We are kicking off a new series here on this Gamecocks Blog called “The Great Debate.” We will tackle some of the big questions facing the USC Gamecocks.
For this debate, we tackle the issue of Marcus Lattimore and the thought that he may be overworked.
Read our thoughts on this and we challenge you to give your opinion in the comment section to help us debate this topic…
General: Marcus Lattimore carried the ball 37 times on Saturday. This was not his first game with many carries. Some think he is carrying the ball too much. They are right; he is, but not for the right reason. Marcus needs to get fewer carries, so we can create viable back-ups. (While we’re at it, Connor Shaw needs some reps to develop, too, but that’s another debate.) The only way to develop a dependable #2 running back to avoid games like Kentucky is to give someone else some playing time.
Moose: I saw an article today referring to the amount of carries Lattimore has accrued this season, and the author was trying to make a point that Spurrier is trying to ruin Lattimore’s NFL career. I don’t know if I would go that far, but by the end of the season he will be worn down. I think it all depends on how much Carolina wants to win. If other offensive options are not working for whatever reason, it seems that Lattimore will take this team on his shoulders and get it done. Lattimore adds more to the offense then just running the ball, as he is an excellent pass blocker for Garcia as well. I am starting to wonder if there is another option to help in the backfield. Losing Shon Carson for the season might come back to haunt the Gamecocks later in the year. Where are Kenny Miles and Brandon Wilds?
Flounder: I don’t think there should be any concern with regards to Marcus Lattimore carrying the ball too much. Lattimore wants the ball in his hand and has stated he is fine with the workload, so give him the ball. He is the key to the offense, and you don’t want to back away from what works. I feel that when able, Lattimore needs to yield to another running back for reps in ‘mop-up-duty’ reps. No need for Lattimore in late game situations when the game is already a done deal. Shon Carson presented a good change-of-pace option behind Lattimore, and I feel that was going to be part of the running game, but Carson got hurt. Behind Lattimore now is not a really strong viable option to be the yang to Lattimore’s ying. This plays into the idea to keep feeding Lattimore.
General: Marcus can handle the carries. Let’s be clear about that. From all reports and the way he looks on the field, Lattimore has put in the work in the off season. It’s more a question of should. I think we would all like to be more comfortable with the back-up option, but the Kentucky game experience will linger with the fan base until there is confidence in the #2. The only way to get that back up ready is to play them in the games, in mop up time and sprinkled in during the course of the rest of the game. As the last two weeks have shown, there might not always be mop up time.
So what are your thoughts?
