Never A Dull Moment
Football is a contact sport, so it is no surprise fullback David Buehler emerged with a black eye on Wednesday.
The circumstances were unexpected, however. Buehler, known for being one of the most cheerful personalities on the team, got punched by walk-on tailback John Griffin during the running backs meeting before practice.
The running backs are apparently assigned seats in their meeting room and when Buehler told Griffin he was sitting in his chair, the scuffle started. Witnesses said Griffin threw several punches before being restrained by teammates.
Buehler, who is 6-feet-2 and 225 pounds, did not attempt to punch Griffin, who is about three inches shorter and 30 pounds lighter.
``I didn’t want to start anything,’’ he said. ``It was a cheap shot.’’
It’s the second altercation of the season for Griffin, who was involved in a scuffle with tailback Stafon Johnson during a drill in training camp.

Comments
Doesnt David know walk-ons are at the top of the food chain.
Posted by: eftzoons | October 5, 2006 06:31 AM
Roid Rage?
Posted by: CPBF | October 5, 2006 07:28 AM
Can you say Roid Rage!
Posted by: Tings | October 5, 2006 07:32 AM
This blog shouldn't be published. Its damaging to USC. If we are allowed to publish reports like this what happens if it becomes a player like Leinhart, Bush, or Cushing?
Posted by: TrojanHoya | October 5, 2006 07:55 AM
Griffin is playing the wrong position. Since he is aggressive and territorial they should try him out at Safety.
Posted by: Jay | October 5, 2006 08:10 AM
Maybe Griffin should become a "walkout"...
Posted by: chet | October 5, 2006 08:26 AM
Griffin! You idiot, go find a chair stupid. And since your'e obviously not good enough to compete on the field yet, if your'e such a badass then go take up boxing in the inner-city and leave football behind. We need brothers on this team, soul mates, fighters that will watch your back, not attack it. SC did not become a Dynasty by having weak links in the chain.
Now go to Heritage Hall, and kneel before the Heisman Shrine to ask forgiveness. Get back on the field, shut your mouth, and let the hits define your anger. You might just turn it around. Just ask Stefon Johnson ...
Posted by: DAVID | October 5, 2006 08:32 AM
Cheap shot or not Buehler should of stood up for himself and atleast threw a punch!
Posted by: Alpe | October 5, 2006 08:38 AM
Let's get Griffin on the field!
Posted by: Mike | October 5, 2006 08:53 AM
Sounds like Griffin might have anger management issues...
Posted by: coffeeman | October 5, 2006 09:02 AM
boys will be boys, right?
Posted by: c5load | October 5, 2006 09:43 AM
Short people complex. Funny stuff.
Griffin needs to chill. Pete has 6-7 other 4-5* RBs fighting for roster spots. Griffin better watch his attitude or he might find himself on the outside looking in come Bowl season.
Posted by: Tyler | October 5, 2006 09:57 AM
Someone needs to tell Rey Mauluaga or Luther Brown to beat the crap out of John Griffin? He should be thankging god he is no the team... He is pretty useless... A walk-on trouble maker..
Posted by: CaliFB | October 5, 2006 01:13 PM
Can you say Roid Rage!
Posted by: Dave | October 5, 2006 01:58 PM
Again, Scott...letting other another poster impersonate me when you know by the email address who is legit and who's not is unfortunate.
As for my imposter...I'm flattered, but if you have nothing else better to do before 8AM, maybe you should try sleeping in?
Grow up.
Posted by: The Real Trojanhoya | October 5, 2006 02:59 PM
Way to beat up a kicker John. (Yeah I know he changed positions, but come on. He's a kicker.)
Posted by: PH55 | October 5, 2006 03:47 PM
As we like to say at USC, Fight On!
Posted by: Pete Carroll | October 5, 2006 04:19 PM
If you want to throw down fisticuffs, fine. I've got Jack Johnson and Tom O'Leary ready for ya.
Posted by: Craig | October 5, 2006 04:30 PM
Griffin was always a poor loser at Musical Chairs
Posted by: princepaddy | October 5, 2006 07:54 PM
Hey "Trojans,"
You have no right to denounce and crucify this kid. Just for the fact, he was one of my roommates freshman year at Cardinal Gardens, and he is one of the nicer, more relaxed guys I've met at USC. He studies hard, works hard in the weight room (he is ripped), and he gives it all in practice. Imagine having to run against the first string defense every day in practice. Don't make accusations about steroids, and really think about what you're typing when you're criticizing 18-22 year old kids.
Posted by: Alex | October 5, 2006 11:07 PM
As my hockey and football coaches used to say, "If there isn't at least one fight during, before or after practice this team's got no backbone."
Then again they were brutal coaches. Then again they did have a point: an already volatile and violent sport can only be made more so by the participation of young males, and these incidents more often than not are random, brief and completely "meh".
And in another way, they were also very much correct: the best teams I played on almost always had scuffles and fights. Who knows.
And Griffin's been a mainstay on this team through multiple championship years. He's worked his ass off.
Posted by: jonathantu | October 6, 2006 08:52 AM
Respect, Respect, Repect must be earned. It seems Griffin is looking for a place on the team and he is frustrated right now. His chair being taken represents his spot on the team. His behavior actually shows his loyalty and devotion to USC football. He is a fighter and physical which is necessary in contact sports. Go Trojans and remember to hit as hard as you can. Let us be known for being the hardest hitting team in the country. Let's earn that respect.
Posted by: rick | October 6, 2006 11:13 AM
Since John Griffin has contributed as much as Merv Griffin to the program, why not kick the punk off the team........ His physical energy should be channeled on the field and not elsewhere........... Since this is his second episode, I can't imagine Pete would put up with such nonsense. There is no room for this on the team. Especially being a walk-on, one would think little Johnny would appreciate the privilege.
Posted by: td4troy | October 6, 2006 12:43 PM
Wouldn't you be pissed if a JUCO transfer kicker now getting more looks in the offense is higher on the depth chart than you???
Posted by: Lobregon | October 9, 2006 11:27 AM
ionolsen22 HI! I love this place!
Posted by: karel | October 19, 2006 12:58 AM