Why does BB not draft USC players?

[bucky]

There are 6 USC prospects that could go in the first 3 rounds this year - Mays, Griffen, Brown, McCoy, McNight, D. Williams. Based on BB's history, I'm wondering whether we can cross them off the list before the draft even starts.

BB has drafted 2 players out of USC since he's been here:
Oscar Lua and Matt Cassell - both in the 7th round.

But given how much of a NCAA powerhouse USC has been, it seems like he doesn't really believe in their players. Here's a list of the players he's passed up in the 1st 4 rounds (not including guys in the top 10 that he'd have had to trade way up for). Not passing judgment on any of them, just raising the facts here:

2009
15 Brian Cushing Texans LB
26 Clay Matthews Jr Packers LB
38 Rey Maualuga Bengals LB
56 Fili Moala Colts DT
87 Patrick Turner Dolphins WR
104 Kaluka Maiava Browns LB
117 Kyle Moore Buccaneers DE

2008
7 Sedrick Ellis Saints DT
9 Keith Rivers Bengals LB
21 Sam Baker Falcons T
28 Lawrence Jackson Seahawks DE
39 Chilo Rachal 49ers G
48 Fred Davis Redskins TE
63 Terrell Thomas Giants DB

2007
45 Dwayne Jarrett Panthers WR
51 Steve Smith Giants WR
59 Ryan Kalil Panthers C
39 Winston Justice Eagles T
41 Taitusi (Deuce) Lutui Cardinals G
45 LenDale White Titans RB
91 Frostee Rucker Bengals DE
93 Dominique Byrd Rams TE
101 Darnell Bing Raiders DB

2005
31 Mike Patterson Eagles DT
37 Shaun Cody Lions DT
45 Lofa Tatupu Seahawks LB

2004
20 Kenechi Udeze Vikings DE
52 Jacob Rogers Cowboys T
62 Keary Colbert Panthers WR
102 Will Poole Dolphins DB

2003
16 Troy Polamalu Steelers DB
96 Justin Fargas Raiders RB

2002
85 Kris Richard Seahawks DB

2001
122 Markus Steele Cowboys LB

 

[tanked_as_usual]

he's also only draft 1 texas player......he hasn't drafted any alabama players, either.......he hasn't drafted any players from ohio state, either.....

i wonder why he has something against so many schools....

 

[FredFromDartmouth]

Ouch ouch ouch last year. The reality is they probably come off the board earlier than he wants...

 

[WaterfallJumper]

I'm hoping this year he decides to take one early; I'm very impressed with Griffen, particularly the way he changed his attitude and work ethic this year in response to being benched last year. Apparently he's a new man--and an athletic, pass-rushing new man, at that. I think he'd work wonders for our defense as a SOLB.

 

[BillBelichickFan79]

It's a good question and I don't know the answer. USC is a factory for NFL talent. I've always wished that we would draft more guys from the likes of USC, Miami, and Florida St.

 

[patsfan-1982]

because BB momma said they are the devil lol

 

[Coach42]

I would have to say most of those guys on that list wouldn't fit our scheme or just really aren't that good.

 

[furley]

I don't consider New England passing on Keith Rivers if the Patriots were intent on selecting Jerod Mayo. But I don't think a team could've gone wrong selecting either Rivers or Mayo. Evidently, New England realized that Mayo could still be available a few spots lower. So they'd traded down... Obviously, this could've easily backfired because...

I recall reading a rumor or report that the Bengals liked both players. But, they liked Sedrick Ellis too. Fortunately, for New England, they didn't choose Mayo.

Every team passed on Rey Maualuga in the first round. I read that there were concerns about him off the field and question marks about his abilities as a player. Not to mention, he scored low on his Wonderlic test.

I think Taylor Mays will be this year's Maualuga in that he goes from being a first round lock to an eventual second round selection.

