The band plays songs from the era when band director Art Bartner was relevant and Stevie Nicks wasn't old enough to have grandkids at USC. Post-game shows used to be about twice as long as they are today too. Someday, people will ask what it was like when the band didn't sit in the end zone.

There are plans for a second soft-serve machine, but not until the naming rights are auctioned off prior to the home opener. I'm partial to ``Forrest Twogood-to-resist soft serve machine,'' myself.

Softball will not become a sport at USC for a simple reason: Money. Remember that as you fork out that green stuff for season tickets, the new video web site content and soft serve ice cream. Softball requires a field and (maybe a few bleachers) and that costs money and requires land. Two things USC hates to relinquish (except for football).
There's a reason women's water polo and crew are scholarship sports. They only require swimsuits, caps and a few row boats. If USC ever adds another sport, it will be women's field hockey. You just buy some skirts and sticks and play on Cromwell Field.
It's too bad because USC could easily be a top 10 team in softball if it ever started a program.

The kicking game looked great the other day when I saw David Buehler kicking by himself with a tee. But we won't know anything else until training camp. Special team candidates can be found by typing the words ``depth chart'' into this blog's search engine.

Yes, it is my dream job to be Pete Carroll. How did you know? I'd use the same basic approach but revolutionize things a bit by throwing to the tight end and fullback. Anyways, Joe McKnight will be used in the slot and coming out of the backfield because of his receiving prowess. Chauncey Washington andT Broderick Green would be power backs. I'd probably let McKnight and Emmanuel Moody get a bunch of reps early to prove to me they have CONSISTENT breakout capabilities, the one thing this offense needs.

Mitch Mustain is aware of the offensive plays. When I said he might not now the entire offense, I'm assuming he will be on the scout team, which means he'll run the opponent's plays most practices.

I'd say Khaled Holmes, Blake Ayles and Jurrell Casey are close to locks for USC right now.

Stafon Johnson is eager to prove himself and will get reps in training camp, but will he get enough to make a significant breakthrough to the actual playing rotation? That is the question.

Pete Carroll's not accepted any NFL jobs because no team's offered him one since the 49ers about four or five years ago. He didn't like the way the 49ers organization deteriorated since the glory days and then decided he wanted near total control of the team, which isn't being offered these days. The Chargers, for example, wouldn't even let him hire the defensive coordinator.

I think I'm about out of Mitch Mustain quotes, at least for day.

I'm for starting a movement to replace Mustainmania with Ryan Boatwright, but Boatwright doesn't wear cleats. So maybe I can talk Pete Carroll into taking a commitment from a 13-year-old QB.

Today's Open Forum is a Papadakis-answer free zone.

I will use all my influence to have the band play one national anthem on the pressbox side, especially since secretaries and administration stooges cower when I enter the band office.

Everson Griffen is not working out in the passing drills, since he is a defensive end. But he is impressing in the weightlifting, conditioning workouts.

I think I answered this last week, but Mitch Mustain is motivated and came to USC to start in 2008. It's unlikely he will be distracted because he survived one season in the Arkansas fish bowl as the hometown hero done good. He knows what he needs to do at USC.

I could see Allen Bradford and Jordan Campbell switching positions, especially Bradford, who can play safety and fullback. Personally I'd like to see him play some linebacker, no matter what his size.

Lawrence Jackson is poised to have a season like he did his sophomore year. He's focused and knows what went wrong last season. His athletic ability should make him a good performer and raise his stock at NFL combines.

You could see two tailbacks on the field together, especially if Bradford in at fullback to run pass routes. But a lot of that depends on how well Stanley Havili and Jordan Campbell play.

John David Booty is about 6-1 1/2

The baseball team returns two second team All-Americans (shortstop Grant Green, pitcher Brad Boxberger) along with catcher Robert Stock and will find out by August 15 if it holds on to Mike Stanton, drafted in the second round. And we hear there may be a couple surprise additions to the roster before next season.

Mustain's strengths are his arm and ability to read defenses. He's used them both in hostile environments like Vanderbilt (yes, Vanderbilt) and other SEC locales, so the Pac-10 should be too hard to adapt too. At least from a noise standpoint.

Ronald Johnson impressed me in workouts and I could see him starting this season as long as he learns the offense and doesn't get overwhelmed.

When will the athletic dept. pay off any Galen Center debt.? When it adds a second soft-serve ice cream machine.

Nice poetry on Mitch Mustain. Makes me almost wish I was an ex-sportswriter.

I cannot compare Mitch Mustain to Carson Palmer or Matt Leinart until he actually practices but he obviously has more game experience than Leinart at the same stage, but is not as physically imposing as Palmer.

I speak to quite a few former USC players besides Petro.

I'd rather have Ronald Johnson and Donovan Warren.

Mitch Mustain has Heisman potential because whoever starts at QB for USC has that potential. Same for Mark Sanchez and Aaron Corp. It's a byproduct of being in such a talent-laden program.

Aside from freshmen, Kyle Moore has a lot to prove in training camp. And he needs to fend off Everson Griffen. As I mentioned previously, Moore's paid his dues and never complained, a rarity these days when denied playing time.
Another player with something to prove is Hershel Dennis after the long layoff. And I'd also say Brian Cushing has something to prove: Namely playing outside linebacker at an elite level after a year playing defensive end. And I'd also throw in Stanley Havili and Josh Pinkard, coming off injuries.

There are cases of freshmen wanting to redshirt although it gets rarer. Aaron Corp is one example this year. Most of the linemen realize they are not ready to play their first year. There are few Shaun Codys or Winston Justices. But running backs, receivers, linebackers and defensive backs rarely realize it.

USC will hire someone with head coaching experience if Pete Carroll leaves.

None of the RBs has stood out, that's why Pete Carroll's never really cemented a starter in the lineup. And it's why Joe McKnight is so anticipated. He looks like he could be special, but it's only summer, so who knows right now.

The defensive end depth chart is also available by typing ``depth chart'' into the search engine on this blog. The D-line should be an area of leadership with Sedrick Ellis and Lawrence Jackson anchoring and Fili Moala now a seasoned veteran. Throw in the ability of Everson Griffen and it's a real talking point on the team.

Whether or not Mark Sanchez graduates early is irrelevant from a football standpoint, because he will just return for a fifth year and take a class or two to stay eligible or get his master's. Don't forget Dallas Sartz and Brandon Hancock were among those who got their degrees in four years but came back for a fifth season.

Odds on becoming a Trojan:
Will Hill 10-1
Brendan Beal 5-2
Arthur Brown 20-1
Deion Walker 30-1
Patrick Johnson 50-1

I'm unaware of Frank Bull, but I bet some of the readers here can answer this one.

Dexter Strickland is interested in USC, but it might be hard to lure a shooting guard if Demar Derozan is on the team.

I wouldn't say Kyle Moore's been a letdown, more a victim of a numbers crunch. And Everson Griffen could make that a problem again.

Mitch and Me will make me this generation's Woodward and Bernstein. Movie rights are being discussed and there's a chance George Clooney will portray me, Matt Cassell will portray Mitch Mustain and Lane Kiffin will portray an NFL coach.

Mitch Mustain's continued to work out since transferring. Remember, John David Booty wasn't doing much for awhile after back surgery last spring but returned for training camp OK.

Well, that's it. Another great week of questions and only five questions about whether Mitch Mustain has the right demeanor today to win the QB job in a year. Oh my.