Five Things Steve Spurrier Wants For Christmas
posted by Scott Hood on Monday, December 24, 2007
1. Stephen Garcia Behaves Himself: This time last year, Garcia was preparing to leave his Tampa, Fla. home and head to Columbia to enroll at South Carolina. But his first month on campus was filled with potholes. He was arrested twice, prompting some to call for his dismissal from the team.
Spurrier told Garcia’s high school coach that he hoped the phenom was a good two-strike hitter. Well, the last 10 months have been fairly uneventful for Garcia. By all accounts, he performed suprerbly while running the scout team offese during in the fall.
With his redshirt season over, it’s time for USC to find out what they’ve got in Garcia. He’ll be given every opportunity to win the job in spring practice. Spurrier said towards the end of the season that he looked forward to coaching Garcia. Of course, Chris Smelley will fight hard for the starting QB job, as well.
2. Return Of Jasper Brinkley And Kenny McKinley: One of Brian Van Gorder’s first tasks as USC’s new defensive coordintor is convincing Brinkley to remain at South Carolina rather than taking a chance on the NFL Draft. All signs point to Brinkley returning to school after missing the final eight games last season with torn knee ligaments.
Brinkley should reclaim his starting linebacker job provided he’s able to return 100 percent. There’s no question the Gamecocks missed his large presence in the middle of the defense, particualtly against strong running teams like Arkansas and Florida.
Since he’s not 6-foot-4 like Sidney Rice, McKinley’s draft prospects are less obvious. He clearly stated after the Clemson game he would return to the Gamecocks in 2008. However, it’s possible his feelings might change after listening to the sales pitches of agents that call him. However, 6-foot wide receivers are a lot like 6-foot righthanded pitchers in baseball – they’re not much in demand.
3. A Bigger, Faster And More Aggressive Defense: Spurrier talks all the time about the need for USC playing faster and more aggressive, especially on defense. It came up again in his latest press conference.
It goes without saying USC must improve against the run next season. If they don’t, it could be another long year. The good news is there’s no place to go but up after the Gamecocks finished last in the SEC defending the run with 209.2 yards per game.
Run defense is, for the most part, keyed on how big and strong your front seven is. USC has improved size-wise in that area, but they still need to get bigger. They were manhandled too often in 2007. The Arkansas game is the best example of that, as USC’s defensive line had no answers for the Razorbacks’ large offensive line that night.
USC fans may have glimpsed the future when redshirt freshman Kenrick Ellis saw significant action in the Clemson game. If Ellis contnues to improve and do the things his coaches ask, he may provide the bulk in the middle USC is looking for.
4. Someone To Replace Cory Boyd: Boyd was, without question, the emotional leader of the Gamecocks in 2007. Who will take his place in 2008? Good question. Typically, a coach wants the quarterback to be the leader, but what happens if Stephen Garcia win the job? Will the veteran players follow a redshirt freshman? That could be an intriguing storyline for next season.
But, besides being the team leader, Boyd was also the top running back for USC with 903 yards. His departure means Mike Davis must step up after struggling over the second half of the season. Davis disappeared from the offense, carrying just four times in the final two games. He’ll have to shoulder a much larger burden next season.
If he doesn’t, Spurrier and running backs coach Robert Gillespie may turn to sophomore Brian Maddox, who carried the ball just six times in 2007, redshirt junior Bobby Walalce or someone else.
5. Five Offensive Linemen: The lasting memory of the 2007 season might be the merry-go-round at the guard poistion. Next season, USC must replace William Brown at center. Right now, who earns the starting jobs at both guard spots and at center is anybody’s guess. Expect a major battle throughout spring practice.
Sophomore Heath Batchelor impressed the coaches with his confident play over the final three games at right guard. He should start there as long as he doesn’t beat out Jamon Meredith or Justin Dorensen at tackle.
There will certainly be plenty of candidates. Brown is the only significant loss along the offensive line. His possible replacement is junior Garrett Anderson. OL coach John Hunt will have more two dozen linemen to work with during spring practice.
Will young guns like Kyle Nunn, Ryan Broadhead and Quintin Richardson unseat veterans like seniors Jamon Mereedith and Justin Sorensen? If they can’t, others will try as well.
Merry Christmas, everyone.
R.I.P. Kevin DuBrow.
