Pete Carroll

LeBron to the Seahawks

by FeedCrossing on October 14, 2011

http://maxfrankel.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/lebronx-inset-community.jpg

LeBron James is making headlines this week with his Twitter feed yet again. In an exchange that all seems a bit tongue-in-cheek, LeBron asked ESPN Insider John Clayton when was the deadline to sign with an NFL team. Pete Carroll, master recruiter and current Seattle Seahawks head coach caught wind of this and immediately started with the recruiting pitch. Carroll tweeted at King James “are you aware of what the league’s rookie minimum is?” LeBron responded “Yeah, more than what I’m making now Coach.” And with that, the rumors of the world’s greatest athlete turning to football were set ablaze.

Pete Carroll soon posted the above picture of a #1 Seahawks jersey and in true Ichiro style, the jersey simply reads LeBron. In high school Lebron was an all state wide receiver with a big frame and speed to burn. Still, the jump from high school football player to the next level is not that easy (anyone remember Greg Paulus?). And we’re talking about a jump to the NFL where big, scary men look to hurt each other. It doesn’t seem like a place where the happy-go-lucky, free loving LeBron would like to be. LeBron and gridiron simply don’t go together.

LeBron would have to be an idiot to consider turning to the physical game of football while basketball is out of session as the risk of injury is entirely too high. His tall body and long legs would expose him to leg injuries and make him an easy tackle for the league’s small cornerbacks.

Still, the idea of getting the world’s best, most explosive athlete out on the football field is a lot of fun. The guy could win every jump ball and have Calvin Johnson type inpact on every possession. We know he has the hand-eye coordination to catch the ball which was the concern with getting Usain Bolt out on the football field, and we know he’s freakishly strong. But, we also know he has a reputation for being soft.

If Pete Carroll wants to bring him out to Seattle, I support it 100%. If you have a chance to take a flier on a guy, do it every time. It still baffles us here at Off The Bench that Barry Bonds wasn’t able to get a job after a season in which he had a .480 OBP. It’s the same type of thing here: you have a chance to potentially make your team better so give it a shot.

A word of warning to Coach Carroll: Don’t let him play the 4th quarter.

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Without Needing Time to Think, It’s Time USC Fires Mike Garrett

by Josh Dhani on June 12, 2010


Whenever USC trustees do an entire town a favor that immerses in the most famous football program in a region where supporters are devoid of a non-professional football franchise, mend respectability of tarnishing and remove the toxic stains turning an illustrious institution into a toxic wasteland and dismiss athletic director Mike Garrett, the Trojans will avoid sanctions for being deceitful criminals of violating NCAA rules.

Apparently, the mood at the spacious and amiable campus located off of Figueroa Ave, is perturbed and overwrought after hearing the latest penalties imposed on an athletic program.

The program remains known for triumphant feats and producing Heisman trophy winners. Now, the unbraced university is known for committing infractions, portrayed as dirty and duplicitous sleazes following a significant NCAA investigation amid unspecified scandals that unveiled the truth.

From Heritage Hall, to the tallness of the Tommy Trojan bronze statue, to Doheny Library, all the students and average fanatics are raving over the unpleasant sins, suffocating and devaluing the recruiting classes of the future at Southern California University.

Battered with much tainted perceptions and harsh penalties, the prominent university is delayed from winning another crystal ball or even smelling roses in an annual appearance at the Rose Bowl.

There were legions of mischievous and deceptive frauds to blame and point fingers because of the infringements in violating NCAA rules.

For years, investigators have probed a troubling dilemma that has ruined the integrity and purity of collegiate sports, but the most noticeable scandals existed at USC, a famous university now buffeted notoriously for wrongdoings and declining to follow traditional principles.

The chronicles and headlines no longer address winning or recruiting the best high school prospect, enveloped by former tailback Reggie Bush, then-basketball phenom O.J. Mayo and coach Tim Floyd, the pseudo who fled the program when pending accusations transpired and were a messy burden.

This is a college football team, with a numerous of scapegoats. This is a college football team, with tainted corruption and will be labeled as an asterisk, forgetting all the championship wins it has compiled over the years with the top quarterbacks and running backs in the nation.

