USC Now mailbag: Justin Wilcox and LenDale White filled the inbox

There was certainly no shortage of messages in my inbox this week, so apologies in advance that I could not get to them all.

It’s not even Sunday morning after a game, but I feel like I could write five things I learned about USC fans.

Right now, I’ll stop at two.

The first is that you certainly are opinionated about Justin Wilcox.

The second, LenDale White reads the Los Angeles Times, which means everyone who sent in a question about White this week is in luck. There’s a chance he’ll read it! And maybe, he will respond on his Twitter account.

Here’s what White tweeted about the post about him earlier this week. “I’m emotional during games you can blame me @latimes.”

LenDale, we aren’t blaming you for anything! Just mentioning your Twitter feed. At the least, it could get you more followers.

With further ado, here’s a sampling of what you wrote in about this week.

Observation and question: LenDale White is beyond correct. Justin Wilcox makes Monte Kiffin’s defense look like the ’85 Bears. The only reason USC isn’t 2-4 instead of 4-2 are missed field goals (Stanford & Arizona).

We all know this team is not good and it’s not talent bad -- it’s coaching bad. I really think the only way that Wilcox saves his job is if they show well and beat UCLA and Notre Dame. If he doesn’t, Sarkisian’s honeymoon will be long gone and next year just might be his last.

I guess my question to you is: Is Wilcox a dead man walking?

-- Geno Apicella

Reply: I haven’t taken his pulse, but Wilcox appears to be alive and kicking. Or at least studying game film like a mad scientist.

But you’re right, Geno. There is plenty of reason for concern.

USC defeated Stanford, 13-10, after the Cardinal missed two field-goal attempts. The Trojans defeated Arizona, 28-26, and the Wildcats also missed two field-goal attempts.

Some call winning in that fashion luck, others call it part of the game.

I don’t see Sarkisian firing Wilcox after one season, no matter how bad the numbers are (and they’ve been abysmal at times). USC gave up 452 yards rushing to Boston College and, though the run defense has improved vastly, the pass defense continues to struggle.

Arizona State passed for 510 yards, Arizona 395.

Regardless, after one season -- even if USC loses to UCLA and Notre Dame -- I think Wilcox is safe. If these numbers -- and losses -- continue in Year 2, Sarkisian will have a decision to make. Remember, he jettisoned former USC assistant Nick Holt at Washington.

Now it’s my turn for a question. Isn’t Sarkisian’s honeymoon over? I thought it ended at Boston College? Or took flight with that Hail Mary?

Question: And we’re still looking for that first down vs. Texas from LenDale.

-- John Hazelton

Reply: John, just a heads up -- but I think that ship sailed in 2006.

Observation: LenDale White made a poor decision at USC and Nashville. He often did not get along with coaches and it probably shortened his NFL career. He also lacked self-discipline, demonstrated by weight issues in college as well as the NFL. I don’t believe he has any credibility as an evaluator of coaching ability. Particularly defensive coaching.

--Darwin Kaufman, Goodyear, Ariz.

Reply: Interesting thoughts, Darwin.

I disagree, however, that White is not a credible coaching evaluator. Regardless of any on- or off-the-field antics, White played three seasons at USC before he was picked in the second round of the 2006 NFL draft. He played in Tennessee for four seasons before Seattle and Denver signed him.

Agree or disagree with his decisions, but that kind of experience in college and the NFL lends itself to having a knowledge about the game -- and coaching.

Observation: The Arizona game was the first time in 41 years of watching USC football that I was totally upset and disappointed after a WIN. I can’t get over the fact that we look TERRIBLE. Wilcox in my opinion has our pass defense looking no better than that of Monte Kiffin, and Sarkisian’s offense looks worse than Lane’s. No identity, no major threats, no fun or creative plays at all. AND HOW IS IT A HURRY UP OFFENSE IF YOU STAND THERE WITH YOUR HANDS ON YOUR HIPS, LOOKING AT THE SIDELINE TO GET THE NEXT PLAY? They might as well huddle.

-- Sir Eric of Troy, Rancho Cucamonga

Reply: OKAY, ERIC, I HEAR YOU. WHY ARE YOU YELLING AT ME!

Watching USC football for 41 years? That’s serious dedication.

You might notice today’s mailbag is a bit bulky, which should provide comfort in knowing you’re not the only one with these sentiments about the defense. And offense.

I’ve already touched on the Wilcox situation, so let’s address the up-tempo offense.

You’re onto something. The offense does not seem to be in a “hurry up” mode, at all (not even during practice).

A lot of time between plays is spent looking to the sideline for the next call. In a true hurry-up offense, the team is hustling downfield and rarely pausing and studying the sideline. We’ve seen that at times, but more often than not, there is a lengthy pause.

It is interesting when we look at the numbers though, because appearances perhaps are not always what they seem.

