Spotlight question
Here's one on the lack of a big-play offense.
Q: I have a two-part question for you...but in light of the 'lack of big plays' we had last year, what would you mainly contribute to that result, and what do you think 'SC should do to alleviate the problem given the talent at WR and the differing strengths of the two man QB competition?
A: This is really a two-year problem dating back to the departure of Reggie Bush. Midway through last season, Pete Carroll changed his mind and said he liked having a ``deliberate'' offense.
Last year's primary reasons were the slow process of integrating Joe McKnight into the offense and the inability of Ronald Johnson and John David Booty to connect. But just as important, no one else stepped up either and with Chauncey Washington garnering most of the carries, the offense became ``deliberate.''
The problem should be addressed somewhat because Johnson and McKnight are a year older. And Mark Sanchez has a stronger arm than John David Booty while Mitch Mustain throws with a nicer touch on his deep ball than Booty.
Now the key is whether these improvements make a noticeable difference. If a quarterback forces the deep ball, it won't be a successful play. McKnight can't be worse than last season, just off experience, so the offense should be a litte better. And this is another area where Vidal Hazelton can make a difference next season, because he has some big-play potential as well.
thank you scott this is what I have been harping on for 2 years and get booed off www.wearesc.com forums by the sunshine pumpers for being a "hater" and told to "go away"
deliberate is a spin word for "boring" "predictable" and "we don't have a WR who is worth a sh**"
Even my roommate who knows nothing about football could predict the USC offense in 2006 and 2007..because our WR's are worthless. They can't get open, they can't get seperation, and on the off chance that they do, they drop the ball.
Like I posted earlier, PT VH and DA can be released from their scholarships they have no value at all.
And it won't change. God love PC, he will stick to being conservative and playing the seniors. So 2008 will be another year of Vidal "stone hands" Hazelton and Patrick "I am just waiting for the NFL" Turner and David "what..I have to finish my routes??" Ausberry...which means more dump-offs to Havili the fumbling machine and McKnight. And in response the other team will bring their corners and LB's up to stop our short pass and running game which equals a 10-2 season and another trip to the rose bowl vs. Indiana or the who gives a crap bowl vs. Tennessee and a #7 ranking.
Mark it down folks :o))
Ricky Irvins,
A thought for you my firend. I think it is not necessarily "in the hands" of the receiver to get separation. In a previous Scott Wolf forum, I asked about the predictability of the USC offense. USC consistently runs the same versions of the same plays year in and year out. The defenses know this and can show what they want to show and jump the routes. This leads to more turnovers / interceptions and a defense that is capable of sitting on our routes even in zone coverage. This is not to take away from what you have said as I, for one, am truly disappointed with Turner who was billed to be the next coming of Mike Williams. David Ausberry, who has a lot of talent IMHO, seems to lack the motivation to block for receivers and running backs and consistently complete his routes. I still have great hopes for Vidal if he can concentrate more on catching the ball before he makes his moves. Still, with all of the "talent" USC has I believe it is the coaches and more importantly the offensive coordinator's responsibility to mix it up to allow them to get open. Just my honest opinion.