Locking On?

Also seems to spend a lot of time "locking on" to the opposing teams cornerbacks. Good thing they can't catch well so far this season. I'm trying to be patient and give Booty the chance that he deserves. There is always a learning curve. I remember calling for both Palmer and Lienart to be benched early on when they had their struggles, but both of them seemed to just "get it" about halfway through their first season of running the offense and looked stellar from then on. Hopefully the same will be true for JDB.

Maybe having multiple targets actually healthy and on the field at the same time will help, and the thought of having Havili back gives JD another dangerous option.

PC seemed to contradict himself. Booty is not locked onto his receivers, but has been locked on to a receiver.

JDB also seems to "lock on" to the open palms of the opponnents defensive linemen.

Re: Locking On?/Multiple targets?
A lot of schools wish they have USC depth at WR NOT to mention Fred Davis at TE. Healthy targets is NOT an acceptable excuse. Vidal Hazelton and Travon Patterson are healthy.

I am not contradicting myself. You can throw to a receiver 20 times a game and not "lock on" to him, so long as you look the reciever off before you pass to him.

See, that's why I'm the coach and you're internet nerd guy.

El capitan, are you aware that you are calling for the passing game to run through the FIFTH and SIXTH receivers on the depth chart? Those guys are both true freshmen. Patterson was 17 years old when the season started. How many schools even know the names of their fifth and sixth receivers? I think you might be asking a bit much.

To Brian: Carson was far worse in his first 4 seasons that Booty has been when it comes to locking in receivers and throwing picks. It took him 4+ years to "get it". Fortunately, Booty will get there sooner (well, he won't have five years to progress and learn under a bunch of 5-7 win teams). Give him time, more confidence, and some time with his receivers in practice.

Honestly, I think Booty is far more effective than both Matt and Carson at this stage in his first year. Give him a break and have faith. If they lose, they lose. It will suck, but it won't be Booty's fault. THere are many injuries on this team and the chemistry is just around the corner. SC is #2, undefeated, and winning close games. Even in our best seasons, we had momentary lapses. It happens. The good news is that we have three weeks before the season REALLY begins. What we need is a playmaker who can go the distance. Maybe Gable or Travon get there.

Hazelton caught a pass in the last game and lined up on a few more plays. I think two more plays at least. BTW JDB threw Patterson's way in the last game as well.

Greg:
Hazelton was the second best HS Rcvr. in the nation and five star. He also knew that he would be playing in front of 92,000 fans. WHY are you making excuses for him or Patterson for that matter? Furthermore neither one of those players would appreciate you making excuses for them. Jarrett was thrown into the fire b/c of the Mike Williams story. DJ responded and produced WHY would Hazelton NOT? Or for that matter Patterson? If PC had any doubts about their talent they would have NOT been recruited. They did NOT get a $180,000 scholarship for nothing. It comes with the territory-prime time for a prime time program called CFB at USC. Better to expose them at a warm fire than a hot one like Cal or ND, don't you concur, Sir(!)?
Thank you

First of all… I’m getting a little sick of the remember Carson’s first year stuff!!!!! Carson was being coached by throw deep on 1st down not get the play in till 05 seconds left on the play clock let's try to find a play for 3rd and 45 Paul Hackett!!!!! So as far as I’m concerned that crap doesn’t count. And if Boody doesn’t stare down receivers (which he does) what about all of his rocket passes on plays of ten yards or less??? He did that about ten times Saturday and those types of passes usually bounce off receivers hands and are up for grabs. What is wrong with putting Mark in against Oregon St. when we are up or down by seven? Just see what happens if anything it should light a fire under Booty’s ass!!!!

I personal think that Mark would of beat out Booty if not for the dumb ass DA who arrested but never charge Mark in that stupid thing. Booty also seems to have a since of entitlement to the position because he came early and waited his turn. However I don’t care if Sc is 6 and 0 or not if he has another game like he did Saturday it’s time for him to watch from the sidelines again

Well I am not going to argue with PC. I guess I'll drop that subject.

I dont know how many blogers have actually been to SC game this year, but I can attest as fact (been to 3 games) that Booty does in fact lock on to one reciever. He does not progress thru and reads and throws to the targeted guy and everyone in the colisiem can see it. He has a good arm, and unbelievable accuracy, but he cant look at more than one reciever.

