October 9, 2007
Carroll: USC will remain Booty-licious
Despite calls from Southern Cal fans to bench starting QB John David Booty, Trojans coach Pete Carroll confirmed that he would not demote the Heisman candidate, despite his four interception performance in the loss to Stanford.
"I'm not doing that," Carroll said regarding a quarterback change. "That's not what I would be thinking. It's not a one-guy deal. It's real easy to point it all at the quarterback. I'm not going to do that. If it was really a one-guy situation, the decision would be clear.
"It isn't just because of the thrower. There's a lot of things we can work on to be more efficient."
Carroll said he is not sure of Booty's status due to a broken middle finger on his throwing hand, but he will prepare backup QB Mark Sanchez and see how Booty recovers.
"It's black and blue and all that kind of stuff," Carroll said. "Mark has to go with the first group and play like he's starting until he doesn't. We're going to prepare him as the starter."
Sanchez took all the snaps with the first team during Monday's practice.
Sanchez, a redshirt sophomore, said he felt for Booty, but was ready to make his first start if called upon.
"I'd be lying if I said I didn't feel anything different at all," Sanchez said. "It's a matter of having a good week of practice, prepare like I always do — be ready to play if they need me. They just said to be ready. I got a lot of reps today.
"This team is looking to bounce back. We've got to play like ourselves, play like we're capable of playing. I'm ready to perform, do whatever they need."
Booty saw a specialist for his injury on Monday and has been medically cleared to practice with the team.
Afterward, Booty said he hoped the broken bone in the middle finger of his throwing hand wouldn't keep him from playing Saturday against Arizona.
"That's my goal, is to go tomorrow, give it a shot," he said. "I can take the pain, for the most part. If I feel like I can compete, throw the ball accurately with some velocity, then I can play."
Comments:
Tom Blogical
posted on October 9, 2007 10:17 AM — 24.95.77.153 — link — abuse?
said:
I thought I saw ESPN scroll something across the TV screen about Booty being injured last night. Any chance this injury had anything to do with the interceptions, or did the injury happen late in the game?
Lennie Collins
posted on October 9, 2007 12:26 PM — 67.67.223.182 — link — abuse? said:
If I am not mistaken...Before the season started Mark May talked about Mark Sanchez like he was just has GOOD as John Bootay. If USC is all that and a lot more then let John Bootie recover and throw Mark Sanchez into the mix. It seems all the "confidence" about the whole USC team being that great is now in doubt, IN MY OPINION. If USC loses another game and does not make it to the Championship Game the excuse is set.
TE
posted on October 9, 2007 12:44 PM — 204.68.245.11 — link — abuse? said:
I was thinking his finger was the excuse for USC giving up 24 at home, as well as a 4th & 20 converted on an audible from a 20 year old backup who'd never thrown a pass in a live college game until three and a half hours prior to that...
I mean...This is "the best defense Carroll's had" since he's been at SC, right?
What a joke...That UM dropped out of the Top 25, and USC's still Top 10 is testament to how meaningless the AP Poll is...as is the Coaches voting OSU #1 on two ballots...
Lennie Collins
posted on October 9, 2007 12:57 PM — 67.67.223.182 — link — abuse? said:
Hey TE...people are sayin' parity I am saying laziness, lack of effort, so forth. Stanford beat USC because USC thought Stanford would be frighten because of their so call "rep". Colorado beat Oklahoma because OU thoght Colorado would "rollover" because "Sooners" were written across their chest. Kansas State beat texas because ut thought their home field & fans would put a "scare" in KSU. Hey TE this is not the best defense Peter Carroll had at a USC. He would like to think that but it is not. It would take 4 losses for USC to drop out of the polls. TE that USC at Washington game should have shown everyone that USC was not that great. ESPN studio crew were saying USC's offense were going to re-write the record books. I am curious what records they have broken?
Lennie Collins
posted on October 9, 2007 1:07 PM — 67.67.223.182 — link — abuse? said:
Oh where, Oh where can USC fans be. Oh where, Oh where can they be? Maybe there is a power outage on da' West Coast. Even texas fans have returned and their team has 2 conference losses. Could it have been something we said? Where are the Cardinal fans? Hey your team just made John Booty look like JACK ASS!
c-dogg said:
posted on October 9, 2007 1:51 PM — 76.188.148.131 — link — abuse?
I would like to personally thank Stanford for beating USC. Miami's 58-game home winning streak will be around for at least another 5 or so years.
Still love my Canes....win or loose.
Go Canes! Get some more blue chip recruits!
gatorstud said:
posted on October 9, 2007 2:09 PM — 69.95.111.248 — link — abuse?
c-dogg...tough loss to butch davis and co.....i know you really wanted that one....
i ws in a bar in baton rouge watching the game and i was surprised by the number of miami jerseys i saw....hurricanes still have good following.....
good luck next week
go gators...and hokies
c-dogg said:
posted on October 9, 2007 3:15 PM — 76.188.148.131 — link — abuse?
