The Spring game is obviously an exhibition and serves mostly to look at techniques and execution. A supposed QB battle was of interest as well as how the units gel together considering that 29 more practice sessions until the Tide comes in. The attendance was good for a warm day, about 25K with a lot inhabiting the shade areas of the stands. The fanfare with the band, song girls struck some familiar notes. The presence of Co-habitant in the Coliseum showed up with a Rams flag waving ABOVE the USC flag. The "scrimmage" was different in that it was situational instead of long drives oriented. The situations were Coming out of the end zone (at 2 yard line); Moving the ball (Initial start at USC 45 yard line); Red Zone scoring (Insides the 20),; FG kicking, and Goal line scoring (at opponents' 2 yard line). Here's a rundown by position;
QB-Here's how I rate them based on what I saw: 1. Max Browne-he is more precise and more confident. On one play where he was literally surrounded by defensive rushers he coolly connected on a first down pass. His arm strength is very good and he puts enough air under the ball to let the receiver adjust without putting it up for grabs. 2. Darnold-looks good and is learning quickly. Did use his legs at ties. Throws a harder ball then Max and is accurate. A future star IMO. 3. Greene tend to run first when in trouble. Has talent but may be more useful in pistol plays.4. Fink-Good arm. Lots to learn and is rawest of the QB candidates.
Runners-one deep group of personnel: Justin Davis (side step), Ronald Jones (quick to the hole), Dominic Davis and Aca'Cedric Ware are fine runner with evasive moves.
Receivers-A physically bigger group ( 6 guys at 210 or more) overall. with Rodgers showing off his great hands , Mitchell his speed in a reverse. Juju may have played around vamping after two TDs but remembrance of 3 Unsportsmanlike Conduct penalties rings a warning.
Tight End-Used much more in these 84 plays than usual. 5 catches by Transfer Daniel Imatorbhebhe ( a great looking athlete) and 2 by Tyler Petite. The TE position is in great hands and depth. Dual TE plays like Stanford uses is very likely.
Offensive line-this is likely USCs deepest and strongest unit. They will be an important part of the offense and some may remember the long drives versus Utah, Cal, Arizona, and UCLA to close out the victories last year. They are better this year. The only penalty was a False Start towards the end o f the session,
Field Goal Kickers- Boormeister kicked 7 of 9 from between 32 and 36 from 3 positions overall on the field. Josh, is a special kid and snapped two fine balls on the last 2kicks.
Defensive Line-depleted with 3 starters plus Kenny Bigelow gone. Only blitzed a handful of times. Looked decent in run plays. Didn't run much blitzes by coaches decision. Got a knockdown of a Browne pass.
Linebackers-This wasn't a tackling session per se but the LBs got a couple f takedowns on runners that got too frisky IMO.
Secondary-challenged the offense a lot knocking down several passes. This could be s strength area for USC.
Coaching- Helton remains low key and after 7 years as a USC coach he now heads his first Spring Practice. Helton states he will balance power running (see Oline) with more down the field (longer) passing. His own version of Time (used) and Distance. The #1 toughest schedule in the nation awaits him (11 of 12 teams were bowl teams last year).
QB-Here's how I rate them based on what I saw: 1. Max Browne-he is more precise and more confident. On one play where he was literally surrounded by defensive rushers he coolly connected on a first down pass. His arm strength is very good and he puts enough air under the ball to let the receiver adjust without putting it up for grabs. 2. Darnold-looks good and is learning quickly. Did use his legs at ties. Throws a harder ball then Max and is accurate. A future star IMO. 3. Greene tend to run first when in trouble. Has talent but may be more useful in pistol plays.4. Fink-Good arm. Lots to learn and is rawest of the QB candidates.
Runners-one deep group of personnel: Justin Davis (side step), Ronald Jones (quick to the hole), Dominic Davis and Aca'Cedric Ware are fine runner with evasive moves.
Receivers-A physically bigger group ( 6 guys at 210 or more) overall. with Rodgers showing off his great hands , Mitchell his speed in a reverse. Juju may have played around vamping after two TDs but remembrance of 3 Unsportsmanlike Conduct penalties rings a warning.
Tight End-Used much more in these 84 plays than usual. 5 catches by Transfer Daniel Imatorbhebhe ( a great looking athlete) and 2 by Tyler Petite. The TE position is in great hands and depth. Dual TE plays like Stanford uses is very likely.
Offensive line-this is likely USCs deepest and strongest unit. They will be an important part of the offense and some may remember the long drives versus Utah, Cal, Arizona, and UCLA to close out the victories last year. They are better this year. The only penalty was a False Start towards the end o f the session,
Field Goal Kickers- Boormeister kicked 7 of 9 from between 32 and 36 from 3 positions overall on the field. Josh, is a special kid and snapped two fine balls on the last 2kicks.
Defensive Line-depleted with 3 starters plus Kenny Bigelow gone. Only blitzed a handful of times. Looked decent in run plays. Didn't run much blitzes by coaches decision. Got a knockdown of a Browne pass.
Linebackers-This wasn't a tackling session per se but the LBs got a couple f takedowns on runners that got too frisky IMO.
Secondary-challenged the offense a lot knocking down several passes. This could be s strength area for USC.
Coaching- Helton remains low key and after 7 years as a USC coach he now heads his first Spring Practice. Helton states he will balance power running (see Oline) with more down the field (longer) passing. His own version of Time (used) and Distance. The #1 toughest schedule in the nation awaits him (11 of 12 teams were bowl teams last year).
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