It’s Garcia … But Will It Matter?
First of all, thanks to our bud Travis Bell (former staff photographer to Democratic Gov. Jim Hodges) for giving FITSNews access to his sideline images from South Carolina and Clemson football games.
Now we won’t have to rely exclusively on Sic Willie, who invariably ends up getting distracted and photographing sideline celebrities and hot babes in the crowd.
Anyway, you can check out Travis’ website for yourself by clicking here …
Now … getting back to Gamecock football, it’s obvious that SC head coach Steve Spurrier is going to play (and probably start) newly-shorn redshirt freshman quarterback Stephen (a.k.a. Sergio) Garcia this Saturday against the UAB Blazers.
Garcia got a little playing time in the Gamecocks 14-7 loss to Georgia two weeks ago, but Spurrier’s frustration with starter Chris Smelley has obviously reached the point that he’s going to give the kid the ball and give him a chance to run with it.
We’ve heard a lot about Garcia’s mobility and arm strength, but we’ve heard a lot more about his poor judgment off the field.
He’s had at least three run-ins with the cops since he came to Carolina two years ago, and insiders tell us his decision-making on the field sometimes resembles his decision-making off of it.
We’ll see … frankly, anything would be an improvement over the way South Carolina has played on offense so far this year. Spurrier’s “Cock-n-Fire” offense has looked instead like the target market for an erectile dysfunction commercial, with more interceptions than touchdowns and a sluggish ground attack that’s averaging an SEC-worst 113 rushing yards a game.
Carolina’s defense has played much more consistently, but not good enough to win in the SEC – where the Shamecocks are currently mired in a six-game losing streak.
It’s really hard to say that starting a 20-year-old kid with only three college snaps under his belt is going to do the trick, but it really can’t get much worse, people.
We’ve already lost to Vanderbilt (like last year) and struggled to beat Wofford (like we did two years ago), so it’s not like there’s a lot of “forward momentum” to put on the line.
Anyway, it’s Garcia’s big day Saturday … but it remains to be seen whether or not that will make a difference in what is turning into yet another disappointing Gamecock season.
Comments
By James on September 24th, 2008 at 9:21 am
When is Spurrier going to realize that flipping and flopping his quarterbacks is costing his team wins? It’s one thing if the flip or flop had talent and experience under their belt. Neither Smelley nor Garcie has the latter and it’s hard to see the former when both need to look over to the sideline to figure out whether to check off on a play or not. Can someone please teach these 2 how to read a defense without having to look at a coach during the freakin’ game?
My hunch is coach superior just threw in the towel for the season and is grooming Garcia for the next 3. So faithful, just suck it up and consider this an investment for next season and beyond. Who knows, there still could be a Shreveport Bowl appearance.
By Tired on September 24th, 2008 at 4:58 pm
Garcia will produce.
By CocknMisfire on September 24th, 2008 at 5:57 pm
What is the point of worrying about it. My prediction Spurrier has one foot out the door and is already thinking about that life time membership at Augusta.
By Clay Pit Crew on September 24th, 2008 at 6:05 pm
James is right. The Old Ball Coach has thrown in the towel. Even if the Cocks wind up winning six games, it will just be training for Garcia and the freshman receivers. Get ready for the ‘09 season. Wake me up when this one’s over.
By Scared of the System on September 24th, 2008 at 8:57 pm
I love this website. I can comment on school choice, Erin Andrews and football in one convenient location.
Unfortunately as a Clemson fan I have to say Garcia is exactly what USC needed. Spurrier has known it but had to ease him in because of his off field antics. With Garcia and a good defence USC will turn it around.
By James on September 24th, 2008 at 9:47 pm
Gamecock faithful, please show some discipline and don’t rough up the Clempsun fan for spelling, this is a blog not an Inglish paper.
By Tired on September 25th, 2008 at 10:10 am
James….are you really that desperate to antagonize Clemson because your team is completely subserviant to it? You exemplify not only the gamecock nation, but just the product that we see coming out of our state’s public schools. Now, no doubt you will write some BS about you going to a private school, or school of any type in any state, but the fact remains…..you exemplify the mediocrity that we as South Carolinians have come to expect from all of our publik skools.
By James on September 25th, 2008 at 11:15 am
Tired old lday: Anyone with a minimally adequate level of reading comprehension would know that I was trying to defend the Clempsun fan from the inevitable spell-check freaks on the blogosphere.
That said, I’m sure she’ll stick up for herself once she figures out the “typo”.
By Scared of the System on September 25th, 2008 at 1:37 pm
I apologize to all Clemson alum for misspelling “defense†and not representing the school well. I was preoccupied with spelling “convenient†correctly. Clemson has raised the standards since I was there. My poor spelling and grammar is not indicative of today’s quality students.
I guess the saddest part of the whole thing is that business is so bad that I not only have time to read blogs, but I can post my comments and then go back read other posts and respond to those posts. I’ve got to get another job.
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