End of the First Quarter: Thoughts
by Skulls and Spurs on Sep 18, 2011 10:12 AM EDT
in South Carolina Gamecocks Football
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PrintThe South Carolina Gamecocks are a quarter of the way through the regular season and the team's record is where we fans want it to be: 3-0. However, it's been a frustrating three wins. A terribly frustrating three wins.
Without Marcus Lattimore, South Carolina would be on its way to another mediocre season. Thankfully, Lattimore is a manchild with the football in his hands. His field vision is exceptional. His patience running the ball is impressive. His work ethic is inspiring. And, by all accounts and impressions, he's a fantastic young man. Like the rest of Gamecock Nation, I'm proud that he wears garnet and black. Statistically, Lattimore leads the FBS in rushing with 87 carries for 534 yards and 7 TDs. He's averaging over 6 yards per carry and 178 yards per game. A lot of those yards are earned on sheer will and effort.
As a 23-year-old, 5th-year-senior, Stephen Garcia is disappointing. Where Lattimore is ranked first in rushing, Garcia is ranked 98th in passing. He's thrown 3 picks to his 2 TD passes and has only thrown for 456 yards through 3 games. Last night against Navy, Garcia's stat line looked pretty good. However, what that stat line doesn't show is that somewhere around 80+% of those passes were thrown within 10 yards of the line of scrimmage. After five seasons in the program, he still struggles massively with long passes and, after showing signs of improvement regarding getting rid of the football when pressured, it's a sad day when the stadium erupts in cheer when its QB throws the ball out of bounds. WR Alshon Jeffery was visibly frustrated yesterday. Garcia's inability to get the ball down field is handicapping Jeffery's ability to do what he's capable of. The big WR can't help but wonder what kind of statistics he'd put up in an offense with a QB capable of helping him stretch the field. Garcia has had some impressive games in a Gamecocks uniform, but his career has been a rollercoaster of emotions. I admire his toughness on the field, but can't help but think that his off-the-field attitude over the course of his time in Columbia has hampered his own progression as a QB, thus doing the same for South Carolina. I'm not there and don't know what he does every day to get better, but it appears his improvement has been minimal over the past few years. The Gamecocks currently sit at 9th place in the SEC in passing offense and 11th in passing efficiency.
Past the front four on defense, South Carolina is in trouble. Our LB corps is too slow and our secondary continues to unimpress. I really don't know what more to say here. We've struggled to recruit high quality LBs and we're thin on depth and talent in the secondary. Antonio Allen, at Spur, has been fantastic, though. He shows up and makes big plays. Falling down after intercepting Navy's QB late in the fourth quarter showed a high football IQ. No sense in risking a fumble after the pick.
The fact that "this is our year" is making our struggles tough to bear. I am an admittedly harsh critic of the Gamecocks' play. I am a harsh critic of my own choices and actions, and, naturally, that extends to most things in my life. So, I'm not picking on our guys. I want them to excel. I want an SEC Championship. I'm scared, though. If we do not accomplish that feat this season, I fear we're years away from another shot. Coming into the season, the consensus was that this is the most talented team South Carolina has ever had. We have a fifth-year QB, a Heisman candidate at RB, one of the best WRs in the country, a (we thought) pretty good defense. Perhaps our/my hopes are too high. I didn't realize how far from a first tier defense Carolina was going to put on the field. I also expected Stephen Garcia to have his best year ever. Though that's still possible, his play to this point is certainly not evidence to that end. We'll likely lose Alshon Jeffery after this year. Possibly Devin Taylor and Stephon Gilmore as well. We'll be breaking in a new QB next season. Melvin Ingram and Travian Robertson will be gone. The time is now. We're 7-6, 7-6, 9-5 over the past three years. Because of the exceptional ability of Marcus Lattimore, we're likely to exceed those records, but should we be expecting to win the SEC? Not based on what I've seen so far. I don't see us winning it any time soon. Though the Gamecocks may be more talented than ever before, we're still behind the big powers and, in my opinion, we need outstanding and innovative coaching to win a championship. We're not getting that. The fact that the Gamecocks have improved since the arrival of Steve Spurrier is not in question. Whether or not we've jumped to the elite level, however, is just as factual. We're just not there. What you do is your choice, but I'm tempering my expectations until I've been given a reason to think we can clear the next hurdle.
