FOOTBALL

USC Notes: Middle Linebacker Improvement Expected

When I wrote that USC’s team photo was the worst in school history, I hit a nerve.

I’ve heard from several people in the athletic dept. who said they were appalled by the quality of the team photo.

“They really picked the worst room possible for the photo,” one said.

  • Lincoln Riley said he expects a “big jump” at middle linebacker from Desman Stephens this season. We will see.

Riley on whether USC would take anyone from the NFL who has eligibility remaining.

“If there’s a place to have an advantage for USC, we would always look at it,” he said. “Always, whether we agree with it or not.”

37 thoughts on “USC Notes: Middle Linebacker Improvement Expected”

    1. Thank you, Alv! [I like how high Lincoln is holding his head —a sure sign he knows in advance we’ll beat Oregon]!

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      1. btw, I gave a buddy a bottle of champagne for passing a building inspection —and he told me “I’ll save it for when the Ducks kick USC’s asz!”

        This remark needs to go up on the Trojan bulletin board during ‘duck hunting’ week.

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      1. Michael, this is one of the very rare times, I’m gonna have to agree with Sparrow/Insane Gabby. Take each day as it comes.

        Matthew 6:34

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  6. KAM: With the chance of SC making the Playoffs almost out of the question, the Oregon game could make SC’s season

    DON: And a victory over Ohio St would be remembered too

    KAM: With wins over those 2, we can then say, “SC is back”

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      2. A fellow Trojan and good friend to this day captained the Disneyland jungle cruise boat hauling Indiana team members one evening prior to the January 1, 1968, Rosebowl game, that became immobile midway through the ride. (I worked at Disneyland too on weekends and holidays during my undergrad USC days—the Plaza Inn—busboy)

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      3. Loved the Plaza Inn! I was a busboy at the Century Plaza Hotel in 1966 [between high school & college]—got off at midnight & walked home to WLA. I would have loved to trade jobs with you!

        #BusboysRule

        #SoDidDisneyland

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  7. KAM: I hear you and Michael Cohen are talking again. Cohen, who calls himself the “Fixer” lawyer, and you are strange bedfellows

    DON: I very seldom close anybody out permanently

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  8. KAM: Did I hear that right, that the colleges are plucking guys from the NFL if they still have college eligibility left?

    DON: Maybe they’re talking about NFL guys who were cut and are looking for a job

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  9. KAM: It seems that quarterbacks getting 300 yards passing is almost the norm. So what does that say about the defensive secondary.

    DON: The attitude is that the opposing team will get some yards, you’re not going to shut them out, but shut them down inside the 20

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      2. Exactly! That’s why Clay started Max Browne against Alabama [even though Scott repeatedly said Sam looked better in practice]!

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  10. DON: You know, SC has only been competitive in the NIL market since last year when BowDown came to town

    KAM: Which is further evidence of proving the adage that “Money talks”

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    1. KAM: Why would USC be caught so flat footed on payiong the players?

      DON: USC went probation several times in the last century and 2012 for paying players and Pomona College refused to play USC after being caught paying dock workers to play football in 1904.

      Pomona resumed the series after USC removed the Caley brothers,  replaced the team manager, dismissed some athletes for academic  reasons, and appointed a faculty coach.

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  11. DON: This Walter guy, the owner of the Dodgers, apparently had $15-$20-billion of undisclosed bank loans. I guess he needed some quick cash to try to plug up holes, which caused him to sell the Lakers

    KAM: He apparently was playing with money he was not entitled to use. Is the sale of the Dodgers next?

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  12. Rushmore mentioned that January 1, 1968 Rose Bowl game with SC-Indiana. The Hoosiers put up a good battle while losing 14-3. That was their high water mark in the past half century until recent years

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