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The State: Final Roster Cuts for NFL Gamecocks (as usual, The State's paywall only allows a limited number of views). A lot of names you know have been sent home over the last two days (including some veterans): Spencer Lanning, Jimmy Legree, Damiere Byrd, Kelcy Quarles, Justice Cunningham, Ronald Patrick and Travian Robertson. Byrd has a legit shot at the Panthers' practice squad but the others are likely done this year; maybe forever. As they say, the NFL stands for "Not for Long" and unless you make an opening day roster in your rookie season, you're looking at an average career of 3.5 years. The moral? Stay in school and get your degree. The degree is forever. A pro career is an ephemeral prospect at best for the vast majority of guys who even make a NFL camp.
About Dylan and Mike D.: It's disappointing Dylan Thompson didn't make the Niners' 53 man roster, especially after that killer 70 yard TD pass to Bruce against the Bolts last week. The C.W. is that Thompson will be signed to the practice squad, so keep an eye peeled at Niners Nation for practice squad moves (and Dylan's twitter account). Niners Nation also has an an excellent piece on 2015 NFL Practice Squad eligibility, salary and rules. Love or hate the 49ers, they love our Gamecocks - and, yes, as expected our own Mike Davis made the squad. He'll be running behind Carlos Hyde and Reggie Bush and sharing carries with an ex Aussie Rules player. Fascinating.
Gamecock Central: Scott Davis says The Gamecocks won, let's chill. Good advice. Best line:
"Against the hated Tar Heels, wearing those ridiculous, argyle-coated sky blue uniforms."
Yahoo!: Dr. Saturday announces his weekend's Winners and losers. As much as I enjoy dishing on the Pac-12's ineptitude, the best part is when the good Doctor pronounces Skai Moore as the national defensive player of the week and top "winner."
Bleacher Report: Big Ten Football Takes Huge Step Back After Devastating Opening Weekend. Awwwwww. This just breaks my heart. Also - more props for Skai Moore (link to one page of the slideshow - feel free to peruse the rest at your leisure).
Team Speed Kills: The Bakery: Summing Up Week 1's Cupcake Games Around the SEC.
SI.com: Colin Becht posts his Three and Out: Biggest takeaways from Week 1 in college football. Up: the SEC. Down: the Pac-12.
KentuckySports.com: Blue Review: Instant analysis from Kentucky's win over Louisiana-Lafayette.
A Sea of Blue: Rapid Rewind: ‘Cats and Cajuns Recap.
Kentucky Sports Radio: Cats win in the New CWS, but leave lots of room for improvement.
Tar Heel Blog: The Good Bad & Ugly Report: SCAR. I think they're being kind of hard on themselves. Both squads are pretty evenly matched. Both had inconsistent offenses and vastly improved defenses. But I reject the whole "UNC looked like the better team" thing when the Heels scored no 2nd half points. They played a decent first half and then we adjusted (or at least didn't wilt) before we took it to them after halftime. You're not the better team when you get out-played in the 4th. In any event, it's bad karma for the Holes to call us "SCAR." So there. See y'all in 2019.
Stephen Garcia: Breaking down South Carolina’s victory over North Carolina. Are you like me and its going to be hard to read Garcia critiquing USC? Also - this is absolutely shameful from Mississippi State. Between this and Ole Miss running it up on UT-Martin (plus having a Rebel suspended by the NCAA), it's not been a banner weekend for the Magnolia State schools no matter the outcomes on the scoreboard.
CBS Sports: Stay classy, Jort people.
GamecocksOnline: McKinley to Be Honored in 2015 Hall of Fame Class. This will be an emotional night. Also - congrats to Volleyball Coach Scott Swanson and the squad - Gamecocks Knock Off Rival Clemson 3-1 (from Thur) and Gamecocks Fight Back to Top Winthrop 3-2 (from Fri) ... but we dropped last night to the Furman Paladins
Spurs & Feathers: Women's x-country begin season with win on new course.
Go Cocks. Make my day and leave a comment.