According to Mark Saxon of the Orange County Register, sophomore RB Allen Bradford was given a primary role at Monday’s practice. “At 225 pounds, he showed surprising burst. He broke a couple of plays for long scoring runs. ” Engaged in a head-to-head showdown with senior Chauncy Washington for the “big back” role, Bradford reportedly studied the playbook with greater focus over the summer in anticipation of a greater role in the offense:

I think this year I should get way more playing time than last year…I ran hard last year and I’m running hard this year. It’s just that now I know what to do. Once you know something they’re going to put you in as much as possible to help the team.

Saxon also reports that Bradford knocked highly-touted freshman DE Everson Griffen down with a “punishing stiff arm.”  Griffen and fellow freshmen RB Joe McKnight and WR Ronald Johnson were given significant playing time in the first practice, with McKnight taking shots from Brian Cushing and Terrell Thomas in this no-pads session.

Returnees a boost (Orange County Register)