SB Nation User Blog: cocknfire

Happy Independence Day from Team Speed Kills

cocknfire — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 10:05:39 -0000

Happy Independence Day!

Take a moment to remember what we're celebrating today. Around 233 years ago -- the Continental Congress voted for independence on July 2 and approved the Declaration of Independence on July 4, most of them signing it later -- a group of men literally put their lives on the line to endorse this country's existence. It was not an easy journey from there, either; there were grave doubts for many years that America would endure.

One of my favorite Independence Day stories comes from July 4, 1826. Thomas Jefferson and John Adams had finally repaired their friendship, which had been left in tatters by political battles in the late 1790s and early 1800s. Both lie on their deathbeds on that day in 1826. Adams' final words were reportedly "Thomas Jefferson survives."

If that's what he said, he was wrong, because Jefferson was already dead.

Others say the only intelligible final words were "Thomas Jefferson." That one works for me just as well. Maybe better.

SEC 2009 // The Last Savior We Had Around Here Didn't Do So Well

cocknfire — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 08:05:23 -0000

I have to admit that, after I look at Spurrier's success at South Carolina over his first four years, I was little bit taken aback by a later Dr. Saturday piece. Not exactly what the Doctor says; most of it is a solid attempt to question Spurrier's claim that his first four years were the best four years of South Carolina history. My previous piece had been about Spurrier's first four years compared to the first four years of previous head coaches, and those findings still stand: Spurrier has been the most successful coach during his first four years at South Carolina in nearly 50 years.

What jumped out at me, though, was the Doc's chart. It pretty clearly showed that this was no "golden age" for the Gamecocks, something that took me by surprise. Part of this, of course, is because my Gamecock fandom is relatively short-lived; I never really paid attention to South Carolina until I decided to attend in 1998. My first season on campus was a disastrous 1-10 campaign, followed by an utterly embarrassing 0-11 mark.

But let's look a little more closely at the Gamecocks' winning percentage just in the SEC, which strips away a nonconference schedule that can vary widely from year to year.

And herein lies the reason that some South Carolina fans feel better about the program now than they did before Spurrier came -- no huge peaks, but no deep valleys either. The Head Ball Coach has brought a semblance of consistency to Columbia -- something at which Sparky Woods never got a chance and at which Brad Scott and Lou Holtz failed.

Ah, Lou Holtz. The last "savior" of the Gamecocks.

Questioning Lou Holtz can be a dangerous place for a blogger, particularly one who covers South Carolina, to be. Holtz's relative success -- the climb in the average winning percentage doesn't lie -- gained him quite a bit of goodwill in Columbia. It is not out of the question that, had he decided to run for governor in 2002, he might have had greater success than he had at running the football team that year. (Coincidentally, this would have presumably saved South Carolina the whole Argentinian mistress affair. Win-win proposal.)

If the question is, "From a win-loss perspective, did Holtz leave South Carolina in a better position than when he got there?", the answer is, "Yes." But a program, of course, is more than rolling four-year averages. It is a sense of direction, both on the field and off. And going from 0-11 to 8-4, then 9-3, 5-7, 5-7 and 6-5 -- with conference marks of 0-8, 5-3, 5-3, 3-5, 2-6, 4-4 -- leaves a mixed bag at best and a sense that things have stalled or started back down at worst.

But there were also problems off the field, some of which drew national attention, some of which didn't. Discipline had almost entirely broken down, the most obvious symptom of that being the season-ending brawl with Clemson in 2004. Most non-South Carolina fans, though, didn't follow what happened after the players were told they would not be attending a bowl; in the end, six players were charged with stealing $18,000 worth of items from the athletics department. [EDITOR'S NOTE: Second item in link.]

And then came the situation with South Carolina's nutrition program during the Holtz Administration, nicely summed up in this sentence from a story about Spurrier's first days in Columbia: "Keeping his Gamecocks away from fried chicken could be as big a job as turning them into consistent SEC winners." Yes, players under Holtz were apparently allowed to wander over to a fast-food establishment across the street and order up some fried chicken when they felt the urge.

Finally, the NCAA sanctions came down for five major violations -- making South Carolina the third school punished for breaking the rules in the wake of Holtz's time there. Holtz's response to the NCAA decision -- which he presumptuously ordered a reporter to print in full -- was typically self-serving. He pretended to take responsibility for one of the violations while throwing everyone else under the bus. His excuse for the violation he pretended to take responsibility for was that he was trying to keep athletes from dying. If you doubt me, follow the link above; I couldn't make that up if I wanted to. (Holtz's assertion that South Carolina received "three years probation without any restrictions" is true only if you don't count a loss of two scholarships for two years each as restrictions.)

