Answer Saturday!
When you are in an emergency answer session, it is a week-long project.
Q:L One Pete said:
An SI writer commented on his Twitter page that several former players ('02-'04 group) in attendance told him they were none to impressed with the way the culture around the program has changed since they left. The cited players' body language on and off the field, players on the sideline wearing jewelry and sunglasses, excessive trash talking, and an overall lack of effort/toughness. I couldn't agree more, I think the lunch-pail mentality is gone and has been replaced by a "Me-first" glamour attitude and the funny thing is, these current players are living off the accomplishments of past teams and they play like they expect teams to rollover the way they have in the past. Have you witnessed a cultural change in the program? Can you comment on how USC has embraced being a glamour program, no longer about hard work and toughness?
A: Losing brings forth a lot of criticism. I'll say this again. Where was the lunch-pail attitude of Matt Leinart? He worshipped celebrities, rarely interacted with his teammates his senior year and lived in a luxury penthouse apartment. But USC won so nobody really cared much about it all. There's no way this year's team is more me-first than that team. Talent absolves all else. For all the criticism of this year's defense, that 2005 defense did not win any awards but it had a great offense to bail it out. This year's defense does not enjoy that luxury.
Now if you want to say their is a lack of discipline, blame it on the coaches. It is true the players from 2001-2004 built the program and instilled an attitude that expected success. Many of them were blue-collar types, like Matt Grootegoed, Mike Patterson and Shaun Cody. These days, there may be an expectation to win just because of what happened in the past. But that's been going for more than this year and it comes from the top.
Q: usc4life said:
Scott are our players really that dumb to stay for a senior year and not go to the NFL and make a lot of money?
I know Reggie isn't turning out so good, but he has made a whole lot of money. He can always go back to school once his Saints contract is up. He also has Adidas paying big time bucks. Not to mention a smoking hot girlfriend.
Taylor Mays, like Rey, made a huge mi$take by coming back. I can see the benjamins flying out the window. Mark Sanchez is probably shaking his head and saying, "Taylor I told you to go pro".
A: It all depends on the individual. You could argue Lawrence Jackson and Sam Baker made wise decisions returning for fifth years while Winston Justice should have stayed another season.
The classic case for your scenario is punter Tom Malone, who came back and got hurt, which significantly affected his chances for a pro career. And linebacker Lofa Tatupu defied Caesar by going pro and it paid off handsomely. I'm sure Mark Sanchez is really shaking his head over Oklahoma QB Sam Bradford.
I would say some of the juniors thinking of going pro this coming draft might want to think about staying their senior year and raising their stock. Next year should be the year for the team to break out.
Scott's answer on the attitude question is one of his best. Wow, even a blind squirrel occasionally finds the acorn.
responding to this emergency was a huge undertaking and i just want to say one thing: you're doin' a hell of a job, Wolfie!!