Open forum

Thank God the walk-on video appears dead. But PC throws fuel on the fire with these recent quotes (from the LAT): Pete Carroll said the intent of the video was a "spoof." "As we went through the process, we were just having fun with it," he said. Pete Carroll said he was not concerned about criticism -- "I don't care. Not at all...It's all trial and error and weird stuff for fun. There's not a whole lot of mentality behind this stuff." The question is did the walk-on players know that they were participating in a "spoof" (I suspect not) and, since you know PC better than we do, has he lost most semblance of his common sense, which appears to have gone the way of his "not a whole lot of mentality"?

Is Lil Romeo still going to be invited for a FULL scholarship in the fall (after all the negative publicity in the high profile OJ Mayo case? Did Master P fund Demar Derozan? Of all the people that brought baggage, I would of thought this would be a far more interesting case.

Throughout the fall, there were numerous reports, including from you, about how Mitch Mustain was so dominant against the first team defense and he constantly got accolades for his performances against that unit. So how come it became a different story in the spring when he went against the same first team defense? Why did he struggle in the spring (or at least that was the impression that was given; perhaps incorrectly) that was not the case in the fall?

In the recent Sporting News story regarding Mark Sanchez's arrest for sexual assault, it said that in order for him to remain a student at USC he was "required to complete a rape awareness course." So my question is, if Sanchez was "falsely accused," as he claims, of sexually assaulting a USC student, why would he be required and agree to go through such a humiliating course and have it be a part of his permanent record that will haunt him for the rest of his life? If he really was falsely accused, he would refuse to undertake such a course and would sue the alleged victim for making a false complaint to the police, as well as filing a lawsuit against the LAPD for wrongful arrest and irreparably damaging his reputation. So is there more to this situation than meets the eye? Why would Sanchez be required to complete a rape awareness course as part of the conditions set forth for his continued enrollment at USC?

Scott:

What are the potential penalties for a school where the NCAA finds that the school did not know, nor should have known, that the student-athlete received extra benefits before or during the season?
Is the school automatically required to forfeit any games in which the ineligible student-athlete played, even if the NCAA finds no culpability by the school? Or is forfeiting games only imposed where the school had culpability? I am trying to determine what would happen to USC's 2004 football season if the NCAA found that Bush was funneled cash from Lake/Michaels during the latter part of the 2004 season (when the New Era arrangement was allegedly made), but USC had no way of knowing it. Any info you can provide is greatly appreciated. As always, thanks for the forum.

Hey Wolfie-

So I saw that one of your answer sessions this week was titled "Answer Monday, the sequel." In the spirit of this blog, should that not have been titled "Answer Monday, Electric Boogaloo"?????

It was reported that Demar DeRozan's high school coach stated that two of the teams that made this year's Final Four contacted him showing interest in taking him.

Have you heard speculation of who the teams may be and could/would USC block him from enrolling in those schools (or any others for that matter)?

Scott,
In a bid to avoid all controversy will USC and the NCAA insist that student athletes dress according to their socio-economic status and not own any TV’s larger than 15”?

With a new scandal breaking every week, are these the halcyon days for a USC beat writer? Are beat writers for other teams, professional or college, throughout the country jealous of how much material you have to work with compared to their boring teams?

If they don't do it already, wouldn't it be wise for USC and other schools to have athletes sign a consent and agreement form (upon acceptance of an athletic scholarship) that states:

1) Before entering college, they have never accepted gifts that would lead to the player being ruled ineligible, or causing the school any forfeits of games, or penalties by the NCAA resulting from such.

2) Players will not accept gifts or special treatment that would make them ineligible or cause forfeits by, or NCAA penalties to the school.

3) If contacted by an agent or representative of an agent, they would be required to inform their head coach and athletic director in writing.

4) Any violation of these rules would result in a forfeit of their scholarship and require monetary repayment to the university.

5) A student-athlete who signed the agreement would be liable for civil action by the university.

