Dabblin’ With the Cockspur: An Open Letter to the Sophomore Studs

Chris Culliver, Clifton Geathers, Cliff Matthews, Weslye Saunders, Jarriel King:

The time to make a decision is here. You can play for yourself in 2009 or you can play for the Gamecocks and eternal fame. Ask Kenny McKinley to describe the warmth he feels from Gamecock Nation. Like thick wool of an enormous security blanket, McKinley knows he’ll always be able to come “home” for work should his NFL aspirations fail.

Though the ‘Nation pulls for his unbridled success far beyond the four record breaking seasons within Billy Brice, they take care of their own – no matter what.

Ask Emanuel Cook, Captain Munnerlyn and Eric Norwood how Columbia might treat them if injury or failure bit before fortune. Their answers, though politically correct, will be void of confidence. Should things not work out at the next level, some might not be so intrigued to open their arms.

It’s a tough fact of life for Norwood, because his play never fell below its lofty standard. Unfortunately, he’ll forever be lumped together with the others.

Ask a guy named Joe Jackson. He was suspended for life along with his Chicago White Sox teammates for throwing the 1919 World Series. In that Series, Joe hit .375 and had more hits (12) than any other player – including the opposing Cincinnati Reds.

If Norwood thinks the majority of fans won’t lump him into the group over time, he’s wrong.

So, the same decision is now presented to the special group of sophomores who might be able to “make the jump” early. Do you play for yourself in 2009 or do you play for everlasting greatness to a fan base ready, willing and maybe even starving to love eternally?

Is it a risk? Sure, it is. The payback though is tenfold to riches on any level. Ask Todd Ellis. Ask Steve Taneyhill. Ask Duce Staley. Ask Kenny McKinley.

Though Weslye Saunders has seen some highs and lows in his first two seasons, the potential is evident. He could take a tremendous step forward by August, 2009.

Clifton Geathers, though raw with his hands, has the size and the bloodlines to be a major prospect midway through the 2009 season.

Chris Culliver might be the best of the bunch. Capable of taking over a game, crushing the naive straight into an ESPN highlight reel and returning anything thrown or kicked his way, Culliver will soon start hearing the whispers from agents, scouts and fans alike.

Jarriel King, though unrefined on the offensive line, already displays the determination any NFL franchise drools over. He’s also a 6’7” 304 pound giant willing to, in his own words, go “balls to the wall” until the job is done.

A bolt of angelic lightning handed over from military school; he’s chiseled in mind, body and spirit.

Cliff Matthews, described by Brad Lawing as the “Energizer Bunny” because he never stops, also shows the ability to blossom next season. Sure he’s already blossomed, but even better days could be coming.

With 22 consecutive starts under his belt and at least 12 more guaranteed by health, the Energizer Bunny is yet another Gamecock sure to have a motley crew of the so called experts whispering in his ear.

So what’s it going to be fella’s? You can be the five to ante up, put the program on your shoulders for two more seasons and take it to heights unknown, or you can drop it like some before you.

Do you really want to be a Gamecock legend? Here’s your chance. Take it or leave it.

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Dabblin' With the Cockspur: Steve Spurrier - The Truth Hurts

If asked my feelings of Steve Spurrier ten years ago, I’d have quickly replied, “Spurrier is more ego than he is anything else; can’t stand that guy!”

Translation: Every time the guy opens his mouth it scares the hell out of me so maybe I should let instinct take over and insult him at every opportunity.

Fortunately, I have had the pleasure of speaking to Coach Spurrier almost every day in the last two football seasons and learned a lot. He’s not an egotistical jerk. He’s actually a stand-up guy who has no problem taking the blame/accountability every day if it’s warranted.

He’s misunderstood, but kindhearted. He’s a competitor, but a good man. He’s also, like he said, just an “Ol’ Ball Coach.”

The ego he’s become famous for is actually just the man’s inability to lie. He tells it like it is and if you take offense – sorry, but that’s the way it really is.

Sometimes the truth hurts.

