** If any player jumped out at me it was sophomore receiver Damian Williams, who looked fast and smooth. Williams got to the outside on a kickoff return, and safety Taylor Mays was none too pleased about that. Williams also looked more fluid than any other receiver when turning upfield after making a reception.
** I witnessed first-hand the competitive nature that Pete Carroll has referred to in sizing up this team. After Patrick Turner made a pretty sideline grab right in front of me over freshman cornerback T.J. Bryant, linebacker Brian Cushing ran over and told Turner that he was bobbling the ball and it was no catch. The consensus from the sideline: Cushing was wrong. Good catch. First down, Trojans.
** I’m used to NFL training-camp practices and found USC’s to be much more … collegiate. There was a lot of whooping, hollering and clapping, and the players sprinted from one drill to the next. Longtime sideline observers tell me that’s a reflection of Carroll, who sprints right along with his troops.
