Blast from the Past - USC Pros

It was great to see Matt Leinart slinging the rock like we know he can last Friday night. While Matt & the Arizona Cardinals lost in a shootout with the Green Bay Packers, the former Heisman Trophy winner threw for 360 yards & 3 TDs (all in the 4th quarter) in his attempted comeback. It is hard to argue against starting former 2-time MVP and Super Bowl MVP QB Kurt Warner, but Leinart showed everybody why he is a top back-up QB and worthy of a starting job.

Matt was not the only former USC Trojan and Pac-10 Pro in the game. The Packers were led by former Cal-Berkeley Bears QB Aaron Rodgers. He threw for 258 yards & 3 TDs with a ridiculous 155.2 QB Rating and an uncanny 39 yards rushing.

Another former Trojan was out there making plays (or play I should say) as TE Dominique Byrd hauled in one pass for 45 yards.

Final Score: Green Bay Packers 44 @ Arizona Cardinals 37

Here is a quick recap of a few other notable performances by former USC Trojans in the second to last week of Pre-Season NFL Football...

New York Jets 27 @ New York Giants 25

QB Mark Sanchez led the Jets in the battle of the Big Apple in their first win of the pre-season. Sanchez threw for 149 yards & 1 TD with a 65% completion percentage. On the other side of the field, WR Steve Smith grabbed one pass for 12 yards and barely missed on a long ball, which definitely would have resulted in a TD and been shown over-and-over on SportsCenter. Giants CB Terrell Thomas racked up 4 tackles as he continues to be extremely impressive ever since being thrust into a starting role as a rookie last season.

Jacksonville Jaguars 32 @ Philadelphia Eagles 33

For the Jags, RB Chauncey Washington ran for 25 yards on 9 carries and caught 2 passes for 14 yards, while LB Thomas Williams recorded 3 tackles. DT Mike Patterson had 2 tackles, including his first sack of the pre-season.

St. Louis Rams 24 @ Cincinnati Bengals 21

The Bengals were flaunting their Trojan LBs as Rey Maualuga had a coming out part of sorts recording 8 tackles and Keith Rivers nabbed 4 of his own.

*****

Pac-10 football kicks off this week with the College Football headliner game of #16 Oregon @ #14 Boise State. On Saturday, #4 USC welcomes San Jose State to the Coliseum in an extremely rare "easy" game.

Go Trojans & Pac-10!

Baseball Pac10Pro of the Week-Batters

8/24/09-8/30/09

Chase Utley (UCLA)

.357 Avg

6 Runs

3 HRs

3 RBIs

SB

Jacoby Ellsbury (Oregon St.)

.414 Avg

5 Runs

3 RBIs

SB

Baseball Pac10Pro of the Week-Pitchers

8/24/09-8/30/09

Tim Lincecum (Washington)

8.0 Innings

1 Win

8 Ks

0.00 ERA

0.88 WHIP

Runner-up

Barry Zito (USC)

14.1 Innings

1 Win

11 Ks

0.69 ERA

1.26 WHIP

Mark's First MNF - USC Pros

In his first NFL start and first Monday Night Football game, QB Mark Sanchez was given a quick wake up call to the NFL against the Baltimore Ravens and arguably the top defense in the league. On his second snap of the game, the New York Jets quarterback was picked off by former Oregon Ducks DT Haloti Ngata who returned it for 25 yards and a touchdown. Not the start he was looking for and a bit different than the 48-yard bomb he opened up with last week.

It took Sanchez awhile to complete his first pass, but a little after eight minutes he hit TE Dustin Keller for an 8-yard gain on third down. It wasn't enough for a first down, but he got that first completion and looked more at ease after that.

Sanchez got his fifth and final turn at QB at the 11-minute mark of the 2nd quarter and drove the Jets 64 yards down the field in five minutes for a TD. The drive was highlighted by some extremely shifty plays by RB Leon Washington, who finished that possession with 19 yards on the ground and 35 yards through the air, including a 19-yard strike from a scrambling Mark Sanchez. The rookie QB did fumble a handoff to Washington earlier in the drive, but was able to maintain possession. He finished 3/8 for 43 yards with one touchdown pass and one interception.

