JBE

April 6th, 2011 at 11:04 PM ^

And I stole one of Spurrier's testicles while he was passed out on Old Ball Coach brand whiskey. Got it on my mantle for displayin when company come round.

BlueDragon

April 6th, 2011 at 11:05 PM ^

Spurrier would not go into details of what caused Garcia's fifth suspension -- and second this spring -- since he arrived on campus in January 2007. Spurrier said he, Hyman and University President Harris Pastides were involved in deciding what should be done with the Gamecocks' most experienced quarterback. Garcia would not discuss the reason for the latest suspension, saying only that it did not involve an arrest, nor was it drug or alcohol related. "I don't want to talk about it now," he said told The Associated Press in a brief phone interview.

tenerson

April 6th, 2011 at 11:32 PM ^

Garcia is likely the biggest waste of talent in the NCAA right now. I remember really thinking he was going to be something when he was a freshman and then he never got better. He had a phenomonal set of receivers last year and still sucked.

PhillipFulmersPants

April 7th, 2011 at 9:48 AM ^

He threw too many picks for a guy with his experience, but 64% completion percentage, 20 TDs, almost a 149 effeciency rating  (good for 22nd in the country), threw for more than 3,000 yards, and he ran for 7 scores. And he also took his team to their first SEC championship game ever, one of the best seasons in memory for a lot of USC fans.   I also think you'll find that his numbers have gotten better each year, not flattened or regressed.

If he totally sucked, not many people would care about his boneheadedness. But he's a pretty good SEC QB even if to date he hasn't become the player his physical skills led many to believe he'd become.

That said, he's had more than enough opportunities to grow up. Bring on Connor Shaw.

AnthonyThomas

April 6th, 2011 at 11:44 PM ^

It looks like most USC fans on the internet think he should be kicked off the team. I did see this gem of a comment, though.

"I also cant say he should be kicked off the team. This goes back to a point I made a long time ago… USC tries to run an entirely too clean program for the conference they are in.

SEC teams around the conference constantly turn their heads the other way and slap players on the wrist for far worse things than what Garcia is doing. If we as a program EVER want to succeed, were going to have to do the same thing, or else we will never get ahead of the other teams in this conference. (I mean were competing against teams that let, psychotic stalkers, for example, get back on the team if it means winning a game or two)"

http://www.garnetandblackattack.com/2011/4/6/2095489/stephen-garcia-sus…

BlueDragon

April 6th, 2011 at 11:53 PM ^

This is the SEC, and the primary focus is winning… especially on the verge of a season we have coming up. You HAVE GOT TO turn your head for small things like this (how else are you going to beat teams that pay freaks to play for them and let psychos on their team to keep from having a losing season). This is where South Carolina fans to me, make no sense whatsoever. All we do is sit around and complain about not winning anything, yet when we get the chance to potentially make history, we want to play Johnny Ethical.
Is this guy channeling Jim Tressel?

Tater

April 7th, 2011 at 1:01 AM ^

Garcia is a "local" down here in the Tampa Bay area, and Tampa Bay area fans will still be talking about his playoff performances as a senior years from now.  But Garcia has had more "second chances" than even Sparty usually gives.  

In the "old days," Garcia's choronic behavior concerning alcohol would have been seen as  "boys will be boys" and swept under the carpet.  In this era, though, it is an indication that he probably needs some drastic intervention.  Or, he can just stay in Dixie and fit right in.

 

NateVolk

April 7th, 2011 at 10:59 AM ^

This is why multiple chances are a joke. There is no accountability. It's a phoney way for coaches to milk wins out of star players who feel no responsibility to their teammates to behave.  The more honest coaches will admit it.

The majority will run some line about "caring" for the young man's future.  When an even better argument exists that teaching a kid accountability IS what's best for his future.

BluePants

April 7th, 2011 at 1:26 PM ^

Most of our correctional systems are designed to give at least several chances to an individual before they receive the harshest possible punishment for their offense (given the original offenses are minor enough not to merit major punishment in the first place).  

Plenty of people have successfully gone through first time offender programs to have their records expunged and never broken the law afterwards.  I'm sure any number of alumni/undergrads can relate to this with MIPs.  Without that kind of program, a  minor caught with even just a drink in hand would permanently be labeled a "criminal".   Same goes for plenty of other petty offenses.  

If you want to talk about the wisdom of giving a scholarship athlete 4-5 different mulligans for his unacceptable behavior, that's a different discussion.  They are held to a different code of conduct, and are expected to represent their university well in the broader community.  However, it's equally unfair to kick a kid off the team for a first MINOR violation, so long as it wasn't ridiculous.  They're also still 18-22 yr olds, and deserve another chance to learn from their mistakes like many of us have been afforded.