Insider Report August 11
With the start of a new football season, GamecockCentral.com is happy to announce a new feature: The Insider Report. Check back each weekday during the season for a new edition.
For continuity reasons, if you have question regarding this report, please use today’s “Ask Tony" thread on The Insiders Forum.
Who’s Hot?
Quarterback Tommy Beecher has gotten off to a great start to fall practice. He’s confident, poised and looks to be in complete control of the offense. The players also seem to be responding well to him, which is key in his progression from backup to starter. If he continues to perform well, he should be in a great frame of mind heading into the 2008 season.
Wide receiver Kenny McKinley has arguably had the best overall fall practice of any Gamecock player this point in the proceedings. Nobody has been able to cover him one-on-one and he has made several spectacular grabs in practice. With more weapons around him, teams won’t be able to focus on him as much as in 2007, which could lead to a career year.
Prior to hurting his shoulder last week, an injury that could lead to him missing a few more practices, running back Mike Davis was showing signs that he, too, was ready for a big 2008 season. His off-season training regimen led to him showing up in August with more quickness and straight-ahead speed, two areas of weakness in the past. Assuming his shoulder heals quickly and properly, look for him to be the primary tailback and a productive one this season.
Safety Darian Stewart was named the team’s most outstanding player following spring practice, and he has carried that momentum into fall practice. He is one of the most active players on the Gamecock defense and has excelled against the run and the pass thus far in camp. Look for him to play a key role this season as Ellis Johnson and his defense make the shift to the 4-2-5.
Eric Norwood is making the transition from defensive end to linebacker, but he’s still finding a way to make his biggest plays behind the line of scrimmage. He looks great on blitzes and also has been very active thus far in practice. He seems to relish his role as the emotional leader of the defense and the players are feeding off his intensity.
Other Team Notes
Quintin Richardson is giving Hutch Eckerson all he can handle in the competition for the starting left tackle position. Richardson has displayed a nice combination of athleticism and aggression and is holding his own against the defensive front. Eckerson has also been solid, and Jarriel King is making progress there as well.
The news isn’t quite as positive where left guard Lemuel Jeanpierre is concerned. Surprisingly most of his mistakes are of the mental variety. I say surprising because he understood his defensive assignments as well as anyone, but the light still hasn’t quite come on for him on offense as of yet. Don’t get me wrong, he’s better now than he was at this point last year, but he hasn’t progressed quite like the coaches had hoped.
Garrett Anderson is close to overtaking Seaver Brown as the starting center, but injured his shoulder in the scrimmage over the weekend. Assuming he’s not out very long, I look for him to be the starter for the opener.
Wide receivers Joe Hills and Jason Barnes have both shown signs of improvement, although neither has been as consistent as the coaches would like. Of the two, Hills is a bit further along, but both should break into the game rotation this season.
If you have any news or tips you'd like to share, please send an email to recruiting@gamecockcentral.com
This post was edited on 8/11 1:24 PM by Brian Shoemaker
This post was edited on 8/12 5:01 PM by Brian Shoemaker
With the start of a new football season, GamecockCentral.com is happy to announce a new feature: The Insider Report. Check back each weekday during the season for a new edition.
For continuity reasons, if you have question regarding this report, please use today’s “Ask Tony" thread on The Insiders Forum.
Who’s Hot?
Quarterback Tommy Beecher has gotten off to a great start to fall practice. He’s confident, poised and looks to be in complete control of the offense. The players also seem to be responding well to him, which is key in his progression from backup to starter. If he continues to perform well, he should be in a great frame of mind heading into the 2008 season.
Wide receiver Kenny McKinley has arguably had the best overall fall practice of any Gamecock player this point in the proceedings. Nobody has been able to cover him one-on-one and he has made several spectacular grabs in practice. With more weapons around him, teams won’t be able to focus on him as much as in 2007, which could lead to a career year.
Prior to hurting his shoulder last week, an injury that could lead to him missing a few more practices, running back Mike Davis was showing signs that he, too, was ready for a big 2008 season. His off-season training regimen led to him showing up in August with more quickness and straight-ahead speed, two areas of weakness in the past. Assuming his shoulder heals quickly and properly, look for him to be the primary tailback and a productive one this season.
Safety Darian Stewart was named the team’s most outstanding player following spring practice, and he has carried that momentum into fall practice. He is one of the most active players on the Gamecock defense and has excelled against the run and the pass thus far in camp. Look for him to play a key role this season as Ellis Johnson and his defense make the shift to the 4-2-5.
Eric Norwood is making the transition from defensive end to linebacker, but he’s still finding a way to make his biggest plays behind the line of scrimmage. He looks great on blitzes and also has been very active thus far in practice. He seems to relish his role as the emotional leader of the defense and the players are feeding off his intensity.
Other Team Notes
Quintin Richardson is giving Hutch Eckerson all he can handle in the competition for the starting left tackle position. Richardson has displayed a nice combination of athleticism and aggression and is holding his own against the defensive front. Eckerson has also been solid, and Jarriel King is making progress there as well.
The news isn’t quite as positive where left guard Lemuel Jeanpierre is concerned. Surprisingly most of his mistakes are of the mental variety. I say surprising because he understood his defensive assignments as well as anyone, but the light still hasn’t quite come on for him on offense as of yet. Don’t get me wrong, he’s better now than he was at this point last year, but he hasn’t progressed quite like the coaches had hoped.
Garrett Anderson is close to overtaking Seaver Brown as the starting center, but injured his shoulder in the scrimmage over the weekend. Assuming he’s not out very long, I look for him to be the starter for the opener.
Wide receivers Joe Hills and Jason Barnes have both shown signs of improvement, although neither has been as consistent as the coaches would like. Of the two, Hills is a bit further along, but both should break into the game rotation this season.
If you have any news or tips you'd like to share, please send an email to recruiting@gamecockcentral.com
This post was edited on 8/11 1:24 PM by Brian Shoemaker
This post was edited on 8/12 5:01 PM by Brian Shoemaker
