GTmorris1970
08-05-2008, 01:15 PM
South Carolina Gamecocks Quarterback Breakdown
BY: Thomas Goldkamp
http://www.secsportshub.com/_mgxroot/img_1216443084_15895_1217629244.jpgThe Gamecocks will enter the season with a new face under center. Shortly after spring practice, Coach Steve Spurrier named junior Tommy Beecher the starter at quarterback. Beecher won the starting job despite the fact that sophomore Chris Smelley started several games during the 2007 season and actually played pretty well.
Beecher is a talented quarterback with a great arm from North Carolina. He has pretty good size for an SEC quarterback. Spurrier sounded very impressed with Beecher at the end of spring practice and he has reportedly taken some big strides over the summer.
With a coach like Spurrier to learn under, Beecher has the potential to have a breakout year on the national scene. He has a number of reliable targets to hit and his confidence seems to have improved tremendously over the past year.
http://www.secsportshub.com/_mgxroot/img_1216443084_15896_1217629363.jpgSmelley will likely play the backup role to Beecher, although with Spurrier calling the shots, he will almost certainly see a significant amount of time next year. Spurrier has been known to play the hot hand and won’t hesitate to put Smelley in should Beecher struggle.
Smelley looked extremely composed last year avoiding the rush, particularly against LSU’s ferocious defensive line. The fact that Beecher was able to beat him out speaks all the more of Beecher’s talents.
Finally, rounding out the Gamecock depth chart at quarterback is redshirt freshman Stephen Garcia. Garcia has had a number of off-the-field incidents and was suspended indefinitely over the summer. He has just been reinstated and might see a limited amount of playing time in 2008. He is a talented dual threat quarterback and probably the most naturally gifted of any of the South Carolina quarterbacks.
Looking at the depth and talent on the Gamecock roster at quarterback, opposing fans should be concerned. With a quarterback coach as good as Steve Spurrier, the Gamecocks have real potential to have one of the most prolific passing attacks in the SEC in 2008.
BY: Thomas Goldkamp
http://www.secsportshub.com/_mgxroot/img_1216443084_15895_1217629244.jpgThe Gamecocks will enter the season with a new face under center. Shortly after spring practice, Coach Steve Spurrier named junior Tommy Beecher the starter at quarterback. Beecher won the starting job despite the fact that sophomore Chris Smelley started several games during the 2007 season and actually played pretty well.
Beecher is a talented quarterback with a great arm from North Carolina. He has pretty good size for an SEC quarterback. Spurrier sounded very impressed with Beecher at the end of spring practice and he has reportedly taken some big strides over the summer.
With a coach like Spurrier to learn under, Beecher has the potential to have a breakout year on the national scene. He has a number of reliable targets to hit and his confidence seems to have improved tremendously over the past year.
http://www.secsportshub.com/_mgxroot/img_1216443084_15896_1217629363.jpgSmelley will likely play the backup role to Beecher, although with Spurrier calling the shots, he will almost certainly see a significant amount of time next year. Spurrier has been known to play the hot hand and won’t hesitate to put Smelley in should Beecher struggle.
Smelley looked extremely composed last year avoiding the rush, particularly against LSU’s ferocious defensive line. The fact that Beecher was able to beat him out speaks all the more of Beecher’s talents.
Finally, rounding out the Gamecock depth chart at quarterback is redshirt freshman Stephen Garcia. Garcia has had a number of off-the-field incidents and was suspended indefinitely over the summer. He has just been reinstated and might see a limited amount of playing time in 2008. He is a talented dual threat quarterback and probably the most naturally gifted of any of the South Carolina quarterbacks.
Looking at the depth and talent on the Gamecock roster at quarterback, opposing fans should be concerned. With a quarterback coach as good as Steve Spurrier, the Gamecocks have real potential to have one of the most prolific passing attacks in the SEC in 2008.