I don't usually just attack other posters but el capitan is an idiot. That's all I have. He's an idiot.

Losing yout #1 and #2 receivers is not an excuse?? What fantasy world are you living in where two freshman receviers can come in and replace two all-americans without missing a beat? Idiot.

There is nothing wrong with throwing to a single reciever the whole game. If he is your best WR then you want to go to him. However a QB cant take a snap and immediately focus in that recievers direction. He is cutting off all other options. This team is reputed to have the best set of WRs in the nation yet we are not taking advantage of that.

JD has to have help with having him at least look at the other WRs before going to specific one. This will freeze the DBs. He also has to have help with having more play action schemes to freeze the defense.

Yeah, that's all well and good but that doesn't mean that whenDJ, Smith, and McFoy, and all go down with injuries it is reasonable to expect the passing game to maintain itself at a high level while the 5 and 6 receivers suddenly become 2 and 3. Playing time does not equal impact or even productivity.

If that was really PC responding, I'm honored and thank you for the clarity. Although, I haven't noticed Booty "looking any receiver off" much. But I guess thats why Booty is quarterback and I'm just the 'internet nerd guy' Right?

Greg, you think its a bad thing that the #5 and #6 WRs are getting some experience early in the season? And it would be better for them to come into, say, the Cal game with no game time at all? Injuries happen, and we're very lucky to have the depth we have at key positions.

I think you better change your eye prescription on your glasses/contacts - the myopia is getting worse...

I think Booty carried this team through a ton of injuries to recievers and 3 full backs. The line which is great has also had more than its share of turmoil new players injuries,Kalil and Baker are the only veterans. This break should enable the line to function better as a unit. The recievers (Smith and Jarrett) should be healed - open up the playbook lets get some of these great recievers flying around the field creating problems and getting the opponents d-backs and linebackers back off the line - force them to cover. Running the ball is great but add some reverses,screens most of the swing passes have been successful lets have more and less bubble-screens. John David youre doing great stay loose and trust whoever is in with you.
Defense keep learning and mix in a little more 4-3 with you basic 3-4. All of the young defenders (most of the team) stay disciplined.
Its easy to complain but trust me noone wants any part of USC. Were not perfect but were damn good. Good enough to win the championship

Stephanie:

No, at the same point in his career, after 6 games started, Matt is much better. His line after his sixth game (Stanford) was as follows:

27 Att 18 Comp .667 Pct 260 yrds 3 TDs 0 int. 41 yrd longest.

Booty's after his sixth game:
25 Att 12 Comp .480 Pct. 148 yrds, 2 TDs 1 int., 27 yrds longest.

Matt only threw two more ints the rest of the year, while he threw 25 TD's, or 3.57 TD per game (7 games, including the Rose Bowl) If JDB threw 14 TD's the rest of the year (including the bowl game) versus 5 or 6 ints, I think people would say that's progress.

At this point in JDB's career, is it's silly to keep up comparisons with Matt. This the point where Matt kicked his play into the stratosphere. JDB is nowhere near, and there are questions about whether or not he has plateaued.

He might be a perfectly decent college QB, maybe even a Rob Johnson quality college QB. But at this point, he is not Matt Leinart, he's nowhere close, and it's doesn't look like he'll finish his career as a Carson Palmer either.

The question is whether a Rob Johnson quality QB is good enough anymore.

JDB looks right at his primary receiver (singlar) right at the snap. Sitting in the 69th row, on the endzone line, we call who the receiver is that play and get it right most of the time. Ya think the defense can't do that, too? Did Carson and Matt do that their first 6 or so games? I can't remember.

I don't like the idea of comparing quarterbacks or running backs from one era to another. It's like comparing apples and oranges. Carson's gone and Matt's gone. You can admire them on Sundays or Monday nights, but John David is the QB for Saturdays. He's Pete Carroll's choice, and, therefore, he must be the best USC has. I know on the SC board a lot of folks are pushing for Sanchez, and I know he has terrific skills, but John David has certain intangibles. First of all, he works with what he has and doesn't complain or say hey, what do you expect, I'm working with the Fifth and Sixth receivers. He just goes out there and does what he has to do. The other intangible is his quiet confidence. I like how he admits when he hasn't played his best, but he doesn't get down on himself. Once the game is over, it's over for him, and he looks forward to the next game with a certainty that he will do his best.

