Wednesday January7,2 4 sports.michigandaily.com sports@michigandaily.com Oe RTSigan Btilp 9 . . . ...... . ... .... --- Jackson set to return next season at corner Trojan march to glory has makings of dynasty EEdwards still making decision, needs to discuss more with family By J. Brady McCollough Daily Sports Editor Even after all that has transpired this season - pleading guilty to aggravated assault, moving to safety from his natu- ral position of cornerback and sitting out three games with a leg injury - Marlin Jackson doesn't plan on going anywhere. Jackson has decided to finish his career at Michigan and get his degree, putting an NFL career on hold for another year, according to Jim Wild- man, Jackson's high school football coach in Sharon, Pa. "We spoke at length Saturday evening, and his first reason (for com- ing back) was a greater opportunity to get his degree," said Wildman, with whose family Jackson has lived since he was a high school senior. "His sec- ond reason was that he still feels he has some unfinished business to accom- plish both from an individual and a team standpoint. He believes there is a strong nucleus returning." But will Braylon Edwards be a part of that nucleus? Edwards told The Michigan Daily last night that he is still "on the fence" and needs to talk to his family more before making a decision. It would be gutsy for Edwards, a first- team All-Big Ten wide receiver, to declare for the 2004 NFL Draft, which is packed full of talented receivers. Still, ESPN draft guru Mel Kiper has said that if Edwards declares, he'll likely be a late first-round or early second-round pick. "Marlin coming back, that helps, because it means the defense will be better," said Edwards, who must declare for the draft by Jan. 15. "But I still have to make a decision that is best for myself." Moments after the Rose Bowl, Jack- son's tone was similar to that of Edwards last night. Jackson, a junior, told the Daily that, "If I'm back here, I'll be at corner." A first-team All-American at corner- back his sophomore season, Jackson spent this season out of position at safe- ty, picking up 50 tackles and two inter- ceptions. His frustrating and physically draining season hasn't stolen his swag- ger, though. Jackson referred to himself as "the best corner in the country" after the Rose Bowl. Wildman said that Jackson met with Michigan coach Lloyd Carr about switching back to cornerback before the team left its perch in Southern California. "I believe he was told that when he came back, he would move back to cor- ner, and he's going to meet with coach Carr later in the week," Wildman said. CURTIS HILLER/Daily Junior Marlin Jackson will return to his original position of cornerback next year. "He did what he was asked to do (by moving to safety), and now it's his turn." Jackson's return to the fold will pro- vide a huge boost for the defense, which struggled against the pass with Jackson at safety. In each of the season- ending games against Ohio State and Southern Cal., Michigan gave up more than 300 yards passing. Jackson and Markus Curry will likely start at cor- nerback next year, giving the younger Leon Hall more time to develop. "(Jackson has) paid his dues in a number of ways," Wildman said. "The fact that he lived with a cloud over his head for the past six months relative to the incident in June, the move to safety, the injury. There was a much better way to exit the Michigan program than what he did this year." KYLE O'NEILL The Daily Janitor ometime in between the flyover from the Air Force out of Lang- ley, Va., and Keary Colbert's second touchdown for Southern Cal., I realized I was witnessing something special. Right before my eyes was the mira- cle of birth: the conception of a dynasty. It was almost fitting that John Williams, composer of the "Imperial March" from "Star Wars" (which is also associated with the evil empire known as the New York Yankees), was the Grand Marshal for the Trojans' breakout party. In fact, if anyone can take the Trojans' "War Chant" and turn it into a grand concerto master- piece of an opus, it's Williams. Not to say that Duh-daaaa ... da-da-da-da- da-da-da duh-daaaa isn't musical genius at work, but it becomes more annoying long before it strikes fear and hatred into opponents. Luckily for Southern Cal., the melodic portion of this dynasty is its biggest concern. Its team next year is stacked, suc- cessful ... and young, which is formu- laic of the beginnings of a dynasty. Colbert leaves, but that hardly puts a chink into quarterback Matt Leinart's arsenal. Sophomore running back Hershel Dennis (661 yards in 2003) and freshman backs LenDale White (754) and Reggie Bush (521) are all back next year. Then there's