Gamecocks Round Ball News: Cooke to USC

Welcome to Univ of South Carolina Malik Cooke! Cooke is (6'6 205) a transfer from Nevada, who wanted to transfer back closer to home (Charlotte) due to a personal issue even if it meant that he would have to pay for school.

Cooke is still in the process of getting some of his classes worked out and seeing what can transfer and what cannot. Right now it is believed he will have to sit out a year despite being a walk on. Cooke will have three years to play two. Cooke could very likely sit out this year using his redshirt year while paying his own way and then get a scholarship next year as the Gamecocks do have six scholarships to give. He would be eligible to play in the 2010-11 season, when the Gamecocks will need to replace a bunch of key guys: Devan Downey, Dominique Archie, Brandis Raley-Ross and Evka Baniulis. One of the major reasons for Cooke transferring to South Carolina was his relationship with Gamecock freshman Lakeem Jackson.

Cooke is a 6'6 wing player that has a good face up game and more importantly has a seven foot wing span that allows him to guard other post players and not give up to much ground.

Cooke may not be a show stopper but we will certainly welcome him to gamecock basketball. He joins two other commitments for the 2010 class: R.J. Slawson, a 6-7 forward from the Charleston area, and Eric Smith, a 5-9 guard from Mullins.

Opposing Coach for Week 1 on USC qb Garcia

NCSU Head Football Coach, via this article, had this to say about Gamecocks quarterback Stephen Garcia...

"He’s very athletic, strong armed, can pull the ball down and run with it," O’Brien said. "He can do a lot of different things with the football. So you’ve got to be alert for him. You’ve got to contain him and keep him in the pocket, not let him out of the pocket. You’ve got to be aware that he’s just as liable to pull it down as he is to throw it 60 yards down the field."

News from Gamecocks Week 1 Opponent: NCSU

The N.C. State Wolfpack are currently four-point favorites for a nationally-televised “showdown” with South Carolina on Sept. 3....less than 1 week !

Developments of note recently -
Senior Toney Baker, who has missed all but one game of the past two seasons because of a knee injury, is atop the N.C. State depth chart handed out Friday before NCSU coach Tom O'Brien's news conference. Jamelle Eugene, another senior, who started the fall top the depth chart, is listed as the second-team back. I suspect that Eugene will get the majority of PT though.

Elsewhere on the depth chart, redshirt freshman R.J. Mattes is listed as the starter at right offensive guard ahead of senior Andy Barbee; Dwayne Maddox is starting ahead of Terrell Manning at the boundary linebacker position where injured Nate Irving played; and junior Jeff Ruiz is listed ahead of freshman Chris Ward at punter. Redshirt freshman C.J. Wilson is listed ahead of junior returning starter DeAndre Morgan at field cornerback.

Here is a dose of news from NCSU for your reading pleasure:

• Tom O’Brien Does Lunch
• 'Tired' Wolfpack gets chance to rest
• Russell Wilson Q&A: 'I'm never afraid'
• How dare you call "Spurrier & USC average"
• Pack teams up quarterbacks, receivers
• Wolfpack could go either way
• Pack follows O'Brien's lead
• Pack looking for answers
• The Sporting News likes the Wolfpack quite a bit
• Coming in at an average weight of 314.8 pounds, NC State has the second-beefiest offensive line in the league.
• Profile of NC State’s QB Russell Wilson (ESPN)
• Preview of NC State’s Season (TechSideline)
• Latest College Football Lines (College Football Locks)

Also N.C. State tight end Mario Carter is out for the season with a knee injury, school sports information director said this week. He was the No. 3 tight end on the depth chart behind George Bryan and Matt Kushner.

ESPN in Gamecock Country

ESPN's Chris Low made a visit to Gamecock country today and analayzed the gamecocks chances in 2009. Also got a interview with Coach Spurrier that is a good read...check it out....

Articles:

• Re-energized Spurrier keeping the faith
• Kicking it with Steve Spurrier
• Gamecocks not fretting defensive line losses
• SEC position rankings: Defensive backs ...USC #7
• Improvement up front key for Gamecocks
• Budding star Gilmore represents with pride
• Who's calling the plays for the Gamecocks?
  

The man USC Gamecocks must stop in 8 days to win....

