From: Cole
Bummer losing Chris Culliver for the rest of the year due to a torn pectoral muscle. Culliver is certainly not performing as well as he envisioned for his senior campaign, but this is most unfortunate. For those like myself who have dreams of Razorback touchdown passes dancing in our heads, the injury bug bite the Hogs the last two weeks as well. Star WR, Greg Childs, injured his ankle a few weeks ago and left the Vandy game in the 4th quarter due to an unspecified injury. The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reports that he pounded the ground in frustration after the injury. Childs did not return to the game. 2nd leading WR, Joe Adams, missed the Vandy game due to an ankle injury sustained against Ole Miss.
A new QB commit who switched from Wyoming is not the way to raise the broken spirits of clempson fans after another lose to a terrible team. How can they continue to play horribly against such poor competition with their talent level? The news of their premier weapon, Andre Ellington, injuring his foot cannot help either. Watch the local bridges closely. Big game at home versus division rival NC State. The clemmons faithful have to get rowdy for another 12 pm game. The ACC is great isn't it?
Braves
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Thursday, October 28, 2010
The Next Level
From: Benjamin
What do the Gamecocks have to do to win their first SEC East crown? For starters, the defense needs to grab some more turnovers. To be minus 6 in turnover margin and sitting atop the east is a bit surprising. The secondary has not dropped as many balls as last season, but they have not had the chance. The soft zone coverage schemes they almost exclusively ran prior to the Vanderbilt game have not placed our backs in position to intercept a pass. Gilmore and company need to make a big play and give the offense the short field.
Broken Record Alert! I realize this is getting redundant, but could we possibly, just maybe get a special teams touchdown this week? 2003 was a long time ago. Seven seasons ago, Chavez Donnings took a punt the distance at home versus Florida. Mathew Thomas took a kick back at Virginia in 2002. That is a lot of missed opportunities to change a game. Minus 4 net punt return yards at Vandy? Wow! We need to seize the day. Wonder when the last time we returned a kick for a TD at home? How many TDs has clemmons put up on special teams since Donnings gave us ours? Probably a lot. To see the impact this can have, watch any Florida game of the past three seasons.The Gamecock special teams need to step it up. Let's see is Coach Spurrier working with the punt return unit all week pays any dividends on Saturday against Tennessee.
What do the Gamecocks have to do to win their first SEC East crown? For starters, the defense needs to grab some more turnovers. To be minus 6 in turnover margin and sitting atop the east is a bit surprising. The secondary has not dropped as many balls as last season, but they have not had the chance. The soft zone coverage schemes they almost exclusively ran prior to the Vanderbilt game have not placed our backs in position to intercept a pass. Gilmore and company need to make a big play and give the offense the short field.
Sunday, October 24, 2010
The Monkey is off our back
From Austin:
Finally a road win. As good as junior QB Steven Garcia is, he had never won a road game as a starter until last night in Nashville. Now, he had played well on the road and won games in relief, but the monkey was gaining weight after the second half meltdowns in Auburn and Lexington. Now, we can travel to Florida in a few weeks with no added baggage. If Georgia beats the Gators in Jacksonville this Saturday and we take care of Tennessee and Arkansas at home, then the Florida game will only be for pride. The Gamecocks can lock up the east prior to the trip with a little help from the Bulldogs.
I thought for sure we were trying to give Vandy another win based on our first half of play. Bad snaps, penalties, and boneheaded plays killed us. I was planning for another end of the season meltdown caused by whatever happened at halftime versus Kentucky. This would mirror whatever happened in the locker room at the half at North Carolina. We were rocking until then and the season went downhill from there. Ah, but not this time. A stellar second half gets the win and keeps the title hopes alive.
Game balls go to 1) Brian Maddox-best game of his career and he looked relaxed carrying the ball. 2) Ace Sanders-confident on punt returns and running crisp routes. He took off downfield when Garcia scrambled, just like Alshon did, but the ball went to the taller WR. 3) Travian Robertson-in the backfield all night.
