Losing four guys?

Chaunce, Patch, Desmond

Who's the fourth?

"We're not as right as it seems"?

WTF?

Moody's transfer only increases our chances to land D. Scott (#1 TB).

So here is a quote from Moody's uncle in the Dallas Morning News:

"It's not just competition, man. It's more than that," Chang said. "He's competing against California guys, and there is more than his inability to play on that football field. It's just not the best fit for him right now."

Hate to break it to you Michael but Emmanuel got beat out by the best players, not because they were from California, so grow up and get over the fact you won't be getting NFL millions to live off of. See the following examples:

Booty over Sanchez (LA over CA)
Mustain possibly over Sanchez (AR over CA)
Byers over Kalil (CO over CA) - This is what was going to happen until Byers got hurt and Kalil became the man.
White = Bush/Dennis (CO = CA)
Jarrett over pick em (NJ over CA)
Mike Williams over pick em (FL over CA)

Coach Carroll plays the best players. If your nephew Mr. Chang was the best back (or even in the top 4) he would be the man. But he's not and now your just another Big 12 supporter. Enjoy the humidity.

Matt H, we lose Hershel Dennis as well. As much as this is blasphemy on this forum, we shouldn't pencil in Mustain over Sanchez yet, but its a possibility. Since competition is a central theme in this program and we hear that every position is open, the chance the Aaron Corp could win out over both Sanchez and Mustain is a possibility as well, and thats another California boy.

Oh thank god we found a way to work Mustain v. Sanchez into all of this. I was getting worried.

Pardon me if I'm wrong but isn't Patch and Herschel Dennis one and the same?

PH, you are correct... I think the 4th, PC is refering to, is Moody...

Moody is the fourth. Next year they lose Chauncey, Dennis, Desmond and Moody.
Still, for this season, Gable, Washington McKnight and the rebirth of Stafon. Add in Broderick green...I think a lot of teams would like that at TB.
And next year it will be a healthy Marc Tyler (who was far more impressive in high school to me than Jimmy Claussen.) Damn!

Krelian,

Patch is Hershel Dennis's nickname.

Matt H,

The fourth running back we lose off the depth chart is likely in reference to Jody Adewale. Who is technically a FB but they're sometimes listed together with the RBs in the depth chart.

Regardless, the "extremely deep" RB depth chart that some pundits were raving about really isn't that solid once you look at it in context of injuries - I think this is what PC was trying to say when he said we're "not as right as it seems". With Moody gone USC is left with 9 true RBs. Washington, Gable, Johnson, Bradford, Dennis, McKnight, Reed, Tyler and Green.

Tyler is not 100% and will redshirt in 2007, Reed will never be 100% again (thanks Chuck), Dennis is constantly battling injuries, Washington gets hurt quite a bit, Stafon is still improving from off season surgery and McKnight is currently dinged a bit (though not enough to be worried). So really USC has 3 RBs that don't have an history of injuries Gable, Bradford and Green.

Next year's class if we don't take a RB this year looks like:

All Purpose: Gable, Johnson, Tyler
Big Backs:Bradford and Green
Dual Threat: McKnight

Unless USC manages to make Shoemate into a dual threat RB to play alongside McKnight it doesn't seem that the depth is really all that great. Technically it's much better than 90% of CFB teams but not up to USC standards.

As far as the fourth running back goes, the only one I can think of who is a senior is Jody Adewale. I know he is a FB but maybe Coach Carroll is just lumping all the backs together for his quote..

Well said PH55. Great minds...

"And we are losing four guys off of THIS depth chart next season"...

I still think he is refering to Moody, not Adewale, but I could be wrong...

I'm trying to figure out where all the Moody love is coming from. He has trouble holding on to the ball, he's not a threat catching the ball out of the backfield, he can't block. Well, he's a "threat" the break one, but when did we see that last year? I think one, two runs against Stanford, and maybe a run against ASU. He shaked and baked a lot, but he never seemed to be running forward. He couldn't beat out Gable, he could even beat out a one-legged Chauncy. Bradford played too many positions to be settled, and Stafon was hurt and in Kiffin's dog house. So really, what do we lose? it's just more reps for the other guys.

Moody, we hardley knew ye.

As the saying goes - particularly fitting considering the current weather conditions - "If you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen."

Competition for playing time never caused Charlie White, Marcus Allen or Ricky Bell transfer. They all waited their turns, then stepped up big-time when their chances came.

Besides, there is more to college life than playing football. A USC education opens so many doors for so many people. The connections and friendships you make are priceless.

It's sad to say, but it's probably a good thing that Moody left. If his heart was not in it, that opens the door for another running back to show his talent when given the opportunity to play. And that player will definitely have his heart, and his head, in the game.

Desmo,

I couldn't agree with you more. Very well put.

www.uscsportstalk.blogspot.com

The uncle in the dining room with the rope.....

Competition reveals the truth.....and Moody/Chang can't handle the truth!

While i'm not shocked to see Moody leave, i am sad.

He was good last year, held near a 6 yard average per carry, and was only a true freshman. He was going to get better, stronger, faster with the best coaching around.

Hope he finds success wherever he lands.