With 17 touchdown passes in 2008, Wilson posted the sixth-best total for a season in N.C. State history. Wilson uses his quick feet to move the chains, is accurate and makes spectacular plays and this is what the Univ of South Carolina must contain in 8 days.

Wilson also is a smart qb.....in 275 attempts, Wilson threw one interception in 2008. He ended the season with 249 consecutive passes without an interception. It's the longest streak in school history and the longest active streak in the nation. No wonder he is a All ACC QB contender and has experts talking NCSU winning the ACC.

Ellis Johnson and the USC defense must limit this threat. Must wrap him up, slow him down, get in his face, knock passes down, keep changing looks on D, play smart....all that to win as this kid is truly special whether you like NCSU or not. Containing Wilson is job #1 in 8 days on ESPN for the Gamecocks.

QB ranking by CFN

CFN has ranked the top 25 QB for the 2009

Do you agree with these rankings?

25 Best Quarterbacks
1. Tim Tebow, Sr., Florida
2. Colt McCoy, Sr. Texas
3. Sam Bradford, Jr. Oklahoma
4. Terrelle Pryor, Soph., Ohio State
5. Jevan Snead, Jr., Ole Miss
6. Dan LeFevour, Sr., Central Michigan
7. Todd Reesing, Sr. Kansas
8. Colin Kaepernick, Jr., Nevada
9. Robert Griffin, Soph. Baylor
10. Zac Robinson, Sr. Oklahoma State
11. Juice Williams, Sr., Illinois
12. Case Keenum, Jr., Houston
13. Max Hall, Sr. BYU
14. Daryll Clark, Sr., Penn State
15. Matt Grothe, Sr., South Florida
16. Russell Wilson, Soph., NC State
17. Jeremiah Masoli, Jr., Oregon
18. Rusty Smith, Sr. Florida Atlantic
19. Tyrod Taylor, Jr., Virginia Tech
20. Kellen Moore, Soph., Boise State
21. Jake Locker, Jr., Washington
22. Tim Hiller, Sr., Western Michigan
23. Corey Leonard, Jr. Arkansas State
24. Jimmy Clausen, Jr. Notre Dame
25. Andy Schmitt, Sr., Eastern Michigan

Mid-Week Gamecocks Clippings / News

Gamecock Football

• I think rating us at #11 is a bit low as I would say about 8th: SEC position rankings: Offensive line
• Good story about Gamecock fullback Patrick DiMarco in The State.
• Many believe discipline still a problem for the Gamecocks
• Let's welcome Andy Demetra as the new USC hoops, baseball announcer
• Injured Geathers will miss opener
• Linebackers provide core of defense
• Practice report: New PK glad to be at USC

NCSU news

• Here’s a 2009 preview about the N.C. State Wolfpack football team.

Former Gamecocks

• Panthers Preseason Spotlight: Captain Munnerlyn

Garnet & Black Attack Blog Posts of Note
Post-Spring Previews: Florida Gators

SEC
Ten Games That Will Shape the SEC: No. 7 -- South Carolina at Georgia

LOHD Posts

• Gamecocks starting offensive line and top backups announced
• NCSU students to attempt "white out" for USC game
• Gamecocks Geathers Mug Shot
• U of South Carolina - "The Best is Here"
• USC WR/DB Joe Hills opts for Tennessee State
• Gamecocks & Bud Light
• Former Gamecock & Current Nuggets' Player Balkman arrested in Florida
• Gamecocks and Legal Issues (AGAIN?)
• Gamecocks Football --- Feel the Thunder Video
  

Gamecocks Quote of the Day

“I’m going to talk to coach Spurrier beforehand and see if he’s OK if I get a 15-yard penalty. Because I’m gonna do some sort of extra celebration if I get a touchdown on the Wolfpack.” – tight end and Raleigh native Weslye Saunders via this article.

Love It! Go Cocks!

Gamecocks starting offensive line and top backups announced

I almost missed this as it was buried in this article, but certainly news worthy as this has been a question mark leading up to the NCSU kickoff - What will the offensive line for USC look like?

I know this will probably change as Coach Wolford has made it clear that he will play those that "step up" and prove to be worthy of the starting nod or "PT."

The lineup as of 8/25/09:
--Jarriel King at left tackle

--Terrence Campbell at left guard

--Garrett Anderson and Lemuel Jeanpierre in a platoon at center

--T.J. Johnson and Heath Batchelor platooning at right guard

--Quintin Richardson at right tackle.

