Ask Caesar

The end of the UofA game reminded me of last year's Stanford game. Instead of running and eating up the clock, are you going for long passes down the sideline to try to score more so the score will look better for the pollsters?

Pete, up 7 points and in Arizona territory with 9 seconds remaining, you elected to punt the ball inbounds to the Arizona punt returner. The ball was nearly returned for a touchdown, and USC was called for a sideline penalty. Thankfully, the clock had run out and the penalty was considered a dead-ball penalty (even though the flag was thrown during the run back) and USC won. Clearly the correct call in this instance was to kick the ball out of bounds and allow Arizona the opportunity to run a single play against your defense. By kicking the ball to the return man, you were in essence saying you trusted your (suspect) special teams more than your top ranked defense. Did you instruct Woidneck to kick the ball out of bounds, or did you not give him any pre-kick instruction? I'd like to know the rational behind that potentially costly error and, given the same situation, would you again choose to kick the ball inbounds?
PS. Hire a special teams coach.
FIGHT ON!

Coach, how do you deal with the "hypothetical", sometimes "moronic" questions that you get from the media, oh and Scott Wolfe (for example,” I heard Mitch Mustain is staring this week”?). Fight On!

Coach, over the past 6 seasons your teams have consistently performed better in the second half of games; you make great halftime adjustments and pretty much dominate the rest of the game. That has not been the case this season. What do you think is the reason for this?

Also, what do you think about Dave Morey's decision to retire?

CORRECTION:

Coach, over the past 6 seasons your teams have consistently performed better in the second half of games; you make great halftime adjustments and pretty much dominate the rest of the game. That has not been the case this season when it comes to the offensive side of the ball. What do you think is the reason for this?

Also, what do you think about Dave Morey's decision to retire?

Pete how long are you going to drag us and your player through this putrid SarKiffin expirement ? Will you find Sark a new job at the end of the year ?

Coach, based on his excellent performance in the Arizona game, what are the chances of Stafon Johnson being the starting tailback and/or receiving the majority of the carries in this weeks game against Washington. Thank you.

In an interview with Daily Trojan Sports Editor Ying Le, published January 18, 2001, you said "I needed a really dominant offensive coordinator and we found that in Norm Chow." After Norm left, you went with two different offensive coordinators with no experience in the role. Since the Norm halo has worn off, the offense has only rarely risen to the five-star talent level of its constituent parts, has sputtered against inferior talent, and has seen points per game drop off. What changed your mind about your need for a really dominant offensive coordinator, and will we ever see such an individual again in your time as Head Coach at USC?

Many tailbacks on the roster can be used at multiple positions. Would you ever consider playing three or more running backs on one play such as lined at receiver, fullback and tailback?

What do you think is Mark Sanchez's biggest weakness as a quarterback? What are you doing to improve that weakness?

Mine is a question mostly stemming from frustration.
It has been noted that the Trojan offense has struggled against Pac 10 teams this year, where it usually is and SHOULD be dominating. Again and again you and the staff reiterate how Mark Sanchez is "still a young guy" and is still learning to be a starter in this league. That being said, it has been apparent in all the games in the conference, save the early parts of the Oregon State game, the run game has been a powerful component; often times the run game is dominating the opponent. That domination brings only a shift to the pass (straight drop back, not play action) and/or a change at running back not due to a tired or ineffective back, but because what appears to be according to a tally card held by Todd McNair.
NOW this week, Stafon Johnson got the hot hand and you stayed with him. However, moving away from the run to feature a pass game that was struggling in the 4th quarter when it was time to slam the door on the Cats and put them to sleep with a slow steady pounding. A similar situation happened last year in the Coliseum, but the run game was even more dominant the guy throwing the ball had a broken hand...we all know what happened next, and we shall never forget.
How many games does Troy have to struggle through or lose before you pound the ball and lean on that defense to win games when you are plain and simply whipping them up front with those big War Daddies?

Howard Jones has a practice field. John McKay has a restaurant. Long after you've turned the reigns over to a new generation, what should be named after you?