TrojanNYC.com

Pic of the Day: Big Sed Just Chillin

Would not want to meet Sed in a dark alley.  Check out the rest of the photos from Tuesday's practice over at SCPlaybook.com. 

Semi-OT: Rich Eisen Running the 40/Bruce Davis Hypes Up Sedrick Ellis

I'm pretty sure I can run a 6.34 backwards.  Looks like a banker trying to run the 40.  I nearly spit out my drink when I saw this. 

Videos From The NFL Combine

Here are some videos from the combine this past weekend:

• Sedrick Ellis benching 225lbs 34 times.

• Fred Davis going through some TE drills and surprisingly dropping a bunch of passes. 

• Chilo Rachal running his 40 and going through drills. 

• John David Booty interview. 

• Keith Rivers interview.

• Sedrick Ellis interview plus highlights from the season.

• Lawrence Jackson interview. 

Today is the Defensive Line & Linebackers workout and Tuesday is Cornerbacks & Safeties. 

New Rivals NFL Mock Draft

From Rivals.com:

4. Oakland (4-12)
The Pick:  Sedrick Ellis, DT, Southern Cal
The buzz:  Veteran tackle Warren Sapp has joined the retirement list, and Ellis is flying up the charts.

9. Cincinnati (7-9)
The Pick:  Keith Rivers, LB, Southern Cal
The buzz:  The Bengals defense has struggled with young linebackers, and Rivers is a proven playmaker.

19. Philadelphia (8-8)
The Pick:  Lawrence Jackson, DE, Southern Cal
The buzz:  A pass rusher like Jackson would allow the Eagles to solidify their front seven on defense.

Surprising how fast Fred Davis/Sam Baker have fallen off draft boards.

USC Players Who Must Live Up To The Hype

From ESPN.com:

Top 5 Offensive Players Who Must Live Up To The Hype

1. Sam Baker, OT, Southern California
Biggest pro: Agility.
Biggest con: Bulk/strength.
Biggest questions: Can he add enough bulk and strength to make a solid contribution as a run-blocker in the NFL? In turn, will he develop more of a mean streak?
Draft projection: Mid-first round.

4. Fred Davis, TE, Southern California
Biggest pro: Seam-stretching receiver.
Biggest con: Lack of strength as an in-line blocker.
Biggest question: Is he functional enough as a blocker to play traditional tight end role in the NFL?
Draft projection: Mid-to-late first round.

Top 5 Defensive Players Who Must Live Up To The Hype

1. Sedrick Ellis, DT, Southern California
Biggest pro: Explosive quickness.
Biggest con: Durability.
Biggest questions: Can he anchor versus bigger blockers when teams run at him? Can he avoid the injury bug at the next level?
Draft projection: Top-10 pick.

3. Keith Rivers, OLB, Southern California
Biggest pro: Motor and leadership.
Biggest con: Not a playmaker in passing game.
Biggest questions: Is he as fast and athletic as the perception? Is he truly an elite prospect or a bit overrated due to sensational supporting cast at USC?
Draft projection: Mid-to-late first round.

Interesting that they said Sam Baker lacks a mean streak; I always thought that was one of Sam's strengths.  I hate to say it, but Sam had an underwhelming year that was reminiscent, injuries and all, of a recent Trojan NFL bust by the name of Jacob Rogers.

Senior Bowl Weigh-In

 

From NFLDraftCountdown.com:

John David Booty (USC) - 6023, 213, 31 1/8, 8 3/8
Notes: Pretty ordinary and did not stand out.

Chauncey Washington (USC) - 5114, 215, 30 4/8, 9 5/8
Notes: Looked pretty strong and thick.

Fred Davis (USC) - 6025, 250, 33 2/8, 9 4/8
Notes: Strong and cut with a solid build.

Sam Baker (USC) - 6044, 308, 32 3/8, 8 2/8
Notes: Solid and looked bigger than expected.

Drew Radovich (USC) - 6043, 302, 33 4/8, 9
Notes: Appeared soft and unimpressive overall.

Sedrick Ellis (USC) - 600, 308, 32 4/8, 8 3/8
Notes: Looked big, stout and very solid.

Lawrence Jackson (USC) - 6043, 261, 33 6/8, 8 4/8
Notes: Big but was not overly impressive.

Keith Rivers (USC) - 6017, 236, 33, 10 3/8
Notes: Impressive. Cut, strong and athletic.

