USC Football: Memo to Dillon Baxter...Time To Grow Up

Fans of USC football fully expected an auspicious beginning for freshman running back extraordinaire Dillon Baxter.

Auspicious indeed.

Sadly, the vaunted beginning for Baxter was thought to be due to his incredible elusiveness, brilliant speed and artistic creativity running, and catching the ball.

Instead, young Mr. Baxter finds himself on the outside looking in as the Trojans prepare to meet Hawaii in their September 2nd opener.

According to head coach Lane Kiffin, Baxter was suspended for "violating team rules."

The Los Angeles Times, reporting on August 11, suggested that the violations in question, in addition to breaking curfew, may be related to an incident where police officers smelled marijuana coming from the dorm where Baxter stays.

Whatever.

The fact of the matter is, the last thing the Trojans need right now is more bad press.

Coming on the heels of fullback Stanley Havili breaking the cheekbone of TJ Bryant, the Baxter incident only magnifies the perception that USC's football remains out of control.

More importantly, this is not Dillon Baxter's only problem in the short time he has been with the Trojans.

In that same Los Angeles Time article, Kiffin said he decided to suspend Baxter after "examining his seven months here."

Kiffin went on, "I looked at it as a total package and felt that this was an extremely strong message to him, to our team, and the freshman class of our expectation."

For Lane Kiffin, already perceived to be a suspect head coach, the notion of having to suspend his stud freshman must be galling.

Fortunately for Kiffin, he appears to have the full support of his new athletic director, Pat Haden.

However, the national perception of the Trojans remains skeptical and this latest news of Baxter's suspension only serves to reinforce the view that USC is a shaky program at best.

Despite Baxter's talent, and there is no denying that he possesses that in multitudes, he will do the Trojans no good if he can't see the field of play.

The time to grow up is now, Dillon Baxter.

You are far too talented to wallow in the muck of bad decisions.

Trojan nation hopes that the next news about Dillon Baxter is of the celebratory kind, you know, perhaps a three touchdown or 200 yard rushing game.

You have the full support of your coach and the legions of USC fans who only want the best for you as you matriculate your way through college.

The rest is up to you.