March 2013 Archives

• New injury news: 17 guys were out including CB Kevon Seymour, OL Jordan Simmons, WR Marqise Lee and WR Darreus Rogers.  RB D.J. Morgan was also out today, but his knee injury "was not as bad as we initially thought," said Lane Kiffin.
• For the first time in three years, Kiffin and the coaches put the healthy players through the "Oklahoma drill," which promotes full-speed, violent contact with ball carriers running downhill at oncoming tacklers.  "Obviously, that's a toughness drill," said Kiffin.  "We're bringing back our attitude."
  
• The drill completely changed the intensity level of the practice.  "The coaches wanted to do that for the whole practice, forget the scrimmage," freshman RB Justin Davis joked.  "It definitely set the tone for the offense. We all love it, and it gets us all fired up."
• The defensive standout from the drill was DL Leonard Williams, who could not be blocked one-on-one by anyone he faced, but for the most part, the offensive line carried the drill and then the scrimmage.  Kiffin declared that the offensive line has put together its best back-to-back practices of the spring.
  
• The catalyst for the improvement was moving Marcus Martin to center, and Kiffin sounded resolved that he will stay there.  "The way it's going, we're pretty much headed with Marcus as the center," he said.
  
• The quarterback decision is much more cloudy.  Max Wittek scrimmaged for the first time this spring, and posted solid numbers (3/5 for 84 yards and 1 TD).  He also had a perfectly thrown deep post dropped by Victor Blackwell. "I think it's as intense as it will ever be everyday," said Wittek about the competition.  "We all know what it's for."
• Cody Kessler was excellent again completing 5/9 passes for 99 yards and 2 TDs.  He opened the scrimmage by hitting Nelson Agholor (4 catches for 93 yards and 2 TDs) in stride on a go route for six.
  
• The offense was in perfect balance with power running setting up play-action deep balls.  "We were really stretching that run game," said RB Justin Davis (11 carries for 54 yards). "We had a really good showing out there."  Buck Allen rushed for 71 yards on 13 carries.
  
• Even without Marqise Lee, the electrifying receiving corps is feasting on the inexperienced corners.  "We have a lot of concern at corner right now," said Kiffin, who likes his safety depth.  "The early departure of Nickell [Robey] really hurt us.  That was kind of the experience we were hoping was coming back.  We'll make the best of it."
• DL J.R. Tavai led the way with 4 tackles, including 3 for loss and 1.5 sacks).  
• Here is Lane Kiffin from the Coliseum...

• TE Xavier Grimble will miss the remainder of spring ball. Grimble suffered a chest fracture. The status of Marqise Lee remains day-to-day. RB D.J. Morgan injured his knee towards the end of practice.
• WR George Farmer caught a long pass from QB Max Browne. Farmer, who has previously been plagued with injuries, has been able to remain healthy during spring ball. "George has stayed healthy for the most part. He is doing well and making plays," said head coach Lane Kiffin. "We need George to make the hard plays down the field, go up and get the ball, take it away and be physical. We know how fast he is and we know he can run by people but you got to make those plays. He's doing that."
• The addition of Mike Summers (pictured right by John McGillen) has been an easy adjustment for the Trojan offensive line. "I think Mike [Summers] has really captured the group really well. I think that him and James [Cregg] balance off each other. They come from two different systems," Kiffin said. "It has worked out exactly like we hoped. We have two guys watching the most important group on the team because five play every snap."
• Though the Trojans are only halfway through spring practices, Summers sees great improvement already with the offensive line. "This position on every football team is filled with guys that are pleasers and that are concerned about the team. They have a selfless attitude," Summers said. "This group of guys are good people. In every coaching situation, once we have been able to develop trust and strengthen our relationship with each other then the production goes up on the field. We are still in that process but I see a lot of good signs right now."
  
• Without former defensive leaders like T.J. McDonald and Nickell Robey, linebacker Hayes Pullard has asserted himself into that leadership role. "Hayes definitely has [stepped up as a leader]. I think that started to happen in the bowl practices," Kiffin said. "He made a decision that this was going to be his defense and he became more vocal. You could see him taking over and that is when he moved to Mike also."
• Pullard credits his spring ball success to the coaching style of new linebackers coach Mike Ekeler. "Coach Ekeler has really been helping me out on my footwork, staying low, playing fundamentally sound and not just going off of raw talent," Pullard said. "I feel good but I still have a lot of room to improve in trying to be a peak performer."
  
