Should be interesting to see how USC responds from a loss and matchs up tonight. Four of Alabama’s projected starters are 6-foot-6 or taller, and three of those weigh at least 219 pounds. USC will start no one taller than 6-7 or more than 210 pounds.
At 11-12 (3-6 in the SEC), even the Gamecocks’ NIT hopes aren’t all that encouraging as they take on Alabama (14-11, 3-7) tonight at the Colonial Center....bottom line is USC needs a WIN.
Saturday, February 16, 2008
Cooper to UNC?
One of the two remaining holdovers from Lou Holtz’s USC staff has interviewed with North Carolina about the defensive coordinator’s position under Tar Heels coach Butch Davis.
Gamecocks secondary coach Ron Cooper, who has been at USC since 2004, was in Chapel Hill on Wednesday to meet with Davis and his staff, according to sources close to the situation.
So will he go? Do you think he should go?
Gamecocks secondary coach Ron Cooper, who has been at USC since 2004, was in Chapel Hill on Wednesday to meet with Davis and his staff, according to sources close to the situation.
So will he go? Do you think he should go?
Clemson reports 13 violations
Thirteen secondary violations were reported by the Clemson University athletic department to the Atlantic Coast Conference and NCAA during the second half of 2007.
None of the violations resulted in substantial penalties. Most required letters of admonishment or reprimand and repayment by the student-athlete of an excessive benefit.
Read more HERE
None of the violations resulted in substantial penalties. Most required letters of admonishment or reprimand and repayment by the student-athlete of an excessive benefit.
Read more HERE
Friday, February 15, 2008
time to party
CAROLINA HOSTS GRIDIRON BASH™ APRIL 18
The Black Crowes to Perform at Williams-Brice StadiumCOLUMBIA, S.C. (February 15, 2008) - .
The University of South Carolina and New York City-based MSL Sports andEntertainment announced today that the university will host Gridiron Bash™ The Ultimate Fan Competition™ the day before theGarnet & Black Spring Game. The event - the first of its kind at Williams-Brice Stadium - will take place April 18 and include a liveperformance by multi- platinum blues-rock band, The Black Crowes.The Bash, which begins at 7 p.m., will include appearances by coaches, cheerleaders, Cocky and the marching band, among otherfestive fan activities. Tickets are $38 and will go on sale Monday, February 18 at 10 a.m. through the University of South CarolinaAthletics Ticket Office at the Colonial Center and can also be purchased by calling 866-4SC-TIXX, at gamecocksonline.com, atgridironbash.com, and at Columbia and Lexington Piggly Wiggly and Play It Again Sports locations.
The Black Crowes to Perform at Williams-Brice StadiumCOLUMBIA, S.C. (February 15, 2008) - .
The University of South Carolina and New York City-based MSL Sports andEntertainment announced today that the university will host Gridiron Bash™ The Ultimate Fan Competition™ the day before theGarnet & Black Spring Game. The event - the first of its kind at Williams-Brice Stadium - will take place April 18 and include a liveperformance by multi- platinum blues-rock band, The Black Crowes.The Bash, which begins at 7 p.m., will include appearances by coaches, cheerleaders, Cocky and the marching band, among otherfestive fan activities. Tickets are $38 and will go on sale Monday, February 18 at 10 a.m. through the University of South CarolinaAthletics Ticket Office at the Colonial Center and can also be purchased by calling 866-4SC-TIXX, at gamecocksonline.com, atgridironbash.com, and at Columbia and Lexington Piggly Wiggly and Play It Again Sports locations.
Proposed NCAA Rules Changes
Rivals.com reports on Wednesday the NCAA Football Rules Committee has issued its recommendations for rule changes for the upcoming year. The new rules proposals must go before the NCAA's Playing Rules Oversight Panel before taking effect. Several of the rules changes are designed to speed up game at the request of TV networks. Below are the changes and rationales, if any.
The NFL style 40 second play clock will be instituted. The 25 second play clock will be used following injuries, timeouts and change of possessions. Also following an out of bounds play the game clock will begin when the ball is marked ready for play, except for in the final two minutes of each half.
