IH8Orange
07-21-2005, 11:53 AM
Found this article on the cocks...
The commitment level of many South Carolina football players must improve dramatically if the Gamecocks are to compete with the top teams in the Southeastern Conference, Steve Spurrier said Wednesday during a press conference following his first annual media golf outing at the University Club in Blythewood.
In particular, Spurrier expressed disappointment at the large number of no-shows at some of USC's voluntary summer workouts.
"Attendance has not been good at all," Spurrier said. "If we're ever going to be a big-time football program and play on the national level and compete with Tennessee, Georgia, and Florida, our commitment level must get better amongst the entire football team at South Carolina. So, I can't sit here and brag about what our guys have done this summer. Most of them have done well. But as an entire team it hasn't been good enough. I assumed everybody would be committed but I found out that was not the case. Obviously, we have a few that won't get with the program. But we have too many (like that) right now, too many guys we're counting on to play for us."
One player who appears to be making a strong commitment to improve is quarterback Blake Mitchell, who, according to Spurrier, has participated in all of the summer workouts.
"I think he's helped organize the pass-skeleton drills against the defense," Spurrier said. "Just about every college does that. Your players have to organize it. Antonio (Heffner) has been here and our freshmen (Cade Thompson and Tommy Beecher) have been here since July 5."
"He's done okay on his rehab," Spurrier said. "His commitment level has not been as good as it should have been this summer. So whether or not he's back 100 percent, I don't know. But the injury he had, according to our doctors, he had a great chance to be ready. He's a little better."
Spurrier expressed no regrets about the player dismissals (Demetris Summers and others) to date and, in fact, said more are likely on the way.
"We've had a few players go by the wayside and we'll probably have a few more that you'll read about," Spurrier said. "We're putting in a football program that the people of South Carolina and everyone who loves the University of South Carolina will be proud of. We're going to do things the right way and we're going to have players on the field that represent our school that the alumni and fans will be proud of. They'll say 'they're our kind of guys.' That's our goal. If we have to weed out a lot more of the current guys, we'll do that. But we're going to get it run the right way. And we're going to give our team a chance to be very successful in the future."
Spurrier said that the process toward revoking scholarships will continue as long as there are more deserving walk-ons eager for a free ride.
"All scholarships are one year," Spurrier said. "If we have a (scholarship) player whose commitment level is not as good as a walk-on player, I believe in putting the walk-on player on scholarship. We give everybody a chance. When they're out there practicing in the spring, we just watch what they do. When it comes time to reward effort, commitment and desire, the way I do it is put the most deserving players on scholarship rather than those who somehow got one coming in as a freshman. (The scholarship) gives you one year. After that you have to earn your way. If these guys can't earn their way, they're eligible to transfer. It's a free country. We have some good walk-ons who have showed excellent commitment last spring and through this summer."
Spurrier added that the final decision regarding who will receive scholarships for the upcoming season will be made by mid-August.
Despite questioning the commitment level of some of his players, Spurrier emphasized that his experiences through the first eight months as USC head coach have been positive. Spurrier said that a Florida writer (Mike Bianchi of the Orlando Sentinel) contacted him and asked if, based upon USC's predicament with the NCAA and other problems, he regretted taking the USC job.
"I told him 'you have to be kidding,'" Spurrier said. "Everything has been positive for our coaches and our players."
NOTES:
· Spurrier said that while the defense is "fairly set," the offense remains unsettled. "We're not sure who the quarterback will be, the tailback, or the wide receivers," Spurrier said. "I'm fairly sure about three of the five offensive linemen. We have some practicing and work to do. We predicted it would be unsettled."
· Spurrier said that there has been no change in Cory Boyd's status. He remains suspended and, according to Spurrier, has some issues that need to be resolved before he is reinstated to the team.
· USC is still negotiating with North Carolina for an annual "Battle of the Carolinas" football game as the permanent 12th game. However, it appears at this time that UNC has little or no interest in the game. "I think it would be an excellent game but it takes two to make a contract," Spurrier said. "It seems like we're the only one who wants to make it right now."
· Spurrier said that future schedules provide for seven home games each season. Spurrier expects that having seven home games this season will give USC a "huge advantage" and will be extremely helpful.
· Spurrier confirmed that 26 of the 27 newcomers have qualified academically. All 26 of the newcomers are currently in Columbia working out and attending classes in Summer Session II.
· Spurrier said he was not surprised by the recent report confirming six major violations of NCAA rules by the USC. He said he was informed by Mike McGee of the possible findings in the case during their meetings in Virginia last October. "We knew about this NCAA thing when we were hired," Spurrier said. "There wasn't a big deal about it. When I took the job at Florida, Florida was under investigation. Hopefully it won't be a big deal and the NCAA will accept the loss of two scholarships and we can go about our business. That's what we're hoping for right now. That will be fine."
· Linebacker Lance Laury and tight end Andy Boyd will represent USC along with Spurrier at the SEC Media Days next week in Birmingham, Ala. USC is scheduled to meet with the media next Wednesday.
· Spurrier joked that in college football, you have the head coach, athletic director, and president and that typically the A.D. and president allow the head coach to do his job unless the team is cheating or losing and that he didn't intend to do either at South Carolina.
· The players will report on Aug. 1 and the first practice will be on Aug. 2.
· Spurrier said he has heard no update on Dustin Lindsey, who was arrested for DUI in Alabama in early June.
