Fight On! 2009 USC Trojans Preview Part One: Defense

James Parker

Contributor Written on April 03, 2009

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PASADENA, CA - DECEMBER 06: Head coach Pete Carroll of the USC Trojans smiles during warm ups before the game against the UCLA Bruins on December 6, 2008 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

(Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

Ahhh Spring!

To some it means flowers, showers, and spring cleaning. To some it means Cabo San Lucas, Cancun, Jamaica, and all the other Spring Break destinations for some fun in the sun.

And for some, it means Drills, Playbooks, sweat, Gatorade, aches and pains.

Yes Folks, Spring practice has officially begun for the men of troy. Some guys will be picking up right where they left of as starters, while others are practicing harder than ever to try and squeeze into one of the wholes left by last years seniors and early draft entrees.

While they will miss names like Maualuga, Cushing, Moala, to name a few. The guys out there will try their hardest to make you forget those names.

For most schools, replacing big names is no easy task. But for Carroll and USC it has become... well easy.

Or at least they make it look that way. It seems each year the Trojans loose a player or two who played such an integral part in the success, that it seems as though the Trojans will suffer without them.

But Carroll plugs in either one of his new top recruit Freshman, or one he had stashed away from another top recruiting class. And they are expected to produce.

And this year is no different. "We always have high expectations at USC, and 2009 is no exception," said Carroll at the teams first spring practice.

"Every season presents new and different challenges, as is certainly the case this year, but we do have the ingredients to have another very good team."

In this part one of three I plan to write, I will give you five of those ingredients on the defensive side of the ball, who are expected to either start or make solid contributions.

DE, Everson Griffen

LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 11: Defensive Everson Griffen #93 of the USC Trojans hits quarterback Rudy Johnson #12 of the Arizona State Sun Devils on October 10, 2008 at the Los Angeles Coliseum in Los Angeles, California. USC wond 28-0. (Photo by Steph

At 6'3", 265 Everson 'The Quick' Griffen has the prototypical size as a Pass rushing DE. And that is exactly what he is. In his first two years he was used as the teams pass rush specialist.

In his Freshman year he appeared in all 13 games and started in two of them. He had 21 tackles, 5.5 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and two deflections.

He also became the first USC true freshman to start an opener on the defensive line since Tim Ryan in 1986.

In his sophomre season he appeared in 12 of the 13 games and started in three. He had 18 tackles, including six for losses, and 4.5 sacks.

He is expected to win out a starting DE spot, and be the 'Next Big Thing' on the D-line for USC.

LB, Michael Morgan

LOS ANGELES - OCTOBER 4: Michael Morgan of the USC Trojans looks on against the Oregon Ducks on October 4, 2008 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, California. USC won 44-10. (Photo by Jeff Golden/Getty Images)

The 6'4", 220 linebacker has the size and athleticism to big things for the Trojans. Drawing a few comparisons to Keith Rivers, he showed some flashes of what he can do on the field last year getting 22 tackles (five for a loss), a sack plus a fumble recovery.

Morgan is expected to push for the starting strong-side linebacker spot, and have solid contributions.

LB, Malcolm Smith

LOS ANGELES - OCTOBER 11: Malcolm Smith of the USC Trojans looks on against the Arizona State Sun Devils on October 11, 2008 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, California. USC won 28-0. (Photo by Jeff Golden/Getty Images)

Smith strikes me as the one backer whose name isn't always mentioned. Yet, he is always doing the right thing at the right time. The smart backer capable of playing all backer positions.

The brother of former USC Trojan Steve Smith appeared in all 13 games last season although seldom used. netting 18 tackles.

He is should be pushing for the starting weak-side backer spot. Whether he starts or not, he is expected to make big contributions.

DB, Josh Pinkard

LOS ANGELES - NOVEMBER 8: Josh Pinkard #36 of the USC Trojans looks on against the California Bears on November 8, 2008 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, California. USC won 17-3. (Photo by Jeff Golden/Getty Images)

Pinkard is a rare breed of talent. At 6'2, 210, he has started games at both safety and cornerback, and has shown that he can play both at a high level.

This might be why Pete Carroll once called Pinkard the best all-around player on a team. And that was back in the '06 season (Look at the '06 roster and be amazed).

After fighting back from two season ending knee injuries, Pinkard had a sold season last year with 39 tackles (one for a loss), three deflections, two fumble recoveries, and an interception. Those stats garnered 2008 All-Pac-10 honorable mention.

He is expected to be the starting CB for the Trojans and also be used as a safety on some occasions.

S, Will Harris

PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 01: Safety Will Harris #26 and Kevin Thomas #15 of the USC Trojans celebrate after a fumble recovery during the 95th Rose Bowl Game against the Penn State Nittany Lions at the Rose Bowl on January 1, 2009 in Pasadena, California. T

Harris started the backup safety last year. But an injury to Kevin Ellison thrusted him into the starting lineup.

And he did well. While appearing in all 13 games and starting in five, he had 38 tackles, (4.5 for a loss), three deflections, a fumble recovery and two interceptions that he returned for 28 yards.

Like Pinkard, Harris has been hit with the injury bug often while at USC. And if he can stay healthy, he is in line to start at strong safety this year.

LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 13: Traveler, the mascot horse of the USC Trojans, enters the field before the Trojans take on the Ohio State Buckeyes during the college football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 13, 2008 in Los Angeles,

So there you have it. In my next article i will mimic the rest of the Pac-10 and try to tackle the offense for the Trojans. In which i will give you five names on that side of the ball who are in line to make a difference for the Men of troy.

FIGHT ON!

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