(#10) Gatorstud,
Thanks for the Canes Love. I wanted that UNC game more than the FSU one coming up. Butch should have never left a good thing.
Tough loss for you guys also. I actually thought that Florida had won when I went to bed. I woke up in the morning to see that LSU pulled it off.
Looking forward to our matchup next year.
Go Canes!
Spartacus
posted on October 9, 2007 5:32 PM — 71.103.220.239 — link — abuse? said:
No way Booty gets benched. And where is the similarity between USC and Miami? USC hasn't lost more than two games in six years and have only lost about seven in that time (none by more than four points). Stanford as I have stated before - is on the rise. They have a great young coach in Harbaugh and the team does have talent. Coach Harris screwed this team up. Willingham had success here and so will Harbaugh.
As for the passing game: how do you lose Jarrett, Smith and McFoy (your top three receivers) and not have a problem? When Mike Williams came in a few years back he has an experienced guy in Kerry Colbert on the other side. And, when Dwayne Jarrett showed up - Steve Smith was already an established receiver. This year - there are no established outside receivers. Although Turner, Hazelton and Ausberry all have great potential - it is obvious that Booty is not comfortable with them missing on their routes. There have been plenty of dropped balls and deflections that have resulted in TO's. No these receivers are not yet up to speed and that is the problem. The running game is fine, and I look for So Cal to return to pounding it down the oppositions throat, until these receiving problems can be worked out. Frankly, it looks as if Patrick Turner is way overrated. This guy can't get open down the field or either can't hang onto it when it's there. He is definately not in the class of a Dwayne Jarret. They are trying to make this guy into "a go to guy" - but I just can't see it happening. I'd rather see Ausberry and Hazelton out there more often. Maybe something could happen. The freshman Ronald Johnson looks spectacular also.
Either way, Mark Sanchez isn't gonna have any better luck with receivers who do not run proper routes and drop the ball when it does get there. We're way too spoiled over here and are astonished that a freshman (like Williams and Jarrett) hasn't stepped in and dominated college football. Those were rare occurances and are not duplicated often. It will take time for these receivers to gel. In the meantime, USC needs to slam those running backs about fifty times a game and make sure that the other team never has the ball. Problem solved.
Tommy Trojan
Lennie Collins
posted on October 9, 2007 8:38 PM — 67.67.223.182 — link — abuse? said:
Post #13 Tommy Trojan welcome back. You are the first USC fan to return since Da' Biggest Upset. I am not gone get on ya' cause you have been cool the whole time I have been posting on this BLOG! I am waiting for DmanLV and Pactenlugoff to come back. I hope those two have not gone into a DEEP depression. It's only a game! The Cardinal are on the way UP! Wake up Arizona! If Stanford can you can.
Tomcat said:
posted on October 10, 2007 12:07 AM — 69.148.173.234 — link — abuse?
Tommie T Enjoyed reading your post, ya aint no broke finger gonna stop anybody Bootie will play.
Heck my son broke one and a week later played both ways and special teams. His pinky is still swole up bigger than his thumb and he caught two passes in their 14-6 victory last week.
Good luck in yalls game this week against the Wildcats. P.C. & company will be ready after last weeks wake up call.
What do you think of the TCU vs Stanford?
Do the Frogs have a shot?
Hookem-HornsTampaGator said:
posted on October 10, 2007 10:13 AM — 64.12.116.136 — link — abuse?
Spartacus(TommieT)
Good of you to step up to the plate.
"...We're way too spoiled over here and are astonished that a freshman (like Williams and Jarrett) hasn't stepped in and dominated college football..."
Also good to see that Trojan arrogance is still alive and well.
FYI: USC dominates the Pac 10 (and ESPN); not college football.
GO GATORS!!Lennie Collins
posted on October 12, 2007 7:54 AM — 67.67.223.182 — link — abuse? said:
Ol' Peter decided to let John Booty aka Jack Ass rest and heal. Good move. If Arizona upsets Southern California USC fans have an excuse. Oops, with the excepton of Tommie Trojan seems like USC fans abandon ship. Oh well...they will return to this blog in early August of 2008 when USC is again ranked preseason #1.
Cane_Nation said:
posted on October 9, 2007 9:34 AM — 64.232.116.202 — link — abuse?I said last year, and I'm see it more and more this year. USC is following the same course that my Canes have travelled the last few years. Go back to the year the Trojans were shut out of the BSC title game. Then go back to 2000, when the Canes were laeft out and FSU was allowed in. Go year by year after those years and see the similarities.