Carroll keeping L.A. ties
Seattle Seahawks coach Pete Carroll had waited 12 years for his return to the professional ranks.
But while Carroll, who served as the USC coach from 2001-2009, is hoping to reshape his NFL image in Seattle after going 33-31 in six seasons with the Jets and Patriots, he has also sought to maintain his ties with USC and the Los Angeles communities during his first year at his new gig in the Emerald City.
Fighting on · Even while working for the Seahawks, Carroll has maintained his work with his community outreach program, A Better LA, which he founded while at USC in 2003. - Tim Tran | Daily Trojan
Most notably, Carroll has continued his work with his nonprofit organization, A Better LA, which he founded in 2003.
“It’s a great program,” Carroll said. “It has been for years and years and it always will be. We have really always cherished the support from our fans and students.”
Carroll, as well as other community leaders, originally formed A Better LA in an effort to combat prevalent gang violence within the Los Angeles area.
Yet, despite moving 1,400 miles up the Interstate 5 to Seattle, Carroll has vowed to keep his program alive and well.
“The leadership is very strong,” Carroll said. “It’s a very challenging time, of course, and we need the help to keep this thing going, but it has received a ton of support from the university community. That, along, with individuals and their big commitment and tremendous need, kept us together and working successfully.”
In an effort to combat the change in locale, Carroll has relied on the support of USC Athletic Director Pat Haden, among other local figures, in an effort to promote his mission: scaling back violent crime to promote safer neighborhoods throughout the Southland.
“We’re creating a model of how you can successfully dwindle community violence with a minimal amount of funds and money backing it up,” Carroll said. “We can get a community to be a safer area where kids can come from their schools and back and forth, feel more comfortable and enjoy being in their community.”
The genesis for Carroll’s effort to reduce inner-city violence in Los Angeles came in 2003 after tragedy struck near the USC campus, on Figueroa Street. As Carroll remembers it, he stumbled upon a police report detailing the deaths of 11 teenagers in a span of just a few days. It did not sit right with the Trojans’ headman.
“It just stuck with me,” Carroll said recounting the incident. “I had to see if I could something about helping the situation, making the streets a safer place to live. We had to put something together.”
In the weeks that followed, Carroll looked to do as much, working alongside Lou and Diane Tice, co-founders of The Pacific Institute, an educational program, to launch A Better LA in an attempt to reduce violence in the communities surrounding USC.
Carroll and the Tices reached out to other inner-city groups, namely Common Unity Reaching Everyone, a program focused on scaling back gang violence in West Athens, one of the more violent gang territories.
Thus far, Carroll has been more than pleased with the progress.
“We found the ability to see people come together,” Carroll said. “We’ve only been a part of it. I have never come out and said, ‘We have done this on our own.’ We have been in the middle of this great surge that has really changed the landscape of the number of violent crimes and murders in this area.”
And they haven’t halted events since Carroll’s departure.
Recently, A Better LA and the Trojan Knights co-hosted a field trip to bring students from CURE to the USC-Long Beach State baseball game Tuesday.
In using Los Angeles as a model, the 59-year-old coach hopes to bring similar programs to other cities in the country, including Seattle.
“That’s in the works right now,” Carroll said. “I don’t think there’s any reason to think otherwise. We have already seen the diligent and work of the outreach program. We’re certain we can do that in other places, as well as L.A.”
But at a time when Carroll has changed jobs and the majority of USC fans are preoccupied with the problems plaguing their own athletic program — namely NCAA sanctions and a declining on-field product — momentum for the former coach’s community outreach program has slowed since its height in 2008, when it was profiled by the Emmy-award winning television program 60 Minutes.
Carroll nonetheless urges fans to stick with not only A Better LA, but the football program as well.
“We need them again,” Carroll said. “We need them again this year to stay with the program, as we get it right and get back on top of stuff. It’s easy to support when you’re winning. This is still the time for everybody to rally, go to the games, have fun, watch spring practice, do everything you can to support it and make the experience what it can be.”
This was an excellent draft for several reasons. Schneider and Carroll had a great draft in their first year, and look to expand on their success. This year, the emphasis was on offensive line, linebacker, receiver, and defensive back, all areas where GM John Schneider has had success with prospects such as Donald Driver, Mark Tauscher, Scott Wells, Sam Shields, and Clay Matthews.
James Carpenter- Alabama- B+
Carpenter is a great addition, but the Seahawks attempted to trade down and select him 4-5 picks later, the Packers were reportedly very interested in him.
John Moffitt- Wisconsin- A
The Seahawks traded down and selected him, they stayed true to their draft board and fortified the right side of the offensive line.
In Carpenter and Moffitt, the Seahawks picked up two large, brutish, bruising, mean, nasty, physical,tough, durable lineman to stabilize their O-Line. Between Okung, Gibson, Unger, Moffitt, and Carpenter, the Seahawks should have a great offensive line for the future with Spencer, Ray Willis, and possibly Stacy Andrews providing depth.
