Steve Spurrier's reputation as an offensive genius is about to be tested again.

His Gamecocks, coming off a 6-6 non-bowl season, looked stout on defense but very unsettled on offense heading into the summer.

Junior Tommy Beecher is the starter at quarterback -- for now. He outplayed Chris Smelley in a spring battle that did not include potential star Stephen Garcia, who is suspended until August. Beecher has not thrown than 30 passes in his college career.

His top target will be senior wideout Kenny McKinley, a first-team All-SEC selection in 2007. But after him, the Gamecocks have no proven playmakers.

Tight ends Jared Cook and Weslye Saunders, who have shown flashes, must develop into consistent big-play threats if South Carolina is to move into the SEC East's upper echelon.

It would also help if Garcia, a redshirt freshman with immense talent, can stay out of trouble and start living up to his recruiting hype.

--The Gamecocks return 10 defensive starters, including MLB Jasper Brinkley, an All-America candidate. Brinkley suffered a season-ending knee injury in the fourth game of 2007, and South Carolina's defense wasn't the same without him. With Brinkley on track for a full recovery, and All-SEC DE Eric Norwood moving to linebacker, the Gamecocks will be loaded at 'backer.

--With Stephen Garcia suspended until August, junior Tommy Beecher outdueled Chris Smelley in the spring battle at quarterback. Beecher is an academic standout with a strong arm, but he entered South Carolina with less hype than the other two quarterbacks. The 6-2, 227-pounder completed nine of 20 throws for 131 yards and a touchdown in the spring game, but threw three interceptions. He also ran three times for 32 yards. Smelley hurt his cause by throwing five picks in the spring game.

SPRING MOVERS:

OL Hutch Eckerson -- The 6-6, 291-pound sophomore was named the team's most improved offensive lineman and won the starting spot at left tackle vacated by Jamon Meredith, who must sit the first two games to get back his redshirt year. Eckerson got a lot stronger while redshirting last season, and it showed this spring. He made five starts in 2006.

SS Mark Barnes -- The redshirt freshman made two interceptions and some big hits in the spring game, and should get playing time this fall behind Emanuel Cook. The 6-2, 200-pounder is a former receiver with good hands and great speed.

RB Brian Maddox -- He earned the backup tailback spot after averaging nearly nine yards a carry in the spring game. Maddox, a 5-10, 220-pounder who will push starter Mike Davis for playing time, showed a great burst on his 37-yard touchdown run.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "Anything can happen. We'll see how they work. This summer is very important for these guys. But coach (Steve Spurrier) wanted to name a No. 1 guy and Tommy (Beecher) earned it." -- Assistant quarterbacks coach David Reaves, to The State, on Beecher entering the summer as the Gamecocks' starting quarterback.

2008 OUTLOOK: The Gamecocks return 17 starters (six on defense, 10 on offense and one specialist) from last year's squad, which went 6-6 overall and 3-5 in the brutal SEC. Fans are getting antsy after coach Steve Spurrier's first three seasons produced just a 21-16 record. The defense should be outstanding, and punter/place-kicker Ryan Succop is a candidate for the Lou Groza Award. But with the quarterback position unsettled and a lack of proven playmakers, it's hard to see the Gamecocks overtaking Georgia or Florida. Still, the defense should keep South Carolina in every game.

SCOUTING THE OFFENSE: Four starters return on the offensive line, which is good news for whoever ends up starting at quarterback. For now, that appears to be junior Tommy Beecher. He threw three picks in the spring game, but Chris Smelley tossed five. All-SEC wideout Kenny McKinley, a senior, will draw plenty of double teams, meaning players such as TE Jared Cook must step up. Senior Mike Davis and sophomore Brian Maddox will try to replace NFL draft pick Cory Boyd at tailback. Davis owns three 100-yard rushing games.

SCOUTING THE DEFENSE: This should be one of the SEC's best defenses. MLB Jasper Brinkley, an All-America candidate, returns after missing most of last season with a knee injury. DE Eric Norwood, who moves to linebacker, CB Captain Munnerlyn and S Emmanuel Cook all were second-team All-SEC selections last season. This unit should do a better job of stopping the run, assuming Brinkley stays healthy. Probably the biggest question is how players will adjust to new coordinator Ellis Johnson.

SCOUTING THE SPECIAL TEAMS: New special teams coach Ray Rychleski has come over from Maryland in hopes of improving South Carolina's kick coverage and the return game. The Gamecocks have one of the nation's best placekickers in senior Ryan Succop, who doubles as an effective punter. Succop has hit 16 of 17 career field goals from inside 40 yards. Chris Culliver, Captain Munnerlyn and Moe Brown all could return kickoffs, while Munnerlyn (9.2 yards per return last year) appears to be the top punt returner.

ROSTER REPORT:

--Sophomore Patrick DiMarco, a 6-1, 242-pounder, is being moved from first-team fullback to third-team tight end. The fullback doesn't have a big role in South Carolina's offense, and coach Steve Spurrier wants to get DiMarco on the field more. "DiMarco's a good athlete that needs to get involved," Spurrier told The State. "Fullback doesn't get enough action in our offense."

--Starting MLB Jasper Brinkley was limited much of the spring after undergoing knee surgery last fall. He should be fine for training camp and is an All-America candidate. The 6-2, 275-pounder received a medical redshirt for 2007 after playing in just four games.

--Back problems kept junior C Garrett Anderson on the sidelines this spring, but the 6-6, 307-pounder remains a viable candidate to start over Seaver Brown and Ryan Broadhead if he can impress in August.

Previous Report: 05/01/2008