Ryan Kartje (LA Times) — The logistics remain a daily nightmare.
Every morning, starting at 6:15 a.m., nearly two hours are spent administering rapid coronavirus tests to every USC football player. Every afternoon, those players and staff members are outfitted with masks or gaiters for practice and, due to county ordinances, split into four different training areas across multiple fields. Every night, Clay Helton can feel just how much he’s slingshotted, back and forth, between them.
“I’m gonna lose about 10 pounds, which is probably a good thing, running from field to field,” the USC coach joked on Monday.
But aside from perhaps a more trim figure, Helton says he’s noticed additional benefits from the Trojans’ unprecedented start to a pandemic-shortened season.
In particular, Helton has been a proponent of the additional two weeks afforded ahead of training camp, which mimicked the offseason training activities that have long been a part of the NFL’s offseason calendar.
“You could tell how much the OTAs … how that helped us both mentally and physically and really prepared us for our training camp,” Helton said. “So I hope it’s something the NCAA will consider moving forward because, now having gone through it, it’s a great way to prepare for training camp both mentally and physically for these kids. It got us ahead.”
For a defense in transition, that extra preparation has been especially vital. New defensive coordinator Todd Orlando had a single spring practice to see his entire first-team defense in action before last weekend. But two weeks of walk-throughs appear to have put his new defense ahead of where it might have been otherwise.
Where USC stands in its attempt to turn the defense into a more physical, hard-hitting outfit won’t begin to be known until later this week. The Trojans begin full-contact practice on Wednesday, followed by their first scrimmage on Saturday.
While Helton has committed to more physicality in practice, he said that the potential for injuries, especially after such a long layoff, makes full contact a “fine line” to navigate.
“As a head coach, you hold your breath,” Helton said. “But you have to get your kids trained in that.”
The extra two months of training ahead of the season’s unusual start have given USC’s half-dozen freshmen linemen a head start in preparing for a season in which some will probably have to contribute. With players spread across different fields, those linemen have seen more repetitions, while coaches have more tape with which to evaluate their progress.
Helton singled out Jonah Monheim and Courtland Ford as two freshmen linemen who have shown “physical maturity right off the bat.”
“They’re the future of this offensive line, and we’re very, very pleased with them,” Helton said, “and we’re fortunate right now to be able to get them the work they needed to be able to progress, because … they’re going to have to help out this year.”
Running back rotation
As injuries ravaged its backfield last season, four running backs factored seriously into USC’s rushing rotation. What role those four backs will play this season remains a mystery.
Redshirt senior Vavae Malepeai, who struggled with a lingering knee injury last season, tweaked his hamstring and has been limited in camp. His injury is “going to take a little time,” Helton said.
The news is more positive for redshirt sophomore Markese Stepp, who remains limited but has begun to cut and maneuver on his injured ankle. Stepp was the most effective running back on USC’s offense last season, averaging 6.4 yards per carry over six games before injuring his ankle.
“He’s one that we’ll gauge over these next four weeks, but just early signs, he looks healthy,” Helton said of Stepp.
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Just read an article in the Oregonian on the Pac 12 Network. According to this article, the Network is in shambles. It has laid off most of its staff and will not be carrying any football games this season. It is supposed to carry basketball games, but that is a bit hard to do without any staff to speak of. Of course, limousine Larry Scott is still pulling down his huge salary (he gets paid by both the Pac 12 Network and the Pac 12 Conference – the article said he is pulling down $5.3 Million per year). Scott will… Read more »
Larry Scott–the very definition of debacle.
I see SC is going to play some football in 2020 afterall. Good. Because it is the only team in America I give a hang about.
Does CH sound like he is going to limit contact in training? That’s what Navy did, and they paid with a sound butt whipping. We all know CH would rather walk through practices and then watch film, instead of players learning how to not get their ass kicked going full tilt in practice. If his culture prevails, it’s going to be another sad season of what could have been.
#SomebodyLockHimUp
Steve, If you are right, it will show up big time in the ASU game. ASU has a competent coaching staff and does not have the CA government to contend with. The Sun Devils will be ready to play on Nov. 7. If Clay has anything major to do with practice content, SC will get killed. I agree with Allen – there is no way Todd Orlando is going to let Clay mess up his career. I honestly expect the SC kids will be ready to play.
