The '10 Things We Know' Revisited
posted by Scott Hood on Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Prior to the start of fall camp, we posted an article about the “10 Things We Know” heading into practice. Well, it’s time to take a look back and see how many of those “truths” were actually true and provide an update,
1. BLAKE MITCHELL IS THE STARTING QB: This is still true but Steve Spurrier’s recent statements that backups Chris Smelley and Tommy Beecher are ready to play should be interpreted that Mitchell will have an extremely short lease if he doesn’t get out of the gate quickly. Unlike last season when he essentially threw Syvelle Newton out there and prayed for the best, Spurrier has options now. It wouldn’t surprise me at all if USC has a three-QB rotation by the end of the season. Spurrier has done it before. Heck, he’s even rotated quarterbacks on every play. Smelley and Beecher will play.
2. STEVE SPURRIER LIKES KEVIN YOUNG: Incomplete. Spurrier contended in the pre-season statements that Young had the attributes to become a quality SEC lineman. But Young is still a work in progress and has yet to crack the starting five. He’s still involved in the fight at guard. Young has good size (6-foot-4, 320 pounds) and can move well. But Young is still a redshirt freshmen, so there’s plenty of time for growth.
3. THE OFF-FIELD DISTRACTIONS WON’T MATTER: True. Stephen Garcia hasn’t displayed any ricochet effect from his legal issues that arose in January and forced Spurrier to suspend him for the spring. Garcia came out focused and has impressed most observers with his physical abilities, including a powerful right arm that zips the ball to receivers. But Garcia is still fourth on the depth chart and, with three capable quarterbacks ahead of him, means he’ll likely redshirt in 2007.
The Quintin Richardson situation went away as soon as his suspension was lifted the day before the start of fall camp. Richardson calmly answered all the questions on Media Day. The media like “stand-up” people so there’s no more talk about his case. Spurrier has already informed Richardson and fellow freshman Kyle Nunn that they’ll redshirt in 2006.
4. THE BACKUP QB BATTLE WILL BE VIGOROUS: True. Chris Smelley and Tommy Beecher may be two of the pleasant surprises of fall camp. Both worked hard over the summer. Both have shown a much better understanding of the offense. Spurrier identified Smelley as the top backup when camp opened but Beecher has erased the gap. The pair is neck-and-neck heading into the second half of camp. The Smelley-Beecher battle will be one of the top storylines between now and the season opener Sept. 1.
5. CORY BOYD AND MIKE DAVIS ARE PRETTY GOOD: True. Boyd and Davis have done nothing to dispel this truth. Boyd, one of the strongest players on the team, is running as hard as ever. Freshman linebacker Melvin Ingram said it best: trying to tackle Boyd is like trying to stop a bus. Davis has looked good, too. He hopes to break his tendency of starting slow with a productive first couple of games.
6. THE OFFENSE LINE WILL BE STRONG ON THE PERIMETER: True. Spurrier remains confident Jamon Meredith and Justin Sorensen are more than capable of stopping SEC defensive ends and keeping them away from the QB. All the pre-season focus has been on the three interior positions. Meredith and Sorensen have performed well and solidified their hold on their positions.
7. THE FRESHMAN WIDE RECEIVERS WILL GET A CHANCE: True. Spurrier has at times praised sophomores Moe Brown and Freddie Brown for their ability to catch the football but fantastic freshmen Jason Barnes, Chris Culliver, Dion Lecorn and Matt Clements have received plenty of practice reps. All four will play this season, and will likely contribute. Spurrier is still looking for a solid No. 2 receiver to emerge behind Kenny McKinley.
8. THE DEFENSIVE LINE IS MILES AHEAD OF LAST YEAR: True. Not only is the defensive line bigger, stronger and faster, they have a nastier attitude as well. The only disappointment has been Jordin Lindsey’s frequent absences caused by his academic situation. He’s only worked out once so far.
Speaking with Brad Lawing recently, it’s apparent he’s pleased with the progress of the D-Line. One of his major tasks has been to get newcomers like Ladi Ajiboye, Travian Robertson and Clifton Geathers ready to play by the opening game. Lawing said all of them should play this season.
9. JASPER BRINKLEY IS THE DEFENSIVE LEADER: True. Talking with many of USC’s defensive players, it’s clear the deep respect for Brinkley is widespread. Coaches want their best players to be the leaders. Over the past two seasons, that hasn’t necessarily been the case. But with Brinkley, that’s certainly correct.
10. THE RODNEY PAULK-MARVIN SAPP BATTLE WILL RAGE ON: Not true. Sapp was moved to the opposite outside linebacker position and is now competing with Casper Brinkley and Melvin Ingram for playing time. Paulk stayed where he was and is the heavy favorite to start the season opener at strongside linebacker. Moving Sapp was probably the coaching staff’s way of saying they’re trying to find the best 11 players on the field.
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Wednesday morning’s practice on the Bluff Road practice fields was the 13th of fall camp, meaning South Carolina is closing in on the halfway point to the maximum number of pre-season workouts allowed (29) under NCAA rules.
