Countdown to Kickoff: 7 Days

As we continue on our daily countdown towards the 2007 season, we are now just 7 days away from the opening kickoff against the Idaho Vandals next Saturday. Jersey #7 will be worn by 2 Trojans this season, junior CB Cary Harris and sophomore WR Vidal Hazelton...

Harris (above) returns with a year of starting experience at corner until his belt. Harris is very good in run support, but when in coverage it seems that he gives up way to much cushion. If he's going to be giving up 6-8 yard routes all game, then he needs to punish the WR's after catch and make them pay for catching the ball. I expect he'll play much better this season now that he is a year older and wiser now.

Hazelton is battling David Ausberry and Ronald Johnson for the #2 WR position across from Patrick Turner. He has a year of experience in the program already, but in my opinion, should have red-shirted last season. I understand that Jarrett missed some time last season, and an opportunity presented itself for Hazelton to step in and show that he was indeed worthy of playing time, but Coach Carroll needs to be a little more selective with his red-shirts. He saw limited action in 11 games and finished the season with 1 catch for 8 yards and 1 carry for 7 yards. I don't know about you guys, but that sounds like a waste of a year to me. Ausberry, meanwhile, did red-shirt in '06, and ended up getting valuable reps and dominating on the scout team. Now he's on track to start the opener along side Turner. Hazelton is very talented though, so hopefully he'll play with a chip on his shoulder and have a monster year.

Fight On!