Because of arrogance and recklessness, the Trojans went from the most powerful program to the most powerless program, without having the last word.

All the foolish sins caused ruination within collegiate sports greatest dynasty, and smudged the memories of sheer greatness and exultation. Few want to believe that it’s Bush’s fault when the NCAA learned he had accepted and was lavished with improper gifts and cash from two phony agents.

There are others who want to believe that Floyd is the goon to blame amid a crisis for which he vanished to relieve headaches.

Remember, he allegedly bestowed $1,000 in cash transactions to Rodney Guillory, an event promoter who acted as an agent to Mayo and represented him unlawfully.

Remember, USC self-sanctioned its basketball program for infractions that happened before Mayo’s one-and-done season with the Trojans and Floyd attended the infractions committee hearing. However, he still isn’t the one to blame for USC’s impaired gloom, costing the bleak program a two-year postseason ban and a loss of 30 football scholarships during four-year probation.

Of all the violations, the man to blame isn’t Bush, who played an important role in the Trojans momentous dynasty.

Of all the turmoil, the man to blame isn’t Mayo, but instead he should be credited for reforming an impoverished basketball program in a season he almost led the Trojans to the Elite Eight.

Of all the foolishness, the man to blame isn’t Floyd, even though his arrogance and egotistic morals sabotaged the emergence of the basketball powerhouses in the Pac-10.


But recently, with all the conspiracy the one to deem as a liable and egocentric imbecile is Garrett, a permissive overseer who should have been fired long ago, inexplicably smearing his credibility for the unnecessary sanctions.

He certainly has unhinged his legacy as well as rupturing the legacy of Pete Carroll, a triumphant architect and most winning coach.

There was too much latitude allowed and he was unaware with the unlawful troubles that deflowered mystique and the beauty of purity and believability in one of the commendable programs.

Before he filled in the vacancy as Seattle Seahawks head coach last winter, Carroll acknowledged that his intentions weren’t to elude USC for the scandals.

It’s difficult to believe now that the Trojans must vacate every win between December 2004 and the end of the 2005 season. All of which he was the focal point in the majority of the national titles and wins during his nine-year tenure.

It’s very telling that the most dynamic football university in the nation possibly will be the first school forced to forfeit a championship after the Bowl Championship Series. By viewing this situation, the Trojans are doing whatever it could to downplay further humiliation after USC reprehensibly lost two seasons and scholarships, which wreaks the stability of luring student athletes.

To some extent, it’s an insult to Southern California’s academia and athleticism, but a severe punishment that sends a message and a reality check.

Maybe it sent a reality check to the administrators that it’s time to get rid of a helpless Garrett and hire someone else who’ll be willing to purge the poisonous devastation in the aftermath.

The NCAA held the Trojans hostage as President Steven Sample, Carroll and running back coach Todd McNair and school attorneys and compliance officials eagerly waited since meeting months ago of the NCAA Committee on Infractions.

And finally, it was unveiled that the ruling was unpleasant and destructive enough to hinder the Trojans of dominating the turf on Saturdays.

This is a scandal that obviously gave us an advisable description, knowingly understanding that USC is oblivious and pompous.

For nearly an entire decade, the entire university was highly regarded as the top football program in the nation, constituting an exulted culture with top-notch prospects that verbally committed and forged signatures within a school that had the greatest memories in sports by garnering two national titles, three Heisman winners and seven consecutive Pac-10 titles.

But it’s a shame that none of the indelible moments in school history will last after a player was paid off and a coach was hired by the name of Lane Kiffin, who selfishly left a program in shambles for committing allegedly six infractions.

It’s really a troubling situation when Garrett doesn’t have the audacity to maneuver his program. It’s really sad that he has been manipulated and badly deceived, without setting stricter boundaries to taper all the madness, causing a heinous disaster.

There’s one thing certain about USC. They won’t Fight On, unless the administration waves farewell to a man who destroyed the pride and character of the mighty warriors. His arrogance and indifference has damaged the culture and the apparent symbol of Trojans football.

If Garrett isn’t dismissed, then there’s no fight in Troy.

