Read More......
October 5, 2012
September 18, 2012
Final Post
It has been a lot of fun writing this blog for the past couple years. Mainly, this blog has been focused on the liberty movement, God, and the Gamecocks. I have enjoyed writing posts on these subjects from time to time.
I do not anticipate writing anymore posts for this blog at this time. I may start another blog at a later date. If I do, I will post an update on my plans in that regard.
Thank you for reading this blog.
August 29, 2012
Vanderbilt Players Speak Out About the Gamecocks
Vanderbilt's junior safety, Javon Marshall (# 31, 5'10", 195), spoke about how he feels about playing South Carolina to open the season:
Rob Lohr (# 84,6-4, 290) Vanderbilt's senior starting defensive tackle, while somewhat complimentary to Marcus Lattimore, predicted that the Vanderbilt defense will shut him (Lattimore) down, as well as the Gamecock's offensive execution in general.
Referring to the youth of the Gamecock offensive tackles, Lohr stated that Vanderbilt intended to attack.
Read More......
The setting for this game is just epic. It's great. Like you said, it couldn't be a better opponent. It couldn't be a better time. I feel like South Carolina is a great team to open up against.(1:45 - 2:02)
Rob Lohr (# 84,6-4, 290) Vanderbilt's senior starting defensive tackle, while somewhat complimentary to Marcus Lattimore, predicted that the Vanderbilt defense will shut him (Lattimore) down, as well as the Gamecock's offensive execution in general.
We are looking to stop him, hold him, and hold the entire offense. We're excited about the opportunity to go up against him.(:22 - :29)
Referring to the youth of the Gamecock offensive tackles, Lohr stated that Vanderbilt intended to attack.
Absolutely, anytime you get a young guy in their you want to see what he is made of. At the same time, you gotta remember if he is good enough to start at a school like South Carolina or in this league, he's probably pretty good. . . . You always look for opportunities against younger guys or anybody. Same game plan. We're trying to get after it.(1:27 - 1:40) Lohr was asked if this Vanderbilt team is better than the 2011 team that played South Carolina. He stated:
I think we're a lot better. We'll see on Thursday night. But I believe you guys are going to be excited to be a part of this.(4:41 - 4:55)
August 17, 2012
What About 7
The Constitution is under attack. The attack is coming from a giant federal government, coupled with huge international corporations that have no allegiance to our Republic.
A few years ago, a lot of people became excised about the Constitution. The Tea Party revolution, the media called it. However, that movement soon was co-opted by opportunistic politicians like Sarah Palin and Nikki Haley. These politicians do not care about the Republic or the Constitution. Rather, their allegiance is to political ambition.
This fact is evident by their hypocrisy regarding the Seventh Amendment. How can you be for the Constitution except when it comes to juries?
Loss of the right to a trial in front of a local community jury was a major cause of the Revolution. England was hauling back colonists to England for trial in front of magistrates. That violated the Magna Carta (The The Great Charter of the Liberties) and infuriated our founding fathers.
There is a website that informs about the Seventh Amendment and the shadowy effort to kill the Seventh Amendment. The Seventh Amendment states:
Read More......
A few years ago, a lot of people became excised about the Constitution. The Tea Party revolution, the media called it. However, that movement soon was co-opted by opportunistic politicians like Sarah Palin and Nikki Haley. These politicians do not care about the Republic or the Constitution. Rather, their allegiance is to political ambition.
This fact is evident by their hypocrisy regarding the Seventh Amendment. How can you be for the Constitution except when it comes to juries?
Loss of the right to a trial in front of a local community jury was a major cause of the Revolution. England was hauling back colonists to England for trial in front of magistrates. That violated the Magna Carta (The The Great Charter of the Liberties) and infuriated our founding fathers.
There is a website that informs about the Seventh Amendment and the shadowy effort to kill the Seventh Amendment. The Seventh Amendment states:
In suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury shall be otherwise reexamined in any court of the United States than according to the rules of the common law.The purpose of that amendment is to protect us from unfair trials. A jury reduces the risk of a biased decision. Please visit the WhatAbout7 site and become informed.
August 11, 2012
South Carolina Receiver Position Designations
The 2012 football season practices for the South Carolina Gamecocks began about ten days ago. The players are giving the media short interviews about the practices.
Mostly, the media seems focused on discerning the depth chart. I am not sure why. It is so early that even the players themselves are not really sure about who will play the most in the August 30 opening game at Vanderbilt. The nationally televised ESPN game is scheduled to start at 7 P.M. Eastern Standard Time.
