--The Gamecocks return 10 defensive starters, including MLB Jasper Brinkley, an All-America candidate. Brinkley suffered a season-ending knee injury in the fourth game of 2007, and South Carolina's defense wasn't the same without him. With Brinkley on track for a full recovery, and All-SEC DE Eric Norwood moving to linebacker, the Gamecocks will be loaded at 'backer.
--With Stephen Garcia suspended until August, junior Tommy Beecher outdueled Chris Smelley in the spring battle at quarterback. Beecher is an academic standout with a strong arm, but he entered South Carolina with less hype than the other two quarterbacks. The 6-2, 227-pounder completed nine of 20 throws for 131 yards and a touchdown in the spring game, but threw three interceptions. He also ran three times for 32 yards. Smelley hurt his cause by throwing five picks in the spring game.
SPRING MOVERS
OL Hutch Eckerson -- The 6-6, 291-pound sophomore was named the team's most improved offensive lineman and won the starting spot at left tackle vacated by Jamon Meredith, who must sit the first two games to get back his redshirt year. Eckerson got a lot stronger while redshirting last season, and it showed this spring. He made five starts in 2006.
SS Mark Barnes -- The redshirt freshman made two interceptions and some big hits in the spring game, and should get playing time this fall behind Emanuel Cook. The 6-2, 200-pounder is a former receiver with good hands and great speed.
RB Brian Maddox -- He earned the backup tailback spot after averaging nearly nine yards a carry in the spring game. Maddox, a 5-10, 220-pounder who will push starter Mike Davis for playing time, showed a great burst on his 37-yard touchdown run.
QUOTE TO NOTE "Anything can happen. We'll see how they work. This summer is very important for these guys. But coach (Steve Spurrier) wanted to name a No. 1 guy and Tommy (Beecher) earned it." -- Assistant quarterbacks coach David Reaves, to The State, on Beecher entering the summer as the Gamecocks' starting quarterback.
Copyright (C) 2008 The Sports Xchange. All Rights Reserved.
The upcoming season is highly anticipated in Columbia, but for the life of me I can't understand why ...... Vote for the most likely Coot disappointment !
hey fellow gamecocks clemson has a thread on their board for their favorite carolina insults i want to hear everyones best reason for not being a clemson fan mine is getting off the tit before i turned 70how about yours
While surfing the web I happened across this contest for season tickets. As much as I like watching football my wife would not be happy if I were to enter and win. I figured my football breathren who live in the SEC might like a shot at the tickets.
here's the schedule for the 2008 season. thoughts and predictions? i dont care what you Clemson fans have to say so dont bother.
Aug. 28 vs NC State
Sept. 4 at Vanderbilt
Sept. 13 vs Georgia
Sept. 20 vs Wofford
Sept. 27 vs UAB
Oct. 4 at Mississippi
Oct. 11 at Kentucky
Oct. 18 vs LSU
Nov. 1 vs Tennessee
Nov. 8
...(more)
May 3rd, 2008 on the Gator Football homepage will be the first annual fan smack-off. Fans from all over CBSSportsline.com are invited to join a special thread being set-up which will be titled "Smack-off" to talk your best smack at your bitterest rival. Auburn v. Alabama, Michigan v. OSU, USC v. UCLA, Kansas v. Missouri, we'll have it all. We a
...(more)
