USC's Shark attack

MARK SAXON OCRegister.com

LOS ANGELES - Peering through the aquarium glass at a tank full of sharks can be more relaxing than frightening. They swim in repetitive circles, silent as night.

Now, dump a bucket of fish parts into the tank and the scene quickly turns to menace. Slashing fins, rows of teeth and darting movements shatter the calm.

Replace the chum with a tailback and welcome to Keith Rivers’ world. The man who might be the best player on USC’s punishing defense is as approachable as a kindergarten teacher when the Trojans aren’t playing. Yet he’s not the man you want to see angling toward you near the sidelines.

That’s why his position coach, Ken Norton Jr., has taken to calling Rivers the Shark.

"He’s opening doors for people. He goes to class on time, never misses one. He’s at all the meetings and film studies," Norton said. "On the field, it’s business. No longer is he Keith Rivers. He’s the Shark. He understands how to flip the switch.

"When he gets that shark call, it’s a clearing mechanism and all that matters is the prey and the prey is the offense."

Here’s how loudly boastful Rivers is about his goals for the upcoming season:

"Just trying to get better each day. Working on being stronger inside the tackles, growing as a player, whether it’s getting off blocks, making tackles, breaking down, everything."

Rivers’ volume increases just before a game, according to fellow linebacker Rey Maualuga. The two leading tacklers from last year trade boasts about who will get more tackles that day or who will be the defensive MVP.

"Keith talks about gangstas, gangstas, meaning tackles," Maualuga said. "We get on the field, and we all work to help each other out — to get that tackle as one. We just talk on the sidelines to pump each other up and get each other ready."

It didn’t make much of a splash last spring when Rivers decided to return for his senior season, because he had been leaning that way all along. It still was a happy day for USC coaches, who welcomed back 10 starters from the defense.

Now, Rivers is reminding himself to enjoy the final months of college before he turns pro. He has been projected as a top 10 pick.

When Norton describes Rivers’ attributes, it sounds like he is talking about a professional. In addition to his speed, strength, a relentless energy and a high football IQ, Norton talks about his restraint.

"He’s willing to sacrifice to be good. He’s willing to do film study. He’s willing to take care of his body. He’s willing to not go out at night if it’s during the season," Norton said. "He understands what it takes."

But he’s not a professional. Norton stays on his weakside linebacker about enjoying the final days of amateurism. The pro ranks can be a bit more stressful, with dollars and jobs on the line. How many people don’t wish they could go back to their college years?

Rivers admits he watched the last NFL draft and felt a wistful moment or two while other linebackers were being taken.

"I think you always have that type of feeling," Rivers said. "But I know I have a chance to do something special with a great football team, and I look forward to doing that. It could be tremendous."

Staying could prove profitable, too, or at least that’s what Coach Pete Carroll says. He counseled Rivers to stay, as did some NFL people. Rivers, Sam Baker, Lawrence Jackson and Sedrick Ellis each could be earning paychecks right now, but instead they helped make the Trojans the preseason’s top-ranked team.

"The longer you’re here and learning, the better you get and the more you get out of an opportunity to be part of the NFL draft," Carroll said. "It will speak volumes around draft time for these guys."

WASHINGTON UPDATE

Chauncey Washington said his right shoulder felt about the same the day after he sprained it during a scrimmage at the Coliseum. His arm remained in a sling, but he said he hoped to play against Idaho in the opener.

"That’s my mindset," Washington said.

Washington is listed as day to day, though he likely won’t practice again for at least a week. If he sits out the Idaho game, he should have plenty of time to get ready for Nebraska. The Trojans have a bye week before they travel to Lincoln.

USC could have just four of its original 10 tailbacks available against Idaho.

Freshman Joe McKnight said he felt no pain in his knee when he practiced his cuts Thursday. He still hopes to return in time for the opener, but Carroll said he would need to be on the practice field by Monday for that to happen.

The man who figures to start against Idaho, Stafon Johnson, made a phoenix-like ascent from Carroll’s doghouse. Criticized for not practicing hard last year, Johnson has moved all the way up the depth chart.

He said he doubts he’ll know whether he will start until the day before the game.

"With the preparation the coaches put us through in camp, I think all of us could start any game," Johnson said.

GREEN DECISION

Carroll said the NCAA informed him that its Clearinghouse will rule today on the eligibility of freshman tailback Broderick Green, who missed a second consecutive practice in academic limbo.

Carroll maintains that all of his credits are in order.