An observer told me Sunday that Clay Helton walks around the McKay Center like everything is rosy. Helton might reading and believing everything that says USC has turned a corner. One area that remains a concern in the offensive line. An NFL scout who saw a practice described the current offensive line as “undersized” to me. That’s not a typical USC critique. Maybe Lynn Swann … Continue reading USC Morning Buzz: Is Offensive Line Big Enough?

What are people inside the football program talking about two days into camp? That there is no QB competition. That Clay Helton has already decided he will start JT Daniels and nothing will change that in the next few weeks. This does not surprise people who spend time around Helton. But you will hear comments in the media from Helton about how he hasn’t made … Continue reading First USC Camp Story Line

Clany Pendergast has former Dallas Cowboys coach Dave Campo overseeing the defense and offering advice as a “consultant.” But here is the rub: Pendergast is notoriosly insecure. So he brings in Campo, who is 72 and no one will mistake as a candidate to become defensive coordinator. In fact, other than 3 years at Kansas from 2012-15, Campo hasn’t even coached outside the NFL since … Continue reading This Passes As Outside Help At USC

This is a bit of a weird one. When USC scrimmages at the Coliseum on Aug. 17, the team will sign autographs before the scrimmage (see above). Before the scrimmage? One former USC player told me there was no way he could sign autographs or take pictures an hour before the scrimmage because he would be too focused on the mock game. In the past, … Continue reading USC Morning Buzz: Odd Scrimmage Schedule

Cornerback Dorian Hewett was cleared to practice and promptly steamrollered by wide receiver Michael Pittman. Cornerback Olaijah Griffin intercepted his third pass in two days. Today’s was off a JT Daniels pass for a pick six. Clay Helton said Griffin had surgery on both shoulders in the offseason. The quarterbacks were inconsistent, which is hardly unusual at this time of the year. Wide receiver John … Continue reading USC Practice No. 2 Is Over

The new catch-phrase for USC training camp is “two spot.” It’s jargon, of course, that Clay Helton uses to explain how he is running the offense at two ends of the field so the quarterbacks get more reps. It’s a good idea if the quarterback competition is actually open. Looks like former USC wide receiver Trevon Sidney is off to a fast start at Illinois. … Continue reading USC Notes: Quarterbacks Get More Reps