This spring has been
“different” for Matt Barkley. He’s done a lot during the final spring of his
collegiate career.
He's been part
quarterback, part mentor, and part playcaller.
"The theme of this spring
has just been different," Barkley said. “My role this spring has been
different. Even this weekend is going to be a little different.”
Head
coach Lane Kiffin says this spring his star quarterback has at times been
"bored" and at other times "frustrated."
Barkley disputes the bored notion, but Kiffin was
on point with the frustration.
"I would say just
frustrated," Barkley said. “You always get frustrated
when things aren’t clicking right, but giving the context, I’m fine knowing that
we have a lot of time to correct mistakes. (We’re) in the spring. It’s not like
we’re in a gameplan this week or anything like that and we are trying to let
these younger guys get more reps.”
The
offense hasn't quite clicked the way Barkley has wanted it to this spring. In
limited reps, he hasn't been able to accomplish much. Largely in part to the
lack of numbers the Trojans have offensively.
Starting wide receiver
Robert Woods has been out for the entire spring. George Farmer was great the
first two days but hasn't done much since, limited with a hamstring injury. Even
Marqise Lee has missed some time with track and field
obligations.
This
left USC with two scholarship wide receivers and walk-ons brand new to the
program.
There have been times
when Kiffin has literally had to place players in the correct position before
the snap.
He
joked earlier this spring that new wide receivers coach Tee Martin was "ready to
go back to Kentucky."
But
that's not all.
The Trojans have gone through
practices this spring without a scholarship tight end at times. Randall Telfer,
Xavier Grimble, and Junior Pomee have all missed time due to injuries. Pomee
also missed because of a death in the family.
Already low in numbers at
tailback, freshman Buck Allen contributed to that out for most of the spring,
sidelined with a strained hamstring. He returned last week, after Tre Madden
was moved from linebacker to running back.
Madden was impressive
before being lost for the season with a torn ligament in his
knee.
The
USC scrimmages this spring have at times looked like anything
but.
And
so will Saturday's Spring Game.
With numbers already low
because of NCAA imposed sanctions, the Trojans can't afford any more injuries.
There won't be any tackling in the Spring Game.
As for Barkley, for the
last time, he’ll take the Coliseum field in a Spring Game on Saturday. After
the game, he’ll sign autographs for youngsters one final time in the spring,
left to reminisce about his days as a young Trojan fan.
"I
remember when I was young, I looked up to (Matt) Leinart and Carson (Palmer) and
I loved getting their autographs and stuff, so I take the time to do it because
I was in their shoes,” Barkley said.
Much like the autographs,
there are going to be a lot of lasts for Matt Barkley in 2012, and Saturday will
be no different.
“It’s almost bittersweet, because you’re happy to
be done (with spring practice) but it’s my last spring so I’m just trying to
make the most of it,” Barkley
said.
