • Steve -“There you go again” with the Coaching staff in place – no chance. After he escaped OSU defense & thought logically, he came up with the right decision. Only Mark Sanchez was a one -game wonder that got him $ 30 million dollars from the New York Jets Guarantee. Another 12-14 games with Dumb & Dumber- stop smoking yes I know it’s legal

        • you might be right. it just doesn’t seem like there is any dynamism on Helton’s part to make some big changes that to those of us observing the team appears so obviously needed. Is Camp Counselor going to dig his heels in and get stubborn to protect his family/staff?

      • I fear the same thing. Cupcake game 1 then on the road for 2 potentially tough games in a row. I can’t see us pulling those out without Sam.

        • Come on 04, you know every year things change. USC isn’t losing that many players. Stanford and Texas are losing some good players too. Keep the faith man, I personally am liking Fink. Same attitude as Kessler but better arm and much faster runner. He may open the game up. 2018 will have a different flavor for sure.

          • I agree. But Sam was an intregal part of what success we had the last 2 seasons. That’s a big hole to fill with a group of potentials with zero experience because each and every game this season allowed minimal, if any, garbage time. I got all the faith in the world, especially if Fink can surprise and blow it all away. Herman didn’t show much this year, but it’s only his first. Shaw and Stanford are who they’ve been the last 6-7 years, plus a returning and surging QB. Those are the reasons those 2 games scare me.

          • I don’t question that there will be concerns in 2018, there always are. The defense has the capacity to be lights out, the offense will change with the talent they have. Stanford will mature but also replace guys, same with Texas. Sam leaving may be a boost, it may be a bust. Remember how much experience Sam had when he started? Here we go again. LOL

          • Second thought: Who’s to say we don’t lose that many players? Maybe guys follow Sam because of the potential for drop-off once he’s gone? Maybe others are like the early departures of last year with some clearly not ready? I’d wait and see who declares first. Those on the fence could bolt.

      • I can’t think of a year where the P12 was in such flux and uncertainty. Who will emerge as the elite P12 team in 2018? A lot rides on the play of new QBs coming in for both SC and UCLA. I still pick the Trojans to repeat as P12 champs (as much as it pains me to say that 🙂

        • The Pac 12 will be even worse next year with the ruins, UA and ASU breaking in new head coaches and USC and UW starting new quarterbacks..

          • Highly doubt 11 wins without Darnold, and behind a RF or RS 1st-year starter. And yeah, when the entire conference is down, it’s a no brainer to pick the perennial football powerhouse of the P12 to win it–kinda like UCLA in basketball.

          • UCLA’s success in basketball is nowhere near USC’s in football. I’d be willing to bet USC’s startedr at QB next year will be one of the best QBs in the conference. My $ is on USC again for next year for the pac12 title. The south has 3 new head coaches…

          • Paul, with all due respect, you are incorrect. 11 national championship banners for UCLA in basketball, and 11 for USC in football.

          • That is true sir. But I believe USC’s reputation is far beyond national titles. Think Heismans, All-Americans, #1 draft picks, first rounders, conference titles, tv ratings, haters, etc.

          • It’s a lively discussion I’ve had for years with my SC family members and friends. You could say the same thing in terms of all the UCLA BB players drafted and playing in the NBA (Love, Holliday, Ball, Westbrook, etc), All-Americans, #1 draft picks, first rounders, Wooden lore, reputation, conference titles, TV ratings, etc. Touché for sure!

        • What a contradiction in terms– Elite Pac-12 team. The conference was like 1-9 in bowl games. Anybody could win the conference because all the programs are god awful. We’re just lucky Boise St. or Wyoming aren’t in our conference to expose us as the weak little sisters of the poor that we are.

  11. “ignortant” people? We really don’t know how well a new QB will play next season. Not having 22 turnovers would be a good start. Maybe USC’s O-line will get much better and a good QB will be all USC needs. So USC as a team may be better off, even though Sam will be hard to replace, especially the “Good Sam”…

    • Be careful around these parts. Criticize SD for his turnovers and you’ll get the SW defense team in action. It the coaches, OL, and maybe even Tommy Trojan’s fault but few on here understand how much the bad SD crippled us this year.

      • You will be banished. How dare you say anything negative about the guy who lead the FBS in turnovers. I liked him, he was fun to watch and at the same time very aggravating. The one thing I think will improve immediately is our run game. We continually run as if it an option, but Sam never kept it. If Helton wants to run that type of offense, I think Fink or Sears will do a better job. It will keep ends honest and keep them from pinning their ears back on inside runs. And the new QB, whoever it may be, certainly can’t have any worse ball security. So let’s see. I am not sold that the sky is falling. I think we will be better next year. But I am an ignorant rah rah.

        • Careful a lot of chicken little’s reside in this board. They believe SD did everything good on his own and the 22 TO are because of coaching. A year removed from a RS frosh leading us to a RB win everyone crying because a RS frosh will probably lead us next year. Such panic is funny. We’ll have a better D a better Oline and hopefully not 22 TO from one position.

        • Mistake #2
          You provided actual analysis instead of emotional handwringing. Yes the option really only works if your QB is a viable threat. Otherwise the DE or OLB really has nothing to read. You’re better off w a fullback or H back if the QB isn’t going to keep it 5-7 times a game. of SD rarely kept it and when he did we were all screaming for him to hang onto the ball.