Worried about 1) Our DBs. Something has been off. There are too many lapses in coverage and we continue to play too far off on 3rd down. 2) Shotgun snaps-enough said. Not as bad as UF though.
3) Blocked kicks-2 this year. 1 is too many.
Finally a road win. As good as junior QB Steven Garcia is, he had never won a road game as a starter until last night in Nashville. Now, he had played well on the road and won games in relief, but the monkey was gaining weight after the second half meltdowns in Auburn and Lexington. Now, we can travel to Florida in a few weeks with no added baggage. If Georgia beats the Gators in Jacksonville this Saturday and we take care of Tennessee and Arkansas at home, then the Florida game will only be for pride. The Gamecocks can lock up the east prior to the trip with a little help from the Bulldogs.
I thought for sure we were trying to give Vandy another win based on our first half of play. Bad snaps, penalties, and boneheaded plays killed us. I was planning for another end of the season meltdown caused by whatever happened at halftime versus Kentucky. This would mirror whatever happened in the locker room at the half at North Carolina. We were rocking until then and the season went downhill from there. Ah, but not this time. A stellar second half gets the win and keeps the title hopes alive.
Game balls go to 1) Brian Maddox-best game of his career and he looked relaxed carrying the ball. 2) Ace Sanders-confident on punt returns and running crisp routes. He took off downfield when Garcia scrambled, just like Alshon did, but the ball went to the taller WR. 3) Travian Robertson-in the backfield all night.
Worried about 1) Our DBs. Something has been off. There are too many lapses in coverage and we continue to play too far off on 3rd down. 2) Shotgun snaps-enough said. Not as bad as UF though.
3) Blocked kicks-2 this year. 1 is too many.
Friday, October 22, 2010
Dabo's big day
From: Eilliott
It is sort of amusing to watch the clemmons faithful rant on their team and coaching staff this season. The Georgia Tech game is the fulcrum for a delicate seesaw of emotion. Should the tigers win, all will be well in tigerville again and Dabo will be a genius. Should they lose, Dabo will be a blundering idiot who is unable to manage his superior talent. Why does so much depend on the outcome of one game? Ga Tech's talent level is way down this season. This is the first truly average team on the tiger schedule, so it'll be a true test of the staff's ability to gameplan and motivate. This game is at home and should be a 7 point win at least.
It is sort of amusing to watch the clemmons faithful rant on their team and coaching staff this season. The Georgia Tech game is the fulcrum for a delicate seesaw of emotion. Should the tigers win, all will be well in tigerville again and Dabo will be a genius. Should they lose, Dabo will be a blundering idiot who is unable to manage his superior talent. Why does so much depend on the outcome of one game? Ga Tech's talent level is way down this season. This is the first truly average team on the tiger schedule, so it'll be a true test of the staff's ability to gameplan and motivate. This game is at home and should be a 7 point win at least.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
What the heck was that?
From: Leon
Ok, now that I am done throwing up about that Kentucky debacle, all I can think is what was going on? Lattimore wasn't playing defense. Did the secondary have lobotomies at halftime? That was one of the best first halves I have ever seen, only to be followed by one of the worst second halves. Brian Maddox is a good change of pace back when paired with Lattimore, but struggles as a primary. We should have put Kenny Miles in and ran the ball to run out the clock. Garcia seemed to check out mentally. All out a very poor performance. The Arkansas game is now a must win. Kenny Miles needs to take advantage of the opportunity this week and get us a blowout win.
The Braves released Melky Cabrera today. Thank goodness. He was terrible last year. How did he get to the majors and survive so long on the Yankees with such poor hitting form? One of the largest disappointments from 2010 was his defense. Takashi Saito was also released, but this was a planned maneuver since he signed his deal. Wishful thinking places Carl Crawford in left for the Braves for 2011 and beyond.
