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By Ritch
SouthernPigskin Columnist
SouthernPigskin Columnist Ritch breaks down South Carolina's spring practice. Follow us on Twitter at Twitter.com/SouthernPigskin. Become a fan of us on Facebook at the SouthernPigskin.com Facebook Page
The smell is in the air as Spring Football is back in the Southeastern Conference. It is that time of year again that we get a fresh start as we wipe the taste out of our mouths from last year. Especially for the USC Gamecocks Football team that suffered a embarrassing loss to the UConn Huskies in the Papa Johns Bowl. Time for the Fighting Gamecocks to do just that, show some fight in their quest for 2010 SEC glory as it is ripe for the taking.
Coach Steve Spurrier will field his best squad in 2010 as there is a strong nucleus of players with depth, experience and talent. All of which has many thinking this is the year of the Gamecock.
For this to happen in 2010 many strides will have to be made and most important players will have to step up to seize this moment.
The SEC East is primed for the Gamecocks to rise up from the middle of the pack but first there is "Three key issues to watch in Spring Practice." They are:
Is Garcia Ready to be the man and lead the Gamecocks?
Rising redshirt junior Stephen Garcia has the most "returning" experience of any SEC East Division quarterback this fall. In 2009, he completed 239-of-432 attempts, 55.3%, had 17 TD passes and 10 INTs all while averaging 220.2 yards a game. In 2010, he has to improve those numbers and lead his team. Time to step up for him as gone is the leadership from Eric Norwood and Moe Brown. All eyes on Spurrier's gun-slinger as the offense flows through his abilities and potential leadership. For Carolina to find success it rests on the shoulders and in the arm of Garcia.
The Offensive Line must improve, will it and who will be in the mix?
There is no question that the offensive line has been the weakness of the offense the last two years. Coach Spurrier has hired Shawn Elliot, formerly with App. State, to lead the 'big nasties' into battle. Elliott, known for his intensity, will have 11 scholarship linemen to work with and seven have started at one time or another. The Camden, SC native vowed when he was hired that nobody would outwork his players and that all the spots are open for competition. He helped to sign six linemen in this year's recruiting class and a couple have the size and footwork to challenge the older guys. Bottom line is the right mix has to be identified early and the unit must begin to mesh. A offense is only as good as the O-line and for Garcia and the stable of running backs that USC has to be successful, it all is determined by the play in the trenches.
Which young guys will step up to fight for playing time or provide depth?
There are numerous young kids to watch as they go through spring drills and fight for playing time. For the Gamecocks, this is a great thing to have because in year's past there was not a issue like this. Depth is finally part of this team and it it is a must for Gamecock success.
Some names to watch in Spring Practice on Offense: OL Rokevious Watkins, OL Nick Allison, OL Steven Singleton, QB Connor Shaw, WR Demario Bennett, WR Lamar Scurggs, WR D.L. Moore.
Names to pay attention to on Defense this Spring: DT Kenny Davis, LB Toquavius Gilchrist, DE Chaz Sutton, DL Aldrick Fordham, CB Corey Addison, CB Jimmy Legree and DT Ronald Byrd.
Every team has issues going into Spring ball and for the Gamecocks these are the three most impressing off the bat to watch as Spring Practices continue for the Gamecocks. Stay tuned as we continue to dig deeper on the 2010 Gamecocks chances and identity.
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Ritch is the Editor of Leftover Hot Dog, a blog devoted to Gamecocks Sports, he bleeds garnet and black and grew up saying "wait til next year." The LOHD site has been giving insight and analysis about Gamecock Athletics with the occasional randomness on other topics since 2005. You can follow him on twitter at http://twitter.com/LOHDgamecocks or email him at: . His website is: www.leftoverhotdog.com
Stories written by SouthernPigskin.com columnists are done independently. Views do not always coincide with those of the remainder of the staff or the ownership of SouthernPigskin.com.
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