The Browns feared what the other teams, including the Bengals, feared, that Maualuga, with reported alcoholism and anger management problems, might be too much of a risk for a first-day draft pick

But Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis said that after spending a lot of time with Maualuga, and taking to Bengals players from USC who knew him, he thought it was worth the risk to take him as long as he fully understood that he would never reach his potential if he let those demons control him.

Scout.com: Maualuga on a Mission

 

[convertedpatsfan]

I don't think BB is opposed to drafting USC players, or had any issues with Carroll. Though Cassel was a late pick, BB had spoken with Carroll about Cassel and taken his advice that Cassel was really close to winning the starting job during the QB competition.

My guess is that he feels the USC guys (and other powerhouse schools) have a brand premium attached to them. A good QB at USC will be a 1st rounder, while a similarly-talented QB at another school might get an early to mid 2nd round grade. So maybe the school inflates their value beyond what BB is willing to pay.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Every team passed on Rey Maualuga in the first round. I read that there were concerns about him off the field and question marks about his abilities as a player. Not to mention, he scored low on his Wonderlic test.
Scout.com: Maualuga on a Mission

Yes, Marvin hit that one out of the park - Maualuaga was arrested and charged with DUI last fall. He spent some time in rehab, but should be out so he can participate in the offseason program. I believe he'll only miss one game as a first time NFL offender.

Mays' issues aren't character as much as they are judgment on the playing field, he overruns plays, takes bad angles, and goes for the big hit instead of the big play and too often makes the big miss. The question is how to channel his aggressiveness and what position to play him? If he falls out of round one it's not from being an off-field problem, it's from Pete Carroll playing him as a loose cannon.

 

[dryheat44]

It's long been said by NFL scouts that there is a line of thought that says USC players are really more into the SoCal lifestyle and would rather be BMOC with the ladies and media types than taking the game seriously.

And in recent years, you would start that list with Matt Leinart, LenDale White, and John David Booty. I'd add Mike Williams, but he was probably going to suck regardless.

This is a generalization, obviously. Guys like Carson Palmer and Lofa Tatupu were well known for their dedication and film study/practice habits.

 

[bucky]

he's also only draft 1 texas player......he hasn't drafted any alabama players, either.......he hasn't drafted any players from ohio state, either.....

i wonder why he has something against so many schools....

The Alabama thing is surprising because of Saban, obviously. But Saban's only been there for 3 years and the list of prospects from there is less than half as long as the one from USC.

The Ohio State observation is fascinating. I didn't realize that.

Maybe there's nothing to it. I just always felt that there was some sort of dislike for the USC program. Not anything personal, just a combination of schematic incompatibility and lack of dedication perhaps. All things people have mentioned here.

 

[sbpatfan]

Why does it matter where a player comes from? Half those teams listed are either awful or consistently mediocre anyways. Success in the NFL isn't based off how many draft picks you use on guys from powerhouse college football programs.

 

[Ochmed Jones]

The Alabama thing is surprising because of Saban, obviously. But Saban's only been there for 3 years and the list of prospects from there is less than half as long as the one from USC.

The Ohio State observation is fascinating. I didn't realize that.

Maybe there's nothing to it. I just always felt that there was some sort of dislike for the USC program. Not anything personal, just a combination of schematic incompatibility and lack of dedication perhaps. All things people have mentioned here.

The kids that Saban inherited from Scula were not the types of kids that I could see Saban promoting to BB. However now a lot of the kids in this draft class had minimal exposure to Scula and 3 solid years in the BB defense. This could be the year we start to see some late round gems based on insider information. Kids like Upchurch, Wooddall, Washington, Deaderlick and even Areanas are all later round guys that BB could take or sign as UDFA's based on what Saban tells him.

I think when BB sees tape of OSU,USC and certain other school's defenses he has a difficult time projecting those kids into his style of defense which is why he does not draft kids from those schools.