      • Flipside if others mock the skill set of Clay Helton be prepared for every self-serving stat to justify his purported skill set – ex. a poster kept going on about how much USC out gained OH St last Friday then again OH St. didn’t have to do any ‘heavy lifting’ what with the offensive game plan USC came in with

          • They most certainly do and that powerful USC ‘O’ line was a gimme for Meyer as well. Hey you notice he keyed Sosa against that poor hump of a TE on the USC right side? Wonder what he saw and knew….hmmm 8 sacks for one thing.

          • Sammy Sosa? That guy is on roids. Not fair. Kidding, I know you meant Bosa. Part of the problem was our running backs whiffed on chip blocks. He was never matched up alone on tight end, there was help, it was just really poor help. There certainly was something the staff could have changed, but it is disingenuous to say Ohio state went on cruise control. Our defense shut them down. Sam and the offense let us down.

          • My bad on the misspelling – yes Bosa

            Not in the 2nd half – we still couldn’t get past their 30 yd line – Meyer wasn’t concerned about what happened in between just protect the approaches to the red/green zone. The entire 2nd half was cruise control – we failed they didn’t.

          • i would have to rewatch but I know we drove inside their 20 three times and got 0 points. There is no way that was their strategy. It was just what happened. Same with them not scoring for almost 3 quarters. The score was not indicative of Helton getting out coached by a wide margin, although he did get out coached. The score was just poor execution on a few plays. If only’ s do not count, but our if only’s are simple. Don’t fumble and don’t throw a pick 6 and we are in a game. Even with all of the sacks and lack of adjustments for extra protection.

          • Don’t question anything you wrote.

            I get ‘Brent”s comments too.

            Problem always is that perception is reality and I’d wager the vast number of USC fans ‘knew’; in their gut this game was finished before the 2nd half started – we hadn’t trailed like that since Notre Dame took us out back in October with a 28 – 0 end of 1st half and another 21 to USC’s 14 in the 2nd.

            Great coaches get a lead and build on it to take the ‘fight’ out of their opponent. Helton had no idea what to do and the similarities to the Irish beat down were similar.

          • Ok here is the thing I find strange. Please don’t take this as I know any more than anyone else. But I coach an AAU basketball team, I spend way too much time watching coaching videos and studying offenses and defenses to help my guys. I can now watch a college or even pro game and figure it out pretty quickly, again not saying I am some sort of pro coach. I stink, there are better coaches in my little league. But here’s my point. I know what to do when a team runs different defenses or presses at my guys. I know where shots will come from in out of bounds plays, blah blah, blah. I am certain that the USC staff knows just as much as any other staff. They all share ideas, go to same clinics, talk to same groups of coaches, watch the same film. Yet, Meyer and Saban get better results. It cannot be solely X’s and O’s. I am 100% certain that if you show Helton a defense he knows exactly where to exploit it, but it doesn’t happen like we hope. Is it really just motivation? Or do you think Saban and Meyer, bellichick, popovich, coaches like that, are just incessant maniacs and Helton is not? I really like him and hope he wins. I know he can recruit with anyone, and I believe he has a ton of knowledge. But I also understand that our level of execution was sub par. What gives? Sorry for the long winded response. If you didn’t make it this far I get it.

          • No I get what you’re saying – here’s mine. I don’t claim to be a coach of an AAU squad etc.. I do think a great number of fans had an inkling that this squad was not preparing for this game with 4 weeks to do so and it would seem that is correct that or the talent level changed suddenly which most sense it got a lot better after the Notre dame beat down.

            Helton is a great recruiter and a very very decent man – but he is an average coach who had some very talented players under his wing to work with these past 2+ years.

            Not saying he is in the league of Sabin or Meyer – after last Friday no one is saying that if they ever did. I get that he’s had enough experience as an ‘assistant’ to read an opponent’s prowess esp. after a great play is inflicted on him – problem is he had no answer for such and I doubt he ever will least not at this level of play – top tier – no that’s not in his skill set.

            The team was ill-prepared for this game and that’s all his – his game plan, assistants and coaching – his.

            Those Vegas bookies sure knew what they were expecting to see.

          • Here’s the common ground for all of us, we hope for growth next year. There are many great coaches who took some time to find their legs, Saban had a bunch of bad seasons at michigan st, dabo, harbaugh, jimbo, all had some clunkers. Hopefully this was our year to scuffle and we will find it next year. Fight on!!!!

          • I think the talent will be xlnt next year at least that is what a number of pundits have stated i.e. USC lost a lot of starters last year through the 2017 NFL draft.

            Yeah you’re right about the list of top tier names and where they were and where they are today. One major difference – none of them got a top tier job as Helton did NOT having been a head coach before.

            Frankly I see losses @ Stanford & TX and then against Notre Dame – win the Pac-12 So. – lose the CCG and then whatever Holiday Bowl or whatever we get slotted into –

            This is the best Helton is.

            A very sincere thanks for your reasoned decorum

        • Your fan view isn’t reality. OSU ran the same offense they ran all year. Our D very much stuffed them. To say OSU want trying is disrespectful to their effort. It isn’t like they called 3 straight QB dives. You are a fan and that’s great but you don’t know the game or why things happen or don’t happen.

          • Look no one is questioning USC’s defense – it was our pathetic offense and the lack of any change for this critical game –

            You know no more than anyone else who posts here.

          • From what I’ve read on here mostly yes I do know more. Our issue was turnovers, that it. We moved the ball despite the horrendous officials. We had 10 more first downs…even w the sacks it was the TO that killed us. I was very unimpressed w Barrette. Their blitz package was very good and we didn’t execute against it. Reverse the TO and we win handily.

          • That’s right – turnovers both fumbles and picks – what sealed our fate was the mis-firing ‘O’; line for Jones and Darnold. An opponent defense that blitzed repeatedly and challenged Darnold to pass while an incessant attack from their front 7.

