Open Forum

Scott: As I watch the Trojans and other games I often hear announcers stating that "you can't make these mistakes on the road!" Why is a mistake on the road more important than if the team made the same mistake at home? In either case it can cost you the game.

I haven't heard as much "chatter" about Carroll leaving as I have in prior years. Is the word on the street that he is staying....for at least another year anyway?

How about any fallout from the Reggie Bush "incident"?

Hi Scott:

Thomas Herring has been a little disappointing to me so far--and PC says Alex Parsons is playing as a new man in practice---do you see Herring as a starting tackle next year--and with O'Dowd at center, probably penciled in as the starter at center, where do you see Alex playing next year, offense or defense, what position, and on the first team?
Finally, can you discuss Herring a little bit, like is there one thing holding him back?

Thanks, wise Wolfie---note-no recruiting questions today! You summed it up nicely for me over the weekend--thanx again.

Scott:

I have read several reporters/observers, as well as a member of the staff, say that due to the sheer number of reps Mitch Mustain has taken this year in practices, he has considerably increased his arm strength and now has the strongest arm of any QB since Carson Palmer, in addition to already having had the most accurate arm of any of the current QBs. Have you noticed this difference as well? How often do you actually see him during practices? Enough to form an opinion?

So thanks for this forum and for your answer to my question.

Since the resurgence of the program in year 2 of the PC era - any idea as to the financial windfall to the University?

From ~45k at a game to 85-90k per game. Plus all the merchandise, BCS bowl game revenue etc etc - I'd assume its been pretty good. Care to comment?

Are you able to shed light on the rumors that Aaron Corp may be transferring to Oregon after this semester?

scott,

what redshirts will make the biggest impact next year?

scott,

what redshirts will make the biggest impact in 2008?

Which players are in a position of being dismissed for academic reasons, and which ones are currently on academic probation?

Hey Scott:

I'll try this question again (last time you said it was "too early"):

What are your thoughts about the matchups in the Rose Bowl game (i.e., USC's offense v. Ill. defense and vice-versa)? What is your prediction of the score? Thanks.

Which RB do you predict gets most carries next season? Score the most TDs? Be left out of the rotation altogether?

How much longer do you think Carroll will coach at USC, and are they grooming a replacment for him, or do they maintain a list of candidates in Mike Garrett's desk just in case Pete ever decides he needs something more challenging than beating UCLA every year and winning the Pac-10?

Could Mitch Mustain be described as a polished QB?

Are Kyle Williams and Dallas Sartz still in the NFL? If they are, do you think they will last another year or are they finished?

With many of the recruits attending the UCLA game, did you get a chance to speak to any of them and did they seem interested in SC? I'm most interested in seeing Arthur Brown here. I wouldn't mind if we lost Curtis McNeal to Oregon, with Mark Tyler/B. Green coming back next year, but I'd hate to see Allen Bradford stay at SC and not do anything in his career. He should be commended on his commitment, but I wouldn't blame him for transferring. He has too much talent to not be on the field. What are your thoughts on these issues, Scott? Thanks.

The sandwich is delusional. Please respect Carlson Palmer. BTW I would like to read your so called performance reports. Here is your chance to put-up or shut-up. Once again I remind you in black and white. Facts talk BS walks...

Scott, will "Mitch and Me" contain a chapter on the jersey number fiasco from the Summer of 2007? Will you finally name names? Could the guilty party somehow be Yogi Roth's college teammate? Count me in for one of the pre-orders of "Mitch and Me"! Heck, count me in for at least a dozen copies! It will make a great gift for any Trojan and football fans in general.

The usual suspects are on the prowl...

As far as Mustain vs. Sanchez, let the best man win. However, IF Mustain is the second coming of Palmer or Leinart(like many of you are predicting), just remember that he can go to the NFL after the 2008 season. Scott, what are the odds of that?