Why do I say all of this? On Outback Bowl Eve, Spurrier met with the media and answered questions about everything from his team to Iowa, the NFL, the NCAA and so forth. At one point a reporter asked Spurrier if boosters had too much say on what’s going on with salaries in college football.

Spurrier’s answer was honest. It may have been painful, but it was honest.

“Maybe at some places,” he said, “but not too much. In our conference we got a pretty good little television contract that kicked in last year. I don’t know if you Iowa people know, but our athletic department gave the university 15 million (dollars) the other day. Have y’all done that recently at the Iowa athletic department?”

Referring to the deal between the SEC and CBS to broadcast college football and basketball until 2023, Spurrier wasn’t trying to put anyone down. He was trying to answer the question honestly. What better way to answer than to explain the financial standing of the SEC schools? Maybe the Big Ten teams rely on booster money more than the SEC. Truth is, they rely on it a little less because of television contracts.

He wasn’t being a wise guy when he referred to “you Iowa people.” He’s a southerner, it’s southern vernacular. Hell, he’s a football coach. Should he have said, ‘To those geographically subject to the boundaries of Iowa, I contend that the health of our conference is strong.’?

The reason I defend Spurrier so vehemently is due to a conversation overheard in the Media Room soon after.

One woman said to a co-worker, “Can you believe he called out Iowa like that? ‘You Iowa people this’ and ‘You Iowa people’ that – who does he think he is?”

The man she was speaking to simply answered with this in depth rationalization, “Spurrier has always been a jerk and will always be a jerk.”

At that point, I felt the need to step in and defend the guy.

I turned to both of them and said, “You took that out of context in just about every way possible. He was asked about his thoughts on boosters. He answered the question, used a perfect example and dodged nothing. As for the ‘you Iowa people,’ something he only said once, he’s a southern boy. That’s the way he talks.”

“Well,” she said, “I didn’t think it was necessary.”

For those who don’t know me, I’m sort of like Vinny in the comedic film “My Cousin Vinny.”
I don’t try to be abrasive, but dammit if you aren’t going to agree with me before we are finished. Thus, I continued…

“This is the same guy who just said that the Redskins debacle was no one else’s fault but his own. This is the same guy who has said after every single loss that he needs to coach better,” I said. “It’s the same guy who has done nothing but compliment the city of Tampa, the University of Iowa and Coach Ferentz since he stepped off the plane. You think he came here today to start smack talk only a day before the game?”

Both looked at me simultaneously and said, “Yeah, you’re right.”

I smiled, walked out of the room and thought to myself, “Truth hurts. Doesn’t it?”

Happy New Year. I’ll see you Carolina people tomorrow.

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Dabblin’ With the Cockspur: Lies, Damned Lies and Stats

“Torture numbers and they'll confess to anything.”

Gregg Easterbrook

Unfortunately for Gamecock Nation, numbers can only be tortured so much. When a review of statistics on a per game basis is dissected, nothing looks favorable for the garnet and black. Unfortunately though, here goes:

Gamecock quarterbacks are averaging 18.58 completions per 33.42 attempts. They throw, on average, for 218.50 yards per game. This accounts for 1.58 touchdowns through the air per game. Iowa averages 14.5 completions per game with 25.08 attempts and 1.25 touchdowns per game.

Rushing numbers are even worse. While the Hawkeyes average 38.42 carries per game for 190.48 yards, the Gamecocks only average 33.08 carries for only 99.17 yards per game.

As for the old cliché’ “things get worse before they get better:”

The Gamecocks average a paltry 0.58 rushing touchdowns per game while the ground hog Hawkeyes punch it in 2.25 times per game on the ground.

Are numbers smothering your hopes yet? Okay then, let’s get down to the proverbial nitty-gritty. The Hawkeyes average 1.5 field goals per game while the Cocks place 1.58 through the uprights each Saturday.

Take all of these averages and multiply those by their respective point totals - it’ll give you a final score of:

Iowa 29 – South Carolina 19.92

All of this being said, the only unknown to skew numbers would be the level of competition both teams have faced.