Again via Rivals, the rationale: "The concern was from one conference to the next, there was enough variation in the length of time it took the referee to make the ball ready for play," said SEC coordinator of officials Rogers Redding, the NCAA's next secretary-rules editor. "Hopefully this will eliminate that and allow a more consistent time to get the ball snapped."
This will not create any sort of consistency at all. The supposed problem of different officiating crews marking the ball ready for play at differing times will not change at all. What will happen is that the slower an officiating crew spots the ball the less time the offense will have to snap it since the play clock will already have started running. And if consistency was the goal, why not have the coordinator of officials keep track of officiating crews and penalize them if they do not spot the ball in a timely manner? Wouldn't that be a more direct way to attack the problem?
Holding the officials accountable would more directly address the "problem," but it wouldn't speed up the game, which is an obvious consequence of the rules change. The longer play clock will create fewer plays in a game, which means a shorter game. Once again the NCAA Rules Committee is trying to fashion rules to ensure that less football is played. Whatever reason or motive you may assign to this consistency in screwing the fans and players out of more football (TV Networks' time slots and commercial revenue), the underlying question has to be why is the football rules committee composed of people who want to see less football?
The "Chop-Block" Rule will be clarified to make it easier for officials to call.
Explanation and rationale: "[The chop block rule] was a complicated rule from the standpoint of formations, or that it was illegal beyond the line of scrimmage but allowable behind the line. That's a very complicated rule and officials had to process that stuff. What we've simply said is a high-low combination block is going to be illegal. It's going to be clear to everybody. The official is not going to have to worry whether the person committing the block is from an adjacent position or behind or ahead of the line of scrimmage."
For the most part there is nothing wrong with this rule. What is terribly wrong with this rule is the rationale: officials had a hard time knowing when to enforce the rule. Are you fucking kidding me? We are changing the rule because those charged with enforcing it were getting confused? You know what else is tricky to officiate? holding, pass interference, illegal shifts and the post scrimmage kick rule. That being said, the rule will not have any noticeable negative effect on the game, so our ire is better directed elsewhere.
The 5 yard facemask penalty is eliminated.
Rationale: "That's not a dangerous play when a player grabs and releases (the face mask) with no impact on the runner and no impact on the safety of the player. That's a non-entity," Redding said. "We feel like the real issue is grasping, pulling, turning and twisting. That is retained, but we felt the incidental contact (penalty) was nothing and decided to get rid of it."
This isn't a bad idea. I have no real problem with this. A problem I may have is if touching of the facemask that used to be a 5 yard penalty gets flagged for a 15 yarder. But that would just be bad officiating, and you can't fix bad officiating with rules (unless you went with transparency and public accountability, but that's another issue altogether.)
If the ball is kicked out of bounds on a kickoff, the ball will be placed at the 40 instead of the 35.
Rationale: Last year the kickoff restraining line was moved back to the 30 from the 35. The out of bounds penalty wasn't moved 5 yards forward. This fixes that.
Was there a problem with teams kicking the ball out of bounds too much last year? No? Then why change the fucking rule?
For sideline warnings the team will be immediately penalized instead of the two warning system.
Rationale: See the Texas bowl game.
This rule is bound to be haphazardly enforced. The current rule, Rule 9-1-5-a, says that while the ball is in play coaches, substitutes and authorized attendants in a team area may not be between the sideline and coaching line. This means everyone on the sideline must be 12 feet away from the sideline. Think of any game you have ever seen. When has that ever been the case? Players and coaches are in constant violation of this rule. The warnings are used to let the players and coaches know when their violation is causing a problem with the game. This penalty could be called on literally every play of the game. If it is called, then the game will be ruined by constant off setting penalties. If it is not, then what is the point of having the rule?
Instant replay will be allowed on fumbles leading to immediate recoveries.
This is a good idea. Before only when the ruling was a fumble could the ruling be challenged that the player was down. It makes sense to allow a review of a play where the ball carrier is ruled down, but he in fact fumbled.
A coach who successfully challenges a play would retain the right to make one more challenge, for a maximum of two.