I could seem ungrateful for what Holtz did for South Carolina, and I shouldn't. While it's irksome, and typical, that he will be the first to tell you that Spurrier likely would not have come to Columbia had it not been for what Holtz accomplished -- well, he's probably right.

Spurrier, though, seems to have run a relatively clean ship. Some of his disciplinary decisions seem a little weak at times, but they are positively draconian compared to the repeated chances Holtz gave Derek Watson. And I feel pretty confident that the players aren't ordering fried chicken for lunch.

So if you ask me if I want the sugar rush of Lou Holtz's great two years followed by a three-year slump and the collapse of the program, or Steve Spurrier's more balanced accomplishments, I think I'll go for the latter.

It will be easier as Gamecocks fans to look ourselves in the mirror when he steps aside for the next man who will save South Carolina football.

NEXT WEEK: Georgia

MONDAY: South Carolina Leans on Hope, Again
TUESDAY: The Carolina Calendar
WEDNESDAY: Spurrier Meets with Two Students; Stephen Garcia -- and the Rest of the Depth Chart; Hope and Homerism
THURSDAY: Guessing the Gamecocks
EARLIER TODAY: A Gamecock's Mind

SEC 2009 // A Gamecock's Mind

cocknfire — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 02:52:09 -0000

For those who don't know, I ran Garnet and Black Attack, the South Carolina blog here on SB Nation, before launching Team Speed Kills. When I moved over here, GABA was placed in the more than competent hands of Gamecock Man, who has done a superb job at running the place. Gamecock Man agreed to answer a few questions as part of South Carolina week.

Is Stephen Garcia really "the guy"? And even if he is, do Gamecock fans really have faith in him to stay out of trouble through an entire season?

Tough questions; I guess it depends on what you mean by "the guy." In terms of arm strength, mobility, and other physical qualities, Garcia appears to have the tools to be a good SEC quarterback. He'll need to continue to improve his knowledge of the playbook and his decision-making skills, but I think that will come with experience. The results from spring practice sound promising in that regard. Therefore, I fully expect Garcia to be an improvement over Blake Mitchell and Chris Smelley, and I think he's fully capable of helping us get to 8-9 wins and a New Years Day Bowl, especially in his junior and senior seasons. If that's what you mean by "the guy," then yeah, I think Garcia is "the guy." If you mean someone that can be one of the nation's best quarterbacks, the kind of player that can elevate this offense to SEC-title caliber, then it's really almost impossible to say. Obviously, we'll get an idea of what his ceiling is like this year. If he dramatically improves and we have a very good year, then the expectations for 2010 will be sky high for Garcia and the Gamecocks. Sort of like what you see with Jevan Snead and Ole Miss this year. As far as his off-field behavior, I think most people think he's grown up. He seems to have matured and taken a leadership role on the team, which is a good sign. You of course never know with someone with his history, but I don't think he'll have any more problems of that sort.

The losses from last year's team that look most harmful are WR Kenny McKinley and TE Jared Cook. Does that sound about right to you, and do you worry about whether their replacements can fill the void?

Well, I might argue that the losses to the secondary (Emanuel Cook, Captain Munnerlyn, and Stoney Woodson) hurt more. McKinley and Cook were great players for us, certainly. However, I like Weslye Saunders as Cook's replacement and don't think we'll lose a beat from the TE spot. At WR, we have lots of talented players, such as Jason Barnes, Moe Brown, Dion LeCorn, and freshman Alshon Jeffery. One of these guys is going to have to step up and become the go-to guy; that will probably be Barnes or Brown, as LeCorn is more of a possession receiver and Jeffery is inexperienced. I think we'll see good production here, though; keep in mind that some of these guys played pretty well in McKinley's absence early last season. I also think we'll see a better running game this year, meaning that we won't have to have the passing game completely carry the offense, which was sometimes the case last year.

At secondary, we have some talented players in place to replace the guys we're losing, especially at safety. However, depth could be a huge problem if someone gets hurt. Remember how our defensive performance waned in 2007 after all the defensive injuries? That could happen again this year if guys like Darian Stewart and Chris Culliver get hurt.

A bigger deal this year: Beating Vanderbilt or beating Clemson?

