Linebacker U appears to have moved to L.A.Three Trojan linebackers will be playing big roles when the Cincinnati Bengals and Houston Texans meet on Sunday, as Keith Rivers, Rey Maualuga and Brian Cushing will be starting for their respective teams. Rivers and Cushing lead their teams in tackles so far this year.Read all about this cool connection in this... more »
The NFL preseason resumes tonight with two games featuring seven Trojans. Check them out:Cincinnati Bengals vs. New England Patriots 4:30 p.m.Bengals: Quarterback Carson Palmer, defensive end Frostee Rucker, linebacker Keith Rivers, linebacker Rey MaualugaPhiladelphia Eagles vs. Indianapolis Colts 5 p.m. (Fox)Eagles: Offensive lineman Winston Justice, defensive lineman Mike PattersonColts: Defensive lineman Fili Moala... more »
Here we are, only minutes away from the '09 draft. But before the clock starts running, how about a look back to the Trojans of '08. How did they fare in their rookie seasons?
Sedrick Ellis, 7th overall, Saints: 30 tackles, 4 sacks. Keith Rivers, 9th overall, Bengals: 37 tackles (in 7 games), a forced fumble and an interception before being eliminated from the season by a crushing block from Hines Ward. Sam Baker, 21st overall, Falcons: Started 5 games, played 7. Integral force in Matt Ryan and the Falcons impressive post-Vick turnaround. Lawrence Jackson, 28th overall, Seahawks: 29 tackles, 2 sacks. Chilo Rachal, 2nd round - 7th pick, 49ers: Started 6 games, played 8. Fred Davis, 2nd round -17th pick, Redskins: 3 receptions for 27 yards. If Sanchez lands there, Davis may get a increase in passes thrown his way. Terrell Thomas, 2nd round, 32nd pick, Giants: 45 tackles, a blocked kick, a forced fumble and an interception. John David Booty, 5th round, 2nd pick, Vikings: Has yet to get his feet wet. Thomas Williams, 5th round, 20th pick, Jaguars: 1 tackle, 1 forced fumble. Chauncey Washington, 7th round, 6th pick, Jaguars: 4 carries, 9 yards. 1 reception, 9 yards.
So the big winners last year were Terrell Thomas and Keith Rivers until...
Here are our thoughts on the guys that stood out in last nights presentation. Full bios and direct quotes from Pete Carroll after the jump.
John Martinez, OL, 4-STAR
Just a nasty, pancake blocking guard. He can get down field too (a la Jeff Byers). Highlight after highlight he would pull from his guard position, run and then just destroy someone. They want him to play center. He will be a cornerstone of a future O-line group.
Kevin Graf, OL, 4-STAR
This guy is 6'6" and 315 pounds. He looked like the green giant against his high school peers.
Matt Barkley, QB, 5-STAR
Not much needs to be said. #1 player in the country. Big arm. Can read defenses. Dedicated. His eyes were nearly popping out of his head when he spoke to the coaches following Mark Sanchez's departure.
De'Von Flournoy, WR, 4-STAR
Holy cow. Not sure if we have ever seen a highlight reel like his. There were over 20 plays. And not one that didn't go for a touchdown. Very impressive speed and sense of other players around him.
Jacob Harfman, K, 2-STAR
A little shorter than David Buehler but definitely of the same mold (a big, physical kicker). He can do it all — placekicking and punts. He was 3 for 3 over 50 yards and has kicked a 70 yarder in practice. He has incredible hangtime on his kickoffs if anyone ever does decide to take it out, they will be met with the Trojans special teams before getting to the 20. The ball just explodes off his foot.
Hebron Fangupo, DT, 4-STAR
Great penetration up the middle, even while drawing double teams on every play.
James Boyd, DE, 4-STAR
An incredible athlete that was actually the starting QB for his high school too. He is a freaking defensive end! He plays basketball too (and averages 25 points and 22 rebounds).
Devon Kennard, DE, 5-STAR
A prototypical freak defensive end. Hopefully with a more malleable attitude than Everson Griffen.
Frankie Telfort, LB, 4-STAR
He ran a 4.39. He is a cerebral player. He wants to major pre-med. He has a cool name. He has potential to be a really, really special player.
Jarvis Jones, LB, 4-STAR
A mean hitter that doesn't take any wasted steps before blowing up his opponent. Impressive.
Jawanza Starling, DB, 4-STAR
Another mean hitter. He is going to play baseball for SC too.
Tuesday is the day -- the day that former Trojan and current Bengal Keith Rivers finally gets the wires off his broken jaw and gets to return to solid foods. From his blog over at Yardbarker:
Wanted to give an update - I get the wires off Tuesday so I'll be able to eat again. It's been too long. I've lost 20 pounds but I should be able to put that back on pretty easy. At least I hope so. I am anxious to find out what I can't eat. I know it will be soft stuff to start so I'll be looking for some mac and cheese, some fish, stuff like that. I used to go to sleep and have dreams about food. I get so tired during the days, I'd be watching TV and some food commercial would come on and I'd start to dose and immediately start dreaming about the food in the commercial.
All we can say is, Hines Ward better retire after this season -- otherwise next year's first Bengals-Steelers matchup could bring a world of hurt for the Steelers' aging receiver.
<!----><!---->This week, five-star linebacker and USC commitment Vontaze Burfict was officially invited to the Army All-American Bowl in San Antonio (Texas) Jan. 3. In front of a large group of fans and schoolmates at Husky Stadium, Burfict accepted his invitation to represent the West - following in the footsteps of Keith Rivers, Rey Maualuga, Brian Cushing and Chris Galippo... more »
Keith Rivers was dealt a season-ending blow that broke his jaw last Sunday. He was having a productive season and was tied for 2nd in team tackles prior to this injury.
Keith Rivers was dealt a season-ending blow that broke his jaw last Sunday. He was having a productive season and was tied for 2nd in team tackles prior to this injury.
Some familiar names are on the ballot for this year's NFL Pro Bowl. Check out the former USC players under consideration: Ryan Kalil (C, Carolina) Deuce Lutui (G, Arizona) Sam Baker (T, Atlanta Falcons) Matt Cassel (QB, New England) Carson Palmer (QB, Cincinnati) Justin Fargas (RB, Oakland) LenDale White (RB, Tennessee) Reggie Bush (both as RB and Kick Returner,... more »
Matt Cassel (QB, New England) was the most watched Trojan in week two. Nothing spectacular, no mistakes, it was a simply a solid performance that got the job done. He completed 16-of-23 for 165 yards and picked up 7 yards on 2 carries. As he pointed out in a post-game interview, all that matters are W's. He earned one... more »
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