Lattimore to NFL

[CockySwede]

I will support whatever team that takes him!!

Good Luck Marcus!!

[Coondog]

Marcus will always be one of my favorite Gamecocks of all time. I can't wait to see him play on Sundays. Good luck Marcus!

[hellraiser24]

I get emails from Footballguys daily. They are a fantasy football guru sight, and send out emails for free to subscribers, with each email detailing a certain bit of news, followed by their spin on said news. Their paid members get a lot more detail, but I am not that serious with fantasy football. Anyways, here is a qoute from the email today...

- Marcus Lattimore may sit rookie campaign
Source: ESPN.com - Joe Schad
South Carolina RB Marcus Lattimore (knee), who has declared for the NFL Draft, may have to sit his rookie season as he rehabs an extensive injury to the anterior cruciate ligament and lateral collateral ligament in his right knee. Lattimore believes that focusing entirely on his rehabilitation with NFL team doctors will help him recover the quickest, according to a source. Lattimore has set a goal of jogging and catching passes at the end of March for NFL executives, and plans to visit with them at the NFL Scouting Combine.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
No surprise here. The RB class next year isn't brimming with talent. In fact, we don't think there will be a RB taken in the first-round. Lattimore would've been a top 15 pick had he not sustained a serious knee injury. Missing his first year isn't that big of a deal. Both Ricky Watters and Willis McGahee missed their first seasons in the NFL due to injury.

[GoUSCocks8]

Best of luck to Marcus Lattimore heading to the NFL. I hope he comes back and has a strong and profitable career because he deserves some good things to happen for him. I have a list of teams that I think would be the best fits for him and his future, because as soon as he is healthy I think he could be a very good NFL RB and compete for a starting job once fully healthy.

Best places for Marcus Lattimore:
1. Atlanta - Close to home, Gamecocks on the team, aging big power back in Michael Turner to learn from then replace.
2. Green Bay - Winning organization with no solid RB in place, his power running could be powerful on the frozen tundra.
3. New England - Another winning organization in cold weather, with marginal running backs
4. Denver - Winning, cold, and learn from Willis McGahee who has been in a similar situation that he has been.
5. Indianapolis - Team on the rise with potential openings at RB
6. Washington - Biased pick (because I am a Redskins fan), but he could spell Alfred Morris better than Royster or Helu and a pass catcher out of the backfield is the only thing missing in that offense.

Honorable mention: Miami (eventual replacement for Reggie Bush), KC (Thunder to Jamaal Charles' lightning).

He should avoid (unlikely he gets that ability to choose) the New York Jets, Dallas, Philly, San Diego, Oakland, Arizona, and Pittsburgh (unless they can fix their O-Line and then Pittsburgh would be good for him).


What do y'all think?
A round of applause for Marcus.

[Cockystona]

I would love more than anything to see him go to Atlanta, but mainly just because I am selfish. Ole "Tiptoe" Turner isn't cutting it anymore and needs a replacement as quick as they can get him one.

[Spurrier_Superior_One]

As long as he doesn't go to the Saints* or Falcons I will be happy, cannot pull either one of those teams, especially the Taints.

[I Bleed Garnet]

Atlanta would seem like a very likely location, especially with Turner who's already 30.

[DiamondGamecock]

While we are on the subject, do you guys think a QB will be taken as the overall pick again this year? I for one do not think so, not much to choose from.

[Lonnie]

Originally Posted by DiamondGamecock

While we are on the subject, do you guys think a QB will be taken as the overall pick again this year? I for one do not think so, not much to choose from.

Jarvis Jones.

[I Bleed Garnet]

Originally Posted by DiamondGamecock

While we are on the subject, do you guys think a QB will be taken as the overall pick again this year? I for one do not think so, not much to choose from.

Yes.
Because with the new Rookie Pay Scale you won't see Sam Bradford or Matt Stafford type contracts, therefore teams can get someone else 2-3 years down the road (example with Jacksonville possibly being done with Gabbert)

I would not be surprised to see Barkley or Geno taken first overall. (Or someone else who shows out at the combine like say Ryan Tannehill or Christian Ponder)


The only guy I can possibly see go above is Star Lotulelei or an OT (Luke Joeckel)

[DiamondGamecock]

Originally Posted by I Bleed Garnet

Yes.
Because with the new Rookie Pay Scale you won't see Sam Bradford or Matt Stafford type contracts, therefore teams can get someone else 2-3 years down the road (example with Jacksonville possibly being done with Gabbert)

I would not be surprised to see Barkley or Geno taken first overall. (Or someone else who shows out at the combine like say Ryan Tannehill or Christian Ponder)


The only guy I can possibly see go above is Star Lotulelei or an OT (Luke Joeckel)

What about LB Jarvis Jones?

[I Bleed Garnet]

Originally Posted by DiamondGamecock

What about LB Jarvis Jones?

I just don't see a 3-4 OLB going first overall especially when the Chiefs bigger need is QB

And although the Chiefs currently run a 3-4, that will probably change with Romeo getting fired.

Another thing that won't shock me, Saban heading to the Browns and them taking Jarvis.

[KaneisAble]

Originally Posted by I Bleed Garnet

Yes.
Because with the new Rookie Pay Scale you won't see Sam Bradford or Matt Stafford type contracts, therefore teams can get someone else 2-3 years down the road (example with Jacksonville possibly being done with Gabbert)

I would not be surprised to see Barkley or Geno taken first overall. (Or someone else who shows out at the combine like say Ryan Tannehill or Christian Ponder)


The only guy I can possibly see go above is Star Lotulelei or an OT (Luke Joeckel)

I know the premium placed on QB, but Barkley and Smith have seen their stock fade considerably. Either one (or someone we're not even aware of at QB) could show out at the combine, but Barkley's projected as going in the 2nd round in some places. I still think they both go first round, but my money would be on it being mid to late at the earliest.

http://www.ocregister.com/sports/bar...nfl-draft.html

[KaneisAble]

Originally Posted by I Bleed Garnet

Well the team taking number 1 would need to be a 3-4 team.
I just don't see a 3-4 OLB going first overall especially when the Chiefs bigger need is QB

Obviously team need is a huge consideration. I just think Barkley will be there. He's not a number 1 overall prospect. (IMO.)

[I Bleed Garnet]

Originally Posted by KaneisAble

Obviously team need is a huge consideration. I just think Barkley will be there. He's not a number 1 overall prospect. (IMO.)

I agree with this although I don't think Jones will be the first overall pick.

I still believe Chiefs take QB, but if they move to 4-3 with Romeo leaving, Star could be the pick.

[davidmc467]

Lattimore will be the biggest "what could have been" player in USC history. Disappointing.

I hope he makes it back and kicks ass in the pros.

[KaneisAble]

Originally Posted by I Bleed Garnet

I agree with this although I don't think Jones will be the first overall pick.

I still believe Chiefs take QB, but if they move to 4-3 with Romeo leaving, Star could be the pick.

I don't think he will either. Top 5 probably. But not number 1. And if Romeo Crennell survives this season then something is bad wrong.

[TKE226]

wish the best for ML. Fabulous representative of the University of South Carolina and man-kind in general

[USCremedy]

press conference tomorrow at 4pm for the announcement.

also signed with agent Pat Dye Jr., is leaving for Florida Friday to start training.

[gocockswyn]

I feel happy and sad at the same time with this announcement. We will miss him next year, but I do think this is the best decision for Marcus. I will watch the draft and pray for the best team for him. Good luck Marcus!