The 10 Most Important Gamecock Players For 2009
posted by Scott Hood, Wednesday, April 15, 2009
1. Eric Norwood: Make no mistake, the 2009 Gamecocks are Eric Norwood’s team. If you watched any of the spring practice sessions, you saw the respect his teammates have for him. He also wasn’t afraid to get on teammates if they didn’t play well. In one of the more memorable moments of the spring, he razzed the offensive line unmercifully while leading the team in stretching exercises. Norwood bypassed the NFL Draft for this moment.
2. Stephen Garcia: The quarterback is always one of the most important players on the team, even if his job is to just manage the offense and not do anything to lose the game. But Garcia will be asked to make plays for an offense that generally lacks experience. With a pair of redshirt freshmen serving as his primary backups, USC’s offensive fortunes could rise or fall based on how Garcia plays.
3. Cliff Matthews: Just mention Matthew’s name to D-Line coach Brad Lawing and he’s launch into a five-minute speech about Matthews’ passion, energy, effort and willingness to work hard. Lawing holds him up as role model for the rest of his teammates to follow. The E-word was mentioned by coaches at various times during the spring. Lawing hopes Matthews can inspire the other USC players to play with 100 percent effort.
4. Garrett Anderson: The offensive line has made steady progress under Eric Wolford in the three months he has been on the job. Anderson, a senior with 21 career starts, is the centerpiece of the offensive line, as well as its most experienced player. Both guards and the right tackle spot could feature first-year starters, so Anderson must be the calm amidst the storm to help his teammates stay on course.
5. Weslye Saunders: Saunders has large shoes to fill. Jared Cook departed early for the NFL Draft, a decision that should pay off handsomely two weekends from now. Saunders is an excellent pass-catcher and should be among USC’s leaders in receptions this upcoming season, especially with so many questions surrounding the wide receiver position. If Saunders improves his blocking, he could be a major weapon for USC over the nexttwo season.
6. Darian Stewart: The USC secondary is still recovering from the departures of Captain Munnerlyn, Emanuel Cook, Carlos Thomas and Stoney Woodson. Stewart could be asked to split his time between two positions – the strong safety spot vacated by Cook and the spur linebacker position Stewart played extremely well last season. With the secondary set to start a sophomore and true freshman, Stewart’s leadership skills will be vital this season.
7. Brian Maddox: Maddox has waited two years for his crack at the No. 1 running back job. It looks like he’ll get it this season as long as he holds up during the 29 pre-season practices in August and early September. Maddox earned his spot atop the depth chart with tough, aggressive running in spring practice. As Jarvis Giles conceded, Maddox knows the offense better than the other running backs and is physically strong enough to sustain the weekly pounding. Maddox could hold the key to USC snapping a two-year streak of finishing at the bottom of the SEC rushing rankings.
8. Travian Robertson: Robertson’s role on the 2009 Gamecocks changed dramatically in late February when Ladi Ajiboye was arrested on drug charges and suspended indefinitely from the team. As a result, Robertson was instantly promoted to the first team defense. Even if Ajiboye is reinstated, questions remain whether he’ll be physically ready to play. So, Robertson will be counted on to step up and dramatically increase his production from his first two seasons.
9. Patrick DiMarco: You could be right if you contend DiMarco, the only scholarship fullback on the roster during spring practice, is the heart-and-soul of the USC backfield. His role has been limited the past two seasons, but USC coaches plan to get him on the field for more snaps in 2009, even as a ball carrier and pass catcher. He’s rushed the ball just once in two seasons. That number should increase dramatically in the fall. Whenever he touches the ball, good things always seem to happen.
10. Tori Gurley: In case you haven’t noticed, USC has really missed Sidney Rice since the All-SEC wide receiver chose to leave USC after the 2006 season with two years of eligibility remaining. I’m not about to anoint Gurley as Rice’s successor yet, but the redshirt freshman from Rock Hill, S.C. showed the ability to skillfully rise up above smaller defenders and catch the fade pass and jump balls. Those were the kind of passes that Rice excelled at. The USC passing game should open up if defensive backs legitimately fear Gurley’s ability to burn them on the fade and jump balls.
Just Missed The Cut: RB Jarvis Giles, LT Jarriel King, LB Rodney Paulk, CB Akeem Auguste, K Spencer Lanning, FS/KR Chris Culliver, WR Moe Brown, CB Stephon Gilmore.