• Here is Kiffin after practice...

• WR Marqise Lee (knee), TE Xavier Grimble (ribs) and CB Kevon Seymour are still not cleared.  FB Soma Vainuku and OL Chad Wheeler are OUT for spring.
  
• On the positive side, QB Max Wittek, DB Su'a Cravens, CB Devian Shelton, DL J.R. Tavai and DL Cody Temple were among those that returned to action.
• In another defense dominated practice, Lane Kiffin named LB Lamar Dawson (pictured) the MVP of the day.  In fact, he went further and praised him as the "most improved" player through seven practices.  At times, Dawson is starting to work in with the first team now at Will linebacker alongside Hayes Pullard who is the Mike.
• CB Torin Harris made one of the plays of the day taking a deep ball away from George Farmer for an interception.  During his career at Troy, Harris has had success putting himself in position to make plays, but not getting the ball, so the play today was a positive sign.
  
• The offensive line has been shuffled with Marcus Martin moving to center and Max Tuerk playing left guard.  "Marcus did really well in there," said Kiffin.  "Usually there is a transition process, but his was not very long.  He looks like he's been doing it for a long time."
  
• The spring shuffle enables Martin and Tuerk to both learn two spots on the line, which Kiffin hopes will create more versatility from the group.  He has also considered trying Aundrey Walker at left guard, but he is happy with how Walker is growing into the left tackle spot after an inconsistent sophomore season.
• While the quarterbacks did not have much time to throw, freshman Max Browne did air out a perfect deep ball to George Farmer.  Kiffin praised the young quarterback's "deep ball accuracy."
  
• Max Wittek on the other hand was "a little bit sore" and felt like "a cybertron" wearing two knee braces, he said.  Kiffin acknowledged that the QB is "not 100%" coming back from a knee injury, but the problem will not get worse.
  
• Former LB Malcolm Smith and WR Brandon Carswell attended practice.
• Here is Lane Kiffin after practice...

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• USC is banged up.  RB Silas Redd has a torn meniscus in his knee which will require surgery.  He will miss the rest of spring football, but should be 100% by fall camp.  OT Chad Wheeler is also out for the remainder of spring.
• The Trojans have a week off for spring break now which gives the players some time to rehab.  WR Marqise Lee, QB Max Wittek, TE Xavier Grimble, S Su'a Cravens, RB Justin Davis, CB Kevon Seymour, CB Devian Shelton, DL J.R. Tavai and FB Soma Vainuku are among the sidelined.
  
• DL George Uko was named the MVP of practice.  He had a sack, and combined with Leonard Williams to disrupt the first team offense with penetration.
• On the second team defensive line, nose tackle Kenny Bigelow enjoyed the "best practice" of his two-week USC career, according to Kiffin.  He had two sacks in the scrimmage.  "It felt great," said Bigelow.  "I wanted to come out here and have a dominant day and get my mindset right."
• Both Kiffin and Bigelow acknowledged that he has struggled a bit with the adjustment, but bright days are ahead for the five-star talent.  Kiffin called his first sack a "coming out play."  "I haven't been to my full potential since I've been out here," said Bigelow.  "That play was a glimpse of what I am really capable of and I think the coaches noticed that."
• The positives from the defense continue to be in the first team front seven.  LB Hayes Pullard added to his solid spring with a team-high six tackles.
• The question marks with the new USC defense are mostly at cornerback.  Kevon Seymour and Devian Shelton sat out practice with injuries, and Kiffin stressed that they need to return soon.  Torin Harris was pulled from the first team after getting burned by Nelson Agholor for a 75-yard touchdown, but he did recover to force a fumble with a big hit later in practice.  
• (Photo of Agholor from last Saturday's scrimmage by John McGillen)
  
• The biggest offensive improvement came at center where Max Tuerk did not have a single quarterback exchange issue with Cody Kessler.  The two have been practicing snaps "every day until we get it right," Tuerk said.  "There's always room for improvement.  I just gotta get the repetitions and keep working hard."
  
• With no snap issues, the offense was able to find its rhythm for drives at a time.  Cody Kessler completed 13 of 19 for 161 yards and a TD.  Agholor (4 catches for 106 yards) was the offensive MVP hauling in that 75-yard TD bomb from Kessler.  Buck Allen carried the run game with 11 attempts for 65 yards and a TD plunge.
• Running the second team offense, Max Browne completed 6 of 9 for 69 yards most of which came on a 52-yard hookup with fellow freshman Darreus Rogers.
  
