Was it just passing fancy?
Sam Darnold and USC were a popular College Football Playoff pick before the season, but inconsistency made for a long season culminating in a 24-7 shellacking by Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl.
Darnold chose not to throw in the recent NFL combine in Indianapolis. Now he throws a few spirals in the rain and he’s still a top pick for the draft?
Analytics have obviously not found a home in the NFL. Bob Munson
Newbury Park
I hate to “rain” on the Sam Darnold parade, but your article failed to focus on his 11 fumbles and 13 interceptions last year. Nothing but fawning over his abilities in a light rain, with no wind.
To be fair, these problems were nonexistent at his pro day, but there were no defensive players on the field to cause them. Christopher Armen
Calabasas
It’s madness
College basketball fans are wondering what has led to the rise of Loyola Chicago this season. Could it be the campus leadership? The coaches? The players?
The answer: Nun of the above. Doug Thomson
West Los Angeles
Many years ago I made a deal with the devil, with my soul as collateral: USC would concede basketball to the Bruins and in return UCLA would not give USC any significant fuss in football.
Over the years things have worked out splendidly. I must admit that this year I suffered qualms for a while with USC boasting as many as four high NBA draft choices and an early high AP ranking.
Fortunately, atrocious coaching and a puppet “slap on the back” athletic director ended all concerns.
The “Angel of Death” has moved on, no longer haunting my footsteps. Jim Edmondson
San Marino
I thank Chimezie Metu for his decision to return to USC and to forgo the NBA draft last year. But to not play in this year’s NIT because he feared an injury might hinder his NBA draft status is puzzling. Why, then, did he play at all this season? Judith Hunter
Valley Village
Just a note to let Tom Corvin know how much I enjoyed his article on the 1978 Cal State Fullerton basketball team. His selfdeprecating humor was entertaining, but also his perspective of being that close to the action is something we rarely get to hear. It was a window into a special moment in time and a reminder why the NCAA tournament is one of sports’ most memorable events. Ken Murray
Westlake Village
Good manners and suitable discretion probably dissuade most Times readers from commenting on Bill Plaschke’s pick of Virginia to win the NCAA tournament, let alone mention the paper’s decision to devote nearly three quarters of a page to his projected bracket.
On behalf of the minority prepared to publicly defend him, during this period of rampant free-agent signings, please lock him up before Sports Illustrated can nab The Jinx Golden Child. Konrad Moore
San Diego
Diamond stuff
I disagree with Dylan Hernandez’s position that the Dodgers are doing the wrong thing by leaving Dave Roberts “dangling” beyond the 2018 season without a contract. Though Roberts did an excellent job of getting the Dodgers to the World Series, he poorly managed Game 7 by keeping Yu Darvish in the game when he clearly didn’t have it.
Some of the best managers of this era have shown that when World Series is on the line you take no chances and make changes very quickly. Roberts used the “business as usual” approach and did not think quickly on his feet. Richard Orloff
San Diego
As he is wont to do, Bill Shaikin once again genuflected at the Dodger altar and — cue the harp music — sang the praises of Chase Utley.
Many descriptions of Utley were used, but he missed one — dirty. Two seasons ago he effectively ended the career of Ruben Tejada of the Mets with a slide so far out of bounds that they had to make a specific rule against it.
If the Dodgers never win another World Series, call it the Utley Curse. Peter Putrimas
Simi Valley
Keep shooting?
Just got done watching the Lakers lose to the Pelicans as Lonzo Ball shot one for 12 on three-pointers, including missing three wide-open threes in the last two minutes. At what point (one for 10?) do you think he wakes up and figures out that he’s costing his team a chance at winning games with his poor decision making? Matt Kingsbury
Simi Valley
Just for kicks
So the Galaxy now have an aging big-name soccer player. Great news, but isn’t the front page supposed to be reserved for the more important stories? Daniel Silver
Beverly Hills
The last thing L.A. sports or the country needs is another big-mouthed egomaniac.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s L.A. Times ad says: “Dear Los Angeles, You’re welcome.” Los Angeles responds: “You’re not.” Robert Huber
Yorba Linda
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