Link to this entry - Discuss this entry - Return to Blog Home
Top 10 lists are everywhere. So, here’s my offering of the 10 most important South Carolina players during the 2009 season. Of course, these are NOT the only players that should play an integral role during Steve Spurrier's fifth season as head coach.
1. Eric Norwood: Make no mistake, the 2009 Gamecocks are Eric Norwood’s team. If you watched any of the spring practice sessions, you saw the respect his teammates have for him. He also wasn’t afraid to get on teammates if they didn’t play well. In one of the more memorable moments of the spring, he razzed the offensive line unmercifully while leading the team in stretching exercises. Norwood bypassed the NFL Draft for this moment.
2. Stephen Garcia: The quarterback is always one of the most important players on the team, even if his job is to just manage the offense and not do anything to lose the game. But Garcia will be asked to make plays for an offense that generally lacks experience. With a pair of redshirt freshmen serving as his primary backups, USC’s offensive fortunes could rise or fall based on how Garcia plays.
3. Cliff Matthews: Just mention Matthew’s name to D-Line coach Brad Lawing and he’s launch into a five-minute speech about Matthews’ passion, energy, effort and willingness to work hard. Lawing holds him up as role model for the rest of his teammates to follow. The E-word was mentioned by coaches at various times during the spring. Lawing hopes Matthews can inspire the other USC players to play with 100 percent effort.
4. Garrett Anderson: The offensive line has made steady progress under Eric Wolford in the three months he has been on the job. Anderson, a senior with 21 career starts, is the centerpiece of the offensive line, as well as its most experienced player. Both guards and the right tackle spot could feature first-year starters, so Anderson must be the calm amidst the storm to help his teammates stay on course.
5. Weslye Saunders: Saunders has large shoes to fill. Jared Cook departed early for the NFL Draft, a decision that should pay off handsomely two weekends from now. Saunders is an excellent pass-catcher and should be among USC’s leaders in receptions this upcoming season, especially with so many questions surrounding the wide receiver position. If Saunders improves his blocking, he could be a major weapon for USC over the nexttwo season.
6. Darian Stewart: The USC secondary is still recovering from the departures of Captain Munnerlyn, Emanuel Cook, Carlos Thomas and Stoney Woodson. Stewart could be asked to split his time between two positions – the strong safety spot vacated by Cook and the spur linebacker position Stewart played extremely well last season. With the secondary set to start a sophomore and true freshman, Stewart’s leadership skills will be vital this season.
7. Brian Maddox: Maddox has waited two years for his crack at the No. 1 running back job. It looks like he’ll get it this season as long as he holds up during the 29 pre-season practices in August and early September. Maddox earned his spot atop the depth chart with tough, aggressive running in spring practice. As Jarvis Giles conceded, Maddox knows the offense better than the other running backs and is physically strong enough to sustain the weekly pounding. Maddox could hold the key to USC snapping a two-year streak of finishing at the bottom of the SEC rushing rankings.
8. Travian Robertson: Robertson’s role on the 2009 Gamecocks changed dramatically in late February when Ladi Ajiboye was arrested on drug charges and suspended indefinitely from the team. As a result, Robertson was instantly promoted to the first team defense. Even if Ajiboye is reinstated, questions remain whether he’ll be physically ready to play. So, Robertson will be counted on to step up and dramatically increase his production from his first two seasons.
9. Patrick DiMarco: You could be right if you contend DiMarco, the only scholarship fullback on the roster during spring practice, is the heart-and-soul of the USC backfield. His role has been limited the past two seasons, but USC coaches plan to get him on the field for more snaps in 2009, even as a ball carrier and pass catcher. He’s rushed the ball just once in two seasons. That number should increase dramatically in the fall. Whenever he touches the ball, good things always seem to happen.
10. Tori Gurley: In case you haven’t noticed, USC has really missed Sidney Rice since the All-SEC wide receiver chose to leave USC after the 2006 season with two years of eligibility remaining. I’m not about to anoint Gurley as Rice’s successor yet, but the redshirt freshman from Rock Hill, S.C. showed the ability to skillfully rise up above smaller defenders and catch the fade pass and jump balls. Those were the kind of passes that Rice excelled at. The USC passing game should open up if defensive backs legitimately fear Gurley’s ability to burn them on the fade and jump balls.
Just Missed The Cut: RB Jarvis Giles, LT Jarriel King, LB Rodney Paulk, CB Akeem Auguste, K Spencer Lanning, FS/KR Chris Culliver, WR Moe Brown, CB Stephon Gilmore.
Link to this entry - Discuss this entry - Return to Blog Home
Previous Blog Entries
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 @.