USC Football: 5 Best, 5 Worst Offseason Developments
It certainly has been an interesting offseason for the Trojans.
Some it has been welcome, most of it hasn't.
Nonetheless, the 2011 offseason has provided a foundation upon which the foreseeable will be built and now that the Trojans know exactly what is ahead of them, they can move forward without the cloak of uncertainty providing additional hindrance.
Although in this case clarity does not provide relief, it does mark another day that the calendar can be turned as USC marches toward a day where the word "sanction" doesn't dominate every waking moment for the staff.
So let's separate the wheat from the chaff as we look at the five best and worst offseason developments.
No. 5 Worst Offseason Development: Lane Kiffin's Tennessee Woes
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In a nightmare of a story for Lane Kiffin, the NCAA will keep on writing additional chapters to the one that they allowed to linger for seven years.
This latest installment of the NCAA's witch hunt against Kiffin will look at several secondary violations that occurred in Kiffin's one and only season in Rocky Top.
Whether or not Kiffin is guilty of what college footballs governing body calls "not fostering a sense of NCAA compliance," is besides the point.
Now the mission for USC is to just simply survive this latest round of attacks without additional penalties imposed.
That is until the NCAA figures out that Kiffin is also responsible for world hunger and Iran's belligerence in the mideast.
No. 4 Worst Offseason Development: DeAnthony Thomas Spurns USC for Ducks
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Although the Trojans had a marvelous recruiting haul in the offseason, it could have been even better had athlete DeAnthony Thomas decided to fulfill his verbal commitment to the Trojans.
Thomas, a 5-star cornerback/running back/kick returner, had been a solid verbal pledge to the Trojans for well over a year when rumblings came out that Thomas would renege on that verbal just days prior to letter of intent signing day.
When that rumor turned out to be true, Thomas came up with some bizarre story of having to leave southland due to his testifying for the police against some gang member.
And if you believe that one, I have some swamp land for sale that I would like to discuss with you.
Nonetheless, Thomas will be plying his trade for the Ducks and Trojan fans will take particular delight every time he is flattened by the cardinal and gold defense.
No. 3 Worst Offseason Development: BCS Strips USC of 2004 Title
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In an offseason of change over which the Trojans had no control over, the news that the BCS would strip the Trojans of their 2004 national championship came as no surprise to anyone.
Though anyone who witnessed USC's convincing 55-19 thumping of Oklahoma would have a hard time arguing otherwise, the BCS, following the lead of their idiotic big brother, the NCAA, decided that the 2004 season would have no champion at all.
But of course, the 2004 season did have a champion.
And that champion was crowned by the AP poll which has been around far longer than the new kids on the block, the BCS.
That champion was USC.
And we don't need the BCS to tell us so.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
No. 2 Worst Offseason Development: Jurrel Casey and Tyron Smith Go Pro
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For one, the decision to go pro was an easy one and NFL riches was the reward.
For the other, in hindsight, perhaps another year in school would have returned greater dividends.
But for USC, the loss of offensive guard Tyron Smith and defensive tackle Jurrel Casey would be two more headaches the staff would have to contend with in 2011.
As a sure first-round pick, Smith's decision to go pro paid off big as he was drafted ninth overall by the Dallas Cowboys.
But for Casey, in a draft full of quality defensive linemen, the move to come out saw him fall all the way to the third round.
USC will replace Smith and Casey because that is what they do.
But it would have been easier had they stayed for another year.
No.1 Worst Offseason Development: The NCAA Denies USC's Appeal
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Though it came as no surprise to anyone, the fact that the NCAA took so long to deny USC's appeal was disappointing.
In a ruling that was promised to take place in four to eight weeks, the NCAA instead took over seven months to live down to their horrible reputation as arbiters of all things college football.
However, there is a one redeeming thing to come out of the failed appeal.
Lane Kiffin was able to replenish his depleted corps by utilizing extra scholarships from the previous year while the NCAA dawdled on appeal ruling.
Though it was a small victory, the fact that Lane Kiffin used the NCAA's own rules against them should serve as a small victory in a year where those kind of victories were few and far between.
No 5 Best Offseason Development: Brice Butler Returns to Program
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After last season, wide receiver Brice Butler had all but made up his mind.
He was going to transfer to the University of Cincinnati and join former Trojan wide receiver Vidal Hazelton.
For USC, though loaded at the position, the loss of Butler represented the second most experienced wideout on that team.
And with bodies of any sort, much less a quality skill player, at a premium, the Trojans would definitely come out on the short end of this transaction.
But then Butler had a change of heart.
After convincing Lane Kiffin of his sincerity, Butler was reinstated and his value was immediately felt on the practice field.
Now Butler is hoping that value will be felt in the fall when the games count.
So do Trojans fans.
No. 4 Best Offseason Development: Todd McNair Sues the NCAA
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One of the central figures in the Reggie Bush scandal was former assistant coach Todd McNair.
Without going into the details of the case itself which has been amply dissected and analyzed, suffice to say the NCAA's case against McNair was as subjective and flimsy as their case against USC.
And of course, the NCAA ruled against McNair when he appealed the initial ruling.
But unlike USC, McNair isn't forced to "play nice" against the pompous powers that be and he has decided to take it to the next level against the NCAA by suing them in public court.
Whatever happens there is besides the point (except to McNair, of course).
What will be shown in open court is the NCAA's unfair and subjective practices when it comes to administering the sports they are charged to protect.
And when that happens, the spotlight will be on the NCAA and there will be some explaining to do.
And that can only benefit all concerned.
No. 3 Best Offseason Development: Devon Kennard Switches Back to D-End
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Well, you can't say they didn't try.
When Pete Carroll had a little brainstorm to try Devon Kennard at middle linebacker, it looked like a can't-miss proposition.
Kennard was big and quick enough and it seemed like it was only a matter of time before Kennard was the next big linebacker thing at USC.
Unfortunately as we all know now, it didn't work.
Often looking confused and out of position, Kennard was most often seen running upfield trying to catch the guy who just got by him.
Now Kennard is back to his natural position, with a hand on the ground, and the Trojans should benefit all the way around.
Too bad it took the coaches two years to figure it out though.
No. 2 Best Offseason Development: Trojans Snag a Magnificent Recruting Class
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One thing no one, not even the Kiffin haters, can dispute, the man can flat-out recruit.
And when the Trojans needed his talents in that area, possibly more than they have ever needed a coach to deliver, Kiffin delivered.
At a time when most coaches would be wringing their hands, bemoaning the fact that the NCAA pulled the rug out from under them, Lane Kiffin and his staff, including Ed Orgeron, simply rolled up their sleeves and delivered the impossible.
A top five recruiting class.
The very foundation of USC football will be built on the 2010 class and thanks to the recruiting department, the Trojans may actually survive the NCAA's sanctions without the suffering what a lesser program would go through.
Trojan fans should be deeply grateful to the Trojan staff for a job unbelievably well done.
No. 1 Best Offseason Development: USC Can Finally Move on from NCAA
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Wait a minute. The worst offseason news is also the best offseason news?
In a word. Yes.
Now before you offer to call for psychiatric treatment for me, let me explain.
While it is true that in the best of all possible worlds, USC would have been found innocent of all NCAA infractions and all of the penalties would have been lifted.
But since that didn't happen, at least the Trojans can move forward secure in the knowledge that should be no more "surprises" courtesy of the NCAA.
Of course, the NCAA could throw the book at Lane Kiffin for his stint at Tennessee, which would be par for their course but only time will tell.
Though the Trojans will be facing an uphill climb thanks to the lost scholarships, at least they know what course to plot.
And the clarity that provides is invaluable.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
