Buzzmaster

  (2:00 PM)

USC defensive end Lawrence Jackson will be here shortly. Send in those questions now!

Buzzmaster

  (2:04 PM)

Lawrence is here! Let's get started!

Dave (Los Angeles, CA)

Is being a USC football player a unique experience or do you think you would have had the same levels of success, enjoyment, etc. if you had played at another school?

Lawrence Jackson

  (2:05 PM)

I think it is special. But I think being a college athlete in a winning program would be the same on another campus would be the same for the general sense of excitement

Tony (Los Angeles, CA)

You've got to be the most intelligent D-Lineman to ever play the game. What are your aspirations away from the game of football?

Lawrence Jackson

  (2:06 PM)

Obviuosly, I want to do something for my community. Just buisnesses that help out the economically distressed areas, the lower income areas, to make sure the areas that I grew up in have the same opportunities as the more affluent areas.

jim, okland, CA

Hey Lawrence, Who do you think your toughest opponent will be this year, besides notre dame.

Lawrence Jackson

  (2:07 PM)

The Pac-10 is always tough. If people said that our two out of conference games are going to be tough. Playing Nebraska will be difficult, but not to discount the competition in the Pac-10 at all.

John (LA, CA)

Lawrence, Fight on! What do you think of Marshawn Lynch of Cal? Can you stop him?

Lawrence Jackson

  (2:08 PM)

I think he's an outstanding player and deserving of the recognition he's been getting. He has everything, speed, strength, size. It's going to take a team effort to stop him - D-line, linebackers and secondary all doing their jobs.

Mike (Charlotte nC)

How good can Booty be this year? Will he be like Leinart and be able to step in after a few years to learn the system and be highly productive?

Lawrence Jackson

  (2:09 PM)

Definitely. He's a smart QB. He's really confident and a natural leader. He makes guys want to play for him. He makes excellent decisions and he welcomes the pressure.

Adam (New Jersey)

What was it like playing with guys like Leinart and Bush?

Lawrence Jackson

  (2:10 PM)

On one hand, praciticing against those guys gave our defense and young players great opportunities, those are probably the best guys we'll face. Dealing with them and the media became the norm. People were always out here talking about them.

Brian (Los Angeles, CA)

How has the addition of Nick Holt as the defensive coordinator changed the dynamic of the USC Defense?

Lawrence Jackson

  (2:11 PM)

It hasn't changed it at all. He was here during the rebuilding of the program. He's aware of what our program's about. There's really not much change at all.

Thomas, NYC

If you had a pick another career besides the NFL, what would it be and why?

Lawrence Jackson

  (2:12 PM)

I would say something dealing with marketing. I feel at times I can be a very good communicator. I have excellent ideas. Something along the lines of business would be on the top of my list.

Andrew (WI)

Did you get to ever face off with Winston Justice in practice and do you think that he should have gotten drafted higher?

Lawrence Jackson

  (2:12 PM)

Yeah, I went against Winston my entire freshman year when I was redshirting. Winston, for whatever reason, fell to the second round, but he's definitely first round talent.

johnny (san francisco, ca)

fight on lawrence...how do you think the defense has improved from last year?

Lawrence Jackson

  (2:13 PM)

Experience might be the No. 1 thing. The guys know more and the more you know the faster you play. You don't think, you just go. Our defensive speed has improved. We have some guys that are really athletic at some key positions that are going to really help us.

Mike P Hebron,Ct

Out of all the college quearterbacks you have played against, who is the best you've ever seen?

Lawrence Jackson

  (2:14 PM)

It definitely has to be Vince Young, because he can pass and run the ball, so you have to be alert on defense. As far as passing quarterback, I have to say Sam Keller or Brady Quinn.

James, Chicago

Do you think you have a shot at getting 20 sacks this season?

Lawrence Jackson

  (2:15 PM)

I would have to say that, seeing guys before me, Terrell Suggs, having gotten around that number, I see that it's not impossible. But if you play to that goal, then you lose focus on what's important. I'm just focused on playing every down with equal importance.