Iowa’s strength of schedule is ranked 95, while South Carolina is 35.

Is a 60 team difference enough to compensate for the 9.08 difference? Maybe. Maybe not.

Really, what the game comes down to, based on the averages is turnover ratio. In other words, all things being equal, it’s a 9.08 point difference. If the strength of schedule difference accounts for a touchdown, then there is only 2.08 points remaining. A field goal eclipses that difference, but keep in mind; it would have to be an unexpected field goal – one off a turnover.

Final Score Prediction (Without a Negative Turnover Ratio in Favor of the Hawkeyes): Iowa 29 – USC 27.

Final Score Prediction (With a Turnover Ratio in the Gamecock’s Favor): South Carolina 30 – Iowa 29.

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Dabblin' With the Cockspur: Breaking the Rules

You’ve heard me preach this before, but it really does bother me more than most forced/accepted beliefs programmed to mislead.

Any responsible member of the media should refrain from “drinking the Kool-Aid.” This takes away one’s ability to be objective, fair and credible.

I question the theory. On the surface I see the point, but once trust is gained why not be allowed to do a ‘Kool-Aid shooter’ from time to time?

That being said, here’s my dilemma. I am a media-schizophrenic. No, I am not making light of a very serious disease. If my brain were analyzed, graphed or scanned the multiple personalities would be black and white – obvious to even the simplest minded.

Like black and white, one would be able to decipher between the parts of my brain invariably tied to my Alma mater – the University of South Carolina – and that which has been trained to analyze without emotion or personal favorites.

Even more complicated though, is the affliction automatically applied to Gamecock fans. Like Cubs fans, we are already athletically schizophrenic. We love our team, search endlessly for good and convince ourselves the end will someday justify the means. After all, Red Sox Nation lived the dream, so why can’t we? However, just like Cub fan, though we convince ourselves the prize is attainable given ‘just one more year,’ we know the inevitable failure is looming somewhere – waiting to strike.

An example: Weeks leading up to South Carolina at Clemson - 2008

Drinking the Kool-Aid Rog: This is the year we embarrass Clemson. They’ve had a down year while we’ve taken strides in many areas. They’ve had nothing short of a coaching fiasco on their hands this season while we get treated to a legend every Saturday. This is the year. I can’t wait. Our defense is going to show them what the SEC is all about.

Beaten Down Over the Years Rog: I know we should whip Clemson this year, but I also know they will find a way to embarrass us even more. They’ll save their season by making a mockery of everything the Gamecocks have worked for. They’ll give us one more reason to hate ourselves for loving the Gamecocks so much.

Professional and Unbiased Rog: Sure, Clemson has had an up and down season, but Dabo has these guys playing. The Gamecocks need to be ready for anything and they need to treat this like the most important game of their lives. The Clemson team is fired up to prove their worth and South Carolina may still be patching up the ego after the Florida debacle. Anything can happen.

You see how that works? I have three of me arguing with myself over the same game. It gets exhausting at times.

So, now that we all know I am a sports fan/sports reporter time bomb in the making, let’s review the upcoming Outback Bowl with all three of me…

Drinking the Kool-Aid Rog:

Shonn Greene, though special, has no idea what he’s about to face. The Big Ten is more top-heavy than Pamela Anderson on stilts. Look what the Gamecocks have done to Big Ten national power-type schools at The Outback Bowl in the previous trips.

Forget E-Cook!

Jasper Brinkley is going to make this a game to remember after coming back from a serious injury to play his senior year. Eric Norwood not only wants the career sack record at USC, but he sees this as an opportunity to show scouts that running backs of any caliber are lunch meat when #40 hits the field. Jordin Lindsey has had a magical season and seems unstoppable at times. Ellis Johnson might be the best non-head coach to ever coach at South Carolina. There is no way he allows a loss on this stage.

