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USC Morning Buzz: Alex Grinch Expects Year 2 Bounce

USC defensive coordinator Alex Grinch explained why Year 2 should be better than Year 1 for the defense?

“Guys just come with a knowledge base that way. You’re not installing everything, every technique, every drill, expectations and all those things,” Grinch said. “So now, believe me, everybody loves Year 2 compared to Year 1, but that’s not the magic elixir either.

“There are no magic bullets to this thing. So we have a responsibility to stack days and work harder. But there’s a bigger unit, there’s a stronger unit. I think it’s a very confident unit, and it’s something that is ongoing because you’ve got to go do it on the field. You can do that in the offseason, but you’ve got to do it through spring football and all those things. It’s been good.”

Grinch said a lot of the burden is on the players who played last season.

“They’ve got to have responsibility on their part to act like they played 14 games last year,” he said.

REACTION: The problem last year was a lot of players played in 14 games but maybe actually showed up in half those games.

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75 thoughts on “USC Morning Buzz: Alex Grinch Expects Year 2 Bounce”

    1. It’s year one for the transfer portal players, so what’s with this “year 2” crap?

      Grinch is an idiot.

      The problem is Grinch, Nua and the other idiot Donte Williams. Not one of them knows what they’re doing.

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  3. I thought Grinch should have been fired. He does not have a history of success and Jim Leonard was available. But I do enjoy his interviews. He uses terms like “an embarrassment” to describe the performance of his defense. He once said that he “wanted to puke” after reviewing game film.

    Liked by 5 people

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    1. Grinch has an engaging sense of public relations….but…. the truth is: his team quit on him in the last 2 games. Backs and receivers [and QB’s] were running right through them. Something serious went wrong.
      #Grinch’sPlayersStoppedPlayingForHim…
      #It’sTooObviousToDeny

      Liked by 5 people

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      1. Well, Michael, we don’t always agree but what are pals for
        When ‘Celeb’ went down in Utah 2 the team was deflated
        and vulnerable, I would not call that “his team quit on him,”
        and Tulane, aaah, Tulane ‘What-a-Pain,’ although that loss is not
        on the defense entirely, but for the ‘Other Williams’

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Agreed MG. And success on the field promotes recruiting. Kids want to play for a winner in front of big crowds and television audiences. The three lineman transfers all stated that came to USC to be part of a historic offense guided by Caleb Williams and coached by Reilly. Grinch’s defense may be historic but not in a good way. Cobb said he came to USC because when he watch them play against Utah it was obvious that the tight ends were dominating the USC linebackers, that there was a hole in the defense and he wanted to fill that hole. Not exactly an endorsement of the defensive coaching staff and players.

        Liked by 4 people

      3. I have been an executive and trainer for many years. As a pro bono task, I have trained both Marines and Navy Seals transitioning to civilian life. The one element I saw for all those reaching that success level was personal drive. A coach, supervisor, trainer can be outstanding but if the person they are developing doesn’t have the mindset and heart to put winning first, you are wasting your time. I hired some failures with MIT and Harvard degrees…they had degrees, but no team drive. Like I did in business, SC needs to look outside the star system. We need a few Scooby Wrights, out of high school a 2 star lightly recruited. Then recruited by Arizona, he went on to be a nightmare for opposing teams including SC, drafted in the 7th round and had a great NFL career. He had a hunger to succeed. No one can teach that!!

        Liked by 3 people

      4. Carra — So true. No one can teach “heart.” But —you know what? — some coaches can discern it better than others. And they go after it. They know how to recruit. They know what to look for. Kyle Whittingham, for example. Clay Helton, not for example.

        Liked by 2 people

      5. and my guess is that only 2-3 starters from last year have a prayer of starting this year.

        i think the defense last year had a savior mentality, as in, Caleb Williams will save us from our incompetence. grinch does need to break that mentality.