Are you being serious? I expected better from you, C&F. It's gotta be Clemson. Losing to Vandy sucks, and having a losing streak to Vandy sucks even more, but I don't think most Gamecocks fans hate Vandy. I actually cheer for them when they're not playing us. It's just kind of embarrassing losing to them, and it's frustrating when you lose to them in the fashion that we have. The fact that we have more talent than them has been apparent in both games; the problem was inane decision making by our QBs in 2007 and weird special teams gaffes in 2008. Just frustrating. However, Vandy just doesn't inspire the kind of feelings in me that Clemson does. If I could enjoy the feeling I got after we beat Clemson in 2006, I think I could handle another loss to Vandy. The only possible argument one could make for Vandy here is if you imagine a scenario when losing to Vandy costs us a trip to Atlanta. I could probably stomach another loss to Clemson slightly better if I knew we were going to get a shot at the SEC Title. But teams that lose to Vandy usually aren't in the running for divisional championships, so this probably won't happen, anyways.

How many wins does Spurrier need this year to show progress, and what happens if he doesn't get there? Will he retire? Do you see any way the university could fire him if they decide it isn't working out?

I think he needs eight regular season wins and to finish in the upper half of the SEC East. Nine is possible, but unless we're much better than advertised and some of our opponents are much worse, I think it's hard to see us winning 10 or 11 with the schedule we have. If he wins eight, he'll have improved on previous totals. Moreover, as I said, there'll be high hopes for 2010. If Stephen Garcia comes through as the quarterback, this offense will be one of the best and most experienced in the conference in 2010. If he only wins seven, there will be some cause for concern, but with the schedule we have, it's a distinct possibility even if the team plays well.

As far as what he'll do if it doesn't happen, it's hard to say. He claims that he's in this for the long haul, that he recognizes the challenge of winning big here and wants to take that challenge the distance. I tend to take him at his word on that. However, he's not a young man anymore, so who's to say that he might not just decide he'd rather hang out on the beach and the golf course instead of dealing with the rigors of the SEC when he's not winning much?

Would the university fire him? Unless he has an atrocious year, I kind of doubt it. He has been fairly successful here compared to his predecessors. However, I actually wouldn't be against it -- depending on the circumstances -- if we only win five or six games. I think we have the resources here to do better than that, and I think we should hold our coaches to standards higher than that.

Do you disagree with anything we've said this week?

I think your predictions are pretty accurate. I might change the following:

9.19 :: vs. Florida Atlantic :: POSSIBLE WIN.

I'd call this a probable win. Florida Atlantic is good on offense, but I don't think they have enough defensive brawn to hold us back.

9.24 :: vs. Ole Miss :: PROBABLE LOSS

I'd call this a possible loss. That's probably because I like our home-field advantage here. I'm also not as high on Ole Miss as most people are.

10.3 :: vs. S.C. State :: POSSIBLE WIN

This is a win. SC State is a good FCS team, but don't expect much from them in this game.

11.28 :: vs. Clemson :: POSSIBLE WIN

This is a push. I'm guessing that's what you really think it is, too.

I also notice that you call Vandy a probable win and FAU and SC State possible wins. I think Vandy will be much tougher than FAU or SC State.

What I was getting at was that Florida Atlantic is a bigger threat as a trap game than Vanderbilt. And the Gamecocks, for whatever reason, always seem to play their worst games against FCS competiton. But Gamecock Man makes valid points.

Thanks to him for answering our questions.

Sprints Hopes Its Fireworks are Legal // 07.03.09

cocknfire — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 04:52:14 -0000

More photos » by Mark J. Terrill - AP

Yeah, you guys can probably go to the Rose Bowl again next year at 11-1 and wax another hapless Big Ten team so ESPN can say you deserve the national title.

Browse more photos »

A couple degrees of separation. Probably due at least in part to the impending holiday, there's not a ton of actual SEC news out there today. So let's take a look at some related items.

First up: Dr. Saturday sees an indication of leniency for the Trojans in the relatively weak penalties approved for FSU and Alabama.

If the Trojans are meant to be just an example, well, the Association had a chance to knock Alabama back into the Dubose era as a repeat repeat offender, and didn't take it. What incentive does it have to make those kinds of waves?

I would agree with the Doc that we should be cautious about drawing the conclusion that Southern Cal will become an example from what we have before us ... except there's a significant difference between what Florida State and Alabama did and at least some of the allegations against Southern Cal. After all, whatever you want to say about the Alabama and FSU, there were no allegations in their recent cases of money changing hands. Free textbooks and even academic fraud are one thing; allegedly paying for players or benefiting from players who are receiving payment is an order of magnitude worse.

