gamecocks will be ready for bulls

[smazza]

Joe Person 5/11/04  

 Q.

Joe, correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't Sidney Rice going to play both football and basketball for USC? Also, who is considered USC's top NFL prospect for this upcoming season?

rufusrjones, Irmo 5/11/04  

A.

Rufus, You're right about Rice. As long as he has in grades in order, Holtz has given him the go-ahead to play basketball. I'd say both the defensive ends George Gause and Moe Thompson are among USC's top prospects. Of course, Thompson is a junior.  

Joe Person 5/11/04  

 Q.

When was the last time USC visted Blackville-Hilda ? Are they looking at Tharry Salley Fullback ?

need to know , blackville , SC 5/10/04  

A.

Need to know, According to rivals.com, Salley is getting "medium" interest from USC, Clemson, Georgia and Maryland.  

Joe Person 5/11/04  

 Q.

Well is there any news on when they plan to build onto the south endzone?? any new news?

hunter, columbia sc 5/10/04  

A.

Hunter, Either I'm confused or you have your directions mixed up. The south end zone project, which is the new weight room and training center, is underway and slated for a mid-October finish date. There has been talk about a north end zone project, adding a second deck essentially, but that has been put on hold until the new baseball stadium deal is finalized.  

Joe Person 5/11/04  

 Q.

Hi Joe...sorry to ask a baseball question but Steve hasn't been answering questions lately. Is there a Ray Tanner Show? I heard it mentioned on a live broadcast but can't seem to find it anywhere. Thanks. Andy

Andy, Isle of Palms, Sc 5/10/04  

A.

Andy, I don't think there is a Ray Tanner Show per se, but he does make weekly radio spots on most of Columbia's sports talk shows.  

Joe Person 5/11/04  

 Q.

Joe, USC chose not of offer Florida Kicker CJ Rhody because of scholarships considerations. Was that the final reason? According the State article, he hit on a 57 yard field goal last year. Different in college no doubt without the tee, but certainly impressive. Special teams are one of the weakest areas of the team and a good field goal kicker would have helped. Why not offer ? I would rather take a chance on him than offer to a guy who is going to be a project or never get much playing time. I know Josh Brown is on a scholly and maybe Coach did not want two scholarship kickers on the team. And maybe Rhody was not the answer, but unless Brown improves the FG kicking on this team is about a D+ grade right now. You agree or disagree?  

Rob M, Walkersville, MD 5/10/04  

A.

Rob, USC's scholarship situation is tight. In fact, I think the Gamecocks are still one or two above the 85-scholly limit, pending any possible transfers and/or possible academic casualties. You're right about Brown: He still has to prove himself. But he apparently has done enough to convince Holtz that he can be successful.  

Joe Person 5/10/04  

 Q.

do you think USC will underestimate the south florida bulls?

steve mazza, los angeles,ca 5/09/04  

A.

Steve, Not the way Lou Holtz builds up an opponent. He mentioned how dangerous So. Florida is at a Gamecock Club meeting last week.  

Joe Person 5/10/04  

 Q.

Joe, is it true that USC will be featuring new helmets and uniforms this season? I've heard that black helmets may be in the fold. Go Gamecocks!!

Carolina Man, 5 Points, SC 5/09/04  

A.

Carolina Man, Thanks for checking in from Five Points. The new uniform rumor gets started every year about this time. This might be the year there's a change, but no official announcment has been made, yet.  

Joe Person 5/10/04  

 Q.

Joe, Why is the USC coaching staff not inviting the #2 kicker on the depth chart back to start practice on Aug 4th. He is invited back as a walk on. The current #1 kicker is zero for 4 on field goals. He had one blocked and missed one last year while filling in for Daniel Weaver.He had one blocked and missed a 31 yarder wide right in the spring game this year. This is insane!This makes no sense.Clemson works its #1 and #2 kickers equally.

Anonymous, Columbia,SC 5/07/04  

A.

Anon., I'm not sure who you're referring to. Charlie Carpenter and Stephen Stellfox both were competing for that kicking job in the spring and both are walk-ons. I can try to address the question generally. The NCAA puts limits on the number of roster spots teams can have in the summer, then increases that number once school starts. So, most schools have a handful of walk-ons that are with the team from the start of preseason camp, with the others joining after school starts.  

Joe Person 5/10/04  

 Q.

IS there any new news on when the south endzone project will start being built, someone told me there trying to finish it by the end of the summer, is this true??

Hunter, columbia, SC 5/07/04  

A.

Hunter, Not true. The new weight room project is expected to be completed by mid- to late-October.  

Joe Person 5/10/04