Freshman Quarterback Palmer Impresses

USC’s heralded freshman quarterbacks, Carson Palmer and Jason Thomas, got some of the snaps they were promised by Coach Paul Hackett on the first day of practice.

Mike Van Raaphorst is far and away the front-runner and is taking 50% of the snaps, so to have a chance to play this season, Palmer and Thomas have to hit the books. Or more specifically, USC’s mammoth playbook.

“It’s about five or six inches thick,” Thomas said. “It’s the biggest playbook I’ve seen in my life.”

How big is it? Palmer spread his arms about three feet apart.

“About like that,” he grinned. “It’s amazing.”

Palmer drew praise from Hackett after the first day of full-squad drills Monday at UC Irvine. Thomas missed the morning workout because of soreness in the left ankle he broke as a senior at Compton Dominguez High, but practiced in the afternoon and said the ankle should be fine.

“I thought Carson Palmer had an excellent first day, as much as those guys have had thrown at them,” Hackett said. “I think Jason Thomas made a nice recovery after he couldn’t go in the morning.”

Palmer said he and Thomas, who are rooming together, are teaming up to learn the playbook.

“At night, we stay up late, quizzing each other on the signals,” said Palmer, who played at Rancho Santa Margarita High. “It’s easier to learn something when you’re studying with someone.

“Right now, [Hackett] has given us a real good chance in trying for a spot. I think it would be very, very tough, by the first game, very, very hard. Hopefully, by the second, third or fourth game, I think we could [compete].”

Van Raaphorst isn’t the only competition. John Fox, who started nine of 11 games last season, and Quincy Woods, are also trying to get back in the fight.

“It’s tough mentally,” Fox said. “It’s even tough physically, because you don’t get to do much. I’m waiting . . . to get my opportunity and run with it. Be there, be ready for my chance. Maybe I’ll get one. Maybe I won’t.”

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Marv Goux, an assistant coach at USC when Hackett was an assistant in the 1970s, visited the Trojans’ first practice. . . . The offensive line--already the Trojans’ biggest concern--is beset by nagging injuries, with Ken Bowen held out because of a sore back, the result of a recent car accident, and Matt McShane out after being hurt slightly moving furniture. . . . Cornerback Antuan Simmons was held out after missing his physical appointment, but should practice today. . . . Linebacker Chris Claiborne is being held to one-a-days to protect his knee after arthroscopic surgery to remove scar tissue last spring. . . . Safety Darnell Lacy has a back problem that could keep him out awhile.