In The SEC, The Only Constant Is Change
posted by Scott Hood, Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Is this a forerunner of things to come or will the coaches settle on a starting unit on each side of the ball?
In the SEC, I’m not sure you’re ever settled on anything. Things can change at a rapid pace in this conference. A team can look like world beaters one week, celler dwellers the next.
Based on your posts and e-mails, a few of you in Gamecock Nation are struggling with Spurrier’s comment during Tuesday’s press conference that USC is still trying to find out who the best players are.
Some, I’m sure, are puzzled and asking why after 29 practices in pre-season camp and two games that hasn’t been figured out. The best answer I can give is that in the world of the SEC, practices are far different than games.
A player may perform well in practice for an entire week when no one but his coaches and teammates are around. Then, when you put him inside the stadium with rabid fans in the seats and TV cameras hovering overhead, something gets lost in the translation.
I can assure you that USC has had plenty of players in the past like that. They’re unable to take what they learned during practice into the game on Saturday.
So, it always takes a few games for the coaches to figure out who are the best “game-day” players, especially when you’re dealing with a lot of younger players as USC is.
Coaches want players who consistently play well, not great one week and poorly the next. It takes a little bit of time to determine that. Right now, we know guys like Eric Norwood, Cliff Matthews and Garrett Anderson should be solid every week. That’s something that comes with experience.
The bottom line, of course, is winning. Coaches understand they’re not judged (i.e. hired and fired) by how well their players perform in practice in the middle of the week. Practice merely prepares you to make plays on Saturday.
In short, everything boils down to the games.
That’s why back in the spring when the new assistant coaches were being praised by many people for their fresh approach, Spurrier said the true test would come in the fall when the “real games” began.
As a layer of protection, coaches make sure the players know that every position is up for grabs each week. Spurrier has always been a coach that favored constant
Right now, the only grade you can give the assistants is incomplete. We’ll know a lot more about the direction of this team after next Thursday’s home game against Ole Miss.
Beat Florida Atlantic and Ole Miss in a span of five days and all of a sudden the outlook for USC’s season brightens.
Question is, who are the best players to accomplish that? Batchelor will make his first career start at left guard on Saturday. All of his previous starts came at right guard.
There are still questions at running back, wide receiver, offensive line, defensive tackle, middle linebacker, spur linebacker and cornerback.
Brian Maddox was the featured running back in the first game before the coaches turned to Jarvis Giles against Georgia. Kenny Miles never got off the bench except to play special teams.
Spurrier pledged to give Miles a chance this week, but we’ll see. If the game is closer than most people think, will he stick with the veteran (Maddox) and the heralded freshman with the quick feet (Giles)?
Then there’s Bryce Sherman. The coaches are still trying to find a spot for him. Is it at running back? Or slot receiver? How about kickoffs?
At wide receiver, Spurrier said Alshon Jeffery should get more playing time this week. Who does he replace? Tori Gurley has shown he’s capable after two games. So, even though Jeffery is listed as Gurley’s backup, will the coaches put both players on the field at the same time?
You know O-Line Eric Wolford will constantly tinker with the lineup. Batchelor will start at LG. Interestingly, Terrence Campbell has been shifted to right guard to compete with T.J. Johnson. That could be a battle to watch in the coming weeks.
Defensively, the biggest questions are at middle linebacker and spur. Shaq Wilson had only one tackle in last Saturday’s loss at UGA. Spurrier acknowledged he struggles with bigger offensive lineman. That might not be a problem this week v. FAU but what about next Thursday night when Ole Miss comes to town?
Alonzo Winfield struggled in the first two games (2 tackles), so Antonio Allen will get a shot this week as the starter.
The defensive line has been depleted by suspension (Ladi Ajiboye) and injuries (Nathan Pepper). Ajiboye should return for the Ole Miss game. But when Pepper is healthy enough to get back from his sprained ankle is a matter of who you listen to. Pepper said he could play against the Rebels. Spurrier says he’s out 2-3 weeks. Hmmm.
Just another question that has to be answered.
