5 unproven Trojans who could make or break 2008 (Part 1)

July 23rd, 2008, 3:00 pm · 5 Comments · posted by Michael Lev, staff writer

First, the ground rules: This list of USC players who could make or break the 2008 season does not include any All-Americans or returning full-time starters. There’s a certain expectation level attached to Fili Moala, Brian Cushing, Rey Maualuga, Kevin Ellison, Taylor Mays, et al, and we’re going to assume they play up to those expectations.

The list also does not include any wide receivers, even though that’s a critical position for the ‘08 Trojans. The thinking there: USC’s receiver production will feature more of a group effort than a single standout with a supporting cast.

The overall idea is that these guys are still largely unproven — and that if they take “the leap,” USC could be special.

OK then, on to the list:

No. 1: QB Mark Sanchez

Vitals: 6-3, 225, junior, Mission Viejo High

The skinny: As if there were any other choice. Quarterbacks invariably face the most scrutiny, and Sanchez steps into a maximum-pressure situation. Not only is he tasked with leading USC into the national-championship chase, but Sanchez also has sophomore transfer Mitch Mustain lurking right behind him on the depth chart. The best thing Sanchez has going for him, besides his God-given gifts, are those three starts he made last season in place of the injured (and now departed) John David Booty. Game experience helps everyone, but it means the most to quarterbacks: The more they see, the better they become. Forget the fact that Sanchez threw four interceptions in those starts; he led USC to victories in two of them and had the Trojans in scoring range down by a touchdown at then-No. 5 Oregon in the final moments. Of course, that experience won’t mean anything unless Sanchez learns from it and improves. If he can outperform Booty — who had a 23-10 TD-INT ratio last season — and lift the offense within reaching distance of the defense’s level, USC goes from national-title contender to favorite.

Coming up: Part 2.

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Thomas says:

July 24, 2008 at 9:14 am

Sanchez will be FAR better than Booty was,,, aside from the stats,
if Booty didn’t see anyone open,, he would throw the ball away,,
Sanchez will RUN for it and has far more desire, speed, and talent
than Booty did.
After USC routes Ohio State,, watch for Sanchez and McNight to be on the ‘heisman’ lists…

Safety Taylor Mays is the most DANGEROUS and maybe the BEST Safety in college football history- watch for him to do some annihilations this year. :)
He is another example of the national media being ‘asleep’ on a guy.
If he was east of Colorado the national media would be clamoring that he will be a heisman finalist, etc. and begging to do interviews, exposes,, etc.

TrojanGateKeeper says:

July 24, 2008 at 10:13 am

There are 3 resaons that SC will repeat as PAC-10 Champs and go to the NC Game, and the last 2 reasons are the SAME:

1. The USC defense will be nails again.
2. JDB will not be the QB
3. JDB will not be the QB

FIGHT ON!!!

Mrtravlear says:

July 24, 2008 at 11:16 am

Thomas, if you are implying that there is media bias against the left coast you are right but that bias doesn’t apply to USC. If anything, our players and team get more coverage then should be expected.

As far as Booty vs Sanchez, every QB has their strengths and weaknesses. JDB I thought did a poor job of picking up second and third options; he also wasn’t real accurate more the 15-20 yards downfield. On the other hand, he always kept his cool, threw a good short pass and had good on the field leadership. I am hoping for great things from Mr. Sanchez but we will see. My major concern with Mark is his tendency to sometimes force the ball.

My outlook: crystal time

jerry4usc says:

July 31, 2008 at 2:19 pm

Thomas, and TrojanGateKeeper are RIGHT ON!

But, for Mrtravlear:

JDB keeping his cool?? My most vivid recollection of last season, was the TV camera strung up high, and travelling the length of the field, catching the look of abject horror on JDB’s face, as a huge opposing D-Lineman closed in on him — JDB, just before he was crushed to the ground (Mark would have scrambled away), just threw the ball up towards the downfield left sideline — it didn’t even get out of bounds, and six or eight players of both teams tried to get the ball, but it dropped to the ground. What will he do, if he ever gets into an NFL game?

JDB — field leadership ????? Are you kidding? In the locker room, at half-time (leading 9-0), after seeing the broken-throwing-finger x-rays, he insisted that, “Brett Favre plays hurt — keep me in.” What arrogance! That resulted in the worst loss in a century (with FOUR INTERCEPTIONS, FOUR SACKS — for 28 yards, etc.), and years of blog-fodder for every blogger from THE Ohio State to the SEC!!!

Mark will lead this great team to the NC. FIGHT ON !!!

July 31, 2008 at 2:23 pm

PS — the stats for last year were that JDB had a LOSS of 10.7 yards per game, while Sanchez GAINED POSITIVE YARDAGE per game!

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