2008 USC Trojans

[jared]

Here are the probable white starters for Southern Cal. Typical USC, nothing new here.

OFFENSE

QB: Mark Sanchez, JR - I know he fancies himself Mexican and everything but the dude pretty much looks like Matt Leinart
OG: Jeff Byers, SR
C: Kristopher O'Dowd, SO
OG: Zack Heberer, JR
OT: Alex Parsons, JR

DEFENSE

OLB: Brian Cushing, SR

*Clay Matthews will be seen as DE/LB hybrid on occasion

 

[Colonel_Reb]

Mark Sanchez out with a dislocated left kneecap.


[url]http://msn.foxsports.com/cfb/story/8429562/USC-QB-Sanchez-hu rts-knee-in-practice?FSO2&ATT=MA [/url]


This might open up a chance for Mitch Mustain to start the first game, depending on how fast Sanchez heals up.

 

[Leonardfan]

I hope Mustain takes the job and keeps it for his whole career at USC.

 

[Colonel_Reb]

<H3> [url]http://msn.foxsports.com/cfb/story/8450384/Report:-USC-deali ng-with-jock-itch-outbreak?FSO2&amp;ATT=MA [/url]#</H3>
<H3>Report: USC dealing with jock itch outbreak</H3>FOXSports.com


<DIV =gray_dots>Updated: August 14, 2008, 1:24 PM EST


It's not as serious as, say, starting quarterback Mark Sanchez's dislocated kneecap, but the USC Trojans are suffering a new rash of injuries.


<?:NAMESPACE PREFIX = FSTL /><FSTL:EDGEINCLUDE source="/name/public/Topstories"></FSTL:EDGEINCLUDE>


Emphasis on rash.


According to a report in the Los Angeles Times, as much as 25% of the team has been affected by a run of tinea cruris, known more colloquially as "jock itch."


Head coach Pete Carroll told the Times he'd never seen anything like the current outbreak and pointed a finger at new compression shorts the team has been wearing underneath their football pants.


"We've had to adjust to some new equipment that we're wearing that didn't work out right," Carroll said. "It's funny how that happened."


You'll forgive tailback Joe McKnight and wide receiver Travon Patterson if they aren't laughing. Both were unable to practice Wednesday because of the severity of the irritation.


"It burns," Patterson said.


"Sometimes they can't walk," said tailback Stafon Johnson. "I don't know what it is, but I'm staying away from it."

 

[Colonel_Reb]

Sanchez hopes to play in opener.


[url]http://msn.foxsports.com/cfb/story/8429354/USC-QB-Sanchez-ho pes-to-play-in-opener?FSO2&amp;ATT=MA [/url]

 

[Colonel_Reb]

C.J. Gable hurt again.


http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=3543804

 

[white is right]

The championship run is over before it began for the Trojans and to think a beaver stymied a profolactive once again. Somebody get Pete Carroll another morning after pill?

 

[white is right]

&lt;H3&gt; [url]http://msn.foxsports.com/cfb/story/8450384/Report:-USC-deali ng-with-jock-itch-outbreak?FSO2&ATT=MA [/url]#&lt;/H3&gt;
&lt;H3&gt;Report: USC dealing with jock itch outbreak&lt;/H3&gt;FOXSports.com
&lt;DIV =gray_dots&gt;</div>Updated: August 14, 2008, 1:24 PM EST</font>


It's not as serious as, say, starting quarterback Mark Sanchez's dislocated kneecap, but the USC Trojans are suffering a new rash of injuries.


&lt;?:NAMESPACE PREFIX = FSTL /&gt;&lt;FSTL:EDGEINCLUDE source="/name/public/Topstories"&gt;&lt;/FSTL:EDGEINCLUDE&gt ; ;


Emphasis on rash.


According to a report in the Los Angeles Times, as much as 25% of the team has been affected by a run of tinea cruris, known more colloquially as "jock itch."


Head coach Pete Carroll told the Times he'd never seen anything like the current outbreak and pointed a finger at new compression shorts the team has been wearing underneath their football pants.


"We've had to adjust to some new equipment that we're wearing that didn't work out right," Carroll said. "It's funny how that happened."


You'll forgive tailback Joe McKnight and wide receiver Travon Patterson if they aren't laughing. Both were unable to practice Wednesday because of the severity of the irritation.


"It burns," Patterson said.


"Sometimes they can't walk," said tailback Stafon Johnson. "I don't know what it is, but I'm staying away from it."

I think you have to blame the nerds for this, getting the football players to throw them on the streets was too much for them to take. I think their video taping of Reggie Bust's girlfriend was a little excessive though...

Edited by: white is right

 

[Colonel_Reb]

Ellison out for 2-4 weeks with torn meniscus


http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=3674198


Kevin Ellison, USC's second-leading tackler, suffered a torn meniscus Thursday at the Trojans' practice. The senior strong safety, who Pete Carroll says is one of the smartest players he's ever coached, said late Thursday night that he's been told he'll be out two to four weeks.


The 6-foot-1, 228-pounder had intercepted a pass during practice and tried to make a move on the runback when he tweaked his knee and went down.


