FOOTBALL

USC Linebackers Step Up

I might have criticized the defensive line and secondary but I haven’t been critical of the linebackers.

Linebackers Shane Lee and Eric Gentry combined for 15 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, .5 sacks, 1 interception and 1 pass breakup vs. Rice.

These guys are going to be the foundation of the defense. And they’ll be making a lot of tackles if the defensive line doesn’t improve.

Ralen Goforth added 2 tackles and an interception so there is depth.

Whatever the defense needs to fix/improve, I’m not worried about the linebackers.

67 thoughts on “USC Linebackers Step Up”

      1. I think I will tebowobama, because whenever I read my posts, I realize what a homer I sound like. Is a matter of fact, I’m such a homer, that I told Clay Helton he could park his Nutts in my mouth.

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    3. I am speechless! And not to mention, a Trojans Ass lick Fanboy! Is a matter of fact, I’m such an Ass lick Fanboy, that I rarely know what I’m talking about 😂😂😂

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  2. Speaking of linebackers, good message.

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  3. You do realize that LBs can make plays because the DL allows them to by occupying the OL blocks? The DL and LBs don’t operate in exclusivity or isolation. This is basic football knowledge. You should know this by now.

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    2. It is all about the team D. If the D-line doesn’t do their jobs, then the LBs struggle. In the ’06 Rose Bowl, the linebackers were Rey-Rey, Clay Matthews Jr., Oscar Lua, Brian Cushing. The USC D-line was outplayed by TX, which meant that the USC backers were off-balance, having to guess, having to pursue, as the D-Line didn’t contain Young. Not a good game for Pete or the rest of the coaching staff.

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      1. My mind gets fuzzy now with that game because I’ve never watched again after. I can’t watch it. But i do recall going crazy thinking Brian Cushing shouldn’t have played that many minutes in that game. We were without Sartz all season after he got hurt early on and Carroll continued to play Cushing who got exposed all game. I don’t remember what options we had besides Cushing but I thought Carroll w 1as stupid by keep Rey out when in the last game of the season against ucla he was clearly showing he needs to get more minutes. He had 2 forced fumbles and 9 tackles that game so you would think Carroll would want to have him ready in the rotation. Cushing just looked lost. Vince Young just picked Carroll apart.

        PS. I really hate to bring this up because I think he quit football over getting death threats after the game, but Ryan Ting……I can’t even say what I want about him. But let’s just say another one who shouldn’t have been on the field that evening. At least that late in the game.

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  5. Chip Kelly a little touchy

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    1. Ha! How far the chippie has fallen! From a household name back in 2011, to “show-cause” chip, to two nfl failures, now playing in front of a few hundred at the Rose Bowl.

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  6. I agree with R. Davis Sr., is that R. Davis who is 3rd string? WTF he made a great analysis linebackers are not the problem it’s the defensive lineman not collapsing the pocket, or driving their man back into QB, so he can’t step up. That will force the RE to get the sack if they don’t run past the play leaving a lane for a Dual QB to torch us. Secondary is coming around led by All World “Sticks Bullock “. He is a freak athlete smart always around the ball. Reminds of Dennis Smith who roamed the backfield with the Ronnie Lott. Wolfe I know deep down you are a UCLA REPORTER MASKING AS A TROJAN LOYALIST, I know why you took the job, because you are informant for The UnitedCullusionLosersAssociation (That’s what RUINS STAND FOR LMFAO. And since they are losers, they didn’t have money to pay you money. Enjoy Week 1 win hey I said it here RUINS WILL LOSE AT LEAST 4 GAMES THIS YEAR.

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      1. Dr Oz not campaigning on law and order is just stupidity. Philadelphia DA Krasner is a Soros and USC @NiggaTheory DA. The opponent is a recent stroke victim and yet he’s up by double digits. Trump really fucked up by supporting OZ.

        Liked by 1 person

      2. slo cal:….”because you don’t like their mean tweets.”

        …. lack of morals, habitual liar, racist, sociopath, stealing government docs, twice impeached, pouting like an 8-year-old, espionage, low IQ, on and on!

        IN A NUTSHELL, BAD OVERALL BEHAVIOR!…. character counts!

        BUT HEY!!!!1 you voted for the widely regard worst ever!

        Liked by 1 person

    3. Checked it out, Charles –Appears Oz is doing everything he can to LOSE….. Personally, I think he’s aware of what he’s doing…. nobody is THAT tone deaf…

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      1. …but we ALL need to respect certain boundaries……
        #IThinkYouKnowWhatIMean..
        #WeHaveAPrettyCoolBunchOfGuysHere&IWannaKeepThem

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      2. Hey Gabby
        “…. lack of morals, habitual liar, racist, sociopath, stealing government docs, twice impeached, pouting like an 8-year-old, espionage, low IQ, on and on!” Translation…..you’re a secret Trumpie.

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  9. Note to Lincoln Riley … Happy Birthday! But more importantly, I want to see USC score 40+ points in the 4th Qtr in a game this year. You’re raising the bar bro✌️

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    1. LR will score 55 pts in the PAC? Utah is the only hiccup on this schedule by week 5, we will be in the top 5 in the polls, SC bias in every hater way. We will continue getting better each week. All I want is for the dam DLM penetrate in the backfield and make QB hurry throws then we can play tip drills and take it to the house which we probably be a key to a lot of close games. I forgot ND , we cannot make stupid holding penalties that negate big plays, but we will prevail in the end I will take LR over Freeman don’t have enough athletes. This is starting to look like historical magical season just Watch I said It.

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      1. Team discipline is obviously so much better than in the past. One of the signs of an effective coaching staff. Without discipline, there is no team.

