Weekend Forum Answers
It's the Weekend Forum, where Mitch Mustain is king and some of you still think it's OK to ask more than one question. But I will show more mercy than Pete Carroll against Jim Harbaugh. But will I show more mercy than Pete Carroll against Robb Akey? And who is Robb Akey?
Pete Carroll always wanted USC to become Cornerback U. But for several reasons, it's been difficult. Don't forget Cary Harris and Kevin Thomas were considered the top two DBs in California as seniors so he didn't do anything wrong that year. But other times, academics also played a role in denying a top CB from choosing USC.
USC is always recruitng DB's but I think this will be a greater focus for next year's recruiting than this year. Joe Adams can play defensive back and USC can always go the JC route if they need a quick fix like Will Poole. It's not position that requires a long transition period so talented high school players can play quickly.
Mark Sanchez returns as soon as he can grip a football, likely the bye week. Chauncey Washington should also be back that week. Joe McKnight and C.J. Gable are supposed to be back full speed this week. Vidal Hazelton's already but I never trust a groin injury to fully recover.
Shareece Wright is not going to transfer -- at least for this season. He is part of the starting rotation with Terrell Thomas, Cary Harris and Josh Pinkard. But ask again in December.
Marshall Jones has been very smooth in training camp. The problem of course is he plays behind Taylor Mays and Josh Pinkard. But he did have an interception in the scrimmages. He won't transfer this year because he is probably going to redshirt and Mays will likely turn pro after his junior season.
I think the Nebraska game will be highly entertaining but the Trojans are a clear favorite at the moment. Sam Keller probably won't talk as much trash as two years ago unless John David Booty suddenly starts dating C-list celebrities.
Pete Carroll usually likes to wait to name a starter at tailback if things are close. I assume CJ Gable would start this week if he is 100 percent followed by Stafon Johnson. If Gable's groin bothers him, then Johnson gets the call.
I'm compelled to think Fred Davis will get more opportunities this season. But he must eliminate the occassional drops that surfaced in some scrimmages.
I think I already predicted an Idaho score but forgot. How about 56-10.
USC strengths: LB, Safety. Depth.
Weaknesses: Breakaway threats, pass protection, elite play at RB.
The depth chart at receiver was released over the weekend. Jamere Holland's departure doesn't mean Ronald Johnson and Brandon Carswell receive more opportunties because they were already ahead of him. That's why he left.
Matt Leinart and Reggie Bush did not want to sign autographs two years ago at Salute to Troy. There were a lot of fans who went apparently because they wanted to meet the stars and were disappointed. This year's event drew a record crowd and it seemed like you needed to know a booster member in order to buy tickets. I wouldn't quite say it was for the general fan because tickets were limited. Also I'm not quite sure what the attraction of the event is for people. A lot of people within the program feel the event is boring. In the old days, when John Robinson was the coach, players used to do skits. But no longer.
I described Mitch Mustain as a pro-style QB because he is physically capable of running a sophisticated offense, with good decision-making skills and a strong arm. His only drawback is his height but that won't be a factor at the college level.
I'm not following this too closely, but it looks like Dallas Sartz will be on an NFL roster and Kyle Williams is making a better-than-expected showing though the practice squad might be his final destination.
Chris Galippo is playing inside linebacker. It takes a lot of work to learn that spot as a freshman so he's getting as many snaps as possible. Kyle Moore is a tall, rangy defensive end who sometimes is at his best when he drops back into pass protection (something he's done in the past in Pete Carroll's defensive scheme) while Everson Griffen reminds me more a Dexter Manley type, physically and personality wise. His talent is undeniable and I think the coaches are dying to get him on the field because he seems to be built for pass-rush situations, with his quickness often too much for typical offensive tackles.
It's very unlikely this scenario will occur because Mark Sanchez should be back for Nebraska, but if USC is losing and Booty gets hurt, Mike McDonald would be the short-term solution and if the injury were long term, then Aaron Corp enters the picture.
Mitch Mustain has a quick release. But his knuckleball needs work.
I don't see Nick Howell transferring. His family's connections to USC are too strong. But whether he makes the Pac-10 travel squad could be interesting. Right now, I'm guessing he will.
Broderick Green's playing time against Idaho will be determined by how fast USC scores 40 points. David Beckham will play for Team USA
Is it time for Art Bartner to hang it up? Oh I don't know, I have a soft spot for Frankenstein, Fleetwood Mac and Kansas.
Pete Carroll's been pleased with Mitch Mustain whenever he's been brought up by the media. There hasn't been an abundance of comments because Mustain is redshirting but Carroll's expressed his admiration several times during camp.
There will be no shortage of marketing opportunities involving O.J. Mayo. But USC will want to take things somewhat slowly to avoid putting too much pressure on the true freshman.
USC will primarily run its familiar 4-3 defense. I hear to expect Everson Griffen to increase his role weekly and start sooner than later. And you might see Clay Matthews at defensive end filling the role of Brian Cushing last season.
