IMHO Sunday: Visions of the future

On3 imageby:Greg Katz05/28/17
Greg Katz – WeAreSC.com In my humble opinion, cardinal and gold thoughts on what I see, what I hear, and what I think. Scoreboard baby: In looking at where the two new Coliseum peristyle video/scoreboards boards have been placed – literally at the top but among the last few rows of seats on each side the peristyle end - it appears like an impatient architect must have said, “Just stick’em somewhere, anywhere in the area… even if it’s within the stands.” And they did. If this is foreshadowing of what the whole project may look like at its conclusion, it’s a very scary thought. Scoreboard baby- Part -2: The placement of the new peristyle video boards wasn’t missed by the WeAreSC message board, which a photo appeared. Take a look. http://www.wearesc.com/forums/forum/main-category/main-forum/1030291-can-someone-explain-this-one Scoreboard baby – Part 3: By all accounts, the plans for what you have seen in the renovation drawings are going to take place inside the Coliseum. The outside of the Grand Old Lady will basically look the same, but it’s the inside that is going to look dramatically different and nobody argues that point. I still find it hard to fathom that the inside plans are the best they could do, especially when I see what has developed with the new peristyle video/scoreboards. And are we going to blame it all on the Coliseum Historical Society? The calendar: On the bright side, there’s only 97 days as of Sunday until kickoff against Western Michigan. Getting defensive: The strength of Western Michigan will be its defense, which will return seven players from last season’s 13-1 team. Can you remember who the Broncos lone loss was to in 2016? Correct, the Wisconsin Badgers in the Cotton Bowl. Good bye: The Trojans do not have a bye during the 2017 season, and that’s only a good thing if they win the Pac-12 South Division and make it to the Pac-12 Championship two weeks later. Sign of the times: Ya think that former Trojans All-America multi-purpose star Adoree’ Jackson has any second thoughts on leaving Troy for the NFL? In case you missed it, the former cardinal and gold No. 2 signed with the Tennessee Titans for a reported $11.28 million with a $6.34 million signing bonus. Starry eyed: And don’t think that some of Adoree’ Jackson’s returning Trojans teammates haven’t read about his contract. You know what some of those underclassmen – juniors to be - must be thinking. Wouldn’t you? The numbers game: In case you cared, the USC jersey number worn by the most Americans is No. 71. Can you name the All-Americans that wore No. 71? The numbers game – Part 2: Those No. 71 USC All-Americans are LT John Ferraro, OG Brad Budde, OT Tony Boselli, OG Deuce Lutui, and OT Charles Brown. From the press box… Jumping ship: There seems to be some groundswell that the Seattle Seahawks are slipping under Pete Carroll, much in the same manner that some believe looks eerily familiar to Carroll’s later USC teams. Chip off the old block: Former Oregon and NFL head coach Chip Kelly has signed a multi-year contract with ESPN as a studio analyst. Chip off the old block – Part 2: Kelly, who tormented the Trojans for the most part as head coach of the Oregon Ducks, will work college football pre-games, halftimes and studio wrap-up show on Saturday for ESPN2. Kelly was never shy in giving his opinions during his coaching career. Nostalgia: I miss the days when printed media guides were made available at Pac-12 Media Day and not contained in some flash drive. IMHO: I also miss the old days of 1:30 p.m. Coliseum kickoffs for Trojans football, which allowed just the right amount of time for tailgating and for returning home after the game at a reasonable hour. It’s a gamble: Former Sportscaster Brent Musburger, who retired to help his family in a new sports betting entity in Las Vegas, has drawn some attention with some early odds for the first week of 2017 college football season. The Trojans are listed as 19-point favorites to defeat Western Michigan in the season opener for both teams. The post-game show… Camp adjustment: The Trojans critical Rising Stars Camps, which are open to 9-12th grade high school players, was once a lone June weekend activity with the sleepover option. However, the RSC is now a single day activity on two separate June dates to better adjust to players’ personal schedules.   The new dates are June 10 and June 25, both Sundays. The RSC, which bring together many of the Trojans high-valued high school recruits, is scheduled to begin at 8 a.m. and conclude at 1 p.m. One of the major goals of the camp under the new format is to get players on campus and intensify the recruiting effort. Camp adjustment – Part 2: According to available Rising Stars Camps information, “This one-day showcase camp is geared towards experienced athletes seeking an opportunity to play at the highest level of collegiate football. Please take into consideration campers will receive elite level instruction in a fast paced and competitive environment. Instruction will be led by the USC coaching staff, current USC players and guest coaches from college programs around the country.” Camp adjustment – Part 3: “Guest coaches (of the Rising Stars Camps) will include representatives from programs in the Mountain West Conference, Big 12, Big 10, ACC, SEC, Conference USA, Sun Belt, Ivy League and Big Sky Conferences. The Rising Stars Camp will include position specific instruction periods, competitive periods of group instruction, one-on-one competition periods and an instructional film review session.” Camp adjustment – Part 4: You might also like to know that coaches from the following universities will also be participating in the Trojans Rising Stars Camps: Michigan, Michigan, Michigan State, Wisconsin, Illinois, Purdue, Vanderbilt, Air Force, Colorado State, Fresno State, Wyoming, Nevada, Army, Dartmouth, Princeton, Cal Poly, UC Davis, Eastern Washington, Montana State, Sacramento State, Dixie State (UT), Azuza Pacific, Colorado Mesa, U of San Diego, Occidental, La Verne, and Claremont Mudd.   Camp adjustment – Part 5: A player who participates in the Rising Stars camps is charged $50. The last word: An interesting Rising Stars Camps note is that high school players can participate in both camps if they wish, which could increase recruiting speculation as to whether a player needs to be seen twice for more physical evaluation or a player is showing how bad he wants to be a Trojan.  

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