Good idea. If the coach was right, he should still have the opportunity to challenge later incorrect calls. By extension a coach should be able to challenge calls limitlessly until he gets one wrong. That way the coach wouldn't challenge everything because if he gets one wrong he doesn't get to challenge anymore, but he won't be forced to decide whether to challenge a wrong call or wait for a more important one.
A penalty would be added for so-called "horse-collar tackles."
This is the pussification of the game. Is there a problem with injuries resulting from this in the college game? Not really. There are times when this is the best and perhaps only way to tackle a ball carrier. This is a pussy shit rule that is not going to do anything other than penalize a play that has been legal for nearly a century and a half. The worst part is that this rule, like others, is designed to fix a problem that doesn't exist.
There would be an adjustment on the wording on helmet-to-helmet infractions to give officials more guidance in calling penalties for players making contact with the crown of their helmets or hitting defenseless opponents above the shoulders.
More pussification of football. As college football continues to become bigger and bigger, ratings will be tied to big name players playing, specifically quarterbacks. Casual fans may not tune in to see a backup if the starter is injured. Quick name Tim Tebow's backup. This rule is designed to protect quarterbacks from what is a natural part of the game. Allow these type rules to persist and hitting too hard will be illegal before too long.
Football is a brutal collision game. It's designed to be that way. Making rules to turn it into Y-league soccer will not help the game even if it does save a half a dozen concussions a year.
Other views of the rules changes:
Everday Should Be Saturday
Sunday Morning Quarterback
Black Shoe Diaries
Gamecock Central
The Good Ole Blog
Delenda est Clemson
The NFL style 40 second play clock will be instituted. The 25 second play clock will be used following injuries, timeouts and change of possessions. Also following an out of bounds play the game clock will begin when the ball is marked ready for play, except for in the final two minutes of each half.
Again via Rivals, the rationale: "The concern was from one conference to the next, there was enough variation in the length of time it took the referee to make the ball ready for play," said SEC coordinator of officials Rogers Redding, the NCAA's next secretary-rules editor. "Hopefully this will eliminate that and allow a more consistent time to get the ball snapped."
This will not create any sort of consistency at all. The supposed problem of different officiating crews marking the ball ready for play at differing times will not change at all. What will happen is that the slower an officiating crew spots the ball the less time the offense will have to snap it since the play clock will already have started running. And if consistency was the goal, why not have the coordinator of officials keep track of officiating crews and penalize them if they do not spot the ball in a timely manner? Wouldn't that be a more direct way to attack the problem?
Holding the officials accountable would more directly address the "problem," but it wouldn't speed up the game, which is an obvious consequence of the rules change. The longer play clock will create fewer plays in a game, which means a shorter game. Once again the NCAA Rules Committee is trying to fashion rules to ensure that less football is played. Whatever reason or motive you may assign to this consistency in screwing the fans and players out of more football (TV Networks' time slots and commercial revenue), the underlying question has to be why is the football rules committee composed of people who want to see less football?
The "Chop-Block" Rule will be clarified to make it easier for officials to call.
Explanation and rationale: "[The chop block rule] was a complicated rule from the standpoint of formations, or that it was illegal beyond the line of scrimmage but allowable behind the line. That's a very complicated rule and officials had to process that stuff. What we've simply said is a high-low combination block is going to be illegal. It's going to be clear to everybody. The official is not going to have to worry whether the person committing the block is from an adjacent position or behind or ahead of the line of scrimmage."
For the most part there is nothing wrong with this rule. What is terribly wrong with this rule is the rationale: officials had a hard time knowing when to enforce the rule. Are you fucking kidding me? We are changing the rule because those charged with enforcing it were getting confused? You know what else is tricky to officiate? holding, pass interference, illegal shifts and the post scrimmage kick rule. That being said, the rule will not have any noticeable negative effect on the game, so our ire is better directed elsewhere.
The 5 yard facemask penalty is eliminated.
Rationale: "That's not a dangerous play when a player grabs and releases (the face mask) with no impact on the runner and no impact on the safety of the player. That's a non-entity," Redding said. "We feel like the real issue is grasping, pulling, turning and twisting. That is retained, but we felt the incidental contact (penalty) was nothing and decided to get rid of it."
