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Spring Game Notes

After going to last week's UCLA Spring Game, I can tell the progress made in both camps was noticeable. For USC, it was extremely positive, for UCLA, it was quite the opposite. 

USC

The quarterback situation is a huge bonus...I'm sure the Bruins are envious. Sanchez, except for one mis-fire on a flea-flicker, looked terrific. He was accurate, poised and showed great leadership in the huddle. He's also very big and strong. Aaron Corp  also made his case as to why he should be the second stringer, and coupled with Mitch Mustains' whiney antics, "I didn't come here to be a back-up", Carroll should have an easy decision to make; Corp as the back-up to Sanchez.

Mustain or Corp "improbable" as USC's starting QB

Pete Carroll has come as close as he can to naming Mark Sanchez as the starting quarterback for USC.

While both Mark Sanchez and Mitch Mustain threw two picks in yesterday's practice, the interceptions that Mustain threw were far more alarming. "It was just playing reckless that hurt me," Mustain said. "I kind of forced it, I was frustrated." Mustain had a safe, short pass completion in front of him, but instead threw a riskier pass for more yardage. Mustain did end up throwing a forty-yard TD to wide out Ronald Johnson, but overall, it was not a good day for him.

While Sanchez threw two INTs, one of them was not entirely Sanchez' fault. The pass was high, but bounced off RB Joe McKnight's hands and into the waiting hands of CB Kevin Thomas, who had picked off Sanchez twice for the day. "Usually, you get a good feeling when you leave practice, how it went, and I don't think it went well," Snachez said.

Aaron Corp proved his versatility and speed with a thirty-yard bootleg for a TD.  

The problems facing Mustain and Corp in terms of competition are obvious. They both are in their first season, and besides learning new plays, plays that Sanchez already has down, they don't have the leadership experience at USC. Mustain threw risky passes in order to impress the coaches and gain an advantage over Sanchez, but in the end, it blew-up in his face. 

Pete Carroll, however, might be able to take some of that pressure of Mustain and Corp. He said yesterday that it "was improbable" that anyone would be able to take away the starting quarterback position from Mark Sanchez, and that Sanchez was ahead of the other two quarterbacks after the first week of practice.  It's nice to have that monkey off our back and know who the starter is right away, isn't it?

In other news- the O-line situation. LG Jeff Byers is the only returning starter on the O-line.  The Trojans lost three seniors, and one junior, and the quarterback competition could be pointless if O-line coach Pat Ruel can't fill the positions to fend off a pass rush, and create holes for the rushing attack.

The good news is this; while the line will be young, they won't be newbies. Center Kristopher O'Dowd started three games last year when center Matt Spanos tore his triceps, and said, "If we tighten down a couple of things, we have a chance to be of the best offensive lines in the nation." Three other Trojans have also had some starting game experience, so it's not a dire situation. But it is concerning.

Other news: today is Pro-Day at USC! I'm betting that Sedrick Ellis goes higher in the draft than Glen Dorsey, and today could be the day that he proves that. What say you, Trojan fans?

Good luck Sedrick, Lojack, Sam Baker, JD Booty et al.

Injury report:

• WR Damian Williams is in a boot while he recovers from a sprained left ankle suffered when he tried to avoid colliding with a small child on the sidelines during practice.
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It's time for some USC football

Spring practice starts, and all of our waiting is finally over. Got questions? Here's your place to ask. Got some great input? We want to hear it. Want to sound off? Go for it. 

Important dates:

April 19th, Spring game. Tentative time is 11:30 am PST.

April 26th, UCLA Spring game. Why is this important to us Trojan fans? Two words: Norm Chow.