Blake Mitchell is talented, there can be no questioning that. His performance at the end of last season and what he did in 2005 speaks for its self. However, one thing Blake Mitchell cannot be called is a leader. Mitchell's off the field antics and repeated troubles with law enforcement, the athletic department, and with coach Spurrier are all well documented. The purpose of this blog is not to rehash them, but simply to state that at most successful program, the quarterback is the leader of the team. Generally that means that his teammates hold that player in high regard.
The leader of a football team is not always a vocal leader, but is always a person and player that leads by example. Two cases in point are Steve Taneyhill and Phil Petty. Taneyhill was a boisterous leader, a rah-rah cheerleader guy that played the game with great emotion. How many will ever forget the home run swings and him signing the paw in Death Valley?
Sure, Taneyhill liked to have a good time, but his teammates loved him because of the passion he had for the game. You could see it every time he took the field. Steve developed his leadership skills as he matured and develop during his career. He was not a saint, but he didn't make it a habit of getting into trouble either. Taneyhill is one of my all time favorite Gamecocks.
There couldn't be anyone more un-like Steve Taneyhill than Phil Petty. Phil was a quiet kid that took his lumps at Carolina early on, but never complained. In 2000 and 2001, Phil Petty led the Gamecocks to the best back to back seasons in the history of Carolina football. Phil was not spectacular, but he knew when to throw the ball away to avoid a sack, and he never made a catastrophic play to cost the team a football game. Phil was quiet, but because of his work ethic and the way he approached the game, his teammates believed in him. In 2001 at Georgia, after the Dawgs took a late lead, Petty went into the huddle and said, "let's go win the football game."
Petty did just that, leading the Gamecocks on a touchdown drive that culminated on his touchdown pass to Brian Scott for a 14-9 victory that night in Athens. Phil capped his career with an MVP performance in the Outback Bowl. He went out a big winner.
Chris Smelley is neither Steve Taneyhill, Phil Petty or Blake Mitchell. For that matter, he is not Danny Wuerfell either. But Chris Smelley does have all the right stuff that leaders are made of. He has a quiet confidence about him. That was evident in post game interviews last weekend in Baton Rouge. Smelley appears ready for this weekend's game against Mississippi State. He carries himself like a winner. His post practice interview spoke volumes of his confidence and character. I was extremely impressed.
As a 14 year coaching veteran, sometimes it is easy for me to see some things other fans may not notice, or to have a feel for certain things going on in the program. My observation from the press box in Baton Rouge was that the offense had a quicker tempo when Smelley came into the game. The offensive line seemed to play with a greater sense of urgency and with a quicker tempo. They hustled up to the line of scrimmage, and the protection was better in the second half.
My feel for the situation is that the players respect Chris Smelley. He is a person that is worthy to lead this football team. Chris Smelley has never made headlines since his arrival at USC. That is because he's never been caught underage drinking in 5 points, or running from the law, slugging a bouncer, or keying a visiting professor's car for taking his parking spot. Those are the things that get you in the headlines at The State newspaper.
Chris Smelley is a fine christian young man. I have been told that he is a leader at all FCA events and that he prays for others. Chris Smelley walks the walk. Smelley is also an excellent student and his GPA bears that out. Smelley is also a student of the game. He studies film, he diagrams plays and goes over defenses. When he was in high school, Smelley played in a no huddle spread offense, and his coach had so much confidence in him that he allowed Smelley to call his own plays from his sophomore year on. (Smelley started as an 8th grader on the varsity at Tuscaloosa American Christian Academy)
I have to admit, I am anxiously awaiting Saturday's game and seeing what Smelley is capable of doing versus a good Mississippi State defense. I'm looking forward to how much Spurrier opens up the offense. I'm looking forward to seeing Chris Culliver, Mark Barnes, and Dion Lecorn making some plays on offense and special teams. I'm looking forward to seeing how Tyrone Nix and the USC defense responds to losing Brinkley, and to see Marvin Sapp and Melvin Ingram at the Mike linebacker spot.
It is a great time to be a Gamecock. See you on Saturday at The Brice!
