USC Quarterback Position Is Far From Settled : Spring Practice Shows McLean and Peete Could Challenge Salisbury in Fall

USC football Coach Ted Tollner says that Sean Salisbury will most likely be the starting quarterback in the opening game next season against Illinois.

This is hardly a startling revelation considering that Salisbury is a fifth-year senior, has been USC’s designated No. 1 quarterback for the past three years, and is on the verge of becoming the school’s all-time passing leader.

Salisbury went down with a knee injury in the second game last year. He forfeited his job to Tim Green the rest of the season, but saved a year’s eligibility by declaring 1984 as a redshirt year.

It was assumed that the position would belong to him next season.

Now, with spring practice winding down, Tollner says that the position is very competitive and that the gap is closing between Salisbury and his competition, sophomore Kevin McLean and redshirt freshman Rodney Peete, who is also an infielder on the baseball team.

“Sean looks to be almost fully recovered from his knee surgery and he gets little bit sharper each day,” Tollner said. “But I’m also encouraged by the way Kevin and Rodney are playing. They’re breathing down Sean’s neck, and it’s a legitimate, competitive battle.”

Tollner isn’t saying that Salisbury’s status is in jeopardy, but neither has he flatly declared that the veteran quarterback has the position locked up.

“I’ve told them the position is not set,” Tollner said. “I’m not ready to say that Sean will open the Illinois game Sept. 7, although in all likelihood that will happen. But it’s based on his ability to do things right from now until then.

“He has the advantage of big-game experience and playing on the road, but I’ve told him that he’ll have to perform and I would assume he will.”

McLean started only one game last season and then went into limbo. He took over for Salisbury in the third game against LSU. His performance was shaky, which is understandable considering his inexperience and the caliber of the opponent.

Tollner didn’t stay with McLean after the 23-3 loss to LSU. Instead, Green, a senior and a junior college transfer, became the starting quarterback as USC won the Pacific 10 championship and beat Ohio State, 20-17, in the Rose Bowl game.

Tollner restructured his offense for Green with emphasis on a conservative, mistake-free offense while heavily relying on a more experienced defense to keep USC competitive.

The situation will be reversed next season. Tollner returns seven starters on offense and only four on defense.

Tollner says that McLean, a pocket-type passer, has matured, and he is impressed by Peete’s ability to turn a broken play into a big gain with his scrambling.

USC hasn’t had a quarterback who has been a running threat since Vince Evans in the mid-70s.

“He has made several 20- to 25-yard runs in practice and we haven’t had those type of plays out of a quarterback since I’ve been here,” Tollner said. “He reminds me to a degree of Steve Young, really hurting an opponent with a broken play. He makes some mistakes in other areas, but I feel good about the position.”

Tollner is also comfortable with the quality and depth he has at tailback.

Fred Crutcher, the No. 1 tailback, practiced for two weeks before he had surgery to remove calcium deposits in his left shoulder.

With Crutcher inactive, sophomore Ryan Knight, redshirt freshman Steve Webster and senior Zeph Lee have shared the position.

“Crutcher is quicker than he was last season. He has always been aggressive,” Tollner said. “Knight is running more aggressively, and Webster has some natural instincts for open-field running. Lee apparently isn’t bothered by the pinched nerve in his neck that limited his playing time last year.

“I think the tailback position is as healthy as it has ever been. We feel good about the numbers with Aaron Emanuel (highly regarded prep star) joining us in the fall.”

Tollner, though, has been frustrated to some extent this spring while trying to rebuild his defense.

Marcus Cotton is the only outside linebacker of starting potential who has been able to practice full time. Ron Brown is recovering from a knee operation; Garrett Breeland is recovering from ankle surgery, and Greg Coauette is practicing despite a broken thumb.

Rex Moore, who is regarded as a starting inside linebacker, has missed spring practice with knee and shoulder surgery, while two starters in the defensive line, Tony Colorito and Matt Koart, are recovering from shoulder and knee surgery, respectively.

“It changes your mentality on what you’re trying to get done,” Tollner said. “You can’t get the total defensive team unified because people are missing. All the pieces of the puzzle will fit in the fall, but right now we’re just working on parts of the puzzle.”

Trojan Notes

Spring practice winds up next Friday. . . . Other players who have missed spring practice because of off-season surgery: guard Tom Hallock (elbow), tight end Joe Cormier (shoulder), fullback Todd Steele (ankle) and cornerback Martin French (ankle). Fullback Kennedy Pola practices every other day while trying to get his legs in shape. He was bothered by leg cramps last season. . . . Tollner says that veterans Jeff Bregel and James FitzPatrick have been dominating on the weak side of the offensive line. Dave Cadigan is filling in for Hallock on the strong side, while tackle Gaylord Kuammoo has replaced graduated Ken Ruettgers.

Wide receiver Elbert Watts is now a cornerback, a position he played at Oklahoma in 1981. Lou Brock Jr. has switched from strong safety to cornerback. . . . In a 55-play scrimmage Thursday, Sean Salisbury, Kevin McLean and Rodney Peete shared time at quarterback. Salisbury completed 5 of 9 passes, including a 48-yard pass to flanker Randy Tanner. McLean was 3 of 6 for 36 yards, while Peete teamed with split end Ken Henry on a 37-yard touchdown pass. Ryan Knight gained 68 yards and scored on two short-yardage runs. Steve Webster gained 63 yards. . . . Tollner identified inside linebackers Sam Anno and Keith Davis and tight ends Erik McKee and Paul Green as players who’ve performed capably this spring. . . . USC will return to UC Irvine for a week of fall practice, with veterans reporting Aug. 16.

Ted Tollner