• Kessler and Browne had time to find the deep ball thanks to better blitz protection from the offensive line.  The unit enjoys learning from new offensive line coach Mike Summers who Tuerk called "a great teacher."
  
• On that offensive line, Marcus Martin is starting to work in at center, and he has been a pleasant surprise, according to Kiffin.  Like Tuerk, he is a versatile linemen who can play any of the three interior spots.
• Here is Lane Kiffin's complete post-scrimmage presser...

• Max Wittek, Marqise Lee and Kevon Seymour did not participate in Thursday's practice. Wittek and Lee are expected to return for the next Tuesday practice following spring break. Seymour is suffering from an ankle injury. His status is day-to-day. Silas Redd and Chad Wheeler left practice early after sustaining knee injuries.
• Since Wittek is still sidelined with a sprained MCL, Cody Kessler and Max Browne are benefiting from the extra reps in practice. "I thought both the quarterbacks did some good things today," said head coach Lane Kiffin. "Cody [Kessler] is really doing a great job and really comes alive in those team settings. Max [Browne] is moving around probably better than we thought this early from pocket movements and getting out of trouble for a tall, young guy."
• Quarterback Cody Kessler and center Max Tuerk have been putting in extra hours perfecting the snap. The extra effort is paying off nicely for the duo as they did not fumble during Thursday's practice. "I think it was a lot better practice for the offense than it was on Tuesday. You could tell by the energy from everyone," Kessler said. "All day we didn't fumble one snap and he's [Max Tuerk] been buying into staying after. We've been snapping on our own outside of practice just so we can get that down."
• Freshman quarterback Max Browne bounced back from a rough Tuesday practice in which he threw a few interceptions. Browne is becoming more comfortable and believes that this was his best practice of spring ball. "This has probably been my best day here but obviously still making a few mental errors," Browne said. "We slowed it down today and didn't install that much so I was able to go out there and play. I felt like today I was the most comfortable and I think it showed in our offense as a whole."
  
• Kiffin named tight end Xavier Grimble the MVP of Thursday's practice. "He practiced hurt and was not supposed to go into contact stuff. He not only went in but he did for the entire day," Kiffin said. 
• USC will have one more practice on Saturday in the Coliseum before spring break. Spring practice will resume on Tuesday, March 26.
  
• Here is Kiffin's post-practice presser...

(Photo by John McGillen)

• Former USC offensive tackle, Tony Boselli (pictured right), spoke to the team after practice about representing USC and the importance of the football program. Boselli played for the Trojans from 1991 to 1994 and was a two-time All-American.
• The fourth spring practice lacked the energy of the first week. The Trojans practiced for the second time in pads and participated in a physical practice. "I didn't think the offense practiced very well mentally and weren't very into it the way they had been in the three practices before," said head coach Lane Kiffin. "The defensive front seven really was [into it], front eight if you count Su'a [Cravens], and played really well today."
  
• Cravens' performance in spring ball thus far has impressed Kiffin and other coaches. "One of the offensive coaches said he looked like a senior in college out there," Kiffin said. "He is a really special player. There is a reason why he was the National Defensive Player of the Year. He is one of those unique guys that is able to soak everything up. He is really focused on being a great student-athlete and I think we have the all-around package." 
• The USC defense and Cravens are easily adjusting to the new scheme and playbook. Cravens has spent time at both nickel back and safety. At this point, he is favoring nickel back because he is able to play a little more freely. "Today in practice, things were going my way a little bit. I had two interceptions," said freshman safety Su'a Cravens. "The playbook is really simple and Coach [Pendergast] keeps it really easy for us. I have been working with Josh Shaw and he has taken me under his wing and has helped me out with all the plays."
  
• Both Max Wittek and Marqise Lee have sustained knee injuries. "Both did not practice today," Kiffin said. "We anticipate both of them being back if not this week then the next Tuesday practice." 
• Max Wittek was injured during Saturday's practice and suffered a sprained MCL. Wittek remarked that it was odd to miss practice as he never has during his entire time at USC. "Obviously you wouldn't want anything to be torn but if there is ever a time for this to happen, I guess it would be right now," Wittek said. "I am pretty positive about it and hopefully I can be back by Thursday maybe Saturday. I am going to spend as much time mentally with my teammates, a lot more film work with individual players and talking to people on the sideline." 
  
