Gamecock Practice News and Notes

Here are some news and notes that I found interesting...

---Two junior college offensive linemen are set to begin practice today. Steven Singleton is set for guard and Rokevious Watkins for tackle.

---The Gamecocks are scheduled to hold a scrimmage featuring the younger players at 7:30 p.m. on the Bluff Road practice field. It will be open to the public.

---Cornerback Addison Williams, who injured his hamstring Thursday, sat out practice. C.C. Whitlock worked with the first team offense along with true freshman Stephon Gilmore.

---Special teams coach Shane Beamer issued an open invitation for anyone to try out on Friday for back up punter. The only ones to show up were freshman quarterback Andrew Clifford and sophomore defensive tackle Melvin Ingram. No word on who got it or next step, anyone can punt call Beamer.

-- Spurrier said freshman Matt Coffee will greyshirt while rehabbing a knee injury that ended his senior season after 2 games. Coffee, of Fort Walton Beach, Fla., will enroll in January '10.

-- Devin Taylor looks like he could be a weapon on special teams: The 6-7 defensive end blocked a field goal when he jumped and got his right hand on Spencer Lanning’s kick. Could be good weapone to have....

Other News of Note

• Gamecocks walk-on Sherman turning heads — quickly
• USC finds a silent partner
• Congrats to Mr. Owings, the first player from a S.C. high school or college to be selected, will not attend USC, where he had signed to play. Instead he will report Wednesday to the Missoula (Mont.) Osprey, the Diamondbacks’ affiliate in the rookie-level Pioneer League, which plays through Sept. 11.

USC Baseball Add Players for '10 & '11

In the midst of gamecock football, there was some gamecock baseball news to report....

The Gamecocks have added shortstop Peter Mooney of Palm Beach JC, FL to their 2010 class. Mooney was the defensive player of the year in his district. Mooney was drafted in the 37th round by the Cubs this summer.

For 2011, the Gamecocks gained a commitment from utility player Kevin White of Earlysville, GA.

Letter to Gamecocks from Ben Axon

This blog post was posted on Joe Person's blog on thestate.com. Ben Axon is trying to get his side of the story out there so that Gamecock fans will except him as a football player and not a criminal.

Submitted on 2009/08/02 at 8:13pm

I THINK ITS TIME FOR ALL THE GAMECOCKS FAN TO KNOW THE REAL STORY LETS JUST SAY MY SISTER IS RIGHT I HAVE NEVER BEEN IN TROUBLE AND I WILL NEVER BE AGAIN I JUST WANNA TAKE EVERYONE BACK TO THAT NIGHT I NEVER SAID THE WEED WAS MINE AND IM NOT A DRUG DEALER PEOPLE JUST THINK IAM BEACUSE I HAVE DREADS AND TATS BUT BESIDES THAT I NEVER HAD ANYTHING ON ME BASICLY I WENT TO JAIL FOR NOTHING YEAH IT WAS WEED IN THE CAR BUT I DIDNT KNOW TO THE LAST MINUTE I WAS IN THE WRONG PLACE AT THE WRONG TIME IN THE CAR WITH THREE FELONS BUT BUT I KNEW THEM SINCE THE THIRD GRADE ITS AMAZING WHAT PEOPLE SAY BUT I LOOKED PASTED THAT FOR YOU ALL THAT DONT KNOW ME PLEASE DONT LEAVE NASTY COMMENTS THE AREA THAT I LIVE IN IS TERRIBLE DRUG, GUNS, FIGHTS, EVERYDAY I HEARD ABOUT THE CORY BOYD STORY MY STORY IS TENS TIMES WORST ALL MY FRIENDS ARE DEAD OR IN PRISON I NEVER WANTED TO GO IN THAT DIRECTION SO I STARTED PLAYING FOOTBALL IVE SEEN JUST ABOUT EVERYTHING YOU GUYS SEE ON TV BUT ONLY IN REAL LIFE I LIVE ON THE WORST STREET IN TOWN EVERY EVERY WERE I GO I SEE POLICE CAR I SEEN MY FRIEND GET KILLED I WATCHED HIM LAY THERE HELPLESS WITH A GUN SHOT WOUND TO THE HEAD ALL IM SAYN IS THAT I LEARNED MY LESSON AND ALL I WANNA DO IS PLAY BALL PLEASE EXCEPT ME I WONT MESS UP AGAIN EVERYBODY THAT KNOWS ME KNOW THAT IM NOT A BAD GUY WELL I LEAVE FOR SCHOOL THIS WEDNESDAY IM READY TO START OVER AND IM NOT A BAD PERSON

Gamecock Clippings / Mid-Week Review

Here is a news re-cap of the past few days....

