Open Forum Answers

Before I answer questions, I only counted two L.A. ``writers'' wearing the Cal caps in the pressbox that were passed out to fans before the game. I guess that's better than the three writers who wore Oregon gear in Eugene.

It definitely comes across that Mitch Mustain and Damian Williams played together in high school and a year at Arkansas. If Mustain starts next year, Williams could become a Steve Smith-type for the Trojans.

Q: Questions on the police escorts and shutting down the freeway for USC buses. How does this work? How does the city of LA (or other gov't entity) justify shutting down the fwy for the team buses? How does this work in other cities? How much does USC pay for this?

A: Most college football teams use police escorts to get to games. There's no other way to get 65-100 players to a congested stadium two hours before a game without some police assistance. The worst traffic I've ever seen is probably getting to Aloha Stadium and Hawaii uses police escorts. Sometimes it can be frustrating to the regular traffic, at Notre Dame, the Indiana toll road in South Bend was shut down for USC's buses. But without them, you might jeopardize getting to a game on time.

Q: Do you think there are any players on the current roster who may be drafted in the first round of the 2008 NFL draft, or do you think it will be yet another year with no first round picks?
A: Sam Baker, Sedrick Ellis and Lawrence Jackson are all potential first round picks.

Q: I know you've written that Mitch Mustain throws deep passes, but does he throw them accurately? Can he complete to his target with consistency?
A: Mustain throws accurately and with consistency when he gets time to throw. Sometimes, on the scout team, that is a rarity and he's forced to put the ball up faster and with less certainty. But overall, he's done it fairly well this season.

Q: What coaches does USC have that other schools do not have, since we donot have QB or Special Teams Coaches, and why
A: USC has an assistant defensive line coach, unlike most schools, because Pete Carroll thinks Nick Holt needs some help because he is also the defensive coordinator/defensive line coach. That's one reason there is no special teams coach. When Pete Carroll was defensive coordinator, he had the luxury of hiring another assistant as special teams coach or something else. Steve Sarkisian is the QB coach/offensive coordinator. When Norm Chow was offensive coordinator, Sarkisian also held the title of QB coach.

Q: USC vs Mercer - what happened?
A: I did not attend the game because I was at the Cal-USC game, but Tim Floyd offers a litany of injuries as the primary reason with players like Davon Jefferson and Marcus Simmons missing 14 practices, etc. The other excuse was poor interior defense. Personally, none of this really flies when USC still had Taj Gibson, constantly hypes O.J. Mayo and had a couple weeks of early practices in August-September for its Mexico trip that other schools did not get. The answer I received to that last part was that USC did not practice defense in those practices.
Nevertheless, losing to Mercer is inexcusable.

Q: Among the players we don't get to see a lot of come game time (ie non-starters and scout-teamers), who has impressed you the most in terms of work ethic, commitment, sheer talent and leadership? I know it's a bit of a vague question, but please don't feel restricted to naming just one person if you feel there’s more than one…thanks!
A: I always mention linebacker Clay Matthews in these types of questions and linebacker Kaluka Maiava. Who else? Garrett Green's played three positions with no complaints and always fills special teams roles. Malcolm Smith's been a hard worker, practicing with a groin injury. And defensive tackles Averill Spicer and DaJohn Harris do a lot of the heavy lifting in practices without a lot of reward (Spicer's playing more while Harris is redshirting).

Q: Will Moore, Mays and Baker play against Arizona St.?
A: Kyle Moore's hand feels better with a specially made brace he wears daily, Taylor Mays' ankle is better and Sam Baker did individual work Thursday. All three are expected to play.

Q: From a layman's perspective, it appears evident that certain substitution personnel are likely to perform specific plays. This should allow a more knowledgable person to take advantage of that information and stack the deck. Is there enough variation in formation and options to allow the offense to be unpredictable or are the Coaches counting on the talent of their players to "bail" them out in this respect?

A: It does seem like things can be predictable. If Brad Walker comes in, chances are it's a running play. But even if a defense knows the personnel, USC believes its offense can outperform the defense by being comfortable running the plays. Even when Norm Chow was here, you could tell certain plays by personnel. But coaches believe repetition makes it easier to beat the defense.

Q: How do the players and coaches feel about playing on Thanksgiving? Do they view it as a treat (e.g., national TV exposure), or interference with a traditional holiday? Any info is greatly appreciated.
A: Although first instinct is to say ESPN ruined everyone's Thanksgiving, the players and coaches are actually excited about the circumstances, because this will be the only game in the country on Thanksgiving night and gives the game an extra special feeling. It's almost going to be like a bowl game because there's no competition. And they don't mind that it gives them a couple extra days to prepare for UCLA.

Q: What should I expect from JDB this week? If he starts out slowly again will at change be made at QB? This is the biggest game of the season at it is time for him to play a great game AND get some big plays down the field!
A: John David Booty will not get replaced at quarterback against Arizona State. There really isn't a competition. OK, if he starts out 2 for 16, maybe. But the coaches have always wanted Booty to play, it was just a matter if he was healthy. This might not be directly related, but in the past two years, I've often thought USC might have won all four of its losses if it could complete deep balls with consistency. Whether that's the QB or the receiver, there's been a lot of ``near misses'' the past two seasons that would have made USC extremely difficult to beat.

And now, our weekly tribute to Mitch Mustain. I do have the news that Mitch recently purchased a bike, a major development since the summer's ``Pedalgate'' incident that all fervent Mitch fans are familiar with. The bike briefly went missing this week, arousing suspicions that the culprit returned to the scene of the crime. The bike did turn up, however, and both pedals were fine. The bike might be dusted for fingerprints to see who ``borrowed'' it. This whole saga reminded me to redouble my efforts to solve the Pedalgate saga.
Perhaps proceeds from ``Mitch and Me'' can be used to install video cameras outside Heritage Hall to protect Mitch's bike.

Q: How many college football games a week do you watch to justify your ballot or do you throw darts?
A: I throw darts because I intend to challenge Phil 'The Power' Taylor after the season for World Darts Supremacy!

Q: Your video interview with Pete seemed to indicate that you don't enjoy what you do. You have the dream job of many people out there. How come you don't like it?
A: I don't want to say this is an ignorant question but Caesar and I thought it would be fun to engage in a little banter for fun. Actually, Pete Carroll hung around when I did the video so we decided to do it together. I thought the laughing on camera would clearly indicate we were having fun with each other but I always realize afterward that irony is lost on some readers/viewers. However, it's hard to imagine someone calling themselves Ex-Sportswriter would be unable to figure it out.

Q: Looks Like the WR position battle will be really interesting with Carswell and Williams playing so well Who do you see getting significant time next year?
A: The usual suspects will play, but Carswell and Williams will see the field, or it will be worse than the use of the tailbacks this year. Ronald Johnson also needs to see more time next year because the Trojans must have a deep threat and he can't afford to lanquish two years like Patrick Turner.