While you were preparing your charcoal grill -- or more likely -- sleeping, USC players were reporting for the start of the summer strength and conditioning program.
Gamecocks coach Steve Spurrier said the team had 100 percent attendance for an introductory meeting at 7 a.m. on Memorial Day.
"How 'bout that?" Spurrier said Tuesday on the first day of the SEC spring meetings. "That's pretty good."
Spurrier has been critical at times of his players' participation in the voluntary workouts, particularly quarterback Stephen Garcia. Spurrier has repeatedly challenged Garcia to increase his commitment level, or risk splitting time with freshman Connor Shaw.
Spurrier was asked whether he was an easy coach for a quarterback to play for.
"If they play well, I'd say I'm pretty easy to play for. If you don't play very well and there's another player that's close in ability, I believe in giving the next guy a chance," Spurrier said. "(Garcia) went the distance (last season) because we didn't have anybody else. There were some times he would have been better off sitting over there."
Spurrier said Shaw recently ran the 40-yard dash in 4.55 seconds.
THROW 'EM TO THE WOLVES -- Among the eight freshmen reporting for the first session of summer school are highly touted tailback Marcus Lattimore and offensive linemen Ronald Patrick, Tramell Williams and A.J. Cann.
While conventional wisdom says it is tough for first-year linemen to play, Spurrier said the three are "tough, smart kids."
WHERE WAS EVERYONE? -- Attendance at some of the Gamecock Club meetings was light this spring, according to Spurrier. Responding to a question about whether coaches need a hiatus in the spring, Spurrier mentioned the sparse turnouts.
"Sometimes when you go to one of those Gamecock meetings and there's about 100 people there, you say, 'What were we doing here tonight?' Our crowds were a little down this year," said Spurrