Lane Kiffin Won't Change USC's No-Tackle Practices

This weekend, the Oregon and Arizona defenses shut out their respective opponents, New Mexico and Toledo, while USC’s defense gave up 588 yards and 36 points to the Hawaii Warriors.

I don’t for a minute think that either New Mexico or Toledo has the same high-caliber offense as the semi-automatic Hawaii “pistol.” 

Nevertheless, the fact that both Oregon and Arizona played USC tough on defense last year and are coming back with high-powered offenses as well, should prompt some concern back at Heritage Hall.

The 72 points that Oregon dumped on New Mexico and the 41 that Arizona scored on Toledo attests to both offenses’ abilities to score early and often.

So USC’s defense, or lack of it, down in Paradise needs to be addressed back home in Southern California.

But in his teleconference today, head coach Lane Kiffin made it clear that it would not be addressed by tackling in practices.

Due to the transfers and injuries, USC held only one practice with tackling in all of Fall Camp to prevent any more injuries to the starters. Today, that lack of depth seems more of a concern to Kiffin than the lack of tackling.

“When our backups went in, what happened?  Four plays, 76 yards; seven plays, 68 yards.  A minute, fifty-eight and two minutes, 35 seconds,” Kiffin said disappointedly.  “I’d just rather they continue to improve on the technique and our fundamentals, and hopefully keep our guys healthy so we have those guys (the starters) out there.”

I don’t mean to sound like I’m second guessing the coach, but isn’t tackling one of the main fundamentals of football?  And is there another way of improving a player’s tackling technique without actually tackling?

Do you show them videos of good tackles and bad tackles?  Do you draw a skeletal schematic like you see on “Sports Science” illustrating the proper alignment for a power tackle?

I know boxers and martial artists can hit heavy bags all day long, but unless they actually do some sparring, they will never be able to compete.

But I do see Kiffin’s point about the huge degree of separation between his starters and their backups who were in on those last two Hawaii scores.

Now, one can see what losing transfers like Jordan Campbell and Malik Jackson as well as linebacker recruit Glen Stanley and having Marquis Simmons on the injured list has done to the depth chart.

That is also the reason, I believe, that Kiffin suspended Patrick Hall.  He wanted him to put more effort into his rehabilitation. 

A defensive back with the speed and agility that Hall possesses cannot take rehabbing lightly.  He needs to be on the field.

If a player of Hall’s ability were available, then true freshman Nickell Robey could have gotten a breather.  “We played Nickell too much,” Kiffin remarked.  “He was in for like 95 plays between defense and special teams.”

Kiffin also was displeased with the effort that DaJohn Harris and Loni Fangupo put out in Hawaii.  He really expected more from them especially with Christian Tupou out for the season.

But the good news is that last year’s Freshman All-American, Nick Perry, USC’s sack specialist, will be back in the lineup against Virginia at the Coliseum Saturday night.

Let’s hope he hasn’t forgotten how to tackle, because Virginia quarterback Marc Verica threw for 283 yards (24-of-35) and a TD against Richmond, while running backs Keith Payne and Perry Jones rushed for 114 and 73 yards, respectively.

The Cavaliers won’t be a pushover by any means.  They are a much better team this year than the one USC destroyed two years ago back in Virginia.

If USC’s defense takes them a little too lightly, this could be a much closer game than the 19-point spread that USC currently enjoys.

While the offense doesn’t look as though it needs much help as long as the offensive line stays healthy, freshman sensation Dillon Baxter will be eligible for the game.  Kiffin says that Baxter might be “the most talented player on our team.”

He will certainly get his chance to show what he can do this Saturday.