Old Drill for Old Friends

USC defensive back Darrell Rideaux spent the last seven years matching his talent and wit against Trojan wide receiver Kareem Kelly.

During four years at Long Beach Poly High and last three at USC, the seniors challenged each other physically and verbally to raise their performances.

Rideaux and Kelly were woofing at each other again Tuesday during a coverage drill that is becoming one of the most important testing grounds during the Trojans’ training camp.

Coach Pete Carroll is looking for cornerbacks to replace Chris Cash and Kris Richard, both of whom were drafted by NFL teams.

Rideaux is one of the leading candidates, but he and Kevin Arbet are being pressed by Marcell Allmond, Ronald Nunn and Justin Wyatt.

“You want the pressure because it’s going to get you revved up for every play in practice,” Rideaux said. “I’m fighting to keep the other guys from coming up. I’m just trying to enjoy it.”

Kelly, who could become the Trojans’ all-time leading receiver, said the 5-foot-8 Rideaux is more physical this spring and making more consistent reads.

“When I go up against Kareem, I know I’m going to get his best,” Rideaux said.

“We’ve lined up day in and day out for so long, neither one of us wants to give in to the other. We feud and fight on the field but we always hug and make up after practice.”

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Players were instructed Monday that they should run to the sidelines when an alarm sounded during practice Tuesday.

The alarm went off about midway through afternoon practice and players scurried to the sidelines. Coaches then put them through a series of 12 sprints to the middle of the field and back before resuming drills.

“It was just to make it hard and make them respond and push through the end of practice,” Carroll said. “These guys are going to be under a lot of adversity and we need to get mentally right to handle whatever happens.”

The sprints drained sophomore defensive end Shaun Cody, who suffered cramps and was taken from the field on a cart. Cody received intravenous fluids and said he would be ready to play today.

“[The drill] is called ‘The Winning Edge,’ ” Cody said. “It wasn’t quite the winning edge for me.”

Junior defensive end Daniel Urquhart also was treated for cramps.

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The Trojans practiced field goals for the first time and kicker David Davis made four of six during the morning workout, the final one from 37 yards. He also converted all of his attempts from various distances in the afternoon.

Davis, a senior, made 15 of 18 field goals last season, including 12 in a row during one stretch. He converted four kicks from 40 yards or farther, the longest a 47-yarder against Arizona

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Offensive lineman Zach Wilson, who suffered a left foot sprain on the first day of training camp, was examined and said he would probably miss a week or two. Wilson’s foot was fitted with a plastic protective device. “They put a boot on me, like I had too many parking tickets,” he said.... Wide receiver Keary Colbert was held of most drills throughout the day because of tightness in his legs.... Freshman quarterback Billy Hart and junior offensive lineman Nate Steinbacher passed conditioning tests and took part in drills for the first time.