Open Forum

When Allen Bradford transfers next year, where is he gonna go to?

Did Pete and Sark go to the Larry Smith School of Man Under Defense.....looks very familiar to the past.
One lives in and will die in the man under defense.....Larry died!

After all the drama last summer, has Jody Adewile played at all this year.

Scott,

Prevention of penalties and turnovers seems like a very coachable thing. Who do you think bears the most responsibility for these failures within the coaching staff?

I was annoyed by a statement Coach Carroll said before the Oregon game. It was something to the effect, "It took us longer to figure out this team." They were mostly the same guys they had last year. Of course they had to figure in the new guys. What do you think of the statement and what do you really think he meant?

Do you believe Mark Sanchez' performance the last few games has helped or hurt him as far as next year's QB race.

Thanks

What will Pete say when "the greatest team of all time" finishes 7-4 ?

Scott, is 1966 the year that USC1966 was refused admission and had to settle for a lesser education at UCLA? He seems a bit uneducated to a lot of us who regularly read this blog. Maybe he is a bit irregular? Or is he just a bitter ol' curmudgeon who yearns for the days of one more "Mercy Nurse!" from the imperturbable Tom Kelly? Maybe he needs more bran in his diet? I know you said just one question, but this is just one long-winded question. At least I didn't use the "Open Forum" to spill undeserved venom like some people (namely USC1966) do, the ones who won't give any credit to the USC football team where credit is due. I mean, it was a game at Oregon last weekend until the last USC possession. A nice bowl of hot oatmeal every morning will help clear the blockage that is preventing enough flow to your brain, USC1966!

Beat the Beavers! FIGHT ON!

what is your thoguht on why we dont run more screens on offense? In the past we used to run them to tight ends, RB's and WR's.

what is your thoguht on why we dont run more screens on offense? In the past we used to run them to tight ends, RB's and WR's.

Food for thought:
I think all of the coaches are excellent and like them. With SC's prior success, here was a partial line up:

OC- Chow - Sark
OL- Davis - Reul
WR- ??? - B Carrol
RB- ??? - McNair

DC- Carroll - Holt
LB- Holt - Norton Jr.
DL- Orgeron - Watson
DB- Walker - ????

Do we have less experience on the staff? You be the judge.

oh boy!!

hahaha

your such a witty guy ex sportswriter!!

wow..did it take you like, the whole 5 minutes on your break at jack in the box to write that
rebuttal?

hey wait a minute..your right sportswriter...I am a loser

Damn USC looks good this year! WOW!!

WE ARE FOR SURE #1 AT THE END OF THE YEAR!! I AM GLAD EX-SPORTSWRITER STRAIGHTENED ME OUT!!

HAHAHA

JERK OFF

No wonder your nick is "EX-sportswriter"

you are obviously clueless so you would of been fired from any job dealing with sports

HAHAHAHAHAHAH

man I am good sometimes

dman "ex-whatever" you make me mad...I thought you were a little bit better than all these sunshine pumpers

well EX-I used to be smart, if you are happy with what you see on the field this year, and happy to lose to Stanford, the

GREAT FOR YOU

IT MAKES ME SICK TO MY STOMACH

I GUESS THAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ME AND YOU

Reflect back to the beginning of the year -- looking at the season now, which on the field aspect of this team did the sportswriting/college sports pundit world most overrate?

How has Butch Lewis graded out after his first career start and a half last week?

Wolfie, how does Coach Morton interract with Sark & PC....what is his role and level of influence? Does he have any say in play calling? Or, does he just help with the strategic preparation of the strategy during the week, then let Sark call all the shots on Sat? Also, what is your impression of him? Does he sound football bright? Is he still adjusting to the college game from the NFL? Or, since he did not join the staff until mid-Spring, is he still in a learning mode and PC doesn't give him much responsibility this year? Finally, please ban 1966.....he obviously is attempting to disrupt this board, abuse it's public forum exposure, and has ulterior motives not in any of your loyal readers or your best interests. Thanks Wolfie.

USC1966 also exhibits symptoms of short-term memory loss - repeating the same acts over and over, like an obsession. Another age-related ailment.
Question: It seems that injuries to cfb players in general have increased exponentially. I don't ever remember 19 players out on USC's team at one time. Do you think that this increase is due to the kids, while in high school and younger, working out too hard, taking too many hits, etc? There are limitations on young kids' reps in little league as to the number of pitches, etc., could all the hard hits and training be weakening ankles, shoulders, knees, etc while the kids are still growing?

Hi Scott:
When Sark said Mark really could not audible on that McKnight end run, I am wondering why not--or why Mark could not just take the ball and run over right guard?

Omnia gallia est divisa tres partes!

Ceasar wrote that all of Gaul is divided into three parts!

Gaul is modern day France. If you check with Josh, you can see that my last name is clearly French.

