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Friday News and Notes: USC at SEC Media Days Roundup

[Videos] Spurrier, players at SEC media days | GoGamecocks. I'm still a little miffed that Spurrier brought Shaq Wilson to Media Days instead of Stephen Garcia. That, more than anything he said about Garcia, seems like a vote of no-confidence to me. This isn't to say I don't like Shaq; I think he's ready for a big year. I just kind of thought Garcia would be given the keys to a leadership role this year. The other two choices--Patrick DiMarco and Cliff Matthews--did make sense to me. DiMarco has long been considered a team leader and Matthews is the team's defensive star.

Some highlights from the interviews:
-Spurrier jabs at Jevan Snead.
-Spurrier says one of his keys to longevity is that his interest in golf gives him a release valve. Urban, take notes.
-Spurrier says that the most important thing for Garcia is that he learn to avoid sacks. He points to sacks as what have killed our running game. No mystery here: sacks both equal negative rushing yards and create long-yardage situations in which you usually choose to throw the ball.
-Matthews has gained more weight--he's up to 270 after entering college at 230. This guy is ready for the NFL, methinks.
-Matthews talked a lot about the level of participation during summer workouts and how the team has put down a new level of commitment.
-Matthews seemed really nervous up there. He lost his train of thought a couple of times. It was kind of endearing.
-When asked if he was going to match Eric Norwood, Shaq said, "I can't be Eric Norwood. I'm Shaq Wilson." I liked that. This guy seems ready to go.
-DiMarco seemed like the most poised of the trio. You can see why he takes well to the leadership role.
-DiMarco thinks the running game will be better with Shawn Elliott's input. He also praised Marcus Lattimore.
-All the players mentioned in response to promptings by the reporters that they want to get a taste of what the baseball team enjoyed. Nice.

Same Old Spurrier? Not the Same. And Probably Not Too Old. - Team Speed Kills. You have to agree that Spurrier sounds a little bedraggled.

Team supports Saunders | GoGamecocks. This is good, but I'm still pretty suspicious. As someone said to me recently, college students don't typically have the money to party in South Beach.

Spurrier optimistic at SEC Media Days | GoGamecocks

DiMarco praises Lattimore | GoGamecocks. I'm beginning to think more and more that we're going to see Lattimore early. The guy is good and he's gotten out there as early as possible to get ready for the season. With Alshon Jeffery last year, Jeffery got out there late and didn't start contributing very much until the middle of the season. I don't think that's going to be the case for Lattimore.

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Shaq Wilson...

when I first seen Shaq was there I questioned it also; I knew he was a great player, but didnt realize he was so well spoken. The things he said while there are speeches that need to be given to the team; “a play is only 6 seconds long, why not go hard”?!?!… I have heard some quotes in my life, but that is champion talk right there.

by Gamecockrock on Jul 23, 2025 1:22 PM EDT reply actions  

Yeah...

I liked his attitude. He seems like he’s ready to play, and based on what I saw last year, he probably is ready to go, especially if he’s managed to put on a bit of muscle over the off-season. Just wasn’t so sure he was the most appropriate representative of the team.

Garnet and Black Attack: A Blog by and for Gamecocks Fans.

by Gamecock Man on Jul 23, 2025 2:08 PM EDT up reply actions  

I think Spurrier simply doesn’t trust Garcia when it comes to the media. Perhaps he doesn’t want him to get an ego, or maybe he’s afraid he’ll mis-speak about something. Either way, I think that a lack of trust was warranted after Garcia’s early off-field troubles, but not so much anymore. If Garcia isn’t allowed to be a media representative by now, will he ever be? I don’t know; it’s odd. Truthfully, I doubt Garcia will ever have Spurrier’s blessing because he’s never had that “student of the game” mentality (whereas Shaw does, and I think that’s why Spurrier is so taken with him).

by RumblinFish on Jul 23, 2025 7:58 PM EDT reply actions  

Garcia

Pretty sure Garcia lost his chance to be a leader/media representative when he screwed up a few times when entering college. I’m not saying kids should never make mistakes or anything and he sure has come a long way…..but being a QB, the leadership has to start right away and I think he blew his chance the first year he was here.

Sadly, every time Garcia is mentioned on TV they always bring up his “troubled” past. To this day, I think that is unfortunately what defines him until he does something more on the field. I don’t think it is right, but I think it is the way it is.

by R-F on Jul 24, 2025 11:11 AM EDT up reply actions  

I think you're both right on...

Spurrier def. seems to be reticent to give Garcia the keys to leadership roles like being the one that talks to the media, and that’s probably partially because of Garcia’s “troubled” past.

My thinking is that at some point, regardless of his past, Spurrier will need to give Garcia this role. I mean, unless Garcia loses his spot to Shaw, Garcia will be a third-year senior starter next year (actually fourth-year if you count the handful of starts in 2008). At some point you have to say that this guy has transcended whatever was holding him back and tell him to lead the team. He’s your QB.

Garnet and Black Attack: A Blog by and for Gamecocks Fans.

by Gamecock Man on Jul 24, 2025 11:16 AM EDT up reply actions  

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