Get Ready for Notre Dame Week...

The last time USC traveled to South Bend to take on the Irish, the world witnessed one of the greatest college football games of all time. In an epic seesaw battle, the Trojans needed a last second score on the play that will forever be remembered as the "Bush Push" to triumph over the Irish. Trailing 31-28 late in the 4th quarter, USC first needed to convert a crucial 4th and 9 to setup Leinart's game-winning TD. The play was "82 Sluggo Win." Leinart saw a coverage he liked, audibled, and threw a perfect pass down the left sideline to a streaking Dwayne Jarrett. A couple of plays later, Leinart sneaked into the end zone as time expired and USC triumphed 34-31. Those two plays will go down as two of the most memorable moments in the history of USC Football.

Here is the clip of 4th and 9...

Fight On! Beat the Irish!(again)

Countdown to Kickoff: 8 Days

As we continue on our daily countdown towards the 2007 season, we are now just 8 days away from kicking off the season against the University of Idaho in what could be the biggest blowout the world has ever seen. Wearing #8 for Trojans this season is the highly touted freshman WR Ronald Johnson, who will have some very big shoes to fill (Dwayne Jarrett's)...

Johnson (image above from yesterday's scrimmage) came to USC, despite being heavily recruited by his home state school of Michigan, because he believed he can contribute right away as a slot WR who can break a game open at any time. He has shown that he has the necessary skills to compete at this level throughout fall camp, and will get every opportunity to work himself into the starting lineup. It will be interesting though, to see how he handles the pressure of continuing the legacy left by Jarrett, who is perhaps the greatest Trojan WR since Lynn Swann.

Dwayne Jarrett basically re-wrote the record books during his career at USC, but his finest moment might have came a couple years ago in South Bend. The #1 ranked Trojans engaged in an epic battle against Notre Dame, but found themselves trailing 31-28 late in the 4th quarter. Facing a 4th Down and 9 yards to go, (click here to relive the magic) Leinart found Jarrett for what will undoubtedly go down as one of the greatest plays and finishes to a game in college football history. Who will ever forget that memorable 4th and 9 play, called "82 Sluggo Win," that eventually led to the game-winning touchdown (and the Bush push)? I sure as heck won't.

Fight On!

Trojans in NFL Training Camps

From Wednesday's ESPN.com article,

Washington Redskins: LB Dallas Sartz (strained hamstring) was sidelined morning Wednesday...

Seattle Seahawks: Backup fullback David Kirtman broke his hand during practice Wednesday morning...Kirtman, a fifth-round draft choice from 2006 out of Southern California, was participating in a running plays drill with backs and linemen when he suddenly walked off the field with a trainer while holding his right arm. By the afternoon, Kirtman was wearing a soft brace over his right hand and wrist. A Seahawks spokesman said Wednesday night that the team has yet to determine a treatment course for Kirtman, so there is no estimate on how long he will be out. Kirtman spent most of last season on the practice squad before being added to the active roster in December...Mack Strong, Seattle's two-time Pro Bowl fullback who turns 36 in September, said Wednesday that coaches have told him he will be yielding some of his playing time to younger players this season.

And from last Saturday's LA Times regarding the Carolina Panthers:

The Carolina Panthers signed second-round pick Dwayne Jarrett to a four-year, $3.825 million contract...Jarrett, a receiver from USC, will receive $1.935 million in guaranteed bonuses and incentives, making the deal one of the largest in guaranteed money for a second-round pick. Jarrett, the 45th pick in the draft, is expected to contend for the starting receiver job vacated when Keyshawn Johnson was released in the off-season.

"He's excited to be a Carolina Panther and looking forward to the opportunity to start opposite Steve Smith," Jarrett's agent, Darin Morgan, said.

Jarrett's signing came hours after fellow second-round pick Ryan Kalil agreed to a four-year deal. Kalil, also from USC, is expected to compete for a starting job on the offensive line.

An injury for Sartz, what else is new? Tough luck for Kirtman though, he was a very soild (and underrated) player at 'SC. Let's hope he can get back out there healthy. Best wishes to DJ and Ryan Kalil, they have a damn good chance to start next year.

Good luck in the NFL guys.

Fight On!

Countdown to Kickoff: 87 Days

The USC Sports Talk's Countdown to Kickoff continues with 87 days left till the new season begins. As we look forward to seeing the Trojans take the field once again, the Trojan offense will have some big shoes to fill, most notably at wide receiver. We all know USC has seen its most prolific wide receiver move on to the NFL in Dwayne Jarrett. DJ built an impressive resume here at USC amassing 3,138 yards and 41 touchdowns on his way into the Trojan record books.

We hope that one of the many talented young receivers can fill the void left by Dwayne Jarrett and Steve Smith. One of those players who can make a huge impact this coming season is Vidal Hazelton. #7 has proven he's capable of being a gamebreaker in scrimmages and at practice. We hope all of that can translate into Hazelton torching the PAC-10 defenses the way Jarrett did all those years.

Then and now...

Trojans in the NFL: 2007 Mini Camp Photos

Here's some pictures from around the NFL, as teams conduct their mini camps following the draft. Maybe the recent success of Carson Palmer and Reggie Bush will carry over into some of our guys listed below.

LB Oscar Lua #49, New England Patriots

WR Steve Smith #12, New York Giants

Smith again, and WR Dwayne Jarrett #82, Carolina Panthers

WR Keary Colbert #83, Carolina, and RB LenDale White, Tennessee Titans

WR Mike Williams #17, Oakland Raiders

Recap of Trojans in the NFL Draft

After two days and 255 picks, the 2007 NFL Draft is in the books. This year's draft saw 5 Trojans selected, including three on Day 1, but none of them heard their name called in the 1st Round. This marks the first time since 2002 that a USC player is not selected in the 1st Round. Below is an overview of where our Trojans were selected...I'll post a picture of each player's introduction at his team's headquarters, if and when they become available...