Scott, I noticed the whole OL got some kind of recognition by the Pac 10 except for Jeff Byers--was he considered to be the weak link on the OL this year?

SW, as a member of the Trojan nation now residing in the "Ville", I thought it was pretty crappy what Petrino did to the Ville right after the Orange Bowl (including all of his prior lies that he had offered up during his tenor). Now with his latest “great escape” maneuver, I would like to know what you and some of your brethren in the journalistic nation think about a coach with a lack character class. And does this put a different spin on PC for staying with the Trojan nation like he has. Fight On!

The thought of Chow going to UCLA is very disconcerting. If Walker stays to help recruit, this could be a dangerous duo. Your thoughts?

uscmike:
With ALL due respect are you that naive? ONLY the usual suspects are raving about MM. Furthermore like I posted before this is the only blog along with the MM ambassador where MM is continuously crowned without merit. Where are those reports coming from? The LA Times has NOT reported any of that nor other web blogs. If the reports are true please post the links. If the links are posted and turn out to be true the least I'll say will be Amen. He said, she said does NOT fly. Give it to me in black and white from creditable sources. I am sick and tired of the usual suspects crowning MM ahead of the coaches and PC.
Facts talk BS walks.

Quick hypothetical. let's say rey does leave after this year, and i know he claims he won't but i'm just sayin, who would say are the starting LB's next year?

What are Chow's chances of landing the fucla job, and how does the sc staff feel about that possibility?

Scott-

I was wondering if Mitch Mustain is capable or has the tools of running a spread offense? Did he run any spread offenses this year on the scout team? Has he run any spread options in the past? Has he had any success with it? Your thoughts, sir.

Can you comment on the UCLA coaching search. From what I can see, it just looks completely disorganized with little or no front end planning at all.

Thanks Scott

Sorry, part 2. Who do you think the Bruins end up with? I am beginning to suspect that the winner of the Las Vegas bowl gets the brass ring (Mendenhall or Walker).

Scott,
Given that SC this season ranks 42nd in scoring, 35th in rushing yardage, and 52nd in passing yardage in the NCAA (according to ESPN), has there been any discussion amongst the coaches as to possible changes in their play-calling or offensive approach? Any talk of moving Sarkisian from the sidelines up to the coaches box?

Scott:

Now that finals week is coming to a close and our hero Mitch Mustain, the choice of our great student body, as well as our illustrious alumni, becomes eligible, this raises some serious questions:

1) Do you think our hero Mitch Mustain will ease up on the field during spring training so as not to embarrass the "competition" with his greatness? Or will he take no prisoners and make the "competition" cry with his greatness?

2) Was there a ploy between Todd Dickey and Bernie Parks to claim there were "disagreements," just so they could come out of the darkness of the closed door sessions to announce the Mitch Mustadium, thus making everyone out to be a savior and hero? Was this part of a grand plan to give the people what they wanted in the first place, but they chose to create drama first?

3) Will our hero Mitch Mustain be the first ever Trojan to have his number retired before he even plays a game, thus taking care of the formality that we all know will take place when he wins the Heisman Trophy and leads the Trojans to three National Championships?

4) Do you not think it is better to solve Pedalgate and the Bicycle-Contra affair before spring training so as to get the culprit(...) behind bars and not be able to interfere with our hero Mitch Mustain's imminent coronation? Or do you believe dragging on the investigation will build up the drama for a showdown where our hero Mitch Mustain will, ultimately, prevail and the culprit, whose identity is well known by the entire student body, is led away in handcuffs (again...)?

So as the Trojan Family gets prepared and excited for the ascent of our hero Mitch Mustain to his rightful place as the leader of our rather underachieving football team, there are so many questions that must be answered, or else are you expecting a perfect storm where everything is suddenly solved all at once, thus making "Mitch and Me" an even greater build-up than NBC's "Heroes," which will no doubt be renamed "Our Hero Mitch Mustain"?

Fight On!

