Inside Scoop by Mark Risley
The big stories out of the Trojan camp this off-season have been centered on off-the-field developments. As it stands right now, the defending co-national champs will be without junior star WR Mike Williams and junior starting OT Winston Justice for the 2004 season. Justice will definitely not be in uniform this fall, after being suspended from USC for two entire semesters for flashing a pellet gun at a fellow student this past March. Justice is also being investigated by the NCAA for discussions with a sports agent, regarding the possibility of him turning pro instead of returning to school in 2005. Head coach Pete Carroll indicated that he believed Justice intended to return to school, but, if the NCAA uncovers any agreements with an agent, the situation will take on a different feel. Williams, on the other hand, wasn?t expected to be part of the 2004 squad, but, after the legal system denied him a chance to enter the NFL draft, there could be a slim chance of his return to USC. Obviously, Williams had secured an agent, which normally would prevent him from playing in the NCAA, but, if Williams decides he wants to return to college and appeal to the NCAA (although, not likely, according to campus reports), USC officials would help in any way possible. Currently, Williams is waiting on legal action that could make Maurice Clarett and himself eligible for the NFL supplemental draft this summer. ? With senior TE Alex Holmes and junior TE Dominique Byrd returning from injury, senior Matt Cassel will move back to the QB spot this fall. Cassel, who spent this spring on the Trojan baseball team, was moved to TE in the middle of last season after Holmes missed the entire season with a back injury and Byrd missed the second half of the season because of reconstructive knee surgery. Cassel was Heisman Trophy winner Carson Palmer?s backup for two seasons, and will be one of seven Trojan QBs under center this fall. ? Another position change includes D-line senior star Shaun Cody, who will move from DT to DE this fall. Carroll admitted that Cody?s natural spot is on the inside, but his move to the outside this season will make room for Manuel Wright to start at the tackle spot. Cody has had an excellent spring and could still see time at DT this fall, as he has proven his worth at both positions. He appears to be in top physical form and much farther along than he was last spring after recovering from knee surgery following the 2002 season. ? One of the big concerns this spring was replacing the bulk of the O-line. Starters Jacob Rogers (LT), Lenny Vandermade (LG), and Norm Katnik (C) exhausted their eligibility, and with starting RT Winston Justice unable to play this year, only RG Fred Matua remained as a returning starter. The revamped first-team O-line of Sam Baker (LT), Travis Watkins (LG), Ryan Kalil (C), Kyle Williams (RT), and Matua struggled at times this spring, but, overall, Carroll thought they performed well above expectations. It should also be noted that, in practice each day, the front five routinely went up against one of the top projected D-lines in the country. ? Junior starting QB Matt Leinart looked extremely comfortable running the offense this spring and showed no signs of losing a step. Despite Keary Colbert?s departure to the NFL and with star Mike Williams not expected to return to USC, Leinart stated that he?s not worried about a loss of production. Sophomore Steve Smith has locked down one of the WR spots, while classmate Whitney Lewis, who Carroll states may be the most improved player this spring, heads into fall camp just ahead of junior William Buchanon and freshman Fred Davis. Considering the strong spring of sophomore Chris McFoy and the fact that budding sophomore superstar Reggie Bush can occasionally line-up wide, one can conclude that Leinart won?t be starving for playmakers at the receiver spots this fall. ? Starting standout LB Matt Grootegoed, who battled injury problems all of last season and was forced to miss plenty of game action, has participated the entire spring and appears fully recovered from the left ankle sprain that plagued him in 2003. Despite missing almost half of last season, Grootegoed still earned semifinalist spots on the Butkus and Lombardi Award lists. Carroll is licking his chops at the thought of Grootegoed being healthy for the entire 2004 campaign..
Conclusion: Carroll does possess an array of talent the Pac-10 has not seen in a very long time. But, it goes beyond that. Take for instance a guy like Frostee Rucker. Playing behind Nazel and Udeze, Rucker was a force off the bench, coming off the edge like a shot out of a cannon. When Nazel was injured, Rucker moved into the starting lineup, perhaps a year early, and the defense never missed a beat. Now, he becomes a permanent fixture in the starting lineup. Dallas Sartz moved into the starting lineup after star LB Matt Grootegoed was injured. Now, Carroll has both of them to start in 2004. If there is a deficiency it may reside in the offensive line, however, given the knowledge and savvy of Chow, it won?t stay that way for long, plus, if Justice returns along with Fred Matua and part-time starter John Drake, the offensive line will be more than adequate. The Trojans may want to play in the Rose Bowl, but they?re going to have to settle for a trip to Miami. Man, that really sucks, doesn?t it?