Next question: Why do you think Reggie settled with Michaels out of court,but not Lake, who is now suing?

Please note that I am not using all caps tonight, as per your request--nor am I telling any jokes either.

I always notice that you use the BCS strength of schedule formula from 1999-2003. Do we know how the current BCS strength of schedule is computed--or even how it was done last year?

Lots of questions here, I guess, but since I am from France, and am going blind faster because of using small print, I am thinking you will feel sorry for me, and have mercy on me--also, hardly anyone else is asking questions tonight, so........

Would you like a joke next time---do you think my jokes are really, really funny?

Kidding aside, tnanx for continuing the forums, and any question[s] you want to answer will be appreciated !!!

Thanx again!

Can you please analyze the Allen Bradford situation! Why is he not playing?
What are his most valuable positional options?
Is he seemingly aiming to transfer?
What are the reasons that he cant get off the sidelines? etc etc etc

What is your win-loss prediction for each of the remaining games this year, and what bowl game do you think USC is going to?

Canfield is known for making horrible decisions under pressure. When Bernard has not been a great factor and the game is on Canfield’s shoulders “pics happen”. In the Cincy, ASU, and UCLA games alone Canfield produced 10 pics. Is there any indication that the game plan for this week involves pressing this non-mobile QB especially considering that the Beav’s number one running threat will, no doubt, be less than 100%?

Wolfie,

Now that the dynasty is over, are you going to be leaving us for a better gig or are you sort of maxed out?

Scott:

By many accounts, Mitch Mustain appears to be "the real deal," so with the lackluster performance that Booty has had this year, as well as the very weak games Sanchez has put on, does it appear that with Mustain, the coaches will not have to limit the playbook (assuming he will have learned it, of course) due to any limitations? Is he capable of running plays that are designed rather than limiting the playbook?

Scott, this Reggie Bush, Loyd Lake stuff doesn't seem to go away. Are USC officials still confident about no NCAA penalties? What is your prediction as to what happens?

What does it tell you about Sanchez that both Carroll and Sarkisian openly criticized his playmaking after games, when they have never called out another QB publicly before? Is that why they had to stick to a conservative gameplan, utilizing the running game, rather than allowing Sanchez to throw, which inevitably led to interceptions and incomplete passes? Is this the only time during the Carroll era that you recall that a QB was so openly blamed by the coaches for doing his own thing and failing at it?

hey scott, what sold Brandon Beal to Florida??, i thought we had him locked

can you enlighten us on why PC refuses to use draw plays, screens, or use the shotgun formation?

thanks

Which individual player(s) does Pete Carroll coach up more than others?

Hey Scott,
I think you recently wrote about the running back rotation. What exactly is it that you don't like about the rotation? I for one like seeing Joe McKnight get the ball and it seemed that last week that Stafon didn't have his full speed back yet?

Thanks

From what you have seen in practice, does Mustain have the same problems reading defenses that Sanchez has? Does Mustain have the same accuracy problems in his throws as Sanchez or are they completely different throwers and quarterbacks?

Thanks in advance for the forum, it's easily the best feature out there when it comes to USC sports.

Scott-

I know you are aware of a lot of damaging off the field behavior that certain players engage in but you do not report it? Is there a reason you report on some things but choose not to report on other activities? Is there a fear that if you report incriminating behavior on the part of a player, there could be repercussions regarding your standing within the USC athletic department, so you choose to turn a blind eye?

What is the latest on Bryshon Nellum? Do you foresee a situation in where he's playing football for the Trojans next year? He'd be a great kick returner.

O'Dowd appears healthy enough to back up this week. When he gets fully up to speed, would he supplant Matsos or does the latter have the position held firmly now. Or would O'Dowd move over? Not sure if he was just a fillin or more.

As this dismal and embarrassing season for USC football nears an end, JD Booty's pro prospects have certainly nose dived, and a win in the San Francisco Emerald Bowl probably won't do much to improve his chances. Given his huge failure to live up to all the pre-season hype about him - I doubt he'll be picked on the first, second, or third rounds. So how far do you think he drops and how much money does he loses in the NFL draft?

Hey Scott, from what you can tell, how do the players view Mitch Mustain? Do they respect his talents? Do they think he is capable of leading the team next year? Has his standing improved in light of the events of the past three weeks, especially this past week?

The running game and passing games start with the offensive line. Except for the Nebraska game, our's hasn't been intact all year, and it is obvious from the recruiting that PC perceives a need for more bodies. What's your take on a fix for the O line situation? Coaching? Players? Dummy down the blocking schemes?

Can you give a detailed "what if" scenario for lendale white staying for his senior season? I think that would be an interesting post thread to see what everyone else thinks. I think we easily win the NC last year with Lendale winning the Heisman. I think that keeps limits the number of RB recruits USC would have received as well - killing the RB by committee problem Carroll and the coaching staff have been having the last two years. What do you think?

