Go Fetch: Tirebiter’s Morning Byte Of USC Trojans News

In his final go-round with the Trojans, the senior quarterback and Heisman Trophy contender is approaching training camp with an attitude similar to one he adopted three years ago. “I’m trying to kind of approach it like my freshman year,” Barkley said. “Of trying to prove something, trying to be perfect compared to all the other guys. I know a lot more than I did that year but it’s still a fun experience.”

Kiffin commended Tuerk for his approach to the game and dearth of mental mistakes. Kiffin said Tuerk is “a long way ahead” of where Marcus Martin was at this point last season — and Martin ended up starting at left guard by Week 3.

Three weeks ago, Curtis McNeal had never heard the name Silas Redd, never seen a single one of his 321 career carries at Penn State, never thought about him for one second. Now, he’s sharing the USC Trojans’ backfield with him. And he doesn’t mind it one bit, he says. “He’s gonna help our team become better, so I have no problem with him being here,” said McNeal, USC’s incumbent starting running back, who rushed for 1,005 yards in 2011. “We’re gonna need every guy we can get.”

There are Six different former USC Trojans on this team right now-all on offense: Leinart, Carson Palmer, Alex Parsons, David Ausberry, Brandon Carswell, and Nick Howell. While he is backing up Palmer at quarterback, he has Parsons snapping him the ball with Ausberry and Carswell to catch passes. “It’s nice. It’s pretty cool. Guys I’ve been familiar with over the years. Obviously Carson too but, yeah it’s been an easy transition. It’s nice that we’re representing the Trojans well.” “Lane Kiffin is there. [They run] a version of [the West Coast Offense], a lot of the same stuff we’re doing here and I played for Lane in college so it’s a lot of the same stuff.”

Enter Lee, a sophomore wide receiver who some argue is a more valuable asset in the Trojans passing game than Woods anyway. It isn’t a difficult argument to make, given that as a freshman Lee averaged nine receptions and 140 yards per game over his last five contests while catching seven touchdown passes. Of course, part of makes Lee so good is Woods’ presence on the field; defenders are drawn down field by Woods, leaving Lee as incredibly dangerous secondary option in single coverage.