            OH St. didn;t need to do anything in the 2nd half but contain us if we approached their 30< yd line – the gains USC made were due to Meyer sending in 2nd and 3rd strringers – if there was a threat then bring back the first.

          • What 2nd and 3rd stringers? They played their regular rotation on. The DL and their starters played the whole game. I really don’t know where you guys come up with this stuff. You think OSU out their scrubs in? When?

          • Gee ‘Brent’ as most squads do when the starters get a bit gassed due to repeated downs.

          • “…You know no more than anyone else who posts here…”

            Ain’t that the truth!!!

  12. Congrats to Sam. A great Trojan who made a huge difference to this team the last 2 years.

  13. If Clay Helton lined up his best talent on that offensive line during the season, then nobody behind them will make the line better next season. And a unproductive offense, will always leave a defense out to dry, no matter how talented they are.

  14. Darnold did the right thing why his stock is this high. He had little to gain in $$ in returning

  16. A wise decision. The most talented QB SC has had this decade, with a promising professional future ahead of him. He’s a class act and I am sure will make the most of his opportunity.

      • So much depends on where you go as opposed to how early you go. Early gets you more money initially. But going to Cleveland could be very unhealthy for either one of them.

        • Surfer Darnold’s not as uptight as Rosen. That much is obvious. He’ll be more able to go with the flow, wherever he lands. Plus, he’s a lot more resistant to injury. Some guys are just lucky that way. It’s good to be tough, but luck always plays a part.

          I like that he’s not afraid to go to Cleveland. He reminds me of JuJu S-S in that regard. Who would have ever thought the youngest player in the NFL, JuJu, would take charge as he has on veteran team in a cold weather place?

          • Cowherd was comparing Carson Palmer to Troy Aikman today. He was stating that he thought that Palmer was as good as Aikman but he never had a good supporting cast. I’m not sure I buy his entire point, but having a great OL, a Hall of Fame WR and RB certainly make a big difference. We both have our biases regarding Rosen and Darnold. Where they go and who they play for may be a huge factor in their success or failure. It should be fun to watch.

          • I know all you little gutties think Rosen is some genius. Call me unimpressed. I far as I was concerned, he was always good for a laugh, with his head bands and hot tubs and bombastic player profit-sharing plans. Ugh!

            He’s always been very self-important and needs an audience is more like it. He never much worried me as an SC fan. USC threw him around in the dirt a lot, picked him off and strip-fumbled him like rag doll when it counted. He also had the pocket presence of an 8-ball and in the end, strung out the ucla fan base so he could show up on the sidelines of a meaningless bowl because of his so-called brain injury. Ooops! There goes that so-called heavy IQ.

            Darnold at least accomplished something noteworthy in CFB. Rosen beat a down-in-the-dumps A&M team was about all he ever did.

          • He had some decent teams in both Cincy and Phoenix but never could get to the Promised Land. But he delivered for SC so that’s all that matters.

          • He was set up to make a Super Bowl run when a cheap shot by the Steelers ended that year. The defender rolled on the ground to wreck Palmer’s knee. I think a rule change was introduced after that play

          • Matt Waldman (publisher of Rookie Scouting Portfolio–spends his a life watching college game film) predicted that Juju would do quite well. Said Juju would not be “elite” (the separation issue?), but took a strong position that Juju would play and would succeed very nicely.

            Rosen: I’m not so sure he is uptight, but those successive concussions raise doubts about his NFL future (Frankly, he was unwise to choose UCLA, which was a spotty program). A long career looks doubtful–at least to me.

            Darnold: He seems to need a lot of technical work–much more than Rosen, for instance. Once again, Waldman pointed out some things, and watching Sam after seeing that analysis seemed to confirm same. But I’m very doubtful that this USC staff and this USC OL can help him a lot more.

            If he played for Alabama or Georgia or OSU, and had that top level offensive line, and were prodded endlessly by a detail-monger, perfectionist QB coach (such as a Bill Walsh), Sam would be a true assassin in CFB. (Then again, so would Rosen!) The talent contrast between Sam and the respective QBs for those three teams is genuinely striking.

            Props: You were one of the first to see just how special and rare a QB Sam really is.

            Sam is an especially winning young man. I’m pretty sure that we all hope he gets a pretty clean pocket and a super QB coach in the NFL. He deserves it, plain and simple.

          • What’s funny to me is that following the rah-rah stereotypes that we foist on each other’s schools, Rosen as the silver-spoon elite kid seemed better cast for USC’s private school atmosphere, and the scrappy, public-school kid from San Clemente seemed more like a typical UCLA QB. Life is odd. They are both great players. God only knows how they will develop in the pros.

  17. Congratulations Sam, and thank you for bringing humility and class to the many media requests you were asked to do this year as the main face of the program. Your talent brought the kind of high profile buzz we haven’t had in awhile. Proud of the way you represented yourself, your family and the university. Best of luck in your pro career. Fight on!

  18. Does this even qualify as breaking news? The national papers beat Scottie to this story. We weren’t going to the playoffs with all of Sam’s turnovers. At least next year, we’ll have a shot without them – assuming the next guy can avoid them. Best of luck to Sammy in the pros. Great kid, great family.

  19. Interesting that both Darnold and Rosen declared on the same day. Totally opposite QBs with so much potential–Rosen was obviously ready, and there’s no surprise there. I was mildly surprised that Sam declared, but don’t blame him in the least. SD the humble, blue-collar scrapper, and JR, the silver-spoon, elite-arm passer. Who will have the better NFL career? Will be fun to watch it all play out.