WR Dwayne Jarrett -- Carolina Panthers, 2nd Rd / Pick #13 (#45 overall)

Of the 5 Trojans drafted, WR Dwayne Jarrett had to have been the most disappointed. Many considered him a 1st Round lock after his impressive performance in the Rose Bowl win over Michigan, where he dominated the All-American cornerback Leon Hall (who was drafted 18th overall). However, a slow 40 time and a perceived laziness raised question marks about Jarrett's work ethic. His stock plummeted from being the 2nd best WR (after Calvin Johnson) to a borderline 1st Round pick. Jarrett waited through the entire 1st Round and watched 7 WRs get drafted ahead of him, until finally hearing his name called as the 13th selection of the 2nd Round. This is a good fit for DJ though. He will learn the ropes from former Trojan greats Keyshawn Johnson and Keary Colbert, and should eventually succeed Keyshawn at WR.

WR Steve Smith -- New York Giants, 2nd Rd / Pick #19 (#51 overall)
Smith goes into a good situation with the Giants. He can compete for the #3 or possibly the #2 WR position (behind Plaxico Burress) and eventually replace the aging Amani Toomer.

C Ryan Kalil -- Carolina Panthers, 2nd Rd / Pick #27 (#59 overall)
Kalil will join DJ, as well as former teammate Keary Colbert in Carolina. Kalil has first round talent and can be considered a steal for the Panthers at pick #59 overall. Kalil should compete for a starting job, and will be at worst, a valuable back up next season.

LB Dallas Sartz -- Washington Redskins, 5th Rd / Pick #6 (#143 overall)
Sartz has a chance to make the team if he can contribute on special teams. He's a smart player, and was a captain on a great Trojan defense.

LB Oscar Lua -- New England Patriots, 7th Rd / Pick #1 (#211 overall)
Lua is a great fit for the Patriots, who employ 2 inside LBs in their 3-4 scheme. He has a chance to learn from two of the smartest, most instinctive LBs in the game, Tedy Bruschi and Mike Vrabel, and then eventually replace one of them.

** On a personal side note: Kicker Justin Medlock (5th Rd) was the only fucla player chosen in the entire draft. That's pathetic!

Fight On!

USC hopefuls in the 2007 NFL Draft

Conquest Chronicles has a nice draft day preview for our USC Trojans that are looking to get drafted this weekend. Be sure to go on there and share your thoughts. I'm not sure if LB's Oscar Lua and Dallas Sartz, or WR Chris McFoy will be selected in this year's draft, but I'll highlight the 3 studs who all have a chance to go in the 1st Round in the paragraphs below. As for Lua, Sartz, and McFoy: they'll probably have to take the undrafted route and earn an opportunity in the league through NFL Europe, like former Trojans Justin Wyatt, John Walker, and Tom Malone are doing right now.

In my final mock draft projection, I listed Dwayne Jarrett as the only Trojan selected in the 1st Round, but keep in mind that Ryan Kalil and Steve Smith are two of the fastest rising prospects in this draft. I wouldn't be shocked at all to hear their all of their names in Round 1. Below is a breakdown of where I think each one may go...

WR Dwayne Jarrett - Projection: #23 Kansas City Chiefs

There are plenty of teams that need a WR. In order of their selections, they are: #7 Minnesota, #11 San Francisco, #13 St. Louis, #16 Green Bay, #19 Tennessee, #20 NY Giants, #21 Denver, #23 Kansas City, #25 NY Jets, #26 Philadelphia, #30 San Diego, and #31 Chicago. Though all of these teams are in dire need of a WR, I think the earliest that Jarrett will go is #16 to the Packers. Jarrett is just too talented, and there are too many potential suitors for me to believe that he will fall out of the 1st Round.

C Ryan Kalil - Projection: 2nd Round, #33 Oakland Raiders

I believe that Ryan Kalil will be the best pro in this Trojan draft class, and maybe even the best lineman overall. Kalil has 1st Round talent and value, but the problem is that the teams that really like him (which is probably all 32) have so many more pressing needs than center. The teams to keep on eye on though are: #20 NY Giants, #21 Denver, #22 Dallas, #24 and #28 New England, # 27 New Orleans, #29 Baltimore, #33 (2nd Rd) Oakland, #34 Detroit, #40 Miami, #42 San Francisco, #46 Pittsburgh, and #52 St. Louis. Kalil is the kind of player teams trade up for so it'll be interesting to see where he goes. I'd give him 50% chance to go 1st Round.

WR Steve Smith - Projection: 2nd Round, #41 Minnesota Vikings

Steve is a hot commodity these days. I believe he has a 33% chance to go in the 1st Round, but the problem is that this is such a deep draft when it comes to WR's. Steve Smith displays leadership, toughness, quickness and great route running. He is the definition of a FOOTBALL PLAYER. However, unless there is an early run on WR's, Smith is likely to fall to the 2nd Round. Possible destinations for Smith include: #20 NY Giants, #21 Denver, #22 Dallas, #23 Kansas City, #25 NY Jets, #26 Philadelphia, #27 New Orleans, #30 San Diego, #31 and #37 Chicago, #36 Tampa Bay, and # 40 Miami. I guarantee that Smith will not drop below Tennessee at #50, where he'd be re-united with his old OC Norm Chow.

The Raiders are now on the clock...good luck to all our guys.

Fight On!