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re: Can we discuss USCe's lack of a playmaking WR?
Posted on 8/31/12 at 9:34 am to The Egg
Posted on 8/31/12 at 9:34 am to The Egg
quote:
SC has nobody near Maze's skill level, and their usage of TE is nowhere as imaginative as mcelwain's.
This. SC does not have a Darius Hanks or a Marquis Maze. They also don't know how to use their tight ends effectively if last night was any indicator of how the season will go.
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Posted on 8/31/12 at 9:40 am to roadGator
I think it comes down to SOS Jr. not being a particularly good WR coach. We either have uber-talented go-to receivers (McKinley, Jeffery, Rice) or nobodies. It's odd that all three starters are smurfs -- since our passing game under Spurrier has been based on big men.
The two most talented big receivers did not see the field: Shaq Roland and Shamier Jeffery. Shaq is a true freshman and our top recruit. I expect him to be a starter by week 4. Shamier is Alshon's younger brother. He is not as tall and strong, but supposedly more athletic and faster with equally good hands. Shamier has been dinged up and has not shown the work ethic to develop -- perhaps he thinks he gets a pass for being Alshon's brother.
Connor Shaw was disappointing as a passer last night. On the interception and the broken-up pass to Ellington in the end zone, he did not put enough juice on the ball. This was not an arm-strength issue; it was a game speed issue. he lofted the ball up like it was practice.
The expectation -- based on practice and last year's performance -- was that Shaw will distribute the ball to the open receiver whoever it is. Going through progressions and making good decisions is supposed to be his strength. But if there are no open receivers . . .
Also, very surprised there was only one throw to the tight ends -- and that was to Justice Cunningham who is the blocking tight end. Jerrell Adams and Buster Anderson are Jared Cook like receiving tight ends -- and they weren't part of the gameplan at all, despite linebacker being Vandy's weakest position. Looked like Spurrier was holding a lot back for later in the season.
The two most talented big receivers did not see the field: Shaq Roland and Shamier Jeffery. Shaq is a true freshman and our top recruit. I expect him to be a starter by week 4. Shamier is Alshon's younger brother. He is not as tall and strong, but supposedly more athletic and faster with equally good hands. Shamier has been dinged up and has not shown the work ethic to develop -- perhaps he thinks he gets a pass for being Alshon's brother.
Connor Shaw was disappointing as a passer last night. On the interception and the broken-up pass to Ellington in the end zone, he did not put enough juice on the ball. This was not an arm-strength issue; it was a game speed issue. he lofted the ball up like it was practice.
The expectation -- based on practice and last year's performance -- was that Shaw will distribute the ball to the open receiver whoever it is. Going through progressions and making good decisions is supposed to be his strength. But if there are no open receivers . . .
Also, very surprised there was only one throw to the tight ends -- and that was to Justice Cunningham who is the blocking tight end. Jerrell Adams and Buster Anderson are Jared Cook like receiving tight ends -- and they weren't part of the gameplan at all, despite linebacker being Vandy's weakest position. Looked like Spurrier was holding a lot back for later in the season.
Posted on 8/31/12 at 9:46 am to RollTide1987
Our offensive line paved the way for over 200 yards rushing...there are definitely things we need to work on but I think we will be alright. I agree we need to incorporate the tight ends more. A name to watch is shaq Roland. I think he cracks the starting lineup by the end of the year. Shaw looked much bigger throwing the ball on the last scoring drive. I wouldn't sound the alarm bells on our passing offense just yet. Vandy is an irritating team to play because you feel like you should crush them but it doesn't seem to happen. They gave uga and ark all they could handle last year and Jordan Rodgers has gotten better since last year IMO.
Posted on 8/31/12 at 9:50 am to SpringBokCock
quote:
The two most talented big receivers did not see the field: Shaq Roland and Shamier Jeffery
This summer weren't SC fans saying how SJ was gonna be almost as good if not better than Alshon?
Posted on 8/31/12 at 9:52 am to roadGator
quote:
Arkies in 3...2...1
They said great RB, not future Hall of Famer.
Posted on 8/31/12 at 9:54 am to TheCheshireHog
Posted on 8/31/12 at 10:03 am to WG_Dawg
quote:
This summer weren't SC fans saying how SJ was gonna be almost as good if not better than Alshon?
No, Shaq Roland was the guy who was hyped. We already knew Shamier was buried on the depth chart because of work ethic and a nagging knee injury. Shamier is not on the two deep and did not even make the trip to Nashville.
I still think Shaq will be the man by the middle of the season. It takes receivers a while to pick up Spurrier's passing game. Even Alshon didn't do anything his first year until the Kentucky game.
Posted on 8/31/12 at 10:14 am to The Egg
The guy who caught the big catch on the TD-winning drive and held on after that monster hit...that was a huge play.
