"We didn't do a lot of fancy things or anything like that," said USC coach Pete Carroll, whose team won eight straight to finish last season. "We just played ball." - August 30, 2003.
Substitute 10 straight in this statement and you have the driving thesis for the start of this season. How can a team with so many uncertainties still be ranked in the top 5? How can a team expect the suffocating defensive performances when it lost 8 starters to the NFL? How can it replace a top quarterback who is know starting for the Jets? It got even more intriguing last week when Matt Barkley was named the starter. How in the world can a true freshman lead the program? It's just a matter of time before someone steps up in the Pac-10 to challenge USC, and on and on it goes.
My simple answer: Pete Carroll. It's not so much in his schemes as it is in the philosophy he preaches. His competitive ethos in every drill, every scrimmage, every task takes over and molds his team to reflect his approach. Just as important, teams take on the personality of their leaders. He keeps his players loose, comfortable and having fun. Why has USC under Carroll dominated at otherwise hostile environments (at Aurburn, Arkansas, Virginia Tech, Nebraska) or in the BCS? Easy. He mentions it any chance he gets and it shows on Saturdays: no situation is bigger than anything we have prepared for or any challenge tougher than what we practice within our team. Why did Sanchez get drafted as high as he did after only a year of starting? Simple, teams looked at how he practiced. How in the world did Oregon come out so flat last night? Have you ever listened to Chip Kelly? One cannot forget that these are kids we're talking about. They are talented but impressionable and Carroll knows how to bound them. That's his style; other coaches do it differently. This training camp, Jim Tressel took away everyones cell phone, computer, TV for a week to get the players to focus and bond. Carroll takes his team bowling, movie night and pulls pranks on them. You tell me which team is less tense in big games? Again, not a coincidence. Critics add, "with the injuries suffered in training camp--Corp, O'Dowd, Armstead, Spicer--it doesn't make sense to be as phsyical in preparation when the season is as tough as it gets. But that's precisely what makes them who they are. Why he's never lost a November game. This team maintains this pace throughout the season and simply gets better as the season progresses. The collateral damage of injuries is just an unfortunate footnote.
So, given this background allow me to get into detail on the strenghts of this team and what to expect.
Control the Lime of Scrimmage. On Defense, DL coach Franklin can go a solid 10 deep (9 if you don't count DE Armstead who's injured.) Everson Griffen likely had the best off-season of any player. He is the next defensive star. There were some plays on 11-on-11 where he would drop into coverage with Taylor Mays near his back pocket. This combo with the weakside LB and the corner locks down half the field. Griffen would explode to the slot receiver or back coming out on a check down. On one play, he completely blew up a well-executed screen pass, tipped it and ran it for a pick-6. Game changer. At times this fall camp, this group thoroughly dominated a veteran offensive line. This group sans Griffen hasn't been getting much attention, but there is a noticeable nastiness as a unit that wasn't there last year and that included 2nd rounder Moala and 4th rounder Kyle Moore. (this is Franklins first year back, not a coincidence). Control the LOS and let your speedy linebackers fly around. Blow up the pocket, pressure the QB with only your front four and let your secondary hawk to the ball. Guys like transfer Hebron Fangupo, sophomores Malik Jackson, Jurrell Casey and freshman or RSF Wes Horton, Nick Perry and Devon Kennard don't play like underclassman. It was 2 recruiting classes ago that Carroll just cleaned house with D-Linemen. Fast-forward 2 years and boys...we comin!
On Offense, you've undoubtedly read about the talent and leadership. I won't expand on that much here since I agree with almost all of it. Like Carroll implied in the post's opening, you know what we're going to do, dare you to stop us. O-Linemen love nothing more than a punish defenses with phsyical run-blocking. It's the best, deepest line in the country. There will be plenty of 16 play, 8 minute run-control drives to go around.