Terrell Thomas (USC) - 6003, 197, 33 3/8, 8 2/8
Notes: Did not really stand out in any one way.

The numbers mean:  (1) height, (2) weight, (3) arm length, and (4) hand length.  So JDB is 6'2 and 3/8", weighs 213lbs, and so on.  Based on the reports I read, Sedrick Ellis, Fred Davis, and Keith Rivers had the best performances from day one.  Here's a link to the video highlights from today's practice. 

USC Football Team Awards

From Scott Wolf's blog:

Co-Most Valuable Players: defensive tackle Sedrick Ellis, tight end Fred Davis

Most Inspirational Player: linebacker Thomas Williams

Co-Linemen of the Year: offensive tackle Sam Baker and center Matt Spanos (offense), defensive tackle Sedrick Ellis and defensive end Lawrence Jackson (defense)

Co-Special Teams Players of the Year: linebackers Thomas Williams and Clay Matthews

Service Team Players of the Year: quarterback Mitch Mustain (offense), defensive tackle Christian Tupou (defense)

Player of the Game versus Notre Dame: quarterback Mark Sanchez

Player of the Game versus UCLA: cornerback Terrell Thomas

Jack Oakie “Rise and Shine” Award (longest run from scrimmage of the year): tailback Joe McKnight (59 yards versus Arizona)

Howard Jones/Football Alumni Club Academic Award (overall academic achievement): wide receiver Garrett Green

Bob Chandler Award (underclassman with outstanding athletic ability, academic achievement and character): safety Kevin Ellison

John McKay Award (underclassman with the most competitive spirit): defensive tackle Christian Tupou

Courage Award: center Matt Spanos

Co-Lifters Award: defensive tackle Sedrick Ellis, linebacker Keith Rivers, safety Kevin Ellison

Team Captains: quarterback John David Booty, linebacker Keith Rivers, offensive tackle Sam Baker, defensive end Lawrence Jackson.

Wow, Desmond Reed didn't get at least a Co-Inspirational Player award?  Also, I'm aware that these awards are tilted towards upperclassmen, but Allen Bradford should be one of the special teams POY....

Sedrick Ellis Makes AP All-American First Team

From LATimes.com:

USC defensive tackle Sedrick Ellis, the Pacific 10 Conference's defensive player of the year, was selected to the 2007 AP All-America team, which was released this afternoon.

...The second team included USC's Fred Davis at tight end and Sam Baker at tackle on the offense and end Lawrence Jackson on defense.

Trojans safety Taylor Mays was selected to the third-team defense. Also on the third team was California receiver/return specialist DeSean Jackson, a former Long Beach Poly High standout who was chosen as an all-purpose player, and Oregon defensive end Nick Reed, who played at Mission Viejo High.

Congrats to Big Sed and the rest of the Trojans.

All Pac-10 Conference Football Team Announced

From Pac-10.org:

1st Team

Offense

TE - Fred Davis, SR
OL - Chilo Rachal, JR
OL - Sam Baker, SR:

Defense

DL - Sedrick Ellis, SR
DL - Lawrence Jackson, SR
LB - Keith Rivers, SR
LB - Rey Maualuga, JR
DB - Kevin Ellison, JR

2nd Team

Defense

DB - Terrell Thomas, SR

Honorable Mention

LB - Brian Cushing, JR
DL - Everson Griffen, FR
DB - Cary Harris, JR
DB - Taylor Mays, SO
RB/PR - Joe McKnight, FR
OT - Drew Radovich, SR
OL - Matt Spanos, SR
RB - Chauncey Washington, SR
LB - Thomas Williams, SR

Sedrick Ellis also won the "Pat Tillman Defensive Player of the Year" award.  I thought the list was pretty solid especially compared to Rivals.com list, but the only omission that surprised me was Jeff Byers; he should have at least made it to the 2nd team.  Congrats to all the players.

SI.com's Top 10 Defensive Prospects

 

From SI.com:

Defensive

#9 - Keith Rivers, OLB

• The athletic defender is constantly around the action making positive plays. He'll be the top pure weak side linebacker available next April.

#7 - Rey Maualuga, LB

• An explosive force in the middle of the field, Maualuga reminds many of Junior Seau.

#5 - Sedrick Ellis, DT

• Small in stature for his position, Ellis looms as a large presence on the football field. One of the most consistent players on a talented Trojans defense.

There were no Trojans on the offensive list.  No surprise when it comes to defense, although I think Rey and Keith should be flipped.