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I found myself
calling for Connor Shaw after the first quarter. Granted, he didn’t do well in one quarter against ECU, but that’s just one quarter. Garcia has had 11 quarters now and has done little to impress outside of two good runs against ECU. Kind of telling when the best thing we can say about our QB is that he had a few good runs.
I too find myself frustrated with the defense. The D line is great but is having trouble living up to the hype as far as creating pressure. Maybe that’s because of the type of offenses we’ve played, but I’d like to see a higher number of sacks. Otherwise, outside of Allen, I’m unimpressed.
Maybe the bright spot so far is Jay Wooten
Wooten has certainly done his job when called on.
His two long field goals are the difference in our last two wins. Huge.
by Skulls and Spurs on Sep 18, 2011 10:33 AM EDT up reply actions
Yeah, I think Spurrier really needs to reopen the QB competition.
It’s been really disappointing that he abandoned it after one quarter after spending so much time publicly defending the use of two quarterbacks.
That’s a great point you made about Shaw having one bad quarter and Garcia having 11 bad quarters.
by Connor Tapp on Sep 18, 2011 10:40 AM EDT up reply actions
If Jason Barnes catches the long TD that hit him in the hands
on Shaw’s first series, I wonder if we would be going through this with Garcia right now.
I thought it was a mistake to start Shaw if you weren’t willing to stick with him.
"Lattimore, as the kids can say, can ball, and sometimes does it to the extent one might say [he] is out of control in his balling." - Spencer Hall
by GwinnettGamecock on Sep 18, 2011 12:27 PM EDT up reply actions
I've heard a couple of people that would agree with you...
But what makes you think Shaw is a viable option right now. He’s had 2 quarters (going back to last year) of play against FBS level competition and turned the ball over 4 times. If he was ready to play, SOS would play him. It’s not like Spurrier has a history of sticking with a particular QB no matter what.
by Charlestowne on Sep 18, 2011 3:39 PM EDT up reply actions
This is definitely true.
I think that, truthfully, Shaw’s start against ECU was some sort of motivation ploy for Garcia by Spurrier. Whether what I suspect is true or what Connor Tapp and stapleears are saying regarding the short audition by Shaw is the case, Spurrier definitely would pull him if he thought he had a potentially better option.
What we can all hope for is that we get better each game.
by Skulls and Spurs on Sep 18, 2011 3:47 PM EDT up reply actions
About Shaw's turnovers
I remember two against Auburn on the Plains last year, and one against ECU this year. Can you please remind me about the fourth again?
I really, really regret that he fumbled against ECU. I think he leads us to a first-series TD if he doesn’t – and gains a ton of confidence even if Garcia gets the final three quarters and the next two starts. And that doesn’t count the missed TD pass to Barnes, though I would argue that its not entirely on Barnes – replay shows that he was interfered with.
Against Auburn, the last INT should have been caught by Alshon. It was in and out of his hands in the end zone. A very good ball. History would have been changed had # 1 been his normal sure-handed self.
Here's a health, Carolina, forever to thee! UNIVERSITAS CAROLIN MERID. 1801 Emollit mores nec sinit esse feros (Ovid)
Carolina Football
I am going to blame the coaching and not the team. We have the talent. We are not playing as a team. We are playing to individual greatness but not as a well oiled machine. We do not have a game plan. We are playing in the moment and adjusting to each and every down. Bottom line we are not playing the South Carolina gamebook we are playing against our opponent. We are playing against our opponents strengths and not to their weaknesses. We are not playing to our strengths. ie We are not letting Garcia get into a rhythm. For instance, run Lattimore first and second down then throw to Jeffery on third. Then as Garcia settles into the game move the ball around. Stop forcing looking for a second receiver and looking for a back up to Lattimore. If Latti gets hurt then someone step up and use our other strengths. Play Carolina ball not next saturdays opponent. Work every week improving Carolina ball not our knowledge of the other team. ie Navy! Did Navy adjust to us NO they played Navy ball. The option is easy to stop when your DTs and DEs are busting through their OL and disrupting everyone. We were 30 40 lbs the heavier and faster, why are we sitting back waiting on them. Tell me if when the full back comes thru the line you smash him whether he has the ball or not, you smash the QB everytime he comes down the line whether he pitches it or not and you tackle the half back whether he receives the pitch or not, I guarantee you those guys are not going to want to carry the ball by the fourth quarter. Simple. Beat them up thats why you have big fast guys. I WANT TO SEE CAROLINA FOOTBALL! Now let’s go play our gameplan!
