I can't keep up Scott, but how many Hamstring injuries has Holland had already?

Hopefully this isn't a sign of things to come, but I worry.

Hi Scott: You had me worried--you didn't open the forum until 7:23pm tonight,and I thought "oh, no, he is too tired from last week to have one this week." Thanx for having it again--we know it is a lot of work for you--but we really appreciate it. My question is:I know you started writing in 1984, but are you pretty much of an expert on trojan football from 1920 on, and, if so, are you open to questions here from earlier eras? Thanks!

On our way to booking games with UVA, BC and Syracuse do you know if we were turned down by any high profile programs? - Bama, Miami, Florida, Mich, VT, Texas, LSU, Tenn, WVU, OU etc

Thanks,

On our way to booking games with UVA, BC and Syracuse do you know if we were turned down by any high profile programs? - Bama, Miami, Florida, Mich, VT, Texas, LSU, Tenn, WVU, OU etc

Thanks,

Scott, if you had to pick one running back who you think will be a star over the next 2-3 years, who would you predict that would be?

Scott, if you had to pick one running back who you think will be a star over the next 2-3 years, who would you predict that would be?

Has Brian Cushing fully recovered from his spring injury? How do you think he will do at his new position at OLB?

Scott- Great format, thanks. Why is it that we seem to never excel at special teams? With all the talent at SC you would think this is am easy area to be superior. Do we have the wrong ST coach(es) or a lack of commitment or what? I'm not complaining because the rest of the time we are so good but it is puzzling.

Is it true that Pete Carroll visited Mitch Mustain in Arkansas as far back as January and offered a scholarship on the spot, while his enrollment at USC was a completely done deal many months before it was officially announced in May?

Scott, I know this isn't a new topic, but you and I and most everybody else assume that it's only a matter of time before the competitive itch of Pete Carroll (that competitive itch that makes him GREAT) will push him to seek a new challenge (i.e., the NFL). Have you ruled out the possibility that he won't leave in the next few years and will, instead, realize what a great situation he's carved out for himself at SC and, instead, lay some serious roots and stick around for a LONG SC tenure?

Hi Scott: From reading SI and national football publications, I get the strong feeling that, because of our great historical and recent success,i.e. 11 national championships, 7 Heisman Trophy winners [no school has more in either category], great bowl record etc., that we have now become the most hated and feared program in the nation. Tremendous jealousy seems to be out there against us. Would you agree? THANX

Hello Scott: IfI could open with a quick aside to reader Tyler--Tyler,I was doing that because I am 79 yrs. old, and it was easier on my eyes--but I am just learning, and I do appreciate your comment--now back to you,Scott--my query is: Do you ever get to talk to Pete one-on-one? If so, how often and how long---and, in private, is he the same as his public persona? Thanx

Scott: I've seen various pre-season publications rank our linebackers in different orders. ESPN says Rivers is the best in the nation and the top NFL linebacker prospect. Others, like Rivals and Phil Steele, have Rey as our best linebacker. Others even have Cushing above Rivers. With that said, how would you rank our linebackers against each other?

Also, this is going to be the first year in a while that UCLA will not have a week off before they play USC. Do you think that will pose a problem for them?

Wolfie: Of all of our prospective recruits, which ones do you think are most likely to committ to us before Sept 1st? thanx much!

Scott: re TaylorMays; the kid is six feet four, runs a 4.25 40 and, so far, has been a great db, but a poor tackler. With Ellison and Pinkard as great safeties, and with us seemingly needing a little help at wr, why won't the coaches do what the kid wants, and at least give him a shot at a receiver position? He could even be a two--way player in certain situations. What do you think the coaches are thinking? Much thanks as always.

SW, what do you expect (or hope for) out of Stafon Johnson this season? Do you think that he will get some decent PT this year? Who do you think will have a bigger season (numbers and impact wise), Patrick Turner or Fred Davis? As always, good SW with the Open Forum. Thanks!

1. After seeing the backlash of hate against Joe McKnight for leaving home, how many other prospects do you think USC does not sign becuase the players are afraid of the local reaction?

2. How many sources do you write for, outside of your blog and The Daily News?

3. Is Mike Morgan anywhere near a decent playing weight?

Has Mitch Mustain's jersey number been resolved yet? If so, what number is he going to wear this year? Do you think he will revert back to his old No. 16 next year once McDonald is gone?

Scott, What is happening over at WeAreSC and why did they break from Scout.com?

Scott:
I've seen the term "three-technique' used to describe one of the
defensive tackle positions. Which defensive tackle position is
this referring to? I am familiar with the 'nose tackle' and 'defensive tackle' terms. If one position is the "three-technique" position, does the other defensive tackle position have a similar description?

I realize that all scholarship offers will not be accepted but by my count USC has made 44 2008 scholarship offers which far exceeds what the available scholarships will be in March. On signing day, when everyone
is hddled around the fax machine waiting for incoming signed commitment sheets, how does USC or any school manage to not receive more commitment sheets than available scholarships?

Has Jonathan Baldwin, WR from PA been given an offer?

I've noticed in the last year from the broadcast media that more and more people are pronouncing Notre Dame like "Notra" Dame and not "Noter" Dame. Guys like Lee Corso obviously struggle with it as he goes back and forth between pronunciations. Who is advocating this change? Has the university put out some press release on how it prefers to be called?

On a similar note, why does USC hate being called "Southern Cal"? And why to so many in the broadcast media simply ingnore the request? i.e. Keith Jackson

Scott, kind of different question but I am interested to know how you’d rank the quarterbacks on the Madden scale (from 1 ‘lowest' - 10 ‘highest’) regarding arm strength, vision, accuracy, poise, decision making, etc. The most notable guys obviously being Boot, Sanchez, Mustain and Corp, thanks

Is Lodrick Stewart seriously being looked at by NBA teams as a potential draft pick (1st or 2nd round)?