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It’s almost Christmas Day, so everyone is anxious about what they’re going to get from Santa this year. Being mischievous in a playful sort of way, I managed to hack into the computers located at the North Pole and discovered what Steve Spurrier wanted for Christmas this year. Here’s what I found out:
1. Stephen Garcia Behaves Himself: This time last year, Garcia was preparing to leave his Tampa, Fla. home and head to Columbia to enroll at South Carolina. But his first month on campus was filled with potholes. He was arrested twice, prompting some to call for his dismissal from the team.
Spurrier told Garcia’s high school coach that he hoped the phenom was a good two-strike hitter. Well, the last 10 months have been fairly uneventful for Garcia. By all accounts, he performed suprerbly while running the scout team offese during in the fall.
With his redshirt season over, it’s time for USC to find out what they’ve got in Garcia. He’ll be given every opportunity to win the job in spring practice. Spurrier said towards the end of the season that he looked forward to coaching Garcia. Of course, Chris Smelley will fight hard for the starting QB job, as well.
2. Return Of Jasper Brinkley And Kenny McKinley: One of Brian Van Gorder’s first tasks as USC’s new defensive coordintor is convincing Brinkley to remain at South Carolina rather than taking a chance on the NFL Draft. All signs point to Brinkley returning to school after missing the final eight games last season with torn knee ligaments.
Brinkley should reclaim his starting linebacker job provided he’s able to return 100 percent. There’s no question the Gamecocks missed his large presence in the middle of the defense, particualtly against strong running teams like Arkansas and Florida.
Since he’s not 6-foot-4 like Sidney Rice, McKinley’s draft prospects are less obvious. He clearly stated after the Clemson game he would return to the Gamecocks in 2008. However, it’s possible his feelings might change after listening to the sales pitches of agents that call him. However, 6-foot wide receivers are a lot like 6-foot righthanded pitchers in baseball – they’re not much in demand.
3. A Bigger, Faster And More Aggressive Defense: Spurrier talks all the time about the need for USC playing faster and more aggressive, especially on defense. It came up again in his latest press conference.
It goes without saying USC must improve against the run next season. If they don’t, it could be another long year. The good news is there’s no place to go but up after the Gamecocks finished last in the SEC defending the run with 209.2 yards per game.
Run defense is, for the most part, keyed on how big and strong your front seven is. USC has improved size-wise in that area, but they still need to get bigger. They were manhandled too often in 2007. The Arkansas game is the best example of that, as USC’s defensive line had no answers for the Razorbacks’ large offensive line that night.
USC fans may have glimpsed the future when redshirt freshman Kenrick Ellis saw significant action in the Clemson game. If Ellis contnues to improve and do the things his coaches ask, he may provide the bulk in the middle USC is looking for.
4. Someone To Replace Cory Boyd: Boyd was, without question, the emotional leader of the Gamecocks in 2007. Who will take his place in 2008? Good question. Typically, a coach wants the quarterback to be the leader, but what happens if Stephen Garcia win the job? Will the veteran players follow a redshirt freshman? That could be an intriguing storyline for next season.
But, besides being the team leader, Boyd was also the top running back for USC with 903 yards. His departure means Mike Davis must step up after struggling over the second half of the season. Davis disappeared from the offense, carrying just four times in the final two games. He’ll have to shoulder a much larger burden next season.
If he doesn’t, Spurrier and running backs coach Robert Gillespie may turn to sophomore Brian Maddox, who carried the ball just six times in 2007, redshirt junior Bobby Walalce or someone else.
5. Five Offensive Linemen: The lasting memory of the 2007 season might be the merry-go-round at the guard poistion. Next season, USC must replace William Brown at center. Right now, who earns the starting jobs at both guard spots and at center is anybody’s guess. Expect a major battle throughout spring practice.
Sophomore Heath Batchelor impressed the coaches with his confident play over the final three games at right guard. He should start there as long as he doesn’t beat out Jamon Meredith or Justin Dorensen at tackle.
There will certainly be plenty of candidates. Brown is the only significant loss along the offensive line. His possible replacement is junior Garrett Anderson. OL coach John Hunt will have more two dozen linemen to work with during spring practice.
Will young guns like Kyle Nunn, Ryan Broadhead and Quintin Richardson unseat veterans like seniors Jamon Mereedith and Justin Sorensen? If they can’t, others will try as well.
Merry Christmas, everyone.
R.I.P. Kevin DuBrow.
- Permalink, Discuss, Blog Home
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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 @.