        Liked by 3 people

      2. 1st game jitters. Let’s see what that DL does this week. Trojans get a true test in the trenches and perhaps some adjustments will be made. Tuli is good, they just have to find a way to get him out of the double team. Benton has come a long way and I hope he continues.

        Liked by 4 people

      5. Stanford does have a really good QB. I remember him at Corona Centennial. I think the reason SC didn’t go after him big was because he seemed to be set on Stanford and he wanted to take his 2 year Mormon mission.

        Liked by 1 person

      1. Honor your word. If you say you’re going to do something, do it!

        You get what you work for; You’re not entitled to it.

        Help one another. Not because you expect to get something for it, but because it’s the right thing to do.

        Damn straight it does! 🙂

        Liked by 2 people

      2. As Fess Parker said when asked if he believed in Davy Crockett’s motto of “be sure you’re right then go ahead”—“Yeah, that’s a pretty good one”….

        Liked by 1 person

    2. Hang in there Gabby. Helton slowly drained all of our enthusiasm. The old regime is history. There is a new sheriff in town.

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  11. Chip Kelly says everything is on schedule they have won their last 4 one of which was a beat up USC team in their worst season in history with a coach on his way out. Who else did they play, and if I recall correctly they did not show up for the holiday bowl, and the other team wanted to play.

    Wait until Chip’s paycheck bounces! The UCLA football program is in big financial trouble, and it is important to remember the fans matter they help pay the bills.

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    1. I think UCLA got a spiffy settlement from the Under Armour fiasco…
      So while it won’t cover the deficit, it will keep UCLA finances “above ground.”

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  12. After watching some news feed of Stanford, I worry about the end run that they were able to successfully execute. I was pleased to see the effort the defense put in Saturday, so I expect they will rise to the challenge.
    For Helton lovers Clay got his signature blowout win Saturday. Georgia Southern best Morgan State 59-7. Nebraska should fix that this week.

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    1. But…afterwards…. Clay will say his guys played like “gladiators” and he can’t wait to shower with them….
      #”Honey,IMightBeHomeAFewHoursLate…”

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    2. I still don’t worry too much about Stanford. If the toothpaste kids gained 159 yards on the ground against them last saturday, we should be able to gain at least 250-300. And I know that they won’t stop our passing game.

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  13. AS A FORMER USC LB 66-70. IT WAS A PLEASANT SURPRIZE TO SEE THE LB’S STEP UP AND PLAY A GREAT GAME. SHANE LEE WAS VERY IMPRESSIVE AND IS A STUD.. WHAT YOU’D EXPECT FROM ALABAMA!
    DEFENSE IS EVERYTHING! DEFENSE WINS CHAMPIONSHIPS!
    BOB JENSEN LB #51

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    1. Jensen,

      I remeber Mckay’s defenses. They were the best. you could be the mortgage knowing that SC’s defense would come through. My question to you though is, how would Mckay’s defense do against the RPO? It would be interesting to hear it from you since you played for Mckay and understand his system and the RPO. Thank you.

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      1. We’d do very well!
        We had two first rd draft picks ar DE
        Jimmy Gunn and Charlie Weaver.
        You couldn’t run outside of them. They we outstanding and funneled the plays back to the LB’s and pursuit angles.
        Tody Smith, Al Cowlings and Bubba Scott
        Took over the middle and allowed Greg Slough (Future Oakland Raider) and me (Future USC Dental student) to make the tackles.
        We were No. 1 in Run Defense and Team Defense in 1969.
        Same for 1967 and 1968.
        We went 33-2/2 in my 4 years at USC including a 3-0 undefeated Freshman Team vs UClA,Cal and Stanford.
        We looked forward to QB’s trying to run on us!!
        They always paid the price for their tuck and run decisions…
        Cheers. Thanks for remembering our Great teams
        Bob Jensen

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  14. I think Stanford and Fresno State are good games to prepare SC for Oregon State on the road. Stanford and Fresno State are good enough teams to show us a little more about our strengths and weaknesses and yet not good enough to beat us. If we can beat OSU we could enter the Utah Game 6-0.

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    1. Hey parcelman007 I told you before this game Gentry & Lee would be huge. I said that Gentry would drop back in a flex position and disrupt the QB with athleticism and speed. He caused the 2 pic 6 us, QB threw side arm n threw behind the receiver, 2nd just caused him to throw it right to Lee. Man what a freak athlete, I smell something brewing with our athlete’s on both sides of the ball . USC 42-21. Go to 2-0 1-0 PAC? #DelusionalSCFanboy#IamMr.Optimistic#Etphonewolfeforallpredictions

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      1. It would probably be better if he put on 20 pounds but, believe it or not, I haven’t yet seen anyone run over that beanpole body of his. He stands in there and hits you. And that 7’2″ wingspan of his definitely obstructs the passing lanes.

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  15. Hey parcelman007 I told you before this game Gentry & Lee would be huge. I said that Gentry would drop back in a flex position and disrupt the QB with athleticism and speed. He caused the 2 pic 6 us, QB threw side arm n threw behind the receiver, 2nd just caused him to throw it right to Lee. Man what a freak athlete, I smell something brewing with our athlete’s on both sides of the ball . USC 42-21. Go to 2-0 1-0 PAC? #DelusionalSCFanboy#IamMr.Optimistic#Etphonewolfeforallpredictions

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      2. At 6’6″ he could get up to 270 pounds and be a great edge rusher in the pros. But he could also be a great LB in the pros but not at 200. If he wants to play at the next level, he needs to get up to 230 or 235. But at 6’6″ he can easily handle that weight with out losing much, if any, speed.. It is a little early to tell but this guy looks like he can become the next great LB at SC.

        Liked by 1 person

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