USC Football

• 2009 South Carolina Gamecock Football Preseason OOC Guide
• Worst Case Scenario: South Carolina Gamecocks
• PICS from Practice Session #1
• Wrapping up day one, looking ahead to tonight
• USC practice schedule
• Eric Norwood: The role model
• USC makes Lattimore's final five
• Gamecocks also have a few questions on defense
• Clemson, South Carolina both have QB questions
• Travis Haney of The Charleston Post and Courier weighs in on five key questions facing South Carolina heading into preseason practice.
• Joe Person of The State newspaper takes a look at five impact newcomers for South Carolina this season.
• Opening night observations
• Video: USC preseason practice sights and sounds
• Video: Spurrier, post-practice interviews
• Fan turnout pleases coaches, players
• Practice report: Axon expected at USC soon
• Garcia leads as USC begins practice
• Gamecocks also have a few questions on defense
• New-look Gamecocks have plenty to resolve

News from USC's Week 1 Opponent-NCSU

• The Charlotte Oberver has a blog on sports and they look at the NCSU opening practice yesterday - HERE . Also Seniors Jamelle Eugene, Jeraill McCuller and Willie Young have been elected team captains by N.C. State's players, the school announced Monday.
• Wolfpack opener not going the route of last year

SEC Stuffs

• Five burning questions about the SEC East

Former Gamecocks

• Little Captain plays large for Panthers
• Beecher looks for fresh start

Gamecock Basketball

• Gamecocks face La Salle at C of C

G&B Attack Blog Posts

• Post-Spring Previews: Tennessee Volunteers

LOHD Recent Blog Posts

• Is this the Gamecocks Secret Weapon in '09?
• Gamecocks Practice Pic
• Gamecock Football Practice Set to Begin Today / Thoughts for Day 1
• Elect Lou Holtz to Congress
• No Givens & still waiting on some other Gamecocks to be cleared
• Givens gives up on pursuit to be a Gamecock
• Steve Spurrier Quote of the Day

Is this the Gamecocks Secret Weapon in '09?

Bryce Sherman? Shorter than Scotty Spurrier?

Seems this 5-foot-5 receiver Bryce Sherman, a freshman from Winston, N.C , participated last night in the USC practice and supposedly he was the No. 1-ranked runner in North Carolina in 2007. His bio - HERE - says he chose USC over Virginia Tech, Western Carolina, Clemson and Michigan.

Is this the speed demon Spurrier has been wanting? What is his role going to be? Anyone know anything....

Gamecocks Practice Pic

It is good to see the Ol' Ball Coach all smiles to start '09 !

{pic: C. Aluka Berry of THE STATE}

Gamecock Football Practice Set to Begin Today / Thoughts for Day 1

So today marks the start of the USC fall practice, the much anticipated time of year begins and you know LOHD has been thinkin' about this for a long time now.

At 7:30pm tonight, Practice #1 begins and we have prepared you a list of some things we will be curious to watch play out in the first session of what will become a important time of year not only for the new guys but for the veterans due to coaching changes, new philosophies and position battles.

So here is what to watch for in the first practice as this one is open to the public ---

Team Energy/'Fire in the belly'
With this being practice number 1, I am sure you will not see the entire playbook used. Mostly smiles and loosening of the legs. But what I hope you will see is "energy" in their actions and in their faces. I hope we see a determination to reach all the team goals in 2009 and a true team spirit that puts the weak finishing in '07 & '08 behind them and concentrate on '09. Treat each game as they come and no lookin' down the road to UGa.

The Quarterbacks
Should be interesting to watch Garcia today. To see his leadership that I hope shines in '09. Also it will be interesting to see who behind Garcia steps up to be the team's #2 qb and grasb the offense "just in case."

Conditioning
I do not want to see any dragging or sucking wind. I hope all had good individual summer workouts and came ready to the 8/4/09 practice ready to impress. No craps due to poor eating habits.

