tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21710385633285468242024-02-18T23:01:43.156-08:00The Trojan EmpireA Return of the KingUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger431125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2171038563328546824.post-88868864010663807962009-04-08T23:31:00.000-07:002009-04-08T23:35:39.375-07:00The Empire has moved to WordpressThe Trojan Empire has moved from blogspot to Wordpress. All blogspot content has been exported to the new location, and all future posts will be exclusive to the new home. Though the new spot is still under construction, you can still visit and subscribe to the new feed.THE TROJAN EMPIREUnknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2171038563328546824.post-24503004901535863762009-04-03T15:17:00.000-07:002009-04-03T15:20:30.722-07:00Mark Sanchez Creating Puffs of SmokeAs the NFL draft moves closer, we squint in smoke filled skies to get a glimpse of team intentions. February brings a list of franchise needs, and free agency will scratch items from the notepad. And by April, the shopping list should be condensed. But the pattern fails to materialize, as big boards display prospect growth, and the annual game of cat and mouse remains intact. We are guided by Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2171038563328546824.post-3014950264091376182009-03-28T15:15:00.000-07:002009-03-28T15:37:30.376-07:00Cincinnati petitions for Hazelton's eligibilityThe Cincinnati Bearcats have petitioned the NCAA for 2009 eligibility of wide receiver Vidal Hazelton. Under the current NCAA rules, the Southern California transfer must sit out a season before becoming part of the active roster in 2010. The basis for the petition is Hazelton's need to move closer to his grandfather, who resides in Georgia and is diagnosed with cancer.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2171038563328546824.post-62051988076672503612009-03-22T23:30:00.000-07:002009-03-22T23:35:51.582-07:00Spring Practice ScheduleIf anyone is interested in attending any of the spring practice sessions, here are the dates and times:March 28, Saturday, 10:30 a.m.March 31, Tuesday, 4 p.m.April 2, Thursday, 4 p.m.April 3, Friday, 4 p.m.April 5, Sunday, TBAApril 7, Tuesday, 4 p.m.April 9, Thursday, 4 p.m.April 11, Saturday, Coliseum (CLOSED to the public)April 14, Tuesday, 4 p.m.April 16, Thursday, 4 p.m.April 17, Friday, 4 Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2171038563328546824.post-10493840339511935842009-03-16T21:06:00.000-07:002009-03-16T21:08:25.517-07:00NFL Draft: Measure the burst with the 40-yard finishThe 40-yard dash has become the highlight of every pre-draft workout. From the NFL scout combine to individual pro-days, Americans have developed a fascination for watching prospects stripped of pads, and often lighter than their playing weight, run full speed in a straight line. And regardless of what some critics may believe, this measurement of speed, depending on position, does have an impactUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2171038563328546824.post-2254156596948861452009-03-12T21:44:00.000-07:002009-03-12T21:47:53.348-07:00The 2009 USC Rose Bowl ringThe USC football program continues to challenge Balfour to brainstorm new creations for the Rose Bowl Ring. I recently got a look at the latest edition for the 7-time defending Pac 10 champions (from USCripsit), and I must say it’s pretty sweet. This is version No. 4 for the Men of Troy, in the past 6 seasons, with each having a slight change in design. One obvious alteration is the single Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2171038563328546824.post-27756080254122718122009-03-06T18:46:00.000-08:002009-03-06T18:58:11.765-08:00Another spring without Joe McknightStill recovering from the dislocation of 4 toes, Joe McKnight will not be available for spring practice. He suffered the injury during the January 1st Rose Bowl. McKnight missed the 2008 spring practices with academic issues, before rejoining the team in the Summer. Considered to be one of the most dynamic running backs in college football, injuries have often played their part in keeping him Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2171038563328546824.post-16027498219502281512009-03-02T02:22:00.000-08:002009-03-02T02:25:07.745-08:00It’s now or never for Mitch MustainWatching Matt Cassel’s rise from the depths of obscurity is an amazing story in itself. But for one particular observer, there’s a personal connection and offering of hope. That person is USC quarterback Mitch Mustain, who oddly enough finds himself walking a similar path, though the upcoming spring and summer months may offer a shortcut.Cassel never started a game as a Trojan, and neither has Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2171038563328546824.post-39563117801917379682009-02-28T15:25:00.000-08:002009-03-14T21:32:02.881-07:00TTE's 2009 NFL Mock Draft | Version 2.0 | Updated 