Iowa can talk all they want about Mitch King and Matt Kroul on the defensive line, the bottom line is this: Stephen Garcia is a storybook player waiting to explode on the national scene. He’s in his home town, practicing at his high school – duh, of course he’s going to dominate this game!

Result: Gamecocks win a solid game 27 – 14.

Beaten Down Over the Years Rog:

Stephen Garcia has blown so many opportunities; this will surely be yet another - that is if he stays out of trouble before kickoff and even gets to play. In Tampa for almost a week before the game reeks of an ego-driven Molotov cocktail bubbling to blow up in the face of Gamecock Nation before January 1st.

Greene is going to destroy our defense. Emanuel Cook is practically in the NFL already and, oh yeah, he’s just our leading tackler. Munnerlyn and Norwood are sure to follow and do not want to get hurt, thus they have absolutely no motivation. Brinkley can’t do it alone.

King and Kroul are licking their proverbial chops as they study the schematics of a terrible offensive line led by an interim coach who was just a graduate assistant a few weeks ago. Can you say exploitation?

Result: Iowa wins in an ugly one 42 – 10.

Professional and Unbiased Rog:

This is a grudge match. On one side of the ball is a masterful ground attack that relies on the best running back in the country. On the other side of the ball is a defense, though slightly under staffed, which is still chock full of superstars looking to prove themselves and their conference.

You’ve got a red-shirt freshman quarterback who has an opportunity to set the world on fire, but he could set himself on fire just as easily.

You’ve got an exceptional Iowa defensive line, but can they do it against the SEC?

Result: Too close to call. Tied going to the fourth quarter where anything can and will happen.

In Conclusion:

So, who’s right, me, me or me?

After much deliberation, I have to think Carolina, like their quarterback, has finally learned a lesson about trying to coast through. Wait a second, who am I kidding? You know they’ll blow it. But then again, this could be a very good game.

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Dabblin' with the Cockspur: Downey's a Great One.

Pet Peeve #1: Over-exaggeration. I hate words. Maybe that’s why I love to write. I feel it’s my duty to do words and society some vocabulary justice, if you will. I hate when a ‘good’ player or a ‘good’ play is explained as ‘great.’ I despise when someone describes a ‘crowd’ as a ‘mob scene.’ I can’t stand people who stretch the normal into the paranormal simply for the sake of catching attention.

That being said, Devan Downey is truly a great leader – one of the best South Carolina athletics has ever seen. For a young man who once ridiculed the Gamecocks while a member of the Cincinnati Bearcats and seemingly carried a tremendous ego along with him, Downey has become the single most important leader at South Carolina in any sport. The baseball team had several last season – some by example and others by virtue of respect. The football team has had Kenny McKinley and Jasper Brinkley, to mention a few.

In basketball though, Downey is so far ahead, there is no doubt.

Hands down, he’s emerged as more than just their best player – he’s the most responsible, most willing and most upfront player in decades. He’s worthy of the spotlight – even craves it, but is more than willing to step forth when his play falls below his own high standard.

Several athletes on all levels live for the cameras and ‘the love’ when their play is exceptional, but few are just as willing to answer when the questions are tough and the production is substandard.

In Downey’s case, there weren’t even questions. He offered up his own explanation to play he felt was inferior by his measure. After a tough fought victory against a Citadel team that the Gamecocks should have beaten soundly, Downey walked into the Media Room and offered up this nugget on his own merit:

“I think I did a poor job as a leader. We came out so flat. I know the team feeds off me so I have to do a better job coming out and being ready to play from the tip.”

Wow.

How many times has a “star” in any field on any level hid from the spotlight, pointed fingers or lashed out in times of despair?

Now ask yourself, how many times has a “star” offered up self criticism without being asked – after a win?

Gamecock Coach Darrin Horn recognizes the special quality.

“When it comes to…team sports, teams are going to follow the lead of their head coach and their best player. That’s just how it is,” said Horn. “When he’s not out there doing those little things, it sets the tone for our team. He did not do that the other night, but what makes him special is not that he can do it, but that he wants to, he’s willing to and he acknowledges it when he doesn’t. When you have that, it makes it that much easier for us to address it and make strides (as a team).”

