The big question facing the USC defense in 2011 is pretty simple.
Will the Trojans’ D be any better this year?
We won’t really know until after they take the field for this weekend’s opener but, well, they were 109th out of 120 in passing defense, so it couldn’t be too much worse.
Sophomore cornerback Nickell Robey will be a key part of what USC hopes will be an improved defensive unit
In all likelihood, the defensive unit will improve greatly after last year’s debacle. This year’s team already has an edge – the players have actually been tackling in practice. Novel idea, considering that some of the players are even called “defensive tackles,” but it was an element sorely missed last season.
Because the Trojans lost so many players to transfer after the NCAA sanctions were announced, new head coach Lane Kiffin instituted a near-total ban on tackling in fall camp last year – and he’ll be the first to admit it was an awful idea.
Even if USC’s defenders had been better at tackling last season, they probably wouldn’t have known who to go after and when. Defensive guru Monte Kiffin’s famed Tampa 2 defense didn’t work so well with a fairly young group of players who couldn’t tackle. This year, with simplified defensive schemes and seven returning starters, it would be surprising if the defense doesn’t improve dramatically.
Last season’s secondary featured just one “seasoned” upperclassman – Shareece Wright, who hadn’t played the previous year. The group is still young but overall, it’s more experienced. Co-defensive captain T.J. McDonald will be key at free safety, with either Jawanza Starling or Demetrius Wright, who rotated last season, at strong safety.
Sophomore cornerback Nickell Robey often looked like the true freshman he was last year, overwhelmed and out of sorts. He had great talent, though, and he’s the one definite starter at corner, opposite either Torin Harris or dual-sport athlete Tony Burnett, who runs track at ‘SC and surprised many with his play in the second half of last season.
Much has been made of Devon Kennard’s move from middle linebacker back to defensive end this season, which USC hopes will improve the pass rush. He’ll share playing time with returning starters Wes Horton and Nick Perry in an attempt to keep more players fresh and to prevent the fourth quarter collapses that characterized much of 2010.
With Kennard back at end, senior Chris Galippo moves back to middle linebacker – if he’s healthy. Galippo, a top recruit who hasn’t always lived up to the hype, is expected to have a big impact this season but is dealing with a shoulder injury that may keep him out of the first game. His backup is freshman Lamar Dawson, who has just as much talent but none of the experience.
If Dawson is pressed into action, he’ll be one of the few Trojan defenders without game experience, unlike last year, when the vast majority of the secondary was untested. Whether the defense will actually be able to stop anyone this time around remains to be seen, but the odds are already much more in their favor than they were at this time last season.