Jeff (Iowa)

How heartbreaking was the Texas game last year? Have you ever had a worse feeling on the football field?

Lawrence Jackson

  (2:17 PM)

The funny thing is that it wasn't a championship game, it was a playoff game in high school and there was a great quarterback like Vince Young. It had a similar feeling. But to lose on the big stage. A loss like that just makes you wonder what could have been if you would have won.

Justin Inglewood, CA

hey LJ i'm a fellow trojan and inglewood resident! I just wanted to know how you think the new 3-4 formation may affect your production, positively?

Lawrence Jackson

  (2:18 PM)

I don't think it will affect any production. I'm going to be in the same situation that I was before. Certain plays are designed for certain players. When I have my opportunities, I have to not let them pass me by.

David Hatch

With all the attention that a notre dame or Ohio st is recieving does this make it a little easier to play without all the pressure

Lawrence Jackson

  (2:20 PM)

Not really. We never as a team, there was never a feeling of pressure. We know that the preseason rankings don't really mean anything. It's just speculation. You have to go out there and play games. It all matters about what your record is in December.

greg (Pa)

did you get to play with trop polamalu and what was he like?

Lawrence Jackson

  (2:21 PM)

I wasn't on the team. I was a senior in high school. But watching the games from the stands, he was around the ball 20 plays consecutively. So what he's doing now doesn't surprise anyone, he's been doing it his entire career.

7th Grader (Seattle DAWG!!!)

what do you think of dwayne Jarrett's Heisman chances?

Lawrence Jackson

  (2:22 PM)

Just historically, seeing it go to QBs and RBs is a big issue. But it goes to the player that exemplifies what the Heisman means. If he does that on the field, he can win. But just like anything, he has to take it one game at a time.

Charlie (Chicago)

Is Pete Carroll great or what?

Lawrence Jackson

  (2:23 PM)

I don't know what any other college coach is on the practice field, but I can't imagine them being as fun or energetic on the field. One minute he's here, one minute he's in the huddle. You have to have the sense that he's a great person. Great energy as well as a great coach.

JKlipp (Milwaukee, WI)

With USC on a supposed "down" year, I'm sure the bulletin boards in the locker room are full... What's your favorite disparaging quote you've read about this years team so far?

Lawrence Jackson

  (2:24 PM)

The funny thing is that we've not had any bulletin board postings. But the various stuff that you hear, the run is over; you won't win the Pac-10. You hear all kinds of stuff like that. You don't take any offense in it. You never know what will happen. You can either win or not win every game. We just play our best and take what happens.

Pops (Atlanta, GA)

What are your thoughts on the new BCS structure with the +1 game?

Lawrence Jackson

  (2:25 PM)

I haven't even checked it out. I'm not familiar with it at all.

bp from LA

how concerned are you with some of the strong running teams in the pac-10, namely cal and oregon state, and do you feel you have a good gameplan to neutralize some of their great running backs?

Lawrence Jackson

  (2:26 PM)

Again, we're players. The coaches, they work year round to gameplan and do their best ability to get a scheme or package to stop teams. We believe in the defense and that's what really makes it work.

Augusta, GA

I'm one of few USC Trojans fans here Augusta. Being a SEC town, it's not easy. What do you think USC chances of advancing to a BCS or a National Championship game. Thanks, Mike

Lawrence Jackson

  (2:27 PM)

Our No. 1 goal as a team is to win the Pac-10. If you do that you go to the Rose Bowl. Our goal is always that. If they want to send us somewhere else, that's fine.

Rishi (USC campus, CA)

Do we know who will start the first game at RB yet?

Lawrence Jackson

  (2:28 PM)

No, we don't know. It's something that's a competition. It will go on until mid next week. As players, we haven't been alerted to any decisions.

Lawrence Jackson

  (2:28 PM)

Stay tuned. We've been working hard in the offseason. We're anxious to get on the field Keep supporting us.

Buzzmaster

  (2:29 PM)

Our thanks to Lawrence for joining us!