GTmorris1970
04-05-2007, 05:59 AM
Posted on Thu, Apr. 05,
Spurrier questions players passion
By KENT BABB - kbabb@thestate.com
Steve Spurrier said he wants USC players to prove they enjoy playing football. Fifteen days into spring practice, the Gamecocks’ third-year coach is undecided on some players’ passion.
Spurrier said after the team’s Wednesday evening practice that he hopes to identify players who enjoy the game when the team has a scrimmage at Williams-Brice Stadium at 3:30 p.m. Friday. The scrimmage had been announced for Saturday, but the Gamecocks will take the weekend off for Easter.
They will not leave town before Spurrier sizes them up.
“I don’t understand some of them,” he said. “We’ve got what we’ve got. We’ll find those that like football and want to play — and aren’t afraid.”
Spurrier said he hopes Friday’s scrimmage, the team’s second of the spring, will simulate a game atmosphere.
“Our guys get nervous out there,” Spurrier said. “Get some people out there in the stands, get some real-looking referees and a few sports writers covering it and television boys, they get nervous.”
Two players who have proved themselves to Spurrier are cornerbacks Stoney Woodson and Carlos Thomas. Spurrier said the juniors, who struggled this past season, have proved they belong on what Spurrier expects to be an improved defense.
Meredith will play. Junior offensive tackle Jamon Meredith, who suffered a sprained ankle during Saturday’s scrimmage, will play Friday, Spurrier said.
“Yeah, he’s all right,” Spurrier said. “He’s not that bad.”
Meredith, who is expected to be the Gamecocks’ starting left tackle, hurt his left ankle when a teammate fell on his leg during an extra-point attempt Saturday. He wore a protective boot Monday and did not practice.
Geathers wants to add bulk. Freshman Clifton Geathers said he is unsatisfied with his weight, which he said is 275 pounds. Geathers, a highly recruited defensive end from Carvers Bay, said he hopes to add at least 20 pounds of muscle before USC’s first game, a Sept. 1 home contest against Louisiana-Lafayette.
Geathers, who is listed at 6-foot-7, said he also has plenty more on his agenda.
“I’ve got a lot of stuff to improve on,” he said. “I’ve got to basically just learn the plays and remember the plays. That’s the main thing.”
Reach Babb at (803) 771-8357.
Spurrier questions players passion
By KENT BABB - kbabb@thestate.com
Steve Spurrier said he wants USC players to prove they enjoy playing football. Fifteen days into spring practice, the Gamecocks’ third-year coach is undecided on some players’ passion.
Spurrier said after the team’s Wednesday evening practice that he hopes to identify players who enjoy the game when the team has a scrimmage at Williams-Brice Stadium at 3:30 p.m. Friday. The scrimmage had been announced for Saturday, but the Gamecocks will take the weekend off for Easter.
They will not leave town before Spurrier sizes them up.
“I don’t understand some of them,” he said. “We’ve got what we’ve got. We’ll find those that like football and want to play — and aren’t afraid.”
Spurrier said he hopes Friday’s scrimmage, the team’s second of the spring, will simulate a game atmosphere.
“Our guys get nervous out there,” Spurrier said. “Get some people out there in the stands, get some real-looking referees and a few sports writers covering it and television boys, they get nervous.”
Two players who have proved themselves to Spurrier are cornerbacks Stoney Woodson and Carlos Thomas. Spurrier said the juniors, who struggled this past season, have proved they belong on what Spurrier expects to be an improved defense.
Meredith will play. Junior offensive tackle Jamon Meredith, who suffered a sprained ankle during Saturday’s scrimmage, will play Friday, Spurrier said.
“Yeah, he’s all right,” Spurrier said. “He’s not that bad.”
Meredith, who is expected to be the Gamecocks’ starting left tackle, hurt his left ankle when a teammate fell on his leg during an extra-point attempt Saturday. He wore a protective boot Monday and did not practice.
Geathers wants to add bulk. Freshman Clifton Geathers said he is unsatisfied with his weight, which he said is 275 pounds. Geathers, a highly recruited defensive end from Carvers Bay, said he hopes to add at least 20 pounds of muscle before USC’s first game, a Sept. 1 home contest against Louisiana-Lafayette.
Geathers, who is listed at 6-foot-7, said he also has plenty more on his agenda.
“I’ve got a lot of stuff to improve on,” he said. “I’ve got to basically just learn the plays and remember the plays. That’s the main thing.”
Reach Babb at (803) 771-8357.