The first time I saw Cushings and Mathews of USC play, I thought they would be tremendous in our defense, they were that hand off the ground quasi linebacker/lineman that was smart, arthletic and versatile. True 3-4 OLB type BB had been looking for forever. But in the end, he passed on (didn't move up to get) them and about 6 other guys. I think he passed on them because the amount of projecting was more than he was comfortable with.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

The kids that Saban inherited from Scula were not the types of kids that I could see Saban promoting to BB. However now a lot of the kids in this draft class had minimal exposure to Scula and 3 solid years in the BB defense. This could be the year we start to see some late round gems based on insider information. Kids like Upchurch, Wooddall, Washington, Deaderlick and even Areanas are all later round guys that BB could take or sign as UDFA's based on what Saban tells him.

I think when BB sees tape of OSU,USC and certain other school's defenses he has a difficult time projecting those kids into his style of defense which is why he does not draft kids from those schools.

The first time I saw Cushings and Mathews of USC play, I thought they would be tremendous in our defense, they were that hand off the ground quasi linebacker/lineman that was smart, arthletic and versatile. True 3-4 OLB type BB had been looking for forever. But in the end, he passed on (didn't move up to get) them and about 6 other guys. I think he passed on them because the amount of projecting was more than he was comfortable with.

Deaderick and Arenas really appeal to me - I can see their "fit" for NE. Washington isn't as strong at the point as I'd like, I also read somewhere how some observers felt he smelled money his senior year. Upchurch is an okay UDFA RB option. Woodall never caught my eye.

 

[tanked_as_usual]

The Alabama thing is surprising because of Saban, obviously. But Saban's only been there for 3 years and the list of prospects from there is less than half as long as the one from USC.

The Ohio State observation is fascinating. I didn't realize that.

Maybe there's nothing to it. I just always felt that there was some sort of dislike for the USC program. Not anything personal, just a combination of schematic incompatibility and lack of dedication perhaps. All things people have mentioned here.

I believe that to be it......

 

[bucky]

Deaderick and Arenas really appeal to me - I can see their "fit" for NE. Washington isn't as strong at the point as I'd like, I also read somewhere how some observers felt he smelled money his senior year. Upchurch is an okay UDFA RB option. Woodall never caught my eye.

Deaderick sounds like a tough guy:

Deaderick or Washington: Which Alabama DE would you draft? | al.com

"Was arrested on July 14, 2007 and charged with giving a false name to police, resisting arrest, and criminal mischief (for cracking the window inside a patrol car with his head). Was shot in 2009 by a would-be car thief. Deaderick confronted the thief and was shot once. The bullet went through his arm, through his hip and out of an area near his groin. Showing his toughness, Deaderick suited up and played against Virginia Tech less than five days later."

 

[bucky]

Deaderick sounds like a tough guy:

Deaderick or Washington: Which Alabama DE would you draft? | al.com

"Was arrested on July 14, 2007 and charged with giving a false name to police, resisting arrest, and criminal mischief (for cracking the window inside a patrol car with his head). Was shot in 2009 by a would-be car thief. Deaderick confronted the thief and was shot once. The bullet went through his arm, through his hip and out of an area near his groin. Showing his toughness, Deaderick suited up and played against Virginia Tech less than five days later."

Just wanted to circle back. Now the Alabama thing can't be said any more. But the USC fact is still true. So's the one for Ohio State, although they only had 1 or 2 draftable players this year.

 

[WhiZa]

Just wanted to circle back. Now the Alabama thing can't be said any more. But the USC fact is still true. So's the one for Ohio State, although they only had 1 or 2 draftable players this year.

I wonder if it has to do with the team's scheme and how it translates to the Patriot's scheme. It's a lot easier to scout and grade someone when they are playing in the same type of scheme the Patriots are.

 

[Criptonite]

Just wanted to circle back. Now the Alabama thing can't be said any more. But the USC fact is still true. So's the one for Ohio State, although they only had 1 or 2 draftable players this year.

No idea if it has to do with the school, but I thought USC's Jeff Byers would have made a lot more sense than Ted Larsen at the end of the 6th. Maybe they were just looking for a player with more upside rather than what they could immediately contribute.