3/122009 MOCK VERSION 2.01.Detroit Lions- Matthew Stafford, QB, GeorgiaPrevious: Matthew StaffordBy all indications, Daunte Culpepper is scheduled to be the starting quarterback for the Lions in 2009. Looking into the future, Detroit will select Stafford with the first overall pick and prepare him to lead the franchise by 2010. The Motor City is also in need of help on the offensive line, but Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2171038563328546824.post-68257204123309457152009-02-28T11:37:00.000-08:002009-03-06T18:59:36.302-08:00Patriots deal Matt Cassel to the Kansas City ChiefsThe New England Patriots dealt quarterback Matt Cassel to the Chiefs on Saturday. Though many mock drafts had Mark Sanchez penciled to land in Kansas City with the third overall pick, I never saw the possibility or sense in it. Matt Cassel increased his value last season, guiding the Patriots to 11 wins as a replacement for the injured Tom Brady. He was franchise tagged by New England, Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2171038563328546824.post-63570859306832158472009-02-27T00:43:00.000-08:002009-02-27T01:07:15.289-08:00Brian Cushing still battling steroid speculationDepending on whom you ask, Brian Cushing can be described in many ways. I find him easiest to define as a tree trunk with vision and speed. He has the look of physical perfection, a product of many hours and years in the gym. But with every muscle defined, and his prowess on the football field, there has also been rumors and speculation that he was assisted in reaching his physical goals.I Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2171038563328546824.post-27459636584908460822009-02-26T01:29:00.000-08:002009-02-26T02:23:28.917-08:00Clay Matthews becomes a first-round nameIt’s been quite a journey for Clay Matthews III. Despite his famous bloodline, he’s never been given a free football pass. His father and uncle are captured forever in the history of the school he attends, as both men are members of the USC Athletic Hall of Fame. His uncle, Bruce, also appears in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, as a 14-time Pro Bowl selection in a spectacular 19 year career. And Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2171038563328546824.post-78834928571566727002009-02-24T18:22:00.000-08:002009-02-24T19:04:54.162-08:00Lendale White and an alleged Valentine's Day beatingMeeting Lendale White on a football field is likely a violent collision. And according to reports out of Denver, meeting him in traffic can be the same. A Colorado fender bender on February 14th apparently resulted in a heated exchange between the former Trojan and the driver of the other vehicle involved. The allegations claim that pushing and shoving became more violent when White began Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2171038563328546824.post-80677007431753861742009-02-23T13:55:00.000-08:002009-02-23T14:09:00.863-08:00Combine notes: Maualuga pulls up lameRey Maualuga ran a first attempt 4.83 in the scout combine’s 40-yard dash. He never received a second attempt, pulling up lame at the finish, and collapsing to the turf with a tweaked hamstring. Maualuga said it was something that had been bothersome before his arrival to Indianapolis, but didn’t want to make excuses, wanting only to compete with the best. It’s unsure at this point whether Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2171038563328546824.post-67869524049418408002009-02-21T18:37:00.000-08:002009-02-21T19:37:12.732-08:00One Trojan creating a combine buzz, but not who you'd thinkThe NFL combine events have begun, but tight ends were the skill players mostly on Saturday's display. South Carolina's Jared Cook proved to be the superior athlete at the position, displaying a 41" vertical leap and posting an official 4.5 in the 40-yard dash. The big name among tight ends, Brandon Pettigrew of Oklahoma State, performed miserably. His 40 time was in the 4.8 range and he Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2171038563328546824.post-41955166023678545372009-02-20T16:14:00.000-08:002009-02-20T16:48:40.939-08:00Those other guys crown Utah 2008 football champsUtah wasn’t completely shutout of championship award ceremonies. Collegefootballtalk.com has chosen the Mountain West program as their 2008 college football champions. Sure, it won’t be recognized by the gridiron shot-callers, but it just becomes another trophy unrecognized by the NCAA, the organization with the most importance. It adds another piece of hardware to a trash barrel and marks Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2171038563328546824.post-61271135457365531202009-02-20T12:17:00.000-08:002009-02-20T12:22:33.160-08:00USC scratched from the Brown listBryce Brown isn’t scheduled to make an official announcement of his college choice until March 16, but it’s more clear that he won’t be suited in cardinal and gold. The nation’s top running back prospect, who