Open Forum

Scott: About this time last year Rey Rey put a hit on Turner that made him not start the season, and it seems to me that he never quite untracked. Is his situation (tied for starting with Williams)a function of that and his not fulfilling his potential, or is Williams turning out to just be a better player?

Scott, I read that Pat Harlow has been hired to coach at San Clemente High School joining three other ex-Trojans. How many former Trojans are currently coaching prep football in California and how many are coaching at the College level?

SW, is the plan to leave Mr. Versatile Garrett Green at the QB spot, or is he going to be all over the field again. Any chance that he may end up taking Mike McDonald's spot as holder on the PAT's? Fight On!

It seems as though a lot of football coaches are hesitant to play starters on special team, particularly on kickoff coverage, punt coverage, and kickpff return. What has been Caesar's approach during his tenure? What players can we expect to see on the field for special teams this year?

Who has been your favorite Trojan player to watch over the years?

Having "too much" depth at a position like running back can create problems with morale and even lead to transfers. Does Pete Carroll or the USC staff ever point out (or imply)to disgruntled players that having fewer carries and plays in college will actually save their bodies to cash more NFL paychecks later? Something like, "Even if you start one season or share a spot one season at 'SC, you will still get noticed enough by pro scouts to get drafted high. All you need is a few good games on film and look good at the NFL combine and you will thrive."

Who do you think will start at running back vs Virginia and who will be the backup QB?

TJ Bryant, didn't hear much about him in Fall camp. But, he was a big-time recruit, arguable our top recruit. Maybe it means your doing your job if you name isn't mentioned much at CB. We are awesome 2 deep at CB, but all of these guys have had injuries too. How did TJ do and is he ready to contribute positively if called upon this season? Did he live up to his hype from HS?

On scout.com 2008 signee Daniel Campbell is listed as a commit for this class, but rivals does not list him. So what do you make of this if Campbell is eligble and will Perry and McNeal be able to do this if they don't qualify this year?

Scott, in your career following USC has any Song Girl or student matched Jenn Sterger or even challenged her in your mind as the perfect USC Song Girl material? I am serious Jenn Sterger is better than the Song Girls since Mike Garrett era this no joke.

You mentioned that Sarah Carmona recently apologized to the Song Girls for her embarrasing behavior and photographs that have made their way across the internet, so does that mean she is no longer persona non grata and is now invited to the upcoming Song Girls reunion in the fall?

Scott, when selecting your pre-season 25 how much of an influence does a teams schedule play into where you rank them in comparison to the other intangibles like returning starters, 2007 record etc. I know my point deals with a 25 with the "best shot" at the BCS title game, rather then the top 25 "best teams", but why not rank a West VA, Clemson, USC (who's schedule flips this year) or even a BYU higher then Georgia who is clearly better on paper but plays a brutal schedule?

Also, what are your thoughts on completely doing away with a preseason top 25 until early october like many have suggested. Is it really that big of a problem and disadvantage to those starting outside the top 15-20 or do things have a tendancy to always work out. What response has the ncaa given to this criticism?

Biggest USC Song Girls scandal pre-2000?

Whatever happened to Whitney Lewis after UNI? The NYT did an interesting follow up story to Willie Williams (Miami) this past weekend. Any chance you chase down some old recruits like Whitney or Randy Estes or Simmons?

Scott:
When Brian Dohn asks for questions on the bRuin blog he gets about 5 times as many questions as you do, all of them about sports. Do you think that the focus on song girl gate has finally driven the real sports fans away from here?

If Mitch remains mired in the #3 spot all season do you expect him to transfer to a 1-AA school to get some playing time?

Aside from Corp's mobility, can you point out any other reasons why the coaches favor him over Mustain and do you see this impacting Matt Barkley's decision to come to USC?

Can you give us details on Sarah Carmona's apology to the squad? Was it forced upon her by the athletic dept. to save face?

More scandalous in 2008 - Arizona State cheerleaders or USC Song Girls?

How does Dr. Tibone pronounce his name? And don't answer "James".

I just did a Google search for "USC Song Girls" and after the official website, all other results on the very first page are of one embarrassing incident after another. The Dong Bong. Cheering for the wrong team. Buttock investigation. Cheering for the wrong team, Part II. Unauthorized bikini pictures. Underage drinking and breast implants, etc. Again, that's all on the very first page of a Google search. Just thought you might like to know that.

Hey Bosco -

It is three syllables. It is pronounced Dr. Ti - bone - knee. (The i is a short vowel, like the "i" in wig. The accent is on the second syllable.)

He is one of the top (if not the best) orthopedic surgeons in the country.

Can you re-post the original Donkey thread from a few weeks back? It was by far the most interesting thing on this website all Summer.

SCinHB, have ever read the questions on the Dohn's board?

Example #1: "Brian, if we go undefeated, and all of our players magically turned out to be All-Americans, could we beat the Patriots?"

Example #2: "Brian, what is it called when the player with the ball runs into the area at the end of the field and the crowd goes crazy? I think we get 6 points for this act."

I'll gladly take the Song Girl questions over that kind of nonsense.

Ronald Johnson seems to have been left out of most WR discussions. Nobody talks about him being a playmaker or the #1 option. I haven't heard anything negative about him either as far as having a poor work ethic/attitude or having trouble learning the playbook. As far as I know, he hasn't been in your injury status updates.

Where do you see him fitting in this year and have expectations of him changed?

I had to read the depth chart twice to make sure I was reading the following correctly: Thomas Herring, 4th string. What is holding this guy back?

Would you say that PC is very happy with the way that recruiting has gone so far this year----what are his feelings? Thanx as always.

This is a second question, so skip it if you want--but how is it possible to fail an online test--I mean, is there a monitor present or something to prevent cheating----heh heh, remember I was born before radio almost.

What has happened to your UCLA-based/biased posters (reelbruin, Bill, miguleto, etc.)? They were always good for some comic relief.

It is prediction time: What is your EXACT prediction for USC's record this year in the regular season (overall and conference), and which bowl game USC will attend. Please, no range of possibilities, or waffling. Just a stone, cold prediction, preferrably before the Virginia game [e.g., 12-0, 9-0 and BCS Championship Game].

Also, please provide a post for the readers to predict the outcome of the Virginia game, and the ensuing games when they arrive. It is interesting to see how wrong the readers (including me) can be.

I just read an article from some other nameless local paper that quoted CJ Gable as having said that this year's team has a tighter bond than last year's team, citing that many seniors were simply trying to "to hurry up to leave and get out of here." Does this statement hold water across the board for the team, or was this an issue solely within the offensive backfield?

Scott, have you seen the new Laker girls? They look so bad, they look like they were former song girls? Were any?

http://www.nba.com/lakers/lakergirls/index.html

If a fan wanted to write Coach Carroll a letter, what is the best address to use?

jdusc:

Write to Pete Carroll c/o Carmen Trutanich.

r u going to Virginia?

ru goung to Virginia