Round 1
Here we go with the day's first batch of fresh answers.
Q: Are you surprised at the traction the Seattle Times series on Rick Neuheisel's time at Washington continues to have, with many media sources (from the Sporting News to the LA Times) constantly following up on it, including bringing it up in interviews with Neuheisel? Do you think the USC coaches will use the case of Jerramy Stevens not being punished nor even charged for an alleged rape, despite significant evidence, while a football player at Washington when recruiting against Neuheisel and UCLA? Do you think anything is off the table for the USC coaches when it comes to the recruiting wars that are expected with the new Neuheisel regime at UCLA?
A: I'm not surprised by the traction of the Seattle Times series. It was that good. What would have happened if it came out in December? I don't know if the Jerramy Stevens case is something that will be used in recruiting by schools against Neuheisel. But I've learned one thing: In recruiting, nothing is off limits or out of bounds by any school.
Q: Just what exactly was the reason that Matt Leinart was chosen to start over Matt Cassel? Was it simply that Leinart was more talented and how was that determined? With Norm Chow calling the plays, is it not reasonable to suggest that USC would still have been able to get the same results with Cassel as the quarterback, including those two national championships?
A: The fact is that the system seemed to produce successful quarterbacks. Off the record, you'd even hear that from coaches. Now, why was Leinart picked over Cassel? The coaches thought Leinart was slightly better that spring, but were not going to name a starter until training camp. Pete Carroll then decided two days before the end of spring he wanted a starter. So they chose Leinart, because they thought his potential made him better. We'll never know how Cassel would have done. Or Brandon Hance.
Q: Due to the depth chart at running back at USC, do you think it is likely that Cierre Wood will end up somewhere else other than the Trojans?
A: I think it will be different next year. Pete Carroll will make a greater effort to sign a tailback and probably tell recruits that some players might go pro early or that playing time will be available no matter who is on the roster. I'd be surprised if a tailback recruit didn't sign with USC.
Q: What position is Alfred Rowe slotted for?
A: He's probably a safety but is playing fullback in an attempt to get on the field.
Q: Old Portsmouth got lucky in their FA Cup game last Saturday, own goals are the worst. Do you think the Man U beat down of Arsenal was due to the horrid stripped socks Arsenal wore, not to mention the buff colored jerseys as well?
A: At least Arsenal has less uniforms than the USC basketball team. Arsenal's had some awful performances in its tourmanent matches this year, but remains in a solid position to win the Premiership title, if Man United did not destroy its confidence in the FA Cup.
Q: In your opinion, out of this years Trojan class entering the Draft this season, who is going to have the most solid career at the next level? By solid meaning a multi-year starter with a Pro Bowl or two or three on their résumé.
A: It's always tough to predict the future. I think Sam Baker's got the potential for a very long, successful NFL career and he plays a position where longevity is possible.
Q: What do you attribute to the baseball team's lack of success these past five or so years? Do you share the opinion many have that Chad Kreuter's hiring was a big mistake and he's clearly not equipped for the job? Have you heard anything about his being fired possibly as early as this year?
A: The main reason is recruiting. But it's picked up this year. I would have preferred an actual coaching search but sometimes USC works in odd ways. There's been some buzz that this is a make or break year for Kreuter, so if USC does not make the tournament, keep an eye on things.
Q: With some loss on the offensive line, do you see any of these incoming freshmen starting and becoming a 3 or 4 year starter?
A: Tyron Smith and Matt Meyer are best suited to being long-term starters. There's playing time available next season, so Meyer might be in the mix soon. Smith is the best athlete, but I'd like to see him redshirt to be fully developed before he plays.
Isn't the reason for "lack of success" for the baseball team due to amount of scholarships available to college baseball teams. Many players get partial or half scholarships, and this isn't enough for many with cost of attending SC being $50K a year. A Cal State Fullerton has a fraction of the cost for it's student athletes. You might say this has always been the case, but a private school's costs has sky rocketed over the last two decades.
Go Titans!
USC gets a few of the blue chip guys, but the partial scholarship/high tuition combo does give Fullerton, Long Beach, and even UCI a huge advantage in completing a solid NCAA baseball roster.
Can CSUF basketball knock off Northridge next week and ride the Big West #1 seed to a Cinderella story in March Madness? The top 2 seeds in the Big West advance to the conference tourney Final 4, so its a possibility the blue and orange capture the auto Big Dance berth.
Thanks SW. I was thinking Sam too and its a shame he's dropped down on a lot of peoples boards.
May be a longshot, but I believe Chauncey Washington is going to be a surprise to many in the NFL.
His work ethic developed here as he fought through the odds and completed his school will roll over and make him a better prospect long term.
Careers for RB's are short anyway, but Justin Fargas finally broke out this year and he also had to fight through adversity in college.
Considering the offensive linemen we signed this year, I would think we should be able to sign a few RB's in the upcoming recruiting years regardless of the "logjam" we have at that position. The OL should be opening holes for years to come.