This isn't a bad idea. I have no real problem with this. A problem I may have is if touching of the facemask that used to be a 5 yard penalty gets flagged for a 15 yarder. But that would just be bad officiating, and you can't fix bad officiating with rules (unless you went with transparency and public accountability, but that's another issue altogether.)
If the ball is kicked out of bounds on a kickoff, the ball will be placed at the 40 instead of the 35.
Rationale: Last year the kickoff restraining line was moved back to the 30 from the 35. The out of bounds penalty wasn't moved 5 yards forward. This fixes that.
Was there a problem with teams kicking the ball out of bounds too much last year? No? Then why change the fucking rule?
For sideline warnings the team will be immediately penalized instead of the two warning system.
Rationale: See the Texas bowl game.
This rule is bound to be haphazardly enforced. The current rule, Rule 9-1-5-a, says that while the ball is in play coaches, substitutes and authorized attendants in a team area may not be between the sideline and coaching line. This means everyone on the sideline must be 12 feet away from the sideline. Think of any game you have ever seen. When has that ever been the case? Players and coaches are in constant violation of this rule. The warnings are used to let the players and coaches know when their violation is causing a problem with the game. This penalty could be called on literally every play of the game. If it is called, then the game will be ruined by constant off setting penalties. If it is not, then what is the point of having the rule?
Instant replay will be allowed on fumbles leading to immediate recoveries.
This is a good idea. Before only when the ruling was a fumble could the ruling be challenged that the player was down. It makes sense to allow a review of a play where the ball carrier is ruled down, but he in fact fumbled.
A coach who successfully challenges a play would retain the right to make one more challenge, for a maximum of two.
Good idea. If the coach was right, he should still have the opportunity to challenge later incorrect calls. By extension a coach should be able to challenge calls limitlessly until he gets one wrong. That way the coach wouldn't challenge everything because if he gets one wrong he doesn't get to challenge anymore, but he won't be forced to decide whether to challenge a wrong call or wait for a more important one.
A penalty would be added for so-called "horse-collar tackles."
This is the pussification of the game. Is there a problem with injuries resulting from this in the college game? Not really. There are times when this is the best and perhaps only way to tackle a ball carrier. This is a pussy shit rule that is not going to do anything other than penalize a play that has been legal for nearly a century and a half. The worst part is that this rule, like others, is designed to fix a problem that doesn't exist.
There would be an adjustment on the wording on helmet-to-helmet infractions to give officials more guidance in calling penalties for players making contact with the crown of their helmets or hitting defenseless opponents above the shoulders.
More pussification of football. As college football continues to become bigger and bigger, ratings will be tied to big name players playing, specifically quarterbacks. Casual fans may not tune in to see a backup if the starter is injured. Quick name Tim Tebow's backup. This rule is designed to protect quarterbacks from what is a natural part of the game. Allow these type rules to persist and hitting too hard will be illegal before too long.
Football is a brutal collision game. It's designed to be that way. Making rules to turn it into Y-league soccer will not help the game even if it does save a half a dozen concussions a year.
Other views of the rules changes:
Everday Should Be Saturday
Sunday Morning Quarterback
Black Shoe Diaries
Gamecock Central
The Good Ole Blog
Delenda est Clemson
Rumor has it
Well the rumor is Kelvin Sampson is out at Indiana, and they are going to go after Bruce Pearl. So this means that USC's job would be the 3rd best job open in the SEC. I don't know why Bruce would want to go to a school that just got busted for cheating like Indiana. So people say it is a good job, but in my option I would rather coach in the ACC or SEC.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Is it too early to offer
Maybe Dave-y Odom should offer this kid a scholly before Odom truly calls it quits at the end of the season...whatca think?
glumbert - Little Harlem Globe Trotter
glumbert - Little Harlem Globe Trotter
Just a few things
Did anybody see then new gridiron bash, that has major artist coming to college campuses to perform before the springs games. USC announced yesterday that they will participate in the festivities this year. Fox sports will also show highlights from the game as well as the concert. They have no announced who will be performing here in Columbia, but the lineup listed on the website sounds pretty good.