The NCAA has come to be seen as a toothless tiger, and if they wanted to show themselves getting their sheriff on, the Southern Cal case would be a perfect example with a defensible reason for a worse punishment. "They did something much, much worse." But, like the Doc, I advise you to continue respirating as normal.

And it's here we go again with the ongoing battle about oversigning between Brian Cook and Alabama blogs. Even when Cook is taking on ... the South Florida Bulls?

The NCAA needs to step in here and make the letter of intent an actual commitment on the part of the school. Anyone you sign who does not end up on campus still counts as an occupied scholarship slot that year, and you can't sign a letter of intent until you are academically eligible.

I believe that Brian's heart is probably in the right place here, but if his concern is really for these borderline students, this is absolutely the wrong way to solve it. The result of a policy like that would at worst be that no top-tier program would recruit students on the verge of eligibility. Even at best, these players would end up being their last priority. If we're really concerned about these kids getting a chance to showcase their skills and (hopefully) get an education that they would otherwise miss along the way, there has to be another solution.

Meanwhile, in the spirit of open-minded and conciliatory dialogue, Capstone Report responds with "Brian Cook is lazy or a liar."

The very website Cook cites rates South Florida as "MORE SELECTIVE" with only 49.6% of applicants gaining admission. All Cook needed to do to discover this fact was to click one more link at US News & World Report. Or did he read that and just ignore it? For comparison, Tulane (ranked 51 by US News) accepts 44.4% of applicants and SMU (ranked 66) accepts 50.1% of applicants.

Of course, CR also says "[t]he Internet fails as a reliable forum for the exchange of information."

Which is a great thing to write -- in an item posted on the Internet. (HT for Cook vs. CR: Blutarsky)

If they don't get a quarterback, maybe they can just kick a lot
Lane Kiffin's latest RECRUITING coup: A commitment from a four-star kicker.

The Quad puts Kentucky at No. 61
And is exceptionally kind to last year's offense if you ask me.

The big key for this year’s team will be getting an improved performance out of its offense, which was pedestrian in 2008. I expect a better performance, mainly because of the eight returning starters, but also because the team looks to have more depth at the skill positions. Hopefully, this will allow U.K. to run the spread offense it used over the previous two seasons. I am worried about the defense, an obvious result of losing the majority of last year’s starters.

Pedestrian? 106th in total offense is pedestrian?

What does this mean for Petrino and Nutt?
Todd takes a look at the second year for coaches in the SEC, and finds that they do tend to make progress. But maybe not so much as Arkansas fans in particular might be looking for.

Since Georgia's out of the question ...
Two other SEC teams make The Rivalry, Esq.'s recommendations for Michigans 2010 opener: Arkansas and Mississippi State.

The Ballad of Tony Robinson
Rocky Top Talk carries a heart-breaking story of wasted potential, beautifully written by Pride of the Southland.

This does seem a bit odd
But it could be nothing.

Be nice
Rocky Top Talk is hosting a contest to build your own Tennessee uniforms.

Oops
Before you go making statements under oath, you probably want to make sure you're not suggesting that your athletics association lied to the IRS.

However, tax returns filed by the UK Athletics Association tell a different story, listing Gillispie as the organization's highest-paid employee. The 2007 return lists Gillispie's salary as more than $1.2 million, with contributions to employee benefit plans and deferred compensation of $293,524. ...

Failure to give accurate information in such filings with the Internal Revenue Service could risk the organization's tax-exempt status. ...

In the federal court case, which alleges that the athletics association owes Gillispie $6 million for firing him two years into a seven-year agreement, UK President Lee Todd filed a statement saying, "There was no signed writing between Billy Gillispie and UKAA, and no oral offer or transaction to which UKAA was a party."

Except, you know, being Gillispie's employer.

George Drake leaves Vandy basketball team
Vanderbilt Sports Line:

This is pretty unusual for a 5th year senior, but to be honest, it may be best for George. With the addition of John Jenkins, there really aren't that many minutes left for him in our backcourt.

Drew Pomeranz Ks 17 Guatemalans
International sports create great headlines.

Yeah, but they kept crossing the offensive line way too easily
Team USA continues winning in the football Junior World Championship (you're surprised?), defeating Mexico 55-0 to move to the finals.

SEC 2009 // Guessing the Gamecocks

cocknfire — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 04:58:49 -0000

C&F's predictions for the South Carolina Gamecocks.

