Open Forum Answers, Act II

Brendan Beal got sold on Florida because he thought he fit in better in the Gators defense and could play quicker.

Batted down passes are caused for several reasons. A lot of times, defensive linemen lay off the offensive lineman, which avoids getting tied up when the pass is thrown. But other times, the QB needs to realize where the open lanes are. Matt Leinart took a few games to adjust. Remember that BYU game his first year? So it wasn't a surprise with Sanchez getting his bearings. Height can play a role here.

Coaching is a subjective topic. For example, Dwayne Walker shut down USC last year. Is it his fault UCLA allowed 34 points to Arizona? He's still the same coach.
My criticism this year would center on playcalling and player rotation more than the actual coaching of players. I think you have to be a little more daring when you have less talent in big games and the Oregon game plan was conservative. And I can't remember so many runs on third-and-long since Hue Jackson was here.

The intensity at practice was about a little better than average this week. Caesar thought playing under the lights was the reason. But the crowds have been pathetic. Thursday's practice drew about 10 fans. That's good for me but kind of a joke.

Pete Carroll is not going to lose financially from not going to the national championship. USC still is eligible for a BCS bowl, by the way. The staff and athletic dept. might not get the same raises however. In the same question, I keep hearing about Carroll taking the blame for not benching Booty. Do you guys know why he's saying this now? He's trying to take a bullet for the players. It's a little late, but these comments are calculated. They are designed to place the focus on Carroll instead of Booty, etc. It was a classic Jose Mourinho move.

The next offensive coordinator could be anyone, but it will have to be someone outside the staff. I know a few candidates but for now I have to keep mum on the subject. Hail Caesar!

Mater Dei's Matt Barkley is a heavy lean toward USC. I would assume he'll announce in the spring/summer.

Taylor Mays is having a solid season. He might not have the highlight reel plays but he's got a lot of responsibilty at his safety the way Pete Carroll schemes his defenses. At worst, you might say he overthinks sometimes.

John Morton seems to be a good no-nonsense WR coach. He just doesn't have the talent that previous coaches enjoyed. Hearing him criticize Jamere Holland in training camp about not showing his speed was a good sign that he would not take slack behavior in practices.

Regarding breakaway threats, Joe McKnight and Ronald Johnson do have the potential, but when you have young players, it's about where you place them sometimes. Johnson gets one shot a game and I can't remember the last time a ``bomb'' was completed by a USC quarterback. As for McKnight, he apparently doesn't know the offense well enough to be the receiving back on the perimeter a la Reggie Bush.

Mitch Mustain performed on the scout team this week. If he went to the second team, it might have been to give him a look in a different situation. But the bulk of the week he portrayed Nate Longshore.

No one took the initiative regarding jerseys and UCLA will wear white unless they call and ask Caesar for permission to wear blue at the last minute.

Mike Williams made a poor choice coming out of school early before he was ready. And he didn't like the coaches in Detroit enough to work hard. Plus he had several million dollars to eliminate any urgency. He did seem to have a new attitude in Oakland but it looks like the poor work habits caught up with him.

Regarding the dispute of the week, I do believe in the accuracy, fairness and integrity of my reporting. Hail Caesar.

I don't know why Suge Knight was on the sideline. But when I say there is a lack of oversight about who is allowed to be down there and gain access to the players, it's an understatement. What's worse is watching USC officials suck up to sleazy club promoters down on the field or at practices, just because they want to get something out of it for themselves. And no one complains. It starts at the top.
So far, only the fat booster's been punished, and he served a four-game ban before being allowed back on the field last week, though not in the coaches' box.

Mitch Mustain is a mobile quarterback.

I hear ABC is deciding between the Caveman and Hannah Montana to introduce the starters this week.