Spurrier Call-In Show Blog
posted by Scott Hood, Thursday, October 16, 2008
6:55 - We're waiting for the start of the show.
OPENING SEGMENT:
7:10 – SOS said USC usually has pretty good practices. Garcia has taken 75 percent of the snaps this week. SOS thinks Garcia is ready to play well if the O-Line blocks well. LSU is a very good team. But they “got waxed” at UF last week. USC is trying to not make the game too big of a deal. Just go out and play the game “and the score will take care of it self.” LSU lost to UF, 51-21.
Injury Report: USC is pretty healthy. Jared Cook has a sprained foot, but he was also gimpy last week and played.
Garcia has earned the start and he’s ready to play. The level of his play at UK surprised a lot of people, including SOS. He can check off and change plays. It was encouraging last week, but it was only half of game. SOS said he’s going to cut SG loose and see how he does. Garcia paused and glanced over to the coaches to see if USC had a good play on. “We haven’t done a good job teaching Chris Smelley to check.”
SECOND SEGMENT:
7:20 – First caller asked about a new formation. SOS talked about the Cajun formation. LSU ran it first in the BCS championship game v. Ohio State. It was a good time to run it. Spurrier notified the officials before the UK game that USC would possibly run the play.
Succop has kicked well in practice this week. SOS doesn’t blame the abdominal strain. “He just missed them.” SOS hopes Succop's confidence is up this week.
SOS was asked about USC's short yardage situation, but gave a very brief answer.
THIRD SEGMENT:
7:30 – SOS said LSU “isn’t quite what they were last year” on defense but they play the same schemes. But he’s still concerned about the LSU pass rush. SOS is hoping the O-Line plays a little smarter and tougher than previous games. LSU’s goal of winning a SEC championship is still “out there” for them.
SOS was asked about Dion LeCorn moving to defense. “”I don’t know what’s happened to Dion. He keeps falling down and not getting open. He did not have a very good summer. He missed a lot of workouts.” SOS said he fell down at UK, causing an interception. He may be back on offense in a week or so.
SOS agreed with a caller that a mobile QB is better. Garcia is “still learning.” The ability to move around and make decisions is what separates the quarterbacks.”
FOURTH SEGMENT:
7:40 - SOS was asked why USC didn’t put two returners back on punts. SOS said USC has fumbled too many times in special teams. “We have to be smarter than that.” SOS said he would talk with Ray Rychleski about that.
SOS praised Ellis Johnson and his staff for his efforts in making USC into the No. 1 defense in the SEC. But the offense has sputtered. SOS is very happy with the way the defense has played. Emanuel Cook is a great tackler. There will be a segment on tackling with Cook on the Sunday TV show this week.
Darian Stewart will be one of the captains this week.
LSU is a very good rushing team with a strong O-Line. USC has to stop the run first and force LSU to throw it.
FIFTH SEGMENT:
7:50 – Spurrier again asked for the crowd to be quiet when USC has the ball so the offense can hear Garcia call the dignals.
SOS said his pre-game message is about the same each week” play your best and play with full effort.
SOS quoted Rychleski said fundamentals will usually win out over gimmicks.
Will LSU come in mad because they lost at UF last week? SOS discounted that. The teams that are consistent winners prepare to play week after week and put aside previous accomplishments.
SOS was asked how he “stayed grounded.” He said he was the quickest coach in his first four years at USC! But he said he wasn’t happy with where USC is right now. USC is competitive. Garcia and Jason Barnes have tremendous potential.
SIXTH SEGMENT:
7:55 – SOS was asked if USC would use Bobby Wallace more this week. Eric Baker should play more. All three RB’s should play some.
Kenny Miles is a “good, natural” RB and has played well on the scout team. He will get his chance next season
SEVENTH SEGMENT:
8:00 - SOS finished the show by talking about turnovers. USC has 20 this season, most in the SEC. Even Kenny McKinley fumbled last week.
