By FITSNews || It’s put up or shut up time for the University of South Carolina’s “quarterback of the future,” whose present has been dominated by ongoing questions about his work ethic and ability to win consistently in the Southeastern Conference (SEC).
After his first full-year as South Carolina’s starting quarterback, rising junior Stephen Garcia is clearly in the doghouse with “Head Ball Coach” (a.k.a. “Ole Ball Sac”) Steve Spurrier, who has been poo-pooing “his guy” repeatedly this off-season.
From Bleacher Report:
Spurrier has grown tired of the lack of consistent production from the first South Carolina quarterback that he has dubbed “his guy.” Spurrier is proud and confident in his ability to scout and coach great college QBs.
His confidence may have taken a hit with Garcia.
Garcia is a strong-armed and mobile QB who has shown off some toughness and grit on the field, while also showing a lackadaisical and somewhat lazy work ethic off it.
That has to change. Now.
After Spurrier invested so much time and effort keeping Garcia out of trouble, and after making him the unquestioned starter of the team last year, the time for Garcia to put forth the maximum effort possible is here.
Actually, the time to put forth “maximum effort” would have been the first day Garcia walked on campus in 2007 – of course he was too busy getting boozed up and keying people’s cars at the time.
Garcia hasn’t been terrible as a Gamecock, mind you, he’s been average – which is sort of fitting for a program with an all-time .499 winning percentage. In sixteen games as a starter, Garcia is 8-8. He’s thrown for roughly 3,700 yards with 23 touchdowns and eighteen interceptions. He’s also rushed for around 600 yards and six touchdowns. Against SEC competition, though, Garcia is 4-6. He’s also 0-2 in bowl games.
Spurrier has two solid young arms in true freshman Connor Shaw (a dual-threat prospect from Georgia) and redshirt freshman Andrew Clifford (a less-heralded prospect from Florida), but neither has taken a live snap in college – let alone against the Alabamas and Floridas of the world.
Obviously, Garcia’s production would improve behind a stronger offensive line – and in an offense that can actually run the football.
In 2009, South Carolina ranked dead last in the SEC in rushing – amassing a measly 121.2 yards per game. It was the third year in a row that USC finished at the bottom of the conference rushing the football.
WEB EXTRA
Is Stephen Garcia Coach Steve Spurrier’s Biggest Quarterback Mistake? (Bleacher Report)
Pic: Travis Bell, Sideline Carolina
By Truth Seeker May 17, 2010 at 10:03 pm
After 118 years of mediocrity, it’s just time to give it up and accept the inevitible. The gamecocks will never arise to anything productive, just face it.
By mike traynor May 18, 2010 at 12:58 am
Maybe an under achiever, but they did paste Clemson last year. (PSSST, I was a Furman Grad, so no dog in that fight.)
By The Colonel May 18, 2010 at 2:00 am
“…ability to consistency produce in the …”?!?
How does one “consistency produce” anything but mediocrity when you have the character of a 7-11 shoplifter? I’d give him two games, if they aren’t blow outs (winning blowouts, not the kind we usually have in bowl games), then I’d give him the boot, a Succop boot, dead in his lazy @$$.
By smarter than you May 18, 2010 at 8:46 am
Nice editing: “ability to consistency produce??” Also, good catch Colonel. I imagine that’s just Fits for you – “consistency” terrible.
On a side note, I agree totally with The Colonel on his comments.
That is all. Good day.
By No Name May 18, 2010 at 11:00 am
Who cares…come to Carolina Stadium this weekend and watch the Baseball team beat Florida for the SEC East Championship.
Tanner competes…….Spurrier complains.
By Toyota Kawaski May 18, 2010 at 3:16 pm
Agree No Name
By jeffy May 18, 2010 at 8:11 pm
7-6
By James the Foot Soldier May 23, 2010 at 12:09 am
Why aren’t the football players at USC required to lift weights?