• After practice, media members attended a dinner with the new USC coaches and freshman players at the Galen Dining Center. 
  

(Photo by John McGillen)

• The offense only scored one touchdown in 52 plays thanks to Clancy Pendergast's attack-minded 5-2 scheme which was living in the backfield, including five sacks. (Pendergast pictured from Thursday night)
  
• QB Max Wittek and WR Marqise Lee both suffered knee injuries during practice and sat out the scrimmage.  Lane Kiffin announced that both will have further testing before a diagnosis is announced.  Lee stood and cheered his teammates throughout the scrimmage, while Wittek rested on the trainer's table with ice on his knee.
  
• With Wittek down, Cody Kessler took full advantage of his increased opportunity.  He completed 12 of 15 passes for 192 yards.  "He kind of did what Cody does which is show up in these formats," said Kiffin about Kessler.  "He's always been a gamer."
  
• Freshman QB Max Browne was less effective in terms of moving the ball, but he did connect with Nelson Agholor on a 43-yard TD strike.  He also made a perfect throw for a potential six that freshman WR Darreus Rogers dropped.  Browne finished 2/7 for 48 yards and a TD.
• George Farmer led the way at receiver with three catches for 74 yards.  D.J. Morgan (4 carries for 16 yards) and Justin Davis (4 carries for 11 yards) were the primary ball carriers, but there were no big plays in the running game.
  
• The offensive rhythm was consistently halted by center-quarterback exchange issues.  Max Tuerk is still adjusting to his new role after moving from left tackle this spring.  "Obviously, we don't like it, but it's not a major concern," said Kiffin about his new center.  "We need to fix it."  Kessler said he and Tuerk were going to practice 100 more snaps after the scrimmage.
• The offensive line as a unit "has a ways to go." Kiffin does like the improvement of OT Chad Wheeler who has gained 64 pounds in about two years, according to Kiffin.
  
• The real stars of the day were on the defensive side of the ball.  Lamar Dawson was named the practice MVP recording a team-high six tackles, including two for loss, playing back-up middle linebacker.  "He's really taking to the new scheme playing aggressive in the run," said Kiffin about Dawson.  "As those guys go into their third year, a lot of time that's when they really step it up and I think Lamar is one of those guys."
  
• The stand-up outside linebacker/defensive end hybrids have adjusted quickly.  Morgan Breslin had four tackles for loss and Devon Kennard recorded a sack.  "I love it so far," said Kennard about the new defense.  "It definitely brings the best out of everyone.  It gets us in the best situation to make plays."
  
• In the secondary, freshman Su'a Cravens recorded four tackles and played the nickel spot with the first team.  Defensive coordinator Clancy Pendergast compared Cravens body type to former NFL All-Pro safety Darren Woodson, who he coached in Dallas.  Woodson played nickel for the Cowboys because "we liked his length and ability to tackle on the perimeter," said Pendergast.  "That's one spot we want to take a look at Su'a at.  Obviously, we want to get the best 11 guys on the field, and we feel like he could possibly be one of those guys."
  
• Here is Lane Kiffin who broke down the state of the roster by position group after the first week of spring practice...
  

• The intensity level was excellent again tonight.  The team seems to have a renewed spirit, and the roster is loaded with players that have something to prove.  In particular, Lane Kiffin praised the play of early entrants RB Justin Davis, S Su'a Cravens and CB Chris Hawkins.
• From the veterans, RB Silas Redd, who flashed his top end speed on a long sideline run, was the offensive MVP of the practice, while Kiffin named DL George Uko the defensive MVP.
• Offensively, Nelson Agholor made several big plays, and appears ready to step up into the number two receiver role.  "I'm not getting satisfied," said Agholor about his slight change in approach.  "At first I wanted to contribute, now I just want to continue to grow."
• Agholor and the rest of the receiving corps will have to produce so defenses cannot key solely on Marqise Lee.  "Myself and the rest of the receiving corps, we want to rise to the occasion and play at the level he is playing at," Agholor said about Lee.  "He's going to make us better."
• Watch out for Victor Blackwell as a sleeper candidate for the third receiving role.  He has flashed big play ability in each of the first two practices.  He also has excellent chemistry with his high school quarterback Max Wittek.
  
