Open forum

Was this the first year you had seen the scout team offense get its way so often against the first defense? Do you think Mitch Mustain had anything to do with that? Could it have been a simply stronger scout team overall than usual? Could the first team defense simply have been weaker than previous years?

How is OJ Mayo specifically treated differently by the coaching staff both on and off the court?

How is OJ Mayo specifically treated differently by the coaching staff both on and off the court?

SW, what's your take: Should college football enact an early signing period? Keep us posted on Kenechi! Fight On!

What are your thoughts on Romeo Miller?

From what people say he isn't really worth a scholarship and comes with a good deal of baggage.

Scott,

Love the blog. Keep up the good work. I read that Matt Barkley is a devout Christian, which is admirable. Have you had experience with other athletes, similarly strong in their faith, and does this play well with teammates?

FLW

With all of the hype Everson Griffen came in with last year, do you think he was worthy of it? Do you think he was more advanced at that age than BKU or LoJack?

Scott,

Love the blog. Keep up the good work. I read that Matt Barkley is a devout Christian, which is admirable. Have you had experience with other athletes, similarly strong in their faith, and does this play well with teammates?

FLW

Scott,

Love the blog. Keep up the good work. I read that Matt Barkley is a devout Christian, which is admirable. Have you had experience with other athletes, similarly strong in their faith, and does this play well with teammates?

FLW

Scott,

Love the blog. Keep up the good work. I read that Matt Barkley is a devout Christian, which is admirable. Have you had experience with other athletes, similarly strong in their faith, and does this play well with teammates?

FLW

Was Norm Chow as bad a recruiter as is being thrown around right now? I've read one story about our recruitment of Chris Leak ending right after he met face to face with Norm.

Scott,

Love the blog. Keep up the good work. I read that Matt Barkley is a devout Christian, which is neither admirable nor unadmirable.

Have you had experience with other athletes, similarly strong in their faith, and does this play well with teammates?

MF

Do you feel that USC hurts itself by trying to become too specialized on offense and in turn limits the overall development of players? For example recruiting a small receiver to fit the Kareem Kelly role, or having a big back/little back, possession receiver etc. It seems like some teams have more experienced seniors with well rounded skill sets while SC has say Travon Patterson or Joe McKnight that are pushed into a role that used to be filled by a previous player before getting a grasp of the college game.

Scott,

Love the blog. Keep up the good work. I read that Matt Barkley is a devout Christian, which is neither admirable nor unadmirable.

Have you had experience with other athletes, similarly strong in their faith, and does this play well with teammates?

SCinHB

Apologies for the repeated posts.

FLW

You have indicated on several occasions that the staff didn't have a lot of confidence in Sanchez and that is why he wasn't subsituted for Booty during the course of the Stanford game. You also used similar words about lacking confidence in Sanchez when they brought Booty back after the Oregon game. Wouldn't the fact that the staff lacked confidence in Mark indicate that the competition in the spring for the starting QB may be a little more open then some people are saying? Can you comment on just what is it that the staff lacks in confidence about Mr Sanchez. Thank you Scott.

It appears to me that the majority of USC recruits during Carroll's tenure have been slotted for offense even though they might be known for defense. (IE- RoJo and CJ among others) I'm sure the tendency for most recruits is to want to be the savior and/or "touchdown maker" and therefore teams may have to allow recruits to try offense before settling them at defensive positions. What is your understanding of this and does this imply that talented offensive recruits are harder to come by? If we look at the sparse number of highly recruited NG's, DT's and DE's coming out of high school it might imply the opposite.

Of the younger guys on the team (ie have been with USC for 2 years or less) who has impressed you the most with their work ethic and practice habits?

Scott, outside of the QB position, I think that DT is the "biggest" or "most important" position that is up for grabs. Solid DT play is a must for the defense to be effective. Who do you see stepping up to fill Ellis' spot? Spicer has been waiting his turn, but do you see any of the recruits playing a significant role? Thanks.

Scott, outside of the QB position, I think that DT is the "biggest" or "most important" position that is up for grabs. Solid DT play is a must for the defense to be effective. Who do you see stepping up to fill Ellis' spot? Spicer has been waiting his turn, but do you see any of the recruits playing a significant role? Thanks.

Scott, outside of the QB position, I think that DT is the "biggest" or "most important" position that is up for grabs. Solid DT play is a must for the defense to be effective. Who do you see stepping up to fill Ellis' spot? Spicer has been waiting his turn, but do you see any of the recruits playing a significant role? Thanks.

