imirish06
01/15/06, 02:27 PM
OL coach says agents 'pieces of garbage' with word Matua to leave for NFL
Updated: 4:58 a.m. ET Jan. 14, 2006
USC juniors Darnell Bing, Winston Justice and Fred Matua reportedly are expected to announce this weekend they will turn pro.
According to the Los Angeles Daily News, Justice and Matua are expected to announce Saturday they are turning pro; Bing, an All-American safety, is set to make his announcement Sunday.
Justice and Matua already hired agents, and Matua's departure especially angered USC coaches.
"It angers me," offensive line coach Pat Ruel told the Daily News. "His agents told him he's going the first day of the draft. That's what they told him. They are pieces of garbage."
The three players' departures would mean five underclassmen are leaving USC, including tailbacks Reggie Bush and LenDale White.
"It's a time for me to really just go on and see some other challenges in my life," Matua told the Los Angeles Times.
Matua is not expected to go in the first two rounds of the draft but told the Times his family's financial situation influenced his decision. Matua said his mother, Lemalie, has been battling breast cancer.
"I've got a whole bunch of brothers and sisters," Matua said. "My mother is sick and it's time for me to really kind of step up to the plate and really try to support those people now.
"A lot of people say, 'It's only a year. You could wait a year.' But my family doesn't have a year. My mother might not have a year. We're day to day."
The Trojans would need to replace three starters from what was regarded as one of the nation's best offensive lines. All-American guard Taitusi Lutui completed his eligibility and is a possible first-round pick.
© 2006 NBC Sports.com
Updated: 4:58 a.m. ET Jan. 14, 2006
USC juniors Darnell Bing, Winston Justice and Fred Matua reportedly are expected to announce this weekend they will turn pro.
According to the Los Angeles Daily News, Justice and Matua are expected to announce Saturday they are turning pro; Bing, an All-American safety, is set to make his announcement Sunday.
Justice and Matua already hired agents, and Matua's departure especially angered USC coaches.
"It angers me," offensive line coach Pat Ruel told the Daily News. "His agents told him he's going the first day of the draft. That's what they told him. They are pieces of garbage."
The three players' departures would mean five underclassmen are leaving USC, including tailbacks Reggie Bush and LenDale White.
"It's a time for me to really just go on and see some other challenges in my life," Matua told the Los Angeles Times.
Matua is not expected to go in the first two rounds of the draft but told the Times his family's financial situation influenced his decision. Matua said his mother, Lemalie, has been battling breast cancer.
"I've got a whole bunch of brothers and sisters," Matua said. "My mother is sick and it's time for me to really kind of step up to the plate and really try to support those people now.
"A lot of people say, 'It's only a year. You could wait a year.' But my family doesn't have a year. My mother might not have a year. We're day to day."
The Trojans would need to replace three starters from what was regarded as one of the nation's best offensive lines. All-American guard Taitusi Lutui completed his eligibility and is a possible first-round pick.
© 2006 NBC Sports.com