An Overload in the Line

An offensive line that was a trouble spot for USC last season is now flush with returning starters. There’s one extra, in fact.

Phalen Pounds, who is an imposing 6 feet 7 and 325 pounds, is back after missing last season because of shoulder surgery. A starting guard in 1995, he has moved to left tackle and was penciled in ahead of last season’s starter, Rome Douglas, a player Coach John Robinson says was “erratic.”

But assistant head coach Mike Barry, who handles the offensive line, said the battle for the position is lively. “They’re co-starters. Rome is much more consistent now. Last year was last year,” Barry said.

That’s the hope, anyway, after an inexperienced line struggled. Now they’re all back--guards Chris Brymer and Travis Claridge, tackles Ken Bowen and Douglas, and center Jonathan Himebauch. Plus Pounds.

Pounds has his uh, pounds, back under control after ballooning to 366 while out of action. “I just started running, cardiovascular stuff,” he said. “And I pushed away from the table. That’s the hardest one.”

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Freshman receiver Rod Perry had a very impressive first day with the full squad after missing two days because of a sore knee, but came out late in practice to ice his thigh. He appears to be in the mix as a punt returner as well. . . . Running back Delon Washington left practice because of a sore Achilles tendon and safety Chad Morton sat out because of an ankle sprain, but receiver Larry Parker practiced after missing time because of a groin injury.