At the beginning of this season, many people professed the USC Trojan’s as the best defensive team that Coach Carroll has produced since his dynasty began 7 years ago. They said that John David Booty could be the next Carson Palmer or Matt Leinart. And most of all most sports writers and fans were writing them to play LSU in the BCS Championship game. Well after Saturday’s loss against the Stanford Cardinals those bold predictions may have feel in the same direction as the Trojans National Championship hopes…directly in trash.

It may be argued that last nights game was a toss up and the Trojans had it in the bag until the Cardinals got lucky with their last minute touchdown to put them up by one. However, looking back how the Trojans lost that game may be an insight to any future opponent that they face for the remainder of the season. In fact, their second half performance may have shown the true character of this “National Championship” team.

1^st John David Booty Reacts Poor to Pressure. The true character of a contending team is how a team can face adversity in the most pressure situation. When USC was up against the ropes Booty forced throw after throw, which eventually led to 3 second half interceptions that cost his team the game. Hopefully last night was a fluke, but the way Booty has performed against UCLA last year and then against Stanford last night. It may be a sign that he is not a Championship caliber QB that has the skills to lead his team down the stretch.

2^nd “The Best USC Defense Ever” Gave Up 24 Second Half Points to a Hapless Stanford Offense. Remember this Stanford team has lost in embarrassing fashion to UCLA as the beginning of the season and to Oregon and Arizona St. In fact, the Cardinal offense had been flat out humiliated in each of those losses. However, after last nights second half performance Stanford made the Trojan defense look like the scout team how they man handled them up and down the field.

3^rd USC Choked at Home. As previously mentioned it was not like Stanford was Cal or a LSU team that could match the Trojans man for man talent wise. This team was 1-3 going into last night’s game and the only loss of the season came against a bottom of the conference San Jose St. team. The way the Trojans struggled in their own house has to make me second guess the power and caliber of this USC team. Not only did they not show any fortitude when faced with adversity but also they flat out got out played in their own house.

It seems like yesterday that the commissioner announced JaMarcus Russell as the first pick of this year’s draft, and only a few hours ago ESPN was making a big hubbub about the Michael Strahan saga in New York. Incredibly enough the 2007 NFL season is already 25% complete. Where has the time gone?

Over the course of the first 4 weeks of the season there have been plenty surprises and disappointments. First, you have Brett Favre who only 6 months ago was a phone call away from saying good bye to the Packer faithful and enter retirement. However, over the last 4 weeks, Favre has suddenly turned back the table of time and is showing the same type of leadership and NFL greatness that lead the Packers to a Super Bowl championship in the late 90’s. Now on the other hand, you have the San Diego Chargers who in a lack of better words have completely sucked, plain and simple.

Clearly, there will be plenty of discussion to debate who has been the greatest disappointment up to this point in the season, we can leave that for another blog. However, I would like to focus on the player who I believe is the NFL MVP of the first quarter of the season. For some they may say that Tom Brady has been playing better than ever, or Peyton Manning is continuing this season without missing a beat since the Super Bowl. To most people this may be a shock, but I believe Randy Moss is far and wide the best player in the NFL. Not only is he the best, he is the most valuable and crucial component to any teams roster at this point in the season.

If you look at the numbers Moss has put up since the first week of the season, they are almost unbelievable. Through 4 games, Moss is on pace to shatter almost every single season receiving record and if he continues at the same rate he is right now, he may contend for the all-time single season touchdown record established by LaDanian Tomlinson.

Setting statistics aside, I believe Moss is hands down the most valuable player in the league based upon the way he is single handedly changing defensive schemes. Each team the Patriots have faced thus far, have had almost no ability to effectively rush Tom Brady, and they have done nothing to stop the offense from scoring. Some of that success can be attributed to Brady’s ability to manage the game and the play calling from the offensive coordinator. However, if you look at the way teams have had play conservative D because of Moss, it is hard to argue the value he has provided to his team so far.

To be continued….

When evaluating a wide receiver or running back, Division I and NFL coaches always look at a players hips and how they use them when exploding out of breaks. In fact, it is your hips that provide 80-90% of your explosive power. Being such a critical muscle it is important to take 10-15 minutes of your daily workout routine to strengthen and enhance your hip muscles. One exercise tool I like to use to work on that part of my body is a training band.

The training band device, although small and lightweight can do more to develop your hip muscles than any free-weight or machine. They usually cost $50-60, and vary in the amount of resistance they can provide. To view what one looks like, you can visit www.touchdownskills.com and click on the following link http://www.touchdownskills.com/products/trainingbands.html.

Since I am a true believer in the positive benefits a training band can provide to enhance your explosive power I would like to share a simple workout that anybody can do at home or in the gym.

The Side Shuffle – Side aside an area 10-15 yards in distance. Start at one end facing the nearest wall with the training band wrapped around your ankles. Next, separate your feet to where they are at least shoulder width apart and then bend your knees until you are in an athletic squat position. Make sure not to lean over or bend your back. Keep facing forward with your head up and looking straight ahead, and begin a SLOW MOTION shuffle. The key to this drill is to not have your feet narrow more than shoulder width while at the same time shuffling in a SLOW MOTION pace. It should take you 20-45 seconds to go the entire 10-15 yards. Once you get to the other side, take a 45 second break.

This time facing the same direction, assume the same shuffle position once again. Focus on keeping your butt down while maintaining a straight back. Begin the shuffle, but going back to where you started. Go SLOW and do not bring your feet closer than shoulder width. You should feel a deep burn in your hips if you are doing proper technique. Once you have completed both directions repeat 1 or 2 more times.

I promise if you implement this simple workout at least 2-3 times per week, you will see a dramatic increase in your ability to break off routes, change direction and cut with the ball. Most importantly you will begin to notice an increase in explosive power that will get you noticed by coaches and players for years to come.