K.J Wright- Mississippi State- B+
Wright will be a great pass rusher, but Outside Linebacker is not a glaring need. However, drafting him also enables the Seahawks to allow Aaron Curry to play more naturally in Nickel packages.
The Seahawks also drafted K.J Wright, a speedy linebacker with great coverage and blitzing skills, and no glaring negatives to his game. The only reason he dropped was for taking poor angles and playing a little high at times. He projects to be an excellent pass rusher in the Seahawk’s Nickel package and also a great linebacker in coverage. He has potential to develop into an Elvis Dumervil type Strong Side linebacker, as he has similar intangibles and weighs three more pounds than Dumervil, but also had a better shuttle and 40 time.
Kris Durham- Georgia- B
Durham, a receiver, looks to potentially start across from Mike Williams, and has huge upside potential. However, the Seahawks most likely drafted him a little too early.
Durham was overshadowed by top NFL Draft prospect A.J Green for much of the season. However, when A.J Green was suspended for the first four games, Durham had the most productive stretch of his career. At 6-5, 216 pounds with a 4.46 yard dash. His biggest weakness is his burst off the line of scrimmage, but he has high potential to develop into a possession receiver guy who can line up as a slot receiver, run slant patterns with his large, physical frame. He could be a surprisingly productive edition to the Hawk’s receiving corps in 2011.
Richard Sherman- Stanford A-
Sherman is a speedy, athletic corner with a tall build that is good at tracking and covering receivers, but needs to work on tracking the ball. However, Sherman can improve on this and has immense potential as he only has one season of experience playing at corner. The Seahawks had an outstanding amount of success with their bandit packages until their secondary was hit by a plethora of injuries, and Sherman also looks to provide depth. At 6-2, he has great height and looks to be a nickel back, with potential to supplant Marcus Trufant as starter.
Mark Legree- Appalachian State- A+
Legree led the country in interceptions with 22, and is a ball hawk with great instincts and (obviously) ball location. He had an excellent short shuttle of 4.09, a great 3 cone time of 6.09 and 22 bench press reps, which is great for a safety. He is excellent against the run, and if he can be half as good against the pass in the NFL, he will be an excellent safety. However, the Seahawks already have an excellent free safety in Earl Thomas, and if Legree fulfills his potential, he may be able to supplant Thomas, with Thomas moving to Cornerback. In 2011, Legree looks to start at strong safety and be a Bob Sanders type player. Legree went under the radar a bit, and wasn’t even invited to the combine, with numbers coming from his pro day. He has been praised by Mike Mayock among other “experts.” The Seahawks might have found themselves a steal in the Appalachian State alumni. Best pick the Seahawks had all day.
Byron Maxwell- Clemson- B+
Maxwell is another tall Cornerback with a good build. He plays physically, and is a great tackler. He is a great zone defender, with 33.5 inch arms. He reads and reacts well, but is only an average man-to man Corner. He had 26 bench press reps, a great number for a Corner Back. However, his college production was not excellent, but the intangibles are great. However, if he improves his man coverage, he is also a potential starter. The Seahawks had an outstanding amount of success with their bandit packages until their secondary was hit by a plethora of injuries, and Maxwell also looks to provide solid depth. In 2011, he looks to play in dime and bandit packages.
Lazarius Levington- LSU- B
A large defensive lineman who can play end or tackle, but looks to play end in the NFL, Lazarius Levington is a large, wide-bodied lineman who carries his weight well. He has a great first step and changes direction well. He holds a point well, and is a solid run defender, but needs to become more instinctive to transition this to the pros. Levington doesn’t offer much in terms of a pass rush. He looks to offer the Seahawks depth for Brandon Mebane, Colin Cole, and Red Bryant. If he can improve his instincts, he can eventually develop into a starter. In 2011, he looks to be a solid backup and rotational end on rushing downs.
Malcolm Smith- USC- B
In Smith, the Seahawks got an athletic freak of an Outside Linebacker. With a 39″ vertical, 4.4 40 time, 7.08 3-Cone time, and 28 bench reps, Smith has all the tools for the next level. Smith has good instincts, but lacks physicality and isn’t great at pursuing. However, he is speedy and good at dropping into coverage. He does a great job of covering tight ends and receivers. In 2011, he looks to contribute on special teams and occasionally rotate in at Weakside Linebacker.
Overall Seahawks draft grade- A
The Seahawks have completely rebuilt their Offensive Line and Secondary the past two years. John Schneider and Pete Carroll look to continue their success with another seemingly great draft.
This was an excellent draft for several reasons. Schneider and Carroll had a great draft in their first year, and look to expand on their success. This year, the emphasis was on offensive line, linebacker, receiver, and defensive back, all areas where GM John Schneider has had success with prospects such as Donald Driver, Mark Tauscher, Scott Wells, Sam Shields, and Clay Matthews.
James Carpenter- Alabama- B+
Carpenter is a great addition, but the Seahawks attempted to trade down and select him 4-5 picks later, the Packers were reportedly very interested in him.
John Moffitt- Wisconsin- A
The Seahawks traded down and selected him, they stayed true to their draft board and fortified the right side of the offensive line.
