Trouble at USC

[Sun Tzu]

Byrd, White among those who might not play
ESPN.com news services

USC quarterback Matt Leinart is returning, but other starters might not be.

The Los Angeles Times reported on Saturday that one or more returning players who did not participate in spring practice might be academically ineligible for the 2005 season. Tight end Dominique Byrd, running back LenDale White and defensive linemen Frostee Rucker and Manuel Wright are currently listed at or near the bottom of the depth chart.

"It's going to be a challenge to get all the guys back," Trojans coach Pete Carroll acknowledged to the Times.

Wright, a junior, said he has contacted the NFL about entering the supplemental draft, but he said that is "the last option" if he isn't eligible to play for USC. Wright has been out of high school for three years, meeting NFL requirements.

"I'm studying, putting in a lot of work, so it's not like I'm not going to give it a good run or not going to try," Wright told the Times. "I could be lazy and just be like, 'Forget it, and go home. I'm going to the draft and call it a day.' But, obviously, I want to play here."

Wright's father, Terence, said Wright could either redshirt at USC or transfer to a Division II school if he is ineligible.

"But his priority, and our family's priority, is for him to stay at USC," Terence Wright told the Times.

White, a junior, told the Times he has been attending classes regularly and isn't worried about where he is listed on the depth chart.

"It makes it better for me -- it makes me hungry," he said. "You watch. I'll be starting."

Byrd, a senior, suffered a broken jaw during a fight several weeks ago. Rucker, also a senior, had toe surgery after the Orange Bowl.

 

[Scott4USC]

:scared WAY OVERBLOWN :scared

Carroll held out all those players because he didn't want them to "get" into academic trouble. Only player who might not make it back academically is Manual Wright the DT. That hurts though. He is a stud DT. Thanks a lot President Steven Sample trying to make USC into an IVY league school.

The only serious problem is DB Eric Wright charged with rape. He was USC's #1 DB last year. 50/50 chance he comes back. Last year RB Dennis was charged with rape and found not guilty. Hopefully same thing happens with Wright in that he didn't rape the girl.

Remember, last year USC had their starting RB Dennis charged with rape, their #1 WR Williams trying to get back on the team, their #1 starting OL Justice suspended, their #1 WR out of spring practice LEWIS suspended academically for season, a completely new OL, new DB's, new WR's, no returning starting RB's, lost their starting FB to injury before season, and USC won the National Championship. Job well done Pete Carroll. :clap: 2005 will be a breeze.

 

[Sun Tzu]

Yea. Sounds like a real classy program he is running there. Just the occasional rape charges, academic problems, etc.

 

[Nickelback]

Pete can't be held responsible for his player's actions off the field. . . on the field the results have been incredible. . . how can anyone dispute that :shrug:

 

[Sun Tzu]

Of course the coach is responsible for that. Especially classroom issues. Is the kid more responsible - sure - but the coach has more responsibility than 60 minutes every Saturday. This isnt the NFL.

 

[Scott4USC]

Carroll would only be responsible if the player had past issues and Carroll STILL recruited him to USC. I don't think there is one player on the USC team who had serious issues before coming to USC.

USC has a seminar that is mandatory for the football team that talks about staying out of trouble and what you can or can't do according to USC and NCAA standards.

BTW, starting RB Dennis was "charged" with rape last year and was found innocent. Wright is "charged" with rape this year, the case is still pending whether he is guilty or not. Its not too hard to get charged with rape. Think about it.

Last year USC's best lineman Winston Justice solicited a prositute and was put on probation. Few months later, he violated his probation because he had a BB gun on campus. (he never used it) He was suspended by USC for the year. He back on the team this year!!!!

 

[THE KOD]

.............................................................

USC is full of thugs and hooligans and stupid players again this year. Looks like another NC team.
For that we can be proud.

 

[Nickelback]

Sun, I still completely disagree with your reasoning. . . we are dealing with adults here, not little babies. Sure you encourage them with their studies and do what you can but Pete and other coaches are paid to win and that's what he has done best. His player's actions ON THE FIELD are a reflection of him, not off the field.