Prior to the start of fall camp, we posted an article about the “10 Things We Know” heading into practice. Well, it’s time to take a look back and see how many of those “truths” were actually true and provide an update,
1. BLAKE MITCHELL IS THE STARTING QB: This is still true but Steve Spurrier’s recent statements that backups Chris Smelley and Tommy Beecher are ready to play should be interpreted that Mitchell will have an extremely short lease if he doesn’t get out of the gate quickly. Unlike last season when he essentially threw Syvelle Newton out there and prayed for the best, Spurrier has options now. It wouldn’t surprise me at all if USC has a three-QB rotation by the end of the season. Spurrier has done it before. Heck, he’s even rotated quarterbacks on every play. Smelley and Beecher will play.
2. STEVE SPURRIER LIKES KEVIN YOUNG: Incomplete. Spurrier contended in the pre-season statements that Young had the attributes to become a quality SEC lineman. But Young is still a work in progress and has yet to crack the starting five. He’s still involved in the fight at guard. Young has good size (6-foot-4, 320 pounds) and can move well. But Young is still a redshirt freshmen, so there’s plenty of time for growth.
3. THE OFF-FIELD DISTRACTIONS WON’T MATTER: True. Stephen Garcia hasn’t displayed any ricochet effect from his legal issues that arose in January and forced Spurrier to suspend him for the spring. Garcia came out focused and has impressed most observers with his physical abilities, including a powerful right arm that zips the ball to receivers. But Garcia is still fourth on the depth chart and, with three capable quarterbacks ahead of him, means he’ll likely redshirt in 2007.
The Quintin Richardson situation went away as soon as his suspension was lifted the day before the start of fall camp. Richardson calmly answered all the questions on Media Day. The media like “stand-up” people so there’s no more talk about his case. Spurrier has already informed Richardson and fellow freshman Kyle Nunn that they’ll redshirt in 2006.
4. THE BACKUP QB BATTLE WILL BE VIGOROUS: True. Chris Smelley and Tommy Beecher may be two of the pleasant surprises of fall camp. Both worked hard over the summer. Both have shown a much better understanding of the offense. Spurrier identified Smelley as the top backup when camp opened but Beecher has erased the gap. The pair is neck-and-neck heading into the second half of camp. The Smelley-Beecher battle will be one of the top storylines between now and the season opener Sept. 1.
5. CORY BOYD AND MIKE DAVIS ARE PRETTY GOOD: True. Boyd and Davis have done nothing to dispel this truth. Boyd, one of the strongest players on the team, is running as hard as ever. Freshman linebacker Melvin Ingram said it best: trying to tackle Boyd is like trying to stop a bus. Davis has looked good, too. He hopes to break his tendency of starting slow with a productive first couple of games.
6. THE OFFENSE LINE WILL BE STRONG ON THE PERIMETER: True. Spurrier remains confident Jamon Meredith and Justin Sorensen are more than capable of stopping SEC defensive ends and keeping them away from the QB. All the pre-season focus has been on the three interior positions. Meredith and Sorensen have performed well and solidified their hold on their positions.
7. THE FRESHMAN WIDE RECEIVERS WILL GET A CHANCE: True. Spurrier has at times praised sophomores Moe Brown and Freddie Brown for their ability to catch the football but fantastic freshmen Jason Barnes, Chris Culliver, Dion Lecorn and Matt Clements have received plenty of practice reps. All four will play this season, and will likely contribute. Spurrier is still looking for a solid No. 2 receiver to emerge behind Kenny McKinley.
8. THE DEFENSIVE LINE IS MILES AHEAD OF LAST YEAR: True. Not only is the defensive line bigger, stronger and faster, they have a nastier attitude as well. The only disappointment has been Jordin Lindsey’s frequent absences caused by his academic situation. He’s only worked out once so far.
Speaking with Brad Lawing recently, it’s apparent he’s pleased with the progress of the D-Line. One of his major tasks has been to get newcomers like Ladi Ajiboye, Travian Robertson and Clifton Geathers ready to play by the opening game. Lawing said all of them should play this season.
9. JASPER BRINKLEY IS THE DEFENSIVE LEADER: True. Talking with many of USC’s defensive players, it’s clear the deep respect for Brinkley is widespread. Coaches want their best players to be the leaders. Over the past two seasons, that hasn’t necessarily been the case. But with Brinkley, that’s certainly correct.
10. THE RODNEY PAULK-MARVIN SAPP BATTLE WILL RAGE ON: Not true. Sapp was moved to the opposite outside linebacker position and is now competing with Casper Brinkley and Melvin Ingram for playing time. Paulk stayed where he was and is the heavy favorite to start the season opener at strongside linebacker. Moving Sapp was probably the coaching staff’s way of saying they’re trying to find the best 11 players on the field.
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Scott Hood. Since February of 2005, Scott has covered the South Carolina football, men's basketball and baseball programs for GamecockCentral. He may be reached by email at scottblog(at)gamecockcentral.com. Replace (at) with @.