PAC-10 Media Day: USC No. 1, McKnight Better Than Bush, And Cushing Talks About Senior Season

Today, 24JUL08, the PAC-10 held its football media day.  The West Coast media members reveled their preseason poll.

1. USC
2. Arizona State
3. Oregon
4. California
5. UCLA
6. Oregon State
7. Arizona
8. Washington
9. Stanford
10. Washington State

Navy Abandons Zumwalt-Class Destroyer

The Zumwalt-Class Destroyer (DDG 1000) was to be a class of next-generation, multi-mission surface combatants tailored for land attack and littoral dominance, with capabilities designed to defeat current and projected threats as well as improve battle force defense.

The destroyer was designed to be,

adaptable, affordable, survivable, flexible and responsive.

Evidently, the goal of affordability was not attained.

Growing costs and vulnerability to anti-ship missiles sank the Navy’s once-heralded “stealth destroyer,” a highly advanced warship designed to slip close to the shore unnoticed and pummel targets with big guns boasting pinpoint accuracy.

Faced with cost estimates upward of $5 billion per ship, the Navy had no choice but to let its prized Zumwalt destroyer program end after the first two ships are built, analysts said Wednesday.

The official rationale provided by the Navy for discontinuing the DDG 1000 is the cost.

The scuttlebutt, however, suggests that sailors were troubled by a Z-gram that indicated that they may be forced to wear sideburns if assigned to one of the destroyers.  In all likelihood this is rumor is completely unfounded.

yojoe (in no-sideburns mode) out

UC Berkeley Ejects Hippies From Trees To Build Football Facility

The Cal athletic department has finally succeeded in ejecting a group of longhairs who had been living in trees in an area the university had selected for construction of a new $140-million sports-training center.  A judge in Alameda County ruled,

late Tuesday, Miller orders the injunction that has been in place since February 2007 to be lifted seven days from today.

“(Construction) is going to start as soon as the injunction is finally over and we are very, very close,” said UC attorney Charles Olson. “We’re delighted with the judge’s judgement. It is exactly what we had asked her to do and we are very pleased.”

But first, the last three tree sitters will have to be removed from a redwood at the grove where the sports training center is planned. As part of the construction, 44 trees will be cut down. Tree sitters are protesting the plan. The university has been supplying food and water to the tree sitters for several weeks after cutting off supplies from outside groups.

University officials declined to say what will immediately happen with the tree sitters.

This is welcome news for Cal fans, who have enjoyed a resurgence in their football program, which now regularly competes for the Pac-10 title.  And, but for the dominance of USC may actually have a chance to win the Pac-10.

Joint Strike Fighter: Air Force Wants Boeing To Stop Talking Smack

Ok, that is not a direct quote.  Major General Charles R. Davis, USAF, the Program Executive Officer for the F-35 Lightning II Program Office, is far to articulate, educated, and gentlemanly to utter such a comment.  But, reality is not that far off.

According to Flightglobal, LtGen Davis is not pleased with, what he characterizes as “lies and half-truths,” being spread by Boeing about the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF).

“That’s just pissing us off,” Davis says. “If Boeing has to say something negative about JSF to sell their aircraft, that tells me there is something wrong with their aircraft.”

Davis specifically faults Boeing executives for predicting further cost overruns and delays for the F-35 programme. By comparison, Davis says, he has heard BAE Systems make no such predictions in their efforts to sell the Eurofighter Typhoon.

However, it was pointed out to Davis that Boeing had delivered hundreds of F/A-18E/Fs on time and on budget, while the JSF programme has reported a 50% cost increase and an at least 18-month delay during the first seven years of development.

Davis acknowledges the F-35’s record, but refuses to back down in his criticism of Boeing.

Trojans Continue To Recruit Well For 2009

Matt Barkley signed in January.

Hebron Fangupo, the top JUCO defensive player, signed in May.

Alshon Jeffrey signed in June.

And the recruiting just keeps getting better for the Men of Troy.  The 2009 class is shaping up to be the number on recruiting class in the nation, according to Paul Peszko of bleacher report,

Vontaze Burfict, a five-star, 6’2″, 235-pound linebacker from Centennial High School in Corona, CA; Devon Flournoy, a four-star, 6’2″, 4.40 wide receiver from Birmingham High School, Van Nuys, CA; Patrick Hall, a four-star, 6’1″, 181-pound safety from St. Bonaventure High School in Ventura, CA; and Chris Metcalf, a three-star, 6’1″, 190-pound safety from Compton (CA) High School gave their commitments to the Trojans.

In May the Trojans got a commitment from a five-star JC defensive tackle, Hebron Fangupo, 6’2″, 230 pounds from Mount San Antonio Junior College in Walnut, CA.

