Results tagged “lendalewhite”

Late night radio isn't typically where you'll find an energetic sportstalker -- much less one who would easily reference Brett Favre's retirement to the ‘80s movie “Can’t Buy Me Love.” ESPN radio host Jason Smith does that five nights a week (Sunday through Thursday.) Heard locally on 710AM, from 10:00 at night to 2:00, All Night with Jason Smith is high quality radio at an hour where most station's broadcast as though their audience is half-dead.

Just hours after saying goodbye to his quaterback, Mark Sanchez, USC football head coach Pete Carroll walked the red carpet at the grand opening of ESPN Zone at LA Live. ESPN Zone was already open, in fact, that night the place was packed with Kings and Red Wings fans grabbing a bite prior to the game, but that's what they call a "soft opening." Thursday night was the grand opening with the red carpet, bright lights and celebrities.

LA Lakers defeat Philadelphia 76ers 114-102. This time there was no last second put back. Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol made sure of that scoring all of the Lakers points in the last five minutes of the game. Bryant scored 32 points and Gasol got 22 as they staved off a come back from the 76ers. Former Clipper Elton Brand had an awful shooting game scoring only three points. He was so awful 76ers coach Mo Cheeks sat him down for the fourth quarter. The bright spot for the 76ers was Andre Miller who always seems to play his best game against the Lakers. He led the 76ers with 26 points.

Even though Los Angeles doesn't have an NFL team, that doesn't mean this weekend's draft was irrelevant. Unless, of course, you're Mr. Irrelevant, but we'll get to that in a moment. Unlike most major cities in this country, LA is the only one that suffers a net loss of talent whenever the draft happens. The closest team is the San Diego Chargers, who didn't exactly have exciting picks. Choosing LSU wideout Craig Davis over USC's...

The report of USC's demise was entirely exaggerated. As much talk that was going around about how the Trojans were not the same team, you would have a hard time convincing the Arkansas Razorbacks and their fans. Not unlike the behind the woodshed beating the Razorbacks received at the hands of Reggie Bush, Matt Leinart and LenDale White last year, this year's "less talented" team came through and managed only a 50-14 victory. New...

After their bid at history fell short against the Longhorns of Texas, life at USC has moved on. Part of that process would inevitably involve change of players. Although the loss to graduation of key seniors Matt Leinart, Taitusi "Deuce" Lutui, and Tom Malone were unavoidable, as was the loss of Heisman Trophy winner Reggie Bush to the NFL inevitable. The loss of other key juniors puts the Trojan squad in a new situation. They really haven't had to worry about filling spots because there were always talented and tested players ready to take their place.

5 Reasons You Will LOVE the Bruins This Season

Why was the game so close? Why did the Trojans play such an awful first half? Are they not as good as we think they are? The fact of the matter is that the USC offense played a horrific first half. The defense was fine, and only wore down a little late in the second quarter because it had been on the field in the heat for so long. But the offense committed nine first half penalties alone which were embarrassing. Penalties were problematic in Trojan wins over Hawaii and Oregon, but only today did it almost cost USC a chance to win.

USC is clearly the most talented team in the country, but if they want to avoid these kinds of mini-scares, then the Trojans need to make a few minor changes. USC isn't getting LenDale White involved enough in the offense, and instead is over-using Reggie Bush. When Oregon jumped ahead early thanks to two turnovers, USC hit the panic button and seemingly tried to use Bush in every play, or go deep to Dwayne Jarrett or Steve Smith. That might have worked every play against Arkansas and Hawaii, but not every team is a pushover.

The Blue and Gold faithful believe their win might have been a program-changing game. And while UCLA played an excellent 60 minutes, LAist wants to caution the Sons of Westwood before they actually believe this is a Rose Bowl season. This is not the same Oklahoma team that has been in two-straight national title games. Rhett Bromar wishes he was half as good as Jason White, or even Josh Heupal. Adrian Peterson may have been held in check by UCLA, but he was playing with a groin injury. And the Sooners were nice enough to cough up three fumbles.

While Leinart is the Trojan making the most headlines after his highly-publicized decision to stay in school, LAist thinks Bush is the key the Trojans offense. We like his chances to win the Heisman Trophy this year. His explosive speed seems virtually unstoppable. But LAist also doesn't want people to forget about LenDale White, who is one of the five best running backs in college football right now, and wide receiver Steve Smith, who looks ready to have a major breakout season.

But while USC can always switch off between a LenDale White and a Reggie Bush, or rotate linemen in and out, quarterback is not a position so easily split up. As Leinart shines in the spotlight, John David Booty, Rocky Hinds, and Mark Sanchez wait eager and ready.

Sure. Why not?

The Trojan win was probably the more impressive of the two, given that Colorado State might actually be a better team than Illinois. While USC's defense was unforgiving, Steve Smith gave the Cardinal and Gold some confidence about its Post-Mike Williams era receivers for the first time. The Trojans can now restart that Matt Leinert Heisman campaign.