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Steve Spurrier held another radio call-in show on Thursday night from Wild Wings Cafe in the Vista. USC squares off with No. 13 LSU Sat. night at Williams-Brice Stadium.
6:55 - We're waiting for the start of the show.
OPENING SEGMENT:
7:10 – SOS said USC usually has pretty good practices. Garcia has taken 75 percent of the snaps this week. SOS thinks Garcia is ready to play well if the O-Line blocks well. LSU is a very good team. But they “got waxed” at UF last week. USC is trying to not make the game too big of a deal. Just go out and play the game “and the score will take care of it self.” LSU lost to UF, 51-21.
Injury Report: USC is pretty healthy. Jared Cook has a sprained foot, but he was also gimpy last week and played.
Garcia has earned the start and he’s ready to play. The level of his play at UK surprised a lot of people, including SOS. He can check off and change plays. It was encouraging last week, but it was only half of game. SOS said he’s going to cut SG loose and see how he does. Garcia paused and glanced over to the coaches to see if USC had a good play on. “We haven’t done a good job teaching Chris Smelley to check.”
SECOND SEGMENT:
7:20 – First caller asked about a new formation. SOS talked about the Cajun formation. LSU ran it first in the BCS championship game v. Ohio State. It was a good time to run it. Spurrier notified the officials before the UK game that USC would possibly run the play.
Succop has kicked well in practice this week. SOS doesn’t blame the abdominal strain. “He just missed them.” SOS hopes Succop's confidence is up this week.
SOS was asked about USC's short yardage situation, but gave a very brief answer.
THIRD SEGMENT:
7:30 – SOS said LSU “isn’t quite what they were last year” on defense but they play the same schemes. But he’s still concerned about the LSU pass rush. SOS is hoping the O-Line plays a little smarter and tougher than previous games. LSU’s goal of winning a SEC championship is still “out there” for them.
SOS was asked about Dion LeCorn moving to defense. “”I don’t know what’s happened to Dion. He keeps falling down and not getting open. He did not have a very good summer. He missed a lot of workouts.” SOS said he fell down at UK, causing an interception. He may be back on offense in a week or so.
SOS agreed with a caller that a mobile QB is better. Garcia is “still learning.” The ability to move around and make decisions is what separates the quarterbacks.”
FOURTH SEGMENT:
7:40 - SOS was asked why USC didn’t put two returners back on punts. SOS said USC has fumbled too many times in special teams. “We have to be smarter than that.” SOS said he would talk with Ray Rychleski about that.
SOS praised Ellis Johnson and his staff for his efforts in making USC into the No. 1 defense in the SEC. But the offense has sputtered. SOS is very happy with the way the defense has played. Emanuel Cook is a great tackler. There will be a segment on tackling with Cook on the Sunday TV show this week.
Darian Stewart will be one of the captains this week.
LSU is a very good rushing team with a strong O-Line. USC has to stop the run first and force LSU to throw it.
FIFTH SEGMENT:
7:50 – Spurrier again asked for the crowd to be quiet when USC has the ball so the offense can hear Garcia call the dignals.
SOS said his pre-game message is about the same each week” play your best and play with full effort.
SOS quoted Rychleski said fundamentals will usually win out over gimmicks.
Will LSU come in mad because they lost at UF last week? SOS discounted that. The teams that are consistent winners prepare to play week after week and put aside previous accomplishments.
SOS was asked how he “stayed grounded.” He said he was the quickest coach in his first four years at USC! But he said he wasn’t happy with where USC is right now. USC is competitive. Garcia and Jason Barnes have tremendous potential.
SIXTH SEGMENT:
7:55 – SOS was asked if USC would use Bobby Wallace more this week. Eric Baker should play more. All three RB’s should play some.
Kenny Miles is a “good, natural” RB and has played well on the scout team. He will get his chance next season
SEVENTH SEGMENT:
8:00 - SOS finished the show by talking about turnovers. USC has 20 this season, most in the SEC. Even Kenny McKinley fumbled last week.
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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 @.