Forum Answers, Act I

Q: I know Mitch Mustain has played well in practices but how has he done in actual scrimmages? Not the four official scrimmages, but the ones that take place at the end of practices with actual plays and all the players competing with the coaches watching.
A: Overall, he did well. Sometimes he struggled and threw some interceptions but that's normal, especially when you are going against the first team. Sometimes, the scout team gave the defense everything it could handle. The bottom line is he probably will need to be better -- not as good as -- than Mark Sanchez to beat him out.

Q: How long has Coach Carroll been doing his Monday Morning Quarterback Talks? Do other college coaches do something like this? Do you find them helpful and interesting?
A: USC's done Monday Morning Quarterback for at least 25 years. Some schools do them. Others coaches have call-in shows, usually in smaller markets where the team is a bigger focus. I don't attend them because it makes some officials nervous if the media are there. Usually, we hear the same stuff later anyways. They are good for the fans though.

Q: Who wins on Saturday, Portsmith or Chelsea ??
A: Pompey gets the draw following the addition of Jermaine Defoe.

Q: Do you think USC is getting commitments from lesser regarded players now partially to move up in the much publicized recruiting rankings? Getting a few 2 and 3 star guys will move the needle and maybe get the Trojans in the Top 10 and save face nationally. Perception is everything...
A: No. If they are taking some lesser-regarded players it's because they didn't get commitments from other players who were rated higher. What's unusual is this close to signing date, USC often worries about running out of scholarships. That doesn't seem to be the case this year.

Q: Could you list all of the players who redshirted this year? And what's up with premiereship obsession? Can't you endorse a Serie A, Liga or even Bundesliga (GO BAYERN!) team every once in a while?
A: I listed the redshirts a couple weeks ago. Just type one of the freshmen's names into the search engine (now working!) and it should come up. If I have to endorse another soccer team, how about Hertha Berlin, since I went to a game last year.

Q: In your opinion, how is it that conferences like the SEC can get away with these type of scheduling practices while continuously getting a pass cause of their strength of schedule within their own conference? When do you think the media will finally wake up and hold teams accountable? There's twelve teams in their conference and yet they're having problems filling their schedules, thus they shouldn't have a scheduling problem in my opinion...what's yours?
A: The SEC teams do not play difficult non-conference schedules. The flip side is they play brutal conference schedules. And, for two teams, there is a conference championship game, a hurdle the Big Ten and Pac-10 do not deal with. So that's the current tradeoff.
It only works as long as those conference's are so good, however. When they drop off, then they lose their position of strength. For example, what bothered me more last season was Ohio State. A lackluster nonconference schedule and an easy league schedule, yet they get into the national title game. USC and Georgia were just two teams with a better case.

Q: In what ways are the daily activites/lifes of football players most different from those of "normal" students?
A: Too many to list here. The daily activities are different because football players have so much more to do in the course of a day. Meetings, practice, film, tutoring sessions, etc. And on top of this they get monitored to see if they are going to classes. This act alone would cripple many normal students.
Of course, there are benefits. The groupies have increased dramatically in the past 10 years!

Q: Why did SC go after Brian Baucham? Scout has him rated 2 stars so there must be something that isn't apparent.
A: They considered him a hidden gem who could provide depth. Also, as I mentioned before, if certain other recruits committed, there would not be scholarships available. But sometimes your program needs someone who practices every day, works hard and doesn't make waves. And those guys do play, like Brad Walker.

Q: Going out the door this morning, TV news was reporting about an individual with a plan to build a stadium for USC. Was this more propaganda against the CCommission? What's the scoop?
A: I have not commented on the Long Beach proposal because it seems unrealistic. A new stadium in Long Beach? Who pays for it? The city of Long Beach is not paying a dime. How does it survive if USC is the only tenant with six dates a year? Does USC want to stop playing across the street from campus so it can make its fans go to Long Beach? Can the 710 freeway handle the traffic? I'm getting a headache just thinking of these questions.

Q: Scott, I'd like to know about how the passing down of the #55 jersey works. Is it something that happens rarely or does it just go to the best guy on the defense? Any chance Galippo gets it?
A: The coaches decide if anyone is worthy to wear it. When Pete Carroll arrived, he was asked by players like Mike Pollard if he could wear 55 and was denied. It has to go to someone who is considered a premier player. Chris Galippo said he's thought about it, but kind of likes 54, so we'll see.

Q: At what point does Mike Garrett step in and bring the hammer down on Caesar for his clandestine visits with NFL owners? Or is there really nothing Garrett can do to prevent Pete from inquiring about other jobs? These "phone calls" and "trips" every year to meet owners is annoying, and I'd have to think effect recruiting at least a little.
A: Good question. When you've won 11 games or more for six straight years, you get what we might call a lot of leeway. What is Garrett going to do? Forbid him from talking to NFL teams? Fire him?
It's just something USC has to accept and grit its teeth over, but really powerless to do anything about. I heard Garrett was less than thrilled last year when the Dolphins interview took place without permission first. This is Caesar after all.