BATTLE.
We’ve heard this word a lot this year thanks to the national champions. I think it’s time we carry it over for this quarterback competition.
Time to BATTLE Stephen Garcia and Connor Shaw.
Last night’s decision by Coach Spurrier to start Connor Shaw over Stephen Garcia drew a lot of criticism. I even wrote a post about the decision last night how I felt that Garcia was the better option right now. The decision (why was this not it’s own ESPN special) has had time to settle in my mind and I think I’ve come to another conclusion on this QB saga.
Let’s take a “wait and see” approach.
Coach Spurrier said he would have a quarterback battle all summer long. He said Connor Shaw would get every opportunity to be the starter for USC and both players will have to earn their playing time. It was a pretty close battle but Coach Spurrier believes Connor Shaw was better this offseason. Based on performances, he’s got Connor Shaw taking the first snaps for the Gamecocks in 2011. Give the Head Ball Coach credit. He did as he said he would do. The best guy would win the job and, in his eyes, he did.
I know we all felt that Stephen Garcia has earned the right to start based on all of his experiences and his performances on the field. But maybe we should look at this in a good way. Connor Shaw, who has thrown less than 40 passes in his career, can earn the start over a fifth-year senior with 30 career starts then he’s got to be good. Right? Connor Shaw is a coach’s dream who takes a very serious approach to being a quarterback and is a student of the game. He’s only done what he was brought here to do at USC.
That’s to be the starting quarterback.
How can we hate on a guy who is just doing his job? You want players who have that desire to compete and want to lead your football program. It’s obvious that Connor Shaw wants that. We also know Stephen Garcia wants it. He wouldn’t have come back to USC just to sit on the bench. This move will hopefully be a message to Garcia that everything has to be earned. We all know the talent he has but he can make the mental mistake. Part of being the quarterback for Steve Spurrier is having the mental capacity to handle the back and forth saga he has with his quarterbacks. Garcia has been through it all here at USC and he will, once again, have to prove he is ready for that job. He will have his chance in the 2nd quarter of the East Carolina game. We have no idea how the offense will perform with Connor Shaw under center to open the season. He could totally dominate or it could be a poor performance. We just don’t know. Stephen Garcia will get his shot afterwards and he could do the same thing as Shaw. He could look extremely good and get the offense clicking on all cylinders or he could play poorly and the team will struggle.
We as Gamecock fans just need to take a step back and support this team and the decisions made by the head coach. We can disagree all we want. We’ve earned that right. I think the main thing here though is that we support our players 100% regardless who is on or off the field. Coach Spurrier feels he’s got two capable quarterbacks and both will get their chance. I think they both understand that and will support whatever decision is made by the head coach.
Garcia vs. Shaw. It’ll be a battle.
May the best man win.