        Liked by 2 people

      6. I think Grinch will seem to break the mentality found on last year’s defense — until the chips are down and they need to save the game…
        #…ThenThey’llFallApartAgain

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    2. There were a lot of other guys that were giving signals that they wanted to move on(not just Jim Leonard) like Gary Patterson and Charlie Strong and others. LR should have told Grinch “sorry but we are moving in a different direction

      Liked by 1 person

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  4. I keep waiting to hear Grinch talk about how hard they are hitting, how well they are bringing ball carriers down, and how well they are stopping plays in the backfield. Tired of hearing all this mental bullshit. If they have to think about their attitude they haven’t gotten there yet. When they can play in the zone and execute without giving it a thought then they have attained the mental plateau needed to win with defense. If this continues to be what we get to hear from this DC, he won’t last the season, it will be same thing as last year.

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  5. “Blah blah blah.”
    – Grinch

    What were his excuses at Oklahoma when he had top recruits and every drill was imbedded in there heads for years under his system? Exactly, the same porous defense.

    #Grinch_Gone

    Liked by 1 person

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      2. AG is not part of Biden’s administration!…..wipe the drool and get educated, slo troll.

        When was last the day you posted something/anything related to USC…. I see why many refer to you as the blog troll….Hey, you earned it, feel proud and embrace it!!!!

        Like

      5. I count 6 in the last 48 hours who have called out your childish behavior. Tell a sociopath the truth and he snaps…..go do something constructive!

        Like

      6. And BTW, the AG is part of the President’s Cabinet, i.e. adminstration.

        The Cabinet includes the Vice President and the heads of 15 executive departments — the Secretaries of Agriculture, Commerce, Defense, Education, Energy, Health and Human Services, Homeland Security, Housing and Urban Development, Interior, Labor, State, Transportation, Treasury, and Veterans Affairs, as well as the Attorney General.

        For someone who’s always telling others to get educated, you sure are clueless.

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      8. Disagreeing with something I posted does not equate to calling me the “blog troll”, which nearly a dozen have actually called YOU. Funny how you always ignore that.

        You have a wonderful day now! 🙂

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      9. No one has ever called me the blog troll, you senile fool. And posting Biden’s biography on a daily basis is a prime example of trolling…. You have some serious issues, buddy! I feel empathy for the people who bear your wrath

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      10. And again with the childish insults. Your denial about people having called you that is hilarious.

        Right in line with your lies about my “daily updates”. The past couple of days I wasn’t even the one who broached the subject. But because you have this obsession with ME, like a stalker, you always claim I’m the one. Most people on this blog are disappointed with the current administration. Contrary to your lies, I am not always the one who brings it up. Do I more than most? Certainly. But it’s not always me, the way you like to claim.

        OK, go ahead. I know you always have to get the last word in, so knock yourself out with some more lies. You’re only kidding yourself.

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      11. Slo troll: “The past couple of days I wasn’t even the one who broached the subject.”

        Can you please explain all of this? You seem to have suddenly gotten selective memory or are too senile to remember. Before you accuse anyone of having dementia, look in the mirror. I feel sorry for all the people that have to cross your path!