Barkley, Corp. Barkley makes the most anticipated QB debut in recent memory. Fact is, this decade the starting quarterback for the University of Southern California Trojans is the highest profile position in college football. name me what other position has its holder named as a Heisman contender simply by starting off well? Happened to Mark Sanchez after Ohio State and Virginia. Happened to John David Booty in 2007. Not sure how the two before him fared. But Barkley's 9 months removed from high school? Yes, but physical that doesn't matter. Can he bounce back after taking a hit?; after all, he hasn't been touched since he arrived on campus. Don't know but the kid is built for it. Listed at 6-2, 230 he's got a thick frame, strong lower body. You can see him explode when he throws. The mental part, the nerves, the composure is the wild card. Will he get fazed? Yes! Who doesn't? Will he keep firing back? Absolutely. Seeing the three QB's go through their warm-up progressions at full speed yesterday, it is obvious he's got the best arm to make every thrown. The strength to gun a deep 20 yard out to Damian Williams, the touch and quick delivery to McKnight in the flat, the anticipation and accuracy to hit McCoy on a corner route. It's all there. A thought I had before I shared it with Mark May who mentioned it last night--interceptions are not created equally. Aggressive decisions and inaccuracy are different. The accuracy is as good as Sanchez; no hyperbole here boys. You either have it or you don't. They both clearly do. Will Barkley forces throws into coverage? Of course he will. He played 4 years under a system that let him fire at will. He made tough throws because he had to arm and confidence to do so. He says he feels like he just has to play within the system and let the talent around him take over. With Carroll and Bates preaching conservative ball-control style, it will take time for Barkley to fully grasp it. Bates' play calling is the easy part, but when Barkley has a risk/reward split-second decision, then we'll see the development. Will it be too little, too late? Don't know, but that's the fun in it. We comin!
Second on the Barkley, Corp breakdown. It is what it is. Corp was clearly nowhere near 100% even 3 weeks after his injury. Maybe it was naiive for us to expect it was no more than a scratch. That is unfortunate. Carroll made his decision early before the scrimmage and he's saying it the way he has very tactically. Corp isn't 100% and Barkley gives us the best chance to win. Barkley played beautifully, has handled everything we've thrown at him. Yes, both are correct. Although not Carroll's style, I do think there is a possibility of seeing both play at Ohio State and/or beyond. The irony is that by the, Barkley will be the more experienced of the two. With Corp hobbled, it wouldn't be close. Barkley gets the job. With Corp healed, he adds an element Carroll has never had at QB. This kid can flat out run. I'm not talking Colt McCoy sissy plays or Tebow fullback plows; rather, a control scramble and selective run plays. In the spring, he won the job with his ball control; his mobility was just gravvy. Get him out of the pocket and he is just as dangerous. Surprise a defense and run a bootleg or a designed run after faking a deep stretch hand-off with McCoy leading the way? Fageddabootit! Se me para.
Last point on Barkley especially for Coach. Trust me, even with your UCLA degrees in hand, you will grow to love this kid. Not because of what he does on the field, but off the field. The way he handles himself. He's a devout Christian and one can tell the relationship he has with his family after practice. Where Sanchez oozed leadership and charisma, Barkley blends a humble confidence with a playful attitude. He talked the same with everyone before and after he was named the starter. Will Harris would get in his ear every chance he had on and off the field. One day after practice, Will goes over and starts talking to Matt's mom. Barkley sees him, runs over, jumps on his back and jestingly says, "mom, don't ever talk to this guy." Good comraderie. We comin.
Those are the major themes obviously, but there are players and positions I will be watching closely.
Fullback. Havili and Shoemate. The best 2 deep FB in the country no doubt. Havili has the flexibility to run like a tailback and catch like a tight end. The FB can be the toughest player to match up against. Why? Mostly schemes. The cover assignment out of the backfield makes it hard for the MLB. Most teams will never run a pass play for their FB's so it's not an issue, plus most offenses only have them as a 3rd, 4th outlet option, if at all. USC has a deadly arsenal. Ohio State first TD last year anyone? Shoemate is one of the players I'm most excited about. He was recruited as a top local WR out of Servite but realized the quickest way on the field was a backup fullback. He beefcaked up but still has some of the best hands on the team. He's faster than Havili and will see plenty of action. Remember this FB breakdown when you hear Kirk Herbstreit praise them after their "mismatched" touchdowns. We comin!
Brice Butler, #19, WR. Right now, he's listed as Ausberry's backup after RoJo's injury. This 6-3 redshirt FR is silky smooth, great hands and can run.
Jarvis Jones, #10, LB. True freshman will get plenty of action. Physically a beast. Playmaker. The next great LB.
Will Harris, #26, SS. Was going to back up Pinkard before he moved to CB after Wright's ineligibility.
Michael Morgan, #17, LB. Love this guy's speed. Fastest USC LB I've ever seen. Hope he stays healthy.
Curtis McNeal, #6 RB/returner. From the Darren Sproles camp of speedy, tough backs. Not likely to crack the 4-man rotation, but returning kicks, I guarantee he will take one deep. Count it.
Allen Bradford, #21, RB. Saved my favorite breakout player for last. I won't talk him up much and will let his play handle it once he gets is carries. This guy is hungry to star, can catch and runs with anger.
That's it boys. Enjoy the season. Tomorrow is the start of the best time of the year. We Comin!
