Just when, in terms of time line, did the coaching staff know that they had secured Mitch Mustain's commitment to transfer to USC?

Scott - thanks for answering all these questions, it is most appreciated.

1. Who would you place on your personal pre-season All America list?

2. What's are your thoughts on Michael Morgan's future? (i.e. with regard to his size, injury, and playing time)

Can you elaborate on why there is tension between the vice president for student affairs, Michael Jackson, and Pete Carroll?

One question for me scott.

Are you hearing any rumors of possible commits following this weeks Rising Senior Camp?

Question 1 in 3 parts - What was the greatest impedement for the run-game not getting off last season? Will this be less of a challenge this season? Will having a healthy stable of fullbacks make a significant impact here?

Even though the WR's are young and RB's still have something to prove, do you think with an experienced JDB, FD and OLine that this may be a more potent offense than people may be prognosticating? What do you believe this team will average in points per game?

Do you think that the D will turn up the turnover ratio again this season? I think this directly contributes to question #2. Last season, we seemed very close on a lot of tipped and touched balls in the LB corp and secondary - not a lot of INT's. Might this have been a result of moving to the 3-4 (elephant)?

SW, with the replacement of Kiffin with "Sark", would you expect bigger numbers/ an even better performance (over 2006) from John David this year? Do you think that "Sark" will open the "O" up a little more than what Kiffin did? Thanks again for providing the Open Forum.

I know you asked that no more questions be asked about whether Sanchez will transfer, so this is a different take on that which has not been asked before.

So should Sanchez transfer, will he do so after spring practice in 2008 or wait until fall practice or, even, after the 2008 season has concluded? Would it not make sense for him to transfer after spring practice rather than waiting?

Any idea of where he would transfer to, another Division I school where he would have limited eligibility left, or a lower division school where he could play immediately?

Again, Scott, I know you asked that there be no more questions about whether Sanchez will transfer, but this really doesn't fall into that category.

Thanks!

Has Galippo cleared admission/clearinghouse requirements yet? Can you see him in the fullback picture possibly?

Where do you rank/project RoJo amongst his peers Ausberry,Turner,Hazeltine, Holland and Patterson?

This questions forum is the best thing ever on your blog. It could also exceed the eventual banning of Captain Door Prize were that to ever happen.

Scott:

Why do your readers have an obsession with guys who will transfer??

The way I see it,if they do, they weren't good enough to play so who cares. Remeber Jason Thomas going to UNLV. I think Carson Palmer was the right choice there.

Thanks.

we all know who the first string linebackers will be yet who will the second string be?

Do you, honestly and objectively, believe that Aaron Corp has a chance to be named the starting quarterback in 2008?

Scott -
Do you think batted-down passes will continue to be a problem for Booty this year?

With the uncertain status of the kicking game, do you think we will be even more inclined to go for it on 4rth down situations?

1. What is the status on Emmanuel Moody? Do you think he'll end up being first on the depth chart? I think he has the best running style.

2. Will Hazelton be 1st on depth chart and Turner 2nd?

Scott, in all your time covering USC who would you consider the most transcendent athlete you’ve covered and why? Thanks

Do you know what the season tickets look like this year?

Does your appearance @ Petros’s birthday party means that His father the “Don” and you are now in good standing? I know that he was not so happy with you when the Dennis Dodd stuff came out.

One Question Scott:

Trojans not used the shotgun formation in the past. What is the philosophy of NOT using the shotgun at times, and instead always lining up under center even in obvious passing situations?

Thanks for this feature.

If JDB comes out of the gate playing similarly to how he played (struggled) against the likes of Ore. St, and UCLA with batted balls and failures to get his passes downfield and the offense struggles...instead of how he played vs Michigan.......
Thus..can you explain Mark Sanchez' current status in the system regarding just how long a leash JDB would have as the Trojans proceed past their dress rehearsal vs Idaho.

Do the players get any down time before training camp starts (no football period!)

When does training camp start?

Scott:

Has Sanchez ever been given an explanation by the coaching staff as to why they recruited Mustain or did they feel that they did not need to tell him anything?

