South Carolina football is here, the wait is over. The defending SEC East champs took to the field for the first day of spring practice and the buzz around camp is yet again Stephen Garcia. Not for the reason that he is a senior this year and is showing signs of stepping up to guide the Gamecocks back to Atlanta for the SEC Champion. Nope, reason is the “rumor” seemed to have a “wee bit” of truth to it and Garcia is suspened for week one of spring practice.
Coach Spurrier called it a violation of team rules that has led him to suspend starting quarterback Stephen Garcia and backup quarterback Andrew Clifford for a week. The Ol’ Ball Coach would not share any details concering the offense the two had committed, other than to say it was an issue that happened earlier and the team was just now getting around to handling it. (Hmmm….) The rumor was this incident happened the night before and it seems that part is NOT TRUE but “something” happened earlier in the week in the hotel room that involved boos, women and being after curfew. Many of the message boards and talk eluded to “something” happened before the bowl game. At first, this blog did not believe it and was going to write about how it was not true but the rumor would not go away. Seems now we know that Garcia and Clifford made a bad decision. Hopefully the complete truth will come out and we can all move on.
Garcia now has missed at least part of three of his five spring practices on campus. Three run-ins with the law during his first 15 months at South Carolina caused him to miss all offseason practices in 2007 and 2008.
I plead for Garcia to grow up. The team’s success in 2011 depends on a strong leader under center that can make the right decisions and guide the offense as the weapons (talent) is in place. Come on Garcia, be the senior leader the team needs you to be.
Other news from Day 1 of spring ball:
– Victor Hampton was also suspended for the first day due to an academic issue and is expected back for the next team practice.
– TE Mike Trigila was also sent home from the Chick-fil-a Bowl (reported by Travis Haney via twitter), seems horsing around was frowned upon.
– DeVonte Holloman is seeing action at Spur and Damario Jeffery was playing more linebacker in Day 1.
– Strong Safety spot is open for anyone to step up…Brison Williams?
– New Special Teams Coach John Butler will also coach Spur position.
– Nick Jones and Bryce Sherman got lots of looks at WR. Both impressed on Day One. Alshon, will he was Alshon today as he was looking like the best wide out in the nation as he caught everything.
– Something to watch -> Trav Robertson and Antonio Allen are beginning to step up as leaders on defense as they were leading by example and being vocal.
– Several players did not participate in the first practice due to injuries, including Qua Gilchrist, Rodney Paulk, Matt O’Brien, Ryan Broadhead, Mike Triglia and Dalton Wilson.
– Some former Gamecock players were on hand for the first practice including Cliff Matthews, Jasper Brinkley, Lance Laury, Ryan Succop, Patrick DiMarco and Larry Freeman.