        MARCH 18, 2023 AT 11:29 PM
        If I’m not there when the protests start, GT, you feel free to start without me.
        MARCH 19, 2023 AT 3:16 AM
        That 30% is no worse than the (supposed) 40% who approve of the job Dementia Joe is doing. Let’s face it, the extreme people on both sides aren’t all there
        MARCH 19, 2023 AT 4:19 AM
        Let’s hope it’s neither of them next year. But if it is both of them, you know darn well I’m not pulling for the feeble old man whose weakness was destined to put us where we are now…on the brink of WWIII
        MARCH 19, 2023 AT 8:29 PM
        And BTW…”appreciate your concerns”?! No one expressed any concerns about it!
        Just like Dementia Joe shaking hands with people who aren’t there, he’s replying to statements that weren’t made! LMAO
        MARCH 19, 2023 AT 5:52 PM
        Don’t you dare say that is because of Traitor Joe. You’ll set someone off. 😉
        MARCH 20, 2023 AT 9:28 PM
        EVEN MORE SERIOUS QUESTION
        For the good of the country?! Why would he start doing that now, GT?
        MARCH 20, 2023 AT 11:52 PM
        He could always fake being handcuffed, the way AOC did.
        MARCH 21, 2023 AT 2:42 PM
        It’s funny to watch old video of MSM reporters trying to claim Hunter’s laptop was Russian disinformation. That, combined with the kid gloves they’ve always used in interviewing him, especially during his so-called campaign, is what’s gotten us
        MARCH 21, 2023 AT 3:12 PM
        Yes, but trying to get him for paying a hooker hush money?! That is so weak and even his haters should be able to admit what an abuse of process it is.
        MARCH 21, 2023 AT 6:04 PM
        It’s not going to happen, Plow Horse, because “Biden’s diplomacy and resolve is going to prevent WWIII.” LMAO!They’re not going admit how wrong they were unt
        MARCH 21, 2023 AT 6:16 PM
        Agreed, MG. But most of know we wouldn’t even be in this mess if…
        MARCH 21, 2023 AT 9:57 PM
        Well, it’s not about beating the chinks today. It’s all about beating the nips!
        MARCH 22, 2023 AT 3:00 AM
        I didn’t see it. But I did see “Gran Torino”. It was great! I hope the snowflakes walked out in disgust.
        MARCH 22, 2023 AT 2:56 AM
        It’s hilarious that you would claim so vehemently that racism sucks, when you’ve repeatedly stated your support of Dementia Joe.
        MARCH 22, 2023 AT 4:46 AM
        Nothing new. But remind Libs of what a racist piece of shit Joe is and they lose their shit! LOL
        MARCH 22, 2023 AT 2:09 PM
        I don’t enjoy it, but reading ridiculous comments gives me no choice.
        Unless we could reasonably aspire to become the President of the United States, we look silly criticizing anything he does.
        MARCH 22, 2023 AT 3:17 PM
        Big difference…according to today’s woke standards, I am racist and don’t mind admitting it. Half of the old timers on this board are. We grew up watching Archie Bunker & Fred Sanford and being able to laugh at our differences, but still care about one another. But Joe & his supporters try to deny he is racist, even with all of the racist things he’s said & done throughout his career. You know, things that actually affect their lives
        MARCH 22, 2023 AT 4:47 PM
        Now, now. Someone’s going to cry about you giving a daily update on our administration
        MARCH 22, 2023 AT 5:53 PM
        Disagreeing with something I posted does not equate to calling me the “blog troll”, which nearly a dozen have actually called YOU. Funny how you always ignore that.

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      12. OMG! You really are as dumb as everyone has called you out to be. Every one of those was a REPLY to something someone else posted.

        Broach: to make known for the first time, to open up (a subject) for discussion

        And to cut & paste each one? You are in serious need of professional help. I hope you get it, for the sake of everyone on this blog.

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      13. Let me get this right, I am supposed to overlook your childish insults because they are labeled a “REPLY”….In your words: OMG! You really are as dumb as everyone has called you out to be.

        I about fell out of my chair when you used the word “broached”…. You got a fucking excuse for everything. Go do something productive. Trying to win a pissing contest is not productive.

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      14. Ooops! I mis-spoke. My distasteful comment about the WBC was initiated by me.

        But the others? Replies.

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      15. The poster child for narcissism….feel proud feel privilege feel special…..you earned it!

        now go do something productive!

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      16. Excuse? It’s called the truth. As I stated, many on this blog aren’t happy with the administration. I’m not the only one who mentions it. That’s just one of your many lies. You make shit up all the time.

        I’m sure as heck not going to be afraid to reply to them because it might make you cry again.

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      17. slo troll: As I stated, many on this blog aren’t happy with the administration. I’m not the only one who mentions it.

        But do they whine and cry about it 24/7, NO…… that’s the big difference you can’t seem to get your head around.

        Try being productive for once, post nothing that’s actually related to USC…. Suprise us!

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      1. It will, Gabby. He has what Carra alluded to above: Heart.
        #It’sAlwaysTheDiffrenceMaker
        [The great Cus D’amato once told a story about Floyd Patterson: “He didn’t have great legs, he didn’t have a knockout punch —but he had heart. I’ll always pick the fighter with the bigger heart to win the close ones.”]……
        #FloydBeatMachen,Cooper,Bonavena,Chavalo

        Liked by 3 people

      1. Great interview! Thanks for posting, Gabby.
        Check out Marshawn Lloyd’s last interview —another great young man!
        #USCWillHave#1OffenseInMostCategoriesIn2023…
        #[ShouldBeEnoughToOvercomeGrinch]

        Liked by 1 person

      2. MG…..Regarding Lloyd, I watched this interview last night. Loved what he said about the text he received from Caleb. After listening to a few coaches and players singling him out, I am now most interested in seeing him on the field. He’s 5’9, 230 with the experience of competing against quality SEC defenses, which transfers well to the defenses he’ll face in the upcoming season.