"Did Navy adjust to us NO they played Navy ball."
Dude, Navy lost the game. You have to adjust to your opponent, period. Carolina ball is Lattimore, and that’s what we’ve done every game.
You miss the point dude
We are a far superior team Navy should have never been in the game dude. Navy did not lose the game. The clock ran out.
Not to mention dude we have a WR that is mentioned in the Heisman race. We have more than Latti. We have M Ingram, TR, JC dude it’s not worth discussing the game with you period
James Keith, we appreciate your viewpoint and value your participation here,
but you’ll do well to keep your commentary to the Gamecocks and refrain from singling out other members of our community. I don’t think any of us want to see anything resembling the comments section of The State in this space.
As for your take on the how the Gamecocks should be playing, I agree. As a fan it’s a nebulous feeling when your team doesn’t have much of an identify. I think we would all be happier if we knew what to expect every Saturday, but that’s largely been the complaint since Spurrier arrived. And the one thing you don’t want is to develop an identity to the extent that your opponent knows exactly what you are going to do every week.
I also have to agree with walknbalk, though. Our game plan this year is and should be giving Marcus Lattimore the rock. You have to admire Spurrier for finally sticking with the running game. Heath Cline of the 107.5 here in Columbia noted on Friday that he has never seen Spurrier commit to a running back the way he has with Marcus — not even at Florida where he had a first rounder and a second rounder. The fact that Alshon didn’t get the ball much against Navy is somewhat worrisome, but Alshon didn’t start. I also think it is comforting that Stephen was able to spread the ball around when Alshon wasn’t available. Part of the advantage of having a stud WR is that he draws double and triple coverage. Would you have Garcia chuck it to Alshon with a wide open Jason Barnes streaking down the opposite side? We’ve seen that a lot from Garcia as well. It is impossible for Garcia to get alshon 20 catches a game and spread the ball around to other capable receivers. Alshon is a great player, so I am positive that he will be getting the ball more in the future. The fact that he only had a couple catches this game is not all that vexing to me and I don’t think indicative of a fatal flaw in our team.
At the end of the day, Navy lost, time did not “run out.” That’s why they have a time limit. It’s another check in the “win” column and in ten years all anyone will remember is that Carolina left Williams-Brice victorious after much hand-wringing by the fans.
Dum spiro spero - "While I breathe, I hope"
State motto of South Carolina
by The Feathered Warrior on Sep 18, 2011 2:04 PM EDT up reply actions
Time and time again, I’ve seen and heard that teams survive and win ugly against Navy more times than not, otherwise they lose even if they are the superior team on paper. That’s why Navy has the reputation that they do. Bottom line is USC still won. Garcia gave away at least one if not two touchdown opportunities by his inability to take care of the football on one try in the redzone, and having to hand the ball to Lattimore on a 3rd and 4th down because of his inability to throw the ball effectively on another. On top of which, the defense gave away what should have been a fumble recovery that set up another Navy touchdown. Worst case scenario, we play keep away there. That is a 3 score swing that didn’t happen in our favor. So, we had our chances and could have, probably should have won by at least 17 points.
Defense did step it up at the end and ultimately kept Navy at around 60% of their rushing average. The problem is and remains Stephen Garcia, and until he can play consistently well and take full advantage of the opportunities given, USC offense will be geared around Lattimore.
We're 3-0. We won games historically we don't win.
Defense has not been that bad in that they have the propensity to make big plays at the right time. Clowney is learning and turning into a beast.
