Too Much Moving
Tailback Allen Bradford said he wants to stay at his preferred position this season without switching like last year.
``One thing I regret from last year was the way I kept moving around,'' Bradford said. ``I want to stay at tailback.''
Bradford played safety, tailback, safety, tailback and lined up at fullback (for pass routes but not blocking) in a few games.
``I want to see what I can do if I don't move around,'' Bradford said. ``The coaches haven't said anything to me about moving to fullback yet.''
I hope this guy is good. I mean really really really good.
If not, he might as well get his transfer papers ready.
I want Allen to go LB, and stay there.
I would like to see Allen also at linebacker, where they were going to use him when he came out of high school.
The coaches have not said anything to AB about playing fullback, but I think it is time that they do. This guy has the perfect size to be a very producitve blocker, runner and receiver out of the fullback position.
USC NEEDS him at that position. If he were to make the switch today, he would be starting over Havili tomorrow.
If he was recruited as a LB he should play there. If he was given the impression that he would play RB he should be given the chance to earn a spot in the rotation.
I think a lot of these big guys would give FB as shot if the position was utilized more.
Bradford is typical of new age athlete. He is about "I" not "we." Old school was to do what helps team win.
Talent-wise he is prbably best TB. But who bolcks for him when Havilli gets hurt or tired?
Bradford needs to look up another famous "Allen" (Marcus Allen) and what he did for the team - and Charlie White's Heisman.
Play where you are needed, get on the field, and the rest will come in due time.
I also agree with Trojan RAB in that the FB needs to be utilzed much more effectively this year.
I have seen a couple of people say that the FB needs to be utilized much more this season. If you remember the Arkansas game from last year, USC was well on it's way to doing just that - until Powdrell got hurt. The very next week Havili went down with an injury. Who was USC going to utilize at the FB position at that point.
In recent years, why should the FB been more involved? Were we going to take touches away from Reggie, Lendale, Steve Smith, DJ, Dominque Byrd, Mike Williams etc. in order to get the FB more touches? I don't think so.
I agree with all previous statements.
Once fall comes and the depth chart is set, if Allen isn't near or at the top, he needs to think "team" and move to FB or LB.
I personally do not think he is as good as some other RB's, but fall shall show.
Bradford should compete for the position of halfback. Can he be a good LB or FB? YES he can! He was an exceptional LB and safety in high school. I think he should take a look at the path of Kevin Ellison, also a great RB in high school and move to the defensive side of the ball if he doesn't want to block do the grunt work of fullback.
SC has been utilizing the FB ever since Chow was here. Chow hung his hat on utilizing FB's and TE's for 20 years as great weapons. Sark is a chow guy through and through. He knows that you can create mismatches with an agile fullback the likes of Bradford or Havili.
Thank you for mentioning Marcus and the job he took during his early days with the Trojans. You think that was a tough decision for a guy that played QB and FS in high school??