        Liked by 1 person

      3. Thank you, Gabby!!! I appreciate you posting this. This YouTube video is excellent. I am very impressed with Dorian. He seems mature beyond his years and has a great work ethic and great respect for others. Loved his comment that hard work helps bring about success.

        Liked by 3 people

      4. Thank you for your kind words. Trying to add football content we all carve. I have this warm fuzzy feeling about this team, a feeling not felt in many years. Riley just “gets it”.

        Liked by 1 person

      2. what do you mean miss it? he had a great year in a mediocre offense and will do even better in a Lincoln Riley offense. my prediction is better than Addison because he will show up for every game with 100% effort.

        Liked by 1 person

    4. Singer certainly makes up for what we lost in Jordan Addison. I’m not saying that he is better than Addison…..I’m just saying that if you look what we got out of Addison last year(because of injuries or whatever reason), adding Singer is definitely a step.

      Liked by 1 person

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      2. To your Floyd Patterson comments, MG, I lost faith in the guy when he lost to Sonny Liston in fight No. 1 at the 2:06 mark of the First Round, and then at the 2:10 mark in Round 1 in Fight No. 2, but they set-up the match with Cassius Clay who unbelievably beat the “Big Bear” twice

        Liked by 1 person

    2. There was something fishy about the Patterson/Liston fights —Floyd went down from punches it looked like he coulda gotten up from. He did come back to “beat” Jerry Quarry and Jimmy Ellis —but was on the wrong end of terrible decisions….
      #ItMustBeHardToBeAManOfHonorInACorruptSport

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  11. You would think this board was filled with people that hate USC. So much BS and crap. They had massive holes in the defense last year, particularly on the defensive line and linebackers.

    The biggest improvement from last year to this year will simply be that many defensive players last year will not get much if any playing time this year. There might be only 2-3 starters from last year that start this year and the rest will be either transfers or players last year that didnt play much – Raesjon Davis, Zion Branch, Domani Jackson, Jacobe Covington.

    Was Grinch a great coach last year? No. But he was dealing with a horrible roster and didnt get the same level of transfers as the offense.

    Let’s see what he does this year. Hey, to me the offseason is made for hope. Why be so negative on your own team?

    Look for USC to add at least another 3-4 guys from the portal on defense after Spring camp.

    Liked by 6 people

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    1. Grinch’s unit doesn’t have to be great for USC to win this year —the offense will be scoring between 45-50 points a game [if it stays healthy, that is]. My “hope” is Grinch can keep the other team below 45 points.
      #…ButISureDoAgreeWithYouAboutLastYear’sRoster…
      #[TheProblemIsTheGuysOnThatRosterSeemedToRegress]

      Liked by 1 person

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      1. Agree wholeheartedly!

        If I am Riley, my goal is to average one more TD per game on offense and add two stops on defense (-10 points) from the second half defensive performance.

        That is enough to go 12-0 this season, or at least 11-1, with one close loss.

        My prediction: Oregon State meets USC in the Pac-12 title game. Just a guess.

        USC can make the CFP with one loss because it will face at least 4 top 15 teams along the way: Oregon, Utah, Notre Dame, Oregon State, Washington – pick 4 of them.

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Yep. I think we’re gonna see the best offense we’ve ever seen at USC [better than the 2005 0ffense —meaning averaging points in the high 40’s]. So much talent & everybody is so committed. All the defense has to do is tackle when the other side goes by, stop allowing 10 yard gains to turn into 25 yard gains. Slow teams down. Make them work for it…
        #Don’tGiveItToThem…
        #[…TheWayWeDidAgainstTulane]

        Liked by 1 person

  12. Memo to: Crabs
    re: “owns, tell us, you’re the expert?”

    Now how the f**k would I know. I like living, so I wouldn’t be caught dead (No pun intended.), in the ghetto, at a Clown U FB practice. I try to stay away from places where stray bullets complicate breathing.