How often does the ‘star of the team’ complain about not having the ball enough or getting more playing time? Not Downey. He wants the ‘win’ and nothing else.

Listed above you’ll see Downey’s averages after the first ten games of 2007 compared to the first ten games of 2008.

Downey’s minutes have been reduced by five per game. His percentage from the field is almost 10% higher while he’s almost 6% higher from beyond the three point line (a line that was moved back in the off-season). His free throw shooting improved and his torrid steal pace has remained the same. His points are up even though he’s playing less minutes. The assists and rebounds are a tad lower, but again, this in five minutes less per game.

Last season, after ten games, Downey had logged 40 minutes in regulation games twice already. So how many times has he done it this season? Zero.

Coincidently the team is 9-1 this season versus 5-5 last season. Though the 2007 schedule may have been a little tougher, the wins over smaller schools (aside from The Citadel) were not as convincing.

His minutes, with a potential NBA career looming, would be reason enough to complain for most athletes in today’s ‘me first’ world of sports. Not Downey.

“It’s what a leader does. I know that in the SEC I can’t have nights like that (one against The Citadel). It’s not even about scoring. It’s about being a leader,” he said before smiling. “I hope (the team responds to that).”

Guess what Devan, they have.

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Dabblin with the Cockspur: Twinkie Fat in Tampa

Here’s my problem: What good is cutting out the proverbial “fluff” if you’re given a Twinkie? After the fluff, you’ve got nothing.

The point is this: the Outback Bowl could turn into a New Year’s Day buffet if two very real possibilities come to fruition:

Very Real Possibility #1) Shonn Greene continues his torrid assault on Iowa’s single season rushing record book and singlehandedly outscores a stagnant South Carolina offense – and “stagnant” might be too kind a word at this point.

However, Stephen Garcia could be the X-factor. Greene might have singlehandedly outscored the Chris Smelley run offense, but can he do it against a South Carolina offense looking to prove something with the hot-shot freshman taking the snaps?

Very Real Possibility #2)The terrible twosome of DT’s Mitch King and DT Matt Kroul make Stephen Garcia and Mike Davis look like, well, Chris Smelley and Mike Davis. All due respect to “Coach Ced,” but this is not the defensive line you wish for in the textbook titled, “How to Remove the Interim Tag from Your Title.”

The new Quarterbacks Coach, a guy named Spurrier, needs to teach his new starting quarterback when to throw, when to run and when to improvise. He’ll have about two weeks to do it. Rome wasn’t built in a day, but can an SEC quarterback be built in two weeks? We’ll find out January 1st.

Mitch King has recorded 55 tackles for a loss this season, second in the nation. Matt Kroul has started 49 consecutive games – first in Iowa history, longest among current Big Ten players and third in the nation.

Shonn Greene has rushed for multiple touchdowns in four of the last five games and is the only RB in the nation to top the 100 yard plateau in every game this season.

The South Carolina defense, on the flip side, has put to rest many a Heisman hopeful chance in the past two seasons (i.e. Andre Woodson in 2007, Knowshon Moreno in 2008). Though Greene will not be invited to the event this season, he arguably tops the “Best of the Rest” list.

Also, Iowa is third in the nation in interceptions. Though Smelley is not starting, Stephen Garcia hasn’t had great TD/Int ratios either.

Ouch. All of this said, remember, Iowa’s freshman RB Jewel Hampton has scored seven rushing touchdowns this season. So, when you key on that Greene fellow, the freshman can kill you. Assuming the Iowa offense has figured this out already, Ellis Johnson and his Goon Squad may have their hands full.

What’s the good news? Simple, Stephen Garcia has (word rhymes with CALLS) the size of Texas and he could shine in the Sunshine State. He’s in his hometown, under pressure and looking to make some highlight reels on that four-letter network – if the Goon Squad squashes Greene, Garcia can handle the rest.

Know this though; this will be no easy bowl game against a weak Big Ten opponent. Iowa is going to bring “it” and dare the Cocks to answer.

