Snoop Dogg Has His Day With the Team

USC does not play this week, so Coach Pete Carroll allowed practice to become a rapper’s delight Tuesday when Snoop Dogg joined the top-ranked Trojans for a workout as a guest coach and receiver.

The rapper, music producer and actor, whose real name is Calvin Broadus, surprised players when he showed up for a pre-practice meeting and then accompanied them onto the field. The appearance was taped for an MTV show.

“I was a big SC fan growing up,� said Broadus, who attended Long Beach Poly and coaches a youth football team in Rowland Heights. “Some of my favorite players were Marcus Allen, Charles White, Willie McGinest, Curtis Conway [and] Junior Seau.�

Asked how the appearance was arranged, Carroll said, ‘His people called our people.’�

Snoop Dogg is not the first celebrity to practice with the Trojans. Last December, for example, actor Will Ferrell donned a uniform and participated in a few drills and jokes before the Rose Bowl.

“Snoop looks a little more graceful when he runs, but they’re both funny,� quarterback Matt Leinart said.

Said flanker Jason Mitchell: “He could work on his cutting a little bit ... but he has some good hands. He told me he wasn’t getting the ball enough.�

USC’s next game is against Notre Dame on Nov. 27. Carroll said Snoop Dogg’s representatives approached him about a visit earlier in the season.

“It was, ‘No way, not during a game week,’ � Carroll said.

Cornerback Eric Wright rapped with the rapper during the pre-practice meeting.

“He’s dope,� Snoop Dogg said.

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USC this week began sending out e-mails to national media outlets touting players for postseason honors.

USC has disseminated information about punter Tom Malone and linebackers Matt Grootegoed and Lofa Tatupu. Defensive tackles Shaun Cody and Mike Patterson will be featured today, running back Reggie Bush on Thursday and Leinart on Friday.

Leinart said he was aware of the push and the developing Heisman Trophy scenarios.

“I know there’s kind of more attention the last couple weeks when the voters vote and all that stuff, but I’m just going to do my job,� said Leinart, who has passed for 2,348 yards and 23 touchdowns with five interceptions.

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Offensive lineman John Drake, who missed the last two games because of a high ankle sprain, took part in team drills and said he hoped to be ready for the Notre Dame game. Drake was supposed to participate only in individual work but could not resist testing his fitness. “It’s hard to keep watching so long, you’re kind of itching to get back out there,� he said.... Carroll said cornerback Kevin Arbet (knee sprain) would not practice this week but could return next week in preparation for Notre Dame.