Mitch Mustain has all the obvious ability to be a natural college QB. He might not be as physically talented as Mark Sanchez but he has more than enough intangible qualities to make the successful transition from high school to college.
I would take all roster heights and weights with a grain of salt. Most of them do not change since a player's freshman year so they are not accurate.
Alfred Rowe requested a switch to fullback because he could see he was behind a lot of players at safety. He is behind four players at fullback but if there's an injury or two, he could be in the mix. The coaches were happy because they have more depth at fullback.
Aaron Corp is currently going to redshirt.
Well, that's about it folks. Another great week of questions. And here's a question for you. Anyone spend that $99 yet for TrojanTV? Don't you want to watch a replay of the USC-Idaho game?
I was debating the $99...I already laid out to get fox sports pacific and the versus channel here in Michigan..
Thanks for the great info Scott!! Hope we get some DB's next year..."pass protection" and "breakaway threat" huh? That doesn't sound too good...sounds like...hmmm...dunno
2006
Great work, as always, Scott. America's Quarterback, Mitch Mustain, is indeed, the king!
Keep up the good work.
Mustain in 2008!
Thank you, young man. Very good and informative answers from you. You are a tremendous example of the very high caliber of graduates USC produces.
Thanks, Scott. Sorry for the two questions. Won't happen again.
it's probably coincidental, but Mark Sanchez even looks depressed in recent pictures taken at the Tribute to Troy. It should be a great competition next year for QB 1.
it's probably coincidental, but Mark Sanchez even looks depressed in recent pictures taken at the Tribute to Troy. It should be a great competition next year for QB 1.
Scott, very good job. Your blog is so full of useful information, no other blog or site even comes close.
Thanks Scott!
Thanks Scott.
Trojan&Tonic, aka TrojanSAEQueerforMustainNYC, I particularly liked the photo of Sanchez towering over Mustain while standing side-by-side. Scott Wolf, in his description of the event, told a different story. Sanchez was gracious and outgoing, even with a bandaged thumb ... Mustain was quite and reserved. Since Scott was at the event, I'll go with his words over your obviously biased "opinion".
Good luck with your Moostain man-crush.
M_Mustain - You have me confused with someone else, plus I live in Mission Viejo where Sanchez is still revered. My observation in looking at the Joe Andras pictures (wearesc) is Sanchez looked bummed in every shot. May the man best win the job next year.
Hey dumbass, Scott Wolf never actually made those comments about Mark "The Nightstalker" Sanchez. Idiot.
Korat:
You are a damn coward and an idiot. Be man enough and don't hide behind a keyboard to talk big. The usual suspects are glad you joined their bool$#*T.
Slanderous clown say that face to face to MS and see what happens to your loud mouth. I hope you have dental insurance you might need it. Do you have any damn proof he stalked anybody? Take your tongue and bury it deep in your rectum.
It seems like alot of the "13-9" folks are disappearing as both the 2007 season and the 12/1 revenge beatdown inch closer.
Hey Mitch - As annoying as Korat’s salacious and repetitive posts are...he was right about one thing...I was the one (not Wolfie) that wrote that “Sanchez was very gracious with all of the fans last night...and despite his thumb being wrapped up...he still signed autographs for all of the kids.”...so you will have to take my “opinion” of the evening...even though I think that YOU will beat out MS in ‘08. But since YOU won’t be playing for SC this Saturday...it is time for me to pay more attention to the players that will be.
Trojan&Tonic- Unfortunately, the 13-9 folks are just being replaced by even more ridiculous bloggers that try to pass themselves off as USC fans....and I am not sure what is worse.
I remain grounded as a Trojan fan even with the program's uncanny success this decade under PC. I well remember having to take at least one or two early non-conference losses early and then think, we can still make the Rose Bowl. Then after 2 Pac 10 losses I would say, well maybe they can still make the Holiday Bowl. Then another loss and I hope they can make it to El Paso. A few years I just hoped they'd be bowl eligible. I'm enjoying the ride!!!!
Oh Great Scott:
"Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy!" I FIRMLY BELEIVE THAT. THANK YOU.
BTW, that was a great call by you re Joe Adams. How did you know--heh heh.
Sorry for asking two questions--as the reader above said, it won't happen again--the last one was kinda by accident late, when I saw the depth chart, and couldn't beleive some of those numbers, and just wanted verification.
I noticed during the week that your paper had much more extensive and complete coverage re Brian Price than the LA Times did. I can only assume that that is due to a difference in editorial policy in the sports dept. of your paper versus[I hate that word] the Times, as the Times writer could easily have lifted the info from your paper{it was out first},and changed the wording. Personally, I think the fans of either school have the right to know the full story re the leak, the anger,the face-off with Dorrell, etc., so kudos to your sports editor--and a--not too good-- to the new sports editor of the Times. I just wanted to mention that.
