South Carolina has had nine practices, but the most important one by far comes Saturday.
The Gamecocks will scrimmage Saturday afternoon at 4 p.m. in Williams-Brice Stadium. The practice begins at 3:45 p.m., though the scrimmage portion isn’t expected to begin until 4:30. The workout is open to the public, which might be the last time this preseason.
South Carolina will be in full pads, and spots on the depth chart will be on the line. The Gamecocks plan to break into scout team and regulars by the end of next week, so this will be one of the last chances a player has to prove himself in live action. Here are five things you should be watching if you go:
1. MARCUS LATTIMORE
We warned you that you’d be hearing a lot about this subject, and, once again, the junior running back is the most important story of the day. South Carolina held a brief scrimmage on Wednesday, but coach Steve Spurrier wouldn’t let Lattimore get in on the action despite Lattimore’s pleading. Spurrier probably won’t give Lattimore more than two or three plays Saturday, but it will be a significant two or three plays. Lattimore has not gone full speed since tearing the ACL in his left knee on Oct. 15, and he said earlier this week that he won’t consider himself fully healed from this knee injury until he proves to himself that his knee can take a full speed hit.
2. RUNNING BACK CARRIES
When Lattimore’s turn is done, there still will be plenty to watch in the backfield. Senior Kenny Miles, sophomore Brandon Wilds, redshirt freshman Shon Carson and freshman Mike Davis all have gotten a turn or two during practice, but it’s unclear what the running back pecking order will be. That should start to take form Saturday. Like Lattimore, Carson is coming back from a season-ending ACL tear. He had earned the second-team job headed into the 2011 season but was injured in the second game of the season. He has fully recovered from his knee injury last season, and his speed and shiftiness give him an edge over some of the other backs behind Lattimore.
3. CORNERBACK ROTATION
Senior Akeem Auguste has been sidelined for several days by a groin injury. It’s unlikely he’d come back Saturday and risk re-injury considering what a good time this will be to get a look at the team’s young cornerbacks. Ahmad Christian and Jimmy Legree have rotated with the first team in Auguste’s absence and both should get plenty of work. Sophomore Vic Hampton is fairly cemented as a starter on the other side, but Hampton got beat in the spring at times when he got bored and lost focus, he said, and he’s worked on fixing that during fall camp. The loss of Cadarious Sanders probably won’t be felt for a while, if ever. The sophomore was not one of the top four before his decision to transfer on Friday.
4. TEAM HEALTH
In addition to Auguste, several other Gamecocks are limping, most notably defensive end Jadeveon Clowney, who sat out Friday’s practice due to what appear to be minor groin and knee injuries. It’s doubtful Clowney would get much action anyway because Spurrier doesn’t like risking injury to his stars and it’s difficult of the Gamecocks’ offense to get anything done with Clowney on the field, but the sight of him on the sideline two days in a row will begin to worry people. Tight ends Justice Cunningham (back) and Drew Owens (knee) have been out as well. Cunningham might get some work Saturday, but Owens will remain out for at least a week. Young tight ends Rory Anderson and Jerell Adams should get plenty of work, which fans should enjoy. Both have looked good in camp.
5. WIDE RECEIVER ROTATION
Ace Sanders has made huge strides since last fall and could be one of the SEC’s top wide receivers this season. After that, it’s wide open. The first nine practices have seen just about every wide receiver get a chance, and almost all of the wide receivers have shown some good and some bad. Freshman Shaq Roland probably will play this season, Spurrier has said, but that’s about all we know thus far on the rotation. Saturday’s scrimmage will begin the whittling down process.
http://www.gogamecocks.com/2012/08/10/269660/5-things-to-watch-in-gamecocks.html
The Gamecocks will scrimmage Saturday afternoon at 4 p.m. in Williams-Brice Stadium. The practice begins at 3:45 p.m., though the scrimmage portion isn’t expected to begin until 4:30. The workout is open to the public, which might be the last time this preseason.
South Carolina will be in full pads, and spots on the depth chart will be on the line. The Gamecocks plan to break into scout team and regulars by the end of next week, so this will be one of the last chances a player has to prove himself in live action. Here are five things you should be watching if you go:
1. MARCUS LATTIMORE
We warned you that you’d be hearing a lot about this subject, and, once again, the junior running back is the most important story of the day. South Carolina held a brief scrimmage on Wednesday, but coach Steve Spurrier wouldn’t let Lattimore get in on the action despite Lattimore’s pleading. Spurrier probably won’t give Lattimore more than two or three plays Saturday, but it will be a significant two or three plays. Lattimore has not gone full speed since tearing the ACL in his left knee on Oct. 15, and he said earlier this week that he won’t consider himself fully healed from this knee injury until he proves to himself that his knee can take a full speed hit.
2. RUNNING BACK CARRIES
When Lattimore’s turn is done, there still will be plenty to watch in the backfield. Senior Kenny Miles, sophomore Brandon Wilds, redshirt freshman Shon Carson and freshman Mike Davis all have gotten a turn or two during practice, but it’s unclear what the running back pecking order will be. That should start to take form Saturday. Like Lattimore, Carson is coming back from a season-ending ACL tear. He had earned the second-team job headed into the 2011 season but was injured in the second game of the season. He has fully recovered from his knee injury last season, and his speed and shiftiness give him an edge over some of the other backs behind Lattimore.
3. CORNERBACK ROTATION
Senior Akeem Auguste has been sidelined for several days by a groin injury. It’s unlikely he’d come back Saturday and risk re-injury considering what a good time this will be to get a look at the team’s young cornerbacks. Ahmad Christian and Jimmy Legree have rotated with the first team in Auguste’s absence and both should get plenty of work. Sophomore Vic Hampton is fairly cemented as a starter on the other side, but Hampton got beat in the spring at times when he got bored and lost focus, he said, and he’s worked on fixing that during fall camp. The loss of Cadarious Sanders probably won’t be felt for a while, if ever. The sophomore was not one of the top four before his decision to transfer on Friday.
4. TEAM HEALTH
In addition to Auguste, several other Gamecocks are limping, most notably defensive end Jadeveon Clowney, who sat out Friday’s practice due to what appear to be minor groin and knee injuries. It’s doubtful Clowney would get much action anyway because Spurrier doesn’t like risking injury to his stars and it’s difficult of the Gamecocks’ offense to get anything done with Clowney on the field, but the sight of him on the sideline two days in a row will begin to worry people. Tight ends Justice Cunningham (back) and Drew Owens (knee) have been out as well. Cunningham might get some work Saturday, but Owens will remain out for at least a week. Young tight ends Rory Anderson and Jerell Adams should get plenty of work, which fans should enjoy. Both have looked good in camp.
5. WIDE RECEIVER ROTATION
Ace Sanders has made huge strides since last fall and could be one of the SEC’s top wide receivers this season. After that, it’s wide open. The first nine practices have seen just about every wide receiver get a chance, and almost all of the wide receivers have shown some good and some bad. Freshman Shaq Roland probably will play this season, Spurrier has said, but that’s about all we know thus far on the rotation. Saturday’s scrimmage will begin the whittling down process.
http://www.gogamecocks.com/2012/08/10/269660/5-things-to-watch-in-gamecocks.html