      • I get it why people think Rose is a spoiled pri&#. But I disagree. Watch the replay of the 4th quarter of UCLA’s record-breaking comeback against TAMU and tell me he has not heart.

        • What was the won/lost record for UCLA the last three years? How many times was Rosen hurt? He is soft in my opinion. A true talent would have had a much larger impact.

          • So breaking one’s collarbone and getting two concussions behind a porous line makes a guy soft? SMH.

          • They hit a lot harder in the NFL. I do not think he can take the weekly pounding. We will see. He is not a big guy and seems prone to injury. Sam had a porous line as well and seemed to withstand it a lot better the Rosen. As you said, it will be interesting to watch.

          • Think of Sam playing behind that line for three years in a row… IOW, SD was sacked 29 times this season, to Rosen’s 26. However, SD was only sacked 6 times last year, while JR was sacked 14 last year, and 13 the year prior. And yeah, Rosen needs to fill out… he’s 6’3″, but only about 215.

          • He will be a good clip board holder. He is like Jeff George, a combine All American but no heart.

          • His worst case scenario – being paid millions of dollars to hold a clip board. Still better than selling commercial real estate or working 18 hours a day on Wall Street making a fraction.

          • Rosen will be hurt and out of football when SD becomes a starter. SD will endure if he is schooled well.

        • I don’t understand why people don’t think Rosen is tough. He hung in there all season with a suspect O-Line. Got hit, bounced back up.

          • Agree. People hate smart, confident guys who speak their mind. It’s funny how you get a concussion, and want to play, but are held out by med staff–and people call you soft, or that you have no heart. That’s nonsense.

        • Where was his heart in the 2015 SC game where he had a 21-20 lead at half? How many second quarter leads did he blow in 2017 as field general against the likes of Memphis, Stanford and Kansas State? Sam has heart.

      • If rosen toughens up, he will be a top QB in the NFL sooner than Sam will be. Sam needs to learn a lot more–the sad thing is, he was never going to get the knowledge he needs at SC thanks to our crappy staff.

        That being said, FTFO Sam and Good Luck Josh.

        • Agree completely. I was mildly surprised SD declared. He’s rough around the edges, and will take a bit more time to become a competitive NFL QB than Rosen, to your point.

          • time to bury the hatchet and move on boys–best of luck to Sam and Josh in their future endeavors.

            i am trying to be nicer in 2018–let’s see how long it lasts!

        • Rosen will be a disruptive menace in any locker room. A GM would be foolish to draft him as he will be nothing more than a white decently talented version of Kapernick.

        • Sam is going to have a season in schooling, then he gets on the field to make his rookie mistakes and take all that theory and turn it in to practicum. A big project, sure hope Cleveland has more patience than USC.

    • They’re both gonna be NFL busts like every QB. Why teams waste 1st round picks on QBs I have no idea because they take grooming, you have no idea what you got. They all look good against crummy college kids, but when you get in the league it’s a totally different ball game. One hit from an NFL player and Rosen is gonna declare for retirement. 25 turnover Darnold– forget it.

  20. Can all Trojans fans agree on 1 thing… please that the starter should be either Fink or Sears..

    JT redshirt at best and just relax your time will come if you are good enough…

    Thanks for the memories Sammy …

  21. i’m just glad he didn’t make the mistake Leinart and Barkley made by staying too long. the time was right, see you in the show Sam…

      • Hundley left after his RS Junior year. He still has a lot of work to do but is in a good organization and behind a great QB. The jury is still out.

        • As a packers fan who has watched him play this year, the jury has come to the decision that Hundley is not NFL starter material.

          • He’s been up and down. Let’s see if they trade him or keep him. That’s the real jury.

          • Jury is still out, agreed. I watched every Hundley-led Packers game. He had tough circumstances with key injuries on his OL, and at WR. He looked stellar vs Chi and a couple other games, and then quite mediocre at other times.

          • The new packers GM (Whoever that will be) will trade away Hundley in a hearbeat if the opportunity arises.

          • They like Joe Callahan (As a back-up only). They will need to draft a QB after they trade Hundley for a piece to help Aaron Rodgers.

          • Actually, it’s not bad —but you can’t call it great either. Still, over-all, it’s better than ours. [I like our D-Line coach, Running Backs coach, and obviously Tee has done a great job with receivers. That’s about it].

          • I like Little Jerry, and he’s beloved by the staff and players. Went to school with his Dad, and I think he’s an improved model. I also like the professional, no-nonsense approach CCK is taking to building his staff. He started with landing some solid D coaches, as UCLA’s D has been inexcusably putrid in the Mora era. I like that he is not taking a “friends and family” approach to hiring. Of course, OC is the question mark still. That’s a biggie, even though Kelly will call plays.

          • LoL. Yeah, except for the coc& fighting. I have no idea how he got that nickname in my extended family, but that’s what we call him (yes, Seinfeld household :).

          • Name the number of olineman selected number 1 first pick in nfl history. Let’s see 7. Ok now defensive line. Oh dam it’s like 16. See the point. Lazy

          • Would you say Tight Ends, Safeties, and Cornerbacks are the laziest players of all?

          • Lazy????

            Ummmm……

            Clancy Pendergast and hmmmm…..Ronnie (Bobby, Ricky, and Mike).

            Just Kidding about the New Edition members at the end. But those two are for our staff.

          • Usc fan’s logic was o-lineman are lazy because they have not been drafted #1 overall as d-lineman have. D-lineman 16 times compared to o-lineman 7 times. Since no safeties, tight ends, and cornerbacks have been selected #1 overall, are they then lazier then o-lineman?

