Fullback? No Thanks

Seems like he has the wrong attitude. Ricky Bell and Marcus Allen didn't have a problem playing fullback. It actually helped them become better all around backs by learning how to block.

actually seems like a two part issue, the attitude of Bradford which doesn't seem that good although on the other hand it does seem like SC needs to stop moving him around as well

I actually think it's a little bit of both.

i feel for the guy, he was recruited as a LB, then moved to SS, then TB, and now FB? it may be a foolish attitude in terms of immediate playing time, but you never know what will happen with injuries, early defects to the pros, transfers, ineligibilities, etc., so being the 4th string RB is not as bad as it seems. david kirtman was more-than-solid here and he didn't make an NFL roster, so i can see how the kid is skeptical about committing his whole college career to a somewhat unpopular position (one that he's never played in his life, btw). as a fan i'd like to see his talent out there playing FB for us, but we can't fault his attitude. if we end up with poor production from the FB position this year from havili or brittingham or whoever, well, that's sort of the way it should be when your first string and second string are out for the season. i'm just going to expect the worst from the FB position, and just thank our stars that this freak chain of events didn't happen to a more important position such as QB or DE. could you imagine losing booty and sanchez for the season after two games? or moore and jackson for the season?

I feel for Allen. Sounds to me like all he wants is a chance to do what he does best and the coaches wont let him. AB does not sound happy and that is not good. I would hate to see him go across town.

that's weak sauce.

so allen, what if it means it increases your team's chances of winning?

no way man...i don't care...that's not me.

what a f@#$ing primadonna. not impressed.

okay Bradford, now that you've made your statement, the pressure to perform is on you. that is if Mr. Carroll has your permission to move you back to defense. if not, would you please notify the staff on what positions you approve of...

see ya allen..........!!!

Why hasn't Jodie Adewale been given a chance to play? Is he that bad? He was highly spoken of by Coach Carroll when he offered him a scholarship out of Roosevelt HS. I haven't heard much about him since...

Allen Bradford should just suck it up and be a team player. I've taken multiple roles in my organization and it's made me an invaluable asset. It gives you an opportunity to perform and he should be mature enough to see that.

There's having a bad attitude and then there's drawing a line in the sand. Eventually there has to be a point when what's necessarily right for the team may not be right for you and I think Bradford is at that point. He's moved once to help the team why should he have to move again? And to a position he's never played at that. At least he had TB experience. USC is so deep at LB that I think we'll see another LB making the move soon. Powdrell was a LB after all.
I don't think Pete would be stupid enough to ask Bradford to make a move again. The fans that say Bradford should be willing to do whatever it takes to see the field are somewhat wrong on this one IMO. He still needs to look after what's best for him. If he doesn't then who will. You or I would be willing to do anything to play on this team, but we are't exactly 5* athletes with a likely NFL career to thnk about. I know the NFL is not a certainty for anyone but it's certainly more of a certainty for Bradford.

he could learn how to block w/o going to fullback. He has already moved and hasn't had the chance to settle in at one position. Move someone else because there are many more options that could be explored. Who in the hell wants their most versatile athlete playing fullback? blocking and getting 1 maybe 2 carries per game and maybe 3 passes thrown to them. some of you fans or some dumb that its ridiculous, if your boss came to you and suggested you be a janitor for the team would you??? like i thought

Poor comment. Players will usually sacrifice for good of team. Stafon Johnson shoul be next asked. Bradford might have been perfect. Speed and size aid blocking, plus pass catching he might make big plays. Now he will probably red shirt.

I dont really have a problem with what he said, he's being honest, he's already been switched from safety to running back(where's he's behind 2 or 3 backs) and he's no walk-on...