Graham Harrell on USC’s OL per Erik McKinney of WeAreSC.com — “I feel really good about where we are at offensive line, especially with AVT (Vera-Tucker) coming back,” Harrell said. “For us, if we’re good up front, we’ve got a chance to win a whole lot of football games. That’s really anybody in football these days, but particularly us. That’s what we always say—our success is going to start up front. And with the amount of experience we have coming back and the talent level of those guys, and as much football as they’ve played–especially if we can stay pretty… Read more »
Do you think Harrell really believes that, or was he just saying it because he knows the USC fans see the offensive line as the Achilles heel of this program?
Of course, feeling real good about the offensive line against ASU and the rest of the Pac-12 South is much different than feeling good about them going up against the CFP-level teams.
All I know is I’d rather hear about the Trojan OL from Harrell, a hot, young, innovative coach I greatly admire, more than Drevno, a coach who doesn’t do much for me. So I’ll take it, regardless of Harrell’s motives.
USC’s OL has to stay very healthy, as he says. That condition concerns me a lot.
just listened to orlando’s talk to the media. i see why you like him so much. it was the opposite of Clay. no BS, no diplomat, just straight-forward realism. talked about how the game of football comes down to whether guys are willing to go hit and get off blocks and tackle.
@gametv Getting Orlando was like adding a giant dose of concrete to the USC defensive mix.
We have to give Helton some credit here. ✌
USC stole a very highly-regarded defensive coach from TEXAS who was cut loose to give Tom Herman an excuse for his own failings.
i probably sound a bit bi-polar about SC. there are some real positive signs, but every once in a while the reality of having Helton as head coach just saps my enthusiasm and i head back into my negative rants.
just looking forward to a season.
At the risk of sounding sarcastic, I believe Helton is worried about his bottom line. Losing a player in practice is something every coach is aware of. So having the right coaches in place might curb some of those problems. The trouble lies in freak accidents. Nobody can predict them, but preparation can slow them. Don’t let up Clay.
Needless to say, Clay is an enigma. Previous years’ lack of physicality in practice has hurt SC in my opinion. I was a Quarterback in High School and us QB’s had to endure a practice drill called “bull in the ring”. You had to stand in the middle of a circle of players and you were blindfolded. Then the coach would whisper to a few players in the circle to go make a hit on the guy in the center (e.g., me). It taught me to be relaxed as possible in order to take a hit from my “blind side”.… Read more »
rlee, I still stand by by initial take. If Clay is other than a cheerleader regarding football operations, the season is over before it begins. And, assuming Bohn is competent, we will never know how the team is being run on a day to day basis. I will wait for the ASU game to judge. Based on past performance, when Clay is heavily involved in football operations, SC stinks in (a) its first game and (b) in any game against a quality opponent. As ASU is both, it should be interesting.
I am really starting to feel that Orlando will be a big improvement, not only for the defense, but I think that the offense will get to practice against a defense that uses alot more different looks. Orlando is a very smart DC, his biggest problem is probably that he might over-complicate the defense. The biggest issue for the defense will be whether we have the linebackers to execute his schemes.
Rjj, let’s talk about this very subject (Helton still getting involved in day to day operations). The first question is, does anyone other than these two know if Helton has orders to leave the coordinators alone to do their jobs in running practices & gameplanning or not? How would we ever find out? By how the team plays and would that be fair assumption since the team is still full of Helton’s recruits? 2nd, is it about Helton’s contract he is still here, is it Folt still wants to follow Nikias’ directive in keeping the football program “toned down in… Read more »
I sincerely doubt Helton has been told by Bohn to leave the coordinators alone. I just don’t see Bohn emasculating Helton that way, behind the scenes. He doesn’t seem that devious to me and has supported Helton very strongly in public. Instead, I think Helton had pre-hiring conversations with both Harrell and Orlando and they requested and received full authorization to dictate the offense and the defense and certain practice requirements. Otherwise, there would be little reason for either to take the USC job as they would be effectively neutered at a once-dominant program needing a huge rebuild on both… Read more »
I find it hard to believe that Bohn and CH have not had a come to Jesus meeting with Bohn being direct and honest with CH about his culture and philosophy. Bohn wants a winner, no question, and I have to believe he has reigned in CH is certain areas. Of course CH is the mouthpiece and we have to tolerate what he is going to give us. Not that we haven’t already heard it all before.
