Spurrier says 2007 taught him humility

[morgan n' 7]

Spurrier says 2007 taught him humility

Published: Tuesday, December 4, 2007 - 2:00 am By Rick Scoppe
COLUMBIA BUREAU


COLUMBIA -- Don't expect a reprise before the 2008 season of coach Steve Spurrier's grand 2007 pronouncement that the University of South Carolina was out to win the Southeastern Conference title.

"We've learned some humility around here I guess. I think our whole team has learned some after we won our last three last year and we lost our last five this year," he said.

"We've got some issues we've got to straighten out before we're going to be a team that can compete for the SEC championship."
One of the issues apparently isn't his players' attitude, which Spurrier made an issue before the Clemson game when he said it "stinks" only later to apologize, saying he meant to say USC's effort could be better.


On Sunday as he talked to reporters after USC (6-6) failed to earn a bowl bid for the first time in his three years, Spurrier praised his team's effort, especially in its season-ending 23-21 loss to the Tigers.
"I really think our players played pretty hard, played with a lot of effort through the last game," he said. "I'm really proud of the effort in the last game. Wished we could have helped them just a little bit more as coaches and maybe it would have worked out."

Several times Spurrier lamented how "a play or two here or there might have changed" the Gamecocks' bowl fate, whether it was in the two-point loss to Clemson or a 27-24 overtime loss at Tennessee.
"You always look back and wonder what you could have done differently," he said. "We struggled in the second half at North Carolina, struggled big time, and held on to win."

That 21-15 win over the Tar Heels made USC bowl eligible at 6-1. It was also USC's last win. The beginning of the end came one week later when Vanderbilt stunned the sixth-ranked Gamecocks 17-6.
"We had a nightmare for our offense that game," Spurrier said. "We did nothing right. Seven sacks, five false starts by our offensive line. It started the tailspin."

As he looked back over only the second time in 18 years as a head coach that his team failed to win more than it lost, Spurrier wondered if he should have alternated quarterbacks Blake Mitchell and Chris Smelley against Vanderbilt.

After Smelley had led USC to three straight wins as the starter, Spurrier announced Mitchell, who had been benched for poor play, deserved to play again.

"Maybe we should have just said, 'Let's let Chris Smelley start and see what happens,"' Spurrier said. "But I don't think that was the big reason. But you always look back and wonder what could have happened differently."
Spurrier said USC was in "excellent position" to beat Tennessee and Clemson but "didn't do it." One more win would have earned USC a bowl berth.

Instead, the Gamecocks are, as Spurrier put it, "one game worse than last year," when USC finished the regular season 7-5 and beat Houston 44-36 in the Liberty Bowl.

"I just want to encourage the fans to hang in there with us," he said. "It didn't work out this year. There were some reasons. We hope to be a stronger team next year."

Toward that end, Spurrier said the Gamecocks will hit the weight room hard this off season in hopes of improving on their run defense and run offense, both of which ranked last in the SEC and among the worst in the nation.
"If we're going to really compete, we're not going to be bottom of the league in run offense and run defense," Spurrier said. "We've got a lot of things to try to get better at if we're going to be a real challenging team in the SEC. "On the other side I want to remind our fans we've beaten every team in our division in three years. Now we haven't beaten them the same year, but we got a win over Florida, Georgia and Tennessee. Lost some close ones to all of them, and we're not that far off. "





http://greenvilleonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071204/SPORTS0102/712040332/1026

[PyroPepper]

Doesn't sound like he's giving up; rather re-focussing. I like it.

[COMPLETE 2 RICE]

This aint a sprint......Its a marathon. A really long, agonizing, gut checking, humbling, patience building marathon............but a marathon nonetheless. Im with ya Steve-O.

[superstar90]

Well I'm done being upset about this past season, so I'm there with coach now. Let's get an early start on next season, and hopefully next season we can avoid the injuries and take advantage of a favorable schedule!

[MEGA]

Great points made by Spurrier, the season is over now and theres nothing we can do about it other than learn from it and be better for it !! I love football and I will AGAIN, be looking forward to the 08 season !!

[2000grad]

This aint a sprint......Its a marathon. A really long, agonizing, gut checking, humbling, patience building marathon............but a marathon nonetheless. Im with ya Steve-O.

Agreed. Everyone out there that said Spurrier needs to move and he has lost his passion...you owe an apology, but I know that ain't gonna happen. I'm looking forward to next season, not because this one is over, but we seem to have a coach that we KNOW is really focused. Go Cocks!

:football:

[FoghornLeghornCock]

"If we're going to really compete, we're not going to be bottom of the league in run offense and run defense," Spurrier said.These two stats plus turnovers were what kept us from being a good team rather than being pretty average.

[willy]

I sure hope it taught him something.

