TrojanNYC.com

USAToday.com Ranks Terrell Thomas #9 CB Prospect

From USAToday.com:

9. Terrell Thomas, Southern California, 6-1, 202, 2nd/3rd: NFL teams aren't sure if Thomas projects as a cornerback or a free safety.

He looked solid in Senior Bowl workouts as a corner and his best 40 clocking at the combine was 4.45, better than expected. But Thomas lacks that burst or explosion that is mandatory for close coverage against NFL receivers. He is quick to see plays develop and has good geometric instincts that keep him in the middle of plays. All these traits seem to add up to a move to safety if he is to be successful at the next level.

Thomas played in 39 games for the Trojans, making eight interceptions with 22 passes deflected. He also totaled 109 tackles with four sacks.

He has had knee and shoulder injuries that could be a concern.

I can't see Terrell being a successful corner at the next level.  The guy was solid for SC, but he lacks recovery speed when he is turned around or forced to change direction.  Maybe FS will be a better fit for T2 in the pros. 

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. 

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.

TNYC Washington Review

As usual, here are my thoughts:

• Positive - Winning the Game
  

• Honestly, the only positive I can take away from last night's game was actually winning the game.  It happens every season, we go into a game expecting to blow out the opponent and suddenly all hell breaks loose and your expectations drop to a point where you're just hoping for a W however ugly the means. 

As an optimist, I look back to last night's game and say it's an improvement over last year's Oregon State debacle.  The bottom line is we faced adversity in every possible way and came out victorious; that to me shows a fortitude that we lacked last season. 

• Negative - JDB's Play
  

• Now I'm sure you're asking, how can you single out JDB's play amongst the myriad of negatives we had in last night's game?  No, it's not because I'm on the "I hate JDB" bandwagon that seems to be full right now (I've been critical of JDB long before the bandwagon even existed), rather I see it being the most concerning negative simply because it can't be fixed immediately.  The penalties, fumbles, etc. will all go away starting this Saturday because the coaching staff will address it all week during practice, but can JDB change his tendencies by October 27th (@ Oregon)?  That I'm not so sure of. 

I've always said that JDB is a good but not elite QB because he can't create something from nothing.  He makes some jaw-dropping throws with his raw ability from time to time, but at the same time he breaks down when feeling pressured (i.e. curls up into a ball, hurries passes, etc.), locks onto  receivers, chooses to force a pass rather than check down, etc.  The criticism has NOTHING to do with being ungrateful or spoiled, it simply is what it is.

With that said, I still think Booty should be the starting QB and that we have a chance of winning a NC with him at the helm, we just have to achieve it in different ways (i.e. stellar defense play, maintaining running game, etc.).  JDB is not going to carry us on his back like Leinart/Bush did in '04, if this team wins a NC it will have to be done corporately. 

• Player of the Game - Chauncey Washington
  

• I'm very tempted to give the POG to Stafon since he carried for 16 more yards on 7 less carries, but Chauncey made all the pivotal runs like the 53 yarder before the half to set up the go ahead FG and key third downs in the 4th quarter.  Stafon was the more consistent back, but Chauncey ran tough when we needed him. 
  

• Play of the Game - Terrell Thomas Creating/Recovering Fumble
  

• With momentum on Washington's side, Terrell made up for his interference call by making one of the biggest plays of his career in stripping Anthony Russo of the ball on a punt return and then recovering it himself.  It quieted the crowd and set up what would be the winning FG. 
  

• Final Thoughts... - Moving Forward

• The injuries to Kristofer O'Dowd and Chilo Rachal are huge since it affects the only consistent offensive weapon in our arsenal, which is the running game.  I think this puts more pressure on Steve Sarkisian's shoulders to get creative and start using our raw talent to beat teams.  That to me means a lot more misdirection and isolation plays where our players are given a chance to do their thing one-on-one.  I think Steve has done a great job at this point, I just think he needs to make a few tweaks to help JDB and our receivers along. 

We can let out a big sigh that we have Stanford at home this Saturday.  The game comes at a perfect time in that we can let some of our key players heal and also work on our execution.  Bring on the obnoxious tree mascot. 

USC vs. Nebraska: Five Match-ups to Watch Tomorrow

Five match-ups to watch tomorrow:

• Terrell Thomas vs. Maurice Purify

• My guess is Terrell will probably be tested early since everyone knows SC will be looking to stop the run.  I can see Nebraska gambling some time in the 1st half to make the home-run play and get momentum and a expected raucous crowd on their side.  With all the criticism Bill Callahan faced last year for his conservative play-calling, I can't see him making the same mistake again.  Terrell had an off game against Idaho, so this should be a pivotal match-up to watch. 

• Vidal Hazelton vs. Cortney Grixby

• Highly overlooked match-up IMO.  Zack Bowman will likely be on Patrick Turner/David Ausberry which sets up a battle between Grixby (5-9) and Vidal (6-3).  If Vidal can step up and use his excellent body control against the smaller Grixby, he has a chance to have a breakout game and really cause problems on the offensive end. 

• LB Corp vs. Marlon Lucky

• This match-up is the key to the game.  If they stop the run this game is over.  Marlon can catch the ball out of the backfield so it will be crucial to watch whether the LB stays disciplined or not.

• Kristofer O'Dowd vs. Nebraska D-Line

• Turnovers can easily swing the momentum of the game either around or to insurmountable levels and it will be pivotal that Kristofer maintains clean exchanges with JDB the entire game. 

• Bill Callahan vs. Nick Holt

• Will Callahan come out conservative or will he try to take advantage of crowd/momentum and go for the jugular early?  Will Nick Holt/Pete Carroll send blitzes to try and rattle Sam Kellar or will play loose to not give up the big play? 

I have USC winning 34-20.  Feel free to leave your predictions.