Open forum

Scott,
After Galippo's solid performance in the Trojan Huddle and success thus far post-surgery, do you think Carroll will sub him in and out with Rey or any other LB throughout the season? Maybe start a game or two?

Scott,
UGLA has developed an obsession over winning the “Gauntlet” while USC doesn’t give a rat’s behind. Do you think this is behind the unfriendly bRuinous behavior towards the TMB? What does USC gain by participating in this cheesy little competition no one cares about?

Now that Spring Practice is completed, who do you project to be the starters on offense and defense for the Virginia game? As always, thanks for the forum.

Scott, with Corp and Mustain no longer redshirting, who will be the scout team QBs next year? The better the scout team QB, the better prepared our defense.

Does Caesar have any input in the jerseys USC sells each year? How did the players like Taylor Mays, CJ Gable and Brian Cushing felt about not having their jersery numbers put on sale? Thanks

At this point in time, who do you rate as the more exciting prospect for the Trojans....Cole Leinart or Nico Sanchez?

Scott,Black football cleats,a USC tradition,yet we see
more and more white on game cleats.Will Pete stop this break with tradition,or will we next slip-slide into names on game jerseys? Fullback08

WAs Aaron Corps performance in the Huddle his best of the spring? Did any of his work during the spring practices even come close to his Huddle performance.

How much more paper does Coach Ruel think he's going to need for the fall?

Is there anyway you can give us a mockdraft of USC guys before Saturday. Can you give at least the rounds you think each guy will be taken in?
Keith Rivers
Sedrick Ellis
Lawrence Jackson
Fred Davis
Terrell Thomas
Sam Baker
Chilo Rachal
Chauncey Washington
Thomas Williams
John David Booty
or anyone else you think can be drafted. Thank you!

uscmike:
Check CFB under msn.foxsports.com or sportingnews.com and you can get all the UVA CFB info you want. Also check rivals.com
winforever:
Check the same sites I have already mentioned plus nfl.com

What effect do you think USC disbanding the German Department will have on future recruits looking to both play collegiate football and also obtain an undergraduate degree in the German language?

If that was too lame, do you agree with Petros that Marc Tyler is one of those "Website All-Americans" that does not have blue chip skills?

Why do you and Petros Papadakis keep insisting that the public should be informed about Matt Leinart's off the field behavior, especially his sexual activities, yet the two of you give a free pass to similar behavior exhibited by Mark Sanchez. Now don't pretend to be ignorant about this situation and say, "Well, gee, what activities are you talking about? Do you have examples?" I know you know about Sanchez. His off the field behavior is very well known among the football players, other student-athletes and many students on campus. So aren't you and Petros being hypocrites when you discuss Leinart's activities and say the public should not believe the act he puts on for them and the media, yet you do not say anything about Sanchez? Either you expose both Leinart and Sanchez or should not say anything about either of them. You cannot pick and choose whose sexual activities you wish to expose. Say what you will about Leinart's off the field behavior, but unlike Sanchez, at least Leinart has never been arrested for sexual assault.

When he was on 1540, Pete Arbogast said he would sell his soul to the devil for a basketball championship. Considering that Mayo and others are leaving after a first-round exit, how much is Arbogast's soul worth nowadays?

If there a reason you say that there will be two QBs playing next season? Is it something the coaches told you? Once Mitch Mustain learns the offense well enough, can he not just win the job in fall camp or even take over full-time from Sanchez in a scenario where Sanchez struggles in actual game situations?

Since Mitch Mustain is consistently referred to as the biggest "playmaker" of the three quarterbacks, then how come the plays that were drawn up for him at the scrimmage were so simple? Was it so it would allow Sanchez to shine in front of an crowd without any pressure? Having seen the first two scrimmages in the spring, would you not agree that Mustain was allowed to do more in those first two scrimmages than the final one? Many in the crowd were voicing their displeasure over the chains that appeared to be put on Mustain, so I know it was not just me. What's the reason behind all this?

Scott:

What do you think about Gary Klein of the LA Times so conveniently starting his own weekly Q&A forum on USC sports? Is imitation truly the greatest form of flattery?