When interviewing receivers, the reporters ask what position the receiver is playing. They answer by saying "Z" or "X" or "B." Some of the reporters, whose job it is to cover football, are confused and the receivers have to explain.
The chart below was made based on Spurrier's Florida Fun-N-Gun playbook. The receiver positions are diagrammed here with eight formations. This post attempts to evaluate these positions and speculates about how they might be applicable to the 2012 Gamecock receivers.
Ace Sanders is now playing Alshon's old position, the X position. This has the media confused because Alshon was big and rangy while Ace is smaller and quicker. Does this mean the character of Spurrier's offense has taken on a new dimension?
It seems to me that the answer to why Alshon played X is pretty simple. The X receiver is designated in every Fun-N-Gun formation. That probably remains true now in Spurrier's evolving offense. It makes sense that the Gamecocks best receiver would play X. A talented receiver like Alshon had to play X. Anything else and Spurrier would be stupid.
Because the X receiver plays in many formations, that player needs to have a great understanding of the offensive playbook. According to reports, Ace is now the best of the returning Gamecock receivers. He, according to most of the receivers who have been interviewed, is teaching other receivers the playbook, where to lineup, how to read defenses, etc. Ace is also a more natural X because of his size disparity with Alshon. Spurrier Junior stated that he likes Ace at X because, "The outside guy gets a little more freedom."
Reporters want to know if Ace will take Alshon's role as a go-to receiver this season. Ace shot that idea down by stating that, "Nobody is looking to be Alshon. Everyone is trying to be our own identity." Spurrier Junior said he hopes that four receivers can be go-to guys.
According to Damiere Byrd, Bruce Ellington and he are playing the Z position. This is pretty interesting because the Z position is the slot receiver in many formations. The slot receiver is often called upon to block a linebacker or a strong safety on running plays. Spurrier Junior stated in a recent interview that, "the Z player has to be a better blocker."
Clearly, the smaller guys like Byrd or even Ellington will have a tough time blocking against bigger athletes, who can toss them aside like rag dolls. The media hones in on that blocking issue. It seems like they are second guessing the coaches' position selection for the players. But Spurrier Junior defended Byrd's blocking ability saying, "He tougher than you think he is."
Moreover, the size advantage defenders enjoy on running plays is a disadvantage on passing plays. Ace described it as a "mismatch." Spurrier Junior said he likes Byrd at Z because defenders have a tough time, "getting their hands on him." Additionally, the diagram shows that in twenty-five percent of formations the Z receiver is split out into a wide receiver position. So, while the Z receiver is mostly in the slot, sometimes he is not. Throw in motion, and shifting, and you can see how this could make defending a small, quick Z receiver difficult for a big safety or linebacker.
The chart also indicates the X and Z will be on the field together in many formations. Thus, you want your second best receiver starting at the Z position so he is playing more. The South Carolina depth chart, shows the X at the top, and the Z as the second set of receivers.
The B receiver position are shown in the third set on the depth chart. A B receiver is on the field for only twenty-five percent of the Fun-N-Gun formations. Thus, B receivers play only when the offense is set wide-open into a passing formation. How often this will happen in 2012 considering the Gamecock running attack and tight ends remains to be seen.
Another thing to remember is that the veteran players can play multiple wide receiver positions. For any receiver, it is beneficial to know the routes to be run by the other receiver(s).
The Y and S receivers indicate formations for the tight ends and running backs. South Carolina's offense will feature tight ends and running backs a lot this year due to the talent at those positions.
The coaches have seemed somewhat excited about two freshman tight ends, Jerrell Adams and Drew Owens. Coupled with Justice Cunningham and Buster Anderson, a receiver who had several big plays last year, the sky could be the limit at Y receiver. Does that mean the Y receivers will see the field more often than the B? Most probably.
Obviously, with five pretty decent running backs, people are also talking about a two back setup. If that happens, the B receiver spot may not see as much action.
Read More......
Mostly, the media seems focused on discerning the depth chart. I am not sure why. It is so early that even the players themselves are not really sure about who will play the most in the August 30 opening game at Vanderbilt. The nationally televised ESPN game is scheduled to start at 7 P.M. Eastern Standard Time.
When interviewing receivers, the reporters ask what position the receiver is playing. They answer by saying "Z" or "X" or "B." Some of the reporters, whose job it is to cover football, are confused and the receivers have to explain.
The chart below was made based on Spurrier's Florida Fun-N-Gun playbook. The receiver positions are diagrammed here with eight formations. This post attempts to evaluate these positions and speculates about how they might be applicable to the 2012 Gamecock receivers.
