SOUTH CAROLINA
Spring practice start date: March 12
Spring game: April 14
What to watch:
Marcus Lattimore’s health: His knee injury took place at the halfway point of the season, so he won’t be 100 percent for a while. Still, the word is that he’s ahead of schedule when it comes to rehabbing his knee. ACL injuries can be tough to manage, but with Lattimore’s determination, he’ll do everything possible to come back sooner than expected. He won’t likely take contact this spring, but it’ll be interesting to see if the Gamecocks get much use out of him before summer.
Finding receiving options: Now that Alshon Jeffery is gone, there’s more pressure on South Carolina’s receiving corps. Outside of Jeffery, the Gamecocks didn’t have consistently reliable options in 2011. That has to change this year and it starts with a productive spring. Ace Sanders should get more reps and the coaches are excited about the big-play ability speedster Damiere Byrd possess. Also, keep an eye out for Shamier Jeffery, Alshon’s little brother.
Connor Shaw’s development: Things couldn’t have ended any better for South Carolina’s quarterback last season. After an up-and-down start, he rebounded in the final three games with 896 combined yards passing and rushing and 11 touchdowns. Now, it’s time for him to sharpen his passing skills and develop more confidence in his passing ability. Accomplishing that will help his receivers as well.
Interesting that they focused solely on the offense. I think there will be a lot to watch on defense as well.
Another interesting tidbit:
“The Bulldogs aren’t just considered the East front-runners—they also are being viewed as national championship contenders.”
Who, exactly, is it that views UGA as a NC contender? I haven’t seen that anywhere else. They won’t make it through ATL if they somehow make it there.
See other Eastern Division teams here:
http://espn.go.com/blog/sec/post/_/id/39162/spring-preview-eastern-division
See Western Division teams here:
http://espn.go.com/blog/sec/post/_/id/39376/spring-preview-western-division
Spring practice start date: March 12
Spring game: April 14
What to watch:
Marcus Lattimore’s health: His knee injury took place at the halfway point of the season, so he won’t be 100 percent for a while. Still, the word is that he’s ahead of schedule when it comes to rehabbing his knee. ACL injuries can be tough to manage, but with Lattimore’s determination, he’ll do everything possible to come back sooner than expected. He won’t likely take contact this spring, but it’ll be interesting to see if the Gamecocks get much use out of him before summer.
Finding receiving options: Now that Alshon Jeffery is gone, there’s more pressure on South Carolina’s receiving corps. Outside of Jeffery, the Gamecocks didn’t have consistently reliable options in 2011. That has to change this year and it starts with a productive spring. Ace Sanders should get more reps and the coaches are excited about the big-play ability speedster Damiere Byrd possess. Also, keep an eye out for Shamier Jeffery, Alshon’s little brother.
Connor Shaw’s development: Things couldn’t have ended any better for South Carolina’s quarterback last season. After an up-and-down start, he rebounded in the final three games with 896 combined yards passing and rushing and 11 touchdowns. Now, it’s time for him to sharpen his passing skills and develop more confidence in his passing ability. Accomplishing that will help his receivers as well.
Interesting that they focused solely on the offense. I think there will be a lot to watch on defense as well.
Another interesting tidbit:
“The Bulldogs aren’t just considered the East front-runners—they also are being viewed as national championship contenders.”
Who, exactly, is it that views UGA as a NC contender? I haven’t seen that anywhere else. They won’t make it through ATL if they somehow make it there.
See other Eastern Division teams here:
http://espn.go.com/blog/sec/post/_/id/39162/spring-preview-eastern-division
See Western Division teams here:
http://espn.go.com/blog/sec/post/_/id/39376/spring-preview-western-division