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Interview With New USC Assitant Head Coach Jeremy Bates

From SCPlaybook.com:

Q: Obviously, there is a good deal of talent here at USC. What has been your impression of this team?

A: You know I’ve studied USC in the NFL every year during this time because they always have six to ten players coming into the league. What you see, number one, is you see a pro style offense so the guys have an opportunity to go from USC to the league real easy. They are still doing what the NFL is doing as far as running the ball, the keeper game, and the drop-back pass so it’s fun to watch USC from an NFL coaching standpoint just because it’s what we do. And then you look at the players. There’s eleven guys on the field that are unbelievable. They work their tail off together, they are well coached, they’re hustling, they’re fighting and again, they’re the best athletes in the country out of high school and now they’re going to be the best coached athletes out of college.

Definitely worth reading the rest.

The QBs all seem to be high on Bates.  One thing that seems to mentioned a lot is the polar opposite styles between JB and Sark.  I honestly can't wait to see what JB has to offer...

Vaughn Telemaque Ready To Contribute at Miami

From OrlandoSentinel.com:

When he suffered a shoulder injury three games into last season, he figured it would keep him out a few days. It turned out to cost him an entire year. 

After redshirting as a freshman, Telemaque is healthy and ready to contribute in the secondary. 

"It feels good to be back," Telemaque said. "It wasn't really disappointing. It was shocking at first. I didn't understand what my body was going through. It humbled me at first, but I wanted to get back as soon as I could."

He is one of the players coach Randy Shannon expects to have a breakout season. 

The Hurricanes are thin in the defensive backfield, especially at free safety. Telemaque could leap to the top depth chart of a position that lacked a consistent starter last season.

Remember Vaughn from '08?  Lot of SC fans still might hold some negative feelings towards Maque for choosing the Canes over us.  He was a LB Poly kid that many expected him to be a Trojan when the smoke cleared.  The bitterness might have amplified from losing Donovan Warren the previous year to Michigan.

I personally root for most Southern California kids that leave the state regardless of where they go to school, so it's nice to see VT getting some pub.  Honestly, I was never too high on the kid.  Till this day, I think he's a bit stiff, but the Canes always produce elite DB talent, so I wouldn't doubt him looking like a new player.

Video: Garrett Green on Winter Workouts and QB Competition

I'm always impressed by Garrett's positive attitude; guy never seems down even when he's buried on the depth chart.

2009 USC Football Junior Day: Sean Parker Quotes, Malcolm Jones Offer, Cassius Marsh's Near Commitment, and More...

Some thoughts on USC's Junior Day:

• D.J. Morgan (above) and Dillon Baxter, both commits for 2010 class, are really making a concerted effort to try and recruit players to join the class.  Baxter, who's been very involved in the program, reminds me a lot of D.J. Shoemate who also committed early and was vocal early on.

• Cassius Marsh, DT from Oaks Christian, was ready to commit at Junior Day but refrained from doing so out of respect of his parents' advice to cool off and think things over.  Many still expect him to be a Trojan at some point.

• One of my favorite recruits of 2010, Sean Parker, took a break from the FBU camp over at the Coliseum to take in Junior Day.  Lot of schools are starting to pick up on Sean and he's getting a ton of offers.  The early word is he's looking to go to school out of state, but lately he's been open to staying local and is showing interest in SC.  He had this nice quote:

"Just being around the players and coaches on Saturday was incredible. They have so much energy and you get fired up being around them. They have a great football program and who wouldn't want to be a part of a team like that."

One of his best friends and former teammates is '09 commit, Byron Moore, so hopefully that'll provide some pull in bringing in Sean.    

Photo of the Day: Notice for All QBs Planning to Go Vertical on Taylor Mays

It ain't going to happen...

Check out the rest of the photos at SCPlaybook.com.

Orson Charles Heading to Georgia? Eliminates Florida From Mix

From ESPN.com:

His recruitment appears to be coming to close as there is a lot of talk that he will end up at Georgia with his high school quarterback Aaron Murray, who has already enrolled at UGA. Miami (Fla.), Florida and Southern California are the other teams that are in the mix.

Charles told ESPN affiliate TotalUGA.com that he plans on eliminating two teams tonight. It would be a surprise if Georgia were one of them.