• Josh Shaw changed his number and his position this spring.  "I love it!  Update my swag a little bit," he said about his No. 6.
  
• He enjoyed playing cornerback, but safety is a natural position for him.  "I embrace it.  I love it back here playing safety.  It's kind of like you are a general.  You have to know so much."
• T.J. McDonald, who attended practice tonight, was a major influence on Shaw from the moment he arrived at USC.  "T.J. taught me so much about the game that I didn't know before that I am taking with me now."
• Shaw is returning the favor with an extremely young secondary group around him.  "What do I want my legacy to be when I leave here?  I want them to remember who helped them adjust in college whether its school or football."
• The star of the young group is Su'a Cravens, and he has impressed Shaw from day one.  "Su'a is living up to it by all means.  Su'a is a smart kid.  He catches up really fast in the meeting room and he translates it out here."
• Here is Lane Kiffin on night two as the rain drops start to fall...

• Along with a couple dozen hearty fans braving the cold weather on Dedeaux Deck, there was a star-studded crowd on the sideline including Lions All-Pro DT Ndamukong Suh, Vikings Pro Bowl LT Matt Kalil, FB Rhett Ellison and NFL Draft prospect Khaled Holmes.  Suh spoke to the team after practice about cherishing their time in college and staying all four years of eligibility. 
  
• Lane Kiffin has opened up his injury policy for the spring.  He announced that the following scholarship players are out for all of spring football: Dion Bailey, Scott Starr and Gerald Bowman.  J.R. Tavai, Cody Temple and Greg Townsend are out now, but expected to be back soon.
• In case you have not heard, DT Christian Heyward and DE DeVante Wilson have transferred out of the school. TE Christian Thomas is no longer on the team due to medical issues, and TE Junior Pomee is not with the program as he deals with pending legal issues.
  
• While the quarterback battle will steal headlines before spring has sprung, the new 5-2 defense was the biggest story on day one.  For what it's worth, which is very little, the Trojans' first team featured Leonard Williams, Antwaun Woods and George Uko as the down linemen.  Devon Kennard and Morgan Breslin were the stand-up edge rushers.  Hayes Pullard and Anthony Sarao paired together at middle linebacker.  And, the new look secondary had Kevon Seymour and Anthony Brown at cornerback flanking Josh Shaw and Demetrius Wright at safety.
• While most of us were watching practice, new defensive coordinator Clancy Pendergast was listening.  "We're at the very early stages of our installation, so we really just wanted to listen to the guys communicate out there and get a feel for playing with each other," he said about day one.  "We are a defense that has to be on the same page."
• Meanwhile, the head coach had his eye on Pendergast.  "I had researched how he coached...but then to see it on the field today was very exciting," said Kiffin.  "He was very demanding, very tough on them and really got after them."
  
• Hayes Pullard explained that his responsibilities at the Mike spot are similar to the 4-3, but "the terminology is way different," so he and his teammates are basically learning a new language.
  
• The defense plays to the strength of rangy athletes like redshirt freshman Jabari Ruffin who made a leaping interception of Cody Kessler dropping into coverage after starting at the line of scrimmage as an edge rusher.
• Offensively, the highlights were two deep completions for touchdowns to Nelson Agholor (thrown by Kessler) and Victor Blackwell (thrown by Max Wittek).  Both players are competing to fill Robert Woods' big shoes.
  
• Other than the interception, Kessler was the best quarterback of the trio today, according to Kiffin.  The QB room is adjusting to life without Matt Barkley.  "That's a little bit weird," said Wittek.  "We've got a good dynamic going already with Max Browne."
• Browne went through some opening day "jitters," including getting used to life under center.  "I was mostly gun [in high school]," he said.  "That's something I've got to get used to quickly."
  
• Kiffin set no timetable on naming a starting quarterback.  Wittek projects the confidence of a starter, but knows he is in for a fight.  "This is USC.  This place is built on competition.  We're all going to take that competition to the field."
• Max Tuerk has moved from tackle to center, which led to a few fumbled exchanges today.  "It was his first real day at center, so he definitely has some kinks to work out, but he's such a great lineman that he'll get it down," said Wittek about Tuerk.  "He's so smart.  That's why we put him in there."
• The spring football mantra is pictured above.  Here is Lane Kiffin's long opening day press conference in its entirety: