SC NOTEBOOK: HACKETT WON'T SHIFT THE BLAME.

Byline: Scott Wolf Staff Writer

Although he acknowledged that he has come under criticism, USC coach Paul Hackett said it was important to look at the long-term situation when assessing his performance the past two seasons.

``It doesn't happen overnight,'' Hackett said. ``I told (athletic director) Mike Garrett when he and I first talked that, first, I wanted to finish what I was doing (as an assistant) in Kansas City, and second, I wanted a five-year contract.

``I didn't just pull that out. I know that after the four-year mark, you're able to say here's where we're headed. We've basically been a .500 team, except for the Keyshawn (Johnson) year, for a long time. It's going to take a few years. It's not going to happen in two.''

Hackett said he is willing to take responsibility for USC's current five-game losing streak and 3-6 record, but it takes more than two years to rebuild a program.

``I accept the fact we are not where we want to be. But I do not accept (critics saying) that we are not laying the foundation,'' Hackett said. ``In football generally, it is dangerous to make a judgment too quickly.''

Palmer cleared to throw: Quarterback Carson Palmer was cleared by doctors to begin throwing today, although USC's medical staff might not allow him to until he has done some upper-body rehabilitation.

X-rays on Palmer's broken collarbone revealed he is healing on schedule, although it appears ambitious that he would be able to play against UCLA on Nov. 20, despite his wishes.

``I really have no idea. It's coach Hackett's decision,'' Palmer said.

Said Hackett: ``When you look at it realistically, we're going to run out of time. It's probably not going to happen.''

Palmer said he tried to throw a ball last week but experienced too much pain and immediately stopped.

He said he was unsure how it would feel to begin throwing again.

``There's no telling,'' Palmer said. ``After not using my shoulder for six weeks, I'll do whatever's tolerable. Nothing more than 10 yards to get my range of motion back.''

Palmer said if he can't return for the UCLA game, there was no reason to return and burn his redshirt season.

Lawsuit update: A Los Angeles Superior Court judge has ruled a trial must take place over USC's right to sue former radio broadcasters Larry Kahn and Mike Lamb as individuals.

USC's motion for a summary judgment was denied, meaning a trial will take place in January. Judge Richard C. Hubbell already ruled that a company owned by Kahn and Lamb owed USC at least $720,000 for breach of contract under the terms of a three-year radio contract that expired last year.

USC is attempting to sue the broadcasters as individuals to actually recoup the money.

Settlement talks have stalled.

``We had made a settlement proposal that (they) said no to,'' said Dave Roberts, an attorney representing USC. ``We tried to terminate some issues early, but the judge said we have to go to trial.''

Knight's back: Linebacker Darryl Knight returned from his one-week suspension for an academic-rules violation.

Simmons out: Cornerback Antuan Simmons missed Tuesday's practice with the flu.

CAPTION(S):

photo

PHOTO USC quarterback Carson Palmer, seen above against Stanford last season, has been cleared by doctors to throw again.

Ben Margot/Associated Press