[uscnoklahoma]

Spurrier says 2007 taught him humility

Published: Tuesday, December 4, 2007 - 2:00 am By Rick Scoppe
COLUMBIA BUREAU


COLUMBIA -- Don't expect a reprise before the 2008 season of coach Steve Spurrier's grand 2007 pronouncement that the University of South Carolina was out to win the Southeastern Conference title.

"We've learned some humility around here I guess. I think our whole team has learned some after we won our last three last year and we lost our last five this year," he said.

"We've got some issues we've got to straighten out before we're going to be a team that can compete for the SEC championship."
One of the issues apparently isn't his players' attitude, which Spurrier made an issue before the Clemson game when he said it "stinks" only later to apologize, saying he meant to say USC's effort could be better.


On Sunday as he talked to reporters after USC (6-6) failed to earn a bowl bid for the first time in his three years, Spurrier praised his team's effort, especially in its season-ending 23-21 loss to the Tigers.
"I really think our players played pretty hard, played with a lot of effort through the last game," he said. "I'm really proud of the effort in the last game. Wished we could have helped them just a little bit more as coaches and maybe it would have worked out."

Several times Spurrier lamented how "a play or two here or there might have changed" the Gamecocks' bowl fate, whether it was in the two-point loss to Clemson or a 27-24 overtime loss at Tennessee.
"You always look back and wonder what you could have done differently," he said. "We struggled in the second half at North Carolina, struggled big time, and held on to win."

That 21-15 win over the Tar Heels made USC bowl eligible at 6-1. It was also USC's last win. The beginning of the end came one week later when Vanderbilt stunned the sixth-ranked Gamecocks 17-6.
"We had a nightmare for our offense that game," Spurrier said. "We did nothing right. Seven sacks, five false starts by our offensive line. It started the tailspin."

As he looked back over only the second time in 18 years as a head coach that his team failed to win more than it lost, Spurrier wondered if he should have alternated quarterbacks Blake Mitchell and Chris Smelley against Vanderbilt.

After Smelley had led USC to three straight wins as the starter, Spurrier announced Mitchell, who had been benched for poor play, deserved to play again.

"Maybe we should have just said, 'Let's let Chris Smelley start and see what happens,"' Spurrier said. "But I don't think that was the big reason. But you always look back and wonder what could have happened differently."
Spurrier said USC was in "excellent position" to beat Tennessee and Clemson but "didn't do it." One more win would have earned USC a bowl berth.

Instead, the Gamecocks are, as Spurrier put it, "one game worse than last year," when USC finished the regular season 7-5 and beat Houston 44-36 in the Liberty Bowl.

"I just want to encourage the fans to hang in there with us," he said. "It didn't work out this year. There were some reasons. We hope to be a stronger team next year."

Toward that end, Spurrier said the Gamecocks will hit the weight room hard this off season in hopes of improving on their run defense and run offense, both of which ranked last in the SEC and among the worst in the nation.
"If we're going to really compete, we're not going to be bottom of the league in run offense and run defense," Spurrier said. "We've got a lot of things to try to get better at if we're going to be a real challenging team in the SEC. "On the other side I want to remind our fans we've beaten every team in our division in three years. Now we haven't beaten them the same year, but we got a win over Florida, Georgia and Tennessee. Lost some close ones to all of them, and we're not that far off. "





http://greenvilleonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071204/SPORTS0102/712040332/1026

There's hope after all...changes are a coming!!!!:woo:

[Rice Rice Baby]

Sounds pretty positive, glad he isnt too discouraged

[CockySpaniel]

....and we're not that far off!

[clemsontigerACCC]

maybe next year is the year!

[KCSuge]

Spurrier is not gonna stop until he has accomplished what he wants here. I like his fresh attitude. He's only, what, 62, that is still relatively young for a coach. Look at B. Bowden and Paterno. Spurrier has the energy of a man half his age so if turning us around takes a little longer, he'll hang in there. I really believe that. HBC doesn't want to feel like he failed here.

[willy]

There's hope after all...changes are a coming!!!!:woo:



Let's all hope so Oklahoma.

[sc455]

I just hope that garcia is the real deal

[spurmanski]

Yunno, all the talk has been that we had an excellent strength and conditioning program. Some of us started hearing a little bit to the contrary just before the season started.
I'm really curious abut our supposed lack of strength/bulk

[Sides]

I am excited about the future, but I thought the NFL taught him humility. I want arrogance again.

[reddot8481]

lack of strength and bulk??? Spurman we have plenty of those two, its technique and execution that we have problems with. You can be 6'8 350 and bench 400 lbs, but if you can't get off the ball and block the your gonna get beat.

[Click Clack Cock]

maybe next year is the year!