But that having been said, after seeing the game in person, I would say that South Carolina has huge issues in the secondary, as well as the fact that if Connor Shaw is lucky to get out of game with Vandy in one piece, it doesn't bode well for him making it through the season.
But that having been said, after seeing the game in person, I would say that South Carolina has huge issues in the secondary, as well as the fact that if Connor Shaw is lucky to get out of game with Vandy in one piece, it doesn't bode well for him making it through the season.
Posted on 8/31/12 at 10:15 am to SpringBokCock
Yeah I was surprised we didn't got to the TEs either. Sure Shaw made some bad decisions but he did complete 7/10. Our running game is solid so I understand why we aren't pass heavy but I would like to see at least more than 10 pass attempts out of Shaw.
Come to think of it I think Shaw adapted and got better as the game went along. His best passing came on that last scoring drive after his injury.
Come to think of it I think Shaw adapted and got better as the game went along. His best passing came on that last scoring drive after his injury.
Posted on 8/31/12 at 10:17 am to SpringBokCock
quote:
I still think Shaq will be the man by the middle of the season. It takes receivers a while to pick up Spurrier's passing game. Even Alshon didn't do anything his first year until the Kentucky game.
Objectively the USCe passing game against better teams will be dependent on OL play. If they were not blocking well against Vanderbilt how will they hold back the best fronts in the league? The perceived weakness at wide receiver will really be a moot point if line play doesn't improve.
Posted on 8/31/12 at 10:33 am to TigerDog83
Does anyone think having a bruised throwing shoulder hampered the passing game? Overall however I have to agree I wasn't that impressed with USC light. It was only the first game and you can expect some improvement. Vandy maybe that much better to early to tell.
Posted on 8/31/12 at 10:35 am to TigerDog83
quote:
Objectively the USCe passing game against better teams will be dependent on OL play. If they were not blocking well against Vanderbilt how will they hold back the best fronts in the league? The perceived weakness at wide receiver will really be a moot point if line play doesn't improve.
completely agree. can't really judge the WR performance because there wasn't enough passes thrown. OL needs to give Shaw more time and Shaw needs to improve his delivery.
Posted on 8/31/12 at 10:54 am to The Egg
They lost their tall WR's and replaced them with short WR's. We seem to be making the same mistake in our 2012 class. I understand the pluses with a shorter but faster/quicker WR but unless you have a very tall QB, it seems to me the negatives outweigh the positives. A 6'4" WR like A.J. Green seems to be about the optimal height to retain decent speed and athletic ability to get up and over shorter defenders.
Posted on 8/31/12 at 10:59 am to davesdawgs
From what I saw, and from what people who were at he game have been saying, Carolina's WRs were open all night. IMO WRs aren't the problem.
The problem was Shaw either didn't pull the trigger, was running for his life because the O Line blows, or threw the ball late and/or weak. Though I will say I don't understand why Jerell Adams didnt' see the field more, among other play calling issues.
The problem was Shaw either didn't pull the trigger, was running for his life because the O Line blows, or threw the ball late and/or weak. Though I will say I don't understand why Jerell Adams didnt' see the field more, among other play calling issues.
This post was edited on 8/31/12 at 11:00 am
Posted on 8/31/12 at 11:00 am to jt21
oh look, they just called another zone read for an injured qb.
Posted on 8/31/12 at 11:05 am to USCGamecocks
quote:
Our offensive line paved the way for over 200 yards rushing.
Against one of the smallest defensive lines in the SEC. They were getting pressure on Shaw practically every time he dropped back to pass. That's why I say your OL is in trouble. They can run block pretty well. But their pass blocking skills are well below average. If they can't block Vandy's defensive line when Shaw drops back to pass, how the hell are they going to block Georgia's or Florida's?
You have to remember that those lines are built to stop the run. You're not going to see the same success running the zone read against those two teams.
This post was edited on 8/31/12 at 11:06 am
Posted on 8/31/12 at 11:09 am to The Egg
USCjr sucks, i hate the "1st game" excuses. That is an 8 win football team
Posted on 8/31/12 at 11:13 am to sunnydaze
quote:
sunnydaze
Solid post. That explains how SC got to 11 wins last season after Shaw sucking up the field in the 1st game last season as our secondary got picked a part by ECU.
Posted on 8/31/12 at 11:22 am to The Egg
... they got nuthin' but a lot of little Napoleans .. USCe will go 6-6 .. 
Posted on 8/31/12 at 11:50 am to The Egg
quote:
SC has nobody near Maze's skill level,
i liked maze alot, a really great return guy and a solid 2nd receiver, but he was not a premier receiver. he was at his best when attention was on julio. he was more quick than super fast, 5'8" at best(pictures of honey badger towering over him), and had a strike zone about the size of a nickle. the ball pretty much had to be thrown perfectly for him to get it, and i can think of at least a half dozen throws to him that could have been huge plays/tds last year if he had been just a bit taller/more reach.
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