Link to this entry - Discuss this entry - Return to Blog Home
We heard from Steve Spurrier yesterday about a number of changes in the lineup starting with Heath Batchelor taking over at left guard for Terrence Campbell.
Is this a forerunner of things to come or will the coaches settle on a starting unit on each side of the ball?
In the SEC, I’m not sure you’re ever settled on anything. Things can change at a rapid pace in this conference. A team can look like world beaters one week, celler dwellers the next.
Based on your posts and e-mails, a few of you in Gamecock Nation are struggling with Spurrier’s comment during Tuesday’s press conference that USC is still trying to find out who the best players are.
Some, I’m sure, are puzzled and asking why after 29 practices in pre-season camp and two games that hasn’t been figured out. The best answer I can give is that in the world of the SEC, practices are far different than games.
A player may perform well in practice for an entire week when no one but his coaches and teammates are around. Then, when you put him inside the stadium with rabid fans in the seats and TV cameras hovering overhead, something gets lost in the translation.
I can assure you that USC has had plenty of players in the past like that. They’re unable to take what they learned during practice into the game on Saturday.
So, it always takes a few games for the coaches to figure out who are the best “game-day” players, especially when you’re dealing with a lot of younger players as USC is.
Coaches want players who consistently play well, not great one week and poorly the next. It takes a little bit of time to determine that. Right now, we know guys like Eric Norwood, Cliff Matthews and Garrett Anderson should be solid every week. That’s something that comes with experience.
The bottom line, of course, is winning. Coaches understand they’re not judged (i.e. hired and fired) by how well their players perform in practice in the middle of the week. Practice merely prepares you to make plays on Saturday.
In short, everything boils down to the games.
That’s why back in the spring when the new assistant coaches were being praised by many people for their fresh approach, Spurrier said the true test would come in the fall when the “real games” began.
As a layer of protection, coaches make sure the players know that every position is up for grabs each week. Spurrier has always been a coach that favored constant
Right now, the only grade you can give the assistants is incomplete. We’ll know a lot more about the direction of this team after next Thursday’s home game against Ole Miss.
Beat Florida Atlantic and Ole Miss in a span of five days and all of a sudden the outlook for USC’s season brightens.
Question is, who are the best players to accomplish that? Batchelor will make his first career start at left guard on Saturday. All of his previous starts came at right guard.
There are still questions at running back, wide receiver, offensive line, defensive tackle, middle linebacker, spur linebacker and cornerback.
Brian Maddox was the featured running back in the first game before the coaches turned to Jarvis Giles against Georgia. Kenny Miles never got off the bench except to play special teams.
Spurrier pledged to give Miles a chance this week, but we’ll see. If the game is closer than most people think, will he stick with the veteran (Maddox) and the heralded freshman with the quick feet (Giles)?
Then there’s Bryce Sherman. The coaches are still trying to find a spot for him. Is it at running back? Or slot receiver? How about kickoffs?
At wide receiver, Spurrier said Alshon Jeffery should get more playing time this week. Who does he replace? Tori Gurley has shown he’s capable after two games. So, even though Jeffery is listed as Gurley’s backup, will the coaches put both players on the field at the same time?
You know O-Line Eric Wolford will constantly tinker with the lineup. Batchelor will start at LG. Interestingly, Terrence Campbell has been shifted to right guard to compete with T.J. Johnson. That could be a battle to watch in the coming weeks.
Defensively, the biggest questions are at middle linebacker and spur. Shaq Wilson had only one tackle in last Saturday’s loss at UGA. Spurrier acknowledged he struggles with bigger offensive lineman. That might not be a problem this week v. FAU but what about next Thursday night when Ole Miss comes to town?
Alonzo Winfield struggled in the first two games (2 tackles), so Antonio Allen will get a shot this week as the starter.
The defensive line has been depleted by suspension (Ladi Ajiboye) and injuries (Nathan Pepper). Ajiboye should return for the Ole Miss game. But when Pepper is healthy enough to get back from his sprained ankle is a matter of who you listen to. Pepper said he could play against the Rebels. Spurrier says he’s out 2-3 weeks. Hmmm.
Just another question that has to be answered.
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 @.