Richardson makes case to start

COLUMBIA — Steve Spurrier has talked a bunch the past couple of years about waiting for offensive linemen to make a move.

Well, he might have one mover in Quintin Richardson. Richardson used his redshirt fall well, did everything he was supposed to do during the spring and summer months, and now he's become a bona fide prospect — and maybe favorite — to start at left tackle.

"I'm ready for whatever happens," said Richardson, the 6-4, 290-pounder from Columbia. "I'm out here practicing, having fun."

Hutch Eckerson was thought to be competing for the spot, but he has been shifted to right tackle behind starter Justin Sorensen, coaches said. That leaves Richardson and Jarriel King, who's come on quickly but injured his hamstring Tuesday.

If Richardson wins the job and plays well enough, offensive line coach John Hunt might have a new problem, a good one: He'll have to find a spot for Jamon Meredith. Meredith, the senior incumbent at left tackle, won't return until the Sept. 13 Georgia game because he has to satisfy an eligibility requirement from his freshman year. Meredith might also be able to play guard, coaches have said.

"I'm out here doing what I'm taught, having fun," Richardson said. "Whatever coach's decision is, whether I start two games or however long, it's his decision."

Richardson admits he "wasn't there last year," mentally or physically. But he says the year practicing and working out did him wonders.

"Everything has improved, my run-blocking, my plays," he said. "I run my plays a whole lot better than last year. My pass-blocking has increased tremendously. Everything's improved, but I can do more on top of that."

King's hammy

Another thing that might help Richardson, at least temporarily, is the fact that King evidently hurt his hamstring late during Tuesday's practice.

"I don't know how he did it," Spurrier said. "It was just in a drill. He should be all right, but he was hurting there toward the end of practice."

The 6-7, 290-pounder from North Charleston has been making a run at that left tackle spot.

Testy Gamecocks

Spurrier said he shut down Tuesday night's practice a little early and sent the Gamecocks to the sideline for extra sprints. Like the first time it happened last week, things got a little too "spirited" between the offense and defense.

"We had a so-so practice, had a bunch of snaps," Spurrier said, "but we had some guys pushing and jawing so we cut it short and ran a little extra. (It was) nothing serious. ... It happens. One guy shoves, another guy shoves. They take up for each other. But no fisticuffs or anything like that. Just too much jawing."

Weather watchers

South Carolina will have its second scrimmage of camp tonight, weather permitting. Spurrier was more hopeful than the initially bleak forecast.

"The latest forecast was rain early and clearing late," Spurrier said. "If it clears, we'll be fine."

Sure enough, the Ball Coach's meteorological skills were spot on. Weather.com is calling for heavy thunderstorms throughout the day, but the percentage of rain drops significantly in the late afternoon hours. By the scheduled 8 p.m. start time, it's down to 20 percent.

Spurrier said Tommy Beecher and Chris Smelley will play in tonight's scrimmage. He hinted that freshmen Aramis Hillary and Reid McCollum might not.

Extra points

RB Mike Davis (shoulder) practiced some, but still didn't participate in contact drills. ... DT Marque Hall (knee) again was held out. ... QB Stephen Garcia (ankle) wore yellow, but did participate some. ... Defensive line coach Brad Lawing said Ladi Ajiboye, at tackle, and Cliff Matthews, at end, are ahead of everyone else so far in camp.

-- Travis Haney