Here we go again the children begging for attention come with these daddy questions what happens with birds and bees? Instead of pecking like wild birds use the same computer and research. You got scout.com., rivals.com and superprep.com. Even google offers information about USC players. Why bash Everson Griffen? If any player gets into the starting line-up that athlete must be competitive enough to do so, DUH? If the person asking about the hype would have bothered to learn about Griffen just like many others and I did>rivals.com. Wait there is one more source ESPNU that you can access by watching it on ESPN> OR espn.go.com>espnu>college FB recruiting. Trust me it is more gratifying when you learn on your own instead of being spoon fed like FlourTower begging for attention-you know his MM rhetoric which is disgusting to say the least.
Thank you

I recall that Pete Carroll suggested that there be a return to tradition with both USC and UCLA wearing their home uniforms for the annual game. He said each team would agree to give up a timeout and decline the penalty. Back then he said he was going to approach Karl Dorrell about it. Obviously it never happened under Dorrell's watch. It has been reported that Carroll and Neuheisel have already agreed to this. My question is this: do you know why Carroll was unable to get Dorrell to agree to this years ago?

Scott,

My question regarding devoutly religious athletes is even more appropriate now that two morons above have rewritten my question all due to the fact that I stated that a young man is admirable for having devout religious beliefs. Apparently, the word "admirable" offended them. Boo hoo, but it proves my point. If it can't be tolerated in a blog, can it be tolerated in a locker room or will it alientate teammates? Just a question from a lazy Catholic, which is still admirable.

FLW

I just read that 2009 OT John Martinez has LSU and USC at the top of his list? As USC learned the hard way last year, you can never have to many lineman? Do you agree???

A little while ago you mentioned a Pac 10 team going after a USC recruit. Was it UCLA going after Carroll like is being mentioned in a couple places?

A little while ago you mentioned a Pac 10 team going after a USC recruit. Was it UCLA going after Carroll like is being mentioned in a couple places?

Today USC formally offered 2009 4 Star DT Corey Adams out of Scottsdale, AZ. Could you imagine how strong the Trojans DL could be in the coming years if they were to land Adams and Devon Kennard who I think they will get??? SCARY HUH to the rest of the PAC-10????

Hey Scott! I have one quick question. Was the CB out of Fresno Edison HS Cliff Harris in attendance for USC's junior day? I still think USC could use more corners! Are they actively pursuing him???? THANKS...

Scott,
Is there a page where we could view U.S. Capital’s renderings of the faux Roman Colosseum? A kitschy edifice like that would instantly become a hit as one of those “only in LA” landmarks! Can you imagine? Chariot races, mock naval battles, gladiators, wild animals, mixed martial arts, and our beloved Trojans. I see nothing but packed houses. Who needs the NFL?

Scott,

I am asking this question in a different form than it has been previously asked of you. Do you think Allen Bradford and C.J. Gable would have more potential to be drafted by the NFL(or drafted higher by the NFL) as defensive players, rather than as running backs?

Scott,
From the basketball team, who do you think will go to the NBA this year?

According to Mel Kiper, Chilo Rachal is expected to be taken in the first round. Did you see that comming? I thought he was a great player, but at the time he turned pro it sounded like the wrong decision. What has he done to raise his stock?

sed4heisman:
The ESPN Mel Kiper Chilo Rachal 1st round projection taken by Pittsburgh at #23 has been on ESPN ticker at least for the last two weeks.

sed4heisman:
NFLN Tim Mayock got Rachal as the #2 interior OL. On the other hand Baker is NOT his five OT's. Check:
http://www.nfl.com/draft/story;jsessionjd=6786148640214F4260B3669F1AE1B8E1?id=09000d5d80406b71&template=with-video&confirm=true
He has other USC players among his top five per position as you will confrim per the above link.

HI SCOTT

FIRST, Let me thank you for your answer last week re the vital commit, BRYANT,--I was a little ill and didn't get to thank you in the comment section.

SECOND, Thanx for the blog and the forum--it is really a good service you offer--also I have met many nice friends thru it who e-mail me regularly after I posted my e-mail address a few months ago--so thanx again.

THIRD, My question this week regards SHANE HORTON.
Can you tell us some information about him---all I know is that he is the older brother of WES-- so was he highly recruited coming out of high school--it appears not since he ended up at UNLV but maybe he had academic issues or something--is PC really, really high on him, and considers him a great catch-or is he more in the hopeful project type--I know he won't be eligible until '09, but whatever you can say will be appreciated--thanks in advance.