Shaw named South Carolina starter

South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier promised changes to the offense after back-to-back unimpressive performances. On Monday, Spurrier took a much-needed step forward by benching struggling fifth-year senior quarterback Stephen Garcia for sophomore Connor Shaw.

This move probably comes a week too late, considering the Gamecocks' offense was a major reason for South Carolina's loss to Auburn at home over the weekend, but now that the move is here you probably won't hear many Gamecocks fans complain.

ESPN has dedicated 2011 to examining one of the most crucial positions in all of sports -- the quarterback.
Year of the QB ?

"As most everyone knows our quarterback play has not been as good as we hoped and we've got to do something," Spurrier said.

On the season, Garcia has passed for 844 yards with four touchdowns and nine interceptions. Six of those interceptions came in the past two games.

As for Shaw, he started the year as South Carolina's starter, but struggled in the opener. He was finally benched for Garcia after the Gamecocks trailed 17-0 to East Carolina. Garcia got his starting job back after rallying South Carolina for a 56-37 win against the Pirates.

Shaw has passed for 29 yards on 4-of-11 passing this season.

Now this is Shaw's team and Saturday is Shaw's chance to be the guy for the Gamecocks for the rest of the way.

"This is his game," Spurrier said.

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McNabb still starter, but booed at Wizards game

Published: December 15th, 2010 | Tags: Donovan McNabb, Mike Sellers, Mike Shanahan, Rex Grossman, Washington Redskins

It’s bad enough there were rumblings Redskins QB Donovan McNabb could lose his starting job to Rex Grossman. But now he’s getting booed at NBA games to boot? And for that matter, at a Wizards game?

That just doesn’t seem right. I wonder what type of reaction the members of the Wizards who Washingtonians actually recognize — which narrows it down to Gilbert Arenas and John Wall – would get at FedEx Field.

Dan Steinberg of the Washington Post had an interesting post Wednesday, noting via fan reaction on Twitter that McNabb and teammate Mike Sellers were booed when they were shown on the big screen at the Lakers vs. Wizards game at Verizon Center.

The debate is still undecided about how much booing was actually done, and by whom, but this was an apparently short honeymoon. Redskins fans, what was your favorite moment with McNabb as quarterback of your team?

As for all the will-he-or-won’t-he start drama surrounding McNabb, the speculation has been out there. Jay Glazer of Fox Sports and NFL Network first had a pregame report last week suggesting Grossman could replace McNabb, and had taken more reps with the first-team offense the previous week.

Mike Shanahan declined to discuss those reports, according to Washington Post reporter Rick Maese. Meanwhile, McNabb said during his weekly radio show Tuesday on ESPN 980 he knew of no plan to replace him with Grossman and nothing out of the ordinary took place at practice last week.

This all feels like status quo this season in Washington.

Posted in: Around The Web  

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Thigpen wants to prove he’s a starter

Published: November 16th, 2010 | | Tags: Miami Dolphins, Tyler Thigpen

In an exclusive interview with NFL Network, Dolphins QB Tyler Thigpen says he badly wants to prove he’s a starting-caliber NFL quarterback and make a believer out of everyone, including himself.

Posted in: NFL Network  

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Panthers place RB Williams on IR; set to name Pike the starter at QB Sunday

It was an active day for the Panthers, as first they put running back DeAngelo Williams on injured reserve, ending his season with a foot injury, and also they are reported to be on the verge of starting rookie QB Tony Pike for Sunday’s matchup with the big bad Ravens.

Darin Gantt of the Charlotte Observer reports that Pike will get the nod to start, this after the team suffered yet another injury when rookie QB Jimmy Clausen recieved a concussion Sunday in the latest Panther loss in Tampa

QB Brian St. Pierre, who was promoted from the practice squad Tuesday, is another option, but Gantt says that Pike is the man – “Unless he gets hit by a bus.”

Pike was a sixth-round pick out of Cincinnati, and he only narrowly beat out current street free agent Hunter Cantwell for a roster spot in Panthers camp.

He’ll get a quick education when he goes up against Ray Lewis and the Ravens on Sunday in Baltimore.

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