Ace Sanders is now playing Alshon's old position, the X position. This has the media confused because Alshon was big and rangy while Ace is smaller and quicker. Does this mean the character of Spurrier's offense has taken on a new dimension?
It seems to me that the answer to why Alshon played X is pretty simple. The X receiver is designated in every Fun-N-Gun formation. That probably remains true now in Spurrier's evolving offense. It makes sense that the Gamecocks best receiver would play X. A talented receiver like Alshon had to play X. Anything else and Spurrier would be stupid.
Because the X receiver plays in many formations, that player needs to have a great understanding of the offensive playbook. According to reports, Ace is now the best of the returning Gamecock receivers. He, according to most of the receivers who have been interviewed, is teaching other receivers the playbook, where to lineup, how to read defenses, etc. Ace is also a more natural X because of his size disparity with Alshon. Spurrier Junior stated that he likes Ace at X because, "The outside guy gets a little more freedom."
Reporters want to know if Ace will take Alshon's role as a go-to receiver this season. Ace shot that idea down by stating that, "Nobody is looking to be Alshon. Everyone is trying to be our own identity." Spurrier Junior said he hopes that four receivers can be go-to guys.
According to Damiere Byrd, Bruce Ellington and he are playing the Z position. This is pretty interesting because the Z position is the slot receiver in many formations. The slot receiver is often called upon to block a linebacker or a strong safety on running plays. Spurrier Junior stated in a recent interview that, "the Z player has to be a better blocker."
Clearly, the smaller guys like Byrd or even Ellington will have a tough time blocking against bigger athletes, who can toss them aside like rag dolls. The media hones in on that blocking issue. It seems like they are second guessing the coaches' position selection for the players. But Spurrier Junior defended Byrd's blocking ability saying, "He tougher than you think he is."
Moreover, the size advantage defenders enjoy on running plays is a disadvantage on passing plays. Ace described it as a "mismatch." Spurrier Junior said he likes Byrd at Z because defenders have a tough time, "getting their hands on him." Additionally, the diagram shows that in twenty-five percent of formations the Z receiver is split out into a wide receiver position. So, while the Z receiver is mostly in the slot, sometimes he is not. Throw in motion, and shifting, and you can see how this could make defending a small, quick Z receiver difficult for a big safety or linebacker.
The chart also indicates the X and Z will be on the field together in many formations. Thus, you want your second best receiver starting at the Z position so he is playing more. The South Carolina depth chart, shows the X at the top, and the Z as the second set of receivers.
The B receiver position are shown in the third set on the depth chart. A B receiver is on the field for only twenty-five percent of the Fun-N-Gun formations. Thus, B receivers play only when the offense is set wide-open into a passing formation. How often this will happen in 2012 considering the Gamecock running attack and tight ends remains to be seen.
Another thing to remember is that the veteran players can play multiple wide receiver positions. For any receiver, it is beneficial to know the routes to be run by the other receiver(s).
The Y and S receivers indicate formations for the tight ends and running backs. South Carolina's offense will feature tight ends and running backs a lot this year due to the talent at those positions.
The coaches have seemed somewhat excited about two freshman tight ends, Jerrell Adams and Drew Owens. Coupled with Justice Cunningham and Buster Anderson, a receiver who had several big plays last year, the sky could be the limit at Y receiver. Does that mean the Y receivers will see the field more often than the B? Most probably.
Obviously, with five pretty decent running backs, people are also talking about a two back setup. If that happens, the B receiver spot may not see as much action.
August 10, 2012
2016 Obama's America
This movie is playing at the following S.C. theaters starting August 17, i.e., next weekend:
August 17 Columbiana Grande Stadium 14 1250 Bower Parkway Columbia, SC 29212
Hollywood Stadium 20 1025 Woodruff Rd Greenville, SC 29607
Spartan Stadium 16 855 Spartan Blvd Spartanburg, SC 29301
In Alabama:
Hollywood 16 4250 Old Greensboro Rd Tuscaloosa, AL
(Not playing in Birmingham. Which seems strange. Is there an agenda to suppress the movie>)
In Georgia the movie opens today!:
AMC Mansell Crossing 14 7730 N Point Pkwy Alpharetta, GA 30022
AMC Parkway Point 15 3101 Cobb Pkwy Atlanta, GA 30339
Hollywood Stadium 24 3265 NE Expy Access Rd Atlanta, GA 30341
Here is a report on it shown on FOX News:
Watch the speech by the writer at CPAC 2012:
July 20, 2012
The Healthy Rivalry Challenge: Davis to Lattimore
Arkansas running back Kniles Davis won the first round of the Talkin' Season by offering Marcus Lattimore an honorable challenge. Knile Davis says he's still SEC's best RB.
