Spurrier pondering giving quarterback Garcia a shotBy Charles Bennett (Contact)
The Post and Courier
Monday, September 22, 2008
C. Aluka Berry USC QB Stephen Garcia has thrown one pass this season. COLUMBIA — It appears the long-awaited debut of Stephen Garcia as South Carolina's starting quarterback is imminent. Or maybe not. After South Carolina struggled to beat Wofford, 23-13, on Saturday night behind Chris Smelley, USC coach Steve Spurrier said it's time to give Garcia a shot. On Sunday afternoon, Spurrier hadn't ruled it out, but seemed a bit less certain. "After watching the tape, Chris Smelley, I think, played a little bit better than we gave him credit for last night," Spurrier said Sunday. "He had guys coming right at him way too many times. Our pass protection was not as good as it should have been a few times. That probably led to some quick throws. "We'll see how it goes this week in practice. At some point, we've got to see what Stephen Garcia can do. Whether or not, he's ready to play, I don't know, but I've got to find out pretty soon." Smelley completed 23-of-33 passes for 204 yards with one touchdown against Wofford, but he threw two interceptions, fumbled and was sacked twice. On a positive note, South Carolina was 7 of 11 on third-down conversions and managed 30 first downs, primarily relying on a ball-control offense accented by screens and short throws. Tailback Mike Davis was the Gamecocks' leading receiver with six catches for 51 yards. "We're not down on Chris, we just wish there were a few plays here and there he can start making," Spurrier said. South Carolina (2-2) takes on Alabama-Birmingham at 7 p.m. Saturday at Williams-Brice Stadium, giving the Gamecocks a perfect opportunity to give Garcia, a redshirt freshman, significant playing time. Garcia has played in one game and thrown only one pass — an incompletion — but has gotten increased repetitions in practice the last couple weeks as South Carolina continues to struggle at quarterback. "If Stephen Garcia can show us something in practice this week that he's capable, that he can manage the game and take care of the ball, let's put him out there," Spurrier said. "But if he appears lost, or appears that he doesn't quite know what he's doing out there, then we should not put him out there." Specifically, Spurrier said he will look at Garcia's command of the offense this week in practice before making a decision on a starter "about Wednesday or so." "Just making decisions where to throw the ball," Spurrier said. "Make sure he knows where everybody is going and so forth. He's pretty close to playing, but I don't know what will happen when he plays. I wish we knew, but we'll never know until he plays. We'll get him out there a little this week and go from there. "If we think Stephen can help us win the game, at some point he deserves a chance. We hope he's ready. If we think Chris Smelley gives us the best chance to win the game, then we need to play Chris Smelley." --Running back Mike Davis, guard Heath Batchelor and defensive end Jordin Lindsey will miss the game against UAB for violation of team rules concerning class attendance. -- |
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Comments
This article has 13 comment(s)
Posted by nappyd on September 22, 2008 at 10:05 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Misleading subject line, thought he was thinking about giving that alkie a jaeger bomb.
Posted by topix on September 22, 2008 at 10:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)
It's amazing, to me, that Carolina fans can't understand why USC doesn't have a premiere quarterback with Steve Spurrier at the helm. The answer is in this article. The guy is so unsure about EVERYthing and isn't loyal to anyone. No high school player with hopes of going pro wants to go to a school where he is embarrased and benched if/when he makes a mistake. It happens year after year and is often the butt of jokes from commentators and former players. Steve, it's not a joke anymore, stand behind your players and give them some confidence...maybe they'll reward you for it by giving solid performances. Respect instead of fear!
Posted by ed52 on September 22, 2008 at 11:54 a.m. (Suggest removal)
it's not about benching smelley . it's about getting a second qb ready to play. the only thing bothersome to me was smelley's quote after the game . he turned the ball over 3 times , but didn't think he played "that bad". 3 turnovers are "that bad". cut the turnovers in half and we MAY be 4 and 0.
Posted by Rooster07 on September 22, 2008 at 12:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Spurrier has always been very vague with the media. Trust me, he knows what's going on, he just doesn't want to leak it to the media. Topix, I suppose you would rather play for a coach that unless you're 1st team you ride the bench.
I think guys would rather play for a coach who has a reputation for playing young players.
Posted by SOSblows on September 22, 2008 at 12:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)
excatly why USC has 5 star QBS rolling in with each class....oh wait. Clemson's 4th string QB, Kyle Parker, is better than any USC QB.
Posted by guidedbystewart on September 22, 2008 at 1 p.m. (Suggest removal)
It is not about the QB but the offensive line!
Posted by OldSalt on September 22, 2008 at 1:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)
MEMO to Dr. Pastides:
I have a plan for future Gamecock success!
Step 1) Leave the defense and Coach Johnson alone, (you may need him later - see Step 4).
Step 2) On offense, start KM, J. Cook and all freshmen if possible, or at least all freshmen and sophomores. (I think the OBC is pretty much headed in that direction anyway.)
Step 3) Use the run to establish the pass. (This will be the hardest thing the OBC has ever done in his life.)
Step 4) Substitute on offense as needed, including coaches - ALL coaches, (you may need a new AD to complete this step - if so, see Step 1).
Thank you in advance for your prompt attention to this matter.
Posted by summerville_guy on September 22, 2008 at 1:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Might as well start Garcia. We definitely need somebody on offense who can match the efforts our defense has been going to this year. If we had a more efficient QB (which might be Garcia, who knows?) and if our O-line worked harder and smarter (reducing penalties), we would be a force to be reckoned with.
Posted by sbs920 on September 22, 2008 at 1:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Give Garcia a chance. why not? more mobile and stronger arm and heck we all know he does "shots". Hey how bout a Alabama-Slama for starters. Oops, wrong team! LOL!
couldn't be any worse than Smelley and Harper, who have more interceptions than TD tosses thus far.
Gotta give it to SOS, at least he is willing to find someone to get it done, rather than little tammy not giving willie crack korn a shot instead of mop ups against creme-puffs. . . Classic!
Fear the Turtle. . .
Posted by youmanyo on September 22, 2008 at 4:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Ship is sinking fast in chickenville .
Posted by ed52 on September 22, 2008 at 6:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)
sosblows , tommy thinks kyle's butt is cute. maybe when they start dating, kyle can win the job.
Posted by moonpie on September 22, 2008 at 9:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)
topix exactly what I thought after reading the article.
Come on coach quit stating the obvious! Of course you need to play Garcia.
Posted by wonderdog on September 22, 2008 at 9:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)
nappyd.........ROFLMAO!!!!!