Pete Carroll's Diamond In the Rough

Pete Carroll has a crowded backfield, but C.J. Gable will be the running back that will be the real star of the crowded bunch. He does not have the savvy and elusiveness of his fellow teammate Joe McKnight, but he will be as valuable or even more to the Trojans for this upcoming season.

By Matthew Melon

Pete Carroll and the USC Trojans will have a force in the backfield that will push them over the top. No, I’m not talking about highly touted running back from the 2007 recruiting class Joe McKnight. I’m talking about C.J. Gable who has been riddled with injuries, but his 2006 stint had him amassing 534 yards on the ground as a freshman.

Being recruited as an Athlete, Gable showed strength, vision, and nimble feet in 2006. Mind you, Gable does not have the breakaway speed of McKnight or C.J. Spiller from Clemson, but he can get those much needed tough yards. Gable probably would time a 4.5 in the 40 yard dash, but he provides you with a back that can pass block, run and catch passes out of the backfield. In 2007, Gable went down with an abdominal injury that sidelined him for the entire season. However, he is back and ready to battle for his spot among the other tailbacks that Carroll has stockpiled in Los Angeles.

The only question is whether he can stay healthy. It was noted that he injured his hip in one of USC’s practices. However, coming out of the USC camp was that he was going to be ready for their season opener against Virginia. If Gable is healthy, I can see him providing that much needed toughness and production for the Trojans. With McKnight taking tosses out of the backfield in space allowing him to show his speed, and having Gable do the tough, gritty work in-between the tackles will provide Carroll with a one-two punch in the backfield. Not to mention, it will take pressure off Mark Sanchez who will follow in a line of great quarterbacks at Southern California.

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Pete Carroll’s Diamond in the Rough, 9/2/08