6) Any agent or representative of an agent who causes player ineligibility or penalties imposed upon the school would be subject to civil action.

Isn't it about time to clean out the scum agents who earn their living by poaching on these young athletes and taking advantage of them, the school and the system?

Scott,

Since football is a year-round sport, and also since spring session is over and summer's beginning - who on the team, if any, have you noticed going above and beyond the norm by putting in the extra time in preparing for the fall? And do you expect any of these guys to surprise us when autumn comes around?

Thanks!!

Do you think Patrick Turner will become the number 1 wide receiver this year, if not him then who? I think he was off last year because of the injury before the start of the season and when he was healthy John David Booty was injuried so him and the other receivers never got time to work together.

Are C.J. Gable and Marc Tyler healthy,the 40 times for them were poor for running backs? Are their injuries last season a reason for the time or what is? Will the times hurt their playing time?

Do you think Patrick Turner will become the number 1 wide receiver this year, if not him then who? I think he was off last year because of the injury before the start of the season and when he was healthy John David Booty was injuried so him and the other receivers never got time to work together.

What were the reasons for Joshua Tatum and Antwine Perez transfering from USC? Tatum could have been like Rivers or Cushing!!!!!!!!!

Hey Scott,

When do football tickets go on sale for the public?

Awesome blog! Keep up the great work.

At least two Internet Sports columnists from major outlets appear to be openly cheering for USC men's basketball to receive the NCAA's so-called death penalty.
I believe the names are Pat Forde and Greg Doyel.
From what I hear, the DP is basically not applicable to USC since the Bush and Mayo circumstances are concurrent events and thus there is no repeat offense without an issued sanction.
That being said, is there any scenario whereby the NCAA could hand down the death penalty in the Mayo case?
Are these columnists just using hyperbole to get readers and why the sudden animosity toward Troy by the media?

Who does Floyd use as his recruiting coordinator on this staff?? Is working with runners a necessary evil in college hoops these days to field a competitive program? Is Floyd's primary recruiting coordinator friendly with runners?

What's the deal with the LA Times' Gary Klein completely ripping off everything from your blog? First there was the weekly question forum from readers that he copied. Then this week, he hijacked Walk-ongate, including a comment from one of your readers about how the video was suddenly pulled from YouTube and mentioned the Rick Neuheisel negative recruiting regarding it. What's next, he's going to announce his own book and multimedia extravaganza called Mitch and Me?

What is your opinion on the USC columbine results? If Maualuga, Cushing and Mays perform similar in the NFL columbine where do you think they will be drafted?

With Chauncey Washington running a 4.38 at USC Pro Day for the 40, and with the times by the other offensive players who run at the USC Pro Day and the USC unoffical pro days for current players, was Washington really the fastest player on the offense last year? It did not seem like it watching them last year he was a power back, do you think if McKnight and Patterson ran they would be the fastest on the offense?

Where is Hershecl Dennis and Desmond Reed? Did either sign with a team?

Hey Scott: A while back you mentioned something about Uona Kaveinga. Will he be attending USC in the fall or not? I think you mentioned something about him going on a mission was not part of the deal.

What role will Roland Johnson play next year, is it true he may play cornerback? He has the skills to be a shut down corner will the coaches let him play corner since there is no depth, where will he play?

Are any Trojains on the football likely to transfer? Are there any transfers who are coming to USC this year or next year, besides Mitch, Williams, Horton and Matt Leinart's brother- in- law(Jordan Cameron)?

Why don't sports reporters understand that the NCAA and individual schools have little to no investigative power?

Lets say Floyd saw the LCD TV in Mayo's bedroom and he said, "Hey man, where did you get that TV?"

Mayo, "My Uncle got it for me for a birthday present."

What is Floyd supposed to do? Hack into the Uncle's credit card account and verify that he bought the TV?