Josh has been writing since January 2009 and founded FootBasket in April 2009. He also owns the websites, Hardcourt Mayhem and Gridiron Mayhem. For a full bio, check out JoshDhani.com. Follow him on Twitter @JoshDhani

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Pete Carroll Ditches School for Pros as USC Hurts

by Josh Dhani on January 11, 2010

For years, he has built a foundation and declared citizenship. The masses, in the Southland, are wondering why a college genius has chosen to ditch the campus life, where he has clearly been the symbol of USC football. As a baffled community tries to figure out why he’s fleeing the Hollywood lifestyle for the rainy days in Seattle, Pete Carroll is running and leaving behind a corrupted athletic department.

Maybe it doesn’t have to do with all the scandals, but maybe he feels it’s time to make a transition to the next level. People in Los Angeles were used to seeing ferocity, built and formed by the clever-minded Carroll. The crafted coaching trait were signs of brilliancy, thriving as a valuable architect USC never envisioned losing.

However, the unforeseen fiascoes last season and repugnant scandals, may have dictated Carroll’s future. You can’t blame, arguably, the greatest coach in USC history of evading the toxic haze. All the grotesque messes are headaches, are enough to make a successful coach resign. So Carroll isn’t on vacation, but leaving for the airport, where he’s ready to catch the next flight to Seattle.

In a country where decisions are suitable usually in any giving situation, there’s no law stated in the constitution that he must remain the coach at USC. There’s much negativity floating around USC in which Carroll could be burned out, nauseated of the pending investigation and alleged infractions.

Because issues continue to unfold, the Trojans are caught in a horrific predicament and mystique is ripped, not grasping a sense of what is transpiring such as the latest outbreak. Of late, the messes have stained the pride of a prominent program, facing all sorts of headaches. But the latest spill came when news surfaced that tailback Joe McKnight allegedly drove a Land Rover owned by a businessman.

Meanwhile, there’s an investigation still pending on if Reggie Bush received gifts and cash, including renting a free home while attending USC. Four losses last season could’ve compelled on whether he’ll spent the rest of a productive livelihood in Southern California.

Where he presented nine years of excellence, Carroll is thrilled and takes on a greater challenge. He’s leaving the campus for the pros. He’s leaving USC for the Seattle Seahawks, a franchise where he has to start from scratch, similar to the arrival at USC.

For years, NFL teams organized interviews and pleaded for Carroll’s assistance. But every time, he ignored and turned down NFL jobs to relish an illustrious profession at the college level.

As the executives in Seattle were desperate and elated to give Carroll a wealthy deal, he refused to turn down a chance at redemption. Reportedly, the five-year deal ranges at estimated of $32.5 million to revitalize a stagnant organization that has won nine games in two seasons. From two standpoints it seems unforeseen.

First of all, hardly, everyone in L.A. is stunned Carroll has resigned and is leaving for the NFL. Secondly, everyone in the Pacific Northwest is shocked the local franchise faltered instantly in Jim Mora Jr.’s renaissance era. Agreeing in principle with Seattle, seems like a perfect fit, in an atmosphere where he has a chance to vindicate to all doubters.

Last time he coached the pros, Carroll seemed mediocre and committed failure rupturing an image. But now, he has a chance to redeem burdens and confirm the magnitude of success, if meeting the pro criteria is as simple as the college game.

And the idea now after he graduated the campus life with a degree of prosperity, is to make a statement by surviving the pros. But given the horrid track record, Carroll isn’t supposed to survive in a game recruiting isn’t a factor for overhauling and assembling resurgence.

During all head coaching stints, in the NFL, Carroll was fired by New England and New York Jets and failed producing enough victories to procure recognition. The Trojans’ reign has suddenly come to an end, in which the genius who assembled almighty classes during a nine-year stay understands triumphant ages eventually vanishes.

While the fans are hurt wondering whether Carroll is worth describing as a traitor or quitter, he considers finishing out a phenomenal career in the NFL. Three weeks away from national signing day, and Pete is gone. More than millions paid out, now is the least worry at USC. Two national titles, seven Pac-10 titles, seven BCS bowl games and 97 wins in 116 games, will always exist as Carroll’s legacy lingers.

