Quiet Has Been Fine for Booty

Matt Leinart’s comeback from elbow surgery and freshman Mark Sanchez’s work in his six days of practice have been the talk of USC’s training camp.

That has allowed redshirt sophomore John David Booty to continue going quietly about his business of preparing for his role as Leinart’s back-up. Booty continued to show a command of the offense on Tuesday and will get another chance to demonstrate his readiness today when the Trojans scrimmage for the first time.

Booty, who arrived two years ago amid much acclaim, said he is glad that attention is focused on others.

“I’m happy to be exactly where I am,” Booty said. “It’s kind of fun sometimes not to be the center of all the questioning. I get to be kind of normal for a little bit.”

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Walker Lee Ashley and Charles Brown, two players who signed letters of intent in February, are not allowed to practice because their paperwork has not been certified by the NCAA Clearinghouse, Coach Pete Carroll said.

Ashley was expected to possibly help bolster a defensive line that must replace All-Americans Shaun Cody and Mike Patterson.

“It seems almost cruel to these kids that their paperwork is in, they’re waiting and they’re sitting and they can’t get a word back,” Carroll said.

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Running back Reggie Bush, who is on the cover of Sports Illustrated’s college football preview issue, attended both practices but did not work out. Carroll said Bush did not participate so he could rest a tight groin.... Linebacker Dallas Sartz sustained a hip injury during the morning workout and didn’t participate in afternoon drills. Running back LenDale White did not practice for the third day in a row because of an injured toe. Linebacker Clay Matthews suffered a mild concussion and did not work out.... Punter Tom Malone, who is nursing a hip injury, kicked for the first time during individual periods.