What was the benefit of having Mustain run the scout team last season if it prevented him from learning the SC offense? I know he was not eligible to play, so that is not what I am asking. It would make more sense for the future of the program if he had been in a position to learn the SC offense rather than having about 10 practices to somehow master it or prove himself.

SW, what was the one "striking" thing that you picked up on, during the the entire spring practice? Also, do you think that PC had any of the incoming freshmen in mind, as he watched the spring unfold? As always, Fight On!

You seem to have an odd relationship with Petros. Do you like him?

Scott-

Why has Pete Carroll been so adamant that people "should not read too much" into Sanchez being named the starter in the spring and that his starter status ends with fall camp? Why did he not say the same thing when Leinart was named the starter in the spring of 2003 over Cassel? Why was the starter status for Leinart considered permanent then but not for Sanchez this time around?

Thanks in advance.

Have you picked up on the trend of the Leinart family picking on and bullying members of the helpless Sanchez family? First, Matt Leinart gets a group of upperclassmen to hold Mark Sanchez down and shave his head; now, Leinart's son beats up Sanchez's nephew! This is no coincidence, is it?

Hopefully no one asked this question already, but I personally predicted a few months ago that at least one, and maybe two, runnings backs would announce they are transferring schools before fall practice. Now that spring practice is over, what is your opinion? Any of them going to leave? I can't say I blame any of them. They all can probably start elsewhere.

Don't you think that an expensive private school like USC is at a huge disadvantage in baseball due to the limited number (11.78) of scholarships? Most schools split scholarships, but this still makes SC over $25K a year for a player. Compare that cost to a Fullerton, Long Beach, ASU, or UCLA. I guess SC should only recruit rich kids.

Question for Pete or for Scott:
1) A few years ago I remember Carroll being asked why SC never uses the shotgun. Carroll stated that taking the snap from under center would get the ball in the QBs hands faster. He said that when you use the shotgun, the ball does not immediately hit the QBs hands and while it is in the air, there is a greater chance something could go wrong. Now, it seems that Carroll is experimenting with the shotgun for the 2nd straight year. Whether we see it in a game or not remains to be seen, but why the sudden change of heart??? I remember Pete being adamant about not using the shotgun 2 years ago.

Question for Scott:
2) How are the Trojans looking with Renardo Sidney, Jordan Hamilton, and Lance Stephenson???

Question for Pete or for Scott:
1) A few years ago I remember Carroll being asked why SC never uses the shotgun. Carroll stated that taking the snap from under center would get the ball in the QBs hands faster. He said that when you use the shotgun, the ball does not immediately hit the QBs hands and while it is in the air, there is a greater chance something could go wrong. Now, it seems that Carroll is experimenting with the shotgun for the 2nd straight year. Whether we see it in a game or not remains to be seen, but why the sudden change of heart??? I remember Pete being adamant about not using the shotgun 2 years ago.

Question for Scott:
2) How are the Trojans looking with Renardo Sidney, Jordan Hamilton, and Lance Stephenson???

Hey Scott: Do you know why Devon Kennard did NOT participate in the Nike Camp this past weekend even though he attended? What do you think of him attending UCLA's junior day? Has he updated his recruiting process? Do you think it is still between USC and ASU? THANKS...

Why is John David Booty so underrated and criticized? He is tough and doesn't complain, if he had Reggie Bush and Lendale White, he too would have a championship.

Why was John David Booty criticized? If he had Reggie Vush and LenDale White, he could win a championship.

Why was John David Booty criticized? If he had Reggie Vush and LenDale White, he could win a championship.

Hi Scott,

You have mentioned before that Joe McKnight 'might' transfer if he didn't receive enough playing time. My question to you is, if this truly is the case, then why don't the other running backs complain or say anything about that fact that the coaches spoon feed Joe his carries?

Is it because the coaches have a legitimate concern about the lack of a game changing multi-threat RB, a la Reggie Bush, on the roster or is it because of favoritism among the coaches. Seeing how there is a fierce competition going on at the position, it just seems odd that there aren't more grumblings about this amongst the players - (apart from you) at least enough to be picked up by the media.

