Taylor Mays is pissed, blames Coach Carroll

I must apologize. Lately, I’ve been posting things here on CC that looks unfavorably upon Coach Carroll. I dig the dude to no end, my thoughts and opinions (& blog posting, for that matter) have more to do with post-2009 Trojan-football blues, his resignation, less-than-stellar draft (in my opinion), and just plain old crabbiness and nitpicking.

I don’t truly blame Coach Carroll for what happened in TayMay’s senior year and consequently- his drop in the draft (and all that guaranteed 1st round/1st team pick money). I will fault Coach Carroll for not being up-front with his players, when it matters most- especially given the fact that Pete Carroll promotes this ideal of openness, loyalty, commitment, drive, and opportunities. It’s his M.O., no one forces it upon him nor preaches it as much as he does. And he should have decided to be totally “open” with Taylor by telling him that his commitment to the Seahawks takes precedence over his loyalty to ex-players, including him (TayMay) and that his drive to improve and upgrade the Seahawks organization might compel him, as head coach, to look for opportunities to obtain other players for his new team. Including a safety, a DB, a WR, a OT, or OG?

Taylor Mays grew up and was raised in the Seattle area. It was (or it seemed) like “destiny”. The Seahawks needed a safety. If things were supposed to be “expected”, like . . . . football is a business-type expectations- than why does witnessing Taylor Mays NOT get picked by his ex-coach who now coaches in his hometown seem so very wrong?

It’s neither here nor there. Coverage skills, eh? How come this aspect of Taylor’s game wasn’t brought up and dissected in his sophomore year? His junior year? Is he REALLY that bad in coverage, or does it only seem to look really bad due to his “unique” positioning on the LOS that he was instructed to play? I’m aware of the fact that his angles to the ball carrier and point-of-play looked miserable this past year- but I can’t dismiss the previous 3 years of watching that very same player take efficient angles to the ball in play and make up very good ground by either breaking up the pass, stopping the runner, or clocking the intended offensive player and outright “own” his side of the field.

The offenses that were thrown at USC this past year were nuts. At around the ND game last year, I noticed more consistency in sloppy and woeful play on both offense and defense than I did for any semblance of consistency for heads-up football from our Trojans. It was around that time that I noticed a glaring lack of discipline on our defense, and worse- all proper mechanics and technique getting totally lost on anyone wearing a Trojan football uniform. It wasn’t JUST Taylor Mays. But, he’s the senior and the leader so he has to shoulder a lot of this blame for poor team play.

Coverage skills? I’m not too sure about that. We’ll see. The NFL is egalitarian to the point where: NO ONE PLAYER gets to schluff-off! EVERYONE on the field of play has to earn their keep and their paycheck. TayMay won’t have to cover for any one or more part’s of a team’s weaknesses or weak-links. He’ll be properly positioned, properly utilized, and will have complete control to proving all his critics wrong. He could also listen to what’s being said about his game and areas that need improvement and he could go to work and rectify what needs to be rectified.

He’ll do well. I just bemoan the fact that he won’t be able to do well as a professional football player living and working in the city he grew up in and loves.

The City ain’t so bad. He’ll have a blast!

If it’s why? Well, that’s because both Guinness and fUcla football HAVE EXPERIENCED AN EPIC DRAUGHT in Rose Bowl wins, or any meaningful college bowl game FOR QUITE SOME TIME!

They’re both starving to taste the sweetness of winner’s hangover!

If it’s “where”? Well, I’m afraid you lost me there SoCal!