One less quarterback
USC’s quarterback crunch isn’t only related to junior John David Booty being out with a back injury. Walk-on quarterback Tom Harwood from Harvard-Westlake is no longer on the team. That’s important because it leaves freshman Mark Sanchez and junior Mike McDonald as the only two quarterbacks.
Even though Garrett Green joins the team in the fall, expect USC to make a strong push to sign a quarterback next year. The No. 1 choice remains Jimmy Clausen of Oaks Christian.
Ironically, Clausen does intend to graduate from high school early, which means if he were a senior this year, he could potentially be participating in spring practice.
Meanwhile, offensive guard Jeff Byers looks fine following two hip operations. ``He runs easy and has good finishing skills,’’ offensive line coach Pat Ruel said.
Byers is one of several USC athletes who required more than one hip operation since last spring. Tailback Michael Coleman underwent a second operation in January and hopes to be back in the fall.
This is bad news for Trojan football. I've been a fan since the early 60's when USC went back to South Bend and knocked off a John Huarte led N.D. team that was considered by many as unbeatable.
By far, the most important college football position is QB. The reason the Trojans have been so good the last 4 years? Two names come to mind-Palmer and Leinhart. Expect SC to struggle a little at the beginning of the season while the QB's get tested under the pressure of real game situations. With Booty out, there is really no one with any experience and this really hurts the team. Therefore, the struggle might last a good part of the season. I will be happy if SC succeeds in beating UCLA, N.D. and plays in a New Year's day or better bowl game. FIGHT ON!!
Indeed, the quarterback situation appears unsettling. The defense MUST step up and improve upon a year ago because the 50-point games aren't going to happen right away.
Hats off to Chauncy Washington for sticking with the program despite his academic troubles. Hopefully his hard work will pay off and we'll finally get to see some carries. He could be a good example for others on the team about the need to work hard both on and off the field. Too often it seems, the focus on football causes the players to lose sight of the opportunity to receive a first-class college education for free! Keep hitting those books Chauncy!
With a new QB and opening in a very hostile environment (Little Rock, Ark), we will have a tough game. But SC will prevail with a depth of talent, potentially great QB in Sanchez, an offensive line which could be almost as good as last years, and a defense that will step up big time after there putrid performance in the Rose Bowl. We should be anywhere from 10-2 to 12-0. As the Rose Bowl showed us, the rub of the green can make a big difference. But then again, good teams make their own luck. Interestingly this is best illustrated by the Latest SC run of 34-0 and Wooden's Bruin run of National Championships. This will be a great year and we will win some games by a picked up fumble for a TD by Rivers, Cushing, or Bradford, or a key interception by Pinkard, Thomas, or Harris. FIGHT ON!!!
has everybody forgot who we are? i think back to 03 after palmer left the program we were also in a tight QB situation but what people fail to realize is that we have former hs all-americans waiting to fill in, most of these guys just need a chance to show what they can do! in sanchez and JD Booty we have two guys who actually might be more talented than leinart. But one more thing i think people tend to forget about our team we have the creme de la creme at WR honestly i think uncle rico could QB this team. bottom line there is still a ton talent on the squad and teams will still have match up problems when they face usc. fight on!!!!!!
I am glad to here jeff byers appears healthy he will be huge in protecting which ever QB lines up back there.my question to you mr.wolf is where along the OL will they play him. Also if i could get some type of report on the DL i know we have some potential studds at the ends but i don't know much about the interior other than it really hurt us at times last year. Also how are those young line backers coming along i know vince young was able to take advantage of them[as he did the rest of our defense]but they really impressed me especially rey rey and brian cushing.
Dr. Keropian. Leave it to a USC Graduate to site UCLA's legendary history in trying to explain how USC could fare this year. Consider this, USC is not a closing team, has not been able to overcome the "big gane" syndrome and is averaging one rapist a season. Sounds like the problems are deaper than anyone could imagine. GO UCLA.