Garcia has always
We've dropped to #12 in the AP
which i think is a more appropriate spot. We didn’t play like a top-10 team almost solely because of the QB. we left 3 touchdowns on the field. if he can clean it up, we’re good. if not, we deserve to stay in the #15-20 area.
the penalty of pr
The Navy player said, “We are the better team”. I don’t think any of us would refute that. They were the better team. We had better players…who did not come close to playing as a team when compared to Navy. We point to individuals and demand better performance. Navy’s coordination and execution was a thing of beauty. We’re not even close.
I think it’s time we stopped praising and punishing individuals, and started asking the coaches when they are going to give us the well-oiled machine that is their responsibility.
SOS has been saying “We need to coach better” since 2005. That’s frustrating to hear over and over. I question his ability to innovate at this point in his career. I also have serious doubts about motivation on our staff aside from Elliott. I love his intensity and I think 18-22 yr olds respond to positive excitement. They need to get chewed when they screw up but they also need to know that they’re going to get praised when they excel. Most of em need to feel that energy. We’re not dealing with professionals at this level, though that’s debatable.
by Skulls and Spurs on Sep 18, 2011 4:38 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I guess I just worry about the consistency
We’ve relied on big plays up to this point and I feel like we’re running out of time (i.e. the “easier” stretch of our schedule) to work out that kinks. Not saying that we won’t get there but its not been as smooth as expected.
As far as rankings, I like the drop. Hopefully it lights a fire for our guys. Maybe I am too harsh on Garcia…I just felt like a 5th year senior should be hitting those mid-range passes with a bit more ease. Hopefully he flashed some of what is to come in the 2nd half last night. I do agree on that 4th down that it probably should have been a bootleg or something…you can’t run that many times in a row. Everyone was expecting it.
End of first quarter
Just as the Navy game is now behind us, all of Garcia’s activities – good and bad – for all of his career to this point are in the past. There is absolutely nothing he can do about wasted opportunities or questionable transgressions.
I believe that the mental toughness developed through that period will allow him to continue to improve as this season progresses; Garcia seems to save his best for the biggest regular season games and we will need that for wins on the road against MSU, Tenn. and ARK.
I wish I had as much confidence in the secondary’s ability to “step -up” for big games. My expectations are not yet ‘tempered’ but the Gamecocks do need to take their performance to another level; constant improvement – week to week – will accomplish that.
Let’s see if they can do it!
tell me if I'm wrong...
I know you will. Is it possible that the play book is too thick. Navy was a learning experience. You run the same set/formation with variations…and you run it until you get it right. No pro-sets, no multiple shifts and no complicated check-offs. You have a more limited play selection that has been practiced over and over so many times that it is a reflex. Not to the monotonous Woody Hayes level…more like Lombardi…oh, I wish.
We have the talent to keep it simple. They know what’s coming …they just can’t do anything about it. I miss Vince, Bear, Knute, etc.
Im not telling you that you're wrong
but it’s a shame with a 5th year senior (with a bachelor’s degree framed on his wall and taking a soft undergruate schedule of under-water basket weaving courses rather than any post-grad work) …. a junior All-American WR projected to be a high-round draft pick in next year’s NFL draft …. and a sophomore All-American RB who might be the greatest player ever to don the garnet and black (who Mel Kiper, Jr. said last night on ESPN radio that if he were eligible, he’d be pick #2 right behind Luck in the 2012 NFL Draft) ….
that we have to consider simplifying the offfense.
I’d rather give the ball to Connor Shaw and let him have a whole start.
Following up on some of the comments in this thread, if Shaw isn’t good enough to at least get another start (if nothing more than to push Stephen Garcia), then lord help us next year. Who are we going to throw if Connor isn’t capable of starting now? McEvoy? Are we RS’ing him? Do we throw Nosovitch into the fire as a true FR? Our goose is cooked if Stephen as good as its ever going to get for Carolina QB play in the Spurrier-era.
Here's a health, Carolina, forever to thee! UNIVERSITAS CAROLIN MERID. 1801 Emollit mores nec sinit esse feros (Ovid)
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