Ok, now that I am done throwing up about that Kentucky debacle, all I can think is what was going on? Lattimore wasn't playing defense. Did the secondary have lobotomies at halftime? That was one of the best first halves I have ever seen, only to be followed by one of the worst second halves. Brian Maddox is a good change of pace back when paired with Lattimore, but struggles as a primary. We should have put Kenny Miles in and ran the ball to run out the clock. Garcia seemed to check out mentally. All out a very poor performance. The Arkansas game is now a must win. Kenny Miles needs to take advantage of the opportunity this week and get us a blowout win.
The Braves released Melky Cabrera today. Thank goodness. He was terrible last year. How did he get to the majors and survive so long on the Yankees with such poor hitting form? One of the largest disappointments from 2010 was his defense. Takashi Saito was also released, but this was a planned maneuver since he signed his deal. Wishful thinking places Carl Crawford in left for the Braves for 2011 and beyond.
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Happy Trails Bobby Cox
From: Elliott
Happy trails to Bobby Cox and welcome to new manager Fredi Gonzalez. Great hire by the Braves. Pitching coach, Roger McDowell, and bench coach, Eddie Perez, will most likely be retained. Also look for base coaches Brian Snitker and Glenn Hubbard to have a strong chance of staying. A new hitting coach is an almost certainty. The big questions are what will the team do with personnel and contracts. The opening day payroll for 2009 was 83,890,334. This was down for 2008's number of 96,726,166.
Starting Pitching: The rotation appears to be set. Derek Lowe is in year 3 of a 4 year $60 million deal and lived up to expectations last season. Tim Hudson rebounded with a bang and has 2 years left at 9 million a year with a club option for 2013. Jair Jurrjens' contract is up. He has played under three one year deals over the last few seasons at .38, .45, and .48 million dollars. I'd expect agent, Scott Boras, to push for a longer deal and the Braves should jump at the chance as Jurrjens is a quality starter. Ditto for Tommy Hanson who played at $.435 million this year. Now the team may be able to renew these one year deals for a few more years as they are rookie contracts. Mike Minor will likely be the fifth and only left handed starter. This is a quality rotation. Kenshin Kawakami is owed $6.67 million and a decision will have to be made. He would likely choose to go back to Japan, rather than take a demotion to the bullpen.
Bullpen: Billy Wagner retiring frees up $7 million which will not have to be used on a replacement as the likely closer will be stud rookie righty, Craig Kimbrel. Kimbrel will have a much cheaper rookie deal. 2009 rookies Jonny Venters and Mike Dunn will form a potent lefty duo for a very cheap price. Venters was lights out this year and Dunn throws 95. Looking good so far. Hard throwing right hander, Kyle Farnsworth, has a $5.25 million club option for 2011. I would pass here, because that is a lot to give a 35 year old, but the argument could be made that he is worth it. Takashi Saito's contract is up and do not expect the Braves to resign the 41 year old righty, freeing up another $3.2 million. Peter Moylan made $1.15 million last season and was worth every penny. A new contract for the side arming right hander is a priority. Scott Proctor-who knows? Eric O'Flaherty is another cheap, effective lefty at $.44 million for 2010. Is three lefties too many? A additional right handed arm or two will most likely be signed this off-season. The saved dollars here can be used in the outfield.
Catcher: Need anything be said? Brian McCann is the team's best player and is under contract for $6.5 million in 2011, $8.5 in 2012, and there is a club option for $12 for 2013. David Ross is a more than serviceable back up and is under contract for the next two seasons at $1.625 million a year.