Whenever a coach grooms student-athletes and produces victories at an ideal program, many becomes attach to an incredible play-caller, recruiter and mentor. And, indeed, he had the personality to nurture sports figures. Not many players were unknown under Carroll. In fact, many were identified as legends and were All-Americans. What we are seeing now is a man leaving school for a bigger challenge, an exciting journey in the pros.

If the average fan is disappointed and feels betrayed, having a critical attitude or lambasting comes as no surprise. Carroll knows he’s departing the prestige lifestyle for a hapless town.

That pretty much describes where it stands as far as sports. Though, the Trojans have won 11 national championships and seven Heisman Trophies, he views a delusional transition as an effulgent juncture. Thanks to Carroll, USC was obsessed with well-balanced quarterbacks.

Of course, each had the complete package and displayed unmatchable precision and mobility. The big men stood on campus in prior years and were gunslingers and runners, such as Matt Leinart, John David Booty, Mark Sanchez, and Matt Barkley, who Carroll molded and taught the fundamentals of the game.

So maybe leaving for the NFL isn’t bad after all. Now he’ll be able to make personnel decisions, something he has had very little of while in his two seasons as head coach. As the Seahawks are expected to hire a general manager, the announcement could come as early as Tuesday or later in the week.

But, either way, Carroll is the next head coach and filled the coaching vacancy in a matter of days following Mora’s dismissal.

With several recruits stressing uncertainty, the tougher hassle is filling the coaching vacancy. The next head coach may not be USC alumni Jeff Fisher or frontrunner Mike Riley, who singed a contract a three-year extension late Sunday to remain Oregon State’s head coach.

It’s clear the Trojans may be expressing interest on Jacksonville Jaguars’ coach Jack Del Rio and former USC’s offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian could be in the mix as well.

Even though he admitted his “dream job” is Washington, Sarkisian may be interested and a perfect blend for the program. His familiarity is considerable, adapting to Carroll’s tactics and understands formulas in the offensive playbook. That name makes the most sense out of all candidates, but whichever way you visualize it, USC hurts without an attractive guru like Carroll.

Even if agreeing in principle mocked the Rooney Rule, Carroll has been welcomed aboard to coach an NFL franchise.

Yes, the Seahawks ignored the Rooney Rule, but stealing a genius hurts the Trojans. Somehow the program must Fight On.

Josh has been writing since January 2009 and founded FootBasket in April 2009. He also owns the websites, Hardcourt Mayhem and Gridiron Mayhem. For a full bio, check out JoshDhani.com. Follow him on Twitter @JoshDhani

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Barkley’s Breathtaking Finish is Flourishing as USC Thrives

by Josh Dhani on September 13, 2009

On a night in a hostile atmosphere, where tailgate parties lasted outside the intense Horseshoe, a seas of fans gathered inside, filling in seats and wearing Buckeyes red.

The band marched in, firing up the crowd’s intensity level as the feverish population in Columbus, OH desired revenge, knowing that the night’s opponent, USC, had pummeled the Buckeyes a year ago.

On a nerve-racking night, the Trojans were faced with unfamiliar surroundings as Ohio State fans waited and roared, sensing redemption for humiliating losses in big games. It’s now a different Trojan Man as quarterback, making it more difficult for the visitors to embarrass and demoralize the Buckeyes in an encore.

Coach Pete Carroll bestowed starting obligations upon the inexperienced and teenage quarterback Matt Barkley, asking him to thrive on the grandest stage in a national title atmosphere.

The youngster excelled on a memorable night, perhaps even emerging into Heisman spotlight and stardom instantly, considering Barkley’s poise and compose mindset to propel the Trojans to an epic finish.

I’m sure none of us believed a 19-year old freshman could orchestrate an instant classic 86-yard drive, for the greatest comeback in ages in the final minutes of Saturday night’s 18-15 victory.

Barkley survived a challenging test in a much-maligned territory, including a matchup against a speedy quarterback, Terrelle Pryor, a who could arguably be compared to Michael Vick.

When Carroll named Barkley as the starting quarterback, the large population and local media were hesitant and reluctant to hear a true freshman named as the Trojans starter when an experience Aaron Corp had studied the offense and prepared himself, mentally and physically, for ushering a high-powered offense.