originally gave a verbal to Miami, allowed signing day to come and go, without signing a letter of intent. He comprised a short list of potential candidates that showed LSU, USC, Miami, Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2171038563328546824.post-47497212324331255042009-02-18T20:25:00.000-08:002009-02-18T20:37:25.822-08:00Eagles looking to unload Winston JusticeThe NFL experience hasn’t been great for Winston Justice. Character issues created a 2006 draft day slide that finally came to a halt with the eagles selecting the big tackle in the second round. He made headlines in his first and only start, but for all the wrong reasons. His debut on September 30, 2007 is noted in the books, as the Giants tied an NFL record with 12 sacks, and Justice Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2171038563328546824.post-87434433973545851682009-02-15T23:48:00.001-08:002009-02-16T00:08:32.440-08:00An opportune time for Sanchez to elevate his stockThe NFL draft is a touchy situation for quarterback hopefuls. More than any other position, team need stands the greatest determining factor of a young signal caller’s descent. You can appear near the top of a list of prospects for the position, but still inevitably see a sizable gap between the first quarterback taken and your draft selection.Sanchez is projected as the No. 2 overall Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2171038563328546824.post-85584473469958968512009-02-07T22:58:00.000-08:002009-02-07T23:01:59.206-08:00SJ Mock Draft projects Sanchez to Bucs, Maualuga to DenverDid Sanchez make the right decision to stay or did Pete Carroll have the more realistic view? It all depends on who you talk to and which mock draft you're reading.The updated Mock at SportsJabber. net projects Mark Sanchez to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. It also sends Rey Maualuga to the Jets, and Brian Cushing to the Denver Broncos. Though this mock has Sanchez lower than some, there are others inUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2171038563328546824.post-73816720216084519002009-02-04T23:27:00.000-08:002009-02-04T23:43:53.864-08:00No Te’o, No problemManti Te’o would have been an additional charm to the 2009 class of Trojans, but the absence, though somewhat unsettling, isn’t crippling to the structure. USC’s loss became Notre Dame’s gain, and everyone was aware of the possibility. But realistically, as much as Te’o is an outstanding 2009 prospect, he’s a more logical projection for 2011. During the recruiting process, Te’o made it clear Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2171038563328546824.post-25039520870310677942009-02-02T20:27:00.000-08:002009-02-02T20:50:38.460-08:00Matt Cassel is ‘pissed’…literallyMatt Cassel, the former Trojan bench warmer turned NFL superstar quarterback, had a right to be angry on Super Bowl weekend. No, it doesn’t have anything to do with the Steelers or Cardinals and any hopes he had for former USC teammates Matt Leinart and Deuce Lutui to earn a championship ring. It also doesn't stem from his Patriots going 11-5 without qualifying for the AFC playoffs or the Pro Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2171038563328546824.post-4770502022563805992009-01-26T12:59:00.000-08:002009-01-26T14:33:25.477-08:00Is Oregon the new leader of the Pac?With a reshuffled coaching staff, an exodus of defensive stars, and an NFL bound quarterback, one person already believes that USC has lost its grip on the Pac 10 conference. Dennis Dodd of CBS Sports doesn’t make a definite statement, appearing more as “beating around the bush”, but his early 2009 college football rankings show the Ducks positioned higher than the Trojans. The top of his early Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2171038563328546824.post-70447971893218199572009-01-22T14:00:00.000-08:002009-01-22T14:19:39.937-08:00Gophers headed to the left coast woodshedIt's only been 3 weeks since USC notched another Rose Bowl victory, and made Penn State another Big 10 victim. The eyes are now set on Columbus Ohio, where the Trojans meet their next Midwestern opponent. Most are aware of the track record against the boys from the fading BCS group, but the Minnesota Golden Gophers didn't hesitate to accept the challenge. Once the contract is finalized, Tim Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2171038563328546824.post-63737002271111054432009-01-21T23:14:00.001-08:002009-01-21T23:18:34.143-08:00Senior Bowl Notes: Carroll eyes the actionWednesday’s practices had a sideline visitor. In between travels for recruiting, Coach Pete Carroll made an appearance in Mobile Alabama to watch his Trojans work. In an interview with Lindsey Soto, he explained how the current competition against the nation’s best isn’t anything new to Trojan players, because they face fierce battles each day in practice. He took photos with the 5 USC playersUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0