FACEOFF: Will rotating quarterback s help or hurt USC?By Ken Burger (Contact)
The Post and Courier
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
 The Gamecocks need to have a leader in the huddle I'm not sure Steve Spurrier has one quarterback, much less two. The biggest surprise is that Spurrier, college football's offensive guru, is into his fourth season at South Carolina without a trustworthy quarterback. Where's the recruiting? Sapakoff's take: These Gamecocks will benefit from competition 
AP South Carolina QB Chris Smelley went 4-2 last season as a starter. For some reason the USC coach pinned this year's hopes and dreams on the back of Tommy Beecher, only to see the redshirt freshman perform poorly in the season opener against N.C. State. The 34-0 victory helped soothe the fact that Beecher was a bust, mainly because the offensive line couldn't or wouldn't block for him. Five sacks helped emphasize that fact. Late in the game, when Beecher got knocked silly, Spurrier reluctantly inserted backup Chris Smelley who promptly generaled the team to three straight touchdowns. For some reason, the line started blocking for him. Or, the Wolfpack defense lay down. Either way, the word is out that South Carolina is questionable at quarterback, which is like chum in the water for SEC defenses. Even if the answer is troubled freshman Stephen Garcia, which I doubt, the Gamecocks could present a tougher image if they had one true leader in the huddle instead of confusion in the ranks.
Reach Ken Burger at kburger@postandcourier.com or (843) 937-5598. |
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Comments
This article has 11 comment(s)
Posted by carolinadude on September 2, 2008 at 8:24 a.m. (Suggest removal)
"The word is out that SC is questionable at QB".
Mr. Burger has a short memory or wasn't around for the 1984 Gamecock season under Joe Morrison. That was the finest season for the Gamecocks which saw them go undefeated and ranked in the top 5 nationally until the last game of the season when they had a breakdown against Navy. During that "storybook season", Morrison consistently used two fine quarterbacks, Allen Mitchell and Mike Hold, to dazzle opposing defenses with sort of a "change of pace/tempo" in almost every game during the season. I don't remember if either Mitchell or Hold went an entire game. So Mr. Burger, your "sky is falling tabloid journalism" style does not wash with this Gamecock Fan. As a matter of fact, I'm rather offended by it. I really hate to admit that in this case, I'm in agreement with Sapakoff.
GO COCKS!!
Ron Turner
Summerville SC
Posted by bigriver1 on September 2, 2008 at 9:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Put the convict in, see what he can do. LOL.
VANDY 27
sc 3
Turner one season out of 108 makes sc the laughing stock of college football. Really, one season? Laughable.
Posted by lawrendm on September 2, 2008 at 9:29 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Once again, biased Berger. Where are his comments on the Tiger's loss?
Posted by Rebel_Yell on September 2, 2008 at 9:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Sapakoff and Burger should still be discussing their favorite Tiggers slide from perfection. 12-0!!!!! Great work Gene--you nailed that one. You two goofballs should be on the last page of my toilet paper roll along with Big StinkRiver because your opinions are foul. Let's get some writers for the P&C that have a connection to the SEC--where real football is played.
Posted by waterbug on September 2, 2008 at 9:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I'm not sure the P&C has one sports writer. Go back to what's left at Kittys Burger!!!!!
Posted by OldSalt on September 2, 2008 at 11:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Anyone who has read my posts knows that I bleed Garnet, but Burger is absolutely right on this one. If you had told me when Spurrier first came here that we would have QB problems after 4 years, I would have said Spurrier must have gone senile.
Nor would I have thought he would let a prize WR from Summerville go to Georgia or a prize DT from Fort D. go to Florida. Remember Smelley was a prize recruit we got from Alabama - and Garcia from Florida - so, my friends, (quoting John McCain), it's either bad evaluation of talent or bad coaching. I think it has to be the former. I cannot bring myself to believe it's the latter.
Posted by TTBoy on September 2, 2008 at 3:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)
the ol ball coach is here for free rounds of golf at Augusta Natl', not recruiting. Who's next in line for usc? Joe Pa?
Posted by youmanyo on September 2, 2008 at 3:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)
SEC--where real football is played ,just not by you clowns.
Posted by Rebel_Yell on September 2, 2008 at 3:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)
We just beat Ga, Florida and Tenn. when they were ranked in the top ten. Are you really calling Scar clowns after all the hype and the way your team played? You, my internet poster, are the clown. Now go back and cry in your corner until we tell you that you can come out. LOL -- you are the loser, get used to it.
Posted by youmanyo on September 2, 2008 at 3:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)
6-6
no bowl
lost to vandy hehe
barely beat unc
made Tebow and Mcafadden look like the greatest players in the history of college football
whats your record the last 10 years against REAL sec teams like Ga , Flordia , Tenn, LSU
Posted by JRob on September 3, 2008 at 12:11 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Guess the Tigs only want to talk about last season. Wonder why. Anyone? Cocks go for .500 record all-time on Thursday!