How bout waiting in line the entire halftime and half of the third period to finally arrive at front and ask for a jumbo dog and this overweight woman says just a moment and leaves to go to the other end of the concession stand to bring back some hot dogs, none of which were jumbo dogs and I told her I would have taken anything before she left for 5 minutes. On top of that it was Ice cold. Her comment to me, has the game started yet! The people in line behind me just about lost it. WORST FOOD I'VE EVER HAD EXCEEDED ONLY BY THE WORST SERVICE I'VE EVER HAD, EXCEEDED ONLY BY THE MOST OVERPRICED TRASH I'VE EVER HAD!! After 50 years it's hard to break habits, I sent my wife up to get us 2 beers early in the 2nd period. Was she pissed when she came back at the half after going to four concession stands looking for a beer. Thanks Dr. Sample for making our Coliseum experience in committee seats such a great experience.

I UNDERSTAND BRADFORD WHEN HE JUST SAID "NO" TO ANOTHER MOVE TO A TOTALLY UNKNOWN POSITION....HE WAS MR. BIG IN H.S. AND WAS CRUITED WITH GREAT "PETE" ZEAL AND NOW HE FEELS LIKE HE IS PASSED DOWN LIKE A ERRANT BROTHER....HE WANTS TO PLAY IN HIS 2 POSITIONS PERIOD....HE MUST TAKE A STAND OR HE MIGHT BE ASKED TO PLAY CENTER????

And you can't really blame a kid for wanting at least some input/control over his future. He's already volunteered to move from Linebacker to Safety, and then from Safety to Tailback. He sounds like a team player to me. Now if he's hesitant to make a 3rd move because he wants to play one of 3 other positions, I don't think that reflects poorly on him.

I'm impressed with Bradford's maturity in knowing what he wants to do and doesn't want to do.

If anything, Bradford has to be happy with so many chances to play. He's gotta love the fact that Pete is looking at him for many roles.

Obviously, USC has one heck of an athlete on their hands.

USC fullbacks in the Carroll era (and much like in today's NFL) don't see the ball often - it's that simple. Bradford has a lot of NFL potential at other positions - positions in which he could make many times the money of a NFL fullback.

I don't get it. If Carroll says "jump", you jump. Bradford's attitude might end up hurting him in the long run. As a team mate you do whatever you have to for your team to win, and he's probably not earning his team mates' respect now.

Ricky Bell was an LB moved to FB, then moved TB. Ryan was a LB moved to FB, and he was doing a commendable job. Can we go into our deepest and toughest position and find another jewel? I know he is in there, I can feel it. Fight ON!

This guy is afraid to compete. He doesn't have the type of attitude that the NFL agents are looking for.

Memo to college football fans: Todays 5-Star recruits don't choose school because of the uniform colors or because when they made their offical visit a light from ahigh shown down upon them and school fight song burst forth from the heavens, sung by a chorus of Angels. They go to a school that will help them best prepare for a career as a professional football player. Bradford did not come here to be beaten down at a position that the NFL considers cannon fodder (low draft choice position, poor free agency opportunities, short career), and at a school like SC where the position physically beats you down.
Don't blame the kid.
And get real, nerds.

Who cares what NFL agents are looking for?

This guy has way too much speed and athletic ability to waste by bulking up to play fullback.

If I recall the Arkansas game the fullback seemed like the busiest guy on the field. Leading receiver for sure. I think they use the fullback often and would use him more if someone like Bradford who is a great athlete plays the position.

Frankly, I'm pleased to see a recruit stand up to Pete's disregard for promises he makes in terms of positions during recruiting. See also:

Garrett Green, Rocky Hinds

Everyone at SC seems couldn't be happier with the pro style system that Carrol runs at SC. You can't have it both ways though. You can't love the pro system and then get upset when players act in their own self interests. At the same time, players shouldn't get upset when they are treated as comodities in such a system. Neither Carroll nor Bradford can really complain at this point as they both should have known what they were getting with one another when their relationship began on signing day back in January.

Bradford will end his playing career at UNLV.

Hinds and Green were offered simply because Pete didn't want to see them go crosstown.