Key Back-ups:
--Rokevious Watkins can back up at both tackles,

--Hutch Eckerson at right tackle, and Jeanpierre could also back up at both guard spots

Also to note:

---Missing were Kevin Young, Seaver Brown and Pierre Andrews in the above list. Hope to see them step up and push for playing time. As it would be great to see this group challenged thus it makes them better.
---Offensive lineman Steven Singleton (6-3, 300) is taking occasional reps at noseguard in a certain scheme, when the defense “needs a big body,” said defensive line coach Brad Lawing. Can we say "run-stuffer?"

THOUGHTS?

NCSU students to attempt "white out" for USC game

With the NCSU game nine days way, news from Carter-Finley Stadium is that NCSU students are hoping to accomplish a "white out" vs the USC gamecocks.

The game is set to kick off at 7 p.m. and will be broadcast on ESPN. Every student entering the game will receive a free "Beat Carolina" white T-shirt, as a gift from Time-Warner Cable. Also, all students will receive a free "Beat Carolina" red towel and all other fans in the lower level will receive a free "Beat Carolina" white towel to wave during the game.

Gamecocks Geathers Mug Shot

All I can think of in vieiwng this is...."Momma said knock you out, I'm going to knock you out" from LL Cool J.

USC coach Steve Spurrier has released the following statement regarding the Geathers issue ---

"We are disappointed in the actions of Clifton Geathers the other night. He has been suspended indefinitely from the team until all the facts come in."

U of South Carolina - "The Best is Here"

Best damn gamecock video LOHD has seen in awhile and perfect with the season so close to get you pumped!

9 days till gamecocks kickoff vs. NCSU....

USC WR/DB Joe Hills opts for Tennessee State

Former South Carolina Gamecocks WR turned DB Joe Hills, who left the Gamecocks last week and had expressed an interest in transferring to USF, will instead continue his playing career at I-AA Tennessee State. There he joins former SC graduate assitant Cedric Williams, now OL Coach at Tenn State.

Also before he left USC, Travis Haney of the P&C reported Hills had this statement -

"Coach Spurrier told me it was best that I play defensive back. I told him I didn't think it was good a move and wanted to talk with my family," Hills told the Sarasota newspaper. "My family didn't like it and I decided on Thursday night to leave. Coach Spurrier didn't tell me why he was doing this. He gave me an excuse, but it wasn't one that I felt was legitimate."

Gamecocks & Bud Light

Has anyone seen the "gamecocks fan can" or gamecock bud light?

The "fan can" design is the latest marketing gimmick from Anheuser-Busch. You can find them in Columbia, SC. Some people say they'll encourage underage and binge drinking which is just dumb to try and connect but whatever.

I know one could say that is not garnet but give them credit for trying. Heck, one might even say not good timing LOHD to bring this up after Geathers and Balkman with alcohol related incidents....but you are missing the point. Well, speaking of that issue...I wonder if they were drinking Gamecock bud light?

The WSJ did a story on this "fan can" and its relation to the possibility of binge drinking or underage drinking - HERE. And Columbia TV station WIS did a story on this also - HERE.

Thoughts? Good idea or bad idea from Anheuser-Busch? Who is bringing gamecock bud light to the first game?

(h/t: http://bradwarthen.com and pics to his credit)

Former Gamecock & Current Nuggets' Player Balkman arrested in Florida

Seems this past Saturday around 4am was not a good time for current gamecocks and former gamecocks.

Nuggets forward and former gamecock, Renaldo Balkman was arrested over the weekend on suspicion of driving under the influence.

The 25-year-old Balkman was arrested by Temple Terrace, Fla., police at 4 a.m. Saturday, after he refused a blood-alcohol content test. Balkman was booked at 5:30 a.m. and released on a $500 bond at 12:30 p.m.

More HERE

Fantasy Football

Just like every other year, I have registered a fantasy football league. It is open to all LOHD readers.

The league is at Yahoo.com Group ID# is 718592 and the Password is garcia09.

Pick'em contest

I have created a pick'em contest at yahoo.com.

Group ID# (12938) and the Password (gamecock09)

Gamecocks and Legal Issues (AGAIN?)