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Brinkley's injury deflates fan base
Monday was not a great day to be a Gamecock. Instead, after hearing the news that All-SEC and All-America Candidate Jasper Brinkley had been lost for the season to a severe knee injury, most of the talk was how the season was lost and the renewed talk of the "Chicken Curse." This is the second season in a row the Gamecocks have lost key defensive starters.
Last season defensive tackle Marque Hall was lost in the Georgia game. Carolina's top safety, Brandon Isaac was lost to a shoulder injury early in fall camp. Linebacker Dustin Lindsey was academically ineligible. This season, the Gamecocks lost starting defensive lineman Nathan Pepper, Isaac has re-injured his shoulder, Projected starting defensive end Jordin Lindsey was declared academically ineligible, and today the news came down on Brinkley, who is arguably the most valuable defensive player in the Southeastern Conference.
Brinkley's injury is significant. Carolina will not replace Jasper Brinkley from a talent or leadership perspective this season. Instead, defensive coordinator Tyrone Nix must pool the talent at his disposal and have some players step up at key positions. It will take a group effort to compensate for the loss of Brinkley.
Carolina's front four will have to be more productive. Melvin Ingram and Marvin Sapp will have to fill the void at the middle linebacker position. Sapp has more experience, but is undersized. Ingram has all the physical tools of Brinkley and has tremendous upside, but is extremely inexperienced. Safety Emanuel Cook will probably see the number of tackles he makes increase with Brinkley out.
Losing Brinkley now is much better than losing him later in the season for several reasons. Firstof all, it gives the Gamecock coaching staff the opportunity to tweak the defense and bring Ingram and Sapp along, while also adjusting what they do up front. The Gamecocks should still be favored in each of the next four games. If the Gamecocks play up to their capabilites, they should be able to defeat MSU, Kentucky, UNC, and Vanderbilt. That would put Carolina's record at 7-1.
Second, by the injury taking place when it did, Brinkley is eligible for a medical redshirt. That would mean that Brinkley could return for the 2008 season on what should be a loaded Gamecock defense. However, it does make the task of facing the powerful running games of Arkansas, Florida, and Clemson more difficult.
Losing Brinkley may very well cost the Gamecocks a chance at the SEC Eastern Division title. However, don't sell short this coaching staff. Tyrone Nix and his defensive staff have gotten more out of less the past two seasons than anyone can imagine. The Gamecocks have more talent on defense than at any other time under Spurrier. The Gamecocks are playing a lot of young players, and as the season progresses that young talent will improve as each player gets more game experience. The next four games are critical for that development. How much can Melvin Ingram improve in four weeks remains to be seen, but clearly Ingram has all the tools to be a bigtime playmaker.
I am still not crazy about Casper Brinkley staying at defensive end. The Gamecocks need to beef up their linebacker corps. Carolina desparately needs Dustin Lindsey to make a healthy return, and the sooner the better. A linebacker corp of Casper Brinkley, Ingram and Lindsey would definitely hold up well against the strong ground atttacks of Arkansas, Florida, and Clemson.
So, here's to wishing Jasper a full and speedy recovery. Jap, we will miss you this season, but look forward to having you back in the lineup in 2008.
Last season defensive tackle Marque Hall was lost in the Georgia game. Carolina's top safety, Brandon Isaac was lost to a shoulder injury early in fall camp. Linebacker Dustin Lindsey was academically ineligible. This season, the Gamecocks lost starting defensive lineman Nathan Pepper, Isaac has re-injured his shoulder, Projected starting defensive end Jordin Lindsey was declared academically ineligible, and today the news came down on Brinkley, who is arguably the most valuable defensive player in the Southeastern Conference.
Brinkley's injury is significant. Carolina will not replace Jasper Brinkley from a talent or leadership perspective this season. Instead, defensive coordinator Tyrone Nix must pool the talent at his disposal and have some players step up at key positions. It will take a group effort to compensate for the loss of Brinkley.