            His logic is false.

          • TE are a position not fully utilized yet so no. Our TE are not except for DI. Cb and safeties are not do to the fact they are an under appreciated position with the rise in passing. Our safeties and cb are poorly coached the trail tech they use is horrible

        • Be that as it may, but his stock dropped staying (just like Barkley and everybody else not named Andrew Luck).

          • Tough to know a player’s stock if they haven’gone to the combine. There’s a ton of speculation, but players rise and players fall. Hard to know what actually would have happened.

        • What about that other guy Myles Jack. He bailed way early and I never heard his name again. Would’ve been a superstar legend if he stayed another season.

        • His arm doesn’t look to good in my short 10 plays I seen him try and throw past 30-40 yards last week. He’s also still a little to slim for a GB QB. But he may get a shot soon.

    • Leinart is a college football legend. He obviously wasn’t “that good” as an NFL QB, and he knew it and stayed a college kid for the glory he would never get in the pros. I know he doesn’t regret his decision, and the lasting memory of his senior citizen will live on in our memories (and his) forever.

      • College football fans don’t care that Matt was a bust in the NFL. He led USC to the Promised Land and that is all we care about.

    • That’s the way I see it too. U may not have the talent tomorrow so go for it if you are feeling it.

    • Carson Palmer, Baker Mayfield and others had the grit to wait on the payoff. The know that money is good only for financial reasons and had the poise to put off the payoff until later.

  22. This his style all along he made a decision, pulled the trigger and went for it. Best of luck Sam.

  23. Its a smart move. He will be able to be coached up in the NFL and make some serious money. FIGHT ON Sam!!! Thank you for the memories.

  24. Helton is now facing the reality of what it means to be the head coach of a top 5 legacy program w.o. a ‘qb’ who did the heavy lifting for his full-time past years – and he knows better than anyone he had nothing to do with raising that ‘qb’ skill set.

    Prediction – Losses in September to Stanford and TX – out of any consideration for the final four….November – loss to notre dame….’wins’ the Pad-12 So. and is fired a la Mora before the CCG….which is also a loss and the team goes so. to ‘dago for the Holiday Bowl and loses again.

  26. Am I the only one who thinks Darnold’s “legacy” is NOT that great? First year great, and a wild Rose Bowl win. Second year, so-so, wins against mediocre teams, then the Cotton Bowl disaster. That’s not a great legacy. I’m not crying over his decision. I’ve thought about this before.

    • There is no legacy. The fact that USC was even barely good is all due to Sam’s play carrying the team because the coaches are gawd awful. That’s really his legacy. 50-49 is not a great Rose Bowl, it was exciting to watch but that’s not a good team, and winning 50% of the games by 1 point this season is not legacial either. Great to get the Obama Rose Bowl, but not a memorable year this year.

  27. Boy, does sw ever write a positive article? I guess this is like a breakup for sw. Sam didn’t even bother to call sw and give him the news. Who will be sw’s next boy crush?

    Fight On Sam! I hope you get drafted by a team that is willing to let you learn and develop some, as opposed to a team that will just throw you into the lions den.

    • Can’t wait to see who the next player will be to “bail out” the coaches.

      If anything this will be Helton big moment to shine without any excuses for success. The defense should be better next year, so they will carry the team. Win 11-12 games next year is the goal with a new qb, regardless if it’s a freshman. If they don’t win at least the league, no reason to extend him. Simple as that.

      • I definitely agree with you on the defense. They will be much better and hopefully Pentergast will rotate some more players thru out their games.

        This coming season will tell how far Helton has developed as a coach. Without Sam, we will see how well he can manage a game. He has two recruiting classes under his belt, so we’ll see how far along these kids have come(developed).

      • Helton would have to win the NC, have several award winners, have every senior drafted in the first round for this crowd to not want him fired.

  28. Sam just seems like the perfect guy to replace Rothlisberger in Pittsburgh eventually.

      • Size, durability, class organization, a chance to learn from one of the best, a team philosophy that stresses defense and running. The only drawback is the San Clemente Kid in Pittsburgh winters. Plus, Juju is there.

          • That’s true, but it’s not like Cleveland or New York weather is any better. There are a lot of cold weather destinations in the NFL and could do worse than Pittsburgh.

  29. Would be great to see USC break its tie with Notre Dame at 5 total –
    for the most #1 draft picks in the history of the game. Once again, USC is poised to land another achievement, ahead of all the rest in the game. Go Darnold! Nail #1.

    • Only an idiot like that coach from Denver that drafted Tebow in the first round, would draft Sam in the 1st round. I’d wait til the 4th, he was awful this past year.

  30. Why should he stay with such a hostile environment lead by beat writer? Petros Papadakis has always advocated leaving to get paid if you are good enough to play on Sunday. I have no problem with this. Scotty should be happy as a new QB will give him a fresh opportunity to whine.

  31. Darnold actually seemed better last year than this year. He didnt progress and maybe actually regressed a little. He would have gained nothing by staying and may have actually hurt his stock under this coaching staff

    • I don’t think any of us could quite comprehend the pressure when your face goes on the cover of SI as the Heisman hopeful, and your team is picked as a potential final four contender. He did the best he could with a very porous and beat up OL. You could argue that 11-3 exceeded the circumstances handed to him.

      • The pressure never got to Sam, not from what I saw. He’s cool as ice, yet plays with a reckless exuberance at the same time. With our OL, there isn’t a QB in college or the NFL who could have led USC to the POs.

        You get hit enough, from every direction and too fast for even some 3-step drops to work, and your accuracy and decision-making will suffer. He still threw for over 4,000 yds in one season. Sam was great while he lasted. USC will be fine. But there will never be another Trojan QB quite like Sammy D.

