Palmetto Proving Grounds

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teddykohncock said...

A couple of years ago when Southern Miss was coming to Columbia, their coach, Larry Fedora was quoted saying how he was going to run us off the field with his hurry up offense. I thought that was a little brazen, but it was enough for me to be a little bit worried. I guess some coaches like to talk big like many fans do pre-season (Georgia, Clemson).

At any rate, it was all talk. The Gamecocks were the ones who ran Southern Miss off the field by a score of 41-13.

The Charlotte Observer had an article this morning about how thin The University of North Carolina had gotten at wide receiver. I guess new coach Larry Fedora's bravado has rubbed off on his players. One of them, a walk-on from Miami whose name is Roy Smith had this to say about his sudden rise to second on the depth chart at the 'x' receiver spot. "I'm not surprised at all, with the skills I have. Not to knock anyone else, but I know the capability I have." Note that this is coming from a player who has never played a down in college.

Ironically, an article appeared in the Observer directly below the Fedora article. It was about Jadeveon Clowney who as we all know, was the number one recruit in all of college football two years ago. The number one college recruit who was a Freshman All-American last season was far less bold in his assessment of himself. He talks about how he was told he was not going to be coddled by our staff when he committed to South Carolina. "Entering Clowney's sophomore season, the defensive end still is coming to grips with what that means. "I feel like he pushes me a lot" (referring to position coach Brad Lawing). "I deserve to be pushed. Everybody on defense deserves to be pushed. You always have to improve some part of your game"....Clowney believes Lawing coaches him harder than some of the other defensive linemen. "I tell him that, 'Coach, you push me harder sometimes' ". Lawing says, 'I want you to be the best. That's what I'm here for' , and Lawing says further, "Do you want to be a real good player or a great player?" ...Clowney adds, "I am not at my full potential. You are never at your full potential. You can always be better in some areas. But I am competing and getting better at what I do."

Refreshing, indeed. Clowney is 'competing', and Roy Smith is not surprised he is second on the depth chart because of his 'skills'.