THE DREADED PLAYERS-ONLY MEETING
Posted 12:05 p.m., December 4, 2008
COLA -- Stephen Garcia confirmed Thursday morning that the Gamecocks did have a players-only meeting Wednesday. Consider it USC's version of Football Festivus.
Grievances were aired. Pep talks were given. Pigeons were released. There were laughs, tears ...
All right, maybe not, but Garcia said the point was to lighten the overall mood after two deflating losses at Florida and Clemson and to excite (Garcia's FAVORITE word) everyone about the prospect of a New Year's Day bowl. It's not like that's happened too, too many times around here.
"Everybody was trying to get back excited about playing football," Garcia said. "I think everybody's excited. We want to get this bowl win."
Junior receiver Moe Brown called the meeting. Garcia said 10-15 players, including the quarterbacks Garcia and Chris Smelley, spoke at some point.
Garcia said the Clemson effort made it obvious that the Gamecocks (7-5) never got off the mat after Florida slammed them.
"I don't know. I guess (we never recovered)," he said. "The way we performed (at Clemson) wasn't good enough. We know that. It starts with the team. We've got to get excited again."
After the Clemson loss, Spurrier said some players' lack of effort might've had a direct correlation to their decision about whether to leave early for the NFL.
Tight end Jared Cook has become the posterchild on the subject. Several people associated with the team have said Cook lost faith in Smelley, who threw three first-half interceptions against the Tigers. Cook made that lack of faith vocal on the sideline, and that's where he ran into problems with the coaches.
Garcia said, as of now, he doesn't think anyone's thinking of the NFL. Just Tampa.
"They'll worry about that when the season's over," Garcia said.
Yes, you read all this correctly. ... Garcia was made available to the media today. You just had to be at the stadium in an hour's notice. Good thing the P&C bases me in Cola, huh?
For more on Garcia, the starter for USC's presumed Outback Bowl appearance, check out tomorrow's paper.
-- Th
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Comments
Posted by mightybt on December 4 at 1:52 p.m.
I have long felt that SOS keeps the screws tightened down too much. He's old school, but I think that he'd be better served in this day and age if he showed his players a little love.
He's quick to find fault or offer veiled (and un-veiled) criticism, and to show his disgust. I wish he would create a more relaxed atmosphere and encourage the players to go out there and "let it fly". Maybe this group of players can tactfully deliver that message. Couldn't hurt with the recruiting effort as well!
Posted by softbatch on December 4 at 1:52 p.m.
Will be interesting to see how this works out. They got 4 long weeks before the bowl game, with exams, winter break and Christmas in between.
Since you mentioned it, Festivus is the best Seinfeld episode of all time. Denim vest, Kramer's bagel job, Frank's story about George's doll, dinner at the Costanza's, the two faced woman.....classic.
Posted by thaney ( Travis Haney ) on December 5 at 10:09 a.m.
Mighty, I think you're right. This team played TIGHT at Clemson, despite the fact that it didn't have anything to lose overall. That Florida loss, Garcia mentioned, took a lot out of USC. In a lot of ways, it didn't properly heal mentally before the next time out.
Something Garcia mentioned about the team meeting: He said some players are afraid of making mistakes because of the wrath of their position coaches. And I don't think there's any question Chris Smelley falls into this category regarding Spurrier. With Garcia, I'm not so sure. Maybe sometimes, but I think he handles it better than Smelley. Probably because he's more confident in his skills.
But, again, you're right. He needs to let them play loose a little bit more. It's something that's sure working for Urban Meyer at Florida, and I think that's why Clemson played so well in the second half of the season. Dabo Swinney did a nice job of balancing fun and being serious -- and he did it in a tough time for the program.
-- Th
PS -- I can't be certain, but I think some ESPN on-air hump just called Houston Nutt "Lou."
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