USC Football: Preview Of Stanley Havili

It is no secret that here at Dreadnaught Stanley Havili is a favorite.  At WeAreSC, there is a great preview of the USC fullback:

Two years ago, the Trojans got a taste of life without a fullback when Stanley Havili became the third fullback to suffer a season-ending injury within the team’s first three games.
Last year, Havili recovered nicely and put together a solid redshirt freshman season.  Although he may be remembered unfairly for the fumble against Oregon that led to the Ducks’ game-winning touchdown, Havili was one of the key elements in a vastly improved offensive attack in 2007.
Behind Havili, the Trojans had three 500-yard rushers, including Chauncey Washington’s near 1,000-yard season.  Havili may not be the kind of bruising, physical fullback seen on rosters around the country, but he’s a perfect fit in the Trojan offense.  He’s a willing and very productive lead blocker and he combines that with the athleticism needed to be a threat either running or receiving the ball.
Last season, Havili had at least one reception in every game and at least one rushing attempt in all but three.  His 34 receptions were good for fourth on the team,

Forum On Physics And Society: No Consensus On Global Warming

Forum on Physics and Society (FPS), a subdivision of the American Physical Society (APS) recently reversed its stance on human-induced global warming,

There is a considerable presence within the scientific community of people who do not agree with the IPCC conclusion that anthropogenic CO2 emissions are very probably likely to be primarily responsible for global warming that has occurred since the Industrial Revolution.

This changed stance coincides with a paper by Christopher Monckton of Brenchley, which posits,

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC, 2007) concluded that anthropogenic CO₂ emissions probably caused more than half of the “global warming” of the past 50 years and would cause further rapid warming. However, global mean surface temperature has not risen since 1998 and may have fallen since late 2001. The present analysis suggests that the failure of the IPCC’s models to predict this and many other climatic phenomena arises from defects in its evaluation

Jason Taylor Traded To Washington Redskins

The Miami Dolphins have traded Jason Taylor to the Washington Redskins.

ASHBURN, Va. – Jason Taylor is leaving the only NFL team he has known, his wish to be traded to a contender granted on Sunday.

The Washington Redskins gave the Dolphins a second-round pick in 2009 and a sixth-round selection in 2010 to acquire the six-time Pro Bowler, who had spent 11 seasons anchoring the Dolphins’ defense.

yojoe out

Jesse Jackson Uses N-Word When Commenting On Barack Obama

As previously mentioned on Dreadnaught, Rev. Jesse Jackson threatened to cut the nuts off Senator Barack Obama.  Now it is being reported that Rev. Jackson dropped the N-bomb when discussing Senator Obama,

Barack…he’s talking down to black people…telling n—s how to behave.

It seems inconsistent for Rev. Jackson to use the N-bomb given the calls he has made to have the word abolished.  Even Rev. Al Sharpton has denounced the hypocrisy.

yojoe (using no N-bombs) out

USC Football: Rey Maualuga Discusses Decision To Return For Senior Year

Senior linebacker,  and college football’s scariest defender, Rey Maualuga discusses his decision to forgo the NFL and play another year at USC,

How’s the summer going?

“It’s going good, we’re finishing our summer workouts strong, like usual. We’re inching down to the final days of summer workouts and summer school. Just getting ready for that last hump and the start of (fall) camp.”

Are you happy with your decision to return for your senior year?

“I don’t want to make a mistake in coming back. And I don’t want to be the same person as I was last year. I’m hoping to come back and learn from the best – the coaches, and compete with the best guys.”

What’s your goal in terms of not being the same person as last year?

“Just coming out here and working hard. You know, I look up to guys like Thomas Williams, Keith Rivers, Sedrick Ellis and Lawrence Jackson, and how hard they worked.”

Brady Quinn Involved in Gay Dating Scandal

Former Notre Dame quarterback Brady Quinn is doing his best impression of Mike “I’m not gay. I’m heterosexual” Piazza.  According to TMZ, Quinn’s lawyer has sent a cease-and-desist letter to a homosexual-dating website demanding that photos of Quinn be removed from the advertisement.

The message: Brady Quinn is not gay.  Evidently Quinn is willing to go so far as to fight gay people to prove his heterosexuality.

While it is normal, and expected, that a professional athlete would not want his image used for advertising without his permission, it is quite another matter to go out of one’s way to deny he is a homosexual.  To quote The Bard, “The Brady doth protest to much, methinks.”

Here are a few suggestions for Quinn:

1. Stop being so homophobic.
2. Keep your shirt on.
3. Stop taking homoerotic photographs.
4. Try to stop dressing like a member of the Village People.
5. Stop sucking at football.

As a side note, Coach Charlie “I looked at myself and saw a disaster” Weis, may want to get in contact with Quinn’s lawyers.  Not to appeal the jury verdict “You Are Fat” from his failed-gastric-bypass lawsuit, but to represent Jimmy Clausen.  If Clausen keeps taking pictures wearing a banana hammock and posing oil with two other guys, it will not be long until the gay rumors start flying.

yojoe Fight On!

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USC v. Ohio State: Early Predictions

USC will face Ohio State (without “the”) on 13SEPT08 at the newly expanded L.A. Coliseum.  SI.com predicts Ohio State’s defense will bring them a victory. 

