Spring practice, day 5
It was one practice in helmets and shorts, but Steve Spurrier did not like what he saw tonight out of his offensive line.
Talking about Saturday’s scrimmage, Spurrier said: “We’ll see if the offensive line’s going to get pushed around like they did today. Maybe they’ll take a stand and show a little competitiveness.”
Spurrier scoffed when someone asked him about right tackle Justin Sorensen injuring his finger, as he appeared to do during team drills. Spurrier said the problem wasn’t Sorensen’s finger, but the fact that he kept getting pushed back by assorted defensive linemen.
Uh-oh.
Understand that the Gamecock Nation is a little sensitive about the offensive line, which has been slow to jell during Spurrier’s first three seasons at USC. Spurrier has defended offensive line coach John Hunt, but indicated he might spend more time with the unit this year.
I’m willing to give Sorensen and Co. the benefit of the doubt regarding today’s performance. I think defensive players, particularly on the interior, have the edge when it comes to workouts conducted in less than full pads. They’re quicker and have less surface areas on their chests and shoulders for offensive linemen to hold, er, hit.
Plus, Hunt’s group was minus a couple of bodies with Heath Batchelor and Terrence Campbell sitting due to an unspecified “issue.”
We’re not ready to sound the alarm on a unit that returns four of five starters. But if the O-line looks passive again Saturday, well, Spurrier will be the first one to let them know about it.
Onward …
The most impressive pass of the day was one that overshot the receiver by several yards and fell incomplete. Tommy Beecher, throwing into a strong wind, heaved a tight spiral about 50 yards during 7-on-7 drills. Sidney Rice might have had a shot at it.
In our daily tribute to the Gamecocks’ tight ends, both Jared Cook (from Beecher) and Weslye Saunders (from Chris Smelley) hauled in touchdown passes during the team period. Receiver-turned-safety Chris Culliver was a half-second late breaking to the ball on Saunders’ catch.
Several of USC’s best players are either out or taking it easy this spring recovering from injuries – Kenny McKinley, Captain Munnerlyn, Jasper Brinkley, et al.
Not Emanuel Cook. The junior safety broke up a pass intended for Cook by jumping in front of the tight end and getting his left hand on the ball before falling to the ground.
Whether it’s a shorts-and-helmets practice in March or an SEC clash in November, Cook is going to bring it.
USC football beat writer Joe Person has covered the Gamecocks since the start of the 2002 season. He's been on the college football beat since 1993. 
weak OL…going to be a long Fall
Thats right Kelley B. circle the wagons,in fact lets just give up right now. Why even try? In fact theres no point in our Gamecocks even showing up for any of this years games. I mean if one shorts-and-helmets practice isnt proof as to just how terrible this season going to be then I dont know what else is.Allow time for this years spring practice and fall practices to progress before you rush to make judgement.
Don’t listen to the jabs Kelley. If it was a one time thing, that would be a different matter, but it’s a recurring theme. Hopefully it’ll work it’s way out. Maybe SOS can send the OL to the same place Blake’s been working out of late?
Internal problems are the roost.The staff needs to throw down on the trouble makers and get them out , before they spoil the whole bunch. Attitudes are not right with the team. Let’s give the ones that really show they want to play, the time to play. Who cares wether they are redshirt freshman or not. They will appreciate the time playing and only get better. Some of these pre-modonnas have to gooooooooooo! If you are not giving your all during pratice, then you want give your all during the games. YOU PLAY LIKE YOU PRATICE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I really question the OL dedication. 320 lb guys getting pushed around by guys 40 lbs lighter. Lay of the beer and hotdogs guys, your slow! Put the redshirt OL freshman in coach. I bet they do a better job.
John Hunt needs to be fired!
someone needs to tell hunt that broadhead is the best ol he has- put him in coach he ‘s ready to play !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! how can hunt not see this- he has his picks and stays with them- hunt quit being a buddy and COACH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!