Oscar Lua
The Patriots haven’t been afraid to dip into Pete Carroll’s well of Southern Cal talent in the past, grabbing linebacker Oscar Lua in the seventh round of last year’s NFL draft. While Lua never made it on the field, suffering a training camp knee injury that ultimately led to his departure last month, it’s possible the Pats may once again...
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No matter what happens in two weeks, the Trojan Family will add some Super Bowl rings to the collection. Here's how USC alums fared in this weekend's NFL conference championships: Steve Smith (WR - New York Giants) made two caches, of 14 and 11 yards, in a 23-20 OT victory in Green Bay. Junior Seau (LB - New England)...
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Justin Fargas (RB) was a surprise star for Oakland, picking up a career high 179 yards on 22 carrier with a long of 48. He replaced injured starter LaMont Jordan just before halftime. Matt Leinart (QB) started for Arizona, was replaced by Kurt Warner, then returned in the fourth to lead a touchdown drive that put the game out...
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From The Patriot Ledger:Promising rookie inside linebacker Oscar Lua violated the first rule of the fourth preseason game - don’t get hurt. Lua suffered a right leg injury on the opening drive of Thursday night’s preseason finale against the New York Giants and did not return. He barely made it off the field and then lay on his back...
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Charles Krupa/The Associated Press. As part of rookie hazing, the Patriots' Zach West, left, and Oscar Lua had their hair buzzed by veterans...
The game is bigger, faster and harder. With a whole new team and a whole new play-book, the incoming Trojan rookies are showing their youth when it comes to the NFL learning curve.
Inside: A player by player look at the Trojan rookies in the NFL.
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As we continue on our daily countdown towards the 2007 season, we are now at 58. There is no question who should represent this number on the countdown...USC linebacker Rey Maulaluga!!The 6'3" 250 lbs. middle (Mike) linebacker is the unquestioned leader of a Trojan defense believed by many say to be the best in the Pete Carroll era. Maualuga...
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Dwayne Jarrett, Carolina Panthers, 2nd Round, 45th pick
Steve Smith, New York Giants, 2nd Round, 51st pick
Ryan Kalil, Carolina Panthers, 2nd Round, 59th pick
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Live from the Shrine Auditorium in the center of the universe -- sunny Los Angeles, California -- it's the TrojanWire 1,000th Post Spectacular Special. Featuring appearances by Reggie Bush, Salma Hayek, Matt Leinart, Paris Hilton, Pete Carroll, Carson Palmer, Stephen Colbert, Junior Seau, Snoop Dogg, Marcus Allen, Ted Knight, Bacon-wrapped Hot Dogs, Keith Rivers, Henry Winkler, Lofa Tatupu, Alyssa Milano, Charles White, Shrek, Anthony Davis, Kirsten Dunst, Oscar Lua, Judith Regan, and many more.
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Rey Maualuga on Oscar Lua:
"He'd always be there to help me out. Watching film, he'd break things down for me. Even though we were going for the same position, he didn't care. He was helping me out."
Sportswriter J.A. Adande:
Each lesson meant less playing time for Lua down the road. It's like Bill Gates sharing ideas with Steve Jobs. Why would Lua put so much effort into teaching Maualuga?
Oscar Lua:
"Because I want to win. It's that simple."
Lua is an unexpected Trojan force [LA Times]
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No one is questioning the physical freakishness or outstanding play of MLB Rey Maualuga, but so far (with little evidence to go from) it does seem like the D gels better as a unit under the leadership of MLB Oscar Lua.
We are not sure who was calling for the defense to slant to the wrong side all the time against Washington State (Rey Maualuga or Nick Holt), but this was the role of Oscar Lua and Lofa Tatupa when they played at the MLB spot.
"There's no one else, besides Oscar, he was like Lofa Tatupu, who always talked to the defense," one player said.
Defensive end Lawrence Jackson said a linebacker is typically the most vocal because they act as "the quarterback of the defense."
"I don't think it's any one set person," Jackson added. "There isn't any person right now that stands out but everyone can talk."
Maualuga agreed but he is only a sophomore.
"The (middle linebacker) is in charge of everything," he said. "But I think everyone can be a leader."
No worries Rey. But as you play more and more, the more fumbles you create, the more quarterbacks you confuse, the more backs you stop in their tracks after shooting a gap, you will want to be the one, the leader, shouting reads to your teammates.
Sans Lua, defense still seeks leader [LA Daily News]
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Pete Carroll has said that he could use 20 players on defense. Let's look at who will make up that rotation.
Starters first, in order of (our intrepretation) of Carroll's favoritism:
1. Josh Pinkard, Safety, #36
2. Lawrence Jackson, Defensive End, #96
3. Oscar Lua, Linebacker, #45
4. Dallas Sartz, Linebacker, #42
5. Chris Barrett, Defensive Tackle, #91
6. Kevin Ellison, Safety, #4
7. Sedrick Ellis, Nose Tackle, #49
8. Kyle Moore, Defensive End, #84
9. Keith Rivers, Linebacker, #55
10. Terrell Thomas, Cornerback, #28
11. Kevin Thomas, Cornerback, #15
Then the reserves (still in terms of Carroll's favor):
12. Rey Maualuga, Linebacker, #58
13. Brian Cushing, Linebacker/Defensive End, #10
14. Fili Moala, Defensive Tackle, #75
15. Kaluka Maiava, Linebacker, #43
16. Jeff Schweiger, Defensive End, #54
17. Cary Harris, Cornerback, #7
18. Thomas Williams, Linebacker, #41
19. Antwine Perez, Safety, #6
20. Taylor Mays, Safety, #29
Surely this list is debatable, but it should be a good indicator of who to watch for tomorrow. Expect the Arkansas offense to be running some no-huddle to limit SC's defensive substitutions though.
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Five days until kickoff in Fayetteville!
We have updated the TrojanWire gridiron (the NEWS BY PLAYER nav) according to the latest position battles.
First we need to talk about junior offensive guard Drew Radovich because we've never even mentioned him here before. Shame on us -- not even representing a good old boy from our hometown Orange County. Drew beat out Jeff Byers to become the starting left guard this fall. Byers will likely back up Ryan Kalil at center.
Terrell Thomas is back at corner after suffering a knee injury last year against Arkansas. Kevin Thomas or Cary Harris are listed as the second corners, but we are staying with the Thomas theme.
We are leaving the 4-3 set up on D and Kyle Moore as the second defensive end, but we could change that depending on how often we see Brian Cushing.
Oscar Lua is there at MLB because he is a team captain. Rey Maualuga will eventually supplant him though.
Chris Barrett and Fili Moala were actually listed as co-starters at defensive tackle. But we can only give the nod to one guy. Sorry Fili.
Saddleback JC transfer Ryan Powdrell takes over for Brandon Hancock in the three-point stance.
But what everyone wants to know is who will be the starting tailback? While it would be much easier to fit C.J. Gable's name in there, we came up with an abbreviation for the former math major, Chauncey Washington (C. Washington). Seems only fair. The guy deserves the benefit of the doubt if he says, "I'll be good for Arkansas."
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