Our instincts should tell us a mastermind recruiter knows when a quarterback is ready to flourish and rise on a national stage. Carroll knows a star quarterback when he studies or mentors one. And obviously, he’s confident the true freshman is poised and unflappable enough for handling big games.

Barkley survived a rigid test with a sore throwing shoulder and a pounding tackle by Ohio State’s pestering defensive tackle Nathan Williams. The Buckeyes harassing defensive unit seemingly rushed and pressured the kid on each play, yet Barkley remained calm and continued to defy intangibly.

Barkley proved to a doubtful world that he’s worthy of guiding the Trojans to a glorious national title. In the biggest game of his life, he prevailed and defined a true identity.

At the right time, he increased intensity by converting on crucial third-down plays. At crunch time, he was savvy enough, giving full control for the speedy tailback, Joe McKnight, who gained huge yardage and made much-needed catches, setting up Barkley’s memorable night.

In fact, McKnight eased pressure as Barkley was poised and played as if he was a fifth-year senior, smearing Pryor and highly respected coach Jim Tressel’s vital contest on their home soil.

Barkley, indeed, might have ruined Ohio State’s preseason goal of reaching a BCS title game, Pryor’s promising year and Tressel’s reputation for winning huge games, all at the same time.

After a week of criticism for wearing a Vick tribute eye-black, Pryor came close, and earned redemption of sorts after an emotional week. Early on, he was dangerous and explosive in open field, and was unstoppable as USC’s defense was inadequate.

But he wasn’t perfect on a few plays, committing mental lapses as he threw an early interception, which led to USC’s first touchdown. He made errors with the ball, and benefited by rushing rather than passing.

A game of momentum suddenly turned into USC’s favor in the closing minutes. With the tides shifting, the game suddenly became agonizing for Pryor and the Buckeyes. And more importantly, the contest identified Barkley’s poise and gifted abilities as a youngster emerging into a primary star in USC’s future of winning national titles.

The breathtaking finish gave the Trojans continued the distinction of pummeling Big 10 opponents for the 10th consecutive time. But most of all, Barkley lasted and cleared doubt.

He’s the man, a Trojan Man in a promising journey.

Josh has been writing since January 2009 and founded FootBasket in April 2009. He also owns the websites, Hardcourt Mayhem and Gridiron Mayhem. For a full bio, check out JoshDhani.com. Follow him on Twitter @JoshDhani

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Carroll Trusts the Kid, So Trust in Barkley, USC

by Josh Dhani on August 31, 2009 · 2 comments

http://www.formertrojans.com/barkley.jpg

Written by Jonathan Mathis of http://www-sportsnation.blogspot.com.

For years, USC has being obsessed with potent quarterbacks. They were obsessed with Carlson Palmer’s powerful arm, Matt Leinart’s accuracy , John David Booty’s decision making, and Mark Sanchez’s mobility.

I’m sure you were shocked when true freshman Matt Barkley was named the starting quarterback. It was a bold move for Pete Carroll, one of college football’s successful coaches, trusting in an inexperienced quarterback to engineer a potent program that’s expecting to sustain a national championship.

Faltering in the previous seasons, the Trojans are anxious, starving, and alarmed to repossess exhilaration and winning respectability after relapsing in the prior two seasons to Stanford and Oregon State.

Each were heart throbbing losses that hindered USC of capturing a national title. And Carroll, the mastermind who rejuvenated the Trojans with brilliant recruiting and coaching methods, puts his trust and gives the ball to the No. 1 recruit in the nation.

Barkley was confident, raw and eager to lead the Trojans out of the Coliseum in the season opening. Before he could speculate if Aaron Corp or Mitch Mustain was next in line to gain spotlight and hurl passes to a core of quality receivers, Barkley’s wishes weren’t surreal, but reality.

Imprinting a page in the history books, Barkley will become the first true freshman to start a season opener for the Trojans.

It is risky, and was a tough decision to pick a self-assured 18-year old with raw talent. At a young age, he will be faced with pressure and huge burdens in a prestigious programs that expects to collect hardware and celebrate victories each year.

Other than roses, the Trojans are expected to win the big one, the national championship. And if so, much will be demanded out of Barkley. His leadership, athleticism and maturity will be an essential part on how well the Trojans perform this season.