But I think all this dissension, as long as John David isn't bothered by it, will play in our favor. Not that other teams will take us lightly, but they may be expecting the same kind of game from JDB as last Saturday. But with Jarret and Smith and possibly McFoy healthy, the young guys will have a chance to watch the masters in practice and hone their skills. I believe our oppenents and many of the bandwagon dissenters are in for a surprise

My belief that asking two true freshmen to fill in for two potential All-Americans and a 5th year senior has nothing to do with my eyeglasses. Good lord you people have high expectations. And I never said anything about not wanting to play Hazelton and Patterson. If they need them, it's good to have them. That said, it is unreasonable to expect either one of them to step into a starting role and provide the same sort of impact as DJ, Smith, or even McFoy. DJ wasn't exactly a hot shot his freshman year. Mike Williams was, but he was a beast and an anomoly. Excuse me for realistically implying that a Mike Williams-type of player - someone who is physically and mentally ready to step on the field and make an impact from day one - doesn't come along every year. Coffeeman, I agree with you completely. Depth is great. I think El Capitan is out of his mind though (sir!)

To my friendly or unfriendly bashers:
I'm a big boy and I can take a punch. I've been called worse than idiot by the best of the best, OK Mr. Tyler?
1. I did NOT state in ANY way that DJ, SS and McF out or NOT being healthy is missing a beat.
2. I did NOT say incorporate a [COMPLETE] passing game and expect Hazelton and Patterson to take over and produce like the experienced 1,2,&3 WR's. I stated play them(Haz. & Pat.) more, let them get experienced against a "warm" team rather than expose them cold against a hot team like Cal or ND.
3. USC won a NC with DJ as a #1 FRESHMAN WR. Either that is true or am I hallucinating or an "idiot" like Tyler called me?
4. Greg, coffeeman asked you to check your glasses. BTW that is between you and him. The reason I mention it is b/c he seems to agree with me. That is play Hazelton and Patterson and let them get THEIR feet wet therefore they get experience. Can you understand that Mr. Tyler, Sir? How many teams in the nation have USC depth at WR? If you have money in the bank you can write checks. Can anybody dispute that? I can't hear you Greg and Tyler! With ALL due respect gentlemen I rest my case.
Thank you

Only an idiot can say this: "Healthy targets is NOT an acceptable excuse."

CFB isn't the NFL where all the players are experienced and should be able to contribute. As a matter of fact the step up from HS to CFB is often considered the more difficult transition.

And the "DJ won a NC in his first year" argument is idiotic too. Do you remember how ineffective DJ was in his first 2-3 games? I do. And he was a full time starter from game 1 not a spot player like VH and TP.

Expecting them to come in as freshmen and be go to players is ridiculous and dare I repeat myself - Idiotic.

Healthy VS. NOT Healthy:
Mr. Tyler:
Healthy: Patrick Turner, Fred Davis, Vidal Hazelton and Travon Patterson
NOT Healthy: DJ and SS
Fred Davis was very vocal about NOT being allowed to participate in the passing game. The article is on this paper. Yes I remember DJ ineffectiveness fisrt 2/3 games. Jerry Rice dropped more than DJ and is on his way to the HOF.
Again I did NOT state for VH & TP to "be go to players" Mr. Tyler that is your quote NOT mine, Sir. I state one more time:
The opportunity is there for them to get THEIR feet wet. That way they will be ready if there is the need to play them. Moody and Havili were thrown into the fire and they have responded despite Moody's fumbles.
Enough is enough OK, I did NOT call you an idiot so stop your BS and show some class.
Thank you

Lets stop this idiot calling. DJ and MW got plenty of plays as freshman. Simply put there are lot of us who believe VH and SP should also get some plays as Freshman. Desean Jackson at Cal is getting plays. He is a Freshman, I guess Tedford is an idiot and Kiffin is a genius. Why can't our Rival 100 receivers get some plays? Why does asking that question make someone an idiot?