Best moment: Davis was as cool and relaxed as ever during his time in Hoover. He had no problem proclaiming that he still was the league's best running back, but the best moment came when he was leaving our room. As Davis headed toward the door, Chris asked him if he still thought he was the best and Davis replied with a smile, "Still the best and tell Marcus [Lattimore] I'm coming for him."ESPN SEC Blog, Edward Aschoff, Best of the 2012 SEC media days (scroll down to heading "Best Moment")(July 20, 2012).
Davis' statement was timely and positive. If you're a player at a school in the SEC, and a competitive person by nature, then it is expected you will talk big at the SEC Media Days. Davis did the same in 2011 as he did in 2012. Arkansas players talk big during SEC Media Days. That is a good strategy for the Talkin' Season. You have to view Davis' Challange as one that will last season-long, as in: In the End, We Will See Who is Better.
As a Gamecock Fan and Blogger, I hereby thank Davis for an honorable Woo Pig Sooee verses a Rooster Crow. That is throwing the gauntlet down in front of Marcus at the entrance to the Vanderbilt Stadium.
Both Davis and Lattimore are recovering from injuries. Lattimore's was a knee. Davis fractured his left ankle. Knees and ankles are both critical parts of a running back's tools. Despite the injuries, both running backs are picked by coaches at SEC Media Days as the two First Team SEC football running backs. SEC Announces Coaches Preseason All-SEC Teams. Both were picked ahead of numerous other quality SEC running backs.
Not much is really known about Lattimore's recovery except it is reported to be on track, or slightly ahead of schedule.
Davis, on the other hand, is reportedly squatting 600 pounds and cutting and accelerating at full speed.
In any case, this is a "Healthy Challenge" that bears watching on a game-by-game basis all season long. Carolina fans know this sentiment of health very well because we sing it at the end of our school song. Hopefully, this blog will be able to keep up with and report on the Kniles Davis Challenge.
July 16, 2012
LIBOR: The London Interbank Offered Rate--The Massive Fraud
The rate is set by an intermediary, Thomas Reuters, after it reviews rates provided to it daily by a group of 150 major international banks grouped nationally based on 12 currencies. Thomas Reuters is a consulting company with approximately 55,000 employees and revenue of almost $13 Billion. A summary of the calculation can be reviewed at this site.
There is no question now that the large banks have collaborated to perpetrate a fraud in setting LIBOR rates. Their fraud has directly affected a $350 Trillion market by falsifying (understating) risk of investing.
The national governments and banks, including most particularly the U.S. federal government, have been growing more and more intertwined for two centuries. In the U.S., for instance, the Federal Reserve, a private (i.e., not public) organization controls the entire U.S. money supply. It is an organization controlled by central bankers. Since the 2008 financial collapse, the Fed has been directly funding U.S. policy initiatives through "loans" to the U.S. Treasury, a federal agency controlled by the U.S. Executive Branch (i.e., President).
MSM, itself largely a captured industry, is reporting on the fraud. The question now is whether the government will sanction the fraud. Exposure of the fraud is leading to calls for criminal prosecutions and jail. The discretion for such prosecution is within the scope of the politicians. Will they act on it?
Here, in How an old hand would change Barclays, Andrea Leadsom, a British politician (Member of Parliament for South Northamptonshire) calls for systematic deregulation of the banksters.
The mammoth LIBOR banker conspiracy and fraud will doubtless lead some politicians to call for complicated regulatory schemes. However, the regulators these liberals like increase the size of government and their regulators are themselves captured by the bankers. Attempts to regulate just lead to more and more sophisticated frauds. LIBOR fraud is just the latest and hugest banker scam to be exposed. The more the government's (wink, wink) regulate, the more the bankers will evade regulation by dreaming up other scams. Governments need the central bankers to print their money and to fund their government programs and government debt.
As Ms. Leadsom suggests, the best regulation is the free market. Let the banksters fail and go bankrupt. Let them be prosecuted for criminal fraud and go to jail. That is how you stop banker fraud.
July 14, 2012
The Holes in the South Carolina Defense
The first hole we will examine is at defensive end, the vacuum left by loss of first team All-American and first team All-SEC player Melvin Ingram (6-2, 276) (MI6), one of the most dynamic play-makers in America. MI6 was the 18th pick of the NFL draft going to the Chargers in the first round. To give you a sense of impact, MI6 was just the third player in South Carolina history to win a consensus (AFCA, Walter Camp, Sporting News and Associated Press) All-American award.