Finish: 3rd, SEC East

General: No matter how much he might try to protest otherwise, this is likely a make-or-break year for Steve Spurrier in Columbia. Not that a 7-5 record is likely to get him fire, though it's not out of the question that it could lead him to quit. But most coaches have at least given some indication by the fifth year about whether they can win a conference title. The talk of youth obscures the flip side of that equation, namely that this could be a chance for Spurrier and his coaches to start over. The Gamecocks should at least play better this year, if for no other reason than that it would be difficult for a team with the recruiting years they've had and the talented coaches they have to play any worse. I'm not sure it will make much of a difference in the record, though.

More specific: It's not impossible to sketch out a nine-win season for South Carolina, though it's incredibly difficult: Sweep the conference pushes and non-conference schedule and pull off an upset, most likely against Georgia. In the process, though, they can't lose any of the minefield games on the slate (N.C. State, Vanderbilt, Clemson). Any scenario for 10 or more wins is laughable. Eight wins is more plausible -- a loss in one of the minefield games and pulling an upset -- but still hard to see. Either "dream season" requires absolutely nothing to go wrong for the Gamecocks, something that rarely happens for any football team. To some extent, South Carolina is a victim of timing here, pulling two of the strongest teams in the West and missing out on the one remaining conference cupcake (Mississippi State). I'm giving them third in the division because I think they're more likely to defeat Tennessee than Arkansas.

Game-specific:

9.3 :: at N.C. State :: POSSIBLE WIN

9.12 :: at Georgia :: POSSIBLE LOSS

9.19 :: vs. Florida Atlantic :: POSSIBLE WIN

9.24 :: vs. Ole Miss :: PROBABLE LOSS

10.3 :: vs. S.C. State :: POSSIBLE WIN

10.10 :: vs. Kentucky :: POSSIBLE WIN

10.17 :: at Alabama :: LIKELY LOSS

10.24 :: vs. Vanderbilt :: PROBABLE WIN

10.31 :: at Tennessee :: PUSH

11.7 :: at Arkansas :: PUSH

11.14 :: vs. Florida :: LOSS

11.28 :: vs. Clemson :: POSSIBLE WIN

Final record: 7-5, 3-5 SEC East

MONDAY: South Carolina Leans on Hope, Again
TUESDAY: The Carolina Calendar
WEDNESDAY: Spurrier Meets with Two Students; Stephen Garcia -- and the Rest of the Depth Chart; Hope and Homerism
TODAY: Predictions
FRIDAY: Feedback and Conclusions

Poll

The Gamecocks SEC record in 2009 will be ...

Sprints Would Take a Home-and-Home with Michigan // 07.02.09

cocknfire — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 04:11:51 -0000

More photos » by Jerry S. Mendoza - AP

Probably the only Dawg heading to Michigan to play football any time soon.

Browse more photos »

Scheduling conflict. It was an interesting rumor while it lasted, anyway.

Some sources tell me that the Athletic Department is looking into a home game against the University of Georgia in 2010, one that would also bring the Wolverines to Athens in 2011.

Big Ten hearts, in particular, seemed aflutter with the news. Bama Hawkeye at The Rivalry, Esq., hoped it would lead to some version of his Big Ten-SEC challenge. (I might not agree with all his matchups, but I love the idea.)

Alas, though, anyone familiar with Georgia's schedule knew such a game was virtually impossible, and the rumor quickly made its way around the Dawgosphere, from which it emerged in tiny pieces.

For one thing, even if Georgia wanted to do all the schedule rearranging necessary to make room for the home-and-home, it would be massively cost-prohibitive.

Do you think that Georgia is going to pay the cancellation fees to end one game with Colorado and two games with Louisville just to play Michigan? That seems pretty expensive.

David Hale, someone who actually did talk to people in an athletics department (Georgia's, in this case), found the rumor lacking any credibility -- at least for the moment.

Simply put, there doesn't seem to be a lot of logic to it. Now, does that mean there aren't talks in the works for a series further down the road? That may be, but I would be shocked if this happened for 2010 or 2011.

The Mayor, who has previously swapped e-mails with Bill Martin on the subject (they have the Internet on yachts?), is even less optimistic.

Having openly agitated for such an arrangement in the past, and having thought we were close to getting a deal done at one point, I had my hopes dashed and I now believe the Bulldogs and the Wolverines will never meet outside of a Sunshine State bowl game.

I'll give Georgia a pass on this one, since the Dawgs are one of the best SEC teams about taking on other BCS-league competition. And Michigan used to avoid games with FCS teams, until two years ago, when the scheduled Appalachian State. We all know how that turned out.