The big stories out of the Trojan camp this off-season have been centered on off-the-field developments. As it stands right now, the defending co-national champs will be without junior star WR Mike Williams and junior starting OT Winston Justice for the 2004 season. Justice will definitely not be in uniform this fall, after being suspended from USC for two entire semesters for flashing a pellet gun at a fellow student this past March. Justice is also being investigated by the NCAA for discussions with a sports agent, regarding the possibility of him turning pro instead of returning to school in 2005. Head coach Pete Carroll indicated that he believed Justice intended to return to school, but, if the NCAA uncovers any agreements with an agent, the situation will take on a different feel. Williams, on the other hand, wasn?t expected to be part of the 2004 squad, but, after the legal system denied him a chance to enter the NFL draft, there could be a slim chance of his return to USC. Obviously, Williams had secured an agent, which normally would prevent him from playing in the NCAA, but, if Williams decides he wants to return to college and appeal to the NCAA (although, not likely, according to campus reports), USC officials would help in any way possible. Currently, Williams is waiting on legal action that could make Maurice Clarett and himself eligible for the NFL supplemental draft this summer. ? With senior TE Alex Holmes and junior TE Dominique Byrd returning from injury, senior Matt Cassel will move back to the QB spot this fall. Cassel, who spent this spring on the Trojan baseball team, was moved to TE in the middle of last season after Holmes missed the entire season with a back injury and Byrd missed the second half of the season because of reconstructive knee surgery. Cassel was Heisman Trophy winner Carson Palmer?s backup for two seasons, and will be one of seven Trojan QBs under center this fall. ? Another position change includes D-line senior star Shaun Cody, who will move from DT to DE this fall. Carroll admitted that Cody?s natural spot is on the inside, but his move to the outside this season will make room for Manuel Wright to start at the tackle spot. Cody has had an excellent spring and could still see time at DT this fall, as he has proven his worth at both positions. He appears to be in top physical form and much farther along than he was last spring after recovering from knee surgery following the 2002 season. ? One of the big concerns this spring was replacing the bulk of the O-line. Starters Jacob Rogers (LT), Lenny Vandermade (LG), and Norm Katnik (C) exhausted their eligibility, and with starting RT Winston Justice unable to play this year, only RG Fred Matua remained as a returning starter. The revamped first-team O-line of Sam Baker (LT), Travis Watkins (LG), Ryan Kalil (C), Kyle Williams (RT), and Matua struggled at times this spring, but, overall, Carroll thought they performed well above expectations. It should also be noted that, in practice each day, the front five routinely went up against one of the top projected D-lines in the country. ? Junior starting QB Matt Leinart looked extremely comfortable running the offense this spring and showed no signs of losing a step. Despite Keary Colbert?s departure to the NFL and with star Mike Williams not expected to return to USC, Leinart stated that he?s not worried about a loss of production. Sophomore Steve Smith has locked down one of the WR spots, while classmate Whitney Lewis, who Carroll states may be the most improved player this spring, heads into fall camp just ahead of junior William Buchanon and freshman Fred Davis. Considering the strong spring of sophomore Chris McFoy and the fact that budding sophomore superstar Reggie Bush can occasionally line-up wide, one can conclude that Leinart won?t be starving for playmakers at the receiver spots this fall. ? Starting standout LB Matt Grootegoed, who battled injury problems all of last season and was forced to miss plenty of game action, has participated the entire spring and appears fully recovered from the left ankle sprain that plagued him in 2003. Despite missing almost half of last season, Grootegoed still earned semifinalist spots on the Butkus and Lombardi Award lists. Carroll is licking his chops at the thought of Grootegoed being healthy for the entire 2004 campaign..
Conclusion: Carroll does possess an array of talent the Pac-10 has not seen in a very long time. But, it goes beyond that. Take for instance a guy like Frostee Rucker. Playing behind Nazel and Udeze, Rucker was a force off the bench, coming off the edge like a shot out of a cannon. When Nazel was injured, Rucker moved into the starting lineup, perhaps a year early, and the defense never missed a beat. Now, he becomes a permanent fixture in the starting lineup. Dallas Sartz moved into the starting lineup after star LB Matt Grootegoed was injured. Now, Carroll has both of them to start in 2004. If there is a deficiency it may reside in the offensive line, however, given the knowledge and savvy of Chow, it won?t stay that way for long, plus, if Justice returns along with Fred Matua and part-time starter John Drake, the offensive line will be more than adequate. The Trojans may want to play in the Rose Bowl, but they?re going to have to settle for a trip to Miami. Man, that really sucks, doesn?t it?
