It was a "Win One, Lose One" proposition for USC at practice Tuesday afternoon. Mark Sanchez continued his remarkable recovery from a dislocated knee just 11 days ago. At the same time, shifty tailback C.J. Gable, who started the last two season openers, went down with a sprained hip and a sprained ankle.
Sanchez threw to receivers for the first time since dislocating his knee and said he felt good. He feels in rhythm and says his arm strength is fine. He threw over 30 passes during drills and continued pushing himself, hoping to do more at today’s practice.
Pete Carroll remains optimistic, if somewhat cautious. He is waiting to see just how well Sanchez’ knee responds to the work he did yesterday.
Sanchez feels that his return to the starting lineup for the opener against Virginia is a "definite possibility."
Not so optimistic is the injury to C.J. Gable. He went down hard on a hit by Wes Horton, a defensive end. Later, he was diagnosed with a sprained hip and a sprained ankle. The ankle is not so much a problem, but the hip is, according to Dr. James Tibone, who examined Gable.
The injury answers those who wonder about Pete Carroll keeping a stable of top running backs. Just this past Saturday at the Coliseum, Joe McKnight suffered a hyperextended elbow. Fortunately, McKnight returned to practice yesterday.
But what’s that commercial line: "You can never have too much of a good thing." USC is proving that now, especially the way the players compete for a starting spot. It was no fluke that C.J. Gable went down on "Competition Tuesday," the first one this brand-new season.
Cary Harris remains sidelined with a sprained shoulder, but Will Harris, taking his place, came up big with two interceptions.
The tight ends, Jimmy Miller and Rhett Ellison, continue to impress. Even the new tight end, freshman All-Everything Blake Ayles, returning from an injury, caught a short touchdown pass from Mitch Mustain.
Mustain also threw another short TD pass to his classmate from Arkansas, Damian Williams. Aaron Corp also threw a TD pass to Ellison.
With the opening kickoff just 10 days away, the defense, as expected, is still ahead of the offense—but not by much. Slowly but surely, the O-line is coming together.
Don’t forget tomorrow’s (Thursday's) mock game at the Coliseum starts at 3:30 pm. The Trojan band will be there. Will you?
11 comments Last one added 10 months ago — Leave a Comment
Lew Wright 10 months ago
Hey Paul,
Tough news about Gable. He's one exciting back to watch, unless he's running the ball against your defense! You're right about never having enough of a good thing. Running back still should be just about the strongest position for the Trojans this coming season.
Great read Paul.
Lew
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Doug Kraus 10 months ago
A friend of mine (not a Buckeye) that he felt USC is overrated in the pre-seasons polls given the fact that the O-line is only returning two starters. He questions whether Sanchez has the skills to it is going to take given the fact that he might be on the chase often. Seems like a good point.
Any Trojans out there want to comment?
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J.C. Ayvazi 10 months ago
The other 3 linemen saw a fair amount of time last season. Carroll believes in rotating both lines to keep players fresh and give reps to the backups so they are ready when needed.
Sanchez is a scrambling qb - so rolling out or breaking the pocket is something he is quite used to.
Suggest you don't spend too much time listening to those who don't know what they are talking about.
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Lisa Horne 10 months ago
All of the O-linemen have had starts in games, they just haven't had 8-12 game starts. They looked like they were jelling in Spring Game, so they should be ready to go.
As far as overrated, maybe....but aren't all teams overrated when you consider that none have played a game yet? I don't think SC will go undefeated, but I don't think OSU scares them either. It should be a great game. I think the Virginia opener will force SC to get it together quickly.
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Raj Kamruddin 10 months ago
Honestly, does it matter how many starts U$C lineman have? That team just re-loads. With the amount of 4-5 star talent, and as deep as they are at all positions, just throw in any kid, they will be fine.
As long as they dont have jock itch.
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Doug Kraus 10 months ago
Thanks for the responses J.C., Lisa and Raj. I agree with everything all three of you said. But I have to say that adds up to really good, maybe very good, but does it add up to USC good? I think it is going to take them a few games to gel and I hope they do so on September 20th and run the Pac-10 table.
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Justin Hokanson 10 months ago
Does this mean Stafon Johnson will be the workhorse in the backfield? Makes me think Johnson will be like Lendale White and be the primary back and McKnight will be like Bush and be a weapon just getting the ball here and there.
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Paul Peszko 10 months ago
A few weeks ago when I wrote my prediction for the starting backfield, I picked Gable as the starter for the third consecutive year with Johnson getting the bulk of the carries, however. Now that Gable is injured Johnson will DEFINITELY get the start. But no, he is not the Lendale White back. That honor belongs only to Allan Bradford. He's a load-and-a-half! Cary Harris sprained his shoulder last Saturday trying to tackle him head-on. Bradford just put down his head and crushed Harris.
McKnight is the Bush back and Bradford the Lendale White back. Stafon Johnson, well, he's in a league of his own. Be sure to watch the game against Virginia on the 30th and you'll see what I mean.
McKnight will sometimes be used as a tailback but more often than not as a flanker. The other big back that USC has is Broderick Green, but Bradford is the more experienced and at this point, the hardest hitter.
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Tim Thomas 10 months ago
I agree Paul. That Virginia game will show the nation how legit the USC backfield is.
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Dreadnaught 10 months ago
Good update. I was almost looking forward to seeing Corp play against VA.
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Paul Peszko 10 months ago
After today's Mock Game at the Coliseum, Corp won't start. If Sanchez can't make it back by this Tuesday, then look for Mitch Mustain to start. But more than likely, Sanchez will make it back.
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