But there are some other SEC teams (coughcoughKentuckycoughcough) who could stand to play some stronger schedules. Maybe not with the team from Ann Arbor -- but would Iowa be too much to ask?

Seven scholarship linebackers?
Auburn is getting very, very thin on defense.

Alshon Jeffery gets the okay
Hooray academic shortcuts.

Worse than 3-2?
Jerry makes the case that, in some ways, Auburn-Tennessee was last year in his continuing "Review of DEATH."

The two teams combined for 417 total yards (yes, 14 yards fewer than the Miss. St. game), an average of 3.7 yards-per-pass-attempt, nearly as many punts (19) as first downs (24), and a mind-blogging seven consecutive three-and-outs in the second half.

Imagine a world where that goal-line fumble doesn't happen. Auburn ends up a truly dreadful 4-8 and Tennessee goes bowling. Does that save Phil Fulmer? Doubt it. But it's interesting to think about.

Could this year's Alabama defense be as good as 1992's
Relatively speaking, yes, says Dr. Saturday.

The Doc also sees a 6-6 Arkansas
Slightly less optimistic than myself, far less optimistic than some Arkansas fans.

What could I possibly add?

Former Vol backup quarterback Jim Bob Cooter is facing aggravated burglary charges after allegedly getting into bed with a woman after climbing through a window of her Fort Sanders apartment, according to an arrest warrant as published on WVLT-TV's Web site.

Renardo Sidney interview scheduled for next week
So it did end up delayed, if only by a few days.

DawgsOnline tackles the Director's Cup standings
He points out that fans are more interested in, um, sports than the other stuff.

So from the point of view of a business, things are great. Meanwhile, fans are most concerned with what’s happening on the field. Business is athletics, and teams are judged not by revenue or graduation rates but by wins and titles.

And random fans in Montana, according to Stewart Mandel.

FSU says vacating wins is "unfair"
Sort of like playing with ineligible athletes?

SEC 2009 // Hope and Homerism

cocknfire — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 09:08:34 -0000

Usually, I see my South Carolina allegiance as something of an advantage in writing the content for this site. With the Gamecocks so rarely in contention for anything of note in football, I can look with a somewhat objective eye at the major conference powers. Sure, some are more disliked by those of us clad in Garnet and Black (coughcoughGeorgiacoughcough), but it's not like we have any real affinity for Alabama or (if they return to prominence) Tennessee.

This week, though, is different. And more than a little bit difficult

See, if there's one thing we South Carolina fans have, it's an undying fountain of hope. And sometimes life strings us along, handing us a 6-1 season and a No. 6 ranking, only to dash all those dreams again. But we keep coming back for more.

In many ways, it's not that different than any other fan base. In other ways, it is. The payoffs don't come quite as often when you cheer for a team like South Carolina -- but, oh, the celebration we're going to have if that payoff ever comes -- that'll be worth it all.

That's not ideal, though, when it comes to making predictions on one of the oddest blogs on SB Nation. We have no team allegiance here -- this is not supposed to be a South Carolina blog, but one for the whole SEC. So what do I do with my tradition of never choosing Clemson (or "The Team from the Upstate" as I call them on Garnet and Black Attack) to win the year-end clash? This year, it's not too tough a decision, since a "possible win" for South Carolina isn't a wild call. But what about other judgments, like where to put them in the division or how many wins to project?

My hope, of course, is that I can deliver the preview of the Gamecocks with as little bias as possible. My other hope is that you will keep me honest. If you see some favoritism slip in tomorrow -- or ever -- let me know.

I might not agree with you, of course. Hope springs eternal for a Gamecock fan in July.

MONDAY: South Carolina Leans on Hope, Again
TUESDAY: The Carolina Calendar
EARLIER TODAY: Spurrier Meets with Two Students; The Depth Chart
THURSDAY: Predictions
FRIDAY: Feedback and Conclusions

SEC 2009 // Stephen Garcia -- and the Rest of the Depth Chart

cocknfire — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 07:28:19 -0000

Not to put too fine a point on it -- everyone who has even bothered to preview the 2009 South Carolina Gamecocks has touched on this -- but a simple graph will explain the most important position on Steve Spurrier's depth chart this summer.

A note about the graph: I've already inverted the passing ranks -- i.e., 26 really means the Gamecocks were 93rd out of 119 programs in 2008 -- so that downward trend is indeed a negative sign.

Turning those numbers around is Stephen Garcia's challenge.

