USC 2009 Campaign, What? Me Worry?

A few short months ago, things looked fairly bleak for the 2009 campaign, in terms of championships in any case. Not only was the national championship out of the question, but an eighth consecutive Pac-10 title seemed like wishful thinking.

It was a weekend in mid-January. The announcements had followed one another in rapid succession. Texas’ Colt McCoy and Florida’s former Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow announced they would return to their respective schools for the 2009 season. Then it was reigning Heisman Trophy winner Sam Bradford’s turn. He made it a perfect three-for-three.

That sent a shock wave through the Trojan family. No one needed a crystal ball to see what was coming next. Pete Carroll ended his Hawaiian vacation and immediately flew back to Los Angeles to meet with his quarterback.

But it would have no effect. At least five NFL teams were in desperate need of a good quarterback, if not immediately then for the near future. But there was only one gifted quarterback entered in the draft, Georgia’s Matthew Stafford.

Missouri’s Chase Daniel mostly likely would be a late round draft pick because of his lack of height (6.0 ft.) and questions about his arm strength.

It was inevitable that Mark Sanchez would opt for the NFL Draft, no matter what his head coach, Pete Carroll, had to say. Only one quality first-round quarterback available in the draft and at least four additional slots open. If he waited until next year he would have to compete against Bradford, McCoy and Tebow. Do the math.

Early the next week at a press conference, the fears of USC fans everywhere were confirmed. Mark Sanchez would not return to quarterback USC’s offense, an offense which had nine other starters returning.

Perhaps, Pete Carroll summed up the frustrations of most USC fans by walking out after an abrupt statement that denigrated Sanchez’s choice. Some, including myself, thought that Carroll’s reaction was a little over-the-top, but it was understandable.

Carroll was hoping to bring his entire offense back except for senior wideout Patrick Turner. There were more than enough quality wideouts waiting in the wings. With Sanchez coming back to lead a high-powered offense, that would make it easier for a defense decimated by the NFL Draft.

All-American and Ronnie Lott Award candidate Taylor Mays announcing that he would return for his senior year at safety certainly helped. And so did Josh Pinkard’s applying for a seldom-given sixth year of eligibility. But almost the entire front seven would be playing on Sunday in 2009 instead of Saturday for USC.

With defensive line coach and defensive coordinator Nick Holt escaping to Seattle to join departed offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian at Udub, the Sanchez news hit like a Midwestern tornado.

At the time, it not only appeared that USC would have little shot at a national title but the Trojans would most likely fail to retain their Pac-10 title.

But that was January. When the gloom and doom of winter finally gave way to a balmy Southern California spring, the sun was again shinning over Howard Jones Field.

Pete Carroll had persuaded one of the finest young quarterback coaches in the NFL, Jeremy Bates, to join the Trojan family after his release from the Denver Broncos. Carroll also got Jethro Franklin, a veteran NFL defensive line coach, to sign on for his second tour of duty at USC. Then Carroll managed to land a special teams coach, Brian Schneider. The Trojans haven’t had one in several years.

Rolling right along, Josh Pinkard was granted that illusive sixth-year of eligibility. High School All-American Matt Barkley enrolled early and started conditioning drills with the rest of the team. Curtis “Moody” McNeal began working out and looking more and more impressive every day.

Now the Trojans are half-way through their spring practice schedule and not only aren’t things looking bleak, they are looking downright rosy – as in Rose Bowl – either the January 1 or the January 7 edition. USC figures once again to be in the hunt.

Though the quarterback competition is still underway, the two front runners, under Coach Bates’ tutelage, are ahead of where Mark Sanchez was last year at this point.

The freshman, Matt Barkley, has shown incredible poise and command of the offense after only a handful of practices. He has thrown seven TDs in the last two team scrimages and has displayed an unusual coolness under pressure.

Aaron Corp, Barkley’s main competitor, hasn’t thrown an interception in any of the scrimmages. If you remember, it was Corp who actually outplayed both Sanchez and Mitch Mustain in last year’s Trojan Huddle to mark the end of spring practice.

The QBs are having little problem finding quality receivers. It figured that Damian Williams, Ronald Johnson and Travon Patterson would be the three regular wideouts and they haven’t disappointed. But David Ausberry is really coming into his own this spring and has impressed the coaches as has redshirt freshman Brice Butler.

One of the biggest and most pleasant surprises is at running back. With Joe McKnight recuperating from turf toe, Curtis McNeal is sharing backfield duties with Stafon Johnson. Every Trojan fan knows what Stafon can do, but the explosive and illusive McNeal has turned some heads – most of them on the shoulders of defenders as he cuts back sharply and whizzes past them.

And don’t let his diminutive size fool you. McNeal is a very solid 5-8, 180 and packs quite a hit. He should be a handful for opposing defenses this season. Can you imagine a healthy McKnight and McNeal to go along with Stafon?

That defensive front seven that was decimated by graduation and the NFL Draft is definitely responding to treatment. Doctors Franklin and Ken Norton, Jr. seem to have the right prescription for giving the front seven a transfusion of new blood.

Although the marquis names – Mauluga, Cushing, Moala and Clay Matthews, Jr. – are gone, new guys are stepping up and making a name for themselves. Defensive ends Malik Jackson, Nick Perry, Everson Griffen and Wes Horton are making sacks and turning in anything that goes wide.

Interior linemen Averell Spicer and Armond Armstead are proving to be outstanding pass rushers, but it has been sophomore Jurrell Casey who is having a tremendous spring plugging up the middle.

Malcolm Smith and Uona Kavienga are becoming real ball hawks from their linebacking spots. Chris Galippo has returned from his back surgery and is doing well as are Jordan Campbell and Michael Morgan. Luther Brown has been dealing with some injuries but should be good to go by Fall camp.

The defensive backfield, coached by defensive coordinator Rocky Seto, figured to be the Trojans strong suit with several returning veterans including Taylor Mays, Kevin Thomas and Will Harris. Josh Pinkard joins them with his sixth year of eligibility. Shareece Wright has also returned after recuperating from a neck injury.

One of the real standouts has been Tallahassee sophomore T.J. Bryant at cornerback. T. J. led all defenders with 6 tackles in the scrimmage at the Coliseum on Saturday. Drew McAllister, who surprised a lot of fans last year as a freshman, has also had an outstanding spring at safety as has Brian Baucham at cornerback.

So, you see Trojan fans, there’s absolutely nothing to worry about. Both the offense and the defense will be solid and fairly deep at most positions. In fact, the coaching staff may have a dilemma on its hands trying to decide who gets the starting nod in some cases. The competition has been that close.

While I can’t predict with any certainty what will happen in the Fall, one thing is certain. The Trojans cannot be counted out by any means. So, forget all this doom and gloom and come out and see your Trojans compete. There are still two weeks of Spring practice remaining.

FIGHT ON!