By Anthony Harris, Sports Writer
Pac 12 title hopes disappear for USC following Caleb Williams first quarter injury
The fact that USC was in position to secure a spot in the College Football Playoff in Coach Lincoln Riley’s first year at the helm is refreshing and long overdue. The tradition of Trojan football is alive and well again and quickly moving forward. With Trojan greats like Marcus Allen, Carson Palmer, Keyshawn Johnson, and Mark Sanchez gracing the sidelines for Pac 12 Championship in Las Vegas is proof that the mojo is indeed back at USC. When you add Caleb Williams to the mix, you have another Trojan on the verge of winning the Heisman Trophy to add to the collection on campus at Heritage Hall. Trojan Heisman winners Matt Leinart and Reggie Bush were commentating the Pac 12 Championship game and brimming with pride as Caleb Williams drove up and down the field with incredible style and flash during the first quarter. The most exciting and devastating play of the game occurred in the 1st quarter as Williams attacked the line of scrimmage, slid left, shook a defender with a spin move, and proceeded to go 59 yards to set up the Trojans for a score. Unfortunately, Williams tweaked his left leg/hamstring on the play which would prove costly for the Trojans.
Williams also suffered a significant hand injury on the pinky of his throwing hand during his electrifying run in the first quarter. With a 14-3 lead after the opening quarter, Trojan fans were feeling good about the possibilities of a win. As Williams took the field in the 2nd quarter, there was a major hitch in his normal giddy up. It was apparent to everyone watching that his ability to escape and perform at a level that has captured the attention of Heisman voters across the country. His injury completely derailed the offensive game plan. The inability to move the ball on offense placed too much pressure on the achilles heel of the Trojans team, the defense. The bend, don’t break, and take the ball away style of defense played all season long by the Trojans would not hold up under the pressure of the Utah speed and play making ability on offense. Utah was able to wear the Trojans down with their offense punting the ball back to the Utes on the regular. With Caleb Williams’ magician type play making, the Trojans fire power was limited to that of a cigarette lighter. The discussion of MVP is defined by what your team can or cannot do when your star player is not in the lineup or at his best. Without Williams, the Trojans are a different team and vulnerable in many facets of the game. With that, it truly solidifies his worth to the team and stronghold on the Heisman Trophy to be present this weekend in New York City.
The rest of the Pac 12 Championship game is history, Utah proceeded to open a can of “beat down” on the Trojans. The Utes were the underdogs coming into the game although they were the defending Pac 12 Champs and played in the title game 3 times since joining the conference. Back-to-Back titles for Coach Kyle Whittingham confirm recent dominance in the conference since joining in 2011. For the Trojans and Lincoln Riley, the road to national College Football Playoff supremacy is much shorter than years past due to the ever popular “Transfer Portal”. Coach Riley and USC will be an incredibly popular destination for high level defensive players in the portal this year. With the re-build at USC in its first year and winning eleven games, a trip to the Pac 12 title game, and on the doorstep of playing in the CFP speaks volumes for USC’s future. The Trojans will be back next season with a better roster and arguably the best offensive player in the nation returning. It will be interesting to see how the Trojans compete against a talented Tulane team (11-2) in the Cotton Bowl on January 2, 2023, in Arlington Texas at Jerry’s World. If Williams plays, give me the Trojans!
Davis receives the baton from Lebron and is running with it to lead the Lake Show
When Charles Barkley called Lakers star Anthony Davis “Street Clothes” in 2021, many Laker fans thought he may be washed up because he just couldn’t stay healthy. “Street Clothes” is a derogatory nickname for the highly talented Laker that spent more time in his street clothes than his Laker uniform due to injury. Laker fans witnessed the talent Anthony Davis possessed in the 2020 Championship run. Not to mention his jaw dropping accomplishments throughout his career. Davis is an 8-time all-star, 4-time All-NBA first teamer, 4-time All-NBA defensive selection, and a member of the NBA’s 75th Anniversary team. In 202, Davis arguably should have been selected as the MVP of the Championship series versus the Miami Heat in the Bubble. His play during the on and off 2020 season was exactly what the organization expected when they gave up the farm of young players for him in a blockbuster trade.
Fast forward to this year 2022 where the prognosis for success was dreary at best. Most expected this season to be the year where Davis receives the baton from Lebron to lead the Lakers. Meaning as Davis goes, the Lakers go. After 22 games, Davis has been high point scorer in 11 of those games, only missed 2, and gutted out multiple games early with low back tightness. The actions of Davis so far this season have been of a determined player looking to lead, send a message of toughness, and to once again show the basketball world that he is one of the best in the game. The Lakers have played with significant improvement with Davis as the catalyst. Only a few nights ago, Davis went head-to-head with Giannis Antetokounmpo in Milwaukee scoring 44 points and leading the Lakers to victory over a Bucks team that was 15-5 at the time. Two nights later in Washington DC, Davis puts on a show for what sounded like a Laker home game scoring 55 points and 17 rebounds in 38 minutes. The “Unibrow” is back and playing his what could be his most impressive hoop of his career. The Laker team has also responded not only to Davis’s stellar play but to the rotations, schemes, and strategies of new Head Coach Darvin Ham.