Specking of sketchy, Bobby Bowden decided to switch his 2008 schedule so that the players that are suspended for the first 2 games won’t miss any tuff competition. He has decided to add Western Carolina and UT-Chattanooga, instead of opening with Miami or Clemson on Labor Day night. I can’t believe the NCAA would let them do this. I think USC should switch around its schedule so that Mike Davis doesn’t have to miss NC State and Vandy. Maybe we could add southeastern Mississippi tech and Clinton Junior
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Carolina went down to Georgia...
looking for a soul to steal...just kidding but the men's basketball team did go to UGA and get slapped around by the bulldogs by the score of 82-64.
This loss hurts and was a game that Carolina should have won....I find myself saying that a lot....is it just me or is anyone else ready for the Odom 'retirement tour' to end?
Next up - Bama at home on the 16th.
This loss hurts and was a game that Carolina should have won....I find myself saying that a lot....is it just me or is anyone else ready for the Odom 'retirement tour' to end?
Next up - Bama at home on the 16th.
About time they showed some respect
Finally a beagle gets some respect in the dog world. Uno, a 15-inch beagle, looks up at his handler during the hound group competition at the 132nd Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show at Madison Square Garden. Uno won the Best in Group, and took the Best in Show title, as well. This is the first time ever a beagle has won the Westminster Kennel club dog show, and the dog is actually from Lugoff, SC.
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Should USC consider?
John Brady (who was fired last week) and Bob Knight (quit at Texas Tech last week, mentioned by Vitale) for the upcoming opening for the Univ of South Carolina men's basketball coach?
OR...should Hyman try to get VCU's Grant? Grant is quickly being a hot item for job openings at St. John, USC and LSU now....not to mention VCU will try hard to keep him.
Let's all hope Hyman is willing to pay top dollars for a good coach that can help Carolina turn the corner and get the basketball program in the right direction! Hyman here is a working list to start with! Please go and seal the deal!
Thoughts?
OR...should Hyman try to get VCU's Grant? Grant is quickly being a hot item for job openings at St. John, USC and LSU now....not to mention VCU will try hard to keep him.
Let's all hope Hyman is willing to pay top dollars for a good coach that can help Carolina turn the corner and get the basketball program in the right direction! Hyman here is a working list to start with! Please go and seal the deal!
Thoughts?
Monday, February 11, 2008
crazy story
First of all, let me say that I don't watch hockey, but if this happened more often I might. Did anybody else see this story from the other night? This guy is lucky to be alive.
Almost
Clemson sets NCAA record for longest losing streak against one opponent, which the previous record was 52, set by Princeton against Brown from 1929-2002. As a gamecock fan this is very amusing story, since we have seen our high’s and lows in basketball, but nothing to this extreme. You would think there had to be a year when UNC was down and Clemson was up right. It seems like ever year Clemson was good, UNC was better, and when UNC was down, Clemson was even further down. The Tigers seem to have the same problem that has plagued USC for years, not being about to make a free throw. James Mays hit Clemson’s first FT in the 2nd OT. Don't worry Clemson; you will beat them someday in Chapel Hill. My prediction is sometime around the year 2020.
Sunday, February 10, 2008
A look at the USC Recruiting Class
I read this article in the paper today By JOSEPH PERSON of The State. I thought it would be good to post here on LOHD, so here goes.....
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The State examines the newest 22 players on the Gamecock football team and their anticipated roles.
Quarterbacks (two)
-Aramis Hillary (6-2, 205, Edgefield)
-Reid McCollum (6-4, 195, Summerville)
Ones who got away: None.
How they fit in: With Stephen Garcia, Chris Smelley and Tommy Beecher set to compete for the starting job in the spring, Hillary and McCollum are likely destined for redshirts. But with Spurrier and quarterbacks, you never know. If a freshman plays, it figures to be Hillary because his running skills are unique among the quarterbacks.
Running backs (two)
-Eric Baker (5-11, 190, Jacksonville, Fla.)
-Kenny Miles (5-10, 200, Lawrenceville, Ga.)
Ones who got away: Jamal Womble (North Carolina), Dontavious Jackson (Georgia), Andre Ellington (Clemson).