Infield: Infield defense has got to improve. 35 year old Derrek Lee was in the final year of a $13 million per year deal and is not expected to be retained as stud 21 year old prospect, Freddie Freeman, is expected to man the first bag next year. Troy Glaus is not likely to return next season, freeing up $1.75 million. 26 year old Martin Prado is coming off of a huge year in 2010 in which he made $.44 million and signing him to long term deal should be one of the first moves they make. Omar Infante has a $2.5 million club option for 2011, and it is a no brainer to keep him. Infante is a strong second basemen, but a weak 3rd bagger. He could easily play SS if the Braves choose not to retain 33 year old Alex Gonzalez. Gonzalez has a club option at $2.5 million for 2011. Chipper is owed $13 million per season over the next two years and may be back early on. A new shortstop and/or utility player may be in order here. Brooks Conrad's ($.44 million 2010) defense is too much of a liability and SS Diory Hernandez has not shown the bat to merit playing time. With a good fall, SS Brandon Hicks could hit his way into the lineup, but it is not likely.
Outfield: Can you say new players? Jason Heyward should move into the 3 hole and be one of the cheapest hitters at this slot in the order. Center and left field have to see more production for the team to move forward. Center needs to be maned by a leadoff hitter who can steal some bases. Bobby just did not like to run, but Fredi Gonzalez has never been too shy to give the green light. Left field needs to provide some much needed home runs. Nate McClouth has been a huge bust and is owed $6.5 million next year with a club option for 2012, up from $4.5 this year. Ouch! He will either be an expensive backup, sent to the minors, or play for another team with the Braves eating the meat of his contract. Melky Cabrera had a one year deal for $3.1 million in 2010. 50/50 as to whether is is resigned. Cabrera is a serviceable player, but does not provide enough SBs or HRs at either position to start. Rick Ankiel has a $6 million club option for 2011.Let's see her, ummm no! He would be a quality backup at $1.5 million, maybe. Fan favorite, Matt Diaz, will be 33 next season. He hit .250 with 7 HR in 224 at bats in 2010. Diaz simply does not have enough power to man left field everyday. He earned $2.55 million in a one year deal last season, and may be resigned as a backup. Eric Hinske earned $1 million as a pinch hitter and utility man in 2010, and he was worth it. Yes, he will be 34, but Hinske is a great pinch hitter and can play first if needed. He should be resigned quickly. Jordon Shafer would be the ideal leadoff man and center fielder, but he hit only .201 with 9 SBs last season at Gwinnett. Some new blood is sorely need in the outfield and let's hope the Braves are aggressive here.
Happy trails to Bobby Cox and welcome to new manager Fredi Gonzalez. Great hire by the Braves. Pitching coach, Roger McDowell, and bench coach, Eddie Perez, will most likely be retained. Also look for base coaches Brian Snitker and Glenn Hubbard to have a strong chance of staying. A new hitting coach is an almost certainty. The big questions are what will the team do with personnel and contracts. The opening day payroll for 2009 was 83,890,334. This was down for 2008's number of 96,726,166.
Starting Pitching: The rotation appears to be set. Derek Lowe is in year 3 of a 4 year $60 million deal and lived up to expectations last season. Tim Hudson rebounded with a bang and has 2 years left at 9 million a year with a club option for 2013. Jair Jurrjens' contract is up. He has played under three one year deals over the last few seasons at .38, .45, and .48 million dollars. I'd expect agent, Scott Boras, to push for a longer deal and the Braves should jump at the chance as Jurrjens is a quality starter. Ditto for Tommy Hanson who played at $.435 million this year. Now the team may be able to renew these one year deals for a few more years as they are rookie contracts. Mike Minor will likely be the fifth and only left handed starter. This is a quality rotation. Kenshin Kawakami is owed $6.67 million and a decision will have to be made. He would likely choose to go back to Japan, rather than take a demotion to the bullpen.
