Coach with his hands full - Cincy Post
We might call it a position group; they call it a room, because that's where they meet and banter and boast. See the room from where Hue Jackson stands at the head.

It's spinning with Cincinnati receivers, and holding court, as always, is Chad Johnson, arguing, as always, that he is indeed faster than T.J. Houshmandzadeh...

...It's a combustible blend of stardom, speed, swagger, inexperience and immaturity, from which Jackson can fashion either the world's most dynamic corps of pass-catchers or a fetching 4x100 relay team that can't handle the pads or pressure. With this group, the sky's the sky...

[Demasio] The Key for Carolina - CNNSI
Steve Smith trudged off the field during the second quarter of last season's NFC Championship against Seattle, sternly flashing four fingers -- for the number of defenders who had covered him...

...Seattle discovered the best way to contain the 5-foot-9, 185-pound powder keg: virtually ignore the rest of Carolina's receivers.

But Carolina's signing of Keyshawn Johnson -- one of the NFL's best possession wideouts and a clutch performer -- will halt such tactics and catapult Carolina back to the top of the NFC.

"They will have to pick their poison," Johnson said on Thursday. "I might be slow, but I'm going to nickel-and-dime you to death while I let Steve slice up your ass. I dare a defensive coordinator to leave me out there by myself."...

Holland makes the right choice, wins 100-meter heat - LA Daily News
Jamere Holland's season is down to the 100 meters, and he feels fortunate to at least have that...

...Holland was allowed to run as an extra-man entry after pulling out of the West Valley League prelims two weeks ago when he reaggravated a hamstring injury...

...So Holland had to choose between the 100 and 200, both in which he won the state championship last year, and decided to defend his title in the 100.

"At least I have the 100," Holland said. "I'm not really bummed. My real focus is to be ready to start training for football in July. I don't want the injury to affect my preparation for USC."...

Promise to prominence for Asian athletes - ESPN
...The stereotypes seem to apply to Asian-American coaches, too, at least in the case of Norm Chow, who has had a spectacular record wherever he has coached. Before he joined the Tennessee Titans as the offensive coordinator, Chow was part of the recent success at the University of Southern California on Pete Carroll's staff...

...He left Brigham Young after the 1999 season in the wake of a racist jab from a new BYU vice president.

Chow told David Leonard at Popmatters.com, "I'm sitting here, this guy's standing three feet away from me talking about this, that and the other. And he says, 'We're going to build this new facility, and we got all the Chinamen lined up, ready to go.'" Chow reported it to his athletic director. The AD went to the vice president, who defended his actions by saying, "I didn't know Norm was Chinese."...

Francis' Death Leaves Heartbreak in Its Wake - LA Times
In the same Glen Oaks High library where last year she proudly watched her son Ryan sign a national letter of intent to attend USC on a basketball scholarship, Paulette Francis met with reporters Thursday and lamented the loss of an only child who was "all I had."

Wearing a white T-shirt featuring a picture of Ryan driving for a layup and occasionally pausing to dab her eyes with tissue, Paulette spoke poignantly about her son, who had won the starting job as USC's point guard as a freshman...

...Glen Oaks Principal Wilbert C. August Jr. said school officials were considering retiring Francis' jersey No. 12 and establishing a scholarship fund in his honor. A year after leading the school to a 36-0 record and Class 4-A state basketball title, Francis prompted several administrators to adopt USC as a favorite team, even deep in the heart of Louisiana State country...

Also, Mother recalls Francis' excitement - OC Register
Mother talks of slain basketball star - Baton Rouge Advocate
Francis pines for slain son - Lafayette Daily Advertiser
Mother lauds slain USC point guard - Shreveport Times

USC Replies to Letter From Women's Group - LA Times
...Michael Jackson, USC's vice president of student affairs, said Sample had asked him to respond. He wrote:

"We disagree strongly with this characterization of our campus and with the assertion that football players are given special treatment in cases of sexual assault. All accusations of criminal action by any of our students are referred to the LAPD, and we cooperate fully with the District Attorney's office in its investigation. We also use our student disciplinary process to deal with these accusations.

"If you are aware of any specific incidences of gender-based crimes at USC that have not been reported to our office, I suggest that you encourage the victim to contact Raquel Torres Rentana, Director of Student Judicial Affairs and Community Standards in the Office of Student Affairs...

USC wins, UCLA loses - LA Daily News
Third-ranked USC snapped Virginia Commonwealth's 29-match winning streak Thursday to reach the NCAA women's tennis quarterfinals, but UCLA was ousted by Florida in another third-round encounter at Stanford University's Taube Tennis Stadium.