Well, this was a disappointment to wake up to on Monday morning involving members of the USC football team. Seems no matter what the university does and what coaches Spurrier brings in to be influences on these guys...kids will be kids. Kids will be extremely stupid and this seems to be a case of the later.

It will be interesting to see how this shakes out over the next week and I am sure the media is loving it. The Gamecocks could ill afford to lose another defensive lineman for any period of time. Ladi Ajiboye will be suspended for the first three games. Nate Pepper has been limited in camp because of a chronically balky knee.
Additionally, freshman Ronald Byrd will miss the season after having knee surgery.
Defensive head coach Ellis Johnson has expressed more and more concern about depth up front in recent weeks.
Geathers was our guy that we picked for a breakthrough season, I guess he wanted to make a name for himself a different way in 2009. Let's hope I am wrong and no matter how this plays out that Geathers gets his sh*t together and makes a impact on the field in 2009.

Giles, well let's just hope it stuck to verbal and not physical.

Seems over the weekend that Geathers was arrested; Giles had a "fight" that is under investigation.

Not good but before we cast judgement, let's gather facts.

Geathers incident -

USC starting defensive end Clifton Geathers faces three charges after he was arrested following an incident at a Vista nightclub early Sunday morning.

Geathers, 21, is charged with resisting arrest, disorderly conduct and public drunkenness after Columbia police, responding to a fight between Geathers and a bouncer at Club Ice, struggled to detain the 6-foot-8, 281-pound Geathers.

Under USC policy, Geathers was suspended following his arrest.

Giles incident -

In the incident at East Quad, a university spokesperson said security guards called police about an altercation between Jarvis Giles and a woman in the lobby of the dorm at 4:30 a.m. After officers arrived, Giles and the woman told officers it was a misunderstanding.

USC spokesperson Margaret Lamb said police are looking into the matter. Lamb did not identify the female, but a source said she is Giles’ girlfriend from Tampa, Fla.

Full Article HERE and a take from the Free-Times HERE. I am sure more on this later......

Gamecocks Football --- Feel the Thunder Video

a good video from gamecocksonline.com

10 days till kickoff!

Gamecocks Clippings / Weekend News Round-up

Some University of South Carolina Gamecocks News for you to review since our last post ---

Gamecock Football

• Practice report: Hills, Clements go to defense
• South Carolina Football Player Profile: No. 40 LB Eric Norwood
• Nice guy Brown tries to finish first
• South Carolina Preview: Gamecocks Look For Breakthrough Season
• Meet Bryce Sherman, the Next Brandon James
• Stephen Garcia Leads the 2009 South Carolina Gamecocks, But To Where?
• Worst Case Scenario: South Carolina Gamecocks
• Ron Morris of The State writes that the huge number of football scholarships is a bigger drag on athletic programs than Title IX. Even Spurrier says that of the 85 scholarship players on a roster, typically only 50 to 60 will play during a season.
• Sophomore Alonzo Winfield is the favorite to start at Carolina’s “spur” position… a hybrid safety/linebacker.
• Whitlock has come a long way — on and off the field
• Practice report: Sherman may be next on scholarship
• Will we see Carolina’s new “Wildcock” formation.
• USC coaches hope for consistent Garcia
• Blog: Scrimmage notes, observations
• USC's Spurrier calls Garcia's performance 'very average'
• USC's Garcia getting his head in the game
• Gamecocks RB Sherman comes 'out of nowhere'

General SEC

• SEC position rankings: Receivers
• SEC East coverage

Other

• Ex-Gamecock Williamson shines in preseason loss
• Jacksonville St. suspends QB Perrilloux (AP)

USC Baseball

• South Carolina baseball listed as one of the country’s “winners” after the MLB signing deadline.
• Moneyball shorts USC's Dyson
• Dyson, Ebert set to return to Gamecocks
• Former Gamecock Mack makes All-Star team
• Outfielder Seth Constable (5-10 170) of Lewisville, NC has committed to USC for the 2011 class.

LOHD Posts

• Gamecocks WR/CB Joe Hills off the team
• News from The Gamecocks Week 1 Opponent: NCSU
• Gamecock Recruiting News / Fulton Update
• An SEC Prediction from the AJC / Carolina 7-5?
• Social Media Evil in the eyes of the SEC?