Projecting The Offensive Starters For 2009
posted by Scott Hood, Monday, January 26, 2009
So, it must be time to predict the starting lineup for the USC offense in 2009. Some positions are fairly easy to predict while others are more difficult. Here we go, with the focus today on the offense:
QUARTERBACK: It will be a major upset if anybody other than redshirt sophomore Stephen Garcia is the starting quarterback for the Gamecocks on opening night in Raleigh, NC. The decision by Chris Smelley to transfer to Alabama makes Garcia the heavy favorite over redshirt freshmen Reid McCollum and Aramis Hillary. I’m figuring 15 spring practices and 29 pre-season practices - as well as countless hours of film study - under the guidance and watchful eye of new quarterbacks coach G.A. Mangus will work wonders for Garcia. I’m guessing Garcia didn’t get the TLC from Steve Spurrier that he needed this past season to make progress and it certainly showed in the Outback Bowl.
PREDICTION: Stephen Garcia (Think Secretariat in the 1973 Belmont).
RUNNING BACK: Now that the highly anticipated Garcia-Smelley spring showdown as gone the way of disco music, this could be the most interesting position battle on the entire team throughout the spring and possibly into the fall.
The most logical choice to become the starter is Eric Baker. He certainly deserves the first opportunity to secure the job. However, the last time we saw Kenny Miles for an extended stretch was during pre-season camp last August and four-star prospect Jarvis Giles arrived on campus three weeks ago.
I could see either one of those guys winning the job. You also have Brian Maddox ready to prove himself after carrying the ball just 38 times the last two seasons.
With a new running backs coach (Jay Graham) and consecutive last place finishes in the SEC in rushing offense, any and all options at the running back position are wide open. Frankly, they should be based on the poor performance of the rushing offense the last two years.
PREDICTION: Eric Baker (But Kenny Miles and Jarvis Giles could close the gap quickly when spring practice starts).
WIDE RECEIVERS/TIGHT END: We know one thing. USC’s wide receiver corps could be the tallest in the SEC next season with four possible pass catchers standing 6-foot-4 or taller. We know a little something about Jason Barnes and Joe Hills, but little to nothing about D.L. Moore and Tori Childers at the Div. I level. We know they’re big. Now, can they catch the football on a consistent basis?
Barnes had his moments of brilliance this past season (see Ole Miss game), but he struggled to get open throughout the second half of the schedule as defensive backs focused on stopping him. His five receptions in the Outback Bowl were encouraging, though. He still has a lot to learn about playing receiver at the SEC level. He has 44 practices to stake his claim to becoming the No. 1 receiver.
The No. 2 receiver could end being Moe Brown, who has the speed to play WR in the SEC but still must learn to get open. As a senior, he has one final chance to prove himself. But will he get lost in the forest?
Now that Jared Cook has decided to declare for the NFL Draft, Weslye Saunders is the overwhelming choice to start at tight end. He must keep improving his blocking skills, but he's gotten better during his first two seasons.
PREDICTION: Jason Barnes, Joe Hills and Moe Brown (Who will replace Kenny McKinley?).
OFFENSIVE LINE: Two positions – center and left tackle – appear set. The other three spots are wide open. Garrett Anderson had a solid season at center and will be a senior in 2009, thus making him the undisputed leader of the O-Line and one of the leaders of the entire offense, for that matter. Jarriel King is entrenched at left tackle and could develop into an All-SEC type tackle over the next couple of seasons.
As for the other three positions, new offensive line coach Eric Wolford has his work cut out for him trying to find three reliable blockers. When everything is clicking, Heath Batchelor is one of USC’s best lineman. He intends to return to the team during the summer after leaving the team in the middle of last season.
Quinton Richardson should get a long look at tackle after playing sparingly as a redshirt freshman. There’s also Kyle Nunn (provided he gets his academics squared away), Hutch Eckerson, Terrence Campbell, Lemuel Jeanpierre, T.J. Johnson, Seaver Brown, Kevin Young and a cast of thousands.
Right now, there could be as many O-Line candidates as the biblical Abraham has descendants.
Who will earn the starting jobs? At this point, I don’t know if anybody, including Wolford, truly knows. It will be fun to watch the jousting, though.
PREDICTION: LT Jarriel King, LG Terrence Campbell, C Garrett Anderson, RG Lemuel Jeanpierre, RT Quinton Richardson (Author Reserves Right To Make Frequent Changes At His Discretion).
