USC held its penultimate spring practice, and the longest of the year so far, under sunny skies and amidst strong winds Thursday afternoon. Players went without pads for the third and final time of spring ball, and although there wasn't any tackling, the team also wasn't limited to no-contact drills. A few observations through the eyes of RipsIt...
- The day began with some less contact-intensive special teams drills. Wide receivers coach John Morton facilitated a drill in which players would block punts and then rush to recover the blocked ball. Meanwhile, special teams coach John Baxter worked with various players on hand placement and footwork as gunners on punt coverage.
- During the defensive line's standard regimen, D-line coach Ed Orgeron encouraged his players to excel in their fundamental work, as it would be the last spring practice to do so before Saturday's intrasquad scrimmage. "This should be a how-to film by now," Orgeron said to the linemen.
- Orgeron, defensive coach Monte Kiffin and secondary coach Willie Mack Garza spent time with the defensive unit as it took several reps against wildcat formations.
- Matt Barkley and Mitch Mustain battled the windy conditions throughout the day, as strong, intermittent gusts would occasionally re-route the trajectory of their throws.
- After practice, head coach Lane Kiffin mentioned tight end Jordan Cameron and defensive end Armond Armstead as two of the most improved players in spring ball.
- Watching practice today were former USC players Vince Evans, Jeremy Hogue and Junior Thurman. Also in attendance was loyal USC fan Jake Olson and his family.
- Four Marines from the Wounded Warrior Battalion at Camp Pendleton were guests of the USC football team today. They toured Heritage Hall, attended practice, visited with Mike Garrett, Lane Kiffin, Matt Barkley and other Trojans on the field and then finished their visit by joining the team for dinner at the training table in the Galen Dining Center. The Wounded Warrior project helps Marines who were severely wounded during their service to our country.
- A number of national media members attended practice, including Andrea Kremer of HBO's Real Sports (she is doing a profile on Kiffin), a crew from FSN (doing a feature on the USC coaching staff) and Dennis Dodd of CBSSports.com.
- The day began with some less contact-intensive special teams drills. Wide receivers coach John Morton facilitated a drill in which players would block punts and then rush to recover the blocked ball. Meanwhile, special teams coach John Baxter worked with various players on hand placement and footwork as gunners on punt coverage.
- During the defensive line's standard regimen, D-line coach Ed Orgeron encouraged his players to excel in their fundamental work, as it would be the last spring practice to do so before Saturday's intrasquad scrimmage. "This should be a how-to film by now," Orgeron said to the linemen.
- Orgeron, defensive coach Monte Kiffin and secondary coach Willie Mack Garza spent time with the defensive unit as it took several reps against wildcat formations.
- Matt Barkley and Mitch Mustain battled the windy conditions throughout the day, as strong, intermittent gusts would occasionally re-route the trajectory of their throws.
- After practice, head coach Lane Kiffin mentioned tight end Jordan Cameron and defensive end Armond Armstead as two of the most improved players in spring ball.
- Watching practice today were former USC players Vince Evans, Jeremy Hogue and Junior Thurman. Also in attendance was loyal USC fan Jake Olson and his family.
- Four Marines from the Wounded Warrior Battalion at Camp Pendleton were guests of the USC football team today. They toured Heritage Hall, attended practice, visited with Mike Garrett, Lane Kiffin, Matt Barkley and other Trojans on the field and then finished their visit by joining the team for dinner at the training table in the Galen Dining Center. The Wounded Warrior project helps Marines who were severely wounded during their service to our country.
- A number of national media members attended practice, including Andrea Kremer of HBO's Real Sports (she is doing a profile on Kiffin), a crew from FSN (doing a feature on the USC coaching staff) and Dennis Dodd of CBSSports.com.
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