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USC football: Fuzzy reception for Trojans’ wideouts
September 21st, 2009, 10:00 am · 15 Comments · posted by Michael Lev, staff writer
Pete Carroll is the ultimate decision-maker in the USC football program, so if the offense is overly conservative, it’s his call.
But it isn’t as if Carroll doesn’t want to get the ball to the Trojans’ wide receivers.
“They’re not getting as much action as we want them to,” Carroll said. “The ball’s not getting there. They just haven’t had enough chances.
“We’ve got to get the ball outside, spread things out and make it easier for the overall functioning of the offense. Meanwhile, we have to continue to develop the quarterbacks. There’s a process we have to work through. Hopefully, the defense will continued to keep us in the game.”
Not exactly a ringing endorsement, eh?
Carroll also acknowledged missing receiver Ronald Johnson, who’s easily USC’s best deep threat. Johnson could return sometime next month from his broken clavicle.
Meantime, the receivers’ statistics so far reveal a lot.
The current top three — Damian Williams, David Ausberry and Brice Butler — have combined for 19 catches, 251 yards and zero touchdowns. Extrapolated over a 13-game season, that comes to 82 catches, 1,088 yards and, of course, no scores.
Last season’s top three — Williams, Johnson and Patrick Turner — combined for 140 receptions, 2,180 yards and 27 touchdowns.
Where have you gone, Mark Sanchez? Oh yeah, that’s right. New York. And you wonder why Carroll was so upset.
More from the USC blog:
- Report card: Grading the Trojans (vs. Washington)
- USC football: Fixing the passing game won’t be easy
- USC football: Updates on Mays, Baucham
- USC football: C.J. Gable mystery solved
- USC football: Trojans no longer Pac-10’s best?
- USC football: 5 observations on Trojans-Huskies
- USC football: Complete wrapup of Trojans-Huskies
- USC football: Quote (and stat) of the day
- Poll: For USC at QB, what do you do now?
- USC football: Huskies 16, Trojans 13 (final)
- USC football: Trojans 10, Huskies 10 (halftime)
15 Comments
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Qite Pathetic if you ask me
Michael,
Weren’t Stafon Johnson and Joe McKnight sick the week before the game? Also, how is Marc Tyler’s injury. Thank you.
The Trojan offense, right now, is too straight-away. A simple way of opening seams in down-field coverage is by extending the width of the field from a passing standpoint. A horizontal approach, with passes to backs in the flats, quick slants to the receivers, intermediate drag routes and speed-outs are not only relatively safe, but they also work to spread (and effectively thin) out the defensive thrust, which happens to be lurking between the offensive tackles waiting on the inside zone run game. The zone run scheme works extremely well, but is not being complemented with waggles and boot-legs. Of course, it helps to have a certain degree of comfort with the QB.
PC knows all of that, just wants to feel confident about his QB making those throws.
Where the eff was the vertical passing game Saturday!!?? I don’t want to hear about Ronald Johnson!! Other teams have injuries too and when you bring in the nation’s top recruits year after year, then you have no excuses!! You knock one out, that’s ok, we have another guy just like him - that should be the system and the mentality!
USC can’t just show up and think their opponent will fold, they have to earn the win with a can-do atiitude and ability. USC has ability….and fortunately, Florida, Texas, and Alagama have the can-do attitude.
I’m tired of this underachieving, year after year. What is USC’s mantra?? “Committment to Excellence” Now, prove it!!
Hey…..let’s play to win. Not to lose ! Why have all this
national talent if you are not going to use it ?
Now everyone understands why Pete Carroll had that melt down, breakdown, whatever you want to call it after Mark announced he was leaving for the NFL. You just simply cant replace a veteran with inexperience five star recruits who can probably go two months without shaving.
I have faith that Carroll with find a way to turn this around but it will take time. Just find a way to keep that winning streak against Norte Dame going! It would also be nice to ruin Cal but Im not holding my breath on that one.
PC will turn it around, just let him make some minor adjustments with this upcoming game.
I have full confidence in Pete making sure that this doesn’t happen again this season. However it is now time to throw caution to the wind and allow Barkley to have all the keys to the Ferrari. He has proved that he could handle the ultimate pressure but let’s allow him to use his abilities. He was chosen the leader of this team for a reason. He is a playmaker and Bates needs to start revving this thing up.
Secondly if I was Corp I would look to transfer. It is apparent that he will never be anything more than a backup at SC. The point is he is a spread offense guy and is not capable of running SC’s pro-style offense.
Move Mustain up to the backup and give him Corps reps. If these guys can’t hang on to the ball then they need to sit. This is not pee-wee division where everyone gets to play, this is the where the big boys play and we need to remember that.
I love the fact that Pete has turned this thing over to Barkley but now let’s allow him to lead and do what he does best throw and play qb.
I agree with the Fireman. The only thing I will add is that “if” we are going to take a few lumps this year, I would rather take them with Barkley at the helm. With that being said, I also believe he gives us the best chance at winning. Pete needs to open up the play book. No more time to bring him along slowly. It’s time to put the key in the ignition and get this Ferrari going. Fight On!
What happened to the BOOTLEG! Roll the QB out of the pressure! AC stood in the pocket all the time!
Let’s hope MAJOR adjustments are made for this upcoming game.
I think it will open up no matter who plays quarterback. There is nothing to lose now. USC is not in the pressure cooker to make the title game. Everyone in front of them needs to play well in order to get there. I would not be surprised to see this team make a run and not lose the rest of the year. That does not mean that they will be in the BCS title game but it could be interesting.
I’m not sold on Ausberry and think we need to get some smaller, faster players in there. Yes, Ausberry is playing more because of the injury to RoJo but he would have been the #3 WR even if RoJo was playing. I think we got infatuated with the big WR after having a lot of success with Mike Williams and Dwayne Jarrett and modertate success with Patrick Turner. Ausberry just can’t get open consistently and doesn’t have great hands.
I have to agree with McLovin, Ausberry is showing me nothing at all.
Ausberry has sucked since he’s been here. Great physical presence, low football IQ. We should have NEVER pushed Vidal out of the program.