Is it true Aaron Corp will be transferring? Does it have anything to do with Matt Barkley coming to USC?

The flower child is PURELY DELUSIONAL. I hope you flower child know how to read. Two Marines to the best of my knowledge have won the Medal Of Honor for their gallantry and giving their lives while defending our country in Iraq. One of them was taken off life support and I believe some of his organs were donated before finally taken off the ventilator.
I don't have a problem with you rooting for MM. I don't have a problem if your father, child or grandmother is your hero. I have a problem with MM being your [obsessional] hero. Your hero priorities are AC/DC at best. I can make a [STRONGER] case nominating Rita Moreno as my hero but I won't for the reasons I have cited. Believe me I am huge Rita Moreno fan but I owe a lot of respect to the word hero. Do you get the meaning of this flower child?
Thank you

The following is the latest SW poll result:
Mark Sánchez-----60%
MM---------------39%
This early result reinforces my point that MM supporters/MS haters/usual suspects are ONLY found on this blog.
Thank you

El Capitan, you are a fool! There are now about 200,000 members of the Trojan Family and you are not even one of them. That poll shows Sanchez with about 90 more votes out of a very, very small sample. This is not the only blog where Mustain is popular. Writers for the LA Times, Press-Enterprise, College Football News, Rivals, etc. have all said Mustain is better than Sanchez. Members of the Trojan Football Alumni Club, who regularly attend practices, have seen Mustain with their own eyes and know Mustain will clean the floor with Sanchez. Pete Carroll has told those in attendance at Monday Morning Quarterback that Mustain is the real deal. He has said the same thing to reporters. Those who attend practice on a regular basis know that Sanchez cannot even touch Mustain when it comes to talent. Not in terms of reading defenses, throwing accuracy, progression reads, staying in the pocket, following through with his assignments. His character is very questionable as well, and you better not tell me that I do not know football or what Sanchez still does off the field. I know more about football and the players on the team than you could ever hope to even read about. You are a damn fool. Sanchez has no support outside of some people who have no connection with USC but only want him to start because they share a race with him. I do not care what his race is. If he were black and a great QB, start him. He is not a great QB and he is not viewed as a leader by the players on the team. Now stop your nonsense.

The poll reads:
Sánchez--61%
MM-------23%
I read the LA Times and Rivals and I don't remember reading any of your claims. I will check CFBNS and the Press-Enterprise.
Thank you

TrojanFootballAlum'78:
1. You are asking us to believe that PC directly stated that MM is better than MS.
PC admitted and regretted NOT pulling JDB knowing that JDB had a broken finger=costing a chance at the NC. Even though he admitted that I find it hard to believe that PC is that stupid or unethical NOT to mention the lack of common sense. ANY coach who responds like you said about his players would have a hard time recruiting particularly when he has openly stated that whoever excels in practice wins a starting job. That alone contradicts your claim. I have also watched several of his press conferences.
BTW the latest poll result has MS with a 62% to 36% for MM. The poll also reflects MS having "close" to twice as many votes as MM.
Thank you

Again, you are a fool. Everyone already knows that but you insist on proving it over and over again. I said "Pete Carroll has told those in attendance at Monday Morning Quarterback that Mustain is the real deal. He has said the same thing to reporters." Prove me wrong on that.

On the Thursday before the UCLA game earlier this month, the Trojan Football Alumni Club was invited to attend practice followed by dinner at the Galen dining facility where Pete spoke to the group. Everyone in attendance was highly impressed with what they saw of Mustain at practice. Both Pete and Mike Garrett have had nothing but great things to say about him. The same cannot be said about Sanchez.

It was a mistake for Pete not to pull JD when he knew he had a broken finger. I do not doubt that. But it also shows how little faith he had in Sanchez to keep JD in even though he knew he had a broken finger on his throwing hand at half time. No one doubts that JD with a broken finger is not as good as a healthy Sanchez. But a healthy JD is much better than a healthy Sanchez. If Sanchez were better, he would have started over Booty but he is not better. Both Pete and Sark have been very critical of Sanchez's abilities on the field and that is not only in private but also very publicly. He has no idea what he's doing out there on the field.