Should'nt this douchebag be in Smack Talk

[OVPcock]

lack of strength and bulk??? Spurman we have plenty of those two, its technique and execution that we have problems with. You can be 6'8 350 and bench 400 lbs, but if you can't get off the ball and block the your gonna get beat.

While technique was a MAJOR factor in getting pushed around so much this season, I really feel like we were also out-MUSCLED by nearly every team we played as well. I'm thinking we focused too much in the offseason on cardio and not enough on power-lifting... We lacked explosiveness on both sides of the line, and our guys need to LIVE in the weight room this offseason.

[willy]

Yunno, all the talk has been that we had an excellent strength and conditioning program. Some of us started hearing a little bit to the contrary just before the season started.
I'm really curious abut our supposed lack of strength/bulk



You could be banned for even thinking such a thing.

[TalkingHead]

There's hope after all...changes are a coming!!!!:woo:

Changes are coming that you will really like.

[TheGuitarCock]

First article I have liked in 7 weeks.

[snoopcockycock]

While technique was a MAJOR factor in getting pushed around so much this season, I really feel like we were also out-MUSCLED by nearly every team we played as well. I'm thinking we focused too much in the offseason on cardio and not enough on power-lifting... We lacked explosiveness on both sides of the line, and our guys need to LIVE in the weight room this offseason.
you took the words right out of my mouth ovp. that is exactly the situation. we were pretty well conditioned all year, and it showed in the fourth quarter of almost every game. but, we were not strong. we did get pushed around by every team, except uga and msu. even uk pushed us around a little bit that night. but we need to work on strength, period. both of our lines, and our defensive guys looked weak all year. they couldn't tackle because they were arm tackling, which has a lot to do with technique, but also, guys were running right out of their grips all the time as well, which speaks to strength as well. i think the need to be on a heavy lifting program, and continue to work with the speed coaches as well.
strength and speed are everything in the sec, you'll see that again in this bowl season.

[willy]

I am excited about the future, but I thought the NFL taught him humility. I want arrogance again.



You said it Sides.

[uscnoklahoma]

you took the words right out of my mouth ovp. that is exactly the situation. we were pretty well conditioned all year, and it showed in the fourth quarter of almost every game. but, we were not strong. we did get pushed around by every team, except uga and msu. even uk pushed us around a little bit that night. but we need to work on strength, period. both of our lines, and our defensive guys looked weak all year. they couldn't tackle because they were arm tackling, which has a lot to do with technique, but also, guys were running right out of their grips all the time as well, which speaks to strength as well. i think the need to be on a heavy lifting program, and continue to work with the speed coaches as well.
strength and speed are everything in the sec, you'll see that again in this bowl season.

I got slammed for saying we were weak when someone talked about Boyd working out with 100lb dumbbells and being one of the strongest on the team....absolutely torched by everyone on here. When I said I could do that pretty easy I was laughed at. Looks like I was right about our strength. Of course right now those 100 lb dumbbells would kill me since I had to quit this year....pathetic shape right now but my joints are loving me now. :thumbsup::rotfl::rotfl:

[CoverTwo]

We did get outmuscled a lot of the time, but a problem that stands out to me is that we cant shed blocks...at all..I swear during the Arkansas game, our linebackers didnt have a prayer.

[willy]

I got slammed for saying we were weak when someone talked about Boyd working out with 100lb dumbbells and being one of the strongest on the team....absolutely torched by everyone on here. When I said I could do that pretty easy I was laughed at. Looks like I was right about our strength. Of course right now those 100 lb dumbbells would kill me since I had to quit this year....pathetic shape right now but my joints are loving me now. :thumbsup::rotfl::rotfl:


Not by me Oklahoma, I believe that I have been torched by quite a few myself.

[Cockholio]

All we can hope is that a raging fire has been lit within the coaching staff to lead us out of the woods. Losing close games is one thing, but the way we lost a few of those down the stretch must be viewed as completely unacceptable to themselves if we expect to see marked improvement next year. They must hold themselves personally accountable, and I think Coach is trying to convey that message that they do.

As far as the strength issue is concerned, I think off-season strength and conditioning programs have become cliche in the sense that each Spring all you hear about whichever school you follow is how everbody's in the weight room working hard, going to voluntary workouts, "the best participation I've ever seen", etc. I'm curious to know if the strength and conditioning coach measures each athlete's progress from the time they start offseason lifting to the time they report for Spring ball. i.e. If a player can bench press 315lbs today, expect him to be able to push up 335lbs or so by April 1 (the day Cockytalk is rumored to switch to a pay site) Any body know if they're monitored for progress in the weight room, or is attendance the only thing kept up with?