In Carpenter and Moffitt, the Seahawks picked up two large, brutish, bruising, mean, nasty, physical,tough, durable lineman to stabilize their O-Line. Between Okung, Gibson, Unger, Moffitt, and Carpenter, the Seahawks should have a great offensive line for the future with Spencer, Ray Willis, and possibly Stacy Andrews providing depth.
K.J Wright- Mississippi State- B+
Wright will be a great pass rusher, but Outside Linebacker is not a glaring need. However, drafting him also enables the Seahawks to allow Aaron Curry to play more naturally in Nickel packages.
The Seahawks also drafted K.J Wright, a speedy linebacker with great coverage and blitzing skills, and no glaring negatives to his game. The only reason he dropped was for taking poor angles and playing a little high at times. He projects to be an excellent pass rusher in the Seahawk’s Nickel package and also a great linebacker in coverage. He has potential to develop into an Elvis Dumervil type Strong Side linebacker, as he has similar intangibles and weighs three more pounds than Dumervil, but also had a better shuttle and 40 time.
Kris Durham- Georgia- B
Durham, a receiver, looks to potentially start across from Mike Williams, and has huge upside potential. However, the Seahawks most likely drafted him a little too early.
Durham was overshadowed by top NFL Draft prospect A.J Green for much of the season. However, when A.J Green was suspended for the first four games, Durham had the most productive stretch of his career. At 6-5, 216 pounds with a 4.46 yard dash. His biggest weakness is his burst off the line of scrimmage, but he has high potential to develop into a possession receiver guy who can line up as a slot receiver, run slant patterns with his large, physical frame. He could be a surprisingly productive edition to the Hawk’s receiving corps in 2011.
Richard Sherman- Stanford A-
Sherman is a speedy, athletic corner with a tall build that is good at tracking and covering receivers, but needs to work on tracking the ball. However, Sherman can improve on this and has immense potential as he only has one season of experience playing at corner. The Seahawks had an outstanding amount of success with their bandit packages until their secondary was hit by a plethora of injuries, and Sherman also looks to provide depth. At 6-2, he has great height and looks to be a nickel back, with potential to supplant Marcus Trufant as starter.
Mark Legree- Appalachian State- A+
Legree led the country in interceptions with 22, and is a ball hawk with great instincts and (obviously) ball location. He had an excellent short shuttle of 4.09, a great 3 cone time of 6.09 and 22 bench press reps, which is great for a safety. He is excellent against the run, and if he can be half as good against the pass in the NFL, he will be an excellent safety. However, the Seahawks already have an excellent free safety in Earl Thomas, and if Legree fulfills his potential, he may be able to supplant Thomas, with Thomas moving to Cornerback. In 2011, Legree looks to start at strong safety and be a Bob Sanders type player. Legree went under the radar a bit, and wasn’t even invited to the combine, with numbers coming from his pro day. He has been praised by Mike Mayock among other “experts.” The Seahawks might have found themselves a steal in the Appalachian State alumni. Best pick the Seahawks had all day.
Byron Maxwell- Clemson- B+
Maxwell is another tall Cornerback with a good build. He plays physically, and is a great tackler. He is a great zone defender, with 33.5 inch arms. He reads and reacts well, but is only an average man-to man Corner. He had 26 bench press reps, a great number for a Corner Back. However, his college production was not excellent, but the intangibles are great. However, if he improves his man coverage, he is also a potential starter. The Seahawks had an outstanding amount of success with their bandit packages until their secondary was hit by a plethora of injuries, and Maxwell also looks to provide solid depth. In 2011, he looks to play in dime and bandit packages.
Lazarius Levington- LSU- B
A large defensive lineman who can play end or tackle, but looks to play end in the NFL, Lazarius Levington is a large, wide-bodied lineman who carries his weight well. He has a great first step and changes direction well. He holds a point well, and is a solid run defender, but needs to become more instinctive to transition this to the pros. Levington doesn’t offer much in terms of a pass rush. He looks to offer the Seahawks depth for Brandon Mebane, Colin Cole, and Red Bryant. If he can improve his instincts, he can eventually develop into a starter. In 2011, he looks to be a solid backup and rotational end on rushing downs.
Malcolm Smith- USC- B
In Smith, the Seahawks got an athletic freak of an Outside Linebacker. With a 39″ vertical, 4.4 40 time, 7.08 3-Cone time, and 28 bench reps, Smith has all the tools for the next level. Smith has good instincts, but lacks physicality and isn’t great at pursuing. However, he is speedy and good at dropping into coverage. He does a great job of covering tight ends and receivers. In 2011, he looks to contribute on special teams and occasionally rotate in at Weakside Linebacker.
Overall Seahawks draft grade- A
The Seahawks have completely rebuilt their Offensive Line and Secondary the past two years. John Schneider and Pete Carroll look to continue their success with another seemingly great draft.
Just stumbled onto this over at fetchheadlines.com. I’m glad to see that Carroll’s keeping involved with this program…it’s a force for good in a deeply troubled city.