How they fit in: Regardless of whether Mike Davis is suspended the first two games for violating the class-attendance policy, the Gamecocks need to develop another tailback. Brian Maddox (5-11, 225), bigger than the two freshmen, is eager for a chance after playing special teams as a freshman. Baker, the leading rusher in Florida in 2006, should have a leg up on Miles after participating in spring practice.
Wide receivers (one)
-D.L. Moore (6-4, 178, Bowling Green, Ky.)
Ones who got away: Jaron Brown (Clemson), T.J. Lawrence (Florida), Tommy Streeter (Miami), Alfred Jenkins (Illinois).
How he fits in: Spurrier said the fact USC signed the nation’s top-ranked receiving class last year likely scared off a few receivers. Now the key will be getting a couple of members of the Class of 2007 to step up or find another position. Chris Culliver will get a shot in the secondary, while Mark Barnes would seem a likely candidate to return to defense. USC wants to develop depth behind Kenny McKinley and Dion Lecorn. Moore is built like Joe Hills and Jason Barnes, both of whom are big targets.
Tight ends (one)
-Mike Triglia (6-4, 234, Jacksonville, Fla.)
Ones who got away: Dwayne Allen (Clemson).
How he fits in: Spurrier referred to the tight end position as one of the Gamecocks’ leanest, citing the broken leg Nick Prochak sustained during a January scooter accident. While Jared Cook and Weslye Saunders return, both are known more for their pass-catching abilities than their blocking. That could open the door for Triglia to step into the blocking role vacated by Andy Boyd and Robert Pavlovic.
Offensive line (two)
-T.J. Johnson (6-4, 285, Aynor)
-Elliot Williams (6-6, 275, Woodstock, Ga.)
Ones who got away: Dalton Freeman (Clemson), Kenneth Page (Clemson), Zebrie Sanders (Florida State), David Spurlock (Florida State), Jonathan Cooper (North Carolina), R.J. Mattes (N.C. State).
How they fit in: USC returns four of the five linemen who started the season finale against Clemson: guards Gurminder Thind and Heatch Batchelor and tackles Jamon Meredith and Justin Sorensen. Behind them are several players with starting experience: Lemuel Jeanpierre, Seaver Brown, Hutch Eckerson and Garrett Anderson, who figures to get first crack at replacing center William Brown. Offensive line coach John Hunt also will get his first long look at last year’s redshirts: Kyle Nunn, Ryan Broadhead and Quintin Richardson. Given that depth, it’s hard to imagine Johnson or Williams playing this year.
Defensive line (five)
-Ronald Byrd (6-6, 258, LaGrange, Ga.)
-Kenny Davis (6-4, 295, Newberry)
-Jarriel King (6-7, 315, North Charleston)
-Chaz Sutton (6-4, 236, Savannah, Ga.)
-Devin Taylor (6-6, 225, Beaufort)
Ones who got away: Glenn Harbin (Alabama), Everett Dawkins (Florida State), Jomarcus Savage (Auburn).
How they fit in: Explaining why USC signed 12 defensive linemen the past two years, recruiting coordinator David Reaves said schools never can have enough big men capable of playing on either side of the ball. King, a 2005 signee, fits that description and could end up on offense. If King makes it to USC — he must graduate from Georgia Military and get an SEC waiver on a rule requiring JUCO transfers to be enrolled the final four quarters at their two-year schools — he will compete with Jordin Lindsey and Clifton Geathers for the DE spot opposite Eric Norwood. Sutton also should play if he qualifies.
Linebackers (two)
-Reggie Bowens (6-2, 210, Garner, N.C.)
-Shaq Wilson (6-0, 220, Jacksonville, Fla.)
Ones who got away: Sterling Lucas (N.C. State), Terrell Manning (N.C. State), Robert Quinn (North Carolina), Christian Robinson (Georgia), T.J. Pridemore (Florida).
How they fit in: The Gamecocks’ biggest commitment came from middle linebacker Jasper Brinkley, who passed on the pros to return for a fifth season. Coaches are eager to see if Alonzo Winfield can play every down, while determining if Cliff Matthews would be more productive at end. Bowens and Wilson have similar physical builds, although Bowens’ recent shoulder surgery could lead to a redshirt.
