Spurrier Call-In Show Blog
posted by Scott Hood, Thursday, October 08, 2009
7:00 PM - We're awaiting the start of the show.
FIRST SEGMENT: We don't have any trouble telling our guys we're not a very good team. Only one-point lead at halftime over winless FAU. Struggled in first half v. SC State. Got some fortunate calls in that game. We have the potential to be a very good team. But USC hasn't put it all together yet. Team watched UK-Alabama highlights today. UK is a very good team. Won 3 straight bowl games. Played Alabama tough. USC was surprised how well UK moved the ball and how they defended. SOS has known UK head coach Rich Brooks since the 1970's when Brooks was an Asst. for the 49ers when SOS was playing there. Saunders out with the ankle. Cunningham will start in his place.
SECOND SEGMENT: Uk has played a tough schedule in the early going. If a lot of teams had to play UF and Alabama early on, they would be 2-2 as well. Brooks has done a great job considering the history of UK football. Has USC considered using Geathers as a hybrid DE/DT or moving him inside? Geathers will start this week opposite Cliff Matthews, How about Batchelor at LG or LT? He will start at LG. Strength of UK defnesive is the D-Line. Kenny Miles will start at RB. But all RB's will play. What happened to Eric Baker? He's not a receiver as RB. He was hurt most of pre-season. Eric's time will come. Tough to play more than 3 RB's. Sherman is doing well too. Sherman should carry 2-3 times per game.
THIRD SEGMENT: Vote for Eric Norwood for Heisman Trophy! He has twice as many interceptions as the DB's collectively. How will USC take advantage of the absence of UK's top two corners? We don't know how good the other players are though. They might play more zone. SC State did some good things early and USC finally figured ity out. When teams are even, it coems down to which offense has the best plays called against the defense. Both Moe Brown TD catches last week were audibles. What about fans calling in and offering suggestions? SOS listens to the fans and his wife when it comes to calling plays.
FOURTH SEGMENT: What will USC do to prepare for 12:30 game. USC had early breakfast at 8:30 a.m. Thur and will do the same on Fri. and Sat. to help players prepare. Spurrier put out a plea for the studnet to return to campus for the game even though it's fall break this weekend. Spurrier described it as "strange" that USC woiuld have fall break on the weekend of a home game. SOS said USC is tryingto fulfill assignments better and do a lot of things better. But USC has better team chemistry than in the past.
FIFTH SEGMENT: Spurrier reiterated QB Stephen Garcia has made tremendous improvement since he arrived here. Throwing the ball away was a foreign concept to him when he came to USC because he never did it in high school. He always just ran around and made plays. USC does use some max protect schemes with the fullback. USC should have used a different blocking scheme a couple of times v. Ole Miss. Everyone shares blame in red zone woes. Moe Brown is the fastest receiver on USC. Alshon Jeffery is coming along. DL Moore may play some on Sat.
SIXTH SEGMENT: What about blocking downfield? Jason Barnes had a good block on Miles' TD run last week. However, Gurley whiffed on a block that could have springed Giles for a long run. Spurrier said USC must block better in all areas. LeCorn is a good blocker. Spurrier said Sidney and McKinley were both good blocker. What about red zone offense v. really good team? Use the Wild Cocky with Gilmore? Might not be the answer. USC must score more touchdowns in the red zone. Alshon is good in jump ball situations.
SEVENTH SEGMENT: USC has done a good job eliminating turnovers this season. Has Garcia watched the film of last year's UK game? Spurrier said that may have been Garcia's best half of the season. Spurrier said this is a big game for USC and they need the students and fans there at W-B Stadium.
Link to this entry - Discuss this entry - Return to Blog Home
Steve Spurrier held his weekly call-in show on Thursday night. Here is a summary of what he said.
7:00 PM - We're awaiting the start of the show.
FIRST SEGMENT: We don't have any trouble telling our guys we're not a very good team. Only one-point lead at halftime over winless FAU. Struggled in first half v. SC State. Got some fortunate calls in that game. We have the potential to be a very good team. But USC hasn't put it all together yet. Team watched UK-Alabama highlights today. UK is a very good team. Won 3 straight bowl games. Played Alabama tough. USC was surprised how well UK moved the ball and how they defended. SOS has known UK head coach Rich Brooks since the 1970's when Brooks was an Asst. for the 49ers when SOS was playing there. Saunders out with the ankle. Cunningham will start in his place.
SECOND SEGMENT: Uk has played a tough schedule in the early going. If a lot of teams had to play UF and Alabama early on, they would be 2-2 as well. Brooks has done a great job considering the history of UK football. Has USC considered using Geathers as a hybrid DE/DT or moving him inside? Geathers will start this week opposite Cliff Matthews, How about Batchelor at LG or LT? He will start at LG. Strength of UK defnesive is the D-Line. Kenny Miles will start at RB. But all RB's will play. What happened to Eric Baker? He's not a receiver as RB. He was hurt most of pre-season. Eric's time will come. Tough to play more than 3 RB's. Sherman is doing well too. Sherman should carry 2-3 times per game.
THIRD SEGMENT: Vote for Eric Norwood for Heisman Trophy! He has twice as many interceptions as the DB's collectively. How will USC take advantage of the absence of UK's top two corners? We don't know how good the other players are though. They might play more zone. SC State did some good things early and USC finally figured ity out. When teams are even, it coems down to which offense has the best plays called against the defense. Both Moe Brown TD catches last week were audibles. What about fans calling in and offering suggestions? SOS listens to the fans and his wife when it comes to calling plays.
FOURTH SEGMENT: What will USC do to prepare for 12:30 game. USC had early breakfast at 8:30 a.m. Thur and will do the same on Fri. and Sat. to help players prepare. Spurrier put out a plea for the studnet to return to campus for the game even though it's fall break this weekend. Spurrier described it as "strange" that USC woiuld have fall break on the weekend of a home game. SOS said USC is tryingto fulfill assignments better and do a lot of things better. But USC has better team chemistry than in the past.
FIFTH SEGMENT: Spurrier reiterated QB Stephen Garcia has made tremendous improvement since he arrived here. Throwing the ball away was a foreign concept to him when he came to USC because he never did it in high school. He always just ran around and made plays. USC does use some max protect schemes with the fullback. USC should have used a different blocking scheme a couple of times v. Ole Miss. Everyone shares blame in red zone woes. Moe Brown is the fastest receiver on USC. Alshon Jeffery is coming along. DL Moore may play some on Sat.
SIXTH SEGMENT: What about blocking downfield? Jason Barnes had a good block on Miles' TD run last week. However, Gurley whiffed on a block that could have springed Giles for a long run. Spurrier said USC must block better in all areas. LeCorn is a good blocker. Spurrier said Sidney and McKinley were both good blocker. What about red zone offense v. really good team? Use the Wild Cocky with Gilmore? Might not be the answer. USC must score more touchdowns in the red zone. Alshon is good in jump ball situations.
SEVENTH SEGMENT: USC has done a good job eliminating turnovers this season. Has Garcia watched the film of last year's UK game? Spurrier said that may have been Garcia's best half of the season. Spurrier said this is a big game for USC and they need the students and fans there at W-B Stadium.
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 @.