Ex-USC QB Todd Marinovich. Mugshot from TMZ.com

We're three days from opening kickoff and still the sports headlines seem fixated on dog fighting, drug charges and vandalism. No, we're not talking about Mike Vick's rap sheet, we're unfortunately talking about three Trojans that have recently made headlines for all the wrong reasons. Two of the Trojans have had their dark past come back to haunt them; the third could only wish to travel back to his former USC glory days.

The story of Marv and Todd Marinovich was supposed to be a cautionary tale, but in many respects, it's become a blueprint.

My only issue with all the work beforehand is that some of our measurements have become distorted.

The 40-yard-dash is now something specifically trained for and the athletes can smoke and mirror their way into a good time that doesn't really mesh with their playing speed on the field and on film.  I don't mean to pick on the kid but look at USC's Steve Smith, he's just not a 4.37/4.44 guy in pads.  Smart people know this and have to reluctantly dismiss his efforts at the combine.

Smith obviously tired of hearing people dog his speed, trained his body to run a fast time and is now perceived to be faster than what he really is.

At one point the combine was a smart and revolutionary idea.  It still has tremendous value as teams get to meet many athletes in-person without having to fly all over the country and get some measurements on them.  However, the "combine" aspect of it is now losing its reliability.  It's not realistic at the moment but eventually I could see a return to a greater reliance on film or in-season screenings to get more reliable times for when everyone's in football shape instead of combine shape.  The investment in players is simply too great and they've now learned ways to game the system. 

Police in Newport Beach say Marinovich was seen in a public restroom with what looked like drug paraphernalia.

They say he tried to flee, first on a bicycle and then on foot. Police say Marinovich was chased down by an officer who trains in long distance running.

The former quarterback is already on probation for a previous drug conviction. He pleaded innocent to resisting arrest.

Todd Marinovich In Trouble With The Law [abc7.com]
Ex-Raider Marinovich Is Jailed Again, Accused of Violating Probation in O.C. [L.A. Times]

IRVINE, Calif. (AP) - Former Southern California and Raiders quarterback Todd Marinovich is serving a 90-day jail term stemming from an arrest in Newport Beach last month for possessing methamphetamine, officials said Monday.

[AP via FOX Sports]