But the other concern about South Carolina's tentative depth chart (PDF) is the relative lack of experience. Couting both sides of the ball, 11 starters (by Phil Steele's count) return from a team that went 7-6 with a loss to Vanderbilt and uninspiring wins against dreadful UAB and FCS team Wofford. And then lost seven draft picks. For the other USC, losing seven draft picks is no big deal. For this one ...

Then again, the situation might not be quite as bleak as it looks. Rodney Paulk, who takes over at MLB for Jasper Brinkley, had 22 starts in 2006 and 2007, so he could be counted as a seventh returning starter on defense. He might be no Jasper Brinkley, but then J-Brink really wasn't what many expected in his return last season from injury (65 tackles, 5 for losses, including 2.5 sacks). There is only one true freshman listed as a first-team player (highly regarded CB Stephon Gilmore) and one redshirt freshman (RG T.J. Johnson). Yes, the Gamecocks lost a good deal of starters, but they aren't exactly green.

On the offensive side of the ball, the concerns are Garcia and the offensive line. Line coach Eric Wolford takes over to try to fix a problem that exacerbated the passing and rushing troubles for the Gamecocks last year -- in other words, the entire offense. There is only one stated battle on the depth chart -- at LG, between Terrence Campbell and Lemuel Jeanpierre. But South Carolina has shown no hesitation in the past about shuffling the line if necessary, and listed backups like Quintin Richardson could see a substantial amount of playing time.

Some have already questioned how long Garcia will have before he gets the hook. The answer is "quite a while," but not because Spurrier has suddenly developed patience. He simply has no choice. Reid McCollum, Zac Brindise and Aramis Hillary, for all the promise they have shown in practice or are expected to show in the future, are not viable options for full-time replacements this year if Garcia goes south. If Spurrier is forced to go to his bench, the season might already be in trouble. Gilmore could see action at QB in some Wildcat-type formations.

As for the other skill positions: WR and TE spots are distributed among players who need to live up to the occassional flashes of brilliance (Moe Brown, Jason Barnes and Dion LeCorn at WR; Weslye Saunders at TE); RB might actually improve with Brian Maddox taking over for the much-maligned Mike Davis. Not that improvement from a 3.5 ypc average has to be something to write home about.

On defense, the return of Eric Norwood after his brief flirtation with the draft will bolster the unit, as will Paulk. But some of the younger players will have to step up, notably in the secondary. Coaches would prefer Darian Stewart, currently listed as the starter at SS, to play the hybrid Spur position. However, they don't appear willing to weaken the secondary to do it as long as there remains another acceptable candidate. Alonzo Winfield is the starter if Stewart stays put.

All of that is moot, though, if Garcia disappoints. This team lives and dies with him.

MONDAY: South Carolina Leans on Hope, Again
TUESDAY: The Carolina Calendar
LATER TODAY: Hope and Homerism
THURSDAY: Predictions
FRIDAY: Feedback and Conclusions

SEC 2009 // Spurrier Meets with Two Students

cocknfire — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 08:32:36 -0000

[SCENE: A classroom. Two students are seated at desks as STEVE SPURRIER stands at the front of the room.]

STEVE SPURRIER: Now, listen up, you two -- I'm going to coach both of you up. Gonna give you some ideas, this and that and the other, 'bout what you've been doing wrong. I've been in both of your positions before, done 'em both for a long time, so on and so forth, so I hope you'll listen. Like right now, Stephen. STEPHEN!

STEPHEN GARCIA: [Hides something under the desk.] Sorry, coach.

STEVE SPURRIER: What do you think you were doing?

STEPHEN GARCIA: Um, having a rubber band war.

STEVE SPURRIER: Really, you're 21. [Turns to his other student.] And you're 34.

LANE KIFFIN: Won't happen again.

[As SPURRIER turns around for a moment, KIFFIN mocks him. "Mou're mirty-mour."]

STEPHEN GARCIA: Pssst. Lane. You ever set off a fire extinguisher in a dorm room? It's wild, man.

LANE KIFFIN: Actually, I did that last year. [GARCIA looks puzzled.] It was a RECRUITING stunt. Turns out that's a secondary violation, too.

[Both of them suddenly turn to see SPURRIER glowering at them.]

STEVE SPURRIER: You 'bout done with your private conversation, so on and so forth? [Both nod compliantly.] Good. Now, Lane, your whole problem is you don't have the creativity, the pizazz, whatever. "Urban had to cheat to get him"? C'mon. Even if that was true, it's not very good.

LANE KIFFIN: Kind of like South Carolina.