I loved watching him turn his college career around under Floyd and he had some games where he shot the lights out (Oregon State), but I never really thought of him as a future NBA player...not that I am an expert!

Any scheduled appearances for you on the PMS show?

And is LA radio ever going to have another PS show minus the M?

Four Recruiting Questions:

Why hasn't Pete Carroll or his staff extend offers to two highly touted recruits who've gone on record to express an ardent interest in SC-Everette Thompson, DE out of Washington, and Max Tuiati-Mariner, local OG?

I understand most of the out-of-state focus is on linebacker Arthur Brown of Kansas. But do the Trojans have enough of an interest to go after Terrell Pryor and Will Hill as well?

Where do things stand with Khalid Holmes? I hear he's been offered, but hasn't committed.

Lastly, Blake Ayles has been mum about SC while openingly gushing over Wisconsin these days. What are the chances he picks the Badgers over the Trojans?

Thanks for your answers.

Has anyone suggested that J. Holland just stick to track? It might be easier on his body.

Did anyone at USC endeavor to find out the identity of the alleged "source" who told Staford Coach Jim Harbaugh that Pete Carroll was going to leave after this 2008 season?

If so, who was the alleged source?

If there was no source, did Harbaugh make it up and why?

Any thoughts you have on this issue is appreciated.

That's a good question...did Harbaugh elaborate on his "source inside USC"?

What do you think will happen to Mitch if he doesn't beat out Mark Sanchez?

You posted that the WR corps has been "good but not great" something along those lines...what does that mean exactly?

Will T. Patterson start? Over Vidal Hazelton??

Has anyone mentioned 1. CJ Gable 2.Stafon Johnson 3.Garrett Green being moved permanently to safety?

How bad is Sanchez's injury? The coaching staff is really quiet about injuries to the QB's. I suspect JDB was hurt last year and no one said anything. The only problem with this practice is that if USC doesn't mention it and an NFL team drafts one of our QB's and finds out he is damaged goods they will be mad.

Who would you say will win the battle between Taylor Mays and Josh Pinkard?

In your opinion, (as you have a vote) where would you put Notre Dame? Do you really think they are as bad as everyone says?

Is LoJack moving to interior DL? Will he play NT or DT? Do you agree that E. Griffen is really that good??

Hey Scott,
What is the kicker situation? Will we have someone to rely on during those precarious 4th and long situations, where it may just be wise to get points on the board. I've always admired PC's guts in going for the 4th and long, but sometimes it's best to go for the easy points if you have a reliable kicker.

Recruiting question
Scott,
I know there's a lot of questions ahead of mine, but I was wondering why we haven't pursued a highly ranked TE from Washington State:
Kavario Middleton, 6-4/240/4.75
I know we are recruiting two top 100 TE's, but this guy is a top 10 and we haven't offered anything to him!
Thanks for your feedback, I look forward to your answers to this forum every week. Keep up the good work!

who is expected to be the most improved player from last year?

Scott,
why does USC schedule only six home games? I notice nearly every other major conference team has at least 7 home games, and some have 8. With the undefeated home record, sellouts and money involved, it seems like a no brainer.

1. When are Everson Griffen and Broderick Green expected to report to camp? I know McKnight is already here.

2. Do you favor any particular pre-season college mags. What in your opinion is the best/most informative.

3. Do you think Donovan's return to Florida even further convinces Pete that he has made the right decision. Pete has a much better chance of becoming an all time legend in CFB (2-3 more championships should do the trick) at USC that Donovan does for CBB at UF (he will never catch Wooden). The NBA isn't even nearly as hard on coaches as the NFL.

Re: The Ren Lopez "Southern Cal" question above. Isn't it because there's already a program with the name Cal in the Pac-10? As I understood it USC does not want to be affiliated with them even erroneously. calling USC Southern Cal is sorta like calling USC - EastUCLA.

And if that's the reason I'm sorry for highjacking your blog.

Why does USC put up with how awful the TV contract is with the PAC 10? Do we--or any other school--have any pull in pushing to change this?

Hi Wolfie: Why do you think Kiff grabbed the Raiders job after Sark turned it down--and do you think Brendan Carroll really makes much of a difference and contributes a lot to the coaching staff? Thanks.

Hello Wolfie Re the "Southern Cal" comments, the name was given to us in the 20s when we went back to play the Irish in the midwest and it just sorta stuck. Ucla did not even exist then--and I guess it was given to us to distinguish us from the Cal. Bears who had some great teams back then. Myself, I kinda like it--it's part of our great tradition--I think thats why people all over the country still call us that-their parents or grandparents taught them that was our name. I wish we would accept it and love it-TRADITION. Call me old-fashioned if you want, but I love it when i hear it. Anyway, my question is: are the coaches happy with the way the 2008 recruiting is going? I don't see many 5* guys in our committ or prospect list. Will the scouting services do a lot of upgrades as the season goes along? Many thanks as always.

How long does it usually take to recover from hamstring Injury?

So far, how do you rate next (2008) year's commits compared to last couple of years.

do you agree, this year (2007) commits, were better both 05 and 06. Tyler, Rojo, Green, Griffin, Mckight, Galippo, Jones, O'Dowd, Corp, Coleman & DaJohn Harris in 1 year! Your thoughts?

any info on the rumor that another trojan defensive player will follow jeff schweiger and transfer to san jose state?