that Mike Williams kid, who would have been the best receiver in college football had it not been for the other sophomore sensa- tion known to Mel Kiper and the rest of the salivating NFL scouts as Larry Fitzgerald. While his down-field blocking is not to the level of a Roy Williams out of Texas, Mike is still the biggest playmaker west of Pitts- burgh. Steve Smith, a freshman this season who was the No. I high school wide- out in 2002 according to many publi- cations, will most likely take up the No. 2 spot in the receiving core. His 17 receptions for 319 yards and two touchdowns during limited playing time would seem to prove he's at least earned a chance to make his mark in 2004. The defense loses cornerback Will Poole, but returns its top three sack leaders. After watching the Rose Bowl, the Trojans proved they don't need big playmakers in the secondary as long as the quarterback is being pressured into bad throws or is set down nicely on the turf. Head coach Pete Carroll and offen- sive coordinator Norm Chow are per- fect examples of coaches you love to hate (e.g. Joe Torre) and are great per- sonalities - Chow is rarely ever seen, and Carroll looks as if he could sit on a cactus and be comfortable. Aside from their personalities, it's their coaching that makes them tops in the game. Carroll, a former head coach for the New England Patriots and New York Jets, is one of the most underrated defensive coaches in the nation, if only because he plays in a conference that gives up points and gives up a lot of them. He proved against Michigan, that when push came to shove he would have not the most physical defense, but the most prepared defense. As for Chow, his offensive schemes will haunt defen- sive coordinators for years to come. So this begs the question of why this team will be any different than Miami (Fla.) of the previous two years or Florida State of the mid- 1990s. Well, for one, those two teams weren't dynasties. A couple years hardly marks a dynasty. In fact, there aren't many teams that would qualify under the definition of dominating for close to a decade or more. The Hurricanes of the 1980s were close, as were the Sooners of the '50s, but the only school that has had a true long period of supremacy was Alaba- ma in the '60s and '70s. That's what makes this Southern Cal. era so important. In a time when See O'NEILL, Page 10 Hoops family affair for Wildcat guard Parker By Daniel Bremmer Daily Sports Writer I did right." T.J. and Tony have much in common, including other - something that hasn't changed over the years. But one thing has changed: T.J. can now defeat his When your sibling gives you advice, you might have a hard time listening. But when you play college basketball and your brother just won an NBA champi- onship, you should probably pay attention. This is the case for Northwestern guard T.J. Parker, whose brother Tony was the starting point guard dur- ing the San Antonio Spurs' run to an NBA Finals vic- tory in June. Tonight, T.J. and his Wildcat teammates will be in Ann Arbor to take on Michigan (9-2) in both teams' Big Ten opener. "When you've got a brother like I do, it helps you out," T.J. said. "He helps me with everything. Before games, after games, telling me what I did wrong, what their similar sizes, appearances and French accents. On the court, T.J. and Tony have comparable styles. "We iave a similar game, bringing the ball so fast up and down the court," said T.J., who averages nine points and five assists per game this season. "He's been playing profes- sionally (starting in France) since he was 15, so he's used to that environ- TONIGH Nohwesternat Michigani Tume: 7P.M Crsler Arm UTN-50, 1050AM brother on occasion, thanks in part to the nearly 15 pounds he gained over the sum- mer - bulking up to a more physical 178. "He used to (push me around), but that's over now," T.J. said. "The day after the Finals, I beat him ... put him back in his place." More recently, T.J. and Tony split games of one-on-one while Northwestern was in El Paso, Texas, for the Sun Classic just ment. He talks to Tim Duncan. For (Tony) to tell him what to do, it's a great example (for me)." Naturally, T.J. and Tony were competitive while growing up in France, playing one-on-one against each before Christmas. T.J. said that he enjoyed the chance to spend time with his brother and attend the Spurs vs. Clippers game in San Antonio. During the NCAA See PARKERS, Page 10 N I Retail Half.com You do the math. - -- -- -- -------, I For a limited time, first-time buyers 1 Save an additional 15 How smart is this: All the textbooks you need for up to 50% off retail prices. New or ,..i ) nll u tv trn i. n iG tnint vn m h LL COMT h .. gyys :." t- .. I i