    I only know of Singer’s goodness via CR’s post, on this thread.

    #SUCC FB: The Jokes that Chokes

    BTW Crabs, in Enquish, one doesn’t end a declarative sentence with a question mark. Just saying for Mrs. Grundy…D’oh

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    1. Owns…. we all know you have an obsession with USC. Anyone committed 24/7 to trolling a rival blog is definitely an “expert” on all things USC. It’s impressive how deep you go into detail with USC events many years back. Shit, I often look at you as a “closet fan”

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      1. It’s not an obsession when dealing with slo troll. The guy has a blockhead and you have to pound your point really hard to reach what’s left of his mental capacity.

        The only obsession is his daily update on any and all things related to Joe.

        Like

  13. Well I made it to the bottom of the page. I think the discussion was defense? Anyway my first sentence was a quote by Grinch and he’s pointing out the obvious. When you stink like a skunk that’s been run over by a steam roller and then pissed on by the rest of the skunk family five days ago, you pretty much stink. I can blame Helton, but watching high school football, I can see that tackling is a skill learned before college. Helton couldn’t possibly have been that bad at teaching technique. It’s on Grinch.

    Liked by 3 people

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  14. He’s right about one thing……..there is usually a big jump from year one to year two when you have an outstanding coach that is taking over a team that needs to be rebuilt…..witness Pete Carroll.

    Liked by 2 people

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    1. Remember —Pete had Norm. Lincoln has Grinch.
      #LincolnWillProduceAnOffenseThatAmazesCollegeFootball….
      #…IDon’tThinkWe’llBeSayingThatAboutTheDefense….
      #[…Well,NotInAGoodWayAnyway]…..

      Liked by 1 person

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      1. Pete did have Norm. When he decided to dump him, they never won another NC. …..One of the many mistakes of a great coach. I wish that they would have gotten rid of Grinch too but it is what it is so let’s see what happens.
        I thought the defense was pretty good in the first half of last season and then the whole thing fell apart. They’re getting better players so if they can just sit down and analyze what caused the collapse in the 2nd half then maybe they’ll be able to put together a pretty good defense. If they can play well for half the season, they should be able to play well in the 2nd half.
        But eventually, they are going to have to get rid of Grinch(he’s not a great DC) so they should have done it now. He reminds me of Helton. You could see that he was not a great coach. Even after they had that great 2016 season with Same Darnold, many of the fans(including myself and many on this forum) were saying that we need to dump CH and they were right because they eventually did dump him(many times the fans are right) as they will dump Grinch. So they should have done it right after the 2022 season.

        Like

  15. Oh, Owns, you silly, pathetic troglodyte! USC has two one hundred yard fields and a renamed track and field area that the team practices on! Bullets? LOL! I don’t remember any students or patrons being shot at USC campus but I do remember a shooting in Westwood Village at a movie theater! Hanging out with Chip Kelly and your missing defensive coordinator again? Rick Caruso is available, maybe he can help you get 20 more yards to have a close to set up comparable to the rest of the conference.

    By the way, some reporters are stating that Oregon was the preferred choice of schools to join the B1G and not the STD-cheering Peter J. Pitchless Camp. Who cheers for 8 claps anyways?!!??

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    1. Sizzling 4th grade repartee TW, especially the “troglodyte” bit.

      Mom always said never waste your time with a blithering idiot.

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      1. Ah! Your abandonment issues must explain your need for validation from fans of USC, but I don’t get why having saved $86 million from Trump supporting Under Armor why UCLA couldn’t use that saved money from having a full football field? You need a year of beatdowns before collecting that B1G cashflow? Need to settle some gynecologist misbehavior? Oh! You need Cal-Berkeley permission to build anything. That explains the divorce settlement your school has to pay.

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  16. Hey TW, I’ll explain it to you, after you adequately explain why Clown U, the Methodist Private University, allowed the vile, bozo OB/GYN, Geo. Tyndall M.D., molest female students for 27 years.

    #SUCC: The Jokes that Chokes.

    #Is it true Andyain’twinning will watch the Men’s Sweet 16 in his tiny, closet office, @ Hubris Stables.

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    Reply

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