Substitute 10 straight in this statement and you have the driving thesis for the start of this season. How can a team with so many uncertainties still be ranked in the top 5? How can a team expect the suffocating defensive performances when it lost 8 starters to the NFL? How can it replace a top quarterback who is know starting for the Jets? It got even more intriguing last week when Matt Barkley was named the starter. How in the world can a true freshman lead the program? It's just a matter of time before someone steps up in the Pac-10 to challenge USC, and on and on it goes.
My simple answer: Pete Carroll. It's not so much in his schemes as it is in the philosophy he preaches. His competitive ethos in every drill, every scrimmage, every task takes over and molds his team to reflect his approach. Just as important, teams take on the personality of their leaders. He keeps his players loose, comfortable and having fun. Why has USC under Carroll dominated at otherwise hostile environments (at Aurburn, Arkansas, Virginia Tech, Nebraska) or in the BCS? Easy. He mentions it any chance he gets and it shows on Saturdays: no situation is bigger than anything we have prepared for or any challenge tougher than what we practice within our team. Why did Sanchez get drafted as high as he did after only a year of starting? Simple, teams looked at how he practiced. How in the world did Oregon come out so flat last night? Have you ever listened to Chip Kelly? One cannot forget that these are kids we're talking about. They are talented but impressionable and Carroll knows how to bound them. That's his style; other coaches do it differently. This training camp, Jim Tressel took away everyones cell phone, computer, TV for a week to get the players to focus and bond. Carroll takes his team bowling, movie night and pulls pranks on them. You tell me which team is less tense in big games? Again, not a coincidence. Critics add, "with the injuries suffered in training camp--Corp, O'Dowd, Armstead, Spicer--it doesn't make sense to be as phsyical in preparation when the season is as tough as it gets. But that's precisely what makes them who they are. Why he's never lost a November game. This team maintains this pace throughout the season and simply gets better as the season progresses. The collateral damage of injuries is just an unfortunate footnote.
So, given this background allow me to get into detail on the strenghts of this team and what to expect.
Control the Lime of Scrimmage. On Defense, DL coach Franklin can go a solid 10 deep (9 if you don't count DE Armstead who's injured.) Everson Griffen likely had the best off-season of any player. He is the next defensive star. There were some plays on 11-on-11 where he would drop into coverage with Taylor Mays near his back pocket. This combo with the weakside LB and the corner locks down half the field. Griffen would explode to the slot receiver or back coming out on a check down. On one play, he completely blew up a well-executed screen pass, tipped it and ran it for a pick-6. Game changer. At times this fall camp, this group thoroughly dominated a veteran offensive line. This group sans Griffen hasn't been getting much attention, but there is a noticeable nastiness as a unit that wasn't there last year and that included 2nd rounder Moala and 4th rounder Kyle Moore. (this is Franklins first year back, not a coincidence). Control the LOS and let your speedy linebackers fly around. Blow up the pocket, pressure the QB with only your front four and let your secondary hawk to the ball. Guys like transfer Hebron Fangupo, sophomores Malik Jackson, Jurrell Casey and freshman or RSF Wes Horton, Nick Perry and Devon Kennard don't play like underclassman. It was 2 recruiting classes ago that Carroll just cleaned house with D-Linemen. Fast-forward 2 years and boys...we comin!
On Offense, you've undoubtedly read about the talent and leadership. I won't expand on that much here since I agree with almost all of it. Like Carroll implied in the post's opening, you know what we're going to do, dare you to stop us. O-Linemen love nothing more than a punish defenses with phsyical run-blocking. It's the best, deepest line in the country. There will be plenty of 16 play, 8 minute run-control drives to go around.
Barkley, Corp. Barkley makes the most anticipated QB debut in recent memory. Fact is, this decade the starting quarterback for the University of Southern California Trojans is the highest profile position in college football. name me what other position has its holder named as a Heisman contender simply by starting off well? Happened to Mark Sanchez after Ohio State and Virginia. Happened to John David Booty in 2007. Not sure how the two before him fared. But Barkley's 9 months removed from high school? Yes, but physical that doesn't matter. Can he bounce back after taking a hit?; after all, he hasn't been touched since he arrived on campus. Don't know but the kid is built for it. Listed at 6-2, 230 he's got a thick frame, strong lower body. You can see him explode when he throws. The mental part, the nerves, the composure is the wild card. Will he get fazed? Yes! Who doesn't? Will he keep firing back? Absolutely. Seeing the three QB's go through their warm-up progressions at full speed yesterday, it is obvious he's got the best arm to make every thrown. The strength to gun a deep 20 yard out to Damian Williams, the touch and quick delivery to McKnight in the flat, the anticipation and accuracy to hit McCoy on a corner route. It's all there. A thought I had before I shared it with Mark May who mentioned it last night--interceptions are not created equally. Aggressive decisions and inaccuracy are different. The accuracy is as good as Sanchez; no hyperbole here boys. You either have it or you don't. They both clearly do. Will Barkley forces throws into coverage? Of course he will. He played 4 years under a system that let him fire at will. He made tough throws because he had to arm and confidence to do so. He says he feels like he just has to play within the system and let the talent around him take over. With Carroll and Bates preaching conservative ball-control style, it will take time for Barkley to fully grasp it. Bates' play calling is the easy part, but when Barkley has a risk/reward split-second decision, then we'll see the development. Will it be too little, too late? Don't know, but that's the fun in it. We comin!