    • He was sacked 29 times this year, and only 6 sacks last year. I think he did remarkably well given that he was running for his life on most pass attempts this season.

      • P12’s a ucla Troll who pretends to be a USC fan on a USC site. How weird can you get.

  32. Sam Darnold was fun to watch and is a great Trojan.
    We will always have that Rose Bowl memory.
    I hope Sam exceeds expectations at the next level. Mazel Tov Sam!

    Let the new era begin…

      • You mean Show Cause Chip? Glad to see all ucla’s best are leaving at breakneck speed.

        Can’t wait for USC to test SCC at his most recent landing spot. We’ll give him a nice Trojan welcome in the Rose Bowl – our home away from home.

        • My Dearest Jack – I fear your description of our home away from home might be ancient history. It seems that we are running away. If it weren’t for Washington destroying Colorado- we would not have been in the Rose Bowl.

          • But we were and we won 50-49 or something like that. Go look up our Rose Bowl history, I think we’ve won more games in the Rose Bowl than UCLA has won “at home” this entire millennium.

          • CU never had a remote chance against UW. USC’s getting into the Rose Bowl was totally predictable, contrary to your thinking.

          • The point was USC always needs help from others for any success under Dumb & Dumber. For example- you & I knew USC belonged. However during their closed door meetings it wasn’t a slam Dunk based on Rece Davis interview. We can thank Texas Defensive players for their mistakes on USC final Drive – Oh thank Utah for going for 2 and the win. The bottom line is instead of enjoying the PAC – 12 Championship I had to listen to my CEO in a staff meeting say USC is the champions of An 1-8 conference. I’ll live fine it’s just sad that in 8 months I’ll have other opportunities other than my pride & joy USC football. Anyone reminded of Paul Hackett as I am.

          • Total BS.

            With your train of thought, ALA needed help from OHIO ST (losing huge to IOWA) to get into the POs. Good luck with that. They’re the best, obviously.

            As far as TEXAS goes, mistakes lose games. Nobody ever claimed TEXAS could get through any game without a dozen bad blunders. USC played down to its competition level against the ‘Horns, like it did all year.

            USC beat UTAH on a failed 2-point winner take all. More games should end like this. For UTAH’s QB, it was run all the way, he overcommitted too quickly, and USC stuffed him pretty easy to tell the truth. Just a great D stand when UTAH knew OT wouldn’t be to their advantage.

            It’s not USC’s fault the P12 stinks. Go blame someone else. You play the hand you’re dealt. USC deserved the title by beating STAN twice in one year and even if you think that’s easy, it’s not. Sorry, you’re wrong, especially since USC was able to win both very physical games with a horrid OL.

            And besides, bowl game records don’t really tell much – to tell you the truth. For instance, ucla is forced to go to a crap bowl (which they don’t want to be in anyway) against a nothing team and their new Show Cause coach is watching from the press box. That’s a bowl game for you. Meaningless and a harbinger of nothing.

            If you played all those bowl games again, there’s a 50/50 chance the P12 comes out with a winning record. Lots of turmoil in the conference now which is a good sign for the future.

            Sorry, but I saw the Paul Hackett years in full and you can’t kid a kidder. Helton’s teams in no way shape or form even remotely resemble the super ugly units led by Hackett and Petros Papadakis. You really missed the boat there. Minimum two stroke penalty.

    • UCLA will be fine at receiver, with the conference’s best TE returning from injury in Caleb Wilson, along with an emerging Theo Howard, Lee, Felton and incoming freshmen and early enrolles Chase Cota and Kyle Phillips. SC potentially losing RJ would be much worse.

      • None of the guys you mentioned is near as dangerous as Lasley. He was the whole reason you were even in the USC game.

        I’m glad to see him and his speed go.

        • The most underrated receiver in the P12. It’s obviously a big loss. I’m much more concerned, however, with that gentle waterfall that passes as an OL.

  34. Any Questions- anyone need a recommendation for restaurants in EL Paso. Sam knew exactly what to do, he said earlier in season that he had an issue with the play calling. Year One to Year Two under 2 morons there were drastic changes that interfere with his future ( adios Sam) listen up anyone need a month free of your mortgage wait for September 2018 and bet Texas over USC. Any predictions how JT / Matt/ Jack will fare under Dumb & Dumber ( Clay/Tee) we already know they couldn’t pick the right quarterback in the fall of 2016. Doomsday is coming & Lynn Swan is going to make us suffer. I’m reminded of the seriousness prior to Hurricane Katrina- interviews after Katrina “ we didn’t think it was going to the worst natural disaster,may you remember this post a year from now desperately seeking “ new Direction” Fire Tee today – before he screws up another promising young quarterback. I may attend woman’s rowing ( match?) where I can cheer on the ladies of Troy.

    • I’m not saying USC is gonna be good, but Texas has been terrible ever since the sanctions were announced.

      • Texas won their bowl game & Clay Helton couldn’t hold Tom Herman’s Clip Board. Sandy your underpants are on too tight.

        • Herman finished 7-6 (wow!) and beat another mediocre 7-6 MO team in some unknown bowl game.

          Truth is TEXAS has been incredibly bad for many, many years now. One would think they got put on sanctions, not USC.

          Herman had a very rocky year 1. Obviously, he’ll improve, but how could he not? He perfected losing close games into an art form. Go Tom!

