TROJANS PRESENT THEIR PRO-FICIENCY USC PLAYERS PUT ON DISPLAY FOR NFL TEAMS.

Byline: Billy Witz Staff Writer

The NFL hasn't been in Los Angeles for more than a decade, but when Reggie Bush, Matt Leinart and many of the other cogs of the USC football factory got in gear and worked out Sunday, it seemed as if the NFL had never left.

There was no missing the pro in pro day.

More than 100 general managers, coaches and scouts - at least one from every NFL team - descended upon USC to watch most of the 19 draft-eligible Trojans run, jump, lift, pass and catch.

The five-hour workout also drew an estimated 1,500 fans who watched players run sprints and lift weights at the Cromwell Field track, before a smaller crowd that was limited by fire codes walked across the street to the Howard Jones practice field to watch the ex-Trojans showcase their football skills.

The atmosphere was a marked contrast from many schools' Pro Days, where NFL scouts are invited to test the players. ``Usually, pro day is a well-kept family secret,'' said Seattle defensive coordinator John Marsh all.

USC coach Pete Carroll made a point of all but broadcasting this one. He held the event on a weekend, encouraged fans to attend and had it coincide with Junior Day, the football program's open house for high school recruits.

Also, an electric timing company was brought in to time players, something few scouts recalled ever seeing.

``Pete said that he was going to do his pro day bigger and better than anyone else has every done it, and he succeeded in that,'' Houston general manager Charley Casserly said.

``More and more schools are starting to use this kind of event as a recruiting tool. If you're a kid considering coming here, how could you not help but be impressed by this?''

That point was emphasized late in the afternoon as USC director of football operations Dennis Slutak addressed a couple hundred prospects and their families in front of Heritage Hall. Slutak encouraged the high school players ``to see yourselves in the same place in four or five years.''

However, not all the NFL people were pleased with the atmosphere. ``It's a dog-and-pony show,'' said one scout.

Earlier, there was a sense of familiarity when Leinart dropped back to pass, took a few steps to his left and threw down the right sideline,where he hit Bush in stride.

It was a scene, one Heisman Trophy winner throwing to another, that many in the crowds gathered along the sidelines or perched atop neighboring Dedeaux Field had seen many times over the past three seasons.

But for all the attention, there were few performances that stood out.

Bush was electronically clocked at 4.33 in the 40-yard dash, but when about 50 scouts gathered after the timed workouts to compare notes, the fastest anyone had hand-timed Bush was at 4.39. Most had him in the low 4.4s.

Nevertheless, watching Bush run hadn't lost its thrill - even for Maurice Greene, the former gold medalist and 100-meter record holder.

``That boy, he's just a pure athlete,'' Greene said.

Leinart declined to run, but he did throw. His strong suit, accuracy,wasn't quite what was hoped for while completing 36 of 45 passes (three of which were dropped) and his arm strength, considered a relative weakness, was deemed adequate by several scouts. He'll work out today privately for Tennessee.

If anyone opened some eyes, it was offensive tackle Winston Justice, who had a 39-inch vertical jump - an inch-and-a-half shy of Bush's team-best.

``That's off the charts for an offensive tackle,'' Carolina coach John Fox said.

Justice also bench pressed 225 pounds 38 times, and his quick feet were put to use in the one-on-one drills. He pulled up in the final five yards of the 40, feeling his hamstring tighten, but there was some speculation that Justice could leap into the top 10.

No such leap appears possible for tailback LenDale White. The day was supposed to be important for White, USC's all-time leading touchdown scorer, since he not only hadn't been tested at the NFL combine in February - like many of the Trojans - but he raised red flags by looking out of shape.

On Sunday, White weighed in at 244 pounds - nine more than he was listed at last season - and managed just 15 reps on the bench press, nine less than Bush, and one more than punter Tom Malone. He didn't run the 40, citing a pulled hamstring.

``I'm disappointed to see him not compete,'' said Tony Softli, Carolina's director of college scouting. ``I'd like to see him healthy and in his best shape, but then you've got to look at his DNA - his film. That tells you best.''

Another scout was more critical: ``We all know he's a game-day player, but his attitude was nonchalant. He's got this sense of entitlement - he just doesn't get it.''

White said he was disappointed he couldn't run or participate in receiving drills, and said he played between 235 and 240 this season.

``I don't know how GMs view me,'' White said. ``But if they know football, they know I can play football. Hopefully, I'll prove anyone who has doubts about me wrong.''

Safety Darnell Bing and offensive lineman Taitusi Lutui, who were both in top shape, seemed to enhance their chances of being chosen in the first round. Two others who will go later nevertheless impressed: guard Fred Matua, whose agility and speed (5.06) at 301 pounds drew notices, and defensive tackle LaJuan Ramsey, who spent much of his career behind Shaun Cody and Mike Patterson, drew kudos for his workout and his 4.93 time in the 40.

Billy Witz, [phone]

billy.witz(at)dailynews.com

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2 photos

Photo:

(1 -- 2) Reggie Bush and Matt Leinart hang out during USC's pro day Sunday. Right, Bush shows his pass-catching ability.

Photos by Evan Yee/Staff Photographer