Palmetto Proving Grounds

You sure get emotionlal when confronted with a viewpoint different from yours.

Please, do tell where I said I hated his offer list. I'll wait. And, if you don't mind, please quote me on it.

Oh, you haven't seen me emotional yet. You just wait until someone questions Mr. Shaw's abilities.

But seriously. You have to see my point. The coaches can never do anything right in your eyes, Al. You have to see that. I know you obviously like to argue. I assume you are a lawyer or something, and that is fine. You have to be appreciative of what the HBC has brought us here in Cola. This is the best stretch we have ever had, and some absolutely freak out because we offer a kid, who is obviously talented, who doesn't have a lot of offers yet.

You have no idea how good he is. If bama were to offer a guy with the other offers, you would praise bama for being able to spot talent on their own, and you know it.

It would be nice to hear our fans support our potential players.

I hope this kid is one of those 3 star tweeners with a chip on his shoulder to prove all the so called experts wrong and chooses here to do it!

You are exactly right, Al. I am the only one who thinks that maybe you are a little too critical of coaches. I have never heard you give a compliment to a coach that did not have at least a little bit of a subtle jab in it. I think that you take your little jabs, and sit back and laugh, and then do it again. But, I do respect your opinion.

I like having you on the board. You hold no prejudices as to who you question or support. You do like to jab that finger deeper and deeper in the ribs, though. Whether its me, or anyone else you are dealing with, you are at least fair.

Al, I want you to just let it all loose in here though. One day, I want you to do the internet Al version of the stanky leg all up in here. Can't we see a little more of the personal, and happy side of Al? Maybe one day? I do appreciate your opinion, even if I don't agree with it, and, yes, maybe I do use a little much hyperbole. I will try to work on that.

You did at least say that our coaches must be doing something right. I have yet to hear you say just what 'right' things they have done. I have a feeling I am going to have to wait until we win a national title for that. Only then will we hear Al say Jr coached someone up well.

I havent read the above but I do hope someone informed you that this and other boards have calmed down,...this one was never bad that I know of, but I am and have been since "the pilot" started his site...The Meany Butt Poster Cop". Please stand down!!!
The Gamecocks success has not born new complainers but from what I see all the boards are pretty responsible and considerate of our players as well as recruits.....maybe we've grown up a little.

Classy? You said I felt a certain way. Provide the proof. Disagree with me, that's fine. Don't put words in my mouth, like I 'hate this kids offer list'. Again - please post where I said that. Otherwise, you're full of ____.

Putting more words in my mouth? Find one thing I've said negative about this class. Again, I'll wait. Yeah, I used to question recruiting, but this staff has proven that they get the job done. And, unless this class is chop full of kids with limited offers, a lack of offers, etc... which I don't anticipate... you won't find me saying much about it.

The only thing I've been negative about in some time is the basketball program. Mainly the coach. Boy, real stretch there. I mean certainly that's standing on an island of negativity for no reason. The only thing I've questioned about our baseball team is Greiners wierd throwing motion. I wasn't a fan of the handling of the QB situation early last year, but that's about it. Last year recruiting class - the only guy I wasn't high on was Salley.

So, all in all - backup what you say about my feelings on Camaras offer list. And, find something I've said negative about the current class.

And, I'm going to upvote your post since that's what you're looking for.

Joseph,

No one here, in my opinion, has turned up their noses at a recruit. When we have a concern about recruiting or decision's being made by this staff concerning a recruit, where exactly are we supposed to discuss it? I'm not trying to be a smartass, but this is our outlet. I'm sure you are privy to all sorts of info that you and the staff at TBS cannot pass on to us. We don't have that luxury, for the majority of us you are our SOURCE. If we have a concern we would like to discuss, we can't sit down and pick Tony or JC's brain for info in private, we have to bring it here.

I've read most of Euro and BigAl's post ( I guess those two are the posters to whom your post is directed) Both have been respectful and both have asked questions I would like answered or at least have discussed. Many of us on here have been following USC recruiting for decades, many others are obviously new to it, when USC jumps on this type of prospect this early in the year (especially when we a have a smaller than normal number of scholarships available) it begs for an explanation. And while no one here believes we are Alabama when it comes to recruiting, many (including me) believe have made huge progress and have narrowed that gap. We are no longer in the position we were 10 years ago or even in 2004. No one means any disrespect to this young man. but this feels like a step back.

Even last year we took some players early in the process (no names where mentioned) that Tony said that the staff wished they had held off on because better options presented themselves. Many of the coaches from last year are gone, maybe we are missing their SEC recruiting experience already.

I hope this didn't come across as disrespectful.

Brooster

I am in meetings this morning, so I have to make this short. What I can tell you real quick that it is RARE that there is useful info that JC and staff doesn't pass along to you guys. That's why this site is the best. Once they get info, they confirm it with reliable sources, and as long as its true they pass it along.

On the lines of this thread, this wasn't a thread to say, "Hey! You can't have an opinion!" It was more along the lines of putting an end to disrespectful posts towards recruits just because of their star ratings. I should of also said something about bashing the coaching staff, but I didn't. Regardless, I have seen some EXTREMELY classless posts these past couple of days. That's not what this board wants. We don't want to be TOS. You guys want to discuss football and Gamecock athletics? Go for it. Have some respect though, the person you're bashing just might be reading what you're saying. Don't be Mr. Tough Guy just because your picture or real name isn't on your profile though. Act like you have some sense.

Brooster, this was not directed to you in its entirety. Your post was respectful and when I get more time I will respond more appropriately.

very well said. It is kinda like the Jr argument with the wide recievers. Heads I win, tales you lose.

If we wait to offer a guy, like Camara, until he has offers from Fla, jawja, Allbarn, and co., (which, I am certain he will, btw, imho), they will be harder to land. The coaches will then be berated for not identifying talent early, and for being 'bad recruiters'.

If we offer them early, we are making a 'reach' on another 'project'.

The formula for questioning the coaches is simple, and you can do it without calling out a recruit. You can make general statements, not naming recruits, on a separate post where the said recruits name is not mentioned. But, if you choose to do so, you are running a risk still of making our program look bad in the eyes of potential players. That is the decision we have to make.

Of course recruits are going to look at boards like this. They are high school kids, and like to see good things said about them by schools they are considering going to. To say they play for the love of the game, and don't care whether fans support them is not very smart. Most players get jazzed by the roar of the crowd, and want to come somewhere which will provide that type of atmosphere. They also want to be recognized by the fans for what they do.

It also plays a big part to be wanted by the fans where they are going. Clowney and Lattimore were flattered when fans chanted their names at a bball game, and stated that factored into their decision. We should have a venue where we can question coaches. Reality is people hear this that maybe we don't want them to. That is the downfall of social media.