Aug. 8, 2005
After a week of evening workouts, the South Carolina Gamecocks held their first morning workout of the 2005 fall camp on Monday at the Bluff Road practice fields. The squad went through about a two and a half hour practice session under warm temperatures and overcast skies. Head coach Steve Spurrier addressed the media following the workout.
“We had a pretty good practice today – doing a lot of different things. We made a lot of mistakes but other than that, it was a pretty good practice.”
On the number of incomplete passes: “Some (incompletions), some completions, a little bit of everything. We’re figuring out who can play. A lot of guys did some good things and some errant things, but that’s why we practice.”
On the status of Sidney Rice: “Sidney Rice had a minor surgery where they put a small, little screw in his pinky finger. He had a fractured bone in his little finger and that’s what they felt was best. I think he’ll be able to run around tomorrow, but we’ll try to keep it from getting hit for four or five days and he should be fine.”
“We’re getting thorough use of the hours in the day. I think you can verify that with our players. There are not many down moments right now during this pre-season practice.”
“These freshman, I can brag on all but about two as far as going to class this summer and doing exactly what it is they had to do. It’s an excellent group of freshmen.”
On the freshman tailbacks: “They’re doing fine. Coach Madre Hill has done an excellent job teaching those guys where to go. We still have a few mistakes here and there but not too bad. They’re doing very well for the first week in this offense.”
On the offensive line: “We need to stay healthy. We don’t have a lot of backup players but the same with the defensive line too. We’ve got to stay healthy this year if we’re going to have a chance for any type of a big season.”
On how many he likes to rotate in the offensive line: “As many as can play. You very seldom have more than eight or so you can trust to play in a game if it’s close. You like to play as possible if it’s not going to hurt you.”
INJURY UPDATE: Wide receiver Sidney Rice underwent successful surgery on his left little finger on Monday morning; Cornerback Fred Bennett suffered a strained hamstring during Monday’s practice and could be sidelined for a couple of days; Offensive lineman Jeremy Burgess was out with a lower back strain; Defensive back Brandon Issac was out with an abdominal strain; Wide receiver O.J. Murdock remains limited with a bruised left shoulder; Wide receiver Noah Whiteside remains limited with an ankle injury.