According to TotalUGA.com, it looks like it'll come down to Georgia and USC. He's already eliminated Florida from the list today (thanks to reader Greg for the tip) and many believe he'll eliminate Tennessee soon.

There's lot of conflicting reports out there as to which school is the favorite, but based on Orson's response after his official visit to SC this weekend, I'm leaning with Georgia.  Just my gut feeling...

CNNSI.com's Post-NFL Combine Mock Draft: 4 Trojans in 1st Round

From CNNSI.com:

5.  Rey Maualuga, LB
- The Browns top need is for a pass-rushing outside linebacker in their 3-4 defense, but I'm hearing that new Browns general manager George Kokinis is wary of Brian Orakpo's penchant for injury -- he pulled a hamstring at the combine -- not to mention Texas' less-than-stellar track record of producing great NFL players. Boston College defensive tackle B.J. Raji is a name to remember for the Browns, but Maualuga would add some presence to the Browns lineup.

8.  Mark Sanchez, QB
- Don't be shocked if the Jaguars take a quarterback, because after David Garrard's so-so 2008 season, he's far from untouchable as Jacksonville's starter. I talked with someone within the league Tuesday who assured me the Jaguars have Sanchez graded higher than Georgia's Matthew Stafford, even though most personnel men have them the other way around. The Jags' minds could change after Stafford throws at his pro day, but for now we're sticking with Sanchez.

12.  Brian Cushing, LB
- As they join the crowd and switch to the 3-4 defensive formation, the Broncos look to be beyond the range of many of their most prized targets, like Curry, Arakpo, Raji, Jenkins and Maybin. We're giving them Cushing, but don't forget about his fellow ex-Trojans outside linebacker, Clay Matthews, who came out of combine week with a sense of momentum behind him.

27.  Clay Matthews, LB
- The Colts could take a polished and pro-ready receiver like Hakeem Nicks in this slot, but Matthews is a prospect who generated some momentum for himself at the combine and exited the week with a first-round grade in the eyes of many teams. The Colts are known for actually taking the best player available in the first round, rather than being limited by need.

Pretty solid mock draft in my opinion; it's worth viewing all the picks and the surprise (or not so) #1.

Interesting to hear Jacksonville has gone against the grain in grading Sanchez above Stafford.  Could it possibly be due to Jack Del Rio's closer connection with SC as a former player?  Not saying he's showing favoritism; I'm wondering if he's showing preference based on something he's heard or seen directly from the SC coaching staff.  Certainly a possibility.

Lendale White Whips Man With Belt and Buckle

From BlackVoices.com:

According to a police report released today, Tennessee Titans running back LenDale White spent Valentine's Day whipping some dude's arse with a belt. The Denver Police Department filed a report on Feb. 14 after White got into a verbal confrontation with Leslie Joe Hoch after a minor traffic accident. The confrontation escalated, and White allegedly started beating Hoch with a belt and belt buckle. Then they both got into their cars and left.

"He has not been charged and will not be charged," Denver police lieutenant Matt Murray said of White to USA Today. "The entire incident was reviewed, the evidence was reviewed and no charges were filed."

Imagining LW whooping on some dude's ass with a belt and buckle is hilarious. Can't hate on Lendale; I had clear view when he delivered one of the meanest stiff arms against an All-American safety in arguably the greatest CFB game of all-time and for that he can do no wrong.

Miami Pulls Out of Bryce Brown Race

 

From ESPN.com:

Since Miami begins spring practice today, let's start in Coral Gables. In regards to this story about the possibility of Bryce Brown not visiting Miami, let's get something clear: Miami is no longer interested in Brown. It's over, done. A source at Miami has confirmed this for me, which is why it's no surprise LSU is suddenly in the picture for that last visit.

Welcome to the club.  The Canes reportedly exited the race over concern of the inevitable media backlash that will follow Bryce and also the fact that he has kept the U in his backpocket for some time now without any firm commitments.

It looks like it will come down to LSU, Tennessee, and Oregon.

Pete Carroll the Grandfather

From Pete's Twitter:

Pete Carroll: IS A GRANDFATHER!!!!!!!!!!!! Congrats Brennan and Amber!!!!!

Pete Carroll: The new baby is awesome and he said he'll be ready to compete in the spring!!! Picture coming tomorrow!!

Who the hell is writing this stuff?