Carolina's front four will have to be more productive. Melvin Ingram and Marvin Sapp will have to fill the void at the middle linebacker position. Sapp has more experience, but is undersized. Ingram has all the physical tools of Brinkley and has tremendous upside, but is extremely inexperienced. Safety Emanuel Cook will probably see the number of tackles he makes increase with Brinkley out.
Losing Brinkley now is much better than losing him later in the season for several reasons. Firstof all, it gives the Gamecock coaching staff the opportunity to tweak the defense and bring Ingram and Sapp along, while also adjusting what they do up front. The Gamecocks should still be favored in each of the next four games. If the Gamecocks play up to their capabilites, they should be able to defeat MSU, Kentucky, UNC, and Vanderbilt. That would put Carolina's record at 7-1.
Second, by the injury taking place when it did, Brinkley is eligible for a medical redshirt. That would mean that Brinkley could return for the 2008 season on what should be a loaded Gamecock defense. However, it does make the task of facing the powerful running games of Arkansas, Florida, and Clemson more difficult.
Losing Brinkley may very well cost the Gamecocks a chance at the SEC Eastern Division title. However, don't sell short this coaching staff. Tyrone Nix and his defensive staff have gotten more out of less the past two seasons than anyone can imagine. The Gamecocks have more talent on defense than at any other time under Spurrier. The Gamecocks are playing a lot of young players, and as the season progresses that young talent will improve as each player gets more game experience. The next four games are critical for that development. How much can Melvin Ingram improve in four weeks remains to be seen, but clearly Ingram has all the tools to be a bigtime playmaker.
I am still not crazy about Casper Brinkley staying at defensive end. The Gamecocks need to beef up their linebacker corps. Carolina desparately needs Dustin Lindsey to make a healthy return, and the sooner the better. A linebacker corp of Casper Brinkley, Ingram and Lindsey would definitely hold up well against the strong ground atttacks of Arkansas, Florida, and Clemson.
So, here's to wishing Jasper a full and speedy recovery. Jap, we will miss you this season, but look forward to having you back in the lineup in 2008.
Monday, September 24, 2007
The Return of The Cockfather
I have been gone too long. Much like Michael Corleone's exile to Italia to escape recrimination from the authorities, The Cockfather has been away from the Gamecock nation for too long. However, after making some bold new moves over the past several months and cutting ties with another organization, The Cockfather is back to where he belongs....back with the Gamecock nation.
I have been asked by Keith Allsep and JC Shurburtt, the founders of the best and coolest Gamecock site on the web, TheBigSpur.com, to bring back Cockfather Illustrated. So, guess what...I'm back and badder than ever.
Feel free to post your comments on the blog. Remember, this is just an extenison of TheBigSpur.com, and my thoughts are not those of the ownership of TBS.
SO, here we go, my first blog in over a year.
Random Thoughts on LSU:
First of all, I don't think their quarterback play is good enough to win a National title. Defensively, while they have superior talent, I have never been a fan of Bo Pelini. I think he takes too many chances and leaves their defense vunerable to the big play. Pete Carroll and Southern Cal would pick them apart. LSU is good enough to win the SEC, but I don't think they woudl beat USC-W.
Carolina had their chances. Carlos failing to scoop up that ball and run it in for 6, E-Cook's drop of a pick-6, The fake FG, missing 2 critical 4th downs, and the dropped TD pass by Moe Brown.
I have actually come to expect Moe Brown to drop the football. When he did make a catch on Saturday, I was shocked. Anybody else shocked that he ACTAULLY caught a ball? Wow.
Now, on to more important things, Like Mississippi State.
The Gamecocks will be favored and should win this game. I like th move of going to Smelley. I honestly think he gives us the best chance to win. I think the entire offense responds better to him, probably because they have more respect for him due to the way he lives his life and the leadership skills he possesses. Let's face it, your qurterback ahs to be a leader, and Blake simply is NOT a leader. JC stated that he was itnerested to see what kind of quarterback Mitchell would be without Sidney Rice as his security blanket. Well, after three games, we know....not very effective.