MI6 had an incredible 2011. Playing primarily as a defensive end, MI6 scored
MI6 was only seventh on the defense with 48 tackles. But he led the team with 15 tackles for loss and 10 sacks. He also tied two others with 6 quarterback hurries. MI6 also had two pass interceptions and broke up 2 pass attempts. USC Stats.
During 2011, Defensive Coordinator Ellis Johnson, now a head coach at Southern Mississippi, moved MI6 to left defensive tackle on passing downs to create match-up pass-blocking problems for offensive linemen. Ellis had MI6 line up at left defensive tackle next to freakish freshman defensive end Jadeveon Clowney (6-6, 256). In this alignment, Ellis forced the blind side of opposing offensive lines to choose who (Clowney or MI6) would get a double-team. That proved to be an impossible task for most offensive lines. Using MI6 in this rush package allowed the 2011 Gamecock defense to consistently create a lot of quarterback pressure without blitzing.
The other starting defensive end, Devin Taylor and Ingram's backup, Clowney, return for the 2012 season. MI6 did not play every down. Therefore, the MI6 hole is a partial hole. The Gamecocks still have two of the same great defensive ends in 2012.
How will South Carolina fill the Ingram hole?
First, Clowney is now a starter instead of MI6's backup. As good as MI6 was for the Gamecocks, it must be noted that he did not force any fumbles in 2011. In contrast, his backup Clowney forced five fumbles. Clowney figures to be on the field even more often in 2012 than 2011. That cannot be good news for opposing defenses. Ingram's hole is going to be filled by Clowney getting more playing time. Thus, the MI6 hole will be adequately filled as long as Clowney is well-conditioned enough to play a lot more snaps.
A good strength and conditioning coach is an artist. A good strength and conditioning coach does not just run a program for everyone. He must be able to recognize unique traits in an individual and design individualized training depending on the position and player.
Craig Fitzgerald and Joe Connolly together trained up Ingram to such an extent that by the time he undertook tests at the various pro-days he was able to run a 20 yard shuttle in 4.18 seconds. That is incredibly fast for a big man like Ingram. For example, the first defensive end taken in the 2012 NFL draft was North Carolina's Quinton Coples (16th overall), who achieved a relatively slower 4.8 in the same drill.
The 20-yard shuttle tests closing speed. It is a skill that goes hand and glove with a great pass rusher. Ingram led the Gamecocks in sacks the past two years. It is going to be hard to replace that explosiveness. A lot of the credit for Ingram's player development must go to the strength and conditioning he achieved at South Carolina. It goes to show you what a good program and hard work can accomplish.
Now the question for the 2012 Gamecocks is whether Connolly is as great a genius in making individualized conditioning a priority as was Fitzgerald. If he is, then there are several relatively unheralded players who have the potential to develop into great pass rushers like Ingram.
One player is red-shirt Junior Chaz Sutton (6-5, 248). Sutton is very fast for a lineman and could play defensive end if Clowney is moved to tackle on pass rushing downs. If he continues to progress as he has the past few years, Sutton could threaten the edge with his speed while defenses are forced to double team Clowney.
Sutton had 13 tackles in 2011, including three for loss and one quarterback hurry. USC Stats. He received the award in the spring as the "most improved" defensive lineman. Sutton could be difficult to block one on one. Sutton sees his chance and he is going for it.
Another player who will try to fill the MI6 hole is Sophomore Kelcy Quarles (6-4, 286), a defensive tackle. Quarles is a big play-maker from the tackle spot. In 2011, he had 28 tackles and four quarterback hurries. USC Stats. Thus, Clowney or Sutton could rush outside, and defenses would have to try to block the Quarles bull-rush one on one.
Like MI6, senior Aldrick Fordham (6-4, 269)is also capable of playing both end and tackle. In 2011, Fordham played mostly inside. He figures to move to backup defensive end, and will see significant more playing time in 2012, possibly rushing from inside on passing downs like MI6.
Not much is known about red shirt freshman Gerald Dixon (6-2, 272) and Deon Green (6-4, 290), or true freshman Darius English (6-6, 215), a Parade All American. Any might play depending on progress in the spring and fall practices.
MI6 had a great impact as a special teams player. Can the Gamecocks find another athlete like him on the 2012 roster? It is going to be pretty hard because MI6 was incredible on special teams.
Before finishing our discussion of MI6, it has to be said that besides his physical talent on the field, Melvin Ingram's leadership as 2011 team captain will be hard to replace.
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