"I feel really bad for the kid," said Trojans secondary coach Rocky Seto. "He just works so hard, but knowing him I wouldn't be surprised if he makes it back faster than expected."








Ellison has been an integral part of a USC defense that has been dominant for almost the entire season. The Trojans lead the nation in pass efficiency defense, total defense and scoring defense. They're also 10th against the run. In their last 14 quarters, they've allowed just 10 points.


The Trojans secondary has been considered a team strength with Ellison and Taylor Mays forming arguably the country's top safety tandem. However, Ellison is now the second starter in the defensive backfield that has gone down to injury. Last month, USC lost Shareece Wright to a neck injury which likely will sideline him for the rest of the season.


In 2005, Ellison had earned playing time as a freshman but had his season cut short after he tore ligaments and sustained a fracture in his left knee while making a key interception late in the Arizona State game. Ellison recovered to become the Trojans most consistent defender since then. He often has been overshadowed by the buzz around teammates Rey Maualuga, Brian Cushing and Mays, yet coaches have raved about Ellison, praising his understanding of the defense, his tackling ability and his leadership.


This season, Ellison had finally begun to get a lot more recognition for his play and was making a strong case for the Jim Thorpe Award, honoring the country's top defensive back.


Bruce Feldman is a senior writer with ESPN The Magazine

 

[Colonel_Reb]

Sanchez heads for the NFL

http://msn.foxsports.com/cfb/story/9080954/Sanchez-will-ente r-draft;-Carroll-advised-against-it#tb

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Mark Sanchez made his own call.


Coming off a record-setting Rose Bowl, the Southern California quarterback will skip his senior season to enter the NFL draft â€â€￾ going against the advice of coach Pete Carroll.


Sanchez, a fourth-year junior, announced his plans at a campus news conference Thursday, the deadline for underclassmen to declare for the draft.


The past three stars who played quarterback at USC under Carroll stayed for their senior seasons, and the former NFL coach thought Sanchez should do the same.


Carroll tried to convince Sanchez that another year of college experience would help him in the pro game, but Sanchez said he had carefully weighed all the considerations before deciding to leave.


"It has been my dream since I was just a little kid to play in the NFL and thanks to this great academic institution and football program, I have the opportunity to realize that dream," said Sanchez, dapperly dressed in a business suit.


"It was with a heavy heart that I say goodbye to this university. But I can't tell you how excited I am for this dream to come true."


Heisman Trophy winners Carson Palmer and Matt Leinart, along with John David Booty, all returned for their final year of eligibility with the Trojans. Palmer was the first overall pick in the 2002 NFL draft and Leinart was selected 10th in 2005.


Carroll, who said he considers Sanchez as talented as any of those three, discussed the pros and cons with him.


"We've talked at great depth and great length. We've covered this from A to Z ... going until late last night," Carroll said. "We don't see this decision the same. (But) I'm thrilled for Mark. For any of our kids to live the dream and do what they want to do with their football career, this is a great place to do this."


Because 2008 Heisman winner Sam Bradford of Oklahoma, 2007 Heisman winner Tim Tebow of Florida and Texas star Colt McCoy all plan to return to school next season, Sanchez and Georgia's Matthew Stafford â€â€￾ another junior coming out early â€â€￾ likely will be the top quarterback prospects in the draft.


Mitch Mustain, who transferred from Arkansas after going 8-0 in games he started as a Razorbacks freshman in 2006, is expected to compete with Aaron Corp, Garrett Green and incoming freshman Matt Barkley for the Trojans' starting job.


Carroll, a former head coach with the New York Jets and New England Patriots, thinks another year of college experience would have greatly benefited Sanchez, who started at USC for only one full season.


"Mark is going against the grain on this decision and he knows that. He knows that coming out early is a tremendous challenge for a quarterback and the statistics don't back up that it's easy to be successful in the way that he's going about it," Carroll said.


"We've seen successes and we've seen guys come up short on this deal. We hope this works out beautifully for Mark and his family."


Carroll isn't selling Sanchez short.


"He's a competitive guy, a guy that's willing to take on this challenge in a way that he's going to make it happen," the coach said. "Mark clearly has the potential to be as good as any of those guys we've had. We saw it early on.


"All it is is an experience issue."


Sanchez ended his college career with his finest game. The 6-foot-3, 225-pounder went 28-for-35 against Penn State, setting a Rose Bowl record by completing 80 percent of his passes. He threw for 413 yards and four touchdowns, and also ran for a score in the Trojans' 38-24 victory.


Sanchez led the Trojans to a 12-1 record and No. 3 national ranking last season after going 2-1 the previous year while Booty was hurt.


A high school star in nearby Mission Viejo who redshirted at USC in 2005, Sanchez finished last season with 3,207 yards passing, 34 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. He threw for 695 yards and seven touchdowns with five interceptions in 2007.


Sanchez said he came to USC to get an education, to compete at the highest college level and earn a chance to play in the NFL.


"I'm proud to say that this spring, I'll have the opportunity to do both," said Sanchez, on track to receive his degree in communications.


His father, Nick, said he had mixed emotions about his son's decision to enter the draft.


"As a parent, I'd like for him to stay in school for another 10 years," he said. "But it's great to see a young man trying to live his dream."Edited by: Colonel_Reb