By Andy Sloan
This is going to be quite an interesting season for USC. The Trojans are turning over a bunch of stars (Mark Sanchez, Clay Matthews, Rey Maualuga, and Brian Cushing), but they are still going to be a force to be reckoned with in college football. One reason: practice. The famous (or infamous, depending on who you ask and when) Carroll practices are going to be essential to USC performing at the top level this season. Perhaps most importantly, they will get the team in shape for its biggest nonconference matchup (and probably most important contest, period) of the year: a Sept. 12 battle against Ohio State at The Horseshoe in Columbus.
Says Chris Spielman of ESPN the Magazine: "The noncon game of the year, by far, is USC at Ohio State on Sept. 12. I know the Trojans have lost tons of talent. But they’ll be fine. Why? Pete Carroll’s practices. Seriously, I’ve never been on, around, or told about practices like he holds. Twice as many plays at twice the intensity as anywhere else. So these “rookies” you’ll hear about aren’t really rookies. They’ll be seasoned vets come September."
Another important factor for the success of the team this season is the revamped defense. Chris Galippo is replacing Matthews in the middle of the field, and his immediate understanding of the ‘SC schemes is vital to the Trojans having a fulfilling 2009 season. Thus, practice becomes all the more paramount to the USC men this year.
The X-Factor on defense is Everson Griffen. Taylor Mays wants to move closer to the line of scrimmage and make more plays, but he is better off in the backfield, where the Trojans need him. The pressure from Griffen is thus a cornerstone of USC’s team this year and is necessary if they want to win the BCS national championship, and defeat OSU in the process.
The offense will be tested at OSU, and the defense needs to create turnovers to help create field position and put the rest Corp/Barkley and the boys in a good position to score some points. This game is early enough in the season that such a formula (pressure from Griffen and the D-Line, turnovers created in the backfield by Mays), could lift USC to a national title berth this season at home in Pasadena, and a chance to win the crystal ball in front of its hometown fans.
Snoop Dogg, a lifelong ‘SC fan, would be thrilled by this. But, they will need to play as the collective group that Snoop referred to in order to get to the top.
Still, if history is said to repeat itself, then the Men of Troy will be hoisting the BCS National Championship trophy come January. Five years ago, the last time USC won a national title, Snoop kicked a rhyme similar to that of Tuesday night. Snoop emphasized the faith he has in USC stating confidently and with swaggalicious grace: “They’re gonna win!”
Fo’ shizzle, dizzle.
Friday, August 14, 2009
Fo’ Shizzle: Snoopy D-O-Double G’s USC Analysis is Spot On
By Andy Sloan
2009 Trojans back on a mission/Snoop Dogg on the microphone/Stop and pay attention/Listen – Snoop Dogg, Aug. 12, 2009.
Iconic West Coast rapper Snoop Dogg appeared on ESPN’s Sports Center Tuesday night, and, as usual, stole the spotlight. He freestyled twice, the first (previously quoted) about USC winning the title, the other about Sports Center, and gave some excellent (if quick) reasons why USC will win the national championship.
“I like Corp,” said Snoop. “I like Joe McKnight, I like Everson Griffen; Taylor Mays is a beast out there on defense, so we’re gonna be just fine. It’s not one player that makes ‘SC, it’s a team effort.”
Let’s break down his analysis, starting from the top.
Aaron Corp
Aaron Corp may be injured, but it seems that he will still march the Trojans down the field this season, as reports from Thursday morning’s Trojan practice were not promising.
Freshman Matt Barkley, the heir apparent to Corp (injured or not some may say), tossed three picks. Although one was first tipped and then caught by USC linebacker Jarvis Jones, the others were simply bad passes stemming from inexperience and poor judgment.
“The rush to anoint true freshman Matt Barkley as USC's starting quarterback always is apparent,” writes Scott Wolf of the Los Angeles Daily News, “…But the movement hit a snag Thursday morning in practice when Barkley threw three interceptions, his first of training camp, as the defense finally abandoned its butter-finger reputation from the first five days.” Not exactly high praise.
Quarterbacks coach Jeremy Bates had this to say to the LA Daily News: “One of them he needed to throw away. He's still learning that every ball can't be completed. "The other one was a new play. We just need to coach him harder. We've got to work on throwing the ball away."
Corp responded to his bad day by stating that making mistakes “hurt,” but that he is becoming more attuned to the USC offence with each day. Trojan fans can also feel a bit better at the fact that Corp recognizes the potential to fix one of his major problems: throwing the ball into coverage when he should just through it away. “It’s not natural to me [to throw the ball away],” avowed Barkley, “I’ve grown more comfortable.”
Welcome to D-I, kid.
Still, Bates told the LA Daily News that Corp may start against San Jose State in the Trojans season opener on Sept. 5: “He's going to come back and battle for the starting job," stated Bates "There's time. We still are 22 days away.”
While one is hesitant to read too much into Bates’ statement, you could infer that Barkley hasn’t exactly blown away the staff.
Joe McKnight
This is a lot simpler than the Corp question. McKnight is poised to have a breakout year if he is at full health for the Trojans. He is an all-purpose back that, yes, is reminiscent of Reggie Bush.
A healthy McKnight forces opposing teams to change their game plans, and is enough to give any coach a headache. Seriously. Imagine planning for USC with Ronald Johnson, a scrambling Aaron Corp (who coach Pete Carroll said could approach 400 yards rushing this season), and the freshman sensation Stafon Johnson and a healthy McKnight. Smell the roses?
Everson Griffen
This is the most intriguing tale for me. Griffen was once a highly touted recruit, expected to do big things for the USC defense. He has not lived up to the hype, but this will be his first full season. Time to put up or shut up. Plus, Griffen has a lot more than just the season riding on his play: if he wants a legitimate shot at being drafted next year, or improving his stock at all, he needs to have not a good, but a great year on the gridiron.
