http://blogs.thestateonline.net/jperson The State newspaper’s Gamecock beat writer blogs on USC football Wed, 17 Mar 2010 03:31:55 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en Much better night for Connor Shaw on Tuesday during his second practice with the Gamecocks. After struggling with nerves during the first workout before spring break, the right-hander showed off a strong arm on a pair of scramble-play throws. The second was most impressive: He ran to his left, threw ... http://blogs.thestateonline.net/jperson/2010/03/16/good-night-for-usc-qbs-more-on-dungy-visit/ For anyone who thought Connor Shaw would show up at his first practice and step immediately into the backup quarterback role, Thursday’s shorts-and-helmets workout served as a reminder that making the jump from high school to the SEC remains a big leap. Think Shaun White on the half-pipe big. It’s not that ... http://blogs.thestateonline.net/jperson/2010/03/04/shaw-sees-sec-speed-in-first-practice/ Are you ready for some football? If you’re a USC player or assistant coach, you’d better be, after Steve Spurrier surprised everyone today by deciding to move up the start of spring practice. Rather than wait until after next week’s spring break, Spurrier wants to take advantage of the good weather forecast ... http://blogs.thestateonline.net/jperson/2010/03/01/football-has-sprung-early/ Steve Spurrier looked tanned and rested Friday during his appearance on Jim Rome’s “Rome is Burning” show on ESPN. Spurrier taped the segment from Orlando, where he is attending an ESPN powwow at Disney’s Wide World of Sports complex. There was some good TV karma working: Spurrier’s appearance came during the second ... http://blogs.thestateonline.net/jperson/2010/02/26/spurrier-on-rome-is-burning/ A few offseason odds and ends, all of which happen to involve the defense: --Defensive coordinator Lorenzo Ward, who coaches corners and free safeties, said the plan is to have Chris Culliver and Akeem Auguste swap positions this spring. The hope is that by moving to corner, Culliver will have less wear ... http://blogs.thestateonline.net/jperson/2010/02/23/culliver-auguste-trading-places/ Talked to Clifton Geathers this week for a story that’s running in tomorrow’s editions. As far as I know, it’s the first time Geathers has spoken publicly since leaving USC last month to enter the NFL draft. Geathers never had any kind of press conference at the time, and – as ... http://blogs.thestateonline.net/jperson/2010/02/23/geathers-talks-about-nfl-decision/ With pitchers and catchers reporting this week, it can only mean one thing across the (foot)Ball Belt: Spring practice is less than a month away at most schools. It’s that “dead time” for college football fanatics – the month or so between Signing Day and spring practice. A couple of mid-morning links ... http://blogs.thestateonline.net/jperson/2010/02/17/thawing-out-before-spring-football/ A couple of late-afternoon tidbits as Snowmageddon finally arrives in Columbia … --For anyone who didn’t see the post on gogamecocks, Victor Hampton has been re-assigned to an alternative school in Darlington. Hampton will be able to earn his diploma from Darlington High, which keeps him on track grades-wise to make ... http://blogs.thestateonline.net/jperson/2010/02/12/updates-on-hampton-culliver-snow/ Interesting board of trustees meeting today. Besides the expected moves – the approval of contracts for football assistants Ellis Johnson and Shawn Elliott – there was some lively discussion concerning the debt USC is taking on as it moves forward with athletics director Eric Hyman’s master facilities plan. First, the contracts: --Johnson, the ... http://blogs.thestateonline.net/jperson/2010/02/11/trustees-approve-johnson-deal-discuss-facilities-debt/ Just posted an update on Victor Hampton’s situation to gogamecocks. The USC signee, who was arrested for underage drinking Friday after taking brandy to Darlington High, likely faces re-assignment to Darlington’s alternative school as a result of his arrest. He’ll have a disciplinary hearing in the next week or two. If he gets ... http://blogs.thestateonline.net/jperson/2010/02/08/latest-on-victor-hampton/