Spurrier Call-In Show Blog - Thur. 9/10
posted by Scott Hood, Thursday, September 10, 2009
7:00 - We're awaiting the start of the show.
FIRST SEGMENT: We don't need to concern ourselves with what's going on in Athens. 18 points is most either team has scored in last 4 years. Could it be abother defensive struggle. USC will run the ball and play defense if that's what it takes to win the game. Georgia will be ready. They have too much tradition and history. Dion LeCorn is scheduled to play. Jason Barnes has had as good week of practice. Alshon Jeffery is learning. Jarvis Giles and Kenny Miles should both play a lot. Backups have to be ready to play. Defensively, USC is ready. Shaq, Dickerson, Straughter will play. Most teams have a Wildcat package. May use Gilmore in that this week.
SECOND SEGMENT: Georgia has only 4 players from SC on its roster, a sign that USC is succeeding in closing the doors. USC had "all sort of chances" to win the 2008 game. USC must play faster. Some guys who don't play fast enough could be outstanding players.
Garcia has realy improved. SOS believes SG will play well this week. Game plan is a lot better this week. Why hasn't Spurrier been able to duplicate offensive success at UF? Lots of reasons related to personnel. Best offensive year was 2006 when Newton and Mitchell played QB. USC has talent on offense. Have to get it going.
THIRD SEGMENT: The O-Line graded out higher last week than they did in 2008 opener. TJ Johnson was perfect on his assignments. But USC hd big losses on firdt down. OPI v. Gurley. Giles ran backwards. He was also tackled in backfield for big loss. NC State zone blitzed more than USC thought. USC could have coached better. Game is history. No careless errors. No foolish penalties. But still a "pretty sorry" offensive display.
FOURTH SEGMENT: Caller asked about Bryce Sherman. He was best RB in camp at times. SOS hopes to get him into the game. He's also on the punt block team. Great speed. NC State was a "pretty" setting similar to Ole Miss. They spent $200 to $300 million improving stadium, etc. Home field advantage not as great in the SEC as many people think. USC needs to play better at home. USC is 4-0 in season opening games. Spurrier wants to play a good schedule. Seven home games. If USC beats 2-0, they're "off and sailing." USC has middle of the SEC. NC State was middle of the road ACC team. Fair game. Home game v. UNC? No new info. USC is scheduled to open on Thur. night next season. Opponent is TBA right now.
FIFTH SEGMENT: Jeff Grantz at Wild Wings Cafe tonight. When USC starts throwing the ball well in practice and receivers run crisp routes, then SOS hopes it will happen in the game. USC should play better. But they're not quite there yet. Caller suggested Stephon Gilmore serve as holder. Has he ever held? Flint has been a good holder. Lanning has kicked well. But he needs to kick well in the game. UGA kicked 54-yarder at OSU. Lanning punted well except for the last one. Almost returned for a TD. Stewart made the tackle.
SIXTH SEGMENT: More designed roll-outs for Garcia? Yes. One thing SG does well - running out of the pocket, shaking an arm tackle and gaining some yards. Now he must learn to stop and throw the football on the run.
SEVENTH SEGMENT: Relationship with Richt? He's a good guy. Won 2 SEC titles. They get along fine. Big opportunity this week. Find out how tough we are. Looking forward to the challenge. TJ Johnson played whole game because he stayed all focused. QuintinRichardson has "bum shoulder" but is scheduled to play. USC has espeed but so does all of USC's SEC opponents. UGA is faster than NC State. Come to stadium ready to make some yards and take care of the football.
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Steve Spurrier conducted his weekly call-in radio show on Thur. night. Here is a recap of what he said.
7:00 - We're awaiting the start of the show.
FIRST SEGMENT: We don't need to concern ourselves with what's going on in Athens. 18 points is most either team has scored in last 4 years. Could it be abother defensive struggle. USC will run the ball and play defense if that's what it takes to win the game. Georgia will be ready. They have too much tradition and history. Dion LeCorn is scheduled to play. Jason Barnes has had as good week of practice. Alshon Jeffery is learning. Jarvis Giles and Kenny Miles should both play a lot. Backups have to be ready to play. Defensively, USC is ready. Shaq, Dickerson, Straughter will play. Most teams have a Wildcat package. May use Gilmore in that this week.
SECOND SEGMENT: Georgia has only 4 players from SC on its roster, a sign that USC is succeeding in closing the doors. USC had "all sort of chances" to win the 2008 game. USC must play faster. Some guys who don't play fast enough could be outstanding players.
Garcia has realy improved. SOS believes SG will play well this week. Game plan is a lot better this week. Why hasn't Spurrier been able to duplicate offensive success at UF? Lots of reasons related to personnel. Best offensive year was 2006 when Newton and Mitchell played QB. USC has talent on offense. Have to get it going.
THIRD SEGMENT: The O-Line graded out higher last week than they did in 2008 opener. TJ Johnson was perfect on his assignments. But USC hd big losses on firdt down. OPI v. Gurley. Giles ran backwards. He was also tackled in backfield for big loss. NC State zone blitzed more than USC thought. USC could have coached better. Game is history. No careless errors. No foolish penalties. But still a "pretty sorry" offensive display.
FOURTH SEGMENT: Caller asked about Bryce Sherman. He was best RB in camp at times. SOS hopes to get him into the game. He's also on the punt block team. Great speed. NC State was a "pretty" setting similar to Ole Miss. They spent $200 to $300 million improving stadium, etc. Home field advantage not as great in the SEC as many people think. USC needs to play better at home. USC is 4-0 in season opening games. Spurrier wants to play a good schedule. Seven home games. If USC beats 2-0, they're "off and sailing." USC has middle of the SEC. NC State was middle of the road ACC team. Fair game. Home game v. UNC? No new info. USC is scheduled to open on Thur. night next season. Opponent is TBA right now.
FIFTH SEGMENT: Jeff Grantz at Wild Wings Cafe tonight. When USC starts throwing the ball well in practice and receivers run crisp routes, then SOS hopes it will happen in the game. USC should play better. But they're not quite there yet. Caller suggested Stephon Gilmore serve as holder. Has he ever held? Flint has been a good holder. Lanning has kicked well. But he needs to kick well in the game. UGA kicked 54-yarder at OSU. Lanning punted well except for the last one. Almost returned for a TD. Stewart made the tackle.
SIXTH SEGMENT: More designed roll-outs for Garcia? Yes. One thing SG does well - running out of the pocket, shaking an arm tackle and gaining some yards. Now he must learn to stop and throw the football on the run.
SEVENTH SEGMENT: Relationship with Richt? He's a good guy. Won 2 SEC titles. They get along fine. Big opportunity this week. Find out how tough we are. Looking forward to the challenge. TJ Johnson played whole game because he stayed all focused. QuintinRichardson has "bum shoulder" but is scheduled to play. USC has espeed but so does all of USC's SEC opponents. UGA is faster than NC State. Come to stadium ready to make some yards and take care of the football.
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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 @.