I am not blaming it all on Blake, because let's face it, has there ever been worse receiver play on a Steve Spurrier coached team? I feel like we are back to 2005 with Chris Clark, and a bunch of true freshmen out there...which is basically what we have...minus The Great Sidney Rice. Had Sidney returned for his junior season as he should have, This Gamecocks team would be a legitimate BCS candidate.
The next four games are critical, must-win games. Carolina will be favored in each of these contests, and should face a ranked Kentucky program that is playing with great confidence. A win over another top 25 team will boost USCs ranking.
A 7-1 record heading into the Orange Crush portion of the schedule will give Carolina a chance at winning the SEC East. At Tennessee is always challenging, A road game at Arkansas is tough, but is looking better than it was a couple of weeks ago. Arkansas's defense is getting shredded like Swiss Cheese right now and they can't throw the football. The Gamecocks must correct their run defense to have a chance to beat the hogs.
Then it's down to the final two games of the season. Florida coudl potentially be ranked in the top 3 when they visit Williams-Brice Stadium on Nov. 10. Tim Teebow is a legitimate Heisman candidate right now and is puting up astounding numbers. The Florida defense is young and inexeperienced, but very, very talented. This will be a big-time battle.
Clemson...well, we all know what the Cockfather thinks about the tiggers, but let's face it, the A-she-she is the weakest conference in the nation this year. Clemson will have 9-10 wins when they arrive at Williams-Brice Stadium for the regualr season finale for both teams NOvember 24th.
It is the opinion of Cockfather Illustrated that in order for the Gamecocks to challenge for the SEC East down the stretch, Spurrier must play the freshmen receivers. Live and die with Culliver and the Barnes boys. Sprinkle in a little Dion Lecorn and use Jared Cook and Saunders together in there. Hell, split Cory Boyd out wide and throw the ball to him and play Boyd and Daivs in there together more often.
Carolina must also settle on an offensive line. The guard play has been shoddy up to this point. Those positions are like a revolving door. Does that sound familiar? It looks like it will again be the 6th or 7th game before Carolina settles on a consistent starting 5 up front.
Defensively, I don't like the move of Casper to DE. Carolina needs him at LB. Cody Wells cannot stand up in there to SEC ground attacks and Cliff Matthews is limited because of the club he wears on his hand. Put Jonathan Williams out there. He is a big guy and has played defensive end his enitre career. Kenrick Ellis played well enough in there to earn more time.
Travian Robertson has not been healthy, and needs to get back to 100 percent. He has been playing with a dinged up knee. The Gamecocks also need Dustin Lindsey to get back into the lineup. He re-injured the same ACL he had surgically repaired in the spring. Brandon Isaac is another key member of the defense that needs to be 0n the field. Isaac has NFL ability.
The Gamecock defense cannot be an upper echelon defense if Cody Wells, Joel Reaves, Ryan Brown, and Chris Hampton are all out there playing at the same time or seeing significant reps. Nothing against those young men, but honestly from an athletic standpoint, they could not play for very many of the teams on our schedule.
Well, there you have it, the first public thouhts from the Cockfather in over a year. I hope many will find this blog and post your thoughts as they pertain to Gamecock athletics.
Have a great day and stay tuned in to Cockfather Illustrated for my latest thoughts, and as always....To Hell With Clemson!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I have been asked by Keith Allsep and JC Shurburtt, the founders of the best and coolest Gamecock site on the web, TheBigSpur.com, to bring back Cockfather Illustrated. So, guess what...I'm back and badder than ever.
Feel free to post your comments on the blog. Remember, this is just an extenison of TheBigSpur.com, and my thoughts are not those of the ownership of TBS.
SO, here we go, my first blog in over a year.
Random Thoughts on LSU:
First of all, I don't think their quarterback play is good enough to win a National title. Defensively, while they have superior talent, I have never been a fan of Bo Pelini. I think he takes too many chances and leaves their defense vunerable to the big play. Pete Carroll and Southern Cal would pick them apart. LSU is good enough to win the SEC, but I don't think they woudl beat USC-W.
Carolina had their chances. Carlos failing to scoop up that ball and run it in for 6, E-Cook's drop of a pick-6, The fake FG, missing 2 critical 4th downs, and the dropped TD pass by Moe Brown.
