The Best (And Worst) College Football Coaches For The Buck - Forbes
...At the head of the money class is University of Southern California head coach Pete Carroll, who pulled in a $4.4 million salary last year, including $400,000 in benefits and deferred compensation. Was he worth it?...

...To draw a fair comparison, we included only the 65 coaches from schools in the six major conferences,...as well as...Notre Dame...Coaches who negotiated new deals for more money during the most recent off-season were excluded.

...By our count, Carroll delivered more than his money’s worth. He has led USC to a 34-5 record since 2005 (including the 2007 and 2008 Rose Bowl titles), a record that is 54% better than the median coach in our analysis. As a result, Carroll scores a 114, meaning college football’s highest earning coach was 14% underpaid.

Also, The Most Valuable College Football Teams - Forbes
Champion Factories - Forbes

Comparisons to Leinart don't faze Mater Dei QB Barkley - OC Register
If Matt Barkley's been asked it once, he's been asked it a thousand times: “What's it like to be compared to Matt Leinart?”...

...The question comes as no surprise to Barkley or anyone else. The similarities between the two go far beyond the obvious shared first name, becoming somewhat eerie when laid out in order.

Both have played starting quarterback for Mater Dei, with Leinart leading his team to a CIF Division I co-Championship in 1999 and Barkley guiding the Monarchs to a No. 1 state ranking during the 2007 season.

Both will be Trojans, as long as Barkley...keeps his commitment to USC. Leinart helped lead the cardinal and gold to back-to-back national championships and captured a Heisman Trophy in the process...

Also, Barkley wins national award - OC Register

USC foes will be 'Maualugaed' - ESPN
...Maualuga is a uniter, not a divider. If a person appreciates football distilled to its most basic essence -- knocking the pooh out of another guy -- then it's simply impossible to not like Maualuga...

...That's why a Maualuga neologism found its way into the online Urban Dictionary: Maualugaed. Defined as: "In football, it is used to describe when a player is absolutely destroyed by a hit. A reference to USC linebacker Rey Maualuga. Pronounced: mao-uh-loo-guhd."

And as used in a sentence: "Dude, did you just see the Michigan QB get completely maualugaed? I'm surprised he can still walk!"...

[Burlison] USC won't play for title, Sporting News says - Long Beach Press-Telegram
...How dominant will Coach Pete Carroll's USC defense be this season?

Five members of the magazine's 11-player first-team All-Pac-10 defense are Trojans, the most notable of those, of course, being the conference's best player, linebacker Ray Maualuga.

How uncertain is the status of the USC offense?

Just one of the 11 players tabbed as first-team all-conference offense selections, sophomore Joe McKnight, is a Trojan...

No. 4 USC Trojans - Athlon Sports
...For all of the overabundance of high school phenoms flocking to USC during the Pete Carroll era, the most important player on the 2008 roster might be a transfer from Arkansas. Damian Williams, a five-game starter for the Razorbacks as a true freshman in ’06, could stir up a wide receiver corps that underperformed spectacularly last fall...

...This is the year Ohio State has been targeting for a national title, and the Trojans will host the Buckeyes in Game 2. In the even-year rotation, USC will host Notre Dame and travel across town to UCLA in the final two games.

The new standard: USC is riding a six-year streak of 11-win seasons and has played in six consecutive BCS bowls — both NCAA records.

The Man: Carroll is the nation’s winningest active coach at 84.4 percent...

USC's Pete Carroll trapped by new recruiting rules - LA Times
..."I feel like that kid in 'Disturbia,' " Carroll said last week.

Kale Brecht, the fictional 17-year-old played by actor Shia LaBeouf...wore a court-ordered ankle bracelet that forbade him from traveling outside a 100-foot perimeter of his home.

Carroll can relate...And he is not the only road-hungry football coach shackled by the NCAA.

The so-called "Saban Rule" was reportedly adopted this year after Alabama's Nick Saban, another relentless recruiter, was accused of violating NCAA regulations that prohibit in-person contact with high school players during the spring evaluation period. The legislation, sponsored by the [SEC], sidelines all head coaches from April 15 to the end of May...

[Griffin] Young, Bush among select group of iconic talents - ESPN
...the individual players who helped shape and define the last 10 seasons...

...2. Reggie Bush: ...Pete Carroll gave him a tape of Gale Sayers when he arrived at college. Bush spent the next three seasons emulating and eventually bettering the accomplishments of the iconic running back...

...3. Matt Leinart: ...His team won a share of two national championships and played for another one. Life is pretty good for a successful quarterback at Southern California, so it's no surprise that Leinart wanted to stretch his college career as long as possible...

[Miller] Trojans had no BCS peer once Carroll arrived - ESPN
...As for the perception that the Pac-10 has become USC and the nine dwarfs during the BCS Era, that's a recent phenomenon. From 1995 to 2001, seven different teams went to the Rose Bowl as Pac-10 champions (or co-champions). In 2000 and 2002, the conference produced two BCS participants.