Defensive backs (six)
-Antonio Allen (6-2, 190, Ocala, Fla.)
-Akeem Auguste (5-11, 180, Hollywood, Fla.)
-Jarrett Burns (6-3, 185, Huntsville, Ala.)
-Darrell Simmons (6-1, 185, College Park, Ga.)
-Jay Spearman (6-0, 187, Greenwood)
-C.C. Whitlock (5-11, 175, Chester)
Ones who got away: T’Sharvan Bell (Auburn).
How they fit in: USC returns all four starters in the secondary, but there are opportunities for first-year players to earn spots on the two-deep and guarantee playing time. Whitlock expects to begin the spring at receiver, but he has the coverage skills and instincts to get in the corner rotation with Carlos Thomas and Captain Munnerlyn. Allen and Auguste should be in the mix at safety and corner, respectively.
Specialists (one)
-Ryan Doerr (6-3, 185, Katy, Texas)
Ones who got away: Jeff Locke (UCLA).
How he fits in: When Doerr began mailing his highlight DVDs, he targeted schools with a need at kicker. The Gamecocks have an All-SEC caliber kicker/punter in Ryan Succop, although he has just one year of eligibility left. New special teams coordinator Ray Rychleski wants to give Doerr a shot to punt or kick off to take some of the strain off Succop.
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The State examines the newest 22 players on the Gamecock football team and their anticipated roles.
Quarterbacks (two)
-Aramis Hillary (6-2, 205, Edgefield)
-Reid McCollum (6-4, 195, Summerville)
Ones who got away: None.
How they fit in: With Stephen Garcia, Chris Smelley and Tommy Beecher set to compete for the starting job in the spring, Hillary and McCollum are likely destined for redshirts. But with Spurrier and quarterbacks, you never know. If a freshman plays, it figures to be Hillary because his running skills are unique among the quarterbacks.
Running backs (two)
-Eric Baker (5-11, 190, Jacksonville, Fla.)
-Kenny Miles (5-10, 200, Lawrenceville, Ga.)
Ones who got away: Jamal Womble (North Carolina), Dontavious Jackson (Georgia), Andre Ellington (Clemson).
How they fit in: Regardless of whether Mike Davis is suspended the first two games for violating the class-attendance policy, the Gamecocks need to develop another tailback. Brian Maddox (5-11, 225), bigger than the two freshmen, is eager for a chance after playing special teams as a freshman. Baker, the leading rusher in Florida in 2006, should have a leg up on Miles after participating in spring practice.
Wide receivers (one)
-D.L. Moore (6-4, 178, Bowling Green, Ky.)
Ones who got away: Jaron Brown (Clemson), T.J. Lawrence (Florida), Tommy Streeter (Miami), Alfred Jenkins (Illinois).
How he fits in: Spurrier said the fact USC signed the nation’s top-ranked receiving class last year likely scared off a few receivers. Now the key will be getting a couple of members of the Class of 2007 to step up or find another position. Chris Culliver will get a shot in the secondary, while Mark Barnes would seem a likely candidate to return to defense. USC wants to develop depth behind Kenny McKinley and Dion Lecorn. Moore is built like Joe Hills and Jason Barnes, both of whom are big targets.
Tight ends (one)
-Mike Triglia (6-4, 234, Jacksonville, Fla.)
Ones who got away: Dwayne Allen (Clemson).
How he fits in: Spurrier referred to the tight end position as one of the Gamecocks’ leanest, citing the broken leg Nick Prochak sustained during a January scooter accident. While Jared Cook and Weslye Saunders return, both are known more for their pass-catching abilities than their blocking. That could open the door for Triglia to step into the blocking role vacated by Andy Boyd and Robert Pavlovic.
Offensive line (two)
-T.J. Johnson (6-4, 285, Aynor)
-Elliot Williams (6-6, 275, Woodstock, Ga.)
Ones who got away: Dalton Freeman (Clemson), Kenneth Page (Clemson), Zebrie Sanders (Florida State), David Spurlock (Florida State), Jonathan Cooper (North Carolina), R.J. Mattes (N.C. State).