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Dabblin’ With the Cockspur: Sarcasm Between the Lines. Keep Reading.

“Most people work just hard enough not to get fired and get paid just enough money not to quit.” -George Carlin

Carlin was on to something there.

A common scenario prevalent in every office building, classroom, or government office to name a few, you can always find at least one person who falls into this “Carlin-ism.”

Sunday, Gamecock Nation met two who don’t apply. As a matter of fact they are the exact opposite. One may have been accused of not working hard enough and the other obviously did not get paid enough.

Saturday’s Clemson Clobber-fest saw Jared Cook get the hook because, as Coach Spurrier says, “Jared just didn't look like he was into the game. He had one little ball that was a little bit behind him that I thought his effort should have been better. Maybe that was as good as he could do. Some of our guys go nonchalantly about the game. We're looking forward to seeing if we can compete a lot better.”

I can understand that. This is the Carolina – Clemson slug-fest and only one team seemed ready to do the slugging. If Coach thought there was a lack of effort then there should be a change made.

I love the aggressiveness. In this case it worked out because Weslye Saunders was a pigskin catching machine in the second half, no matter where the ball was thrown or fumbled, number 88 wound up with it.

Sunday Coach Spurrier’s aggressive approach to improve his team before the bowl game reared its vehement head again.

“There are some areas we need to change some things and that's what I have to do as a head coach," Spurrier said. "We have a few guys that are tired of playing football. We need to let them go pro or get on out of here or whatever. We may have to thin out a few guys and find the guys that really want to play.”

Wow. Coach Spurrier can subtlety apply the proverbial smack-down when he wants, huh?

I wonder who he could be talking about here.

I’m speculating, but if Coach Spurrier was referring to Cook, he’s right!

Wonderful opportunity presented to you or not, quitting on the team before the season is even over – that’s just down right filthy. Drag him through the mud publicly if you must – teach that young’n a lesson!


In other news, David Reaves abruptly left the Gamecock team this afternoon. Yes, it’s effective immediately.

Coach Spurrier addressed the unexpected departure before season’s end saying, “He had a wonderful opportunity presented to him and will be moving on. We wish him the best.”

The team and staff are left scrambling to fill the vacancy before the biggest bowl game of the Spurrier era.

Hmmmmm….

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Dabblin' With the Cockspur: All Due Respect Coach, But I'm Baffled.

I am the voice of reason. Though I may sway to the “overly-optimistic” at times, there’s been many a night spent roaming the streets of “Overly-Pessimistic-ville” as well.

One sin I’ve never committed though, until now, is playing “Arm Chair Quarterback.” Some are worse than others – you know who you are. I have always believed that coaches at a certain level are there for a reason and we all watch on television for a reason. When someone questions Lou Holtz, Steve Spurrier and even Sparky Woods, I’m usually the guy pointing it out with a sarcastic tone, “Yeah man, I’m sure Sparky moved through the ranks to get to where he is by a stroke of luck.”

Apply that theory to some of the coaching legends and the “Arm Chair Chumps” look even worse.

That being said, I finally have to do it. Someone clean off the arm chair, because Olivieri is finally going to sit, talk and wonder aloud.

Why in the hell is Chris Smelley still the starting quarterback at the University of South Carolina?

Wasn’t it The Ol’ Ball Coach, himself, who said both Chris and Stephen play better off the bench? If this is the case, I sure think the theory should have best tested Saturday. Maybe after interception number one a coach tries not to act too fast. I can see that.

After interception number two, a coach is usually looking for the Pepto-Bismol while searching for the QB holding the clipboard.

By interception number three, there’s no reason not to yank a young man who is obviously rattled.

Interception NUMBER FOUR, after you’ve assured the fan base the two “too equal to separate” quarterbacks were so much better off the bench that they might even need to start Zac Brindise, is a bright shiny invite for “the hook.”

If Garcia is so much better off the bench, then why has Smelley had the pleasure of tossing six interceptions in the last two games?