I can only hope that Bohn actually personally told Helton that he had to lay off Harrell, Orlando and Snyder. But I’ve never actually been told this by any sources, some of whom have told me plenty. But I’m happy with the way things are, so long as we have to have Gentleman Clay as a HC nobody wants. I like these new assts enormously and do not feel that “Helton’s culture” will make it impossible for these new coaches to be successful. While I don’t feel CH can ever lead USC to a national championship, I think Harrell has… Read more »
I think that Helton has been forced to relinquish control to his coordinators in terms of actual strategy and play calling. But it wasnt a discussion with Bohn, but rather, the only way that Helton could get Harrell or Orlando to work at SC (or to stay at SC). Both Harrell and Orlando have a strong vision for what players do on their side of the ball. If Helton were trying to change or micromanage them, they would not stay. For example, Harrell’s focus on execution, rather than a complex book of plays, is what drives everything on that side… Read more »
In the meantime, I am on the edge of my seat waiting for more witticisms and insights from this brilliant mind. Ladies and gentlemen, I give you Clay “Huggs” Helton!
Jamaica, On the staffing, I mostly agree with Allen but slightly disagree slightly with him. I agree (and expect) that all three coordinators (GH, Orlando & Snyder) all demanded as part of contract negotiations a hands off policy by Clay. I also agree that Clay is by far the worst coach on the staff (save perhaps Drevno) and an incompetent as HC, no assistant in his right mind would allow Clay to have any voice over his job (and hence career). But I also think that Bohn was part of those discussions on the coordinator’s independence from Clay and a… Read more »
TrojanRJJ – I agree that the coordinators are in charge of their side of the ball, but more as a result of the fact that they have very strong vision for how they want to do things. Harrell’s focus on execution and limited playbook is not changing much this year. Orlando’s focus on a defense that is constantly giving false reads and bringing pressure from the linebackers is not going to change either. Helton cant really change either side of the ball because he is not the one with the ideas that are driving the strategy or practices. I do… Read more »
You nailed it RJJ. And from what I hear, the money ain’t coming in. She will need to count on the liberal elite USC Alums to take up the slack. Unfortunately, SC did produce a few of these bad apples (wealthy liberal alumni–see George Lucas), but not enough to make up the difference from the big givers whom little mao foltie has worked so hard to alienate. Little foltie needs to find herself a georgie soros….
Very astute post TrojanRJJ!. I have only resumed donations to the Leventhal School of Accounting at this point. When I graduated from USC in 1979 with an MBA emphasizing Accounting and Finance, the then Big 8 Public Accounting Firms all gave me an offer. It was up to me to choose who to go with, so I chose Arthur Young & Company, now Ernst & Young, as I felt they had the best approach to my recruitment. All of my friends who just emphasized in Finance, Marketing or Management had to hit the streets with their resume. It was an… Read more »
I used to share the same feelings about the Law School. No longer. It is not the school I graduated from. I would really hate to be running a CA law firm in this environment. Thank God I was able to retire six years ago.
Congratulations! I tried for a joint degree, MBA and J.D. in Law but the Law School turned me down. My Grandfather, Honorable CA State Senator Frank C. Weller, BLM USC in 1914 and LLM USC in 1916, was furious and wrote the Law School Dean at that time, Dorothy Nelson, a firm letter asking why they would deny me admission with a 3.9 Undergrad GPA in the USC Business School. She wrote back the Admissions Committee, headed by a clown named Larry Rafuel, that she couldn’t even get her own Granddaughter in the Law School. A few years later, President… Read more »
@rleeholder1 It seems, if I remember correctly, that an insane number of my classmates at USC got out with accounting majors. I was always impressed. I took basic accounting at USC and frankly didn’t find it that easy. I’m sure there are still some fundamental credit vs debit distinctions I will never be able to handle correctly. Congrats to you on getting offers from the entire Big 8! Job well done. Another issue I will always have difficulty with: How the heck could Lynn Swann have ever bent over to touch his toes (what a dancer!) in order to reward… Read more »
Allen: thank you for your kind words. I’ve always felt, and it’s just a feeling as I worked most of my career in highly classified environments, that Helton had something on USC so he was paid to keep his mouth shut. It’s the only way I can rationalize how Haden and Swann rewarded him for, at best, mediocre performance.