Here are some week 9 highlights of former Trojans now playing in the NFL. This week features
David Buehler, Dwayne Jarrett, Reggie Bush, Terrell Thomas, Steve Smith, Kevin Ellison, Keith Rivers, Rey Maualuga (Cinco Ocho), Carson Palmer, Troy Polamalu and Brian Cushing.

Fight On!

(Video created by Eric Espinoza and the USC video operations department)

For four out of seven weeks of this NFL season, a USC rookie has won the Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Week award. Mark Sanchez won the award three times and Clay Mattews won in week 6. This week Brian Cushing is nominated. Cushing had 10 tackles, one sack and an interception last week vs. the Bills. Houston defeated Buffalo 31-10.

To vote for Brian Cushing click here.

Week 8 nominees for Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Week [nfl.com]

In Pete King’s Monday Morning Quarterback awards section this week, he wrote about former USC linebackers Brian Cushing and Clay Matthews. Both were his defensive players of the week, or as he called it "the USC rookie linebacker alumni section."

Here is what King has to say about Brian Cushing:

The Texans went to Cincinnati and laid a 28-17 beatdown on the red-hot Bengals, thanks to four touchdown passes from Schaub and two important second-half turnovers by Cushing, who forced fumbles in the third and fourth quarters that Houston recovered. Cushing added an interception on the Bengals' last drive of the day. For the season, he's led the Texans in tackles in four of their six games.

And Clay Matthews:

In the Pack's 26-0 whitewashing of Detroit, Matthews had two sacks, another tackle for loss, a pass batted down and five tackles. Green Bay held Detroit to 71 net passing yards, and Matthews played the biggest role.

(AP Photo)

Cushing and Matthews were also nominated for this weeks Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Week. To vote for either of them click here.

MONDAY MORNING QB [cnnsi]
Nominees for Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Week [nfl.com]

Last week Mark Sanchez won the Pepsi NFL rookie of the week award. Sanchez is again nominated for this honor along with former USC linebacker Brian Cushing.

Sanchez led the Jets to a 16-9 win over their hated rival the New England Patriots. Sanchez finished the day 14 for 22 with 163 yards and one TD. Cushing helped the Houston Texans defeat the Tennessee Titans 34-31 by recording 10 tackles (two went for losses) and deflecting a pass. To vote for either Mark Sanchez or Brian Cushing, click here.

(Photo by Icon Sports Media)

Harvin among nominees for Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Week honors [nfl.com]

(Read full post)

StingRey: The Bengals are finding out rather quickly just how effective linebacker Rey Maualuga can be as a pass-rusher. I can tell you this, you’re not going to block him with a running back. Just ask Kenny Watson, who was thumped by Maualuga on a play when rushing the passer. Watson was left sprawled on the field like road kill. He had to shake out the cobwebs before being helped to his feet by teammates. - Springfield News-Sun

Clay Matthews is moving on up: "First-rounder Clay Matthews surpassed Jeremy Thompson as the Packers' starting right outside linebacker Monday. It took Matthews all of three practices to force the move. Coach Mike McCarthy is downplaying the change, but it's clear the job is now Matthews' to lose. Matthews is a more natural outside linebacker than Thompson, able play the run while also providing a pass rushing presence." - Rotoworld

Brian Cushing has new haircut: “I'm a lot cooler now at practice, so I'm happy about that,” Cushing said. “I had a pretty good feeling about what was going to go on. It was part of the rookie entertainment. I went up there and sang a song, and the second part of it was getting my hair cut...It's about two years right there, off in about 30 seconds. It's a lot quicker to cut than to grow.” -Chron.com

Kaluka Maiava has made Browns Head Coach Eric Mangini a fan – “He’s done a good job. He’s been working inside, both spots inside and some work on sub, which we haven’t gotten to at this point, but we will here shortly. He’s a guy that I thought was very smart when I interviewed him. I liked his style of play. I liked what he had done on special teams in college and I think that he’ll get a chance to contribute in a lot of different ways if he continues to progress.” -The Cleveland Leader

Here is what Houston Texans coach Gary Kubiak thinks about former Trojan linebacker and first-round draft pick Brian Cushing:

“Cushing has been a starter since the day he stepped off the bus. We’re very happy with him.”

Kubiak likes what he sees — his best team yet [chron.com]

We won't have to wait long to find out if the Trojans do indeed simply reload after losing so many star players to the NFL draft. After hosting San Jose State in their Sept. 5 opener, the Trojans play at Ohio State on Sept. 12. Either Aaron Corp or freshman Matt Barkley will be making his second career start at quarterback in that game. There will be a lot of talent around whoever starts at quarterback, including receiver Damian Williams and as many as six tailbacks who could start on most other Pac-10 teams. Eight starters must be replaced on defense, including linebackers Brian Cushing and Rey Maualuga and defensive end Clay Matthews. The Trojans feel pretty good about their linebacker corps, and end Everson Griffen finally emerged as a potential difference-maker during spring practice. Along with the road trip to Ohio State, USC faces difficult road games at California on Oct. 3, at Notre Dame on Oct. 17, at Oregon on Oct. 31 and at Arizona State on Nov. 7.