I think it would be in Bradford's interest to get reps at FB. However, I'm not too worried because I don't think this would really be the best answer for the team anyway. Allen is definitely an explosive athlete with a lot of ability but the FB position is all about the little things - blocking, recognizing blitzes, catching the ball, more blocking. You need a kid who is committed to the position and has some experience at this skill set.

Ultimately, I think Sark and Kiff should be looking at more 2 TE formations with an H-back who could move around and line up in the backfield when necessary. McCoy or Thompson are more than serviceable football players and they have some skill and experience in blocking. This would provide a lot of flexibility in the offense.

Allen is a tremendous athlete who signed with 'SC on the condition that would play defense. His preference was linebacker, but he agreed to switch to safety, since we are loaded there. I don't think anyone would disagree that he has great potential as a linebacker, and could excel there if given a chance. Nevertheless, he signed with 'SC despite the fact that other big time D1A programs would have used him right away at linebacker. We should be grateful for that. That he gracefully accepted the move to running back is commendable, even though it broke the recruiting promises made to him.

Look, I love 'SC football and I have all the respect in the world for Coach Carroll and his staff, but you can't misrepresent yourself to a kid like that. He deserves all the facts to make the best informed decision for HIS future. Fullback does not have the earnings potential as the other positions. And yes, that's why he's going to college, to maximize his future earnings potential, just like 99% of all kids attending college. And don't give me that bullshit about getting an education. I know everyone I went to school with was there to obtain the skills to make money. We shouldn't hold football players to a higher standard.

Allen's been an exemplary team player. Now he's drawn the line, and that's fine with me. As much as I like to see the team win, we can't go breaking promises to these kids. An adult breaks a promise to a kid, and we hypocritically blame the kid. I've seen enough of these kids used up and thrown away without getting a dime, so all so you pathetic, middle-aged, assholes can bask vicariously in their glory.

Lay off this kid.

Fight On Allen!

PrettyVacant

Question: How do people other than Bradford, Carroll, Bradford's parents and USC football staff know what was or what was not said to Bradford when he was recruited.

Answer: They don't.

That's why I love the Internet. It's a fact-free zone.,

Actually Shine, we DO know because Allen was quoted profusely in the news as saying that Pete had discussed him with ad nauseum that his NFL future was at Safety, not LB, and that was therefore his position when he went to USC as far as he knew. It was quite public. If we was at UCLA, where his Uncle wanted him to be as I recall, he'd be at LB or RB.

Fact: Coaches never lie to recruits. Allen and his father are lying.

reelbruin,

i made the silly mistake of checking out brian dohn's ucla blog and noticed you were one of about four people reading the thing. what the hell are you talking about, pete and his recruiting promises.
were you in on a single recruiting visit. shut your damn bruin trap, and remember your place in the city.

1. USC
2. all high school teams
3. all jcs
4. ucla

Hey Allen, your not playing that much right now are you? Why don't you suck it up!
Felipe

Crazy? If Rocky had stuck it out he would have been thisclose to coming in as the qb. It didn't look good with Booty's health for a hot second and he had a chance to compete regardless. There will always be competition. Green came in as a two way player who is a mobile qb. He is getting to play NOW b/c of it. He knows that he has Sanchez ahead and then he will be the most seasoned qb with a year up on the two new guys. GG must be stoked to be able to say, "yeah, a few months ago I was in HS and now I'm on the field on D and special teams AND I got a good shot of being the qb by my junior and senior year."

Did the coaching staff ask Bradford to move to FB, or did Wolf suck all you idiots into a vitriolic debate about a non-issue?

TROJANFAN - You haven't hit EIGHT in a row yet. And frankly I'd rather win with class than field your team and win. Success is fickle, especially when you find yourself banned from post-season play for ineligible thugs..err..players on the field. You guys have sacrificed tremendous moral character to win your ONE actual championshp...which is now in jeopardy of course. And actually I was quite thankful for the Toledo spankings, cuz it helped us fire him.

P.S. I was quoting directly from Bradford's inteviews posted on the SCOUT site.