Of course, 2002 was the first year one of those teams was USC, which was enjoying coach Pete Carroll's second season. The Trojans dynasty emerged and has yet to face a consistent challenge, even though six of its eight losses over the past six seasons have come against conference foes.

This dominance has made USC a national villain, and Hansen is quick to point out that the BCS has advanced college football...to a national fascination, where every game in the regular season is meaningful...

O gets his man - Jackson Clarion-Ledger
For better or worse, ex-Ole Miss coach Ed Orgeron has wasted no time making his imprint on the New Orleans Saints.

Orgeron's influence was evident early in Saturday's NFL draft when the Saints traded up three places to the seventh pick and selected Sedrick Ellis, a defensive tackle Orgeron recruited to Southern Cal five years ago.

My take: This move was definitely for the better. Ellis, a 300-pounder with uncommon quickness for a man so huge, should make an immediate impact...

..."Sedrick is very explosive, very versatile," Orgeron said. "He's an outstanding pass rusher, very tough. He's also an outstanding young man who will be a great guy in our locker room."...

Also, Saints get one of their men - New Orleans Times-Picayune
Saints trade up, draft Ellis - New Orleans Times-Picayune

Booty, Vikings see move as good fit - Minneapolis Star-Tribune
Vikings coach Brad Childress never has hidden his desire to have a quality developmental quarterback. If that guy happens to be the son of a football coach, all the better.

John David Booty fit the profile so well, at least in the Vikings' minds, that they made a trade with archrival Green Bay...

..."You could see many of the throws that we have within this offense, you could see him operate and do [at USC]," Childress said. "So that was intriguing to us. ... He comes from a coaching family, has had brothers that have played, so all those things factor in, and then obviously his production. We felt like his value where we got him there was too good to pass up."...

Also, USC coach on John David Booty - Minneapolis Star-Tribune
On USC and JBD (John David Booty) - Minneapolis Star-Tribune
USC's Carroll knows QBs, and praises Booty's talent - Minneapolis Star-Tribune
[Walters] Edina teammate calls Booty 'a leader' - St Paul Pioneer Press
Minnesota Vikings give Booty a shot - St Paul Pioneer Press
Booty correct about Minnesota - New Orleans Times-Picayune
Booty's wish does come true - LA Times

Rivers a character guy - Cincy Enquirer
Sitting in a hotel suite in his hometown of Lake Mary, Fla., Keith Rivers received a phone call from Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis to let him know the team had taken him with the ninth pick in the first round.

Then Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer, a fellow Southern Cal Trojan, made a call to welcome the linebacker to Cincinnati.

"He said it's a great organization and an excellent city, and said I'm what they need," Rivers said of his conversation with Palmer. "He said they have a lot of offense and need a little help on defense. I want to come in and help and do everything I can to help us get to the playoffs."

The selection of Rivers pleased Palmer...

Also, Rivers brings leadership to Bengals - Cincy Enquirer
Bengals bamboozled in first round - Cincy Enquirer
Someone to build D around - Cincy Enquirer
Palmer happy to have USC star join Cincinnati - Dayton Daily News

Seahawks' top pick Lawrence Jackson is fond of Seattle - Seattle Times
Lawrence Jackson loves Seattle. And not just because the Seahawks made the defensive end from USC their first-round pick on Saturday.

He really loves Seattle. He can't wait to walk around Pike Place Market. He told NFL coaches from other teams that his ideal spot would be — you guessed it — right here. He likes the rain, yet he's from Southern California. He wanted to live here even when he was in high school...

..."This is the place that I wanted to be," Jackson said Monday at his first news conference as a Seahawk..."I've been telling people for months leading up to the draft, even years, that after football is over with, I'm going to go move to Seattle. So to be here is a blessing, to have this opportunity to play in the city."...

Also, Rivals come together - Seattle P-I

Baker had a feeling about Falcons - Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Southern California left tackle Sam Baker had an inkling that he would be drafted by the Falcons.

"I had a feeling that I was going to go there, but I thought I was going to go with one of those second-round picks," said Baker, who visited the Falcons on April 7. "My only other visit was with the Redskins and I think they had the pick."...

...Baker's father has been a guiding light throughout the process.

"He said, don't let your draft position change who you are," Baker said. "You know, if you are the first pick or the last pick, don't let it change who you are."...

Also, Falcons took low-key approach to rebuilding - Atlanta Journal-Constitution
What we learned from the Falcons' draft - Atlanta Journal-Constitution
[King] Reviewing Falcons' picks - CNNSI

Fred Davis Is Bone Crusher - Washington Post
...Nicknames? Yeah, the man has nicknames. Mom Margo Davis says he was once known as "Bone Crusher," because he he broke a kid's arm in youth football.

"We used to take him to practice and they didn't want to play, it was like, 'Oh no, here comes Fred,' " Margo said. "When the kids would see him they'd run in the opposite direction."

* In high school, he was known as "Freddy Franchise," according to his brother, because he played so many different positions.