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It’s late January. It’s cold outside. The South Carolina basketball team is starting to capture the attention, and hearts, of USC fans everywhere. National Signing Day is nine days away.
So, it must be time to predict the starting lineup for the USC offense in 2009. Some positions are fairly easy to predict while others are more difficult. Here we go, with the focus today on the offense:
QUARTERBACK: It will be a major upset if anybody other than redshirt sophomore Stephen Garcia is the starting quarterback for the Gamecocks on opening night in Raleigh, NC. The decision by Chris Smelley to transfer to Alabama makes Garcia the heavy favorite over redshirt freshmen Reid McCollum and Aramis Hillary. I’m figuring 15 spring practices and 29 pre-season practices - as well as countless hours of film study - under the guidance and watchful eye of new quarterbacks coach G.A. Mangus will work wonders for Garcia. I’m guessing Garcia didn’t get the TLC from Steve Spurrier that he needed this past season to make progress and it certainly showed in the Outback Bowl.
PREDICTION: Stephen Garcia (Think Secretariat in the 1973 Belmont).
RUNNING BACK: Now that the highly anticipated Garcia-Smelley spring showdown as gone the way of disco music, this could be the most interesting position battle on the entire team throughout the spring and possibly into the fall.
The most logical choice to become the starter is Eric Baker. He certainly deserves the first opportunity to secure the job. However, the last time we saw Kenny Miles for an extended stretch was during pre-season camp last August and four-star prospect Jarvis Giles arrived on campus three weeks ago.
I could see either one of those guys winning the job. You also have Brian Maddox ready to prove himself after carrying the ball just 38 times the last two seasons.
With a new running backs coach (Jay Graham) and consecutive last place finishes in the SEC in rushing offense, any and all options at the running back position are wide open. Frankly, they should be based on the poor performance of the rushing offense the last two years.
PREDICTION: Eric Baker (But Kenny Miles and Jarvis Giles could close the gap quickly when spring practice starts).
WIDE RECEIVERS/TIGHT END: We know one thing. USC’s wide receiver corps could be the tallest in the SEC next season with four possible pass catchers standing 6-foot-4 or taller. We know a little something about Jason Barnes and Joe Hills, but little to nothing about D.L. Moore and Tori Childers at the Div. I level. We know they’re big. Now, can they catch the football on a consistent basis?
Barnes had his moments of brilliance this past season (see Ole Miss game), but he struggled to get open throughout the second half of the schedule as defensive backs focused on stopping him. His five receptions in the Outback Bowl were encouraging, though. He still has a lot to learn about playing receiver at the SEC level. He has 44 practices to stake his claim to becoming the No. 1 receiver.
The No. 2 receiver could end being Moe Brown, who has the speed to play WR in the SEC but still must learn to get open. As a senior, he has one final chance to prove himself. But will he get lost in the forest?
Now that Jared Cook has decided to declare for the NFL Draft, Weslye Saunders is the overwhelming choice to start at tight end. He must keep improving his blocking skills, but he's gotten better during his first two seasons.
PREDICTION: Jason Barnes, Joe Hills and Moe Brown (Who will replace Kenny McKinley?).
OFFENSIVE LINE: Two positions – center and left tackle – appear set. The other three spots are wide open. Garrett Anderson had a solid season at center and will be a senior in 2009, thus making him the undisputed leader of the O-Line and one of the leaders of the entire offense, for that matter. Jarriel King is entrenched at left tackle and could develop into an All-SEC type tackle over the next couple of seasons.
As for the other three positions, new offensive line coach Eric Wolford has his work cut out for him trying to find three reliable blockers. When everything is clicking, Heath Batchelor is one of USC’s best lineman. He intends to return to the team during the summer after leaving the team in the middle of last season.
Quinton Richardson should get a long look at tackle after playing sparingly as a redshirt freshman. There’s also Kyle Nunn (provided he gets his academics squared away), Hutch Eckerson, Terrence Campbell, Lemuel Jeanpierre, T.J. Johnson, Seaver Brown, Kevin Young and a cast of thousands.
Right now, there could be as many O-Line candidates as the biblical Abraham has descendants.
Who will earn the starting jobs? At this point, I don’t know if anybody, including Wolford, truly knows. It will be fun to watch the jousting, though.
PREDICTION: LT Jarriel King, LG Terrence Campbell, C Garrett Anderson, RG Lemuel Jeanpierre, RT Quinton Richardson (Author Reserves Right To Make Frequent Changes At His Discretion).
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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 @.