If you think that poll is accurate, would you want me to email the link to my list of over 300 fellow Trojans and tell them to vote for Mustain and then forward the link to their friends so they can do the same? What would that prove? Nothing. I could do it but the next starter will be determined on the field, not on a small poll on the internet that most people do not know anything about.

So for now, I suggest you learn to read before claiming I said something I never said.

You haven't commented on at least two recruits who have changed their minds and are headed elsewhere. Rumors have it that more may follow (Adams).

Also, it appears as if we have't landed a big time OOS recruit in several months, and Westwood High seemed to do more than hold their own with local kids.

We also lost some through transfers, and some fear more defections next year.

So, my question- Is there a trend you see that PC is losing some steam in recruiting? Did we stockpile too much? Did our disappointing season have an influence?

HI SCOTT:
Why did Chris Polk de-commit from SC, and commit to Washington--was it because he wanted to play TB, and do the coaches feel it was much of a loss or not?
Thanx.

78:
I did NOT say the poll was accurate. I reported the results. You can interpret them any damn way you want.
Again if PC stated what you said the media would eat PC for breakfast, lunch and supper, yes, particularly in California. The American media does NOT give anybody a break and that includes Bill Clinton!
Read again Mr. Arrogance I did NOT say that the starter was determined by the poll, thank you. If nothing else that much I know about football. If that was the case MS should have transfered rather than subject himself to your humiliation, PC's, Sark's and the rest of the usual suspects. Go ahead and tell your cronies about voting for your dear MM.
One more time did PC and Sark say that MM is better than Sánchez? Did he say it in those exact words according to you? Come clean or back out, that simple:
put-up or shut-up.
Thank you

Luis, Luis, Luis...

Yes, many people know about your countless emails to reporters pleading with them not to say anything good about Mustain and telling them to support Sanchez despite evidence to that contrary. Do you not grasp the concept that people are not going to relay what PC says in private on the internet? "What is said at MMQ stays at MMQ." Dude, you continue to make an ass of yourself and marginalize Sanchez in the process with your rants and numerous emails that get forwarded all over the place for public consumption. Come on, Luis, stop embarrassing yourself. Let the play on the field do the talking. So what if Mustain is better than Sanchez? Booty is better than Sanchez as well. Leinart was better than Sanchez. After all is said and done, Corp will be better than Sanchez. He had his chance and he blew it big time. Big time.

02Polo:
When you're ready to back-up your claim with documentation let me know and then We'll find out who the real clown is. I am dead serious and I am willing to go to court to prove my point against your libelous claim.
Thank you

Go right ahead, Luis. I don't believe you but neither does anyone else. All talk, no substance, Luis. You have nothing. Nothing. Everyone is aware of your activities, Luis, and do you really think I, or anyone else, is the least bit scared of you? Ha ha ha! You're not even a Trojan. Keep sending those emails that are forwarded all over the place and everyone eventually gets to read and laughs at. Ha ha ha!

Mr.Polo:
This the link that posted a portion of my email>IT:
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/allthingstrojan/2007/12/are-we-in-the-r.html#more
Where does it say in the email what you accused me of?
This will be settled in a court room.

Go ahead, Luis. Let's see if you're all talk or not. Of course, you're all talk and not very good at it, either.

You'll never learn, Luis. Many people know all about your drivel and the emails you send out. They're forwarded and read by many. And now you're crying and all upset because you have been exposed. Poor Luis.

You have nothing. Nothing. 100% nothing. NADA.

Post the emails here coward. This is your chance. Show your computer abilities, come-on? Is your silly "NADA" supposed to impress anybody here? WOW? Admit that you are an anti Latino prejudiced idiot.