FOOTBALL

USC Needs More Fundamentals

One more thing on the defense. A big problem vs. BYU was players being out of position . . . and poor tackling.

“If USC worked on fundamentals and techniques for 40 minutes a day, they would be so much better,” said an NFL scout who attends practices. “They spend little or no time on fundamentals.”

34 thoughts on “USC Needs More Fundamentals”

  1. There were tons of missed tackles in both the Fresno and BYU games, particularly against their QBs. So many missed sack opportunities.

    If Pendergast doesn’t figure out the D soon, they will be giving up 500 plus yards, and 35 or more points per game against the better teams.

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    1. I can’t remember who said it, 67, but some of our players “just aren’t that into it.” Without naming names I’ve seen d-line players and linebackers going half speed as a runner passes them —it’s like they don’t care about making the play unless it falls in their lap. Carr obviously doesn’t want to play physical football —there’s such a drop off from what we saw from Aca’Cedric Ware last year (who got himself into the doghouse by calling out Helton for his light practices, by the way). It’s been said again and again but it bears repeating —Helton has a positive knack for NOT getting 100% from his players.

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      1. Michael, that was so noticeable during the BYU game in terms of lack of pursuit after the BYU runner passed the defender. Assuming that was part of the D being “gassed”, but a “gassed D” seems to be the norm now.

        Carr looked so tentative last week, though he didn’t get a ton of help from the O-line. Stepp didn’t get a ton of help either, from the O-line but he is a freight train and was so much more effective. He could be the key against Utah.

        #ButWillSteppPlay?

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    2. I saw people giving up on plays and I don’t know if they were uninspired or just tired. USC rarely seems to “want it” as much as the other team. This could be as much a recruiting problem as a motivational one.

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      1. Clay —Helton is not only not a first rate coach (although he’s not QUITE as bad as we make him out to be sometimes), he’s also a very poor judge of talent. Toa and Max Browne are two conspicuous examples — but there are so many 4 star players on our roster that a coach like Meyer would recognize as overrated a mile away. Add to this the fact that Helton has a history of coaching down some pretty exceptional talents — like asking Sam Darnold to stay in the pocket more (and letting Baxter tell Ben Griffiths “not to kick it so far and pay more attention to direction”) —and you end up with a demoralized, confused and undisciplined team on the field……
        #…AndThat’sWhatWeGetEveryYear…

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      3. P. S.
        Just for fun I thought I’d mention that Phil Steele had Bradlee Anae ranked 327th coming out of highschool —we have a bunch of top 20 O-lineman — guess who’s gonna play harder on Friday?

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      5. MG, there’s a lot of talent on this roster so it’s hard for me to agree that he doesn’t have an eye for talent. There’s no way for you to be 100% right with every player you take. Coach Meyer recruited and offered a lot of upperclassmen on this team.

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      6. Clay —So I guess that answers your question as to whether Clay has recruiting problems or motivational problems. [Seriously, when Urban’s guys played our guys, they did look and play like they wanted it more—but, then again, they looked more athletic too]…
        #AndMeyer’sPlayersDon’tLeaveEarlyAsOftenAsClay’sPlayers…..
        #….[WhoSeemLikeTheyCan’tWaitToLeave]….

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      7. Bigger and more athletic… It goes back to my thought about regional differences and the availability of quality recruits. We’re not even really holding down our own backyard. All you have to do is win and they will come.

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  2. Clay Helton doesn’t even understand the importance of controlling the line of scrimmage, much less fundamentals. His philosophy is much like a kid playing sandlot football, no direction, or discipline.

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  4. It looks like you guys can put your Urban Meyers wet dreams to rest because Dr Folt has said she’s not interested. I agree with her because the guy is a corner cutter and the program needs to stay clean. The last superstar head coach that was here resulted in the program getting shellacked by the NCAA. Take it from a hare who has had to sit on a couch and look at the asses of tortoises, earnest plodders can get there.

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      2. They’d be better, of course, Arturo. But they won’t take us to a championship either. How do I know? How many championships have they won to this point? [I hope that Folt isn’t stupid enough to say no to Meyer if he expresses an interest —we need Meyer way more than we need Folt)……

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      3. If I was looking for another head coach right now, I’d go against the grain and ask Mike Tomlin if he’s sick of the NFL and being in Pittsburgh. It’s going to be a long year for the Steelers and I think he’d be a great coach and recruiter in college.

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      6. Don’t like Stoops–never wins the big one ( Orange Bowl Naty) & more
        Or James Franklin—Rose Bowl- same play twice–and what has he won.

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  6. TRAFFIC FRIDAY
    In addition to the normal Friday night L.A. traffic– USC game @ 6:00PM… The Dodgers are playing at home also @ 7:10PM…. Traffic should really *****.

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  8. Helton is rah rah as a strategy. He knows he is toast and he always chooses the path of least resistence and he does not want to lose the locker room or the staff so he can extend his stay as long as possible. Its too be a ball buster like Nick Saban. He does not want to leave a dumpster fire if he wants another job.

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