Five Things We've Learned So Far From Spring Practice
posted by Scott Hood, 3/25/2008 01:45:00 PM
1. THE COACHES ARE WILLING TO TAKE RISKS: The move of Eric Norwood to outside linebacker is risky in that you’re taking South Carolina’s most productive defensive end and shifting him to another position. Norwood has a motor that doesn’t stop, and that’s exactly what the coaches are counting on.
Defensive coordinator Ellis Johnson made the move because of Norwood’s versatility. Norwood is exceptionally skillful attacking the quarterback off the edge. The coaches feel he can do that either with his hand on the ground or standing up. Norwood seemed to like the move, so we’ll see.
From Norwood’s perspective, it’s a good decision because his chances of playing on Sundays are much better as an outside linebacker than a defensive end. Remember, while he’s a demon, he’s just 6-foot-1. The NFL is totally a business, and if you don’t fit the proper profile for a certain position, you’re toast.
Bottom line, I think Norwood will excel at his new position. He certainly has the right attitude and he knows football. Johnson commented the other day that Norwood may be one the quickest learners he’s ever seen. That makes a risky move a lot less so.
2. THE EARLY POLLING ON RAY RYCHLESKI IS VERY POSITIVE: As Steve Spurrier said recently, I like this guy. If you haven’t been to a practice yet, arrive about 15-20 minutes before the scheduled start time and you’ll be treated to an entertaining show during the pre-practice period before the team stretches. Rychleski is certainly one of the most animated coaches USC has had in a long time.
Rychleski isn’t afraid to rip into his players when he feels he has to. He’s called more than one player an “idiot’ for making a mistake. In short, he’s fearless when it comes to kicking butt, and he certainly doesn’t play favorites. Rychleski is an old-school coach that seems to fit squarely into the new world ways.
Based on Spurrier’s comments, there are two things he likes about Rychleski – he’s incredibly organized and he favors matching up the best players. Make no mistake, everyone will play special teams this season with few exceptions.
But there is a method to Rychleski’s madness, and USC’s special teams will benefit. I don’t have to tell you that special teams contributed heavily to the close losses to Tennessee and Clemson last season. The unit needed a jolt and Rychleski is providing it.
3. THE PLAYERS KNOW WHEN THEY’RE NOT GETTING IT DONE: You have to credit Chris Culliver and Mark Barnes for recognizing that it wasn’t working out at wide receiver. As a result, they both requested moves to the secondary. They’re now playing safety behind Emanuel Cook and Darian Stewart.
Wide receiver is an incredibly complex position in Steve Spurrier’s system. It’s not just about running down the field and catching the football. You have to be able to recognize coverages, communicate subtlety with the quarterback, get off the line of scrimmage, get open and then catch the football.
Speaking with Culliver last night, it’s apparent a combination of all of those things forced him to the other side of the football. He had difficulty mastering the various nuances that go with playing wide receiver in the SEC.
Culliver, as you may know, didn’t have much experience playing wide receiver before he arrived at USC, and it’s showed. Obviously, the position proved a little more difficult than he imagined. His struggles make Kenny McKinley’s accomplishments all the more remarkable. McKinley didn’t play a down at wide receiver in high school, yet will likely leave USC as the school’s all-time leading receiver.
4. FOOTBALL IS BEST PLAYED FAST: Steve Spurrier told us before spring practice started that the overall team speed was improved. After three practices, I believe him. Some of these young guys like Charles Whitlock, Akeem Auguste and Jamire Williams can fly.
Culliver told us Williams ran a faster 40 time than he did during winter testing. If so, that’s scary. Culliver brought world class speed to USC, and I think he’ll showcase it this season on kickoffs. If Williams is indeed faster, that’s great news for the USC secondary. What I found pleasing is Culliver seemed a bit annoyed Williams had run a tick faster than he did. The battle is joined.
Spurrier has often said one of his top priorities was getting the players to understand the importance of ‘playing fast.’ Is appears he’s closer to meeting that goal this spring.
5. STEPHEN GARCIA NEEDS TO GROW UP: Even if Stephen Garcia is allowed to return to the football team, can he be trusted? That’s the key question he has to face. Quarterbacks are the face of a football team, and when one of your most popular players is constantly getting into trouble, that’s a major league concern.
The other 90+ players on the football team have to believe in and trust the quarterback. If they don’t, you have problems. If Garcia comes back, what about this season? And the next. And the next. You get the picture. Short term, Garcia may be the answer. Long-term, though, is an entirely different deal.
Garcia has been on campus for 14 months. Will he be able to make it through the next four seasons without getting into further hot water? Interesting question.
Sadly, the answer may be no. That’s what the university administration, which has the final say in this unfortunate situation, has to decide. Do they cut their losses now and dismiss Garcia or do they bestow upon him one more chance, albeit with a very short lease?
We’ll see.