The Trojans (20-3) overcame former Calabasas High star Amanda Fink's absence with illness...

...Judy DeVera took Fink's spot in doubles, teaming with Anca Anastasiu to beat Viktoria Konstantinova and Gabrielle De Beaucoudrey 8-2...

An accident waiting to happen - Pasadena Weekly
Not long after graduating in journalism from USC, Chip Jacobs walked straight into the Los Angeles Times and asked then-editor Anthony Day for a job. “Listen kid,” Day said to young Jacobs kindly, “see me in about five years. You got ability, but you’re so green you should be on a tree.”

Day didn’t know who he was dealing with. Jacobs was a kid with cojones, ones he inherited from a long line of male ancestors, most especially his quadriplegic uncle Gordon Zahler who, despite his handicap, became a major pioneer in music and sound effects in Hollywood. Jacobs went on to become a successful journalist, writing for the Daily Business Journal, the Los Angeles Daily News, San Gabriel Valley Tribune and then, eventually, landing at the Times...

New deal: Holmgren says fire burning - Seattle Times
Mike Holmgren remained as Seahawks coach beyond the 2006 season because of three things: a wish to stay in Seattle, his health and his competitive desire to coach.

After talking with his wife, Kathy, the Holmgrens knew they wanted to stay in Seattle. Then came the question of Holmgren's health...

...Holmgren had his heart examined and doctors found nothing wrong.

And finally, Holmgren felt the Seahawks are on the verge of "something special," and proclaimed that the team had "unfinished business"...

Lions say they back Marinelli - Detroit News
...Mike Williams already is about 10 pounds less than his rookie playing weight of 234 pounds. Williams said he has changed his eating habits and been more concerned with conditioning. He feels better at a lower weight.

"Heck yeah, definitely," Williams said. "You cut better. You're more fluid."...

Bush belongs in No. 5 - Stanford Daily
...the ultimate argument against the current NFL rule is that there’s really no point for it. It serves no purpose within the game to restrict players to certain numbers, and it probably hurts league marketing. Players want their individual personalities to come out on the field and I think fans want to see that too.

But an unorthodox number doesn’t show up the other team the way some say endzone celebrations do. Who would really get bent out of shape if a running back were wearing number 5 or a linebacker sported an 11?

In the end, regulations on the numbers a player can wear are just rules for the sake of rules...

Also, Saints set record for ticket sales - Baton Rouge Advocate
In Bush numbers game, 6 should come before 5 - New Orleans Times Picayune
Numbers game - Biloxi Sun-Herald
Don't change the rules for one - Norman Transcript
Players Can Pick a Number, but Not Any Number - NY Times

Palmer showing signs of quick recovery - NFL News
Slowly but surely, it is looking as if Carson Palmer is going from the Bengals' chief concern to the Chiefs'.

During the past two days of the Bengals' Organized Team Activities, Palmer was on the field and moving in a way that few would have expected after he tore his left anterior cruciate ligament and medial collateral ligament...

...Palmer zigzagged through four pads to his left, zigzagged back through the same four pads to his right and began rifling the football in the way Cincinnati has become accustomed to seeing. After watching Palmer work out, Bengals coach Marvin Lewis said he fully expected his quarterback to be ready for Cincinnati's regular-season opener Sept. 10 at Kansas City...

Sources: Case against Sanchez weak - LA Daily News
...according to sources, the district attorney's investigation is proving favorable toward Sanchez although no final decision has been made by prosecutors.

"I think it's obvious they don't have enough to file charges right now," said a source familiar with the case.

The district attorney's office received the case from the Los Angeles Police Department two weeks ago, sources said, and remains skeptical about the charges...

Also, Sanchez case under review - OC Register

[Dodd] Bush has no Heisman worries as long as the Juice is loose - CBS Sportsline
...To consider stripping Bush, the Heisman Trust would be going to a dark, dangerous place. It has no penalty process in place that we know of. Pursuing Bush threatens to overshadow this year's, and future, on-field races.

There are something like 20 national awards handed out each year. It's gotten ridiculous, really. It's easier to get on the watch list for the Lombardi than it is to get hired at McDonald's...

..."Where do you end? If you took his Heisman away, you'd have to take him out of the Hall of Fame too," said the venerable Roger Valdiserri, a member of the Notre Dame athletic administration for 33 years. Valdiserri just completed a term on the South Bend-based college Hall of Fame's honors court.