Last of all, I blew off the SALUTE TO TROY, but did have the nurses pull out the tubes and IV's, and made it to the Wed. scrimmage as usual, and, as usual, really learned nothing except that it keeps getting harder and harder to go each time I make it to the Coliseum, but, hey, thats life.
ONCE AGAIN, SINCERE THANKS AND APPRECIATION, SCOTT
PS- Wolfie: Doesn't Robb Akey have something to do with TV broadcasting re Troy? I know I've heard that name before, but can't really place it for sure. But I know for sure he didn't write MY AKEY BRAKEY HEART! OOOOOH!!!
Hey Tirebiter:
Perhaps you were tongue-in-cheek [or respirator ;-)], but Robb Akey is the football coach at Idaho.
Fight On!
The biggest A-hole at the "Salute to Troy" was the arrogant, (I went to USC), JJH4USC.
HI USCMIKE
YES, I WAS JUST [TROJAN]HORSING AROUND, BECAUSE THE GUY IS ON PAGE 9, COLUMN 1, PARAGRAGH 8, OF THIS MORNINGS' STUPID LA TIMES. BUT THANKS ANYWAY, I GOT WHAT I DESERVED FOR TRYING TO MAKE A STUPID JOKE.
IF YOU WANT, TELL ME, AND I WILL GIVE YOU MY E-MAIL ADDRESS, YOU CAN SEND ME YOUR PHONE NUMBER, AND I WILL SING FOR YOU "TELL IT TO MY HEART, MY ACHY BREAKY HEART, OH YEAH!"
BELEIVE ME, YOU'LL NEVER BE THE SAME AFTER YOU HEAR MY SINGING!
EXCUSE THE ALL CAPS-MY EYES ARE TIRED-AND MY VENTILATOR NEEDS CLEANING-
ALL KIDDING ASIDE, THANX.
...well I guess I would rather be the biggest A-hole at the "Salute to Troy" that went to USC than someone that rarely comments on a USC Football Blog that goes by "HS Dropout."
FYI - Most USC alums and fans (including myself) appreciate when other people on Scott's Blog share their own SC experiences (at games, practices, etc.)...since you know this is a USC Blog (and everyone doesn't necessarily live in SoCal and can’t make all of the USC sporting events).
If this was the HS Dropout Blog...then your smart ass comment might be more on point.
Chango4nothing is always a damn chango. You were told and I love it. BTW chango4nothing I told you to stop being an arrogant come mierda. You found out, right? If HSDO is right then you were the designated PAYASO and then you said payaso soy, soy!
Payaso, sangano, pend*jo and chango you earned those alright?
Payaso to chango, UHM?
Once a chango always a chango...
Love you too DP...although I don’t understand what you just said. And I am very happy for you that you have finally found a kindred spirit and an amigo in High School Drop Out.
All joking aside, as I promised Allan, it is pointless for me to continue arguing with you since every time you get flustered you are unable to formulate an articulate response or a witty comeback and just resort to unintelligible tirades laced with profanity, personal attacks, and ridiculous threats (...although I will admit that on the rare occasions when you are not unnecessarily criticizing people for their typos or personal opinions, you have some good SC takes...did I just say that?).
Additionally, it is clear that you don’t like me and that I am pretty indifferent to you (because this is just a Sports Blog and I don’t take anything anyone says on here personally). However, all of our non-football, back and forth basura is getting old, is too time consuming, and is probably becoming a nuisance for almost everyone else on Scott’s Blog...so for the duration of the ‘07 season, I will be ignoring ALL of your non-football related posts. And you can either choose to do the same (and focus on the 2007 USC Football Season)...or you can unilaterally keep doing what you do.
JJ:
We have a peaceful and an amicable agreement provided you leave Mark Sanchez ALONE.
Thank you
HI DOOR PRIZE AND MITCH
ACTUALLY JJ IS OK, ITS THOSE OTHER PEOPLE THAT CALL MARK A RAPIST THAT BUGS ME---SEE THE POSTS WHERE MARK BREAKS HIS THUMB--THERES A WHOLE LOT OF PREJUCICE AND THEY ARE USING ALIASES-----IS MY COFFEE BREWING??
TB1, JJ and anybody who cares:
I am a nice guy. I am also honest and a straight shooter. Like I said before if MM or anybody else who beats MS then so be it. I am man enough to accept that. I have accepted a lot worse. One more thing I rooted for USC faithfully prior to Pete Carroll when USC could NOT even beat UNC. A roundball school of all people. That happened I believe in 1993. I was working at a hospital and I told one of the physicians USC will beat UNC. Now you know the rest of the story needless to mention a hard bitter pill to swallow.
TB1 get together with SW and tell him to give you my email address and we make arrangements and I will mail you a [SEALED!]container of good Puertorican coffee. How's that for a friendly gesture?
PS:
I have read most of your posts, thanks.
Good deal.
Great deal---both of you guys can feel free to e-mail me any time--it is
Lashier112@aol.com