News and notes from today's practice...
USC held its first bowl practice that was open to the media Tuesday, and it was in full pads. (It had a closed practice Monday and will have closed practices Thursday and Friday as well. Wednesday's practice is open to the media.)
OLB Porter Gustin (toe) did not practice, but he was present. I guess that's something, considering he hadn't been in attendance for the past several weeks. Coach Clay Helton said Gustin has yet to partake in any football activity as he continues to rehab and labeled him "day-to-day, week-to-week."
The Cotton Bowl is not for another 17 days, so there's time. If Gustin doesn't take the practice field by next Tuesday, which is USC's last in Los Angeles, I would consider him out. (BTW, USC is taking Dec. 20-22 off to allow players to go home and have a Christmas break with their families before leaving for Dallas on Dec. 23.)
OG Andrew Vorhees did not practice as he remains in concussion protocol.
CB Jack Jones did not practice because of an ankle injury.
WR Tyler Vaughns suffered an AC sprain in his shoulder during practice. TB Ronald Jones (ankle) was held out of the final period. WR Velus Jones (ankle) was also pulled.
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Bryan Ellis, an offensive quality control assistant, will serve as USC's quarterbacks coach for the bowl game. (Tyson Helton, as you probably expected, has already left for Tennessee.)
I asked Tee Martin if he was going to be the QBs coach next year. His response was interesting, to say the least:
"I coach the quarterbacks. Even the last two years, on the field, I coach the quarterbacks. I just don't meet with them in meetings. I get my opportunities to talk to Sam and talk to the guys on the field. I stand right behind the quarterbacks. You guys that are out here for the last couple years, I stand right behind the quarterbacks on every play in practice, so that's my opportunity to talk to the quarterbacks. ... I have my opportunity to talk to the quarterbacks and talk about the things that we need to talk about. But I'm a firm believer, when I played quarterback, I didn't want a lot of people in my head, I didn't want a lot of voices, so I give the quarterback coaches their respect and their space to be a consistent voice for the quarterbacks. But if there's something that needs to be talked about, I'll step in and talk about it. But I trust the guys that have been coaching the quarterbacks. ...
"I've coached quarterbacks in my career and got bored doing it, because I'd been doing it since I was 6 years old. From private training to working with Elite 11, and having private quarterbacks throughout my career, early in my career, I did it, and quite honestly, when I got a taste of coaching wideouts, it was so much fun. For me, the biggest challenge is to be able to coach wideouts and call plays. If it was a situation where I didn't talk to the quarterbacks at all, it would be an issue. I get what I need, in terms of my communication with the quarterback, whether it's on game day, whether it's during the week, whether it's at practice, we have a great line of communication, myself and Sam. ...
"I feel like it's best for me to be in the receivers room. The way our system is set up, that is a very vital position, not only in the passing game but in the run game, for what we do. And so I feel my influence should come from the wide receivers room, because it gives me an opportunity to walk around and see everyone, as oppose to sometimes when you're with the quarterbacks and only the quarterbacks, you're kind of stuck with just being with the quarterbacks. It's best that I have the ability to walk around and kind of have my eyes on every position."
Some of this actually contradicts
what Martin said in late October, a few days after USC played Notre Dame, when he noted a "communication gap" between him and Darnold. I asked Helton if Martin is under consideration for QBs coach but Helton didn't wish to comment.
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I also asked Helton if he advises the QB position any differently than others when it comes to deciding on the NFL draft. In the past, he's said when it's clear that a player could be drafted in the first round, he'd advise him to go. (Here's what
he said when Cravens declared, and here's what
Cravens said about his meeting with Helton.) Helton sang a bit of a different tune this time around.
"I think every situation is different, each and every one. ... There's times when you have to do it for personal reasons, maybe to help your family. Maybe you're ready, maybe you feel it's your time to move on. What I try to do is say where I think they are right now, what they can accomplish at USC, if they stay. And also, what's the reality? Where are you in the NFL? Is it time to move on and be ready to perform at that level?
"And then let them make their choice. At the end of the day, whether they stay or go, I'm going to hug their neck. And if they go, I'm going to be so thankful for the time that I had with them and what they were able to accomplish while they were here."
The deadline to declare is Jan. 15. Helton said he is awaiting draft evaluations from the NFL while having ongoing conversations with NFL personnel, scouts and general managers. Helton noted there are as many as 10 kids (he wouldn't name names) that could leave early. My best guess on who would be considering it:
Darnold, RoJo, Burnett, Lobendahn, Edoga, Green, Gustin, Cam, Biggie and Tell.
Helton noted the staff lost some days of recruiting because it committed the final week of November to preparing for the Pac-12 title game. The coaches have been trying to play catch-up for the past 10 days, especially given the early signing period (Dec. 20-22).
We have video interviews posted with Tee Martin, Sam Darnold and Ronald Jones II.
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