Whoaaa doctor, it’s the first PC Press Conference of 2007, and he wastes no time in getting to TrojanWire’s prediction for impact player of the year, fullback Stanley Havili.

“I think we have seen a tremendous spring from Stanley Havili. He is a first flight player for us and he is going to be involved in a big way because we like everything he does. He blocks well, he runs with the ball well, he catches the ball really well. He has learned the system beautifully and he is way ahead of anybody else we have had in these early stages. He was just going to be a redshirt freshman for us and we are already talking about him like he’s a really accomplished kid at his position.”

On Sark and John Morton:

“As the passing game coordinator, John will be in the box and talking directly to Sarkisian. Sarkisian is going to be sending and calling in the plays from the sideline with the communications though the rest of the staff and through John Morton up top. The only difference is that the play was initiated from Lane before, the game plan was guided and directed from Sarkisian in the past so that the exchange is slight. There is a little bit of mechanics part of that. We worked at great lengths this spring trying to make sure Sarkisian and John had an opportunity to work together. The rest of the system stays the same so I don’t think it will be that different. The philosophy has not changed but we have gained some new thoughts from John.”

On incoming freshman and who has a chance to break through:

“I’m interested in seeing what the returners can do and see what they can give us. Joe McKnight and Ronald Johnson have been highly productive return guys in their high school days. They’re very flashy and speedy guys and we’d like to see what they can do as well as what they do from scrimmage. The Z receiver spot is a brand new spot over there that Vidal Hazelton and Travon Patterson have been working at and Brad Walker. We’re going to take a good look at the young kids coming in over there and see what Ronald Johnson can do. For sure, the running backs are going to get a great shot to show us what they can do. We know we can play the freshman at that spot and immediately if you need to. Just across the board, we’re looking for guys. I can’t wait to see what Chris Galippo can do–one of the top players in America last year. Everson Griffen is a very, very exciting player for us. He’s a guy that brings a speed dimension that we haven’t had here since we’ve been here at the LEO spot. So we’re anxious to see how he fits in. This is a kid that played tailback at 260-something pounds and loves playing defensive end and rushing the passer.”

On his swim race against Will Ferrell:

“It just came up this year, that one of the guys that’s going to be there has been kind of poppin’ off a little bit. He thinks he’s a race driver, he’s an ice-skater and the next thing you know, he’s going to be a basketball player and all that. A challenge has been issued so that’s all I can tell you.”

Pete Carroll Talks About Spring Practice [USCtrojans.com]