Answer Thursday! (Part 2)
A reader writes that song girls tryouts were this week. Maybe the Stanford loss was a brilliant distraction maneuver to get everyone's attention elsewhere.
Q: Hard Way said:
Scott,
One of the contributing factors to USC's historic defensive descent is the fact that you took your eye off the ball. Or may be you had your eye on the ball, and not on the USC Song Girls. You have made no mention that tryouts start today, Nov 15. I'm shocked, shocked that you haven't mentioned it. Thank God you have readers like me to remind to keep your priorities straight. All of this season's losses could have been avoided with better coverage of the song girls.
A: Thanks for the heads up. I decided that the song girls are almost irrelevant, especially when there are the Oregon cheerleaders and Girls Aloud to focus on. But if anyone has any info on tryouts, pass it on.
Q: Ren Lopez said:
Do you think USC's slew of 5-star recruits are massively overrated, or do you think our players are really talented but that the coaches have failed to get the maximum potetial out of that talent? I also think that USC's offense has stopped evolving while other programs have incorporated new trends to keep up with the times. Agree or Disagree?
A: Their's been some dropoff in talent. You can't lose guys like Rey Maualuga and Brian Cushing, who are starting as rookies in the NFL, and not feel it. Especially when you lose out on Manti Te'o and Vontaze Burfict. On the second part, the offense stopped evolving a few years ago but is really stunted this year under some stubborn guidance/playcalling.
As I say, I do not know what USC's offensive philosophy is this year. I know what Stanford's is, that's for sure. At least John Morton called plays for a year at San Diego with Jim Harbaugh so maybe he should start doing it here.
The SG outcry really died down with a heightened focus on talent during last season's tryouts. I must say that the 2009 SG squad was a vast improvement. Arguably the best of the decade. Power to the people! The regime was brought down to its knees!
I remember people being upset about the offense last season. There were times when the offense was completely stagnant and lack any true identity. The team did put together some great offensive outbursts, but there was definite inconsistency.