Thursday, August 26, 2010
Marc Tyler, What?
The LA Times recently announced a decision by the coaching staff that I, honestly, found astonishing. Word around Howard Jones Field is that "heralded" red shirt junior Marc Tyler will start the season opener at running back, ahead of the only player on the depth chart with more than 21 carries last year, Allen Bradford. I must be up front- I have not been out watching all of the practices nor writing the practice reports, but I still think this decision is a travesty.
Sure, Bradford came out of high school as the best linebacker, that's right- linebacker, in the nation, while Marc Tyler came out as the number 2 running back in the nation with his recruiting class (ironically, behind Joe McKnight, a position he would become accustomed to)*. Bradford put up a solid senior season in high school while Tyler, albeit quietly, beat out everybody's All-American Jimmy Clausen for the California Gatorade Player of the Year award. But don't be fooled. Bradford rolled up nearly 4500 yards rushing in high school over a three years, including a senior year of nearly 2000 yards and 29 touchdowns. Maybe he should have been rated a running back.
Quite simply, Allen Bradford has earned it. He worked over the practice squads while Tyler nursed a spiral fracture. He took it to the second- and even first-team defenses while Tyler took it to the training room. Bradfard waited patiently behind Pete's golden boy, and when finally given the opportunity, shined with 6.1 yards per rush in 2009 in an anemic offense led by a freshman quarterback. Bradford has all of the tools along with perfect size and surprisingly blazing speed. Don't get me wrong, he's no Noel Devine, but think more Stafon Johnson in 2007 with more power. Or maybe all that Chauncer Washington wanted to be (and all Pete wanted him to be) in 2006. He's a red shirt senior. He's a team leader. He would be a preseason all-conference first- or second-team in any conference that doesn't have two Heisman contenders at the same position. He's worked his butt off to emerge from the dog house to main stage. He should get his chance to really show the rest of the Pac-10 his bark.
Allen Bradford is the starter, in my mind anyway.
*Recruiting information based on Rivals rankings.
Sure, Bradford came out of high school as the best linebacker, that's right- linebacker, in the nation, while Marc Tyler came out as the number 2 running back in the nation with his recruiting class (ironically, behind Joe McKnight, a position he would become accustomed to)*. Bradford put up a solid senior season in high school while Tyler, albeit quietly, beat out everybody's All-American Jimmy Clausen for the California Gatorade Player of the Year award. But don't be fooled. Bradford rolled up nearly 4500 yards rushing in high school over a three years, including a senior year of nearly 2000 yards and 29 touchdowns. Maybe he should have been rated a running back.
Quite simply, Allen Bradford has earned it. He worked over the practice squads while Tyler nursed a spiral fracture. He took it to the second- and even first-team defenses while Tyler took it to the training room. Bradfard waited patiently behind Pete's golden boy, and when finally given the opportunity, shined with 6.1 yards per rush in 2009 in an anemic offense led by a freshman quarterback. Bradford has all of the tools along with perfect size and surprisingly blazing speed. Don't get me wrong, he's no Noel Devine, but think more Stafon Johnson in 2007 with more power. Or maybe all that Chauncer Washington wanted to be (and all Pete wanted him to be) in 2006. He's a red shirt senior. He's a team leader. He would be a preseason all-conference first- or second-team in any conference that doesn't have two Heisman contenders at the same position. He's worked his butt off to emerge from the dog house to main stage. He should get his chance to really show the rest of the Pac-10 his bark.
Allen Bradford is the starter, in my mind anyway.
*Recruiting information based on Rivals rankings.
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
A New Era of SCompliance
Not only am I a blogger with plenty of opinion, I can also do some first person reporting. The air of compliance that has surfaced around USC is nothing short of miraculous. A program famous for it's open door attitude and anything goes mentality has become essentially silent. I was roaming around campus the other morning with some colleagues when we realized practice was going on. Knowing that all practices are closed now, we took a little initiative to head up the peristyle towards the baseball stadium that overlooks the practice field. Here, a couple observations were made:
- There was not a soul out there that was not a player, coach or athletic department member. Not one. It really is amazing the discrepancy from a crowded, Disneyland-style atmosphere of the past 9 years to no one on the sidelines.
- After about 10 minutes, a gentleman approached from the other side to shoe us away. 10 minutes. Standing on the peristyle. Impressive. On an area that is not overly visible from the field and definitely not in the normal line of vision, Coach Kiff (Coach K is already taken by some guy at Duke apparently...) took seemingly almost immediate notice and sent a minion to take care of it.
A couple of other perceptions between a short view and a lot of reading:
- Where is Coach Kiff anyway? The man that made headlines far and wide just about everyday at Tennessee has become as mild mannered as Bruce Wayne and tight lipped as his mentor's processor Bill Belichick. I'm not saying this is a bad thing, in fact, it is probably the best thing that could have happened and something Pete would never have been able to pull off. Waiting to do the talking on the field is clearly the best thing for the program at this point.