          • Jack ( Sir/ Duke- my impression is that you seem like royalty on these boards) I’m revolting against your tyranny. Reason 1) he didn’t have a full recruiting cycle upon his hiring. The way his Preparation & game plan for us & oh Yeah Oklahoma. It reminded me of Pete Carroll first year when he went 6-6 but you knew he had the program in the right direction. I can always use some “spare change” for my kids school athletic programs- I guarantee Texas whips USC and uses Fink/Sears/Daniels game jersey to start the barbecue.

          • Many of us don’t think USC would beat TEXAS in Austin, even with Darnold. So that’s not saying much.

          • That’s the point! We should think we can beat anyone-no matter where. Why Play- I’m reminded of another tragedy when Jim Harbaugh Stanford upset Pete & Trojans. Give me Del Rio instead of Dumb & Dumber.

          • Ya, I’m all excited about that loser, Del Rio.

            Del Rio is a pure .500 NFL retread coach over many, many years, who has never won diddly jack. Could you have possibly picked anyone more mediocre and uninspiring?

          • Prior to signing off, I ask you a favor can you look up Pete Carroll’s NFL record prior to his arrival at USC. Listen- the point I’m trying to stress is that he can communicate with Players on a level that most can’t. He can hire a staff that would impress you. Have you heard Derrick Carr views on Del Rio. Every top recruit,would love to talk to him. With him & Pendergast working side by side the defense will be fantastic. We need a game changer- what we have is not working. Yes after 2 long years- I can say without fear the current regime needs to go yesterday. Good Night Jack- hope your Thursday is enjoyable.

          • If I hear one more dolt ever bring up Pete Carroll as the so-called magic elixir example of how all NFL retreads are gonna turn into God’s gift in college, I’ll vomit. Spare me. Hopefully, you’ll start posting somewhere where children enjoy reading adult fantasy material. I can’t believe you gushing about recruits in love with Del Rio’s mere presence. Congrats on the most ridiculous post I have read in years. Please leave me alone.

          • Thanks for the accolades- it’s nice to know that I have sparked emotions within you. Have a nice life!

        • Everything you said is true. I just have one question– How did you know about my underpants?

          • VPL! You have a terrific sense of humor. It’s a pleasure communicating with you. Thank You

  36. Good riddance, Darnold.

    The guy couldn’t read defenses in college or audible to save his life and now he expects to learn on the fly with the Cleveland Clowns or some other crap NFL team.

    LOL!

    • I am a trained medical professional- my goodness are you trying to discredit an individual who had the worst teachers/ coaching advise & instruction of any top pro prospect. I’m sure your comments will register with Sam as he gets his American EXPRESS “Black Card” in the mail. If you truly need a description of what the Black Card is – I’ll pull mine out and read you the special customer relations phone number printed on the back of my card. LOL!

      • Sam Darnold…Pffft!

        As for you, yeah…everyone on the internet is a millionaire.

        LOL!

        “trained medical professional”, huh? You need a check up from tbe neck up, Bozo.

          • I’ve never heard or see you at athletic fundraisers. I was in the founders room in June having Dinner with Dumb- Helton/ Swan/ Robinson/ Enfield/ Nwoosa/ Metu paid with my donations- on my so- called “ virtual” Black Card. Your attempt to belittle honesty,passion & the truth have me concerned.

          • I’d just gently point out that if a person is straining to tell strangers about his AMEX Black Card, dinners in the founder’s room with SC big-wigs, etc, those around him are probably not the ones with the inferiority complex. But hey, fight up, or on, or whatever.

          • So I guess this would not be the right time to discuss the automobiles we drive. I would love to hear your definition of the word “straining”. I would extend my apologies to anyone that may have been offended. I felt since I possess such strong opinions on this site & being relatively new to this site, I would identify myself to fellow Trojans ( class of 1988) I don’t have the patience nor the time to call sports radio during the day. I thank you for your input & making me aware of my surroundings on this site. The reason I finally came on this site is the rare times Wolf’s column now appears in the daily news. I go back to the days of talking to him at halftime in the old days of the Sports Arena. I’m reminded of the time when USC basketball beat North Carolina and telling one of their known stars “ We got you” nothing other than my family’s accomplishments mean more than USC victories. Fight On! Thank You for reading.

          • I’m just messing, Bobby. I’m a random Bruin who comes on here to pontificate now and then. You seem like a decent bloke, and I am sure we will have more interactions in the future. Cheers.

        • Feelings of inferiority are not productive to your well-being. Enjoy your imagination!

  37. I wonder how Darnold’s teammates at the next level are going to react when he comes off the field after a few of his infamous 3 and outs and goes to pout all by himself along the sideline somewhere.

    On second thought, I couldn’t care less what Darnold does at the next level.

    • I do not think that Sam was inclined to “pout by himself”. Rather, I think San because frustrated trying to find a coach on the sidelines that could help him.

  38. Darnold split early before Helton could really make his draft stock drop.

    LMFAO!

    • Every time Sam fumbled his draft stock went up. That’s why Helton asked him to declare.

      • Helton asked him to declare because another season of underachieving under Helton would have been disastrous for the both of them. It takes a while (about 3 years after the obvious) for people in charge at USC to realize the flunky they hired isn’t worth a crap.

        • When you hire a lifelong flunky as Head Coach instead of a real head coach you get excited for winning a bowl game 50-49 and beating UCLA and it’s okay to lose to Notre Dame 100-0. When you hire Les Miles, you win, and you expect to win.

  39. Best Freshman (Redshirt) QB I’ve ever seen. Best clutch QB in the fourth quarter I’ve ever seen (college). Best USC comeback in the Rose Bowl. Thanks for all the great memories, Sam. Hope you get a decent O-line in the pros and win a Super Bowl.

