REMEMBER NATALIE NELSON?

Hey, do you remember Natalie Nelson? Okay, outside of the USC campus the name won’t readily ring a bell. But what if I said the short skirt wearing, sweater filling, pom-pom shaking blonde pictured in the above photo? Now we’re getting closer, right? Natalie, on looks alone, could be the poster child of USC Song Girls. Mention the letters “U-S-C” accompanied by the words cheerleaders or song girls, and most would gather a mental picture of the blonde beauty that is Natalie Nelson. But nationally, Natalie is most remembered for this:

Okay, now I’ll ask it again. Do you remember Natalie Nelson, the Song Girl that gained national notoriety for cheering for the wrong team in the 2006 BCS National championship game? Ohhh yeah, right? Yes, that girl. For about a good six month period, Natalie was probably the most photoshopped person on the internet, with users placing her cheering image at historic events like the Rodney King beating and Kennedy assassination. The girl couldn’t get a break, but damn, she’s still hot.

I started wondering whatever happened to her. I always follow Trojans after they leave school and enter the NFL, so what the hell, why not check in on a hot rah rah girl? While at USC, I was always under the impression that she was dating Trojans linebacker Dallas Sartz, who was recently signed off waivers by the Seattle Seahawks. She may have dated him for awhile, but it isn’t who she married.

Natalie is now married to Carolina Panthers center Ryan Kalil, another Trojan, and former teammate of Dallas Sartz. The Panthers chose Kalil in the second round of the 2007 NFL draft. The love connection ensures that both Trojans will appear on the sidelines or in the seats at future USC games, because the newlyweds continue to have a connection through family. Lori Nelson, the mother of Natalie, is the USC Song Girls coach, a position held for years, with her also being a former ass shaker at USC. One of the top players of the 2008 Trojans draft class is Matt Kalil, the younger brother of Ryan, and the top ranked offensive line prospect in the country.

Bush gets Kardashian. Leinart gets Brynn Cameron and some groupies in an Arizona hot tub, and Ryan Kalil gets Natalie Nelson. Who would have thought? Advantage Kalil, easily…and best of luck to them both.

Jarrett Continues to Blow Opportunities

Like other Trojan fans, I sat here and frowned at NFL franchises that passed on both Dwayne Jarrett and Steve Smith in the first round of the 2007 draft. How could I not believe they were first round worthy? The cardinal and gold pumps through my veins. I could understand Calvin Johnson being the first receiver taken, with his speed and hands on such a large frame. But Teddy Ginn Jr. and Anthony Gonzalez? Please!

One year later, I can see those franchises had it right, at least in the case of Dwayne Jarrett. Steve Smith has a superbowl ring. Injury kept him off the field for a good part of the 2007 season, but he was always productive, and a sure handed pass catcher in the Giants red zone. Dwayne Jarrett failed to become that NFL receiver I thought he would be. Instead of proving all those that passed on him wrong, he continues to prove them right.

The Panthers aren't looking for a No. 1 receiver, because they have one in their own Steve Smith. All they're asking is for someone to step up and make some plays on the other side, to loosen the double teams Smith faces with each snap of the ball. For whatever the reasons may be, Jarrett wasn't able to do it.

He aimed to prove his worth in the upcoming camps, and would be challenged by the Panthers acquisition of Mushin Muhammed. Jarrett was believed to be the frontrunner, up until this latest incident. Jarrett was arrested on Monday night and charged with DWI. Punishment is nearly certain, and can include entry into the NFL's substance abuse program. Not a good move for Dwayne, whose own actions may be planting him on the bench for another season.

The good news out of Carolina is the waiving of the often injured Justin Hartwig. This move most likely gives Trojan Ryan Kalil the starting center position. Also, away from the coast, and up in the Rockies, the Denver Broncos signed Keary Colbert, who was released by the Panthers last month.