The commitment level of many South Carolina football players must improve dramatically if the Gamecocks are to compete with the top teams in the Southeastern Conference, Steve Spurrier said Wednesday during a press conference following his first annual media golf outing at the University Club in Blythewood.
In particular, Spurrier expressed disappointment at the large number of no-shows at some of USC's voluntary summer workouts.
"Attendance has not been good at all," Spurrier said. "If we're ever going to be a big-time football program and play on the national level and compete with Tennessee, Georgia, and Florida, our commitment level must get better amongst the entire football team at South Carolina. So, I can't sit here and brag about what our guys have done this summer. Most of them have done well. But as an entire team it hasn't been good enough. I assumed everybody would be committed but I found out that was not the case. Obviously, we have a few that won't get with the program. But we have too many (like that) right now, too many guys we're counting on to play for us."
One player who appears to be making a strong commitment to improve is quarterback Blake Mitchell, who, according to Spurrier, has participated in all of the summer workouts.
"I think he's helped organize the pass-skeleton drills against the defense," Spurrier said. "Just about every college does that. Your players have to organize it. Antonio (Heffner) has been here and our freshmen (Cade Thompson and Tommy Beecher) have been here since July 5."
"He's done okay on his rehab," Spurrier said. "His commitment level has not been as good as it should have been this summer. So whether or not he's back 100 percent, I don't know. But the injury he had, according to our doctors, he had a great chance to be ready. He's a little better."
Spurrier expressed no regrets about the player dismissals (Demetris Summers and others) to date and, in fact, said more are likely on the way.
"We've had a few players go by the wayside and we'll probably have a few more that you'll read about," Spurrier said. "We're putting in a football program that the people of South Carolina and everyone who loves the University of South Carolina will be proud of. We're going to do things the right way and we're going to have players on the field that represent our school that the alumni and fans will be proud of. They'll say 'they're our kind of guys.' That's our goal. If we have to weed out a lot more of the current guys, we'll do that. But we're going to get it run the right way. And we're going to give our team a chance to be very successful in the future."
Spurrier said that the process toward revoking scholarships will continue as long as there are more deserving walk-ons eager for a free ride.
"All scholarships are one year," Spurrier said. "If we have a (scholarship) player whose commitment level is not as good as a walk-on player, I believe in putting the walk-on player on scholarship. We give everybody a chance. When they're out there practicing in the spring, we just watch what they do. When it comes time to reward effort, commitment and desire, the way I do it is put the most deserving players on scholarship rather than those who somehow got one coming in as a freshman. (The scholarship) gives you one year. After that you have to earn your way. If these guys can't earn their way, they're eligible to transfer. It's a free country. We have some good walk-ons who have showed excellent commitment last spring and through this summer."
Spurrier added that the final decision regarding who will receive scholarships for the upcoming season will be made by mid-August.
Despite questioning the commitment level of some of his players, Spurrier emphasized that his experiences through the first eight months as USC head coach have been positive. Spurrier said that a Florida writer (Mike Bianchi of the Orlando Sentinel) contacted him and asked if, based upon USC's predicament with the NCAA and other problems, he regretted taking the USC job.
"I told him 'you have to be kidding,'" Spurrier said. "Everything has been positive for our coaches and our players."
NOTES:
· Spurrier said that while the defense is "fairly set," the offense remains unsettled. "We're not sure who the quarterback will be, the tailback, or the wide receivers," Spurrier said. "I'm fairly sure about three of the five offensive linemen. We have some practicing and work to do. We predicted it would be unsettled."
· Spurrier said that there has been no change in Cory Boyd's status. He remains suspended and, according to Spurrier, has some issues that need to be resolved before he is reinstated to the team.
· USC is still negotiating with North Carolina for an annual "Battle of the Carolinas" football game as the permanent 12th game. However, it appears at this time that UNC has little or no interest in the game. "I think it would be an excellent game but it takes two to make a contract," Spurrier said. "It seems like we're the only one who wants to make it right now."
· Spurrier said that future schedules provide for seven home games each season. Spurrier expects that having seven home games this season will give USC a "huge advantage" and will be extremely helpful.
· Spurrier confirmed that 26 of the 27 newcomers have qualified academically. All 26 of the newcomers are currently in Columbia working out and attending classes in Summer Session II.
· Spurrier said he was not surprised by the recent report confirming six major violations of NCAA rules by the USC. He said he was informed by Mike McGee of the possible findings in the case during their meetings in Virginia last October. "We knew about this NCAA thing when we were hired," Spurrier said. "There wasn't a big deal about it. When I took the job at Florida, Florida was under investigation. Hopefully it won't be a big deal and the NCAA will accept the loss of two scholarships and we can go about our business. That's what we're hoping for right now. That will be fine."
· Linebacker Lance Laury and tight end Andy Boyd will represent USC along with Spurrier at the SEC Media Days next week in Birmingham, Ala. USC is scheduled to meet with the media next Wednesday.
· Spurrier joked that in college football, you have the head coach, athletic director, and president and that typically the A.D. and president allow the head coach to do his job unless the team is cheating or losing and that he didn't intend to do either at South Carolina.
· The players will report on Aug. 1 and the first practice will be on Aug. 2.
· Spurrier said he has heard no update on Dustin Lindsey, who was arrested for DUI in Alabama in early June.