Bullpen: Billy Wagner retiring frees up $7 million which will not have to be used on a replacement as the likely closer will be stud rookie righty, Craig Kimbrel. Kimbrel will have a much cheaper rookie deal. 2009 rookies Jonny Venters and Mike Dunn will form a potent lefty duo for a very cheap price. Venters was lights out this year and Dunn throws 95. Looking good so far. Hard throwing right hander, Kyle Farnsworth, has a $5.25 million club option for 2011. I would pass here, because that is a lot to give a 35 year old, but the argument could be made that he is worth it. Takashi Saito's contract is up and do not expect the Braves to resign the 41 year old righty, freeing up another $3.2 million. Peter Moylan made $1.15 million last season and was worth every penny. A new contract for the side arming right hander is a priority. Scott Proctor-who knows? Eric O'Flaherty is another cheap, effective lefty at $.44 million for 2010. Is three lefties too many? A additional right handed arm or two will most likely be signed this off-season. The saved dollars here can be used in the outfield.
Catcher: Need anything be said? Brian McCann is the team's best player and is under contract for $6.5 million in 2011, $8.5 in 2012, and there is a club option for $12 for 2013. David Ross is a more than serviceable back up and is under contract for the next two seasons at $1.625 million a year.
Infield: Infield defense has got to improve. 35 year old Derrek Lee was in the final year of a $13 million per year deal and is not expected to be retained as stud 21 year old prospect, Freddie Freeman, is expected to man the first bag next year. Troy Glaus is not likely to return next season, freeing up $1.75 million. 26 year old Martin Prado is coming off of a huge year in 2010 in which he made $.44 million and signing him to long term deal should be one of the first moves they make. Omar Infante has a $2.5 million club option for 2011, and it is a no brainer to keep him. Infante is a strong second basemen, but a weak 3rd bagger. He could easily play SS if the Braves choose not to retain 33 year old Alex Gonzalez. Gonzalez has a club option at $2.5 million for 2011. Chipper is owed $13 million per season over the next two years and may be back early on. A new shortstop and/or utility player may be in order here. Brooks Conrad's ($.44 million 2010) defense is too much of a liability and SS Diory Hernandez has not shown the bat to merit playing time. With a good fall, SS Brandon Hicks could hit his way into the lineup, but it is not likely.
Outfield: Can you say new players? Jason Heyward should move into the 3 hole and be one of the cheapest hitters at this slot in the order. Center and left field have to see more production for the team to move forward. Center needs to be maned by a leadoff hitter who can steal some bases. Bobby just did not like to run, but Fredi Gonzalez has never been too shy to give the green light. Left field needs to provide some much needed home runs. Nate McClouth has been a huge bust and is owed $6.5 million next year with a club option for 2012, up from $4.5 this year. Ouch! He will either be an expensive backup, sent to the minors, or play for another team with the Braves eating the meat of his contract. Melky Cabrera had a one year deal for $3.1 million in 2010. 50/50 as to whether is is resigned. Cabrera is a serviceable player, but does not provide enough SBs or HRs at either position to start. Rick Ankiel has a $6 million club option for 2011.Let's see her, ummm no! He would be a quality backup at $1.5 million, maybe. Fan favorite, Matt Diaz, will be 33 next season. He hit .250 with 7 HR in 224 at bats in 2010. Diaz simply does not have enough power to man left field everyday. He earned $2.55 million in a one year deal last season, and may be resigned as a backup. Eric Hinske earned $1 million as a pinch hitter and utility man in 2010, and he was worth it. Yes, he will be 34, but Hinske is a great pinch hitter and can play first if needed. He should be resigned quickly. Jordon Shafer would be the ideal leadoff man and center fielder, but he hit only .201 with 9 SBs last season at Gwinnett. Some new blood is sorely need in the outfield and let's hope the Braves are aggressive here.
Monday, October 11, 2010
Down goes Bama! Down goes Bama!
From: Benjamin
What an absolutely humongous victory for the Fighting Gamecocks last Saturday! While everyone is talking about Alshon, Garcia, and Lattimore, here are ten other things we observed...