Known for their fabulous rush attack, a speedy Joe McKnight, who has been compared to the former running back Reggie Bush, and an electric Stafon Johnson succors a high-powered offense that has excited USC fans over the years.

However, Barkley is trying to be the difference in what the Trojans presume is a moment to shine and jettison all the nightmarish times of heartbreaking lapses to Stanford and Oregon State. Is it just me, or can we trust in Barkley?

I’ll say if we trust in Carroll’s pickings and coaching approach, we should trust in Barkley. Assuming he knows the type of quarterback he has given full pledge to compel vigor offensively, Berkley is the right player beckoned by the intelligence of Carroll.

He understands Barkley’s strengths and weaknesses, and understanding this can cease a season of perfection. A few errant throws to surrender a game against an inferior team would cause the Trojans to drop drastically in the AP poll.

Falling out of the top five seed will have them fighting against the BCS, rather than fighting against the conference. It’s disadvantages they refuse to withstand this season, and Barkley is counted on to magnify a familiar scenario. To compete with teams such as Florida, Oklahoma and Texas, Barkley has a chance to dictate the entire season if he manages to play efficiently.

Getting the nod over Corp is an indication that Barkley is capable and ready to elevate into spotlight, along with living the college life with multiple textbooks, classes and a sense of knowledge by coming to USC a year early to prepare.

But he’s getting more of a nod, surprisingly after Corp was more accustomed with the offensive system and was impressive at the mock game. By weighing starting honors because of health status, Barkley is better off starting against San Jose State on Sept. 5.

In early August, Corp suffered a cracked fibula and hasn’t fully recovered, but will still play if Barkley falters in the game to avoid an upsetting loss.

So wondering with kind of talent he’ll bring to the game and wondering how he can espouse and modernize winning among an elite core, Barkley has potential and will be exciting to watch.

At high school, under the Friday Night Lights, the Mater Dei product was enthralling to watch and embrace.

And even he has facts to affirm his proclivity in a full season, if he’s able to endure the role as a starter. He was named 2007 Gatorade’s Male Athlete of the Year and throw 54.5 percent for 2,877 yards, 23 touchdowns, and 18 inceptions before enrolling into USC, impressing Carroll to empower him to make a faster choice, but doomed Corp’s chances and forces him to wait.

The way the Trojans dominate is by composure and confidence. If Barkley plays with excellent poise and stays unflappable, he’s then trusted to engineer the Trojans to multiple titles during a decisive stint with sturdy mechanics, ingenious footwork and firmness as a pocket passer.

After winning two national titles and compiling a record of 88-15 in eight seasons at USC to overwhelm us, there’s no questioning any decisions Carroll makes. His decision making doesn’t usually produce bad results, and they often turn into gratifying victories.

So, trusting the legendary coach who was obsessed with every quarterback he has every coached, including his obsession with Barkley, means you have to trust in the talented freshman.

Trust Barkley, as some say he understands the offensive schemes better than Sanchez, Palmer, Booty, and Leinart.

Josh has been writing since January 2009 and founded FootBasket in April 2009. He also owns the websites, Hardcourt Mayhem and Gridiron Mayhem. For a full bio, check out JoshDhani.com. Follow him on Twitter @JoshDhani

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Carroll Trust In The Kid, So Trust In Barkley, USC

by Josh Dhani on August 31, 2009

For years, USC has been obsessed with potent quarterbacks. They were obsessed with Carlson Palmer’s powerful arm, Matt Leinart’s accuracy, John David Booty’s decision-making, and Mark Sanchez’s mobility.

I’m sure you were shocked when true freshman Matt Barkley was named the starting quarterback. It was a bold move for Pete Carroll, one of college football’s successful coaches, trusting an inexperienced quarterback to engineer a potent program that’s expecting to capture a national championship.

After faltering in previous seasons, the Trojans are anxious, starving, and determined to repossess the exhilaration of winning all their PAC-10 games after collapsing in the prior two seasons to Stanford and Oregon State.

