Well Aaron Corp definitely got bitten, but it wasn't Matt's bark that rattled the red-shirt sophomore - it was Pete Carroll's vicious bite.

Pete Carroll said Corp will have a chance to keep his starting job after he came down with the leg injury. Carroll said he'll throw Corp back in the mix with the first group and give him a chance to hang on to the starting position he earned during spring camp. So less than two weeks later, Corp comes back, only sees snaps with the 2nd team, and two days later finds out the job is officially Matt Barkley's. Was this a surprise? No.

During Corp's absence, the spirit of competition, and every spot being available to whoever plays the best didn't exist. At least not for the quarterback position. Mustain was placed on the back burner, and Pete Carroll gave Barkley every first team snaps. Pete's reason was that Corp and Barkley seperated themselves far enough during the spring that Mustain was out of consideration. Hmm.

During the Spring and Fall camps, just about every sentence that contained the word 'interception' also had Matt Barkley's name attached to it. Aaron Corp played it cool only throwing one interception in spring football that was caused by a tip at the line of scrimmage. What happened to Pete not being able to stand turnovers and preaching the importance of protecting the ball. Should we be surprised that he picked Barkley and his interceptions over Corp's ability to manage the offense and protect the ball? No.

Don't forget the fact that Joe Mcknight continues to get a large share of carries even though he is prone and well known for fumbling the ball. So while CJ Gable gets benched immediately for a fumble, Joe Mcknight continues to get more than his share of playtime despite his constant miscues. So what's the deal Pete?

Why does Pete Carroll seem to keep a blind eye to these turnovers? Why do players like Joe Mcknight and Matt Barkley get excused for turnovers that Pete preaches against? Why the special treatment?

I guess special treatment is given to those with special talent or should we say potential? Joe Mcknight came in with the hype of being the next Reggie Bush. Pete Carroll has given him every chance since his freshman year to let that potential come in to fruition. While he has shown flashes, he clearly hasn't lived up to it. He has fumbled and danced around the backfield for loss of yards. Clearly, those flashes were good enough to blind Carroll from the negative runs and fumbles.

Now the same flash and excitement is prevented Carroll from seeing Barkley's interceptions. While Matt Barkley definitely has the potential to be great, and has the physical tools to do well, he simply isn't ready to lead the offense. Even the vets like Taylor Mays has voiced this saying that while Barkley has shown leadership and an unshakable confidence, it still takes a couple years to learn the intricacies of the offense.

Pete says he feels the need to protect Corp like a father would. Would a father bench his own son and prevent him from starring in a program like USC's? Why not give Corp the time you had said you would to show the injury has healed and he is the same guy taht earned the starting spot before.

USC just had a scrimmage where Corp completed 5 of 7 passes for 89 yards and also rushed for 10 yards on his first running attempt. (Barkley threw his usual interception.) Pete Carroll had cited Corp's lack of mobility being a factor in his decision. So when asked after the scrimmage if Corp's display of mobility would change his mind on who's starting, Pete just said, "No. No. No."

Did Corp ever really have a chance to start? He was named the started after spring, but with Pete saying there's still going to be a competition once fall comes. He didn't give Sanchez, Leinart, or Booty that type of fine print. What happened to giving a quarterback a chance to lead during the summer and the confidence to come in to the spring? Did Pete Carroll view Corp's injury as a misfortune or a great opportunity and excuse to start the freshman?

Pete Carroll says he is happy to to be at USC but still continues to let the rumors of him leaving for the NFL linger during the summer without doing anything till the very end to diffuse the speculation. Is this a case of someone enjoying the attention? Is this bold move to start Barkley coming from the same need of attention? Like him saying, "It's all me. It doesn't matter who I start, we will win because of me."

Pete Carroll is a great personality and a great coach. He is not perfect. The decision to start Matt Barkley will probably look like a stroke of genius in the end. While he has thrown many interceptions this past spring and fall, I don't see him throwing the same amount as the season progresses. He is an amazing talent, and Pete Carroll will recieve praise for recognizing it.

The decision to start the freshman over Aaron Corp reminds me of a past trip. We were out of money and couldn't afford the $12 fare to get home. Desperate we asked 2 strangers for help. They both lived nearby and were willing to go to their house and pick up their money. One told us he had exactly $12 to give us. The other told us he should have $10 to $20 he can give. We politely said thanks to the guy who could have potentially given us $20 and took the sure thing and got the $12 from the other guy.

With USC's stable of running backs and what's looking to be another solid defense, there is no need for a super star Quarterback. You just need a guy to get you to your destination, a National Championship. Aaron Corp has showed he has the ability to manage the offense, and protect the ball. Matt Barkley has shown he has the potential to do the same and more. Corp is the $12 that will get USC there, but Pete went with the other guy. So it looks like USC will either get to where they want or will fall short that they may not even qualify for the BCS ride. Read the full story

Hey Joe where you goin'? Really. Where are you going?