Here’s the part where I really need to go “Arm Chair” postal on someone, but it needs to be said: I willingly submit that Steve Spurrier knows A LOT more about football than I do. I’m sure he could still play the position better than I even though he’s nearing his mid sixties, in the name of Cesar Cedeno, why is he the only man in the city of Columbia who thinks Smelley is the better quarterback?

If Stephen misses several “open players down field” forcing him to leave the pocket too often, isn’t that still much better than six picks in two games and 15 in eleven? How many starting SEC quarterbacks have FIVE multiple interception games this season?

Garcia has never thrown more than one in a game. Smelley has thrown two in a game four times and four against Clemson. Four of those five games were losses. Okay, it’s actually three of those five, but I call it four because Smelley LOST the Kentucky game until some other kid who runs out of the pocket too much came in and saved the game.

Here’s another point in Garcia’s favor…

There’s no facts to back this up, but what the hey, it’s a BLOG. I get to talk to these kids every day, you all get to see them every weekend, am I the only one who thinks the offense responds to Garcia’s excitement? They’d never admit it if you ask them, but the difference is obvious. You can hear it in their voice. You can see it in their bounce.

I completely understand that Stephen Garcia made some mistakes when he got here. I understand that his ego was extremely inflated by guys like me, you, the televisions – all of us, but… has the young man not paid his penance yet? He’s apologized seemingly 100 times. He’s stayed out of trouble. What more is there to do?

For those who want to support Coach Spurrier on this, think… Remember, I’m the guy who supports everything a coach does. Heck, I’m the guy who stuck up for Dave Odom a year ago, but the same Coach we have today told everyone only a few weeks ago that “Stephen looks over at us every play. Chris doesn’t look over. We keep telling him we might be able to give him something better when we see the defense, but he doesn’t do it.”

If Garcia has the better arm, the respect to look over for help, the ability to scramble, a better TD/Int ratio, the fans hearts and possibly more support from team mates, than why is this still an issue?

I don’t mean anything disrespectful to Chris Smelley. He comes across as an honest young man. As a matter of fact, I thought his post game interview after the Clemson debacle was handled like a true man. He walked out of the locker room, took the heat, looked us all in the eyes and said, “This one is on me.”

Unfortunately though, this BLOG entry is not about who is the more responsible man. This BLOG entry is about who is the better quarterback.

I promise to get out of my arm chair. While doing so, I concede that Steve Spurrier knows libraries of information more than I when it comes to football. I hate doing it. This time though, I think it’s obvious.

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Dabblin' With the CockSpur: In Defense of Jay Phillips

Doug Nye, columnist for The State newspaper, ruffled some feathers last Thursday morning when he decided to contest comments made Wednesday during “The Halftime Show” (in my humble opinion the best damn radio show Columbia has to offer).

Phillips, like he normally does, stated his concern for the thousands of fans who leave Gamecock facilities early – a concern Jay and I share vehemently.

In his article, Nye stated several reasons for the early exit.

He stated the obvious when discussing the Fair traffic and Sunday church. He ranted on about his gazillion years as a Gamecock fan and his ability to predict when a game is “over.” I guess he didn’t attend the Tennessee game when Hank Campbell made “the tackle” to preserve a victory. He’s never heard the legendary Brandon Bennett "over the top" call by Larry Munson. He obviously did not attend “the fade” game against Mississippi State.

What Jay Phillips was stating, a sentiment I share, covered several concerns:

These are impressionable young men who feed off the crowd. Watching thousands leave only helps them “give in” to defeat (whether a conscious decision or not).

With so many high profile recruits in the house, I can guarantee at least one of them thought, “Damn, I was at school X last weekend and their fans stayed until the game was over.”

Who was that one? None of us know – until Signing Day, that is.

I commend Jay for standing up for the team. After all, these are not pro athletes (a popular reason why NCAA athletics have exploded in popularity over the last 50 years). These are kids who feed off our support, appreciate our support and look forward to having another opportunity to make us cheer.

