Answer Tuesday!
The defense makes an appearance in this segment.
Q: gotroy22 said:
Coach Sunshine said,"I was very disappointed in our defense at SC last year. Our safeties were just not on the level of Eric Berry or Janzen, and that's the most important position on this defense. We will be much better next year, I promise you."
Do you agree with him that the safeties were to blame for the porous defense last season and that the defense will be much better this season?
A: I didn't see that quote but I find it very curious. First off, how many Eric Berrys are there? Second, T.J. McDonald led the defense in tackles last season and is considered an All-American candidate based on last season. Now I'm sure Kiffin was not happy with the other safety spot, where Jawanza Starling started and then lost his job. But the safeties were not to blame. There was plenty of blame to go around, including the coaches.
I'd also caution against taking what Kiffin says too seriously. Remember there are a lot of quotes we could find about how moving Devon Kennard to middle linebacker was a good decision. And he will play defensive end next season.
Q: Rex Griswald said:
Sorry if this question has previously been asked:
Since USC only signed 23 of 25 players in the 2011 class, does that mean 2 recruits could enroll early and be counted against the 2011 totals, and therefore SC could sign the full 15 in February plus the 2 early enrollees, for a total of 17 (of course, there would have to be movement on the roster to get under the 75 scholarship limit).
A: Lane Kiffin said during spring practice that backdating scholarships would not be allowed after this past year. But that was before the NCAA denied USC's appeal. I mention that because the NCAA often clarifies things once it makes decisions, so I would want to check again before saying definitively USC cannot sign two players early.
That Kiffin quote above is a somewhat inaccurate paraphrase. He was talking to a Tennessee radio station and was commenting on how last year we did not have an Eric Berry, which is true. He said he was disappointed with the defense, but we will be better next year. He did not specifically call out our safeties for blame or say they were not as good, although he did emphasize that the safety position is very important in the current scheme.
The full interview is here, at about the 28 or 30 minute mark of the 3rd hour.
http://wnox-fm.mediapush.net/The_Drive/2233979
He says some funny stuff, especially about going for two.
MM - ......Wolfies motto is "Why let the facts get in the way of a good story?"......journalistic sensationalism at its finest....