Take the last two games.

Arizona State, appeared to be moving its offense quicker than USC. But USC ran 95 plays, Arizona State 68.

Then again, play count is not necessarily indicative of how fast the offense is running. I’ll try to break out my stopwatch during Saturday’s game to get another gauge on the speed of the offense. Seriously, I will.

The tables turned at Arizona. USC’s offense, which ran 69 plays, moved at a glacial speed compared with the Wildcats, who had 101 plays.

Question: It seems the past few games have proven that Sarkisian is playing not to lose in the fourth quarter. This invariably lets the other team back in the game. When you play not to lose, you lose ... and USC should have lost to Arizona given the conservative offensive play calling in the fourth.... Your take?

-- Christopher Clements

Reply: USC is lucky to have survived in the desert, but you have to give Sarkisian credit for icing Arizona’s kicker -- not once, but twice.

There are noticeable fourth-quarter issues. How else do teams in consecutive weeks come from behind to win and nearly win?

The offensive play-calling in the fourth quarter has become safer than the first three quarters and the prevent defense is hardly preventing anything at all.

Should USC play to blow out teams? Throw the ball downfield with a lead in the fourth quarter to watch Kessler get intercepted?

It’s a balancing act to run the clock, make first downs and put security points on the board.

Sarkisian has not seemed to master it.

Question: I’ve been enjoying the videos and stories from my home in Hong Kong. Isn’t it time to reopen the discussion on Josh Shaw? He lied but he’s a kid and he didn’t hurt anyone, did he?

--Bryan Curtis, Class of ’77

Reply: Greetings from the States, Bryan!

Reopen Josh Shaw? It never closed! But there is nothing new to report. Shaw remains suspended indefinitely from all team activities.

Right now, all we know is that Shaw lied, which -- you’re right -- is not a crime. It’s a situation we continue to monitor. When there is news, we will get it to you.

Question: When does USC start getting the full recruiting allotment? I thought we were at full strength next year but was told different. Thanks.

-- John

Reply: Hi John, you weren’t the only one to write in about scholarship numbers.

NCAA sanctions and probation ended in June, so USC will be able to sign a complete class of 25 scholarship players for the first time in three years. It will take a couple of years for the Trojans to have a roster of 85 recruited scholarship players.

USC can sign only 24 players in February because blue-shirt kicker Matt Boermeester is already on the roster. Boermeester was a non-recruited player and was awarded a scholarship through an NCAA exception after the first day of practice. He counts toward the 2015 scholarships.

Question: How come USC isn’t throwing to the tight ends at all. And why are no throws going to the fullback?

-- Greg, Seattle

Reply: USC really isn’t throwing the ball to anyone besides receivers Nelson Agholor (42 receptions) and JuJu Smith (22) and tailback Javorius Allen (23).

Receivers Darreus Rogers and George Farmer have caught 13 passes each. Ajene Harris was rarely targeted when physically sound and Steven Mitchell hasn’t been, either.

Tight ends Randall Telfer and Bryce Dixon both demonstrate their pass-catching ability during practice. Fullback Soma Vainuku, once prone to drops, has also shown he is a reliable target.

Neither Vainuku nor fullback Jahleel Pinner have caught a pass. It’s interesting, because with a shortage of tight ends, Sarkisian said he would utilize the fullbacks. Maybe he meant only when it comes to blocking?

Question: USC must win as though it is a championship game and carry that mentality the rest of the season with a win every week. Is USC capable of this? Do they have the leadership, focus and maturity to make it happen? Great players don’t make for a great team, as we have so disappointingly experienced under head coaches since Pete Carroll. Is USC going to show it is a great team?

-- Calvin Lau

Reply: Good to hear from you again, Calvin.

Sarkisian said after the thrilling victory at Stanford that he would not address the possibility of a letdown with the team before traveling to Boston College. We all know how that turned out.

This week, after a thriller in the desert, Sarkisian said he would talk to the team at its 7 a.m. meeting on Monday about not letting up against Colorado.

Leadership starts from the top -- with the coaching staff -- and trickles down. Defensive tackle Claude Pelon reiterated that sentiment in an interview with me this week.

Buzz about this week’s game is down considerably. We’ll see if that is reflected on the field Saturday.

Question: Is it just me, or does Cody Kessler have a very average arm? Tell me in two seasons we will be able to go vertical with Max Browne.

-- Tarik LaCour

Reply: I’m not an analyst, but I can tell you what I observe. We see Cody Kessler complete deep passes at practice. He has the arm to get the ball to his receivers down the field and rarely has passes intercepted during practice.

Browne continues to develop and has the arm strength to get the ball downfield too. I’m not completely sold on the “zip” on his passes.

Questions about USC? Email me at LNThiry@gmail.com or tweet @LindseyThiry and I will answer select questions in a future USC Now mailbag.