How they fit in: USC returns four of the five linemen who started the season finale against Clemson: guards Gurminder Thind and Heatch Batchelor and tackles Jamon Meredith and Justin Sorensen. Behind them are several players with starting experience: Lemuel Jeanpierre, Seaver Brown, Hutch Eckerson and Garrett Anderson, who figures to get first crack at replacing center William Brown. Offensive line coach John Hunt also will get his first long look at last year’s redshirts: Kyle Nunn, Ryan Broadhead and Quintin Richardson. Given that depth, it’s hard to imagine Johnson or Williams playing this year.
Defensive line (five)
-Ronald Byrd (6-6, 258, LaGrange, Ga.)
-Kenny Davis (6-4, 295, Newberry)
-Jarriel King (6-7, 315, North Charleston)
-Chaz Sutton (6-4, 236, Savannah, Ga.)
-Devin Taylor (6-6, 225, Beaufort)
Ones who got away: Glenn Harbin (Alabama), Everett Dawkins (Florida State), Jomarcus Savage (Auburn).
How they fit in: Explaining why USC signed 12 defensive linemen the past two years, recruiting coordinator David Reaves said schools never can have enough big men capable of playing on either side of the ball. King, a 2005 signee, fits that description and could end up on offense. If King makes it to USC — he must graduate from Georgia Military and get an SEC waiver on a rule requiring JUCO transfers to be enrolled the final four quarters at their two-year schools — he will compete with Jordin Lindsey and Clifton Geathers for the DE spot opposite Eric Norwood. Sutton also should play if he qualifies.
Linebackers (two)
-Reggie Bowens (6-2, 210, Garner, N.C.)
-Shaq Wilson (6-0, 220, Jacksonville, Fla.)
Ones who got away: Sterling Lucas (N.C. State), Terrell Manning (N.C. State), Robert Quinn (North Carolina), Christian Robinson (Georgia), T.J. Pridemore (Florida).
How they fit in: The Gamecocks’ biggest commitment came from middle linebacker Jasper Brinkley, who passed on the pros to return for a fifth season. Coaches are eager to see if Alonzo Winfield can play every down, while determining if Cliff Matthews would be more productive at end. Bowens and Wilson have similar physical builds, although Bowens’ recent shoulder surgery could lead to a redshirt.
Defensive backs (six)
-Antonio Allen (6-2, 190, Ocala, Fla.)
-Akeem Auguste (5-11, 180, Hollywood, Fla.)
-Jarrett Burns (6-3, 185, Huntsville, Ala.)
-Darrell Simmons (6-1, 185, College Park, Ga.)
-Jay Spearman (6-0, 187, Greenwood)
-C.C. Whitlock (5-11, 175, Chester)
Ones who got away: T’Sharvan Bell (Auburn).
How they fit in: USC returns all four starters in the secondary, but there are opportunities for first-year players to earn spots on the two-deep and guarantee playing time. Whitlock expects to begin the spring at receiver, but he has the coverage skills and instincts to get in the corner rotation with Carlos Thomas and Captain Munnerlyn. Allen and Auguste should be in the mix at safety and corner, respectively.
Specialists (one)
-Ryan Doerr (6-3, 185, Katy, Texas)
Ones who got away: Jeff Locke (UCLA).
How he fits in: When Doerr began mailing his highlight DVDs, he targeted schools with a need at kicker. The Gamecocks have an All-SEC caliber kicker/punter in Ryan Succop, although he has just one year of eligibility left. New special teams coordinator Ray Rychleski wants to give Doerr a shot to punt or kick off to take some of the strain off Succop.
0.06 seconds
That is when Beal’s floating fade away jumper deep in the lane went through the hoop and allowed the Commodores to escape with a 66-65 win on Saturday over Univ of South Carolina. It was a close game for USC (11-11, 3-5 Southeastern Conference) in their bid to upset the number 24 ranked Commodores (20-4, 5-4) in a game that saw nine lead changes and four ties in the final 11:57. But what has become the same story for most of USC's games this year...the gamecocks faded at the end to lose a close game that most would say...we should've won.
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