In other SC news, the recently honored Matt Barkley explained that he does not plan to party as much as Matt Leinart. 

yojoe Fight On!

SEC Complaining About The BCS Before The Season Starts

Is the SEC already complaining about the BCS?  It looks like it,

Say Southern California goes 12-0. Say Florida, Auburn or Georgia finishes 11-2 with an SEC championship. Those teams’ schedules are much harsher then Ohio State’s slate. The conference in which they play is projected to be much tougher than the Big Ten.

So what then?

Does a voter take into consideration Ohio State’s previous title game meltdowns

Jonathan Lee Riches© Sues Venture Capitalist Vinod Khosla

Jonathan Lee Riches© (known as the JLR on Dreadnaught) the litigious inmate from Florida has reappeared in the news.  The JLR has sued venture capitalist Vinod Khosla of Khosla Ventures:

“Khosla’s fund invests in prison buildings. I’m suffering from no medical treatment. This is a conspiracy. Bhutto was killed on my birthday. I can’t see outside, this is unconstitutional. I seek $43 million.”

Khosla is just one of 12 defendants listed in the lawsuit, which seeks various amounts of money, ranging from $5 million to $99 million, from each defendant.

It is good to hear from the JLR again.  It has been too long.  Here are some of the JLR’s previous lawsuits: Michael Vick,

Former Trojan Mike Williams: Back To Form With The Tennessee Titans

Former USC Football star wide receiver Mike Williams left USC in 2005 to enter the NFL, and was the 10th pick in the draft that year.  To say he was highly touted is an understatement, with descriptions such as this: There may not be a better physical specimen in the entire draft.  Williams did not live up to the expectations.  Then last November the Tennessee Titans signed him.  Now, according to a recent story, Williams may be back.

Today, the 6-foot-5 Williams is down nearly 30 pounds to 242 from his weight in January. He opened eyes in practices open to media in May and June, which got the attention of his teammates. But when someone paid him a compliment on the last day of organized workouts, he had a matter-of-fact reply. Williams, more than anyone, knows he’s done nothing yet.

When Mike Williams played at USC he was listed at 6-5/230.  According to the story, he was up to 272.  Remember, he is a wide receiver to a center.

Many Thanks To Campus Clicks

Dreadnaught averages 400 – 500 page views per day.  It is astounding how this number can be improved by one link from a big-time blog.  Today  SI.com’s Campus Clicks linked to the post about Florida Gator Jeff Demps, the fastest player in college football.  In just a few short hours, this has resulted in over 2,000 page views.

Thank you Mallory Rubin.

yojoe out

USC Football: Linebacker Chris Galippo Undergoes Second Back Surgery

Chris Galippo, who had surgery in 2007 to repair a herniated disk, recently had another surgery on his back.  This latest surgery will likely keep him out for a portion of the 2008 season.

Galippo was projected to be the backup for Rey Maualuga at middle linebacker for the Trojans. 

The photo below is of Gilippo after receiving the MVP trophy at the 2007 Army Game.

Fastest Player In College Football: Florida Gator Jeff Demps

Previously on Dreadnaught, it was reported that Trindon Holliday of LSU was the fastest player in the history of college football.  He did not hold that title for long.  Holliday is no longer the fastest player in the SEC.

Jeff Demps from South Lake H.S. (FL) recently ran a 10.01 in the 100 meters.  Demps broke the high-school record, with was 10.08.  Demps is a member of the 2008 recruiting class – raked as the #4 athlete by Scouts, Inc. – and has signed with Florida.  Demps is a very versatile and the Gators may use him at running back, wide receiver, or cornerback.

It was a good run while it lasted LSU fan.

yojoe out

The Streak

What was happening in the 1970s?

yojoe out

USC Football: 20 Questions With Rey Maualuga

Did you ever wonder who is the favorite athlete of college football’s scariest defender, USC Trojan Ray Maualuga? SC Playbook has the answer to this and much more:

Favorite Professional Sports Team: I don’t really follow any sports teams, but I like to watch the New England Patriots and their success.

Favorite Athlete: Troy Polamalu

Favorite Music Artist/Group: I really like KC and JoJo.

Person You Admire Most: My mother.

Hobbies: It might sound weird but I like to go fishing.

USC Football: Pete Carroll And Trojans Tour Aircraft Carrier USS JOHN C. STENNIS

USS JOHN C. STENNIS (CVN-74) is a Nimitz-class nuclear-powered supercarrier.  The USC Trojans are and 11-Nation Title winning super-program.  At the helm of both is Coach Pete Carroll.  At least for a moment, Coach Carroll was at the helm of both.

Last month, Carroll joined fellow Trojans Steve Smith, Matt Leinart, Brad Budde, Ron Yary and Jeremy Hogue on a trip to the USS John C. Stennis. The crew of the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier got autographs and even played catch with the USC group.