 

[Sun Tzu]

Nickel you think that is what he tells the parents of the kids he recruits?

 

[pt1gard]

here we go, usc debates in april, I love it! almost as good as my entire seinfeld DVD collection.

 

[Englishman]

Nick:

Did you really say it's not too hard to get charged with rape?

Are you clinically insane, or just trying to get everyone here to hate you more?

 

[Master Capper]

USc and Ohio State are now in competition to replace Miami and FSU as the home for thugs and criminals. To say that a coach is not responsible is insane, I can guarentee that when the heat becomes too hot from multiple arrests the blame will fall on the head coach, just ask Barry Switzer.

 

[Scott4USC]

The rape charges against Wright have been dropped! No evidence.

Like I said, it is very easy to be "charged" with rape. This is 2 years in a row 2 USC players were charged with rape and then the charges being dropped. This doesn't mean he will be let back on the team and as of right now he is still suspended. The University is going to do their own investigation and they have not been kind to USC football players. I say 50/50 Wright gets back on team.

 

[Pujo21]

maurice clarrett, pillar of the community...whatta a fine addition to the denver broncos. i wonder if his agent will be the lacrosse player. LOL

i guarantee if Denver doesn't shower him with multi millions, the lacrosse player will be claiming you know what.

 

[DIRTY Diapers]

Yea. Sounds like a real classy program he is running there. Just the occasional rape charges, academic problems, etc.

:mj07:

Now that shit is funny... How can anyone say the coach doesn't have some responsibility how players conduct themselves off the field. You're suppose to representing the team AND the University.

 

[Scott4USC]

:mj07:

Now that shit is funny... How can anyone say the coach doesn't have some responsibility how players conduct themselves off the field. You're suppose to representing the team AND the University.

Here is an example for you.

If Randy Moss rapes a girl, its bad for the Oakland Raiders organization but you can hold them accountable because they signed Moss knowing he has past history.

If Tom Brady of the Patriots rapes a girl, its bad for the New England organization but you cannot hold them accountable because there were ZERO signs of him doing this criminal act.

Same with recruits in CFB. A coach cannot be responsible for the actions of his players OFF the field.

You can hold a coach accountable if he recruits a player with a past history and then while at the University he commits another crime. But if a coach recruits a good kid with NO past history, and then all of a sudden he rapes a girl, you can't hold that coach accountable.

Now if a player commits a serious crime while AT the University, and the coach lets it slide and the player later on commits another serious crime, well then you can hold the coach accountable.

Why not hold the player accountable! Not the coach!

Blaming Pete Carroll for this is ABSURD!

BTW, the charges were dropped against the player.

 

[taoist]

Here is an example for you.

If Randy Moss rapes a girl, its bad for the Oakland Raiders organization but you can hold them accountable because they signed Moss knowing he has past history.

...have you completely lost your marbles? ...on what legal theory are you basing this load of crap?

...yet another sign of the progressive retardation of Mr. HomerUSC.

 

[DIRTY Diapers]

IF IF IF IF IF what a load of bullshit. First off - You're comparing College Football to PRO football. There is a huge difference. I don't expect PROFESSIONAL COACHES to be held accountable for their player?s action. They're getting paid to represent the team - But hopefully good organizations expect the players to represent the community in a good way. But college football players are representing the University, as well as, the team.

You amaze me by your lack of compassion towards the girls who were raped by these thugs. Do you love the University or just the football team? I expect Charlie Weis to do away with any of these animals if it happens at Notre Dame. If we continue to come up on short end of the stick in football, we still have a University to be proud of.

 

[DIRTY Diapers]

All of this is getting me really excited about next year. College Football is my favorite sport and looking forward to next year with my boy Charlie.

GL to all teams. I'm done arguing about this crap.

 

[flapjack]

"If we continue to come up on short end of the stick in football, we still have a University to be proud of."


Yeah, If I were a ND fan I'd be stoked to go 5-6 again with no criminal charges. That would really make me want to wake up the echos cheering her name.