I have actually come to expect Moe Brown to drop the football. When he did make a catch on Saturday, I was shocked. Anybody else shocked that he ACTAULLY caught a ball? Wow.
Now, on to more important things, Like Mississippi State.
The Gamecocks will be favored and should win this game. I like th move of going to Smelley. I honestly think he gives us the best chance to win. I think the entire offense responds better to him, probably because they have more respect for him due to the way he lives his life and the leadership skills he possesses. Let's face it, your qurterback ahs to be a leader, and Blake simply is NOT a leader. JC stated that he was itnerested to see what kind of quarterback Mitchell would be without Sidney Rice as his security blanket. Well, after three games, we know....not very effective.
I am not blaming it all on Blake, because let's face it, has there ever been worse receiver play on a Steve Spurrier coached team? I feel like we are back to 2005 with Chris Clark, and a bunch of true freshmen out there...which is basically what we have...minus The Great Sidney Rice. Had Sidney returned for his junior season as he should have, This Gamecocks team would be a legitimate BCS candidate.
The next four games are critical, must-win games. Carolina will be favored in each of these contests, and should face a ranked Kentucky program that is playing with great confidence. A win over another top 25 team will boost USCs ranking.
A 7-1 record heading into the Orange Crush portion of the schedule will give Carolina a chance at winning the SEC East. At Tennessee is always challenging, A road game at Arkansas is tough, but is looking better than it was a couple of weeks ago. Arkansas's defense is getting shredded like Swiss Cheese right now and they can't throw the football. The Gamecocks must correct their run defense to have a chance to beat the hogs.
Then it's down to the final two games of the season. Florida coudl potentially be ranked in the top 3 when they visit Williams-Brice Stadium on Nov. 10. Tim Teebow is a legitimate Heisman candidate right now and is puting up astounding numbers. The Florida defense is young and inexeperienced, but very, very talented. This will be a big-time battle.
Clemson...well, we all know what the Cockfather thinks about the tiggers, but let's face it, the A-she-she is the weakest conference in the nation this year. Clemson will have 9-10 wins when they arrive at Williams-Brice Stadium for the regualr season finale for both teams NOvember 24th.
It is the opinion of Cockfather Illustrated that in order for the Gamecocks to challenge for the SEC East down the stretch, Spurrier must play the freshmen receivers. Live and die with Culliver and the Barnes boys. Sprinkle in a little Dion Lecorn and use Jared Cook and Saunders together in there. Hell, split Cory Boyd out wide and throw the ball to him and play Boyd and Daivs in there together more often.
Carolina must also settle on an offensive line. The guard play has been shoddy up to this point. Those positions are like a revolving door. Does that sound familiar? It looks like it will again be the 6th or 7th game before Carolina settles on a consistent starting 5 up front.
Defensively, I don't like the move of Casper to DE. Carolina needs him at LB. Cody Wells cannot stand up in there to SEC ground attacks and Cliff Matthews is limited because of the club he wears on his hand. Put Jonathan Williams out there. He is a big guy and has played defensive end his enitre career. Kenrick Ellis played well enough in there to earn more time.
Travian Robertson has not been healthy, and needs to get back to 100 percent. He has been playing with a dinged up knee. The Gamecocks also need Dustin Lindsey to get back into the lineup. He re-injured the same ACL he had surgically repaired in the spring. Brandon Isaac is another key member of the defense that needs to be 0n the field. Isaac has NFL ability.
The Gamecock defense cannot be an upper echelon defense if Cody Wells, Joel Reaves, Ryan Brown, and Chris Hampton are all out there playing at the same time or seeing significant reps. Nothing against those young men, but honestly from an athletic standpoint, they could not play for very many of the teams on our schedule.
Well, there you have it, the first public thouhts from the Cockfather in over a year. I hope many will find this blog and post your thoughts as they pertain to Gamecock athletics.
Have a great day and stay tuned in to Cockfather Illustrated for my latest thoughts, and as always....To Hell With Clemson!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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