- Know what else USC has avoided? Bryce Brown. If you are not familiar with the name, he is the former Tennessee running back and former #1 high school player in the country (according to rivals.com). That's right, the best player in the nation just a little over a year ago is not on a college football team. You'd think of any team, USC would be a perfect suitor. Ignore the depth and talent at running back, I'm referencing the coaching staff that successful earned a commitment from him once is now mostly at USC-- and not touching him. A brilliant call. Nothing but bad things would come from a player who may have more ties to agents than Bush does now, not to mention all of the other extra baggage he is carrying with him. Let him go off to play at K State with his brother Arthur, another heralded recruit just not living up to the enormous potential.
-Simply put, the upside down shake down the athletic department has experienced, coupled with the compliance expansion and outside firm hired to oversee everything runs properly and smoothly is the most clear symbol anyone could point to. No need for opinion here, the actions speak for themselves.
Like it or not, a new era of compliance is upon us, and it will be for the best. I applaud you all, from the top with President Nikias, AD Haden and Coach Kiff to the new officers moving quickly to get things done. Now, let's just resurrect Auburn '93.
- There was not a soul out there that was not a player, coach or athletic department member. Not one. It really is amazing the discrepancy from a crowded, Disneyland-style atmosphere of the past 9 years to no one on the sidelines.
- After about 10 minutes, a gentleman approached from the other side to shoe us away. 10 minutes. Standing on the peristyle. Impressive. On an area that is not overly visible from the field and definitely not in the normal line of vision, Coach Kiff (Coach K is already taken by some guy at Duke apparently...) took seemingly almost immediate notice and sent a minion to take care of it.
A couple of other perceptions between a short view and a lot of reading:
- Where is Coach Kiff anyway? The man that made headlines far and wide just about everyday at Tennessee has become as mild mannered as Bruce Wayne and tight lipped as his mentor's processor Bill Belichick. I'm not saying this is a bad thing, in fact, it is probably the best thing that could have happened and something Pete would never have been able to pull off. Waiting to do the talking on the field is clearly the best thing for the program at this point.
- Know what else USC has avoided? Bryce Brown. If you are not familiar with the name, he is the former Tennessee running back and former #1 high school player in the country (according to rivals.com). That's right, the best player in the nation just a little over a year ago is not on a college football team. You'd think of any team, USC would be a perfect suitor. Ignore the depth and talent at running back, I'm referencing the coaching staff that successful earned a commitment from him once is now mostly at USC-- and not touching him. A brilliant call. Nothing but bad things would come from a player who may have more ties to agents than Bush does now, not to mention all of the other extra baggage he is carrying with him. Let him go off to play at K State with his brother Arthur, another heralded recruit just not living up to the enormous potential.
-Simply put, the upside down shake down the athletic department has experienced, coupled with the compliance expansion and outside firm hired to oversee everything runs properly and smoothly is the most clear symbol anyone could point to. No need for opinion here, the actions speak for themselves.
Like it or not, a new era of compliance is upon us, and it will be for the best. I applaud you all, from the top with President Nikias, AD Haden and Coach Kiff to the new officers moving quickly to get things done. Now, let's just resurrect Auburn '93.
Sunday, August 15, 2010
5 Bold Predictions to Start the Blog off Right
Ah, the inaugural post, the intro announcing myself to the world and sports bloggers everywhere. It should be something groundbreaking, right? Bold and unpredictable. It should make trembles across the landscape and put all other writers to shame. Well I'm not out for shaming others, for creating a new craft, or for glory (well maybe a little glory). We're simply here to talk and banter, show some knowledge and have some man chat.
I'm here to state some opinions and prompt discussion and maybe, just maybe, rattle a few cages. So here we go, time to pop my blogger cherry, with 5 bold predictions:
1. USC football will be in the National Title conversation all season, without actually being in the national title conversation. Sure, the coaches and BCS won't recognize it, but the AP, in all of it's glory, is smarter than that. SC will be good, damn good, just like in 2004, and the AP recognized that, just like they will this year. I'm not saying an undefeated season is on the horizon (save that for 2011), but with a veteran offense and a stable of running backs (what else is new), 12-1 isn't that far fetched.
2. USC will beat every team it lost to in 2009. While UW will continue to improve, so will the Trojans. The Huskies benefitted from deflation following the enormous win over Ohio State as well as a new coach and new system, the latter of which will be SC's advantage this go around. Oregon, although the favorites to "win" the Pac-10 by most pundits, has more problems than Rich Rod has secondary infractions (and losses for that matter), not to mention it becoming increasingly clear how much they lost at quarterback to Ole Miss. Stanford lost arguably the most valuable player in college football last year as well as their mind game advantage over Pete. Arizona... well, this is the tricky one. The schedule sets up well for them and the Nic(k)s are nothing to balk at, but talent wins out here as SC has the advantage at every position save the secondary, who very well may have the advantage at this point in the season. Feel free to disagree with me, and let me hear it so I can better justify, or just check back in December and see what the verdict is.