Thanks!!

Scott:

With the recent announcement that our hero Mitch Mustain has decided to allow his "competition" to be under the impression that he is the starter during the spring and summer before he steps in to save the day for the Trojans in the fall, and the other recent announcement that you now have an exclusive three movie deal with our hero Mitch Mustain, this raises some serious questions:

1) Can you confirm the rumors going around Hollywood that the sequel is called "Mitch and Me 2: The Electric Boogaloo"?

2) Will the bicycle that our hero Mitch Mustain rides in "Mitch and Me" have a reference in its design to the General Lee from the Dukes of Hazzard, in honor of his Southern heritage?

3) Does the fact that our hero Mitch Mustain has allowed his "competition" to think he's a starter for the next few months not exhibit the great sign of a leader, that of generosity and compassion for the less fortunate?

4) When our hero Mitch Mustain decides to finally step in and save the day after the debacle that will be caused by his "competition," will expectations have hit an all-time high, with new folk songs having been written about our hero?

5) Will the Trojan Marching Band's new theme song be Bonnie Tyler's "Holding Out For a Hero'?

Fight On!

I don't understand all the critics of JDB. In '05, Leinart had a comp % of 65.7, td/int of 28-8 and a rating of 157.74. When JDB took over in 06 he had no running backs, yet had a line of 61.7%, 29-9 & 144.01, which is a great year. In 07 with half of an o-line and young, underperforming receivers he still was 63.2%, 23-10 (while out 3 games and including a 4 int stanford game w/broken finger) & 144.01, another terrific year all things considered. Plus, he was a great big game player. With the same surrounding cast as Leinart, he's a champion. Scott, do you agree that he deserves more praise than he receives? Thanks.

What is the official (PST) kick-off time for the Ohio State game on Sept. 13th.???

With Neuter Dame and UConn making a swell deal (for ND anyway), what are the chances we can get a few games for USC in a similar manner? It seems that it would be great for recruiting. The Orange Bowls were good, and I know about Arkansas, Nebraska, Auburn, VT and now Virginia, but I'm thinking on a more consistent basis. If we (are good enough and lucky enough to) play in the Rose Bowl AGAIN this coming season, I vote we move the Rose Bowl Game to Duke, like in 1942!! (minus the Pearl harbor aspect of course)

With Neuter Dame and UConn making a swell deal (for ND anyway), what are the chances we can get a few games for USC in a similar manner? It seems that it would be great for recruiting. The Orange Bowls were good, and I know about Arkansas, Nebraska, Auburn, VT and now Virginia, but I'm thinking on a more consistent basis. If we (are good enough and lucky enough to) play in the Rose Bowl AGAIN this coming season, I vote we move the Rose Bowl Game to Duke, like in 1942!! (minus the Pearl harbor aspect of course)

I don't understand why but people on this board seem to have issues with Mark Sanchez displaying the Mexican flag. Do you see a problem with it?

Scott, thanks for taking my question last week regarding practice uniforms but I don't think I expressed my question right so I'd like to take another shot at it.

Why are practice uniforms different from game day uniforms? It may seem obvious that of course you have one uniform for game day and another for practices, but they seem so similar that I wonder why not go the extra step and have just one style of uniform? And in particular, why are the helmets identical except that they do not have the team logo on the sides? The practice uniforms themselves seem expensive, so I'm guessing cost's not the reason. Is it tradition? Is it an NCAA or Pac-10 rule? Is it just to make game day a little more special? Or something else, maybe?

So, as I recall, when Chilo Rachal announced his intention to declare early for the draft there were all kinds of veiled warnings from the staff (apparently since he committed the cardinal sin of never consulting them to see what they thought) that he'd probably regret the decision.

With Chilo going high in the second round, is that vindication for his choice? Were the coaches at all helpful after he declared (e.g., was he given the same training and access to pro day events as the other draftees)? And what do they say (or, more importantly, think) now about his decision?