Saturday Night Live (from the Coliseum)
I hate spring scrimmages. Fans tend to read too much into them and the stats are always utterly meaningless. Just remember that two years ago, Whitney Lewis caught seven passes for 122 yards and a touchdown to lead USC in receiving at the Coliseum. Need I continue?
With that in mind, I don't put too much stock into Mark Sanchez's unimpressive stats in Saturday night's scrimmage at the Coliseum. Sanchez completed 13 of 28 passes for 234 yards and one touchdown with two interceptions.
Those interceptions were not pretty passes, but Sanchez also threw his share of nice passes (particularly on a sideline route to Chris McFoy).
It doesn't matter how many passes he completed. What does matter is that Sanchez got into a game-simulated atmosphere and probably learned almost as much as in a week of practices. He desperately needs these situations before the fall, because John David Booty's back injury makes it likely Sanchez will be in a far better position to fight for the starting quarterback position.
``It's got to accelerate the process (with Booty out),'' USC coach Pete Carroll said after the scrimmage. ``We wanted to make it hard on Mark tonight.''[EP
Sanchez was unhappy with his performance. ``I think it's good I'm rough on myself,'' he said. ``I think I'm going to learn a lot.''
Scott, This new blog is very nice. Thanks for adding it to my daily reads. Recommend that you tweak the software to indicate "read/unread" regarding the "comments" areas.
I agree with your statement about scrimmage stats not meaning anything... from what I have heard Mark Sanchez is taking what he has done on the field to use as motivation to improve... and that I believe is more important... one thing to note... Mark is going up against the 1st team defense... which will be improved over last season.
Practice stats are meaningless. You can always look at them positive or negative. A QB going 20 for 20 will get the faithfull all excited. Or, does it show that the defense sucks.
This team loses 3 or 4 games in 2006. No doubt about it.
Hey "Wolfie" what do you "hate" more: spring scrimmages or the internet geeks......Personally it's gotta be the internet geeks who read too much into spring scrimmages and think that those who did well ala Whitney Lewis will be a superstar!!!
Regarding your reader Big_Dud...and his wishful prognostication of 3-4 losses next season...With the quality of incoming players that will assimilate into this already talent laden team, the defense will be devastating as will the offense. I doubt that the Trojans will lose 3-4 games combined over the next 3 seasons.
3 or 4 losses? i doubt that, the defense will be much improved over last year. The offense will take a dip but over the season it will also improve. i think the best defense will have Rey in the middle, Perez will destroy anybody coming over the middle and watch out for Ashley on the D-line. 1 loss(early in the season), maybe 2(max), either way another BCS bowl Appearance(Rose).
HEY SCOTT..I LOVE YOUR HONESTY. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!!!!!!