USC Pro Day

[The Ramp]

NFL Network is hyping this day. I may be biased but I can't remember a player since Carson Palmer and Troy Polamuna doing well in the NFL.

Enlighten me but

Reggie Bush and Matt Lienhart had severe sophmore slumps
Dewayne Jarrett and Ryan Kalil stunk it up as rooks
Keneche Udeze may never play again
Mike Williams is a huge bust
Keary Colbert has been slumping
Taitusa Lutui, Lendale White and Steve Smith are doing OK.

that's off the top of my head. am i missing something or am i not buying into the hype?

[Williams-Brice]

They'll still probably have more players drafted than any other team. They're also in the 2nd largest TV market in the country, so it just benefits the NFL by talking about a team in LA who will place several players in their league. That's my guess.

[The Ramp]

and they'll have a lot drafted this year as well. i would love to have an all USC draft with Rivers in the first, Baker in the second, and Thomas in the third. I think Fred Davis will be a huge bust though IMO. anyway they may do well, but they certainly haven't lived up to the hype. I know our players have bombed in the NFL as well but LSU is certainly not getting the hype USC is for sure.

[PortlandTrojan]

It's true that most of the recent USC stars haven't quite put it together in the NFL. But there are a couple worth noting that you didn't mention.

Lofa Tatupu - 3-time Pro-Bowler and leader of Seattle's defense.

Justin Fargas - 1,009 yards in 2007, 4.5 yards per carry. His chance to grow upon the success of last season will be determined by who the Raiders pick at #4. If it's McFadden, Fargas can kiss his carries goodbye.

The thing that's funny is that most SC fans would have been able to tell you which players to draft and which ones to avoid. For instance, Winston Justice always had lots of physical talent, but at SC, he was regarded as the weak link on that O-line. Dwayne Jarrett's lack of success is not surprising. His work ethic and route running were always a little shaky, but he made up for it with his outstanding body control. That's not enough to cut it in the NFL.

Everyone thought Seattle drafted Lofa too high when they took him in the second round, but anyone familiar with the program understood the choice. Lofa was the smartest defensive player SC has ever had. Always in the right place. Running a 4.5 40 as a linebacker doesn't mean much if you're out of position.

As far as the Trojans of this draft class, Keith Rivers and Sedrick Ellis will be very solid pros. Those guys know how to play and have the physical skills to succeed in the NFL. Fred Davis could go either way. Sam Baker is probably going to get pushed around a little, but he'll probably be a serviceable tackle. Chilo Rachal will do well. He's a very solid OG. Lawrence Jackson will do okay if he's in the right system, but he's been awfully streaky.

[PortlandTrojan]

Two other thoughts:

LenDale has never had much of a work ethic. He has always gotten by on his talent, which is why he hasn't been as successful in the NFL. And he's always overweight. That said, he was probably the second-best player on the field in the title game against Texas - with Mr. Young being the best. But man... I loved having LenDale on the Trojans while he was in college. 52 career touchdowns while sharing the carries with Reggie.

Steve Smith (the USC one) is going to be a valuable and productive receiver in the NFL for years. He's a precise route-runner, so he'll always be where he's supposed to be. He and Eli are going to develop a strong chemistry. You could see it starting in the playoffs this year. He's one of my favorite Trojans ever. Does his job extremely well and keeps his mouth shut.

[SeattleGamecocks]

Tatupu is a bad a55

[PortlandTrojan]

Keith Rivers is ridiculous - 4.51 40 time and 42-inch vertical leap yesterday. And the dude just doesn't make stupid mistakes on the field. I'm thinking the Saints have their eye on him at #10. He would really help their defense.

Ellis had a solid day - 5.0 40 time and 36 reps on the 225 bench.

The big surprise was Chauncey Washington, who runs like a battering ram. He has good hands out of the backfield, too. Nobody thought he had great speed, but he was clocked at 4.3 an 4.35 in the 40 yesterday. Scouts were very surprised. He probably jumped up from the 7th round to the 5th. He could definitely be one of those guys who is better in the pros than he was in college.

[The Ramp]

Washington ran like a 4.8 at the combine.

but anyway, i knew i forgot some good players they had in the nfl. but i don't think it's the football factory the nfl network and espn makes them out to be. they may be in the nfl but i'd say most are medocre at best.

like i said, i would love to have some usc boys on my saints, but i still have my reservations.

btw-this wasn't a "i hate usc" thread. it was a "i hate the nfl network/espn hype machine" thread.