FanHouse Los Angeles Daily News

Rey-Rey Maualuga is going to have to find a new backup, as the USC linebacking corps has suffered its first major setback of the 2008 season.

USC redshirt freshman linebacker Chris Galippo has played nary a snap for the Men of Troy but he is going under the knife for the second time since joining the team.

The Los Angeles Daily News reports that the high school All-American underwent back surgery for the second time in nine months yesterday and will miss part of the 2008 season.

According to head coach Pete Carroll, "It's very similar to the surgery he had before but on a different disc."

Galippo was slated to back up Rey Maualuga at middle linebacker, but will relenquich those duties for at least the start of the season.

Not a good start as the supposedly cleaned-up coach rebuilds UCLA. From the Daily News' Brian Dohn:

UCLA's football practice is over, long before it was supposed as the players decided to use a long-time tradition and blow off practice after stretching by going over the wall. That said, the players ran through an open gate rather than climb over the wall at Spaulding Field.

UCLA coach Rick Neuheisel knows of the tradition, but basically said it was an odd time for it considering UCLA is installing a new offense and the offensive line needs loads of work.

Also, a number of high school coaches and recruits showed up for the practice, not to mention some referees. The assistant coaches were mostly stunned after Neuheisel visited with the players, then came back on the field to say practice was done.

In one swift act, Neuheisel willingly undermined himself before his players, his coaches and the lifeblood of any program: recruits. Nice work.

Oh, and that's just about the most pathetic school tradition I've ever heard of. The NCAA limits the hours and number of practices schools can arrange, so for UCLA to be wasting a practice like that is troubling.

(Via: WildWest)