Check out a look at the Trojan defense and special teams heading into Spring Practice
By Ben Malcolmson
USCRipsIt
PeteCarroll.com
The Trojan defense is losing three All-Americans from the 2007 squad that was ranked in the top-5 nationally in most statistical categories.
No big deal, not for the Trojans.
The depth and experience still at USC should replenish the holes quite well — and provide for some heated competitions all across the defense and special teams during Spring Practice.
The defensive line features a string of players clamoring to fill Lawrence Jackson and Sedrick Ellis’ positions (and a rebirth of the “elephant” role), the linebackers have depth to match the Pacific Ocean, the secondary has enough players with starting experience to fill two squads and the special teams unit looks to continue to improve on its upswing in 2007.
We give a position-by-position look at the Trojan offense going into Spring Practice, getting each position coach’s perspective on four topics: Who and what they lost from 2007, the new faces this spring (players coming off injury or a redshirt season), what competition means to their position group in particular and what they’re most looking forward to during the next 15 practices.
Defensive line
Commentary from defensive line coach Dave Watson
Moving on: Lawrence Jackson, Sedrick Ellis, Alex Morrow
Fighting on: Everson Griffen, Kyle Moore, Fili Moala, Averell Spicer, DaJohn Harris, Trey Henderson, Derek Simmons, Christian Tupou, Gerald Washington, Andrew Weiss
Filling the role of…
Lawrence Jackson and Sedrick Ellis
“They became natural football players and I don’t think there’s ways of teaching that. They weren’t just great technicians, but also great football players. What we need from the young guys is their willingness to put in the time in the film room to watch these guys and watch their abilities so they can get better.”
New year, new faces…
Clay Matthews Jr., who moves to the elephant position, the hybrid lineman/linebacker role — at least experimentally during the spring • “I like the competition of Clay Matthews Jr. Clay is a solid player and could bring some intangibles. Anytime you can compete at a spot and add a guy like Clay Matthews, it’s going to make us better and provide some competition for us.”
The meaning of competition to this position…
“It means everyday hard work. We need the players to understand that muscular repetition is important for them and getting to the point where they want it and they’re not just waiting their turn. Competition is everything and we need these guys to compete more than anybody on the field because it starts with these guys. They need to be willing to sacrifice for the linebackers and the eighth guy in the box and it takes a lot of determination for them to get the job done.
“Our guys can’t get complacent. Kyle Moore has to rise up this spring and compete. There are no turns in life, there are choices and there are commitments. We’ve got to find the guys who want it the most and then put the 11 best guys on the field.”
Most excited about…
“I’m most looking forward to Averell Spicer and Christian Tupou battle it out, for Christian to work on his technique and for Averell to work on his two dimensional game, understanding both run and pass.”
Linebackers
Commentary from linebackers coach Ken Norton Jr.
Moving on: Keith Rivers, Thomas Williams
Fighting on: Rey Maualuga, Brian Cushing, Kaluka Maiava, Clay Matthews Jr., Malcolm Smith, Chris Galippo, Michael Morgan, Luthur Brown, Nick Garratt, Dan Deckas, Jordan Campbell
Filling the role of…
Keith Rivers, a three-year starter at weakside linebacker
“Keith brought great maturity and a professional work ethic to the group and a new guy or two is going to have to step up to be that example and leader Keith was. Rey and Cush should be that guy for us.”
New year, new faces…
Underclassmen Malcolm Smith, Michael Morgan and Chris Galippo should see more opportunities this spring • “Spring is a big time of evaluation for us, and not just in terms of who are starters are going to be. The spring practices show us who can contribute on special teams and as solid backups so that we’re not taking a step back when we substitute during games, because our rotation of linebackers needs to go six or seven deep.”
The meaning of competition to this position…
“Linebackers love competition. We love competing against our teammates in practice, especially the running backs. But we also love competing among the group. There’s a special tightness and bond among the linebackers, because everyone wants the success of the unit and the team over their own desires. And because of that, the competition is big-time and it really makes us better and stronger because guys aren’t being selfish. We kid that we’re ‘LBU’ [Linebacker University], but we want it to be true, and it’ll happen through the competition among our group and against our teammates in practice.”
Most excited about…
“I’m looking forward to seeing what Luthur [Brown] can do with his chances this spring at the Will [now that Keith Rivers has graduated and Kaluka Maiava is out with an injury during the spring]. He has the potential, with his body size and physical presence, to be a valuable player for us, much like Thomas Williams was for us in being very versatile.”
Secondary
Commentary from secondary coach Rocky Seto
Moving on: Terrell Thomas
Fighting on: Kevin Ellison, Taylor Mays, Cary Harris, Shareece Wright, Josh Pinkard, Kevin Thomas, Will Harris, Shane Horton, Marshall Jones, Omari Crittenden, Rob Erickson, Justin Hart, Matt Jordan
Filling the role of…
Terrell Thomas, a position group leader
“He really took a lot of pride in preparing and mastering his trade. This year, leadership-wise, we’ve got two seniors — Kevin Ellison and Cary Harris — those guys are tremendous. They don’t lead vocally as much as by example, in how they prepare. I’m really expecting a lot out of them.”
New year, new faces…
Kevin Thomas and Josh Pinkard return from season-long injuries in 2007 • “Last year, we lost two guys to injuries before the season even started in Kevin Thomas and Josh Pinkard. Josh and Kevin are really going to help us. Josh has rehabbed really well and has experience and Kevin looks great, he’s just a smooth athlete. And besides those guys, we have Shareece Wright and Cary Harris coming back. Shareece played about a quarter of the plays last year and did a great job. He’s a really good football player. So we’re going to have some great competition this spring for playing time.”
The meaning of competition to this position…
“We need to see how good we can get. My total focus is on the group and how we can improve. The ultimate level of competition comes from within us individually and in our group. We want to be as good as we can possibly be.”
Most excited about…
“I’m really excited to see how good we can get. In the spring, you don’t have the added burden of preparing for an opponent so you can really focus on your game and fundamentals and really emphasize the details. We’re focusing on what we can maximize and capture right now. That’s how you develop greatness, by capturing every opportunity along the way.”
Special teams
Commentary from special teams coordinator Dave Watson
Moving on: Snapper Will Collins, holder Michael McDonald
Fighting on: Kicker David Buehler, punter Greg Woidneck, returners Joe McKnight, Ronald Johnson and C.J. Gable
Filling the role of…
The automatic services of Will Collins and Michael McDonald
“Somebody will step up. We have some great guys in the fold who have been training hard. Both positions will be very competitive spots this spring. There will be some phenomenal battles this spring and the best will rise to the top, like Trojans always do.”
New year, new faces…
Kickers Jordan Congdon and Joe Houston come off redshirt seasons to compete with David Buehler for the placekicking job • “It’ll be a battle this spring for every position, like always. Congdon and Houston have a shot to show us what they’ve got, but Buehler sure is a hell of a kicker.”
The meaning of competition to this position…
“We’ve got to find guys who understand how to sacrifice for special teams and how important special teams are to the game, guys who will fight and give everything they have for our team. And that starts with the competition at every position on special teams, from the holder to the gunner to the kick coverage guy. What guys show this spring will make a huge difference to our special teams in the fall.”
Most excited about…
“I’m looking forward to mastering our technique and understanding the scheme and knowing how important your block and your fit and your energy are. And we’ve got to find consistency in all areas of special teams.”
• Ben Malcolmson is the Director of Online Media for USCRipsIt/PeteCarroll.com. You can contact him at Ben@PeteCarroll.com.