Sanchez goes up against the Philadelphia Eagles with Donovan McNabb & Mike Vick next week in New York.

Final Score: New York Jets 23 @ Baltimore Ravens 24

Here is a quick recap of a few games from Saturday...

San Diego Chargers 17 @ Arizona Cardinals 6

Cardinals QB Matt Leinart took over at the 1-yard line in the 4th quarter and marched them 90 yards down the field before turning the ball over on downs. He was 6/10 for 74 yards.

Pittsburgh Steelers 13 @ Washington Redskins 17

Redskins TE Fred Davis led all receivers in the game with 31 yards on two receptions and recorded the go ahead touchdown in the 4th quarter. Steelers S Troy Polamalu got two tackles on Clinton Portis on the Redskins' first drive and was done for the game after that.

Week 3 of the preseaon picks back up Thursday. This is a very intense time for many former Trojans and everybody else on the bubble of being cut. We at Pac10Pros.com wish you all the best.

Photo: Nick Wass/Associated Press

Baseball Pac10Pro of the Week-Batters

8/17/09-8/23/09

Chase Utley (UCLA)

.471 Avg

6 Runs

2 HRs

5 RBIs

2 SBs

Runner-up

Ryan Garko (Stanford)

.320 Avg

5 Runs

2 HRs

8 RBIs

Baseball Pac10Pro of the Week-Pitchers

8/17/09-8/23/09

Barry Zito (USC)

6.0 Innings

4 Ks

0.00 ERA

0.50 WHIP

Runner-up

Jeremy Guthrie (Stanford)

7.0 Innings

1 Win

2 Ks

1.29 ERA

1.14 WHIP

Rey's Debut - USC Pros

After sitting out the opening game of the preseason with a minor injury, former USC Trojans LB Rey Maualuga played in his first NFL game the other night when the Cincinatti Bengals took on the New England Patriots. He looked really sharp recording 3 tackles, including one for a loss. I am sure Bengals fans are happy to see him out there.

Alongside Rey, LB Keith Rivers was making plays as usual finishing second on the team in tackles with five. He now leads the team in tackles so far with 10. DT Frostee Rucker finished with 1 tackle. QB Carson Palmer sat out with an ankle injury and is hoping to return next week.

In a very low scoring affair, the highlight of the game came from Chad Ochocinco's extra point in the 2nd quarter.

Final Score: Cincy 7 - NE 6

Here is a quick recap of a few other games from Thursday & Friday...

Kansas City Chiefs 13 @ Minnesota Vikings 17

We got to see two former USC QBs square off for the second straight week with Chiefs starting QB Matt Cassel & Vikings reserve QB John David Booty. Cassel started the game off with an 11-yard run and finished with 13 rushing yards on two attempts. He opened the second quarter with a 66-yard drive leading to a 4-yard TD pass. He finished the game 9/14 with 99 yards and a touchdown.

Booty was inserted late in the game and led the Vikings on a 61-yard drive before settling for a field goal. He accumulated all of his yards that drive and finished 6/8 with 61 yards. A solid game for Booty who was nice enough to give up his #4 jersey to some guy named Brett Favre.

Philadelphia Eagles 15 @ Indianapolis Colts 23

Two big former Trojans were playing in this game. Rookie DT Fili Moala recorded 2 tackles in the third quarter for the Colts and Eagles starter DT Mike Patterson got an early tackle.

Tennessee Titans 10 @ Dallas Cowboys 30

Another big debut in this game with the first football game being played in Dallas' ridiculous new stadium that boasts the largest HD video screen in the world. K David Buehler handled a majority of the kickoffs for the Cowboys again this week with most of them sailing well over 70 yards.

For the Titans, RB LenDale White got a few reps in the second quarter. He had 2 runs for 4 yards in a drive that went 3-and-out. The following drive, White recovered a Kerry Collins fumble for an extra 3 yards. He sat the rest of the drive, but it ended in a field goal for the Titans. DT LaJuan Ramsey got 1 tackle.

Nice work Trojans! See the rest of you this weekend.

Photo: Tom Uhlman/AP

Baseball Pac10Pro of the Week-Batters

8/10/09-8/16/09

Andre Ethier (Arizona St.)

.440 Avg

3 Runs

1 HR

7 RBIs

Runner-up

Geoff Blum (Cal)

.231 Avg

4 Runs

2 HRs

7 RBIs

Baseball Pac10Pro of the Week-Pitchers

8/10/09-8/16/09

Tim Lincecum (Washington)

8.2 Innings

7 Ks

2.08 ERA

0.58 WHIP

Runner-up

Trevor Hoffman (Arizona)

2.0 Innings

1 Save

2 Ks

0.00 ERA

0.00 WHIP

Touchdown Nullified...

Preseason is a time for role players to shine and that is exactly what RB Chauncey Washington was trying to do for the Jacksonville Jaguars last night on Monday Night Football. The Jaguars, coached by former USC Trojans All-American LB Jack Del Rio (he also played catcher on a USC baseball team that included Mark McGwire & Randy Johnson), traveled to South Beach to take on the Miami Dolphins.

Washington, who had been overshadowed by Reggie Bush and LenDale White at USC, had 4 carries for 9 yards to start off the second half before ripping off a beautiful 23 yard run for a touchdown! That TD celebration was put to a quick halt as holding was called, but he was still able to show his skills in a game situation. He finished with 5 carries for 12 yards. Fellow Jag, LB Thomas Williams, finished with 5 tackles, an NFL career best.

For the Dolphins, the 6-foot-5 WR Patrick Turner, turned in an impressive NFL-debut as he grabbed 3 balls for 33 yards, leading his team in both receptions and receiving yards.

In a low scoring affair, the Jags ended up losing to the Dolphins 9-12, settling for 3 FGs.

Photo courtesy of Nick Wass/Associated Press

Grant Seeing Green

Last night at approximately 11:58pm (2 minutes before the signing deadline), SS Grant Green officially started his career with the Oakland Athletics. In typical Scott Boras fashion (Green's "super-agent"), Green waited until the last minute to sign his contract, which definitely aided in his $2.75M signing bonus according to the San Francisco Chronicle.

The former USC shortstop was the A's top pick in the 2009 MLB Draft at #13, which made him the 40th overall first-round selection for the Trojans. Green started 160 games for USC and recorded a .359 career average (231-644), which places him 6th on USC's all-time list. He also finished with a school record 20 triples.

Photo courtesy of SportsPix 2008

Troy Polamalu on Cover of Madden 2010

Check out former USC Trojans and current Pittsburgh Steelers safety Troy Polamalu's interview with Jodatoa @ Polynesians in Sports.

After picking up his second Super Bowl ring and being named to the Pro Bowl team for the fourth straight year, Polamalu was chosen to grace the cover of Madden Football with Arizona Cardinals receiver Larry Fitzgerald.

Getting Paid!

On April 25, 2009, there were 11 former Pac-10 players chosen in the first and second rounds of the NFL Draft and all of them have signed contracts with their respective teams. Of the 11 players chosen, four were selected in the first round and only four schools were represented: USC (5), Oregon (4), Oregon State (1), and Arizona (1). Let's check 'em out...

1st Round, 5th Pick - QB Mark Sanchez (USC Trojans) by the New York Jets

He signed a 5-year deal worth up to $60M, including $28M guaranteed. As a result of being a QB, his contract was much more lucrative than previous #5 picks. Now it really seems like a great idea to jump to the pros after his junior year, which culminated in him winning the Rose Bowl Offensive MVP with 413 yards through the air, four passing TDs, and one rushing.

1st Round, 15th Pick - LB Brian Cushing (USC Trojans) by the Houston Texans

He signed a 5-year deal worth up to $18M, including $10.435M guaranteed. He is pictured in the bottom photo.

1st Round, 21st Pick - C Alex Mack (Oregon Ducks) by the Cleveland Browns

He signed a 5-year deal worth up to $15M, including $8.3M guaranteed. He is pictured at the top (photo courtesy of Ben Liebenberg, NFL.com).

1st Round, 26th Pick - LB Clay Matthews III (USC Trojans) by the Green Bay Packers

He signed a 5-year deal worth up to $13.2M, including $7.1M guaranteed.

2nd Round, 2nd Pick (34th overall) - S Patrick Chung (Oregon Ducks) by the New England Patriots

He signed a 4-year deal, but the monetary terms are currently undisclosed.

2nd Round, 6th Pick (38th overall) - LB Rey Maualuga (USC Trojans) by the Cincinnati Bengals

He signed a 4-year deal worth up to $4.66M, including $2.84M guaranteed.

2nd Round, 7th Pick (39th overall) - OT Eben Britton (Arizona Wildcats) by the Jacksonville Jaguars

He signed a 4-year deal worth up to $4.58M, including $2.83M guaranteed.

2nd Round, 10th Pick (42nd overall) - CB Jairus Byrd (Oregon Ducks) by the Buffalo Bills

He signed a 4-year deal worth up to $4.2M, including $2.4M guaranteed.

2nd Round, 17th Pick (49th overall) - C Max Unger (Oregon Ducks) by the Seattle Seahawks

He signed a 4-year deal worth up to $3.7M, including $1.95M guaranteed.

2nd Round, 19th Pick (51st overall) - OG Andy Levitre (Oregon State Beavers) by the Buffalo Bills

He signed a 4-year deal worth up to $3.56, including $1.81M guaranteed.

2nd Round, 24th Pick (56th overall) - DT Fili Moala (USC Trojans) by the Indianapolis Colts

He signed a 4-year deal, but the monetary terms are currently undisclosed.

Good luck to everybody!

Friday Night Lights

I can't remember watching NFL football on a Friday, but we got to last night in Pre-Season Week 2. We were spoiled as Trojans fans because we had three former QBs taking snaps, including the debut of Mark Sanchez. Let's look at these games...

St. Louis Rams 23 @ New York Jets 20

The beginning of the Mark Sanchez era in New York...hopefully. While former Oregon Ducks star Kellen Clemens was given the start and was 4/4 for 24 yards, it is no secret that Mark is their QB of the future and quite possibly will be starting Week 1. He did not disappoint as he was 3/4 for 88 yards and led them to a one-yard TD run by Thomas Jones to take a 10-3 early lead. That was all we got to see of Mark and I look forward to seeing him progress next week.

Cincinnati Bengals 7 @ New Orleans Saints 17

Both of these teams are loaded with former USC greats, but this is the pre-season so they were playing in limited time.

For the Bengals, QB Carson Palmer looks to bounce back after an injury ridden season and got in some good reps. He threw an interception, but other than that he looked great and was 7/11 for 133 yards. LB Keith Rivers also looks to show why he was the 9th pick in the 2008 NFL Draft and got 5 quick tackles. I was looking forward to see him lining up with LB Rey Maualuga and DL Frostee Rucker, but they were both out with minor injuries.

To keep the injury trend going, DT Sed Ellis (the 7th pick in the 2008 NFL Draft) and former Heisman Trophy winner RB Reggie Bush look to play a full season this year for the Saints after both going down last year mid-season. Sed finished with one tackle and Reggie ran for five yards in limited plays. Hopefully, Sed & Reggie can play a full 16-game season and lead the Saints to the playoffs.

Minnesota Vikings 13 @ Indianapolis Colts 3

QB John David Booty was given third-string reps and was 4/7 for 23 yards. After all the QB turmoil with Brett Favre out in Minny and Sage Rosenfels & Tavaris Jackson ahead him, Booty will hopefully get some time this season.

Quick Note: Two former Heisman Trophy winners (Palmer & Bush) and five top-10 draft picks (Palmer, Bush, Sanchez, Rivers, and Ellis) were under the Friday Night Lights.

It's About Time!

For the first time since January, multiple teams were running out of the tunnels for an NFL game last night. Crack open the beers! We have four Pre-Season Week 2 games on a Thursday night!

I was stoked, but probably not as much as the nine former USC Trojans suited up for six of the eight teams, including kicker David Buehler donning a Cowboys jersey for the first time in his career.

Dallas Cowboys 10 @ Oakland Raiders 31

David Buehler and his new teammates might have lost by 3 TDs to the disfunctional Oakland Raiders, but all was not lost. Buehler was given a chance to show off his leg and he did connecting on a 39-yard FG on his only attempt of the night. Hopefully when the regular season rolls around, he is able to handle kick-offs, which he did so well for the Trojans last year consistently kicking them out of the endzone (and if anybody returned them and somehow got to him, he would surprise them with his LB speed & strength and take them to the ground).

Seventh-year Raiders RB Justin Fargas was also in the game. He is nursing a sore hip, but was given one carry, which he turned into two yards.

New England Patriots 27 @ Philadelphia Eagles 25

There is quite a bit to talk about this game starting with the Michael Vick signing by the Eagles. Tom Brady made his debut from his injury last season tossing for 100 yards & two TDs. Also, Donovan McNabb & A.J. Feeley somehow connected with 16 different receivers.

Eagles DT Mike Patterson recorded one tackle in minimal playing time for the usual starters. Also, OT Winston Justice was back out there for Philly.

Washington Redskins 0 @ Baltimore Ravens 23

An early shut-out by the Ravens, but Redskins TE Fred Davis was showing off his skills as he grabbed two balls for 17 yards and is hoping to split time with Pro Bowler Chris Cooley.

Arizona Cardinals 10 @ Pittsburgh Steelers 20

In the Super Bowl re-match, we got a handful of former Trojans led by hard-hitting safety Troy Polamalu. He might have only recorded one tackle on the night, but it was a HUGE night for him. Last night marked the release of Madden 10, which featured him on the cover with Cardinals WR Larry Fitzgerald. Pretty sick if you ask me.

On Arizona, there was a new face on the field in TE Dominique Byrd. Byrd is trying to get back in the NFL and he didn't hurt his chances bringing in 2 catches for 29 yards. Former Heisman Trophy winner Matt Leinert threw for 83 yards and was 8/14. Starting OG Deuce Lutui got some time in the first half.

Baseball Pac10Pro of the Week-Batters

8/3/09-8/9/09

Andre Ethier (Arizona St.)

.241 Avg

7 Runs

1 HR

6 RBIs

Runner-up

Geoff Blum (Cal)

.429 Avg

3 Runs

2 HRs

3 RBIs

Baseball Pac10Pro of the Week-Pitchers

8/3/09-8/9/09

Barry Zito (USC)

6.0 Innings

1 Win

4 K's

3.00 ERA

0.83 WHIP

Runner-up

Trevor Hoffman (Arizona)

2.0 Innings

2 Saves

2 Ks

4.50 ERA

2.00 WHIP

Baseball Pac10Pro of the Week-Batters

7/27/09-8/2/09

Jacoby Ellsbury (Oregon St.)

.452 Avg

12 Runs

1 HR

4 RBIs

4 SBs

Runner-up

Andre Ethier (Arizona St.)

.300 Avg

5 Runs

2 HRs

5 RBIs

1 SB

Baseball Pac10Pro of the Week-Pitchers

7/27/09-8/2/09

Tim Lincecum (Washington)

17.0 Innings

2 Wins

23 Ks

0.00 ERA

0.88 WHIP

Runner-up

Brian Bannister (USC)

13.0 Innings

1 Win

9 Ks

2.08 ERA

1.15 WHIP

Baseball Pac10Pro of the Month-Batters

July 2009

Chase Utley (UCLA)

.316 Avg

22 Runs

6 HRs

18 RBIs

5 SBs

Runner-up

Jacoby Ellsbury (Oregon St.)

.294 Avg

14 Runs

2 HRs

9 RBIs

14 SBs

Baseball Pac10Pro of the Month-Pitchers

July 2009

Tim Lincecum (Washington)

3 Wins

51 Ks

2.08 ERA

0.98 WHIP

Runner-up

Mark Hendrickson (Washington St.)

2 Wins

12 Ks

2.84 ERA

0.87 WHIP