THREE THINGS WE’VE LEARNED
1. Marcus Lattimore is fine
The junior running back, who is coming back from a season-ending ACL tear suffered in October, had carried the ball 10 times in live action during preseason practice. It’s not because he can’t do more, but because coach Steve Spurrier doesn’t need to see more and is doing all he can to keep Lattimore healthy. Lattimore’s 10 carries have resulted in 45 yards.
“I feel great,” he said. “I’ve just got to keep building my confidence every day. Practice is going to help that, and especially the first game is going to help. I’m looking forward to it.”
2. Devin Taylor and Jadeveon Clowney are game ready
South Carolina’s starting defensive ends have had a mostly quiet preseason, which is probably a good thing. The Gamecocks expect to have one of the nation’s most bothersome pass rushes, and it will start with Taylor and Clowney. After backing up Melvin Ingram a year ago, Clowney is ready to play as many snaps as the coaches will put him in the game, he said. Clowney estimated he averaged 40 plays per game last season.
“However many (defensive line coach Brad Lawing) puts me out there on I have to go hard on all of them,” Clowney said.
3. The secondary will be a work in progress
The loss of senior cornerback Akeem Auguste has turned a minor concern about experience in the secondary into a major issue. It will be at least a month before Auguste returns. Until then, USC will have three first-time starters among the back four — cornerbacks Vic Hampton and Jimmy Legree and safety Brison Williams.
http://www.gogamecocks.com/2012/08/26/275147/gamecocks-preseason-what-weve.html
1. Marcus Lattimore is fine
The junior running back, who is coming back from a season-ending ACL tear suffered in October, had carried the ball 10 times in live action during preseason practice. It’s not because he can’t do more, but because coach Steve Spurrier doesn’t need to see more and is doing all he can to keep Lattimore healthy. Lattimore’s 10 carries have resulted in 45 yards.
“I feel great,” he said. “I’ve just got to keep building my confidence every day. Practice is going to help that, and especially the first game is going to help. I’m looking forward to it.”
2. Devin Taylor and Jadeveon Clowney are game ready
South Carolina’s starting defensive ends have had a mostly quiet preseason, which is probably a good thing. The Gamecocks expect to have one of the nation’s most bothersome pass rushes, and it will start with Taylor and Clowney. After backing up Melvin Ingram a year ago, Clowney is ready to play as many snaps as the coaches will put him in the game, he said. Clowney estimated he averaged 40 plays per game last season.
“However many (defensive line coach Brad Lawing) puts me out there on I have to go hard on all of them,” Clowney said.
3. The secondary will be a work in progress
The loss of senior cornerback Akeem Auguste has turned a minor concern about experience in the secondary into a major issue. It will be at least a month before Auguste returns. Until then, USC will have three first-time starters among the back four — cornerbacks Vic Hampton and Jimmy Legree and safety Brison Williams.
http://www.gogamecocks.com/2012/08/26/275147/gamecocks-preseason-what-weve.html