Cushing Could Be Just the ‘E’-Ticket

USC teammates have not yet begun to call Brian Cushing the Elephant Man, but they might if the sophomore stars in a new role this season.

To make room for their surplus of linebackers, the Trojans have added a new scheme to their defensive arsenal -- an alignment that puts four linebackers on the field and allows one to line up at the line of scrimmage and rush the passer.

The speedy, 6-foot-4, 245-pound Cushing is often playing the “elephant” role, which was popularized by the San Francisco 49ers under defensive coordinator George Seifert and then Bill McPherson to take advantage of Charles Haley’s pass-rushing skills in the late 1980s and early 1990s.

USC Coach Pete Carroll was the 49ers’ defensive coordinator under Seifert in 1995 and 1996.

“It’s a kind of a hybrid position,” Carroll said Sunday. “It was just an E-word for an end that made it a little special to the situation.”

Cushing started the last four games at strong-side linebacker last season. But with senior Dallas Sartz back from a shoulder injury, Carroll and new defensive coordinator Nick Holt are looking for ways to get Cushing and other linebackers onto the field.

“He’s a unique football player, and he’s got a lot of special talents,” Carroll said.

Cushing appears fully recovered from a shoulder injury that bothered him most of last season and required surgery that forced him to miss spring practice.

“Hopefully everything holds up,” he said. “It’s a great feeling just to be 100% and not even worry about pain or my injury.

“Last year when someone would go near it, it was like I was protecting it almost.”

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Without a returning Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback, Heisman finalist tailback and double-digit winning streak to attract mobs of fans and media, the mood at training camp through the first four days has been decidedly lower-key than last season.

Asked if he missed the demands, Carroll said, “I kind of like it more when there’s a lot going on. I think it challenges us and really directs our focus. I think it helps us in a sense.”

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The Trojans will practice in full pads for the first time today. They will scrimmage on Wednesday. ... Sophomore cornerback Cary Harris suffered a bruised knee when he hit the ground after breaking up a pass. ... Freshman safety Taylor Mays missed practice because of a death in the family, Carroll said. Mays is expected to return today. ... Defensive end Lawrence Jackson sat out most of practice for the third consecutive day because of a groin strain. ... Receiver Dwayne Jarrett continues to be limited by a strained quadriceps. ... Defensive end Alex Morrow (shoulder) said he would have an MRI exam today. ... Freshman cornerback Vincent Joseph suffered a high ankle sprain Saturday and is out indefinitely, Carroll said. ... First-year players practice today at 7 a.m., veterans at 3 p.m.