Answer Monday, Part IV
Only football questions in this segment, folks, that should please some people.
Q: Dont you think that Pete needs to talk to Sir Alex about how to beat an inferior opponent isntead of Jurgen? MU-3 ABB-0 Bayern 1 Lyon1
With all the big backs (Bradford, Green, Johnson)why not run right at a team like Oregon State in the 1st half to wear them down? Do you think the Thursday national spot light went to Sarks head and went for high light reel plays instead of hard nose domination? I am just dumb founded with the play calls at Oregon state...McKnight should have been pulled like Booty w/ stanford..
A: I did ask a coach last week why USC didn't just hammer every opponent and was not given an answer. I think you can use several backs every game but I don't know why Stafon Johnson seems to get the short straw every game (for two years running). It's a testament to his character that he did not already transfer.
Q: I noticed during the Oregon State game the O-linemen of Oregon State getting downfield and blocking for receivers who caught short passes. Isn't this against the rules, "illegal receiver downfield"? I know the pass has to be beyond the line of scrimage, but it sure seemed like alot of these plays were illegal. Not that this caused the loss.
A: I asked a USC coach about this and they said the Beaver linemen were usually within the rule for going downfield. And it also matters if the ball was caught behind the line of scrimmage. This rule is often ignored, however, or simply not caught by officials. There was a blatant example in the UCLA-Tennessee game.
Q: Since you don't answer my football related questions. I ask you this, how much time do you devote to your day searching for college cheerleaders on the internet?
A: None since I met the Oregon cheerleaders.
Q: You get to play Pete Carroll for a day. What changes would you make, small or large, to the team? It can be game management, play-calling, depth chart, coaches, practice...whatever
A: I would install Stafon Johnson as the No. 1 tailback and play more man-to-man defense in the secondary. I'd also make Taylor Mays more of an attacking safety than a center fielder to take advantage of his athletic ability. And last but not least, I would make throwing to the fullback/tight end a top priority.
Regarding the last Q&A...
Then you'd have Scott Wolf on your azz every day in his blog fretting that McKnight, Gable, Bradford, etc. were going to transfer and/or weren't being used properly and questionning why the SC defense allows itself to get beat on the deep pass when Mays should lay back and let all the talent in the front 7 shut down the underneath stuff.
See what I mean, Scott? Even you'd have to admit your a pain in the azz then!
I hate to admit this... and I mean HATE to admit this, but I agree totally and completely with Wolfie on that last question. I would love for SC to play a more aggressive, man-to-man defense that could blanket the receivers and stop those soft throws into zone (a la the Oregon State game). I also think Stafon should be the primary back and double his number of carries (although still giving the other guys their touches as well), and I have no problem letting Taylor Mays get in the mix and use his size and speed more. In fact, I think Drew McCalister is probably better suited for that rover position. He seems to have great ball skills (nice INT Saturday night) and as a former (really good high school) quarterback he seems to know where the ball is going to be. He reminds me of a better version of Tom Zibikowski (probably butchered the spelling)