It seems to me that if the NCAA was serious about stopping these kinds of things they would lobby Congress and the Pro leagues to ban agents who are found to have provided improper benefits for life and to ban athletes that accepted improper benefits from being drafted/signed for a few years.

There needs to be a deterrent for the agents and players, as of right now all of the punishment falls on the school.

Why don't the NCAA and schools like USC lobby for something like that and why do sports reporters ignore that part of the problem?

If colleges are going to be the minor leagues for the NFL and the NBA while at the same time attempting to have their athletes remain "amateur", an agreement with the leagues on this matter seems to be the most logical way to go about combating this problem.

Sorry for asking more than one question, but these are all kinda tied together.

Scott, can you help me. I am trying to remember a Trojain football player from 3 to 5 years back, he was on defense I recall and came back from injuries and health issues. He had talent and was a projected NFL player before the health problems and injuries? I think he had the interception against UCLA between his legs. Was it Maurice and Marquis Simmons' brother? What is his name and where is he now? Or is it someone else, can you please tell us about him. I forgot abou him I think he entered in the Hackett years. Thank you.

Where are they now dept. ... Where is former USC fullback Ricky Jackson these days? He played for the Trojans during the '70s and was a great guy and a good special teams player. Did he ever play pro football? I'm sure Tessalone or Kirkpatrick knows of the guy.

How come out of 28 questions asked thus far on this week's Open Forum, nine are by MRSAM? What's the deal with this person asking a question every two minutes?

MB Trojan: I was going to comment on that also, but didn't want to be viewed as the "hallway monitor." I think MRSAM is relatively new and may not be aware of the one question rule (for which Scott makes numerous exceptions, anyway). Plus, most of his questions are worth asking and answering.

Scott:

Thanks for posting the workout times? Any idea if anyone made significant improvement in strength or speed?

Also, how is Pinkard's time compared to 2 years ago?

Thanks.

Hey Scottie, here's my theory. Tell me what you think:

Louis Johnson gets banished from the newspaper world and sports writing after a cocaine conviction.

Louis hooks on with Guillory as part of Mayo's inner circle.

BDA cuts off funding to Guillory after it finds out Guillory is a thief. Guillory cuts off Johnson from Mayo's inner circle. Louis threatens to go public with accusations about Guillory and Mayo.

Johnson, now unemployed again, tells ESPN he will give them the scoop. Louis gets national TV and Internet exposure, which will help him pimp his upcoming book.

Money-money-money, money! Remember the old song? Some people will do anything for money, and apparently they have in the Mayo situation.

Agree with all this or disagree ... and why or why not?

I am new, I am sorry abou the extra questions, I didn't know abou the rule.
uscmike, thank you for your support. Go USC!

MBTrojan, I think it should be MBFightingIrish sorry you do not have questions to ask, don't ruin this great forum. Scott, is very informative I always read his articles and posts. Keep up the graet work Scott.

Scott,
I found something interesting.
The OJ Mayo case is a big deal to people and USC Tape to others and Bushgate.I found a report that the starting center Darrell Arthur for the National Champions Kansas Jayhawks was ineligible in high school and had his grades altered without the teacher's knowledge to play in HIGH SCHOOL(THATS SERIOUS!!!) and to qualify for college. If this is true and he could not play in college this is more serious than even the Reggie Bush problem since Darrell Arthur and others cheated the system to play in college. A possible forfeit of National Championship is big news because a star on your team should even be at Kansas or other schools. Heres the link what are your thoughts on this and why this is not as a big deal as OJ Mayo? ESPN should investigate this. Memphis, North Carolina, Davidson and other teams who lost to them should feel cheated. Pat Forde should look into this, Kansas star cornerback tested positive for drugs in college and still played and now this. The NCAA should check themselves.
Heres the link:

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/news/story?id=3399372

MRSAM,
Maybe our FUCLA pal ReelBruin2/Menelaus (The Cuckold) will check it out and post another long bromide for the LoserNation.