Which WR has looked the best in practice?

Which OOS recruit(s)have USC leading so far?

Why has Pete Carroll always said that players who have been in trouble with the law "would be punished and dealt with internally," only to go completely unpunished? Is there a reason for Carroll not punishing players who have been in legal trouble even though he has stated publicly that they would be subject to discipline? Are there administrators in the university who are opposed to this approach?

Have you noticed a change in Carroll in being more public about saying things like "I'm never going to leave USC" like has been saying on the Coaches' Tour circuit? Does this reflect a greater openness about his desire to stay at USC?

How do you think Cushing will transition to the 4-3 OLB? What will be his new role?

Hi Wolfie: First of all, I want to say that 99%+ of all of us really appreciate this blog,so just ignore those negative comments on some of your posts! Last week was interesting-I didn't know that Clausen was considered "damaged goods" by anyone-perhaps you could elaborate. Also last week, I think there was a lot of concern about ucla recruits because us Trojan true fans really hate the bruins and we get antsy when we see some scouting services list all those 4* recruits they seem to have.I was somewhat releived to learn that we really wanted badly only 3-with 2 others as maybies. Despite last year, the bruins are down, we have our foot on their throat, and we want to keep it that way. They are bound to get a few good local recruits-but lets keep it at a few only. Out-of-state recruiting is harder[tho we have done great there] because a lot of kids end up deciding to stay close to home. Your blog is great, because where else could I have learned that only 3 of their recruits were highly desired or wanted by us. All that having been said, here are my 2 questions-since these are the dog days of summer, both are slightly historical: 1.When the coaches just burned the redshirt year of our unmentionable TB [SJ},was that just a stupid mistake--or did they actually have some sort of plan for him that, for whatever reason, didn't materialize? 2. In the texas rose bowl give-away game, the Trojans had 4th and a short two , late, as I'm sure everyone remembers,and LenDale came up short.In the LA Times the next day, LenDale said "I cut back too soon, a hole was over on the outside. Kiff said "I would never criticize a player", when he was asked about it. My question is: We had been using that play all day, and it didn't look like a "run to daylight" play to me--it looked like a "run-to-the-hole"[that's supposed to be there] play. Also, I think Kiff gave texas the play by not having Reggie in the lineup. Scott, please excuse the long-worded question, but do you know if that was a "run-to-daylight" play--and what play would you have called? MANY THANX!

Taylor Mays has mentioned his interest to play offense as well - wouldn't he have to change his number since CJ already is #2 on offense?

Hoops question.

Now that the big 3 scorers are gone, what do you think the team is going to look like?
> Daniel Hackett
> Taj Gibson
> Daniel Lewis
> Keith Wilkenson

Who are other existing players/positions on the roster that you expect to see make a contribution?

I have heard that Devon Jefferson is really raw - can he contribute early?

With so many very early scholarship offers, remind us of the 'rules.' If a high school kid is injured before signing a LOI, is SC committed to offer? Can a school that offers a high school kid rescind the offer prior to signing for any reason?

Hi Scott:

Word is Hamani Stevens recently de-committed from UCLA and is now in line to receive an offer from SC. What is the latest regarding this story and has SC actually offered?

Also, what do you know about Daniel Campbell. I understand that he's been offered and has high regard for Pete and his coaching staff. What do you know about his status on whether he'll really commit?

Thanks again.

One Pointless Question:

Why do they call Hershel Dennis "Patch."

Thanks.

Scott, the subject of Reggie Bush investigation keeps coming up in this open forum questions and also in your blog (the latest being that road block entry). What is your personal prediction as to what will happen?

Do you think Sarkisian is going to go back to Norm Chow style of playcalling (less predictable, more passes to tight ends and running backs), or stay with Kiffin style.

Scott, I do enjoy reading about your opinions tremendously.

I've got 2 questions.

1. Tyron Smith, our latest commit. What do you think of this kid.

2. All SC's commits are ranked top 10 at their respective positions, except Curtis McNeal and Chris Polk. Any info as to why SC is so high on them and what is your personal opinion on these two kids.

Thanks again. Keep it up SCott!!!