Another key component to the Lakers progress has been the refreshing positivity and youthful exuberance of Russell Westbrook. Westbrook has accepted and is now embracing his role as the Lakers sixth man off the bench. His explosive style remains but seems to be more under control, turning the ball over much less, and dropping dimes like the true triple-double producer he has proven to be over the course of his career (most in NBA history at 194). Russell seems happy and that has equated to a much needed and considerably improved team culture and chemistry. Energy is contagious and Russell has plenty. Teammates Austin Reaves (2nd season) and Lonnie Walker IV (1st season with Lakers) have also been steady contributors and continue to develop as players and build confidence from their individual success. Dennis Schroder is playing well again in a Laker uniform while role players Thomas Bryant, Wenyen Gabriel, and Patrick Beverly stay ready to step up nightly when needed. Beverly hasn’t hit his stride as a scorer just yet. However, his presence has created a welcome culture of increased toughness the Lakers need.
During a three-game win streak and a six-game road trip, the Lakers continue to explore who they can become as a unit this season. Lebron continues to be a steady force in his 19th season but has also made slight adjustments to his game for the betterment of the team. James is the ultimate team player who will revel in the success and development of his teammates while staying ready to be a finisher when called upon. This is a likeable roster that has truly turned a bad start into a stretch of play that has changed minds regarding the prospects of this season. Consistency, continued exploration, development, good health, and a lot of Anthony Davis can be the delight of many moving forward. Los Angeles Laker fans are tough but for now, they are optimistic and supporting this group due to the recent strides they have made.
Chargers playoff fate to be decided in the next two week due to loss at Las Vegas
The 20-27 loss in Las Vegas solidified the dreaded split with the Raiders yet again this season has put a “monkey wrench” in the Chargers playoff dreams. Los Angeles fans rooting for the Chargers are trying to remain hopeful for a different ending this season. The hype around what some would call the best Chargers roster in recent years has materialized into a 6-6 record with 5 games to play. There is absolutely no room for losing another close game. The culture of almost winning the close games and missing the playoffs by a hair is now officially old. The writing is on the wall for Coach Staley and he either gets this team into the playoffs or can begin the search for new employment. With upcoming games against the Dolphins and Titans, the Bolts will have their hands full. The Dolphins will be hungry coming off a loss in San Fran on Sunday. The one element that posed a problem for the Dolphins on Sunday was the pass rush of the 49’er defense. The Chargers haven’t had a balanced pass rush since week one with both Mack and Bosa on the field together. A pass rush will need to be manufactured against the Dolphins even if Staley must design unique blitzes that include Derwin James coming from unexpected spots on the field. The defensive line is unable to get the necessary pressure to force bad throws by opposing quarterbacks. On Sunday, Derek Carr had time to have appetizers and a dirty martini before releasing the ball to tightly covered receivers. The Chargers secondary has truly played well this season but no one in the league can cover NFL caliber receivers with the time allowed by the lack of Chargers pass.
The inability to run the ball on offense has become a major problem. Offensive Coordinator, Joe Lombardi is making his job increasingly difficult by thinking the template for success is to pass the ball over 45 times a game. Playoff teams run the ball on offense to keep defenses off balance. The run fake Herbert stabs out there prior to setting up for yet another pass isn’t fooling anyone. You have to run the ball in order for the defense to honor, freeze, or commit on a run fake. The Chargers have a stable of quality running backs with Ekeler, Kelly, Spiller, and Michell but have failed to use them effectively. The injuries on the offensive line are not an excuse to pass the ball more. In fact, it is more difficult to block an NFL defender one on one versus blocking down on a player in the gap and kicking out the edge defender. Whatever happened to the old Charger counter play? Running the ball includes Herbert taking off and using his speed and athleticism which will only open passing lanes. More consistency by the Charger offense and sustaining long drives will be necessary to win against the Dolphins and Titans. Sustaining drives keeps explosive players like Tyreek Hill and Jalen Waddle on the sidelines watching the game. Not to mention the most physical running back in the league in the Titans Derrick Henry who will visit SOFI Stadium next week. At this point in the season, it’s disappointing to see that these issues have not been addressed. The road to the playoffs begins now with a mentality that takes each week as a championship game. In other words, a win and advance attitude. Not many experts are giving the Chargers a chance to best the Dolphins on Sunday Night Football in front of a national audience this week. However, true Charger fans always have that glimmer of hope, sense of opportunity, and genuine belief the Bolts can put together a stretch of play that lives up to their potential and worthy of earning a playoff spot. Only time will tell but the clock is ticking, and history says the alarm will go off once again on the Bolts and missing the post season for the fourth straight season.