[FinchMcCrunkNasty]

On the other side I want to remind our fans we've beaten every team in our division in three years. Now we haven't beaten them the same year, but we got a win over Florida, Georgia and Tennessee. Lost some close ones to all of them, and we're not that far off. "
i like that

[USC-Hokie]

Now if we could just get Devan Downey to get out there on the football field.

[Click]

All we can hope is that a raging fire has been lit within the coaching staff to lead us out of the woods. Losing close games is one thing, but the way we lost a few of those down the stretch must be viewed as completely unacceptable to themselves if we expect to see marked improvement next year. They must hold themselves personally accountable, and I think Coach is trying to convey that message that they do.

As far as the strength issue is concerned, I think off-season strength and conditioning programs have become cliche in the sense that each Spring all you hear about whichever school you follow is how everbody's in the weight room working hard, going to voluntary workouts, "the best participation I've ever seen", etc. I'm curious to know if the strength and conditioning coach measures each athlete's progress from the time they start offseason lifting to the time they report for Spring ball. i.e. If a player can bench press 315lbs today, expect him to be able to push up 335lbs or so by April 1 (the day Cockytalk is rumored to switch to a pay site) Any body know if they're monitored for progress in the weight room, or is attendance the only thing kept up with?


Any strength & conditioning coach who doesn't measure each player's progress should be fired, but from what i hear that's not the case at USC. Our strength & condioning staff is suppose to be top-notch. Strength is important on the football field, but what's more important in a strength & conditioning program is building explosive power, stamina to match what's done on the football field, quickness and balance between muscle groups to prevent injury.

[CockRoche]

I don't think we learned humility. I think all Gamecocks learned that a long time ago. If you forgot humility, three straight running downs should have been a good refresher course. That, to me, was Spurrier playing down to the level of our history instead of calling the plays he knew he wanted to run.

[USCCO2009]

This aint a sprint......Its a marathon. A really long, agonizing, gut checking, humbling, patience building marathon............but a marathon nonetheless. Im with ya Steve-O.

well put, its just tough to deal with though when it seems every year you come close to something great only to have your heart broken again

[kozakid]

well put, its just tough to deal with though when it seems every year you come close to something great only to have your heart broken again

I'm one of those llong-suffering Gamecock fans -- 43 years worth, to be exact. All things considered, this season, for me, was the heartbreakingest of all.

On the other hand, I'm over it already and can't wait til '08. See ya, Garcia!

:woo::woo::wink::woo::woo:

[akn4bkn]

Guess we can always wait till next year!

[kozakid]

Guess we can always wait till next year!

'xactly! We always have!

:woo::woo::woo:

[AtlGAMECOCK]

the old hurry up n wait saying.

[RW13]

I got slammed for saying we were weak when someone talked about Boyd working out with 100lb dumbbells and being one of the strongest on the team....absolutely torched by everyone on here. When I said I could do that pretty easy I was laughed at. Looks like I was right about our strength. Of course right now those 100 lb dumbbells would kill me since I had to quit this year....pathetic shape right now but my joints are loving me now. :thumbsup::rotfl::rotfl:

Damn, I do curls with the 40lb dumbells and the 45lb dumbells. 3 sets of 10 with 40's (one for each hand of course, alternating reps) and then 2 sets of 10 with the 45's. I cannot fathom ever getting to the 100lb dumbells and I weigh 218. I do not think 100lb is "easy" for the dumbells, maybe easy if you're a pro or semi-pro lifter....

[uscnoklahoma]

Damn, I do curls with the 40lb dumbells and the 45lb dumbells. 3 sets of 10 with 40's (one for each hand of course, alternating reps) and then 2 sets of 10 with the 45's. I cannot fathom ever getting to the 100lb dumbells and I weigh 218. I do not think 100lb is "easy" for the dumbells, maybe easy if you're a pro or semi-pro lifter....


Uh....you do realize you can do other things with dumbbells like presses right? I assume you do more with dumbbells than curl. That is what he was doing....he was not curling, but I have curled 70lb dumbbells before. 140 preacher with the ez bar. I could probably do 100lb with the get right juice and 6 months of lifting :rotfl:

[RW13]

Uh....you do realize you can do other things with dumbbells like presses right? I assume you do more with dumbbells than curl. That is what he was doing....he was not curling, but I have curled 70lb dumbbells before. 140 preacher with the ez bar. I could probably do 100lb with the get right juice and 6 months of lifting :rotfl:

No, I only use them to curl. With the "get right juice" I could maybe hit 75 or 80lbs though...........:lol:

[bhall]

I am, and have been, in this bitch for the looooooooooooooooooong haul. Let's regroup and do it agian

[mjmiller]

This aint a sprint......Its a marathon. A really long, agonizing, gut checking, humbling, patience building marathon............but a marathon nonetheless. Im with ya Steve-O.

Word :woo:

[CaptainCrunch]

good read, go cocks