Spurrier's Call-In Show Blog - Week 5
posted by Scott Hood, Thursday, September 25, 2008
SEVENTH SEGMENT:
Spurrier said USC played very well defensively and just average on offense. USC must score more touchdowns in the red zone. Ellis Johnson said the defense must get more turnovers. USC’s players must start playing like they love football and enjoy winning.
SIXTH SEGMENT:
SOS said he understood why some USC fans were upset considering the Gamecocks are 2-2 with a loss to Vanderbilt. He has talked to the players about falling into the trap of believing the fans still love them even when they lose.
FIFTH SEGMENT:
UAB is a spread offense team with a running QB. SOS said the key is for the defense to have a good game. He said he’s also challenged USC’s O-Linemen to play aggressively and come out and play well right off the bat.
SOS talked about the advantages of play action passes. But he cautioned against using it to much.
SOS said USC “is a good team that hasn’t played like a good team.” He added that USC “hasn’t played like winners.”
FOURTH SEGMENT:
SOS was asked why the USC O-Linemen stood up when the ball was snapped. SOS said USC hasn’t played aggressively enough along the offensive front.
SOS was asked how playing UAB will prepare USC for the upcoming stretch of SEC games. He explained that USC has three “choice” games every season. Hopefully, USC will bring in a team that can’t beat the Gamecocks.
SOS was asked again about the O-Line and, specifically, about Kyle Nunn. SOS pointed out he’s a redshirt freshmen. USC has a couple of fifth-year players and third and fourth year players along the O-Line. SOS said they practice hard every day. SOS said he might bring some of the backup defensive linemen over to O-Line to get more aggressiveness. However, SOS said the defensive players are superior athletes in the SEC. WR’s don’t get wide open anymore.
THIRD SEGMENT:
Spurrier said the running backs “ready to play” this week are Maddox, Baker and Wallace. SOS said Wallace got some carries in practice this week. He also said Maddox has to “relax: a little bit more.
SOS was challenged on the notion that Smelley was USC’s best quarterback, though the caller didn’t say who he thought was the best. SOS stressed that he’s always willing to give the “next guy” a chance when the starter isn’t performing well. He acknowledged Smelley hasn’t played well at times.
SECOND SEGMENT:
Spurrier said USC needs to play smarter like Vanderbilt, which is last in the SEC in total offense and total defense but is 4-0 because they have forced a lot of turnovers. The Commodores are plus-9 in turnover margin.
SOS was asked how high school football in South Carolina compared to neighboring states. SOS said it was the same in quality but that SC just didn’t have as many high schools die to a smaller population.
Spurrier said USC’s offense can play a lot better. He said the WR’s must play better, but the ball “has to come out” and the O-Line must protect better.
OPENING SEGMENT:
7:05 - Spurrier reiterated Chris Smelly would start at QB. He said the “two biggest” moves were naming Hills and Barnes at WR. He said both QB’s did OK in practice this week. Spurrier said he’s trying to de-emphasize who starts, but rather who plays the best. He doesn’t plan to scale back the offense when SG comes in. SOS said he told Moe Brown and LeCorn that they might be in there on the second play of the game. Jarriel King is fine health-wise. The doctors said he’s fit to play football.
6:45 - We're awaiting the start of the show. As you've probably heard, Steve Spurrier named Chris Smelley as the starting QB for Saturday's game v. UAB. The biggest surprise was naming Joe Hills and Jason Barnes as the starting WR's for the game. There are no changes along the O-Line or tight end, although SOS suggested Larry Freeman would be the No. 2 tight end.
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SEVENTH SEGMENT:
Spurrier said USC played very well defensively and just average on offense. USC must score more touchdowns in the red zone. Ellis Johnson said the defense must get more turnovers. USC’s players must start playing like they love football and enjoy winning.
SIXTH SEGMENT:
SOS said he understood why some USC fans were upset considering the Gamecocks are 2-2 with a loss to Vanderbilt. He has talked to the players about falling into the trap of believing the fans still love them even when they lose.
FIFTH SEGMENT:
UAB is a spread offense team with a running QB. SOS said the key is for the defense to have a good game. He said he’s also challenged USC’s O-Linemen to play aggressively and come out and play well right off the bat.
SOS talked about the advantages of play action passes. But he cautioned against using it to much.
SOS said USC “is a good team that hasn’t played like a good team.” He added that USC “hasn’t played like winners.”
FOURTH SEGMENT:
SOS was asked why the USC O-Linemen stood up when the ball was snapped. SOS said USC hasn’t played aggressively enough along the offensive front.
SOS was asked how playing UAB will prepare USC for the upcoming stretch of SEC games. He explained that USC has three “choice” games every season. Hopefully, USC will bring in a team that can’t beat the Gamecocks.
SOS was asked again about the O-Line and, specifically, about Kyle Nunn. SOS pointed out he’s a redshirt freshmen. USC has a couple of fifth-year players and third and fourth year players along the O-Line. SOS said they practice hard every day. SOS said he might bring some of the backup defensive linemen over to O-Line to get more aggressiveness. However, SOS said the defensive players are superior athletes in the SEC. WR’s don’t get wide open anymore.
THIRD SEGMENT:
Spurrier said the running backs “ready to play” this week are Maddox, Baker and Wallace. SOS said Wallace got some carries in practice this week. He also said Maddox has to “relax: a little bit more.
SOS was challenged on the notion that Smelley was USC’s best quarterback, though the caller didn’t say who he thought was the best. SOS stressed that he’s always willing to give the “next guy” a chance when the starter isn’t performing well. He acknowledged Smelley hasn’t played well at times.
SECOND SEGMENT:
Spurrier said USC needs to play smarter like Vanderbilt, which is last in the SEC in total offense and total defense but is 4-0 because they have forced a lot of turnovers. The Commodores are plus-9 in turnover margin.
SOS was asked how high school football in South Carolina compared to neighboring states. SOS said it was the same in quality but that SC just didn’t have as many high schools die to a smaller population.
Spurrier said USC’s offense can play a lot better. He said the WR’s must play better, but the ball “has to come out” and the O-Line must protect better.
OPENING SEGMENT:
7:05 - Spurrier reiterated Chris Smelly would start at QB. He said the “two biggest” moves were naming Hills and Barnes at WR. He said both QB’s did OK in practice this week. Spurrier said he’s trying to de-emphasize who starts, but rather who plays the best. He doesn’t plan to scale back the offense when SG comes in. SOS said he told Moe Brown and LeCorn that they might be in there on the second play of the game. Jarriel King is fine health-wise. The doctors said he’s fit to play football.
6:45 - We're awaiting the start of the show. As you've probably heard, Steve Spurrier named Chris Smelley as the starting QB for Saturday's game v. UAB. The biggest surprise was naming Joe Hills and Jason Barnes as the starting WR's for the game. There are no changes along the O-Line or tight end, although SOS suggested Larry Freeman would be the No. 2 tight end.
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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 @.