FOOTBALL

USC Afternoon Notes

It’s OK to think JT Daniels should start. But Clay Helton could at least be honest.

“He did a wonderful job within the system, from his accuracy, his decision making, getting the ball out on rhythm, and just being consistent every day,” Helton said.

Consistent? He had some of his worst practices during training camp and has not made the expected jump yet that many predicted.

But you will never learn anything listening to Helton.

  • A reader emailed me and asked if it were true Jack Sears told Helton in the offseason he would transfer if he were not named the starter.

This is untrue. The quarterbacks all wanted to be evaluated fairly, especially by Graham Harrell. If you make a demand, you are putting yourself in a horrible position with the coaches, who usually don’t like being intimidated.

Sears has always been a team player and never complained. Fink has never complained. So any rumors like that are simply false.

  • If you want to read a good article on USC’s lack of transparency, including with the athletic dept., this is a good article. One USC professor likens the administration and Board of Trustees to the Kremlin.
  • The Sun Bowl got a new sponsor!

16 thoughts on “USC Afternoon Notes”

  1. I despise SW most of the time…but someone show me a quote where Grammy Harrell says something about JT starting? No doubt it will come, but even Pittman has more praise for Klovis. I even think JT should get the mod in game one, but if he chokes…it’s over. Kid should of never left HS early. It might have ruined an otherwise solid career…but maybe not. Time will tell.

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    1. Harrell’s expressions during interviews belied his view about Slovis. He seems much more excited about the kid than the other 3.

      If the QBs are literally so close together, then pull the starter if he doesn’t perform.

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    2. J.T. Daniels didn’t leave high school early, his daddy held him back in the 8th grade because he couldn’t compete with kids his own age.

      But nice effort trying to make it sound as if J.T. Daniels wasn’t already 18 when he left Mater Dei.

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      1. He didn’t say JT was under 18 when he graduated. He graduated high school as a junior. Yes he did graduate a year early, even if he was held back earlier in his life.

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    3. Wayne just made a really keen observation —one that even Scott didn’t come up with (although Scott is, by implication, part of the observation): Helton screwed Sears over to screw his (Helton’s) critics (chief among whom is Scott —-who has been lobbying for Sears since last year)……
      #NiceWorkScott…
      #….YourLoveGotSearsBenched…For Good….
      #…IfUSCNeeds#4Qb,HeltonWillForfeitGame….

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      2. gt —Ha! [Scott’s influence will become clearer when we’re down to #4 QB on the depth chart by halftime of the Notre Dame game and Helton refuses to bring the team out for the second half]…….
        #”IDidItForSears’sOwnGood…”
        #..”AndI’dDoItAgainNextWeek…InFact,IGuessI’llHaveTo…”

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    1. pjm
      You have stepped up to the plate & have taken one for the(your) team.
      Solid contribution & consistentcy. Two stellar qualities.

      You sir have outdone ObummerMcTrollshit & have pounded him into 2nd place.

      #CongratulationsWellDone

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  3. JT was not impressive as a true Freshman and doesn’t seem to have the “it” factor that Palmer, Leinart, Sanchez, and Darnold had. I think Sears does; he put up some good numbers and it was after the team fell behind and he was given the green light. I will support JT only because I always support SC players and SC football.

    #Searsdeservedbetter

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  4. I wonder what Bryce Young, a mobile QB, is thinking about the Daniels/Slovis move by Helton? I wonder is will be perceived that USC just picked Slovis over Young next year? If Helton doesn’t want Sears, why would he want Young? And is banishing Sears to No. 4 a way for Helton to punish his critics?

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    1. Bryce Young isn’t playing QB for the Trojans…ever.

      It’s not going to happen. For one he’s black and two…he’s a highly talented dual-threat QB.

      If Young wants to play QB for a D1 school he better start deciding where he’s going to go because Helton will bury him on the depth chart just like he did Sears.

      J.T. Daniels and Kedon Slovis have a lock on the QB position for the next 3 years.

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      1. Sadly, you might be right, Tebow- on all counts. Helton does not seem wise enough to be looking too far down the road though.

        The only silver lining is that Slovis was mentored and endorsed by Kurt Warner.

        Liked by 1 person

      2. better tell that to Pudly—he thinks that SC should always have a MD qb–its their divine right!

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    2. 6/6 won’t get a PAC post season bowl in 2019 so in order for Coach Helton to stick positively through 2020, SC would need 7-5. Last thing he wants is more QB drama in 2020.
      Bryce Young needs to wind up to throw sidearm. With his athletic ability he’d be better off in the slot or corner or maybe as a shortstop or pitcher. Never a SC QB in 2020-2.

      #PurePainToAgreeWithObummer

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