Bush isn't in the Hall just yet. But a replica of his Heisman, jersey and helmet are...

Also, Bush's MRI shows strained hamstring - Baton Rouge Advocate
Bush camp not speaking of controversy - San Diego Union Tribune

[Hiestand] ABC puts colleges in prime time - USA Today
For the first time since NBC's ugly XFL experiment in 2001, a broadcaster will see if regular prime-time football can grab viewers on TV's least-watched night.

Starting with Notre Dame-Georgia Tech on Sept. 2, ABC will air marquee college football games or regionalized coverage of two games on Saturday nights. ABC can move big afternoon matchups because it has the rights to most big-time games...

...Sept. 16 Nebraska at USC...
...Sept. 23 USC at Arizona...
...Oct. 14  Arizona State at USC...
...Nov. 18  California at USC...
...Nov. 25  Notre Dame at USC...

'WE'RE ALL DEVASTATED' - New Orleans Times-Picayune
...The Baton Rouge basketball community was still in shock Tuesday over the loss of a player who had tremendous respect among his peers, showed courage and grit and always wore a smile.

"Ryan is probably the classiest young man I've ever been around," said Collis Temple Jr., a former LSU basketball player and youth coach who watched Francis for years at the Baton Rouge Sports Academy. "It's a total tragedy."...

Also, Basketball player loved his team - Daily Trojan
Murder suspect appears in court - Baton Rouge Advocate
Suspect's hearing delayed - Baton Rouge Advocate

Polamalu struggling with no Hope - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
Troy Polamalu had Bill Cowher and defensive backs coach Darren Perry on speed dial this offseason. His intent was to do anything in his power to convince them to keep his close friend and secondary mate, Chris Hope, with the Steelers.

"I wanted to see how the process was going -- and to do some lobbying," said Polamalu, a Pro Bowl strong safety. "I don't think my clout was very strong. I tried to help keep him here...

...On March 23, the bad news hit Polamalu like a powerful left hook. Hope had signed a six-year, $32 million contract...with the Tennessee Titans.

Polamalu still feels the sting of saying farewell to the veteran free safety...

Charitable Bush feels tug at heartstrings - New Orleans Times-Picayune
Reggie Bush has appeared on bigger stages during his football career, and he has received more prestigious awards.

But the Saints' rookie admitted he was taken aback by the response from the crowd of about 400, which included students, their family members and faculty, Monday afternoon at Holy Rosary Academy and High School, which serves children with special learning needs.

"I almost got emotional up there," said Bush, who entered to a standing ovation and chants of "Reggie! Reggie!" before presenting a $50,000 check to the high school, which was in danger of being shut down last week because of lack of funding. "This was probably one of the most exciting days I've had. To be able to give back to the kids and see the smiles on their faces, the enjoyment and the happiness on their faces, was special...

Also, Bush could take hit right on the number - New Orleans Times-Picayune
Bush gets kid-glove treatment - Jackson Sun-Herald
[Rovell] Bush has No. 25 in the cards - ESPN

[Climer] White says draft drop motivation - Nashville Tennessean
...White was unaware of the Titans' lukewarm history of second-round picks. After free-falling through the first round despite an impressive college body of work, he was relieved to hear his name called as the No. 45 selection in the draft.

He says he has "a 31-team chip on my shoulder," because every other NFL team had passed on him at least once.

"I don't worry about past picks," he said. "I don't compare myself to anybody else. I don't know who their past second-round picks have been. …

"Now that I'm here with the Tennessee Titans, I want to be with all my teammates and try to make them better and they'll try to make me better. That's all that matters."...

[Bickley] Hollywood image isn't Leinart - Arizona Republic
...As the outside world caves in on Leinart, he is finding solace in a familiar place:

His family.

In Arizona, Leinart will live with his older brother Ryan, his best friend from high school and his new pet, a bulldog named Max. His parents are coming in later this week to help him find a house, and they plan on attending every game the Cardinals play.

"We're going to have a strong support system there for him," Bob said.

It's the way it has always been...

Cassel will try hard to be No. 2 - Boston Globe
Doug Flutie's retirement has left an opening on the Patriots' depth chart behind Tom Brady. And while the team might sign a veteran free agent in the coming months, Flutie said yesterday that the future No. 2 might already be on the roster.

He believes Matt Cassel is ready to step up.

"I would feel very confident if he became the No. 2 this year," Flutie said of Cassel, a seventh-round draft choice in 2005. "He's bright and can grasp it all. He can do the things Tom does mentally. Not everyone can handle that end of it, and I think he can."

Cassel played in two games in 2005, with his most extensive time coming in the season finale against the Dolphins. He was 11 of 20 for 168 yards, with two touchdowns and no interceptions...

Ride switch led to Francis' death - LA Daily News
USC point guard Ryan Francis was supposed to get a ride home from a high-school teammate before a last-minute change of plans that led to his shooting death early Saturday in Baton Rouge, La.

Francis was going to leave a party with Loyola of New Orleans guard Torry Beaulieu, who also attended Glen Oaks High of Baton Rouge. But another friend offered Francis a ride home because Beaulieu lived on the other side of town.

"Ryan was going to ride home with Torry, but another guy said, ride home with me," USC coach Tim Floyd said...

Also, Funeral Set for USC's Francis - LA Times
[Downey] Player's death devastating for USC's Floyd - Chicago Tribune
Suspect could face unrelated trial today - Baton Rouge Advocate
[Lopresti] Wondering why death of USC guard Ryan Francis goes unnoticed - LA Times

Pac-10 spring recap - ESPN
...USC Trojans...

...Spring answers: In a backfield chock-full of question marks, it at least was refreshing to witness the surprising emergence of Ryan Powdrell this spring...TE Dominique Byrd was a nice player, but USC isn't pining over his departure because replacement Fred Davis had an outstanding spring...

...Fall questions: When your last two quarterbacks have won the Heisman Trophy and the probable replacement has back problems while seeing only mop-up duty, it's a good bet the first question is under center. Don't get us wrong here -- no one doubts the talent of fourth-year junior John David Booty...As for the host of freshmen arriving in August, Bush and White faced similar circumstances when they came on the scene in 2003. That turned out all right. Will Stafon Johnson, Emmanuel Moody, C.J. Gable and Kenny Ashley have the same kind of impact?...

[Sondheimer] Football Showcase Is Place to See and Be Seen - LA Times
It's a gorgeous, cloudless morning, and 230 college football coaches have converged on Stanford's practice field to observe close to 500 high school players dressed in shorts and gray shirts with numbers painted on their legs and plastered on their backs.

Pete Carroll of USC is shaking hands with Hall of Fame coach Bill Walsh and future Hall of Fame receiver Jerry Rice...

...Pat Ruel, USC's offensive line coach, has brought along binoculars so he can get an up-close view of the linemen...

Also, An opportunity to sparkle - SF Chron
Character evaluation - SF Chron

If Reggie Bush is guilty, should USC forfeit any wins? - College Football News
Q: If Reggie Bush is guilty of working with a sports marketing agency and received improper benefits when he was still a Trojan, should USC forfeit any wins?...

...[Fiutak]...Do you really want to go nuclear and open the Pandora’s Box of taking away past achievements for something as silly as working with an agent?...

...[Cirminiello]...I waffle...when it comes to the question of forfeiting wins. And I hate waffling. No one wants to see innocent players, such as David Kirtman or Oscar Lua, go down with the ship...

...[Harris]...if USC didn’t have any clue about the Bush house or the Bush money – can you penalize them? I’m not sure that you can...

...[Zemek]...No...

Sanchez's Court Date Probably to Change - LA Times
A court hearing scheduled this week for USC quarterback Mark Sanchez will probably be delayed until the end of the month, a spokeswoman for the Los Angeles County District Attorney's office said Monday.

Sanchez...was scheduled to appear in court Wednesday. But district attorney spokeswoman Sandi Gibbons said Sanchez would not be required to appear because the investigation into the allegations against him was not complete and no determination had been made on whether charges would be filed...

Also, Sanchez appearance delayed as investigation continues - OC Register

[Dodd] Heisman Week: Breaking down the candidates - CBS Sportsline
...This year's favorite? We won't reveal that until later in the week. Until then, here are the candidates' resumes...

...Dwayne Jarrett, WR, USC, Jr.: Let's say everything else breaks down. There are no experienced tailbacks. John David Booty's back continues to bother him. Jarrett could still go for 1,500 yards and lead the Trojans to another Pac-10 title. While watching Leinart and Bush win Heismans, Jarrett: caught 29 career TD catches in his first two seasons. He is within three of the Pac-10 career record...

[Maisel and Forde] Can't wait to see these things this fall - ESPN
...Maisel
1. Who plays quarterback at USC? Can John David Booty recover from back surgery? Will Mark Sanchez recover from being charged for sexual assault? Who plays tailback? Will the Trojans have to forfeit their Bush-el of victories from last year? Will this defense improve from last year? In total, has this dynasty peaked?...

...Forde
1. Not much has gone right at USC since about the six-minute mark of the fourth quarter of the Rose Bowl. Does the slide stop when the season starts, or is the Trojans' sublime run done? It will be impossible to continue at the same level of dominance; the question is how far USC slips from that spot. Given the way Pete Carroll has recruited, this should still be a top-10 program...

Bush to agent: No holdout - USA Today
Rookie Reggie Bush has instructed his agent to avoid a New Orleans Saints training camp holdout at all costs.

"I told my agent I want to be in here in camp on time ... whatever it takes, I want to be in camp on time," he said Saturday at the team's minicamp. "I think it is important to start off on a good foot and a good note, not only with the team but the city."...

...Bush is scheduled Monday to donate $50,000 through his Adidas shoe deal to a New Orleans high school for special needs children that was scheduled to close without the donation.

"I feel good about Reggie and his character," Loomis said. "I've talked to the investigators. I've talked to the league office. They informed us of the circumstances. I think that situation will resolve itself."...

Also, CARRYING ON - New Orleans Times-Picayune
Rookies must earn their stripes - New Orleans Times-Picayune
'Other' guys don't mind Bush attention - Baton Rouge Advocate
[Robinson] Big Easy's sainted savior - Yahoo Sports

NFL pick has roots in Utah - Deseret News
...Once at USC, Lutui blossomed into an NFL prospect, but not before he conquered another problem, and this was one that he would have to solve on his own. While at Snow, players were weighed on a scale that went no higher than 350 pounds. Lutui's weight was somewhere north of 350, but after that it was anyone's guess. Lutui wasn't worried.

"I figured I must weigh 351 or so," he says.

Then he stepped on the scale two years ago at USC and the needle didn't stop until it settled on 396. "I was a Snickers bar away from 400,"...

USC staff to assist Francis' mother - OC Register
Three USC basketball coaches were traveling to Baton Rouge, La., on Sunday to be with the mother of slain Trojans guard Ryan Francis, who was shot and killed Saturday.

And USC's players are expected to depart Wednesday to attend their teammate's funeral, which tentatively is planned for Thursday in Baton Rouge...

...USC officials are hoping to establish a Ryan Francis memorial fund and asked that anyone interested in making a contribution call (800) 986-9943.

Also, USC's Francis Shot, Killed - LA Times
Services for Francis are in works - LA Daily News
More arrests possible, police say - Baton Rouge Advocate

UO puts up fight; USC runs away - Portland Oregonian
USC held off Oregon to win the Pacific-10 Conference men's track and field title Sunday at Hayward Field, but not without a fight.

The Trojans didn't clinch until they won the 4x400 relay, the competition's final event, with USC anchor Lionel Larry coming from behind in the final turn to catch Oregon's Jordan Kent.

Larry crossed the finish line first, giving the Trojans a winning relay time of 3 minutes, 5.74 seconds and 140 team points...

Also, USC wins Pac-10 track title - LA Daily News
[Bellamy] Meet was best of something old and new - Eugene Register-Guard
Trojans ride burst of firsts - Eugene Register-Guard

USC's Francis Shot, Killed - LA Times
...Francis and three other passengers in a 2006 Chevrolet Impala pulled up to a stoplight at an intersection in the northern part of the city around 3 a.m. when the driver of an adjacent vehicle recognized the driver in Francis' car "as someone that he had been disputing with over personal differences,"...

...The driver in the adjacent vehicle, a 2000 Mitsubishi Montero Sport, pulled up and blocked the intersection while wielding a firearm...

....The driver of the vehicle Francis was riding in tried to drive away, but the assailant opened fire and Francis, sitting in the left rear passenger seat, was hit several times...

Also, USC's Francis killed - LA Daily News
USC point guard Francis shot, killed in Louisiana - Inland Empire Press-Enterprise
USC point guard shot to death - OC Register
Former Glen Oaks star slain - New Orleans Times-Picayune
USC's Francis killed - Lafayette Daily Advertiser
Photos: Canadian Press, AP1, AP2.

Refs' fumbles cost Trojans - Inland Empire Press-Enterprise
...Two plays, two laterals, two incorrect outcomes that gave Texas a TD and denied USC a chance for one, and also went without replay. In a three-point game decided with 19 seconds left, either could have been decisive.

...the Big Ten Conference rules were in place...

..."I don't know why the Bush lateral play has stayed under the radar the way it has," said Sorgen..."The replay crew just missed stopping the game on that one. And no one on the field saw it."...