Green looks to pick up tough yards
Broderick Green is running angry. So is Allen Bradford.
Frankly, it's something the Trojans could have used last season.
The Stanford game turned at the end of the first half, when Chauncey Washington was denied on a fourth-and-goal from the 1.
At Oregon, they tried a gimmicky end around by Joe McKnight in a nearly identical situation that was blown up.
The national title was lost because USC couldn't gain a single yard.
Green missed all of last season because of a sprained foot that required surgery, while Bradford played sparingly.
Now each is looking to carve out a niche in a loaded stable of running backs as the designated short-yardage rusher.
Bradford stood out Tuesday, taking a simple fullback dive and breaking free for a long touchdown run.
It is Green, however, that looks to be the long sought-after successor to LenDale White, who scored a school-record 57 touchdowns from 2003 to 2005.
"He has tremendous feet for a big man," USC offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian said. "He's nifty in tight quarters, which reminds me of LenDale at times. He's growing and getting better."
He also has White's tendency to internalize any and every perceived slight. Green admits it was difficult to watch as McKnight and Stafon Johnson had breakout games while he was on the mend. His weight, which has long been the focus of message board chatter, is down to 233 pounds.
"Hopefully all the 260 rumors will end," Green added.
Green has also shown flashes of speed and the hands to pull in passes, confounding defenders.
"I like being deceptive," he said. "If I end up making a move, they are kind of like, 'I didn't know you were going to do that. I thought you would run me over.' It feels good to hear guys say that. It's my motivation."
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An admitted long shot in the ongoing quarterback competition, redshirt freshman Aaron Corp has played better of late, especially since he visited with USC pitching coach Tom House to work on his mechanics.
"They didn't change my arm motion, just using my hips and shoulders to get a little more snap in my throw," Corp said.
"You really see it at times when he is really in rhythm. It's definitely a noticeable difference," Sarkisian said.
Corp also got more comfortable with the Trojans' pro-style offense, one much different from the spread attack he used to win a state title with Orange Lutheran that included running the option.
"It's hurt me at times just because I think I can make something happen [with my legs] when I should just be getting rid of the ball. These guys are way faster than high school," he said.
Both USC coach Pete Carroll and Sarkisian said Corp is turning a corner.
"You can see the blossoming happening," Carroll said. "It just takes a while."
"That's the big thing, getting into the offense. I've been here for almost a year now," Corp said. "I think I'm on the right track."
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Redshirt junior Thomas Herring has been working at right guard, and Carroll said he is "a viable option" to replace Chilo Rachal as a starter.
"Since we put him with the first group and let him play between Kris [O'Dowd] and Alex [Parsons], they seem to be working together really well," Carroll said.
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Offensive tackle Butch Lewis missed practice because of illness, while Joe McKnight took a day off to focus on academics. Tight end Anthony McCoy and safety Taylor Mays were held out because of concussion-like symptoms following a collision in Saturday's scrimmage.
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