Second on the Barkley, Corp breakdown. It is what it is. Corp was clearly nowhere near 100% even 3 weeks after his injury. Maybe it was naiive for us to expect it was no more than a scratch. That is unfortunate. Carroll made his decision early before the scrimmage and he's saying it the way he has very tactically. Corp isn't 100% and Barkley gives us the best chance to win. Barkley played beautifully, has handled everything we've thrown at him. Yes, both are correct. Although not Carroll's style, I do think there is a possibility of seeing both play at Ohio State and/or beyond. The irony is that by the, Barkley will be the more experienced of the two. With Corp hobbled, it wouldn't be close. Barkley gets the job. With Corp healed, he adds an element Carroll has never had at QB. This kid can flat out run. I'm not talking Colt McCoy sissy plays or Tebow fullback plows; rather, a control scramble and selective run plays. In the spring, he won the job with his ball control; his mobility was just gravvy. Get him out of the pocket and he is just as dangerous. Surprise a defense and run a bootleg or a designed run after faking a deep stretch hand-off with McCoy leading the way? Fageddabootit! Se me para.
Last point on Barkley especially for Coach. Trust me, even with your UCLA degrees in hand, you will grow to love this kid. Not because of what he does on the field, but off the field. The way he handles himself. He's a devout Christian and one can tell the relationship he has with his family after practice. Where Sanchez oozed leadership and charisma, Barkley blends a humble confidence with a playful attitude. He talked the same with everyone before and after he was named the starter. Will Harris would get in his ear every chance he had on and off the field. One day after practice, Will goes over and starts talking to Matt's mom. Barkley sees him, runs over, jumps on his back and jestingly says, "mom, don't ever talk to this guy." Good comraderie. We comin.
Those are the major themes obviously, but there are players and positions I will be watching closely.
Fullback. Havili and Shoemate. The best 2 deep FB in the country no doubt. Havili has the flexibility to run like a tailback and catch like a tight end. The FB can be the toughest player to match up against. Why? Mostly schemes. The cover assignment out of the backfield makes it hard for the MLB. Most teams will never run a pass play for their FB's so it's not an issue, plus most offenses only have them as a 3rd, 4th outlet option, if at all. USC has a deadly arsenal. Ohio State first TD last year anyone? Shoemate is one of the players I'm most excited about. He was recruited as a top local WR out of Servite but realized the quickest way on the field was a backup fullback. He beefcaked up but still has some of the best hands on the team. He's faster than Havili and will see plenty of action. Remember this FB breakdown when you hear Kirk Herbstreit praise them after their "mismatched" touchdowns. We comin!
Brice Butler, #19, WR. Right now, he's listed as Ausberry's backup after RoJo's injury. This 6-3 redshirt FR is silky smooth, great hands and can run.
Jarvis Jones, #10, LB. True freshman will get plenty of action. Physically a beast. Playmaker. The next great LB.
Will Harris, #26, SS. Was going to back up Pinkard before he moved to CB after Wright's ineligibility.
Michael Morgan, #17, LB. Love this guy's speed. Fastest USC LB I've ever seen. Hope he stays healthy.
Curtis McNeal, #6 RB/returner. From the Darren Sproles camp of speedy, tough backs. Not likely to crack the 4-man rotation, but returning kicks, I guarantee he will take one deep. Count it.
Allen Bradford, #21, RB. Saved my favorite breakout player for last. I won't talk him up much and will let his play handle it once he gets is carries. This guy is hungry to star, can catch and runs with anger.
That's it boys. Enjoy the season. Tomorrow is the start of the best time of the year. We Comin!
Great job on this freddie, got me sooo pumped for Football!
ReplyDeleteI have to say though, the part aboot Barkleys religion was such a turn off, gay, if you will.
ReplyDelete