Each were heart-rending losses that hindered USC’s chances of capturing a national title. And Carroll, the mastermind who rejuvenated the Trojans with brilliant recruiting and coaching methods, puts his trust in and gives the ball to the No. 1 recruit in the nation.

Barkley was confident, raw and eager to lead the Trojans out of the Coliseum in the season opener.

Before he would let Carroll speculate if Aaron Corp or Mitch Mustain was next in line to gain the spotlight and hurl passes to a core of quality receivers, Barkley played so well that he proved his wishes weren’t surreal, but reality.

Imprinting a page in the history books, Barkley will become the first true freshman to start a season opener for the Trojans.

It is risky, and was a tough decision to pick a self-assured 18-year old with raw talent. At a young age, he will be faced with the pressures and huge burdens in a prestigious program that expects to collect hardware and celebrate victories each year.

Other than roses, the Trojans are expected to win the big one, the National Championship. And if this is to occur, much will be demanded of Barkley. His leadership, athleticism and maturity will be an essential part in how well the Trojans perform this season and beyond.

Known for their fabulous rush attack, a speedy Joe McKnight, who has been compared to former Trojan running back Reggie Bush, and an electric Stafon Johnson anchor a high-powered offense that has excited USC fans over the years.

However, Barkley is trying to be the difference in what the Trojans presume is a moment to shine and jettison all the nightmarish times of heartbreaking losses in recent seasons.

Is it just me, or can we trust in Barkley?

I’ll say if we trust in Carroll’s pickings and coaching approach, we should trust in Barkley. Assuming he knows the type of quarterback he has given full pledge in running this offense, Berkley is the right player beckoned by the intelligence of Carroll.

He understands Barkley’s strengths and weaknesses, and understands the latter can end a season of perfection. A few errant throws to surrender a game against an inferior team would cause the Trojans to drop drastically in the AP poll.

Falling out of the top five will have them fighting against the BCS, rather than fighting against the conference. It’s a disadvantage they refuse to withstand this season, and Barkley is counted on to reproduce a familiar scenario.

To compete with teams such as Florida, Oklahoma and Texas, Barkley has a chance to dictate the entire season if he manages to play efficiently.

Getting the nod over Corp is an indication that Barkley is capable and ready to elevate into spotlight, along with living the college life with multiple textbooks, classes and a sense of knowledge by coming to USC a year early to prepare.

But he’s getting more of a nod, surprisingly after Corp was more accustomed to the offensive system and was impressive at the mock game. By weighing starting honors against health status, Barkley is better off starting against San Jose State on Sept. 5.

In early August, Corp suffered a cracked fibula and hasn’t fully recovered, but will still play if Barkley falters in the game to avoid an upsetting loss.

So despite wondering what kind of talent he’ll bring to the game and wondering how he can espouse winning among the nation’s ultra-elite, it’s clear that Barkley has potential and will be exciting to watch.

At high school, under the Friday Night Lights, the Mater Dei product was enthralling to watch.

And even he has facts to affirm his ability in a full season, if he’s able to endure the role as a starter. He was named 2007 Gatorade’s Male Athlete of the Year and throw 54.5 percent for 2,877 yards, 23 touchdowns, and 18 interceptions before enrolling into USC. He impressed Carroll enough to empower the coach to make a faster choice, but doomed Corp’s chances, forcing him to wait.

The way the Trojans dominate is by composure and confidence. If Barkley plays with excellent poise and stays unflappable, he’s then trusted to engineer the Trojans to multiple titles during a decisive stint with sturdy mechanics, ingenious footwork and firmness as a pocket passer.

After winning two national titles and compiling a record of 88-15 in eight seasons at USC to overwhelm us, there’s no questioning any decisions Carroll makes. His decision-making doesn’t usually produce bad results, and they often turn into gratifying victories.

So, trusting the legendary coach who was obsessed with every quarterback he has ever coached, including his obsession with Barkley, means you have to trust in the talented freshman.

Trust Barkley, as some say he understands the offensive schemes better than Sanchez, Palmer, Booty, and Leinart.

Josh has been writing since January 2009 and founded FootBasket in April 2009. He also owns the websites, Hardcourt Mayhem and Gridiron Mayhem. For a full bio, check out JoshDhani.com. Follow him on Twitter @JoshDhani

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