Other teams on the Trojans schedule in the top 25 are Ohio State (6), Oregon (11), Cal (13) and Notre Dame (17).

Big 12, SEC continue to dominate [espn.com]

Good see Cushing giving back to the community…

Gary Lynn was born with Cerebral Palsy but that hasn't stopped him from striving to help others with the same disease. Harry Smith had the surprise of a lifetime for this devout sports fan.

An Angel's Reward [cbsnews.com]

We spent a lot of time talking about quarterbacks this spring in the Pac-10, most particularly USC's quarterback competition -- did ya hear, Aaron Corp's No. 1 but this freshman Matt Barkley looks like the bees' knees!

The other general theme isn't new: After reviewing the tea leaves on the table, does any team have the karmic -- and talent -- potential to unseat USC from the top of the Pac-10?

The answer? Maybe.

What we learned. Or developed a hunch about.

1. Oregon State's quarterback situation is ... interesting: You have two starting quarterbacks who are seniors. One is going to sit. No other way to describe it. Lyle Moevao threw for 2,500 yards and 19 touchdowns last year but he sat out spring practices with a shoulder injury, which is exactly what happened to Sean Canfield last year before he lost his starting job. By the way, Canfield went 3-0 -- two starts -- subbing for Moevao in 2008. Though he struggled in the spring game with three interceptions, Canfield played well enough throughout that he probably owns a slight lead heading into the offseason.

2. USC's defense may not be as good as 2008, but it's probably as good as anyone else: The 2008 USC defense had more future NFL players on it than any other unit in the nation. And the 2009 version might not be any different, though there's clearly youth and inexperience to fret about from the Trojans' perspective. Still, start with perhaps the best secondary in the nation, led by safeties Taylor Mays and Josh Pinkard. Then consider the breakout spring of end Everson Griffen, who could win the Pac-10 sack title if he remains focused. Further, word is the three new linebackers might not match the NFL-ready standard of Rey Maualuga, Clay Matthews and Brian Cushing, but Malcolm Smith, Chris Galippo and Michael Morgan are faster. Toss in some impressive youngsters up front, and it's hard to imagine this crew not ranking among the nation's top 10 in just about every category.

3. The conference of ... running backs: The Pac-10 might feature the best collection of running backs in the nation. Five 1,000-yard rushers are schedule to return, including California's Jahvid Best, the conference's top Heisman Trophy candidate, and Oregon State's Jacquizz Rodgers, who won the conference's Offensive Player of the Year award as a true freshman. Toss in Oregon's LeGarrette Blount, a potential first-day NFL draft pick in 2010, and Stanford's Toby Gerhart and Arizona's Nic Grigsby, not to mention the six-deep stable of runners at USC, and the battle for first-team Pac-10 might be more arduous than All-American.

4. But can anyone block? Three teams that ran the ball well last year -- Arizona, Oregon and Oregon State -- lost three starting offensive linemen, including early-round NFL draft picks. Four others -- Arizona State, UCLA, Washington and Washington State -- were just lousy up front last fall. Even Stanford and California, which should be fairly stout, lost their best blockers from 2008. The conference's only sure thing up front is USC, which welcomes back its entire starting five, including All-American center Kristopher O'Dowd. Moreover, the teams that entered spring with questions on the line didn't get many answers three weeks later. O-line play might be the most critical issue facing the conference in 2009, even more so than at quarterback.

5. Sarkisian and Kelly bring new energy: Steve Sarkisian and Chip Kelly inherited completely different situations, but both made a mark by upping the intensity of practices. Sarkisian, of course, took over a lifeless program that Tyrone Willingham ran into the ground (uncharitable, but inarguable). He opened up practices and practically begged boosters and old Huskies greats to come visit. He also increased the tempo and energy level of practices -- heck, everything around the team -- which might do more than anything to get the Huskies a handful of wins next fall. Meanwhile, Kelly took over for one of the best coaches in the nation, Mike Bellotti, and brought a little East Coast volume to Ducks practices. He's not completely renovating the Ducks, who finished in the nation's top 10 last year, but he's going to add his own coat of paint -- which at Oregon, as you known, probably will be a fairly loud shade.

How do your replace Brian Cushing, Rey Maualuga and Clay Matthews? Meet Malcolm Smith, the younger brother of former Trojan All-American receiver and now current NY Giant Steve Smith. At 6-1, 225 pounds the Junior LB has been ball-hawking and making big plays throughout all of spring practice.

Coach Carroll on Smith:

“He’s been very outgoing, very assertive, taking command of his opportunity so far. There’s no doubt that he’s a unique athlete. He’s really fast. He’s really nifty. He’s like a running back playing linebacker.”

Smith was a standout on special teams last season. You can see why in the above clip. Turn up the speakers and laugh as Smith destroys a Golden Domer.

USC football: Stars of the scrimmage (defense) [oc register]

#15 - Houston Texans:
Brian Cushing
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#26 - Green Bay Packers:
Clay Matthews, Jr.
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