Why No One Should Want to Play the Trojans in 2008 - Defense - Part 1: Everson Griffen

It's cliche, but there's really no other way to say it. This guy is a quarterback's nightmare.

Not too many of USC's talented recruits get to play their freshman year, let alone make an impact. Griffen was one of those exceptional few last year, and he proved he was worthy. As a true freshman he played in all 13 games. In those 13 games, Griffen tallied 5.5 TFL's (all of them sacks), 2 FF, 1 FR, and 2 deflections. Here are some of the accolades decorating his Royal Badness after the 2007 season:

* 2007 Sporting News Freshman All-American first team
* Football Writers Freshman All-American first team
* Rivals.com Freshman All-American first team
* Scout.com Freshman All-American first team
* Collegefootballnews.com Freshman All-American second team
* Sporting News Pac-10 Defensive Freshman of the Year
* All-Pac-10 honorable mention pick.

Now, take a good look at him folks...
































Griffen is 6' 3.5", 270 lbs, and what do you think he should run the 40 in? 4.8, 4.7? 4.65 would be plenty quick, right? Dude runs the forty in 4.46! Forgive the crudeness, but that's enough to make the toughest quarterback's butt pucker!

This is what Coach Carrol had to say about him: "He's fast, really fast at getting to the quarterback."
-Notice how Pete corrects himself: "he's fast, REALLY FAST..."

So, we know he's a freakish combination of size, strength, and speed (incidentally, his nickname is "the freak"). That's intimidating in and of itself. Beyond this though, why should he be feared more than other (if there are any right now) freak-diculous D-ends?

Well, to be quite honest, some of his saturday religious-beliefs scare me a little bit too. Listen to one of the ways he thinks about heaven -when asked about making sacks:

"I don't know how to explain it, because it's the greatest feeling in the world. When you're coming off the edge and the quarterback doesn't see you, it's like a free shot to heaven."

"Oh... ye opposing quarterbacks of the 2008 Trojans, say thine prayers before we meeteth! For mine beastlyness hath been awakened, and thou standeth in the way of my 2008 National Championship ring!"
-Book of Griffen 1:1

Top Reasons Why No One Should want to play USC in 2008

REVENGE
In 2006 and 2007, USC was left out of the National Championship for losing two games (each season) that they should not have. -People might argue that Oregon was the exception. Well, if John David Booty was playing, and Brian Cushing wasn't sidelined, it would have been a whole different story.

The Trojans know that it was only their stupid mistakes that lost those games. When they are determined to win a game, they come as close to invincible as a college team can. The only caveat to that would be Vince Young. USC's got some demons to exercise in 2008, and frankly, I'm a little frightened for those who have to line up against them. For example, USC had a couple teams to get some revenge on in 2007: Oregon State and UCLA. The Trojans did a nice job beating up on both.

This 2008 season, the whole NCAAF should be shakin' in there spikes. And no SEC, you're no exception. Bring on Stafford and Moreno, or Tebow (he'd have a better chance). I don't think I need to remind you about Arkansas and highly touted McFadden, but I will anyway- 70-17 in the Colosseum, then 50-14 in Arkansas. Don't get me wrong though...I completely agree that the SEC is probably the toughest conference to play in. I will also agree that the PAC-10 is not the hardest (though it is tougher than most of the -ahem...- BCS conferences.



USC is just a dominant force. Even more disconcerting, now they're a dominant force with something to prove. Look out... Everybody! This article might ruffle a few feathers, but just be happy you're not getting your bell rung by a legion of ticked-off Trojans.