No Looking Back
Pete Carroll on Dwayne Jarrett's departure: ``We won't ever look back. When our guys have left in the past, we spent no time on what we were losing. It's always about the opportunity for the guys and what they're going to do about it.''
Why is this even a story?
It's the way PC has been running the program since day 1. Carson leaves - no time for whining. NEXT. Reggie leaves same thing. NEXT. Matt leaves - Matt who. NEXT.
This way the guys that step in know that they are expecting to fill big shoes and there's none of that "well we just lost so-and-so let's just languish in misery for a season" hangover that other teams have after losing big-time players.
It's not meant to be a slight on Jarrett or his place int he program it's just the USC way. If you dwell on the past the present will pass you by. This philosophy allows USC to look at player losses as a chance to reload.
When Phil Jackson or any other great and practical coach makes a statement like that, it's either "Zen" or simply goes unnoticed. Should Pete hold a vigil and hand out DVDs of D.J.'s 4th and 9 catch against Notre Dame? Should he express regret and dwell on what could have been had D.J. come back for the fall? (like he didn't do with Mike Williams in 2004?) No, you man-up and move on. D.J. will obviously always be part of the Trojan family, but he's on to bigger and better things. It's about who is in the program now. Only the young kids can help USC now. Ascribing sinister meetings to such a benign statement is foolish.
Now it's time for Patrick Turner to step up. He would have been starting as a Freshman for most schools.
But who will be the Z? Hazelton? Holland? Patterson? Ausberry?
Hey Scott,
What happened to the comment Keith Rivers was going to make today ?
Personally I think the receivers next year are Hazelton (I think he is a lock as a starter) and Turner/Ausberry. Holland/Patterson should have a great position battle for the slot WR next year.
I am not completely sold on Turner's hands and maybe it's because he needs more in game snaps but that's still to be seen. Word out of practices is that Ausberry has been very good and with his size/speed combination he could be another BMW in the making.
The receiving corps seemingly gets better each year. Hard to fathom considering the performers that have left. Most teams would have killed to have any of the following on their team in the past 5 years: BMW, KC, SS or DJ. USC's had them all.
USC could trot out a 5 WR set next year that would destroy even the best defenses. Hazelton, Turner, Holland, Ausberry and Patterson - RIDICULOUS.
Again thank you Pete.
I, too, an worried about PT's hands. He dropped too many this past season. He either makes the catches, or rides the pine.
and with another year under Booty's belt, Sanchez who throws to these upcoming guys in practice all the time, and Aaron Corp who is a marvelous passer (in addition to his run skills)......We might even get to see a bunch of completions behind the secondaries and in full stride... for a change. This recent Rose Bowl showed that we actually have those kinds of play capabilities now. I think that the NCAA is going to shudder at the speed we will put on offense next season.....and...our defense will be even faster and better....Look Out!!