Scott,

Honestly, I'm starting to get sick of everyone over-analyzing and finding excuses for why this year's team isn't on par with what we're used to. Call it being spoiled by the team's past successes...but I know this is now the start of a new era for the Trojans.

My question is simple...instead of looking at the negative aspects of this program...in your mind what is going right for this team? What are the things we as fans don't see that you notice on an everyday basis that still impresses you about this team, if anything? Thanks!

It seems that Coach Ericson at ASU has used JDB's injury as an example for his own QB--that he would rather keep in his starter than settle for the backup and hope for a victory.

Now that you have seen both Booty and Sanchez in action, which QB would you choose for the rest of the season, and why?

Scott,
Another Allen Bradford question ... have the coaches approached him about playing fullback? If so, I don't understand his reluctance ... seems like he could get some playing time (especially with Havili's fumbling) and with SC, the position is much more than just blocking. From what I've read, Bradford's got a good attitude and doesn't seem to want to transfer. Thanks.

Scott:

Now that the Trojan dynasty is over (R.I.P.) and our hero Mitch Mustain's "competition" (just to be kind, we all knew he was never any such thing, of course) has been shown to be nothing more than a blimp on the radar to next year's inevitable crowning, this raises some serious questions:

1) With the USC dynasty now over, does this not show that our hero Mitch Mustain is the only person able to start a whole new dynasty?

2) Is it not a good thing that the current dynasty ended, so we can see the greatness of our hero Mitch Mustain on his own terms rather than extending what was done by those prior to his inevitable coronation?

3) Is it not true that our hero Mitch Mustain is the ONLY person capable of taking the Trojans back to the top of the hill?

4) With the two quarterbacks this season showing that they are out of their depth at the highest levels of college football, while being responsible for the end of an era, can there be any more proof that our hero Mitch Mustain is The Chosen One who will take the Trojans back to The Promised Land and begin a new dynasty?

So will this new dynasty be referred to as the "Mitch Mustain Era" and result in even greater rewards than the previous 2002-2005 dynasty? Will we not become the first ever team to win three consecutive national championships under our hero Mitch Mustain? Is it not true that there is always a dark period before The Chosen One arrives and leads the masses to the light of hope? Can there possible be any more proof after the past four weeks that our hero Mitch Mustain is The Chosen One?

Fight On!

As a whole, would you say the 2006 vs 2007 team is/was;

A. Far Superior
B. About The Same
C. Not Even Close
d. None Of The Above

Scott, I was going to ask this:
By all accounts (yeah, I love when they use that line), when the Mitch Mustain supporters say they love Mitch Mustain, they really LOVE Mitch Mustain. I've heard of seeing things through rose colored glasses, but do MM lovers see things through Mitch Mustain colored glasses? When they see Mitch drop back in practice, do they really see a large heart on top of shoulder pads? And is it true that Mitch Mustain got restraining orders against several people on this blog for having "unhealthy homo-erotic man crushes" because my spies at Heritage Hall say it's true.

Since that question practically answers itself with some of the previous posts (you know who you are) I'll ask this:
In retrospect, did USC's ability to run all over Nebraska actually hurt the team since it gave the team/coaches false confidence about the team's ability to run the football? It has become quite apparent as the season has gone on that Nebraska is a pitiful team with a pitiful defense and, more accurately, a horrendous run defense. It just seems, after watching the way teams like Ball State and Okla State were able to throttle the Nebraska defense, that SC didn't get a good sense of self and went into the rest of the season with poor self awareness. What is your take Mr. Wolf?

Just a very simple question for you, Scott - is Mitch Mustain really as good as the reports coming out of practice say he is?

Which Pac-10 coaches do you anticipate will not be returning next season?

Hey Flour Tower:

You wrote: "Will we not become the first ever team to win three consecutive national championships under our hero Mitch Mustain?"

If Mustain is SO GREAT (and I hope he is, like I hope that any new USC player is great), what makes you think that he will stick around for another three years?

Don't forget that he will be eligible for the NFL draft after the 2008 college football season under the NFL 3-year rule
(2006 - played at Arkansas; 2007 - at USC but not eligible; 2008 - first year at USC).

Mustain could be "one and done" at USC.

oops, Fluor Tower...sorry

Do you think that part of the reason that Booty came to USC was to be coached by Norm Chow and would he have been a much better quarterback with Norm Chow as his coach?

Whatever happened with Josh Pinkard's DUI case?

Scott, could you tell us what the intangible qualities are that Mitch Mustain possesses that can help us?

Do you think any assistant coaching changes will be made in the off-season and which coaches are likely to be replaced?

What is the outlook for Chris Galippo?

How do the coaches view Mark Tyler?

I heard Petros say that he does not like Rey Maualuga because of some encounter the 2 had with each other. It explains why I constantly hear Petros being very critical about Rey on FSN. Do you know what happened between the two?