A few players broke out the long sleeves for an overcast and brisk day of practice, which kicked off the final week of spring ball. To its credit, the sun decided to make a brief cameo at the end of practice. Better late than never, right?
A few noteworthy observations through the eyes of RipsIt...
- Abiding the theory of having the best three linebackers on the field, Chris Galippo, who played middle (or "Mike" as the players and coaches call it) linebacker last year, moved to outside linebacker for about 15-20 reps in various drills and full-squad play. "It felt really natural," Galippo said afterward. "I could just go out there and play."
- Practice began, as it has all spring, with a heavy dose of special teams work. The "Survivor" flag drill is now being used in conjunction with four-on-four punt return work. Fullback Hunter Simmons stole the survivor spotlight when he layed a vicious hit on an opposing kick returner, jarring the ball loose.
- Secondary coach Willie Mack Garza played the role of quarterback during drills with his players, as he lobbed passes into the air, working the defensive backs' ability to find and make a play on the ball. Shareece Wright would later put Garza's drill to use, as he picked off a deep pass during full-squad play.
- Still hampered by injury, Ronald Johnson spent most of his day fielding punts from Joe Houston and Jacob Harfman. After practice, head coach Lane Kiffin said that Johnson's wrist injury might not require surgery, however his elbow injury continues to keep him out of game action.
- Tight end Blake Ayles suffered another concussion that kept him out of practice.
- Houston and Harfman also spent an extended period of time practicing field goals beyond the 25-yard line, and connecting on a vast majority of them.
- Speedy tailback Curtis McNeal rattled off two long runs during full-squad play. In both runs, he cut to the outside, disappearing briefly behind pursuing defenders before re-emerging as he blazed down the far sideline.
- Since his move from defensive end to quarterback, James Boyd's reps have gradually increased. The redshirt freshman took a few snaps during 7-on-5 passing drills, and hit David Ausberry on a perfectly-thrown sideline fade route.
- Jurrell Casey made a DaJohn Harris-like strip of the quarterback during full-squad play. Casey continues to play a major role on a talented and deep defensive line.
- Quarterbacks Mitch Mustain and Matt Barkley both tried their hands at running the 2-minute drill to conclude practice, although the staunch defense prevented both from reaching the end zone.
- What kind of media is at a USC practice? Today's media representation included the Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Daily News, Orange County Register, Daily Trojan, FSN, ESPN.com, WeAreSC.com, USCFootball.com, SCPlaybook.com and yours truly, USCRipsIt. That group is pretty standard for any Trojan practice, but tonight's Lakers game at the nearby Staples Center cut back on the usual presence of some of the local television stations.
- Among the one-time USC football players who watched practice today were Jim Hardy, Shane Foley, Craig Gibson, Tim McDonald, Allan and Derek Graf, Brandon Hancock and Bill Cunnerty, as well as ex-Trojan basketballer Kyle Kazan and trackster Russell Silvers. Recent Trojan NFL draftee Charles Brown also was in attendance.
- Washington president Mark Emmert was named the new president of the NCAA today. It's nice that the leader of college athletics has a Pac-10 background.
A few noteworthy observations through the eyes of RipsIt...
- Abiding the theory of having the best three linebackers on the field, Chris Galippo, who played middle (or "Mike" as the players and coaches call it) linebacker last year, moved to outside linebacker for about 15-20 reps in various drills and full-squad play. "It felt really natural," Galippo said afterward. "I could just go out there and play."
- Practice began, as it has all spring, with a heavy dose of special teams work. The "Survivor" flag drill is now being used in conjunction with four-on-four punt return work. Fullback Hunter Simmons stole the survivor spotlight when he layed a vicious hit on an opposing kick returner, jarring the ball loose.
- Secondary coach Willie Mack Garza played the role of quarterback during drills with his players, as he lobbed passes into the air, working the defensive backs' ability to find and make a play on the ball. Shareece Wright would later put Garza's drill to use, as he picked off a deep pass during full-squad play.
- Still hampered by injury, Ronald Johnson spent most of his day fielding punts from Joe Houston and Jacob Harfman. After practice, head coach Lane Kiffin said that Johnson's wrist injury might not require surgery, however his elbow injury continues to keep him out of game action.
- Tight end Blake Ayles suffered another concussion that kept him out of practice.
- Houston and Harfman also spent an extended period of time practicing field goals beyond the 25-yard line, and connecting on a vast majority of them.
- Speedy tailback Curtis McNeal rattled off two long runs during full-squad play. In both runs, he cut to the outside, disappearing briefly behind pursuing defenders before re-emerging as he blazed down the far sideline.
- Since his move from defensive end to quarterback, James Boyd's reps have gradually increased. The redshirt freshman took a few snaps during 7-on-5 passing drills, and hit David Ausberry on a perfectly-thrown sideline fade route.
- Jurrell Casey made a DaJohn Harris-like strip of the quarterback during full-squad play. Casey continues to play a major role on a talented and deep defensive line.
- Quarterbacks Mitch Mustain and Matt Barkley both tried their hands at running the 2-minute drill to conclude practice, although the staunch defense prevented both from reaching the end zone.
- What kind of media is at a USC practice? Today's media representation included the Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Daily News, Orange County Register, Daily Trojan, FSN, ESPN.com, WeAreSC.com, USCFootball.com, SCPlaybook.com and yours truly, USCRipsIt. That group is pretty standard for any Trojan practice, but tonight's Lakers game at the nearby Staples Center cut back on the usual presence of some of the local television stations.
- Among the one-time USC football players who watched practice today were Jim Hardy, Shane Foley, Craig Gibson, Tim McDonald, Allan and Derek Graf, Brandon Hancock and Bill Cunnerty, as well as ex-Trojan basketballer Kyle Kazan and trackster Russell Silvers. Recent Trojan NFL draftee Charles Brown also was in attendance.
- Washington president Mark Emmert was named the new president of the NCAA today. It's nice that the leader of college athletics has a Pac-10 background.
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