he seemed like a good kid. We’ve had so much turn over at OL and RB position coaching in the last few years that it seems hard to blame our younger backs for not having immediate success or not being game-ready from day 1 like Kenny was last year and particularly Marcus (by an entire other factor) this year.

Since he has a free ticket (presumably anywhere but Clemson - isnt there an unwritten agreement that we don’t accept athletic transfers from the other?) it makes me wonder if he could go to Knoxville? Would Vince Dooley he take Jarvis? Dooley has been decimated in the RB department. Since Dooley has released some Vols but denied releases to other, I wonder if he would jump on a talent like Jarvis? I think he would.

If Jarvis’ grades are good enough, I think he’d be welcome at a lot of SEC programs; I could see him being offered by UT, Miss, MSU, UK, Vandy and possibly UGA [only because I dont know who is behid Ealey who I think is a high quality back]; I could see him with offers from a bunch of ACC and Big East schools.

Anyway, I wish him well and think he’ll thrive in a new environment as he continues to mature. Hope he doesnt become another Kenny Irons against us, but that’s life.

Saunders is a talent, no question. He didn’t block worth crap last year, but I think he finally came to the realization that he needed to improve as an all-around TE package to guarantee a good draft position, and reports that he was in the weight room all summer were good.

My understanding is that notwithstanding getting tied up in Marvyn Austen’s Miami Beach twitter party bull****, Weslye’s most major sins were that (a) refused to move out of the Whitney when Spurrier strongly suggested it and (b) lied [twice] that he was late to a team meeting because he had been talking to NCAA officials; © doing “a” and “b” when he should have been trying to be the best team player possible. Add to that that he had also been suspended in the off-season though I’m not sure we know the reasons (?).

I think a half-season suspension for the foregoing sins doesn’t make Spurrier look weak or craven. After all, Saunders wasn’t arrested. Even if he was caught up with being around agents/runners, there is no evidence yet that he did approaching the level of Bama’s Darius (future NFL draftee - 2 game suspension) or UGA’s Green (future NFL draftee - 4 game suspension).

Plus, while investigating him may have been the catalyst for the whole Whitney Hotel business, I dont think that the whole fiasco can be entirely laid at Weslye’s feet - those guys knew they were incredibly in arrears, plus I think we all can agree the staff (at least the ga’s and position coaches) should have known it was weird to have so many players living in a hotel. Just my .02 on that.

In any event, I’d welcome Weslye back - as a fan. Maybe Im foolish. In any event, it isnt my call and Ill back Spurrier and Hyman on this whichever way they choose (for whatever that’s worth … probably zippo!)

But he was having a hard time getting carries even without Lattimore in the picture. I was excited when he signed with us and even more excited last year, but things changed — and that’s just how sports go sometimes. I wish Giles well and I wish things had worked out. But I know this is a good decision for him, and hey, it might even help us with recruiting Carson/Blakely for 2011.

As for Saunders…difficult situation here, no doubt about that, but I think I’ll play devil’s advocate. I’m inclined toward NOT allowing him back on the team. This is not the Gamecock football program of old. We don’t have to suffer fools because we don’t have anyone else who can go out there and score a touchdown. We have depth, the team has moved on well without him, and I think we’re all ready to put this chapter behind us. Saunders has been given several chances — some might say too many — throughout his career. If Hyman/Spurrier welcome him back, then I will as well; I can’t argue with his talent. But I think his dismissal was a statement — and a good one — about our team and the direction we’re moving in.

They might feel it next year when Maddox is gone. A team really needs three quality backs. You never know if the injury bug will hit that position. It usually does, ‘cause it’s a very physical position to play. I don’t know who they have on tap to replace him next season. I assume they will have someone.

I still don’t even know what Saunders did to get kicked off the team in the first place, and I really don’t want to know. As long as he is sorry and has fixed the problem, I think they should let him come back. I’m not saying they need his talent to do well, but I just like to see people forgive and forget and move on.

Other than the starters, how many healthy offensive linemen do they have? They might need to start coaching some of the defensive linemen up on it and let them play some iron man football.

Good to see such confirmation so many days before the game. That probably means he’s better off than I thought. I hope he’s pumped up and ready to make a statement out there.