Carroll Makes His Caution Clear

By Gary Klein

Sept. 7, 2002 12 AM PT

USC does not play again until next Saturday at Colorado, so Coach Pete Carroll gave his players today and Sunday off.

The two-day respite qualifies as an extended break for a team that won its season opener against Auburn last Monday and conducted three light practices during this bye week.

Carroll said he tried to emphasize one theme at the conclusion of Friday’s practice: “Stay out of trouble.”

Quarterback Carson Palmer said Carroll cited incidents at another local program to get his message across.

“Coach keeps using UCLA and all the stuff that’s going on over there as an example,” Palmer said. “He wants guys to realize we have something good going right now. Just be smart about it and don’t mess things up.”

Palmer said he would spend part of today at his parents’ house watching Miami vs. Florida and other games on TV. The Colorado-San Diego State game is a viewing possibility for Palmer, but it does not qualify as must-see TV.

“I like watching the games I don’t get to see,” Palmer said. “I get to watch that Colorado game over and over again next week in film so I’ll see enough of that.”

Quarterback Billy Hart, who languished behind backups Matt Leinart and Matt Cassel throughout training camp, worked with the first-team offense for several series Friday.

Leinart was the No. 2 quarterback for the opener against Auburn, but he did not play. Cassel missed an opportunity to unseat Leinart by struggling in practice this week.

“Billy sometimes is left out of the competition--I don’t see it that way,” Carroll said. “I think Billy deserves as much chance as anybody else. I saw him a lot last year with the service team. I want him to have the chance to make some noise out here too.”

Hart said he would welcome more chances to move up the depth chart.

“I’m not in any position to complain,” Hart said.

“All I can do is make the best of my opportunity when I get in there.”

Freshman Winston Justice worked again with the first-team offense and appears on track to start at right tackle against Colorado.

Early in the week, Justice alternated with redshirt junior Eric Torres, who started the Auburn game. But Justice took every repetition with the first team Friday while Torres worked at left guard with the second unit.

Justice said his blocking technique and his speed on the snap are improving.

“I think my run blocking is better than my pass blocking right now,” Justice said.

Most assistant coaches left practice early to scout at junior college and high school scrimmages.

Carroll said he would attend a scrimmage at Long Beach City College.

Junior flanker Keary Colbert did not participate in most drills for the second day because of a sore knee.