1) Coach Spurrier was finally able to run his passing offense because Garcia was throwing perfect timing passes. The corner route to Tori Gurley on the first drive was the most beautiful pass he has thrown as a Gamecock. Fades and corner routes are a staple in the Spurrier offense and we finally saw them. Oh, and it helped that the oline gave Garcia time to throw. Did you notice how much fun Coach was having on the sidelines? That was the Cock and Fire right there!
2) Everyone saw our lines win the battle of the trenches, but what got into right tackle Hutch Eckerson. To say he has played poorly during his 4 year career would be well, true. He was destroying the Bama DE. I hope he sustains that level of play because he was a machine.
3) Coach Shawn Elliott is worth every penny!
4) Loosening the restrictive shoulder brace on DE Cliff Matthews made a world of difference in his pass rushing ability.
5) All season, our defensive weakness was our linebackers-see Auburn game. Josh Dickerson played out of his mind. 6 tackles in the first half! He was vital to stopping the Wildcat formation. Tony Straughter had a big game as well.
6) Most underrated player----TE/FB Patrick Dimarco. Losing Weslye Saunders was a blessing in disguise for many reasons, not the least of which is getting Dimarco on the field more. He is a bruising blocker and was owning his man the whole game. Watch the block he threw on Lattimore's option TD run into the south endzone. Wow!
7) Anyone wonder now why we scream everytime Garcia comes off the field for a sub?
8) Moving DT Melvin Ingram to DE to add some bulk there was a genius coaching move. Ingram had 2 sacks and was disruptive all night.
9) D.J. Swearinger changing his committment from Tennessee to us was a bigger day than we thought at the time. He is a big time player and had his best game yet!
10) One of the most important improvements from last year's team is the kickoff specialist. The extra hangtime, distance, and ability to locate the kick allowed us to keep the Bama offense on a long field all night.
Enjoy this one Gamecock fans and don't lose focus!
What an absolutely humongous victory for the Fighting Gamecocks last Saturday! While everyone is talking about Alshon, Garcia, and Lattimore, here are ten other things we observed...
1) Coach Spurrier was finally able to run his passing offense because Garcia was throwing perfect timing passes. The corner route to Tori Gurley on the first drive was the most beautiful pass he has thrown as a Gamecock. Fades and corner routes are a staple in the Spurrier offense and we finally saw them. Oh, and it helped that the oline gave Garcia time to throw. Did you notice how much fun Coach was having on the sidelines? That was the Cock and Fire right there!
2) Everyone saw our lines win the battle of the trenches, but what got into right tackle Hutch Eckerson. To say he has played poorly during his 4 year career would be well, true. He was destroying the Bama DE. I hope he sustains that level of play because he was a machine.
3) Coach Shawn Elliott is worth every penny!
4) Loosening the restrictive shoulder brace on DE Cliff Matthews made a world of difference in his pass rushing ability.
5) All season, our defensive weakness was our linebackers-see Auburn game. Josh Dickerson played out of his mind. 6 tackles in the first half! He was vital to stopping the Wildcat formation. Tony Straughter had a big game as well.
6) Most underrated player----TE/FB Patrick Dimarco. Losing Weslye Saunders was a blessing in disguise for many reasons, not the least of which is getting Dimarco on the field more. He is a bruising blocker and was owning his man the whole game. Watch the block he threw on Lattimore's option TD run into the south endzone. Wow!
7) Anyone wonder now why we scream everytime Garcia comes off the field for a sub?
8) Moving DT Melvin Ingram to DE to add some bulk there was a genius coaching move. Ingram had 2 sacks and was disruptive all night.
9) D.J. Swearinger changing his committment from Tennessee to us was a bigger day than we thought at the time. He is a big time player and had his best game yet!
10) One of the most important improvements from last year's team is the kickoff specialist. The extra hangtime, distance, and ability to locate the kick allowed us to keep the Bama offense on a long field all night.
Enjoy this one Gamecock fans and don't lose focus!
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