Three practices are done. Twelve more to go. So, with 20 percent of spring practice in the books, what have we learned? A few things. Here are five:
1. THE COACHES ARE WILLING TO TAKE RISKS: The move of Eric Norwood to outside linebacker is risky in that you’re taking South Carolina’s most productive defensive end and shifting him to another position. Norwood has a motor that doesn’t stop, and that’s exactly what the coaches are counting on.
Defensive coordinator Ellis Johnson made the move because of Norwood’s versatility. Norwood is exceptionally skillful attacking the quarterback off the edge. The coaches feel he can do that either with his hand on the ground or standing up. Norwood seemed to like the move, so we’ll see.
From Norwood’s perspective, it’s a good decision because his chances of playing on Sundays are much better as an outside linebacker than a defensive end. Remember, while he’s a demon, he’s just 6-foot-1. The NFL is totally a business, and if you don’t fit the proper profile for a certain position, you’re toast.
Bottom line, I think Norwood will excel at his new position. He certainly has the right attitude and he knows football. Johnson commented the other day that Norwood may be one the quickest learners he’s ever seen. That makes a risky move a lot less so.
2. THE EARLY POLLING ON RAY RYCHLESKI IS VERY POSITIVE: As Steve Spurrier said recently, I like this guy. If you haven’t been to a practice yet, arrive about 15-20 minutes before the scheduled start time and you’ll be treated to an entertaining show during the pre-practice period before the team stretches. Rychleski is certainly one of the most animated coaches USC has had in a long time.
Rychleski isn’t afraid to rip into his players when he feels he has to. He’s called more than one player an “idiot’ for making a mistake. In short, he’s fearless when it comes to kicking butt, and he certainly doesn’t play favorites. Rychleski is an old-school coach that seems to fit squarely into the new world ways.
Based on Spurrier’s comments, there are two things he likes about Rychleski – he’s incredibly organized and he favors matching up the best players. Make no mistake, everyone will play special teams this season with few exceptions.
But there is a method to Rychleski’s madness, and USC’s special teams will benefit. I don’t have to tell you that special teams contributed heavily to the close losses to Tennessee and Clemson last season. The unit needed a jolt and Rychleski is providing it.
3. THE PLAYERS KNOW WHEN THEY’RE NOT GETTING IT DONE: You have to credit Chris Culliver and Mark Barnes for recognizing that it wasn’t working out at wide receiver. As a result, they both requested moves to the secondary. They’re now playing safety behind Emanuel Cook and Darian Stewart.
Wide receiver is an incredibly complex position in Steve Spurrier’s system. It’s not just about running down the field and catching the football. You have to be able to recognize coverages, communicate subtlety with the quarterback, get off the line of scrimmage, get open and then catch the football.
Speaking with Culliver last night, it’s apparent a combination of all of those things forced him to the other side of the football. He had difficulty mastering the various nuances that go with playing wide receiver in the SEC.
Culliver, as you may know, didn’t have much experience playing wide receiver before he arrived at USC, and it’s showed. Obviously, the position proved a little more difficult than he imagined. His struggles make Kenny McKinley’s accomplishments all the more remarkable. McKinley didn’t play a down at wide receiver in high school, yet will likely leave USC as the school’s all-time leading receiver.
4. FOOTBALL IS BEST PLAYED FAST: Steve Spurrier told us before spring practice started that the overall team speed was improved. After three practices, I believe him. Some of these young guys like Charles Whitlock, Akeem Auguste and Jamire Williams can fly.
Culliver told us Williams ran a faster 40 time than he did during winter testing. If so, that’s scary. Culliver brought world class speed to USC, and I think he’ll showcase it this season on kickoffs. If Williams is indeed faster, that’s great news for the USC secondary. What I found pleasing is Culliver seemed a bit annoyed Williams had run a tick faster than he did. The battle is joined.
Spurrier has often said one of his top priorities was getting the players to understand the importance of ‘playing fast.’ Is appears he’s closer to meeting that goal this spring.
5. STEPHEN GARCIA NEEDS TO GROW UP: Even if Stephen Garcia is allowed to return to the football team, can he be trusted? That’s the key question he has to face. Quarterbacks are the face of a football team, and when one of your most popular players is constantly getting into trouble, that’s a major league concern.
The other 90+ players on the football team have to believe in and trust the quarterback. If they don’t, you have problems. If Garcia comes back, what about this season? And the next. And the next. You get the picture. Short term, Garcia may be the answer. Long-term, though, is an entirely different deal.
Garcia has been on campus for 14 months. Will he be able to make it through the next four seasons without getting into further hot water? Interesting question.
Sadly, the answer may be no. That’s what the university administration, which has the final say in this unfortunate situation, has to decide. Do they cut their losses now and dismiss Garcia or do they bestow upon him one more chance, albeit with a very short lease?
We’ll see.
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