 |
| Monte is looking for answers on defense |
I do not know what needs to happen in the City of Angels for USC to turn things around. I am neither a prophet nor a good prognosticator when it comes to college football because--like life-- it’s too unpredictable. But what I do know is that The Men of Troy need to work on improving that defense and fast. I do not rest all the blame on new defensive coordinator/Tampa 2 guru Monte Kiffin, but he deserves some blame.
Tony Dungy (tweaked the Tampa 2 from the 1970’s Steelers playbook to his liking) and Monte Kiffin put the Tampa 2 defense on the map in their Tampa Bay days in the mid-nineties to early two thousands but it is not working for the Trojans. The way I see it is that you need the personnel to run this defense and that means above average speedy linebackers, corners and safeties. Also there must be pressure created by the front four that can get at the quarterback without a blitz by the linebackers or corners. But speed, tackling, and smarts are a premium and at this moment USC is having big trouble running this defense.
The Tampa 2 works in the NFL, but this system might be complicated for the college kids to run because the time they have to digest this defensive scheme and meet with coaches is severely limited unlike the pro athletes, where their entire week is meetings at the team facility. One must also look at the drop off of recruits coming in the last couple of years under Pete Carroll as a factor too. There is no way a program can sustain bringing in kids like Rey Maualuga, Brian Cushing, Clay Matthews, and many others. There was bound to be talent that did not pan out.
In no way am I saying that USC is incapable of running this defensive scheme, but they need heady players that have primo speed and will not whiff on tackles. We have seen the undisciplined defense rack up penalties (ranging from false starts to delay of game and unsportsmanlike penalties), miss numerous tackles, and allow gaping holes all over the field. Head Coach Lane Kiffin is not doing any live tackling in practice because of the sanctions and lack of depth but something needs to be done. Some live tackling needs to take place or you will have more bittersweet losses like Washington and Stanford.
No one fears the Men of Troy anymore, USC has loss their swagger. Bring back Marcus Allen, Snoop Dogg, the zany Will Ferrell, and the others that used to line the sideline like it was celebrity-row. This was a boost for the current players to play in front of these stars; it motivated them, gave them that extra shot of adrenaline. In 2005, sophomore wide receiver, Dwayne Jarrett had this to say about the national attention and the how celebrities gravitate toward the team: “It just shows we're very looked at. It just shows how much they respect us. It gives us motivation to play hard." But all that is lost now; the sidelines are mundane and boring.
I know Lane is different than Carroll but you do not need to change everything, especially when the formula has worked for so long; tweak things hear and there but keep what works. The Hollywood atmosphere works for USC unlike any other school in the nation and this is their identity and it needs to come back. Carroll was very proficient at allowing kids to buy into the fun atmosphere and play football but now everything is too workman-like and not every player will buy into this.
The Trojans used to be the best big-game team in the nation a couple of years ago. When the lights where on, they could beat anyone by at least two touchdowns. That’s how good they were. But now, they are lost on defense. In the Washington game, they looked confused and slow; players were looking around or at each other, trying to get into position and figure out how to line up.
Cornerback Shareece Wright is playing like a man possessed and showing that aggression and the rest of the players need to follow his lead. And why is Monte in the booth when he should be on the field? He needs to be down there at eye-level and get in the faces of players that are not doing their job properly. Every once in a while a player needs a kick in the butt or some encouraging words.
Lane, Monte, and Ed Oregon will have a small margin of error when it comes to recruiting kids to the school. They need to find tough, hard-nosed kids that live and breathe football and have a high motor. They do not have time for kids that are semi-interested and who are attending University of Southern California to soak up the sun and fun with the girls.
Lane, if you are listening, your team needs to find their swagger. Once that is found, the wins will come and the respect that has been garnered for so many years will come back to this storied program. And like the MMA legend Fedor Emelianenko said, after his shocking loss against Fabricio Werdum,"The one who doesn’t fall doesn't stand up.” Every Trojan faithful and fan alike needs to remember that.