Joe McKnight was known as the steal of the year for Pete Carroll after luring him in to come to USC. He was already dubbed as the next Reggie Bush before he finished packing his bags to go to California. His speed, vision, and versatility gave all the fans and scouts all they needed to crown him as the next Reggie who will dazzle the field with quick cuts on his way to the end zone. Hello ESPN, we're going to make the highlight reels once again.

Well two seasons later, he has only made one memorable highlight after a long gain against Illinois in the Rose Bowl. For the most part, he has been more like the other top recruit of his class Jimmy Clausen, as he lays on the ground for a loss of yards. Other times, we usually see him searching for the ball after a run as he has shown he is fumble prone.

In all honesty, when I think at all the Joe McKnight plays the most memorable one comes from the game against the Oregon Ducks. USC forced a turnover early in the game and had a chance to set the tone. It was 4th and inches and instead of seeing Stafon Johnson muscle the ball between the tackles, we saw Joe McKnight dancing left and right before being tackled for a loss.

Is Joe a bust? For being such a highly touted recruit, I would say that he has been a bust. Stafon Johnson and CJ Gable has produced a lot more than Joe without being regarded as high at the running back position. I thought Broderick Green's best performance when he finally got a shot, was overall a better performance than most of Joe McKnight's efforts.

I can't really put the blame on him. The coaches have tried to use him like they used Reggie. They envisioned him to make plays like Reggie. They've sold him on the idea of being the next Reggie. I'm sure Joe himself has pictured himself as the next Reggie. With messages like "pay day" written on his eye black, Joe has probably already envisioned his life in the NFL. But wait a minute Joe. You're still at USC, and you have yet to perform in a way that would make you a valuable stock in the NFL.

Luckily for Joe, Pete Carroll has not yet given up on his dream of having the second coming of Reggie Bush in his squad. Joe to his credit has shown little bits of flashes of greatness here and there. He has been given favorable treatment compared to CJ Gable after his fumbles.

This coming season is definitely going to be the year that Joe McKnight will have to live up to the hype. He was bothered by injury during Spring Camp and have given the likes of Curtis Mcneal and Marc Tyler the chance to steal the spotlight. With another rookie Quarterback taking over, USC needs to dominate the running game again even more than last year. I'm sure as the season begins Joe McKnight will be given a chance to shine. But if he shows us the same o'l Joe we have seen the past two years, the answer to

"Hey Joeeeeee.. where you goin'???"

will be the sidelines... Read the full story

DJ Shoemate has big shoes to fill at fullback. He'll be shadowing a well established player at that position in Stanley Havili who Mark Schlaback of ESPN once named as one of the seven college football secrets back in 2007. How did a highly touted wide receiver literally end up in this (fullback) position? Well the answer to that question is also what will make him a big impact player in the future - sacrifice

DJ Shoemate arrived on campus as the 8th ranked wide receiver in his class according to Scout.com where he is described as an explosive play maker with great hands. Eager to play and to contribute to the team, Shoemate did what most players have been reluctant to do - switch positions. This is a huge sacrifice particularly for a player as heralded as Shoemate. His positive attitude and willingness to learn and adapt to his new role has showed. He clearly has given the coaches his full effort.

Pete Carroll acknowledged DJ Shoemate's progress at the Spring Football Media Luncheon. "The number of things that we can do with him because of his receiver background showed up." Pete added that Shoemate is "probably the most improved player on the team and really developed a role for himself. He can carry the ball, runs it well, and has solved the mysteries of the offense and the schemes."

The most improved player on the team Pete? I agree.

Going back to the word SACRIFICE - the reason Shoemate is now a fullback and what will make him an impact player. Here is a player willing to give up his 5 star status at a position he excelled at because that is not where he was needed. In our personal and professional lives we are always grateful for the people who are willing to do the little things to make our lives and our organizations the best possible. DJ Shoemate is that remarkable young man that saw an opportunity to help his team become the best possible, and selflessly gave his all. Sacrifices always gets repaid and this upcoming season Shoemate will get his big payoff.

DJ Shoemate will bring a little something back that we haven't seen in awhile. DJ Shoemate along with his blocking ability will provide the Trojans a receiving threat from the backfield - something teams had difficulty dealing with during the Bush Era. His speed, catching ability, and amazing field vision should definitely lead to first downs, touchdowns, and occasionally a spot on ESPN's highlight reels. DJ Shoemate is definitely a shoe-in to be the next great impact player in the cardinal and gold. Read the full story