"Fundamentals and technique!"
Today was my first practice in a couple weeks -- as most of you know I was tending to the birth of my son -- and the first thing that popped out was that Clay Helton has made practice livelier. You can hear him throughout practice exhorting the players. (Helton did this to a lesser extent in his previous role; you just know it's different for the guys when they're being addressed in such a manner from their head coach.)
I also noticed some slight but significant changes in format. Not sure if this was by design, but practices under Steve Sarkisian tended to heavily feature individuals. Team periods often consisted of a series of standout plays, with each rep serving as an opportunity for everyone to try and showcase what they could do.
What we're seeing now is a much more deliberate approach. Team periods are focused on collective objectives (i.e. running inside, stopping the run) and specific roles. I asked Helton about this and this is what he said:
"I really believe the game is not all about Xs and Os, it's about scheme. It's about technique and fundamentals. We've really trued to emphasize that in our practices the last two weeks and I think (it's) starting to pay dividends, especially in the pass rush area. We had four sacks at Notre Dame but I really thought we could get to the quarterback even better. Even though we only had three sacks in the Utah game, I really thought we got Travis (Wilson) off his spot and made him feel uncomfortable.
"We've really tried to stress the technique and fundamentals and make sure that it's a physical practice. It may be shorter, but it's good on good. This practice field has always been about competition. That 30 for 30 (Trojan War) showed that and that's what we want to instill. That's 'SC football and that's what it'll be as long as we're here."
The old format might explain some of the team's recent issues with identity and continuity. I found it interesting that despite dealing with myriad injuries, USC looked like it was on the same page Saturday, much more than it had in any of its 18 games under Sark.
***
Chad Wheeler (concussion) was a full participant and worked with the first team. Zach Banner returned to right tackle. The interior linemen were the same from Saturday (Damien Mama, Khaliel Rodgers, Viane Talamaivao).
Taylor McNamara (shoulder) was held out of team drills but participated in 7-on-7. That's likely a good sign that he will be able to work his way back to the field for Saturday.
Connor Spears took the first-team reps in McNamara's place.
Tyler Petite did not practice. Helton said his foot was too sore. He said there's a chance he might be able to get some work in later in the week. Sounds like he'll be out for Saturday.
***
John Plattenburg (ill) returned to practice and was with the first team, opposite Chris Hawkins. Plattenburg had an interception against the scout team.
Rasheem Green (knee) was limited to running on the side.
Claude Pelon (knee) remains out.
Kevon Seymour, who some have said they saw limp off the field at the end of the Utah game, was a full participant. He had a couple near picks while defending JuJu Smith-Schuster. We're starting to see flashes of what he did in spring.
The defense worked in nickel a lot today and there were a lot of moving parts, especially among the defensive backs and linebackers.
Adoree' Jackson practiced exclusively on defense.
***
Tre Madden did not practice. He said the plan all along was for him to sit out vs. Utah to give his knee a rest and perhaps be ready for Cal.
Darreus Rogers (hamstring) participated in 11-on-11 for the first time in a couple weeks.
Steven Mitchell Jr. (ankle) did individuals.
Dominic Davis took a lot of reps at slot receiver.
***
Former USC star Robert Woods attended practice and briefly addressed the team afterward. Helton, as he introduced him to the players, beamed, "Every day was a game to him, every practice."
Today was my first practice in a couple weeks -- as most of you know I was tending to the birth of my son -- and the first thing that popped out was that Clay Helton has made practice livelier. You can hear him throughout practice exhorting the players. (Helton did this to a lesser extent in his previous role; you just know it's different for the guys when they're being addressed in such a manner from their head coach.)
I also noticed some slight but significant changes in format. Not sure if this was by design, but practices under Steve Sarkisian tended to heavily feature individuals. Team periods often consisted of a series of standout plays, with each rep serving as an opportunity for everyone to try and showcase what they could do.
What we're seeing now is a much more deliberate approach. Team periods are focused on collective objectives (i.e. running inside, stopping the run) and specific roles. I asked Helton about this and this is what he said:
"I really believe the game is not all about Xs and Os, it's about scheme. It's about technique and fundamentals. We've really trued to emphasize that in our practices the last two weeks and I think (it's) starting to pay dividends, especially in the pass rush area. We had four sacks at Notre Dame but I really thought we could get to the quarterback even better. Even though we only had three sacks in the Utah game, I really thought we got Travis (Wilson) off his spot and made him feel uncomfortable.
"We've really tried to stress the technique and fundamentals and make sure that it's a physical practice. It may be shorter, but it's good on good. This practice field has always been about competition. That 30 for 30 (Trojan War) showed that and that's what we want to instill. That's 'SC football and that's what it'll be as long as we're here."
The old format might explain some of the team's recent issues with identity and continuity. I found it interesting that despite dealing with myriad injuries, USC looked like it was on the same page Saturday, much more than it had in any of its 18 games under Sark.
***
Chad Wheeler (concussion) was a full participant and worked with the first team. Zach Banner returned to right tackle. The interior linemen were the same from Saturday (Damien Mama, Khaliel Rodgers, Viane Talamaivao).
Taylor McNamara (shoulder) was held out of team drills but participated in 7-on-7. That's likely a good sign that he will be able to work his way back to the field for Saturday.
Connor Spears took the first-team reps in McNamara's place.
Tyler Petite did not practice. Helton said his foot was too sore. He said there's a chance he might be able to get some work in later in the week. Sounds like he'll be out for Saturday.
***
John Plattenburg (ill) returned to practice and was with the first team, opposite Chris Hawkins. Plattenburg had an interception against the scout team.
Rasheem Green (knee) was limited to running on the side.
Claude Pelon (knee) remains out.
Kevon Seymour, who some have said they saw limp off the field at the end of the Utah game, was a full participant. He had a couple near picks while defending JuJu Smith-Schuster. We're starting to see flashes of what he did in spring.
The defense worked in nickel a lot today and there were a lot of moving parts, especially among the defensive backs and linebackers.
Adoree' Jackson practiced exclusively on defense.
***
Tre Madden did not practice. He said the plan all along was for him to sit out vs. Utah to give his knee a rest and perhaps be ready for Cal.
Darreus Rogers (hamstring) participated in 11-on-11 for the first time in a couple weeks.
Steven Mitchell Jr. (ankle) did individuals.
Dominic Davis took a lot of reps at slot receiver.
***
Former USC star Robert Woods attended practice and briefly addressed the team afterward. Helton, as he introduced him to the players, beamed, "Every day was a game to him, every practice."