* Davis's take on these nicknames? "They over there making stuff up," he said of his brother and mother...

Also, Redskins Welcome Three Pass-Catchers - WJLA-TV
Redskins on the Receiving End - Washington Times
Redskins a good fit for Davis - Toledo Blade
USC’s Davis plays waiting game - Toledo Blade

Big draft day for local football talent - Vacaville Reporter
The waiting was hard for Thomas Williams. The waiting after he knew something was brewing was even harder.

The former Vacaville High School star and USC standout was the 155th overall pick in the 2008 NFL Draft, going in the fifth round to the Jacksonville Jaguars. He got the good news while in Sacramento spending an eventful afternoon with his mother and grandparents.

"I found out about 25 to 30 minutes before my name ran along the bottom of the screen," Williams said. "They called me to make sure they could get a hold of me, to make sure I'd be able to practice, and to let me know when minicamp would be.

"Then they told me they'd call me back in 15 to 20 minutes...

Also, Jacksonville Jaguars select Williams on 2nd day of NFL Draft - Orlando Sentinel

Another winning Saturday for USC in NFL draft - LA Times
...A school-record seven Trojans were selected in the first two rounds. That eclipsed the previous mark of five, set in 1968 and 2006.

USC Coach Pete Carroll envisioned this type of NFL payoff...

..."what we hoped was to make the mark of having four or five guys in the first round," Carroll said. "That's what we had seen was possible when schools have a good run. We're right in the middle of that"...

...On a day when no other school had more than two players taken in the first round, four Trojans heard their names called: defensive tackle Sedrick Ellis (seventh to New Orleans), linebacker Keith Rivers (ninth to Cincinnati), tackle Sam Baker (21st to Atlanta) and defensive end Lawrence Jackson (28th to Seattle)...

Also, Trojans cash-in on NFL draft day with decision to stay in school - LA Times
USC is one of the top suppliers of NFL talent - OC Register
USC football players dominate NFL Draft - OC Register
Four Trojans selected as first-round picks - Daily Trojan
NFL takes liking to USC's talent - Desert Sun
USC is special, Pro Day or draft day - Minneapolis Star-Tribune
USC trend continues, but will SEC's? - Mobile Press-Register
How to Run a 4.2 - WSJ

Rainiers slugger Clement looks like answer for Mariners - Tacoma News-Tribune
Three years ago, after the Mariners made Jeff Clement the No. 3 overall selection of the most precociously gifted class in the history of the amateur draft, a Baseball America scouting report on the University of Southern California catcher touted his “light-tower power,” his “short, compact left-handed swing,” and his “outstanding makeup.”

The magazine also noted Clement’s improved “set up, mechanics, blocking and arm speed.”

Former general manager Pat Gillick, then working as a Mariners consultant, wasn’t as sold on Clement’s defense...

...The ambitious overhaul of Clement’s mechanics has produced the top all-around catching prospect in baseball...

Also, Former USC star Clement waiting for his chance - LA Times
Clement improving behind the plate - Seattle P-I

Shattered Dreams - Arizona Republic
Serving up pizza and iced tea to hungry folks at her parents' restaurant in Prescott is not where Kalyn Keller pictured herself...

...Kalyn, a graduate of Arcadia High School, and student at the University of Southern California, competed in the 2004 Summer Games in Athens, Greece...

..."The last thing you're thinking of going into a big competition is I wonder what the bad bacteria count in this water is. You expect that all these things have been discussed and taken care of before."

Kalyn was diagnosed with Crohn's, a chronic inflammatory bowel disease of the intestines...

USC is one of the top suppliers of NFL talent - OC Register
...This year's Pro Day was like a Middle Eastern bazaar. Teams could find almost anything they wanted, from a strong-armed quarterback (John David Booty) to a menacing nose tackle (Sedrick Ellis).

Saturday's draft will have a heavy USC flavor: Three Trojans are viewed as likely first-rounders; six are projected to go among the first 60 picks. USC sent more players to this year's Senior Bowl (nine) and to the NFL scouting combine (12) than any other school...

...The fact that you can debate which USC class will have the biggest NFL impact is pleasant news for Carroll. He inherited a program that averaged three drafted players a year and now gets an average of nearly seven players taken...

[Myers] AFL boss pushes son for NFL draft - NY Daily News
...The NFL draft is always full of family affairs and this year's story is about one commissioner waiting to hear another call out his son's name.

"Commissioner (Roger) Goodell has been a long-time friend," said David Baker, the commissioner of the Arena Football League. "I always told him, 'I sure hope you can handle Sammy's name.' Sam Baker is pretty easy."

Although Sam Baker's stock dropped after a senior year at USC that was marred by rib and hamstring injuries, the 6-5, 309-pound left tackle is still projected to be drafted in the second round Saturday. One GM said Baker could be moved inside to play guard.

David Baker would love to hear Goodell announcing his son's selection because that means he's a first-round pick...