SC NOTEBOOK: WILLIAMS' PLAY IS `B OR B-PLUS'.

Byline: Scott Wolf  Staff Writer

He was a Playboy All-American and graces the cover of several preseason magazines, but how did USC sophomore wide receiver Mike Williams actually play in training camp?

``My camp performance, it varies,'' Williams said. ``Some days, I'm playing on all cylinders and some I'm not. I'd say I'm right around a B or B-plus.''

Williams appeared hot and cold in practices, with a flurry of dropped passes some days followed by an ability to suddenly raise his game during scrimmage situations.

``When it's time to go under the lights, that's when you show who you are,'' Williams said. ``I know I can catch the ball. I'm much better than this time last season. I know I'll be a consistent catcher. Even if I'm not perfect, I'm ready to go.''

While drops might be a nagging issue, Williams said he's focused on blocking and running better routes during camp.

``Just knowing what everyone else does and being a consistent route runner,'' he said. ``Those are things I put my emphasis on.''

The biggest adjustment for Williams might be the switch at quarterback from Carson Palmer to Matt Leinart.

``Carson, his arm was so strong, and he had been in game conditions, so even if he didn't make the perfect read, he knew how to get the job done,'' Williams said. ``Leinart doesn't have the experience from games, but all the quarterbacks have been tearing it up in practice.''

--Attitude adjustment: Even though freshman tailback Reggie Bush seems primed for significant playing time, and is fresh off 84 yards rushing in Friday's scrimmage, the transition from high school to college remains a challenge.

The easy part for Bush is eluding tacklers. The hard part is digesting everything from the coaching staff.

``The coaches here are a lot more aggressive in what they teach. They keep you out there and go over plenty of film,'' Bush said. ``Their ways of teaching takes some time. I've probably got a couple more years before I get adjusted to that.''

Bush, who is the Trojans' No. 2 tailback behind sophomore Hershel Dennis, said he's ready for the Auburn game, though he's not sure how much he'll play.

``Right now I feel comfortable I can go as long as I need but a game situation is done differently,'' he said.

--Holmes update: Tight end Alex Holmes, who's battling a degenerative disc condition in his back, remains in rehabilitation and appears headed to a redshirt season.

Officially, no decision has been made on his future this season.

--Quick drop: Freshman linebacker Thomas Williams won't practice until next week after losing 16 pounds because he caught the flu and then became dehydrated. He's gained back most of the weight in the past few days.

``It was all water that I lost,'' Williams said. ``Hopefully, I'll be able to play next week.''

--In the news: ESPN News plans to televise USC coach Pete Carroll's weekly news conferences Tuesdays at 12:15 p.m. for at least the first few games of the season. The network also plans to televise Auburn coach Tommy Tuberville's news conferences.

--Team captains: Wide receiver Keary Colbert and Simmons were named captains.

--Reunion time: Among the players who returned for the annual football kickoff dinner were running backs Lynn Cain, Sam Cunningham, Rod McNeil and Charles White, quarterback Vince Evans, wide receiver Manfred Moore and offensive lineman Brad Budde.

Scott Wolf, [phone]

scott.wolf(at)dailynews.com

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MIKE WILLIAMS

Inconsistent sophomore receiver has been plagued by dropped passes in training camp.