Welcome to “The 4|4 with Peter Sirmon”, the USC Edition. Every week throughout the remainder of the college football season, visitors to DuckSportsNews.com ask Peter four questions and he answers them.
If you would like to ask Peter a question for next week’s edition, leave it in the comment section or send Peter an email. Questions sent within the last twenty-four hours will be answered in next weeks edition.
Here’s this week’s “The 4|4 with Peter Sirmon”.
1. Peter, you’ve played for two pretty good coaches in Oregon’s Mike Bellotti and the Titans’ Jeff Fischer. And Oregon is going up against USC this week, coach by a former NFL coach. What’s the difference between a good college coach and a good NFL coach?
- Bruce, Eugene
Peter: I think there are far more similarities than differences in good coaches. One of the biggest requirements is that college coaches must portray that the “game” is still a game. At the pro level all the players realize that it is a business and that is the way decisions are made. Also, I don’t think some of the college coaches have the same mentality as the pro coaches. I really feel that the good college coaches make the players feel like they are appreciated, respected, and truly cared for. A good NFL coach doesn’t always have to employ those same mental games. NFL coaches are dealing with older and more mature men who don’t need to be built up as often or as much.
2. #44, what should fans look for on the field Saturday as USC tries to stop Oregon’s spread offense?
- Matt, Bend
Peter: What I am going to be looking for is how the Trojans are going to attack Oregon’s offense. Will they choose the aggressive or passive approach? I would bet that that USC chooses the aggressive approach and comes after Oregon early and often. Few teams have the speed and size that USC possesses. USC will match up well in all the separate one on one match ups that a spread offense presents. The best way to stop an offense is to nullify the QB. So look for the USC coaches to send a lot of players at Dennis Dixon early in the game to rattle him and try to persuade him from holding on to the football.
3. Are there any stadiums in the NFL that can match Autzen’s noise level?
- McKenzie, Santa Monica, CA
Peter: I have never played in a stadium that was as loud as Autzen. The pro stadiums aren’t built to be intimidating or loud. The loudest stadium in the NFL right now is the Indianapolis Colts. It’s one of the few last dome stadiums and just like the old King Dome it keeps all the sound in.
4. Are you back in Walla Walla?
- Tom, Portland
Peter: My family and I have decided to stay in Nashville. Since retiring from the Titans I have started a career in Real Estate and also stay busy doing pre-game and post game analysis for Titans Radio. The last thing I do on Sundays is a TV show where I serve in the role as an analyst, breaking down the most recent game and doing a spot called “Peter’s Chalk Talk.”
Thanks for the questions. We’ll see you next week for the ASU edition.