  42. Spring ball will be fun. Which guy wins the job? I have no clue. Fink played about 4 snaps this year. Highlight run though.

    • Why don’t we speculate about it until we finally get responses to our craigslist casual encounters ads. i.e. until next season kicks off.

    • Maybe if Helton’s play calling would have been good enough to blow out a lot of those soft weak teams the Trojans played this year they could have tried to help Fink’s development by giving him some game time experience.

  43. SW has some nerve calling anybody ignorant. You can say things better. Maybe Pollyanna or hopeless optimists, but ignorant? There is nothing wrong with fans seeing the glass half full. Though truthfully, there is very little to no chance that SC will be better next year breaking in a new QB.

  44. The question will be if jt Daniels becomes the starter. I wonder what’s heltons plans. Darnald has two reasons why he declared the first being tee Martin will be staying at usc next year the second reason is jt Daniels. Swann will come out publicly after signing period about what’s in store for next season everything points to Helton staying. I think if Helton lands 2 more 5 star recruits he will be back. Rumors are at least 2 five stars will be announcing at under armour game. I heard 1 Rumor today that said usc will sign 4 5 stars on signing day making it a number class. If that happens it would be crazy. Never know. I mean if your a 5 star you know you will come to usc and play day 1. So maybe that’s the selling point

  46. I hope everyone realizes this “ valuable tool” for what it’s worth,the ability to sound off and escape your daily responsibilities. I’m grateful for this forum for my mental wellbeing just as my gym for my physical wellbeing. My son & I enjoy laughing together with some of the comments posted. Yes, I preview them first before allowing him to view. On a positive note, after USC dismal performance- my son viewed the 2002 Orange Bowl- where we dismantled Iowa – my son got a kick out of seeing Carson Palmer play at USC especially since he wasn’t born yet. I would like to say enjoy your retirement Carson/ Thanks for the memories.

  47. Matt Fink, it is now your turn to scramble around most passing plays hoping to find an open receiver cause if you stay in the pocket, you are going to get a beat-down. Your only salvation is if Lynn Swann demands changes. That might save your hide a little.

    • The USC staff should design a new full body flack-jacket for Fink, or whomever else has to take the snap in 2018 for USC. Darnold made it look easy compared to what any newbies will be demonstrating.

  48. I’ve always suspected Sam Darnold was a d0uche bag…his instagram post announcing his declaration for the NFL video confirms what I’ve always thought! The dude had jazz music playing in the background on his video!!?? Who the heII “produces” a draft announcement video??!!

    #hewassoutherncalAllAlong #D0ucheOn

    • And rosen’s picture used on his twitter post with him in war paint, like he just came off the field, what a phony. Heartless turd of a ruin…

  50. SWEEEET SCOOOOP, wolfman!!

    not a very classy way to shock the Dummies!!!! this is how Roto Jr pays them back???

    i’m hearing the Browns are ALL OVER Roto Jr cause the yokel said he love to play for ANYBODY!! opens the door for Chosen Rosen to go to NY where he belongs, where the smart, hip people are!!!

    i gotta predict Roto Jr is back slinging a plunger within 3 yrs.

    #FlashInThePan

    • Brute,
      your mind is always on roto rooter. Who do you mean by Roto? I don’t speak or write your dummy language.

  51. I am sad to see Sam go but wish him all the best for his future in the NFL. I think another season at USC might have helped him.

    Now USC has to make a big decision in the spring about the QB position. Helton needs to first find a new OL coach and a DB coach.

    I think USC will be fine next season with the talent we have and the recruits coming in.

    Fight On!

    • If Helton doesn’t bring in a couple of new coaches who also like to recruit, he’s dead to me.

      If he sets up the program to move forward and puts it #1 ahead of all the other BS that sidetracks these coaches, long may he work at the McKay Center. It’s his call.

      Here’s to a great finishing of our 2018 recruiting class and to those OLs we need to make USC dominant again.

  52. Dear “writer” person,

    Georgia’s QB is barely a freshman. HOW DID GEORGIA FAIR ON THE YEAR?

    • Sounds like when or if those currently in charge at USC ever get a clue and move on from Clay Helton, you’re going to have a complete nervous breakdown when Helton packs his bags.

  54. Scooter, no one said that JT Daniels will start. It will come down to the last two weeks of fall camp on who the coach wills start.

  55. Mr. Sam Darnold,
    Thank you for playing to the best of your ability, which is very good. I wish you all the success in the nfl. You truly are lived what it meant to be a Trojan, never quitting even when he odds are not in your favor. God Bless.

  56. The only way I see Helton surviving next season is if Jalen Greene sticks around and starts at QB. That happens with Carr as RB and being a screen option out of the backfield, Jalen Greene being the legit dual threat QB that he is with great escapability and the rapport he has with his teammates (WR’s), you’re going to see one heck of an explosive offense.

    • Jalen Greene doesn’t fit USC’s profile for a Trojan QB, he’s not the golden hair kid from SoCal, but the guy can play the position better than anyone USC has on the team. Helton is not smart enough to know this and or those at USC have given Helton their idea of what and who a Trojan QB should be…overall talent takes a backseat to image at USC.

  57. Sam will be sorry he left if he winds up in the graveyard of quarterbacks in Cleveland. One thing is for sure, Hue Jackson couldn’t coach his way out of a wet paper bag!
    Now we will see if Gomer can coach at a level higher than Western Kentucky!

  58. I can’t wait to see Wolfie’s coaching grades next season. Never mind they will all be “F’s” and Tee will be interim coach in the bowl game. Start getting your next predictions ready

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