3. Chris Galippo will be a first-team All-Pac 10 performer at season's end. Devon this... Kennard that... Sure, the guy was a consensus top-10 recruit out of high school, a phenomenal athlete that could play anywhere on the field. Somewhere along the line, the decision was made that Middle Linebacker would be that spot. Since then, the former Servite star has been an after thought, but he shouldn't be. Galippo came in with the same accolades and hype as Kennard. He was a high school All-American and standout at a powerhouse high school that produces a handful of D-1 recruits every year. He also has yet to have a healthy season as a Trojan. Galippo finally looks good, though, and ready to sieze the day. The coaches can't keep his talent on the sideline. Here's to Galippo finally living up to his billing and making at least 1 jaw dropping hit that will be replayed over and over (think his predecesor Rey Maualuga v. Patrick Cowan. Yeah, like that).
4. We're not just football specific here. USC waterpolo will win another national championship. I know, not the boldest claim on the page, but ask anyone, it's not east to repeat, or three-peat for that matter. An experienced squad returns to both teams recharged with solid recruiting classes and led by All-Americans and the premiere water polo coach in the country, don't be surprised if both squads bring home the crown yet again.
5. Finally, for the bold and way out of the USC category, here's one writer who believes Arkansas will not be nearly as good as everyone else is thinking. Chosen as contenders for the SEC West and possibly beyond, the golden arm of Ryan Mallet is supposed to throw the Hogs into a BCS game. Problem is the SEC has only gotten better, while Arkansas' issues remain. The defense could only stop Tim Tebow last year in in the FBS and, while it ever so slowly improved throughout the season, it has not solved the problems. Broderick Green couldn't cut it with the Trojans and he can't cut it with the Razorbacks. If they do better than last year's
mark of 8-5 this year, I'll eat a copy of this first article.
I'm here to state some opinions and prompt discussion and maybe, just maybe, rattle a few cages. So here we go, time to pop my blogger cherry, with 5 bold predictions:
1. USC football will be in the National Title conversation all season, without actually being in the national title conversation. Sure, the coaches and BCS won't recognize it, but the AP, in all of it's glory, is smarter than that. SC will be good, damn good, just like in 2004, and the AP recognized that, just like they will this year. I'm not saying an undefeated season is on the horizon (save that for 2011), but with a veteran offense and a stable of running backs (what else is new), 12-1 isn't that far fetched.
2. USC will beat every team it lost to in 2009. While UW will continue to improve, so will the Trojans. The Huskies benefitted from deflation following the enormous win over Ohio State as well as a new coach and new system, the latter of which will be SC's advantage this go around. Oregon, although the favorites to "win" the Pac-10 by most pundits, has more problems than Rich Rod has secondary infractions (and losses for that matter), not to mention it becoming increasingly clear how much they lost at quarterback to Ole Miss. Stanford lost arguably the most valuable player in college football last year as well as their mind game advantage over Pete. Arizona... well, this is the tricky one. The schedule sets up well for them and the Nic(k)s are nothing to balk at, but talent wins out here as SC has the advantage at every position save the secondary, who very well may have the advantage at this point in the season. Feel free to disagree with me, and let me hear it so I can better justify, or just check back in December and see what the verdict is.
3. Chris Galippo will be a first-team All-Pac 10 performer at season's end. Devon this... Kennard that... Sure, the guy was a consensus top-10 recruit out of high school, a phenomenal athlete that could play anywhere on the field. Somewhere along the line, the decision was made that Middle Linebacker would be that spot. Since then, the former Servite star has been an after thought, but he shouldn't be. Galippo came in with the same accolades and hype as Kennard. He was a high school All-American and standout at a powerhouse high school that produces a handful of D-1 recruits every year. He also has yet to have a healthy season as a Trojan. Galippo finally looks good, though, and ready to sieze the day. The coaches can't keep his talent on the sideline. Here's to Galippo finally living up to his billing and making at least 1 jaw dropping hit that will be replayed over and over (think his predecesor Rey Maualuga v. Patrick Cowan. Yeah, like that).
4. We're not just football specific here. USC waterpolo will win another national championship. I know, not the boldest claim on the page, but ask anyone, it's not east to repeat, or three-peat for that matter. An experienced squad returns to both teams recharged with solid recruiting classes and led by All-Americans and the premiere water polo coach in the country, don't be surprised if both squads bring home the crown yet again.
5. Finally, for the bold and way out of the USC category, here's one writer who believes Arkansas will not be nearly as good as everyone else is thinking. Chosen as contenders for the SEC West and possibly beyond, the golden arm of Ryan Mallet is supposed to throw the Hogs into a BCS game. Problem is the SEC has only gotten better, while Arkansas' issues remain. The defense could only stop Tim Tebow last year in in the FBS and, while it ever so slowly improved throughout the season, it has not solved the problems. Broderick Green couldn't cut it with the Trojans and he can't cut it with the Razorbacks. If they do better than last year's
mark of 8-5 this year, I'll eat a copy of this first article.
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