Image enhancement
In Friday’s feature for the Daily News, we wrote about the chances of a good showing for USC in the draft, mainly because of the strong character of the senior class. A lot of these players were considered ``quiet,’’ but also let their play speak for itself. Never a bad thing.
The Day 1 result (seven players selected in the first two rounds) should finally bury the disappointing 2006 draft, when only two players were selected in the first round and rehabilitate USC’s image that maybe NFL teams were wary of Trojans (reinforced by Dwayne Jarrett’s second-round pick and poor rookie season).
One player worth noting from the first round was offensive tackle Sam Baker. It seemed like NFL teams lowered his status and by Pro Day, he took some snaps at center in a bid to raise his stock.
But he got sterling reviews from the USC coaching staff and tackles were a hot commodity in the first round. So that expected slip to the second round never happened.
This is another great selling point for SC football and its coaching staff, especially Coach Carroll. Go to SC if you have the talent, and the coaches and competition will likely turn you into a multi-millionaire one day. Oh, and you will have a heckuva good time while a Trojan with all those packed stadiums screaming on every play, and your team playing a do-or-die game each and every week.
It is great to be a Trojan. Catch the fever.