Robinson’s Team and Tradition: Tailback U-Turn for the Worse

For years, defensive coordinators have been confounded by no-huddle offenses, but this year John Robinson has introduced something at USC that has confounded even his own team: the no-offense huddle.

DAVID PAGE, Ventura

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Dear Coach Robinson,

Your team almost overcame your inept play calling against Washington State. Without even reading this sentence, you know that those predictable first-down running plays were exactly what the Cougars’ defense was hoping for.

FRED V. SPALLINA, Porterville

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It’s obvious that USC has abdicated the title of Tailback U. Maybe if USC ever gets another win, it can be credited to the “gutty little Trojans.”

FRANK M. PETERS, North Hollywood

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Give Coach John and his oversized, fragile, ineffective, inept, offensive line a few extra burgers and just let them roll into the sunset. Let poor ol’ John Fox transfer while he still has a normal CT scan.

Maybe if we’re lucky, Coach John can leave USC on probation again and we won’t be tempted to waste our time tuning in to watch the Trojans fail miserably.

JACK VON BULOW, Temple City

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If John Robinson simply wants his kids to “go out and have a good time on Saturday,” maybe he should quit masquerading them as a Division I powerhouse and instead see if they can qualify for the intramural program.

JERRY L. POE, Montrose

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In 1976, John Robinson was handed the coaching position at USC, which was one of the top three programs in the nation. In seven short seasons, he abused this program to probationary status and quit. Soon thereafter he basically stole the USC coaches and went to coach the L.A. Rams. He did so until the team basically quit on him a few years later.

Then, as luck would have it, he returned to USC, promising to bring the program back to where it was in 1976. “We will beat Notre Dame, UCLA, compete for a national championship” is what he said.

Sadly, the USC alums believed what they wanted to hear. Five years later, the program is a shambles and will more than likely not have a winning season. Robinson hasn’t come close to a national championship, hasn’t beaten UCLA, and can claim one victory over Notre Dame only because the Irish failed to convert a PAT.

I think it is time to tell the king he has no clothes and for him to resign immediately.

BILL PIERCY, Torrance

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In L.A., you can count on three things: natural disasters, Trojan hype and Bruin poor-mouthing.

There was absolutely no reason to believe USC could improve over last year’s mediocre outfit. With three significant defensive losses, they were left with two very good cornerbacks, a great young linebacker and a bunch of “guys.” Offensively, the Trojans have finally run out of transfers like Keyshawn Johnson and Brad Otton to bail them out. They’re now stuck with a small, slow, possibly lame tailback and a first-year quarterback of no apparent gifts.

Across town, we’ve been hearing about the “gutty little Bruins,” with the media, as usual, leading the singing. Then comes 66-3 and everyone’s asking what’s up. The score was an anomaly, but the performance of the players was not. Only a blind fool could doubt that the Bruins were fast, deep, talented and strong enough. Close your eyes and pray, Trojan fans.

CHARLES CHICCOA, Reseda