Taylor Mays
“Taylor Mays is a beast out there on defense, so we’re gonna be just fine.”
Enough said, thanks Doggfather. (Seriously though, here is a guy that could have been a Top five pick in the last draft, a man who Rivals.com says “single-handedly prevents teams from going deep on USC…”
Is there anything else to say about him? Sorry for gushing, but Mays is one of the best prospects, if not the best prospect, in the country, on either side of the football.
2009 Trojans back on a mission/Snoop Dogg on the microphone/Stop and pay attention/Listen – Snoop Dogg, Aug. 12, 2009.
Iconic West Coast rapper Snoop Dogg appeared on ESPN’s Sports Center Tuesday night, and, as usual, stole the spotlight. He freestyled twice, the first (previously quoted) about USC winning the title, the other about Sports Center, and gave some excellent (if quick) reasons why USC will win the national championship.
“I like Corp,” said Snoop. “I like Joe McKnight, I like Everson Griffen; Taylor Mays is a beast out there on defense, so we’re gonna be just fine. It’s not one player that makes ‘SC, it’s a team effort.”
Let’s break down his analysis, starting from the top.
Aaron Corp
Aaron Corp may be injured, but it seems that he will still march the Trojans down the field this season, as reports from Thursday morning’s Trojan practice were not promising.
Freshman Matt Barkley, the heir apparent to Corp (injured or not some may say), tossed three picks. Although one was first tipped and then caught by USC linebacker Jarvis Jones, the others were simply bad passes stemming from inexperience and poor judgment.
“The rush to anoint true freshman Matt Barkley as USC's starting quarterback always is apparent,” writes Scott Wolf of the Los Angeles Daily News, “…But the movement hit a snag Thursday morning in practice when Barkley threw three interceptions, his first of training camp, as the defense finally abandoned its butter-finger reputation from the first five days.” Not exactly high praise.
Quarterbacks coach Jeremy Bates had this to say to the LA Daily News: “One of them he needed to throw away. He's still learning that every ball can't be completed. "The other one was a new play. We just need to coach him harder. We've got to work on throwing the ball away."
Corp responded to his bad day by stating that making mistakes “hurt,” but that he is becoming more attuned to the USC offence with each day. Trojan fans can also feel a bit better at the fact that Corp recognizes the potential to fix one of his major problems: throwing the ball into coverage when he should just through it away. “It’s not natural to me [to throw the ball away],” avowed Barkley, “I’ve grown more comfortable.”
Welcome to D-I, kid.
Still, Bates told the LA Daily News that Corp may start against San Jose State in the Trojans season opener on Sept. 5: “He's going to come back and battle for the starting job," stated Bates "There's time. We still are 22 days away.”
While one is hesitant to read too much into Bates’ statement, you could infer that Barkley hasn’t exactly blown away the staff.
Joe McKnight
This is a lot simpler than the Corp question. McKnight is poised to have a breakout year if he is at full health for the Trojans. He is an all-purpose back that, yes, is reminiscent of Reggie Bush.
A healthy McKnight forces opposing teams to change their game plans, and is enough to give any coach a headache. Seriously. Imagine planning for USC with Ronald Johnson, a scrambling Aaron Corp (who coach Pete Carroll said could approach 400 yards rushing this season), and the freshman sensation Stafon Johnson and a healthy McKnight. Smell the roses?
Everson Griffen
This is the most intriguing tale for me. Griffen was once a highly touted recruit, expected to do big things for the USC defense. He has not lived up to the hype, but this will be his first full season. Time to put up or shut up. Plus, Griffen has a lot more than just the season riding on his play: if he wants a legitimate shot at being drafted next year, or improving his stock at all, he needs to have not a good, but a great year on the gridiron.
Taylor Mays
“Taylor Mays is a beast out there on defense, so we’re gonna be just fine.”
Enough said, thanks Doggfather. (Seriously though, here is a guy that could have been a Top five pick in the last draft, a man who Rivals.com says “single-handedly prevents teams from going deep on USC…”
Is there anything else to say about him? Sorry for gushing, but Mays is one of the best prospects, if not the best prospect, in the country, on either side of the football.
We can celebrate together!
USC and Ohio State fans get together at the 2008 game at the Coliseum.
Photo courtesy of Cynthia Christian, USC Alumni Club of Marin
Photo courtesy of Cynthia Christian, USC Alumni Club of Marin
Yes, Pryor is that fast
Buckeyes quarterback Terrelle Pryor created a buzz, doesn't he always, when he reportedly ran a 4.33 40 time in the spring at The Horseshoe.
At Thursday's media day Pryor didn't come out and say he ran the time, but teammates said they did see that time posted and coach Jim Tressel said the time was done electronically.
"Let's say it's only 4.38 instead of 4.33," Tressel told the Plain Dealer. "It's fast. ... I assumed he'd be better than 4.5, but I'm not sure I was sitting there thinking he'd be 4.33."
The time shouldn't be terribly surprising as Pryor was touted as running a 4.4 40 when he was the top-ranked high school recruit in the class of 2008.
At Thursday's media day Pryor didn't come out and say he ran the time, but teammates said they did see that time posted and coach Jim Tressel said the time was done electronically.
"Let's say it's only 4.38 instead of 4.33," Tressel told the Plain Dealer. "It's fast. ... I assumed he'd be better than 4.5, but I'm not sure I was sitting there thinking he'd be 4.33."
The time shouldn't be terribly surprising as Pryor was touted as running a 4.4 40 when he was the top-ranked high school recruit in the class of 2008.
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