As for the traffic, c’mon, that’s part of the experience – part of the atmosphere.

Next time you decide to “beat the traffic” tell yourself this, “I love my team. Am I the person making one of those recruits change his mind?”

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Olivieri Blog: Dabblin’ With the Cockspur… Hindsight is what it is.

Taking a look at the schedule now that Vanderbilt has proven to be a worthy opponent, things don’t seem so bad after all.

I hate to be the guy everyone accuses of “drinking the punch” or looking through those ever so popular “rose colored glasses,” but here are the facts:

South Carolina put a whoopin’ on an ACC team to open the season. Was it an ugly whoopin’? It was, in deed, but it was still a good old fashion trip behind the woodshed.

In the next game, the Cocks took to the road and hung in there with a team who is now 4-0, in the Top 25 and beaten plenty of ranked opponents in the last few years. News flash, y’all… This ain’t your Daddy’s Vandy.

Game three brought the second ranked team in the land to the Brice and almost sent them home packing.

Game four was against one of the craziest offenses I’ve ever seen. Ellis Johnson told everyone in the week leading up to the game, “Wofford is going to get their yardage.”

Yet still, the Gamecocks pulled out the victory like the better team usually does.

My point is this: This team is pretty darn good and could still lay a smack down on more than one or two opponents. When we consider the “stars” of the team are mostly Sophomores – they are only going to get better.

How many great seniors are on this team?

How many great seniors will be on this team in two years?

Exactly my point…

Going down the depth chart, the sophomore class is everywhere. These are not simply “run of the mill” players either.

Dion LeCorn
Joe Hills
Jarriel King
Hutch Eckerson
Weslye Saunders
Patrick DiMarco
Brian Maddox
Clifton Geathers
Ladi Ajiboye
Cliff Matthews
Chris Culliver

Now, look at the freshmen (including the red shirts):

Jason Barnes
Stephen Garcia
Eric Baker
Byron McKnight
Akeem Auguste
Spencer Lanning

That’s a list of 17 players who all have played large roles already this season.

If guys like Eric Norwood, Jared Cook, Freddie Brown, Garrett Anderson, Nathan Pepper, Darian Stewart, Emanuel Cook, and Captain Munnerlyn return next season this squad has all the makings to do special things.

Considering the state of the program when Coach Spurrier took over, that’s damn well impressive. No disrespect to Coach Holtz, but I think we can all admit he stayed two years too many.

As for the perceived slow start, look where the Gamecocks rank in some important categories.

In the Red Zone, both offensively and defensively the Gamecocks are ranked sixth out of 12 teams in the SEC.

Through four games, the Gamecocks have the longest drive in the SEC – 18 plays against Wofford.

Their six passing touchdowns are tied for the lead in the SEC thus far.

They’ve allowed only one passing touchdown through four games – tied for the SEC’s best with Florida.

The passing offense is third in the SEC at 226.5 yards per game.

Pass defense is not only numero uno in the SEC, but also in the nation.

They are fourth out of 12 in kickoff returns behind three Eastern division teams (UF, UT, UK).

They rank ninth nationally in total defense allowing 225 yards per game. That’s one yard less than their passing attack.

They are first in the SEC with 88 first downs, while they’ve only allowed 56 for the opponent – good for sixth in the conference.

With nine sacks, the Gamecocks rank fourth in the SEC.

The Cocks are fourth in third down conversions at 44.2%.

On fourth down, the Gamecocks are ranked second behind Alabama, converting at an 83.3% clip.

Things are not all that bad in Columbia. Actually, considering the competition and the age of the young men on the field – things are looking bright.

Everyone relax. Not even four full years into the Spurrier Era and things are heading in the right direction. The Head Ball Coach has stated his desire for a mobile quarterback and he’s about to hand the reigns to one this week.

Of the eight games remaining on the schedule, seven are winnable without shocking anyone. Sure LSU is tough and Phil Full“up my plate again”mer has had our number, but both have to travel to Columbia this year where anything is possible.

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