STEVE SPURRIER: Son, you wanna see my Heisman Trophy?!? You wanna see my SEC rings?!? Do ya?!?

STEPHEN GARCIA: And if you're good, he might show you the scorecard from when he finally golfed par at Augusta the other day. [Looks at SPURRIER.] Sorry, coach.

STEVE SPURRIER: Anyway, what you need is a little more effort. Want to take a shot at Florida? Just say, "At least we don't have as many secondary violations as they have arrests." Anybody from Alabama gets onto ya, you go, "They can be sure to do everything by the book in Tuscaloosa because everybody's got a book. Even people who aren't supposed to." [Realizes something is going on.] What are you doing?

LANE KIFFIN: [Lowers a straw.] What spitball war?

[SPURRIER begins rubbing both temples, as if trying to get rid of a bad vision.]

LANE KIFFIN: You know, I've found people pay more attention to you if you take your shirt off.

STEPHEN GARCIA: Dude, I'm not sure I want to see that.

STEVE SPURRIER: Now, Stephen, this is exactly the problem you've been having. You've got to keep your focus. Whether you're out there on the field, pitchin' the ball around, Fun 'n' Gun, Cock 'n' Fire, whatever we're callin' it these days, or whether you're in your dorm room, doing -- doing whatever you're doing when you're not setting off fire extinguishers.

STEPHEN GARCIA [to KIFFIN, with pride]: That's like my Hall of Fame moment.

LANE KIFFIN: Yeah. Well, mine was when I pissed off an entire town.

STEVE SPURRIER: Know what? Just forget it. I'm going to go work on my putting.

[He exits.]

STEPHEN GARCIA: Want to go egg his car?

LANE KIFFIN: [Pulls out a carton.] I'm one step ahead of you, bud.

FIN

MONDAY: South Carolina Leans on Hope, Again
TUESDAY: The Carolina Calendar
LATER TODAY: The Depth Chart; Hope and Homerism
THURSDAY: Predictions
FRIDAY: Feedback and Conclusions

Sprints Is Not Going to Online Camp This Year // 07.01.09

cocknfire — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 05:43:32 -0000

You see that? July is here, meaning college football is even closer and the SEC Media Days are three weeks away. This year, it should be more fun than ever.

This edition of Sesame Street brought to you by the letters H, B and C. Steve Spurrier -- who would have you know that he now prefers "Head Ball Coach" to "Ol' Ball Coach" -- now has an online football camp for children. Watch as SOS throws footballs that shoot off stars! Watch as he tries to get through the introductory video without laughing.

If you actually want to see the camp for reasons passing understanding, go here. (HT: Orlando Sentinel)

This is disappointing
Not just because Janoris Jenkins' initial brush with police was for a charge which "the facts do not support," but because I generally hate to see affray charges dropped. It's fun to say affray.

In any case, this does raise some questions about why Jenkins had to be Tasered. Gator Clause lays out similar issues here.

Just be careful
And The Valley Shook highlights the "5 Players LSU Can't Afford to Lose to Injury."

Doc Saturday: Get off the lawn
He seems quite agitated at those of us who reported the faux commitment of Evan Berry to the Vols.

How the Berry story got out
That said, it was a bit ridiculous that it got so much traction. ESPN had it on their ticker?

Not sayin'
But the South Carolina athletics official in charge of the hated personal seating license plan resigned today. No reason given.

Cheese Puff Previews? For West Virginia?
Though Jerry does have this very legitimate point:

Auburn may not win, but as long as Stewart's there, I'll always believe they've got a shot.

Just keep your eye on your couch in case they don't.

There are so many of them
Mark Story weighs the chances of Kentucky breaking some of their streaks of mediocrity.

Mississippi State fans hold out hope for 2062
Nico2.0 takes a look at Bama's all-time record against its opponents this year.

The Gamecocks can wear fuschia, for all I care
Blackouts still not popular amongst the Rocky Top faithful.

Monday's "Tough Question" on the Sports Page radio show on WNML 99.1 FM, 990 AM, was: "If wearing black jerseys could guarantee UT football 10 wins this season, would you be for it?''

Many callers were torn.

Torn? I have to agree with Joel -- changing uniform colors is not that big a deal.

Ratings records for the College World Series
Does this mean more regular-season broadcasts? I wouldn't hold your breath.

Bruce Pearl gets contract extension, raise
Deal is for six years and 15 percent more.

Anthony Grant denies being Batman
Of course. Batman can never reveal his true identity.

GSB ponders the recent track of UGA athletics
They appear to be losing ground to Florida and LSU.