Major Success Requires a Healthy Marcus Lattimore
by Skulls and Spurs on Aug 30, 2011 10:43 AM EDT
in South Carolina Gamecocks Football
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PrintMarcus Lattimore is the most important player on the Gamecocks' roster. For South Carolina to have the kind of year the fans have been craving for decades, Lattimore must remain healthy throughout the season. I'm not suggesting that an injury to Stephen Garcia or Alshon Jeffery, or, say, Devin Taylor, wouldn't have its own impact, but no player is more critical to the success of the South Carolina Gamecocks than Marcus Lattimore.
Take last season, for instance. The Gamecocks finished 9-5. I firmly believe that had Lattimore been healthy for the entirety of the Kentucky and Florida State games, South Carolina would be coming off of an 11-3 season. Now, had we beaten Kentucky, we may have gone to a more prestigious bowl game and not have been playing against the Seminoles in Atlanta. Regardless, the latter illustrates how critical each game is and how important it is for Lattimore to escape injury and be healthy against legitimate competition for "the big year" to occur. There is no replacing his ability to gain yards on the ground. The good news is that he's added about fifteen pounds or more since last season in order to help him withstand the beating taken over the course of the season. It doesn't make him invincible, but it helps. The other pieces are in place. The Gamecocks are deep at WR, have a fifth-year senior QB and a serviceable backup, and possess one of the best defensive lines in the country to go along with a strong corps of guys behind them.
I've heard multiple fans express feelings of nerves about the approaching season. It's in our blood to worry that our hopes will be smashed, but, the truth is, we've never had this much talent accumulated at one time before. Don't be concerned about the team choking. The coaches have recruited well. Talent produces confidence. The team's worked hard in the offseason and knows what it's capable of. The only thing that can stop South Carolina from doing something special this year is something no one in this world can control - an injury bug. Perhaps I'm bringing up the obvious concern with this article, but it's a great boat to be in. Every title contending team that's ever won a championship has had this worry. It may have come in different terms, but it's been there, nonetheless. I worry much more when we've got to hope and pray for magic to happen against a couple of teams in order to get to a good bowl game. I'll take knowing we've got the talent to do something great and merely hope we stay healthy to wishing on a prayer that a less talented group of players can pull a rabbit out of a hat a few times in a given season. We're finally good, folks. We just need a healthy Lattimore to be great.
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Yeah I definitely agree that he's the most important player to keep healthy.
But I think a more important factor is the turnover margin. We have to hold onto the football on offense, eliminating Fumbles and Interceptions is the most important thing.
- FOW
Having Lattimore healthy will go a long way towards doing that, though.
If Lattimore is healthy, Garcia won’t have to win games for us with his arm. We’ll rely on Lattimore and won’t throw the ball as much. If Lattimore goes down, we’re forced to look downfield more often, and more turnovers may follow.
Garnet and Black Attack: A Blog By and For Gamecocks Fans.
by Gamecock Man on Aug 30, 2011 3:06 PM EDT up reply actions
It helps but doesn't guarantee.
Latti was healthy vs Arkansas and vs Auburn Part I and Part II. still had lots of turnovers, one was winnable, one was not. The Kentucky game, I might give you though. Garcia’s second INT was on the last offensive play of the game. And if he was healthy could have been different.
Smart play and holding onto the ball is so important.
- FOW
by skandrewj62j on Aug 30, 2011 3:14 PM EDT up reply actions
Ruffin held his weekly press conference yesterday, and had some nice things to say about the Gamecocks,
On South Carolina
“South Carolina is a really great football team. Coach [Steve] Spurrier has been there for seven years. You can tell by the team that the staff has been around for a while. Coach Spurrier has been able to recruit and get the folks he needs to fit his system. They fit what they want, not just on offense, which Coach Spurrier has always been known for, but on defense too. Ellis Johnson, a former Pirate coach and current defensive assistant coach, has some weapons on defense, too. They have a formidable group on that side of the ball.
“Offensively, you have to start with Stephen Garcia at quarterback. Coach Spurrier has always had fine quarterbacks. Garcia is that guy who can make the throws. Spurrier has adjusted his offense by adding in some designed quarterback runs now that he has a guy like Garcia. It’s just like we’ve done with our offense. We never had designed runs until Dominique Davis. Garcia can also make all the throws, too. He can throw the hash to sideline ball, the seam route and the long pass.
“He has a great target in Alshon Jeffery. Jeffery is a great football player. He’s not just a great receiver, but a strong football player. I remember watching film of him in high school when we were in Texas. He is a big young man who can run and catch the football. He’ll no doubt be a top NFL Draft choice. We have to make sure we have our calls right and are focused on him.
“A lot of people know Marcus Lattimore. He’s a great running back. Those three guys make up the skill positions you want.
“One thing you can’t forget when you watch film, like I have this morning, is their offensive line. T.J. Johnson, the center, is up for numerous awards. He’s the centerpiece of the offense, not just position wise, but in leadership. That group has been around each other for a while and does a great job. They have plenty of size and ability.
“Defensively, Devin Taylor is a guy who is mentioned quite a bit. That’s fitting because he’s very athletic. He’ll be one of the top players in the conference. Stephon Gilmore is a corner with size. Those two guys are really good players.
“In February they signed the top defensive player in the country in Jadeveon Clowney. By all reports, he’s just what they thought. He has skill and range. One thing Ellis Johnson and Lorenzo Ward, the defensive coordinator, now have on defense is the range and speed you need.
…..
“We’re facing a really good football team. They have all the pieces on the three sides of the ball. They’re picked to win the division, which would mean they would go to Atlanta where the Southeastern Conference championship game is held. Looking at the last five years, the national champion has come out of this league and that game.”
Here is the link.
Sorry for the wall of text.
Ruffin seems like a good dude...
…but did anyone else read that in Joe Morgan’s voice?
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by Gamecock'n'Balls on Aug 31, 2011 8:27 AM EDT up reply actions
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