Attitude on Defense
I want to see them being hungry and ready to shut down opposing offenses. Not saying hurt our offense but I want to see the "fire in the belly" with these guys. They have been a leading "D" for 2 years straight but this schedule does not allow gimmie games or mistakes. I want to see a focus like no other. Also it will be interesting to watch the secondary as some kids will be asked to step up...who will it be?

The Freshmen
Perhaps the best part of the first practice is watching the freshmen. Will Gilmore line up under center? Is Giles ready to be the homerun threat? Will Holloman step up on D? Some of these questions along with how fast they grasp the scheme and come ready to play will be good to watch leading up to the NCSU game.

The 'NEW' and improved Staff
Got several new coaches that will be walking the sidelines and helping these kids become great gamecock players. What will we see different? How will they mesh as a unit and how will that flow over to the team?

Tonight is the first in a series of important practices. The Gamecocks open their season in 30 days and there is little time to waste.

Elect Lou Holtz to Congress

Oh the world of politics and sports....gotta love it as their is always something to talk about.

Seems the former Head Coach of the Gamecocks, Lou Holtz, is considering a Congressional campaign against Rep. Suzanne Kosmas (D-Fla.), first reported by the Orlando Sentinel and confirmed by POLITICO today.

Holtz is best-known for leading Notre Dame to a national college football championship in 1988, and the walking the sidelines at the University of South Carolina before retiring to ESPN as an analyst.

It is not certain if he will run but LOHD is fully supporting him. Could you imagine him giving a speech on the floor of the US House?

No Givens & still waiting on some other Gamecocks to be cleared

So the Givens "soap opera" is over as he wants to go to Rutgers. But The State's Joe Person is reporting today - HERE - that USC coaches and officials are still awaiting word on the status of a few other gamecocks.
Georgia Military OL Steven Singleton and Rokevious Watkins, DL Leon Mackey and tailback Ben Axon, who was arrested a few months ago on a marijuana charge in his hometown of Bradenton, Fla. Seems their are some paperwork issues with all of the above dealing with academics. And the Axon situation is a little more touchy as he needs to get a "pass" from USC officials after being arrested.

Let's hope all of the above get cleared soon and are able to get in on practice early as all of the above could add depth but also need to learn the SC system to be effective in '09.

Givens gives up on pursuit to be a Gamecock

DB Darrell Givens has decided to attend Rutgers and will not pursue trying to gain admission to USC. Givens apparently never sent to USC the requested documents including a letter from Penn State stating he had been released from his letter of intent. USC was suppose to review everything and make a final decision today but that is no longer the case as Givens choses Rutgers over USC.

Oh well...this may be for the best....Full Story HERE.

Steve Spurrier Quote of the Day

Today's quote is timely now that the kickoff for the season is 31 days away and practice begins this week; quote of the day comes from this article, in it Spurrier says this which is a great way to start the 2009 quest for SEC glory ---

"We're looking forward to a new era of Carolina football."

Join the club Coach as gamecocks have longed for this, now get to making it happen for us...

The Latest in the Darrell Givens Saga

Okay there is still more....HERE...seems Givens wants to be a gamecock and the academic review will be completed tomorrow by USC. Decision will come around 1:30pm on Tuesday per Phil Kornbult and I feel Phil has eluded to want will shake out when he writes ...

"Even if the committee turns down Givens, sources said he likely would receive a presidential admission to the school. Sources said Givens desire is to attend USC even though Rutgers has told him he would be admitted there immediately."

So Givens may not pass the "mustard" for the review committee but the USC President is ready to sign the admission slip. Sounds like Mr. Givens will be at practice on Wednesday...let's hope!

Darrell Givens Soap Opera Update

Seems Rutgers is ready to admit Mr. Givens as their future cornerback as UNC pulls out and the University of South Carolina is still reviewing the academics...more HERE.

So now it seems to be between USC and Rutgers.....I pray this works out for Spurrier and Ellis Johnson as this 4-star prospect from Maryland would be a huge addition for the secondary in 2009.

Doom and Gloom from Ron Aiken on USC chances in 2009

This article is from the sport section of the Free Times, where Ron Aiken writes a weekly article that can only be matched by the likely hood of our favorite gamecock writer Ron (the hater) Morris.
Ron Aiken has made is pre-season prediction on the eve of practice starting tomorrow, saying that he believes the Gamecocks will only win 3 games this season!!! Please read for yourself and give some honest options as whether or not you believe he is correct or totally lost his mind.

Another Update on Givens

This Givens situation is becoming a soap opera. Seems now UNC has backed off Darrell Givens also today just like PSU did per G&B Attack today.

So that leaves USC the likely home right? Pending a academic review of course...I have a feeling this is not over but do hope he lands at Carolina.

Here is how this drama played out over the last week -

• Givens update 3
• Givens update 2
• Givens back in touch with USC
• Givens update 1
• USC could add cornerback to class

I am going to go ahead and predict that he becomes a gamecock and the media will eat this up. The mainstream media will focus on the fact that UNC, PSU and others backed off this kid due to academics and here Carolina is allowing him in. I am sure stories are already in draft form today just waiting for the news to hit the wire. Which to gamecock fans is ridiculous but we can whether the storm just like we did for Eric Norwood. Remember he was on the fence academically and a chance was taken on this kid and see how he turned out.

So stay tuned as you will hopefully see news that he is okay to join USC this week for opening practice and then watch for media bashing to start.

USC Target Darrell Givens update

South Carolina's "Mr. Know-it-all" when it comes to recruiting - Phil Kornblut is reporting this morning that USC's admissions committee is to take up the issue of Darrell Givens today.
Seems it is down to USC or UNC and he could go either way. Givens is suppose to tour UNC today. Both schools have sped up the review process to make this happen this week....stay tuned.

Gamecock Football 2009 Teaser Video

With fall practice starting this week, here is a good video that the university did to get get you pumped towards the start of the 2009 season....

Gamecock News Clippings from the weekend

Here is a review of the news you may have missed the last couple of days related to the gamecocks....

USC Football

• South Carolina hoping youth is a blessing, not a curse
• Three Wins for USC in 2009 ... yes '09 will be tough but we will win more than 3 games and I guarantee it.
• Gaining ground is sound idea
• Spurrier encouraged by Garcia
• Eric Norwood: The role model
• Beecher looks for fresh start
• This is a must read for any gamecock fan or a fan of football. Linebacker Norwood finishing what he started at USC....Mr. Norwood is a great kid with tremendous potential on the field and off.
• Gamecocks strive to improve rushing game
• Spurrier says he took the Tebow omission too seriously

General SEC

• SEC Preview: Vandy ready to deal with sudden success
• SEC Preview: Brooks remains confident in UK

Garnet & Black Posts

• Post-Spring Previews: Tennessee Volunteers

LOHD Posts

• Carolina makes the short list for 2 big time recruits
• Help choose a nickname for USC PG Devan Downey

Carolina makes the short list for 2 big time recruits

RB Marcus Lattimore (6-0 210) of Byrnes yesterday reduced his list to a final five. Lattimore is down to South Carolina, UNC, Auburn, Penn State and Oregon. No love for Clemson...we can relate.

Also DL Ego Ferguson Jr. (6-3 260) of Hargrave Prep, VA reduced his list to 14 schools and South Carolina is still in the hunt with this guy. This kid would be great to get and this past week he was voted the best defensive lineman in the national prospect camp in Orlando.

Lastly, the ongoing situation in trying to lure DB Darrell Givens to USC is still going on and word should come this week. Rumor is he is '50-50.'

Grabbing these 3 kids to play at Carolina would be tremendous, cross your fingers and toes.

Gamecock Football Practice Schedule

With practice starting this week, below is the schedule just in case you wanted to know and go...

The first practice is scheduled for Tuesday. The first practice will begin at 7:30 p.m. at the Bluff Road "Proving Grounds" and is open to the public.

Wednesday, August 5: 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, August 6: 7:30 p.m. (Helmets and shoulder pads)
Friday, August 7: 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, August 8: 7:30 p.m. (First day of full pads)
Sunday, August 9: Media Day, 3- 5 p.m. No practice scheduled.
Monday, August 10: 7:30 p.m.
Tuesday, August 11: 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, August 12: 9 a.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, August 13: 7:30 p.m.
Friday, August 14: 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, August 15: 4:15 p.m. (Scrimmage)
Sunday, August 16: Fan Appreciation Day, 1-2:30 p.m., Colonial Life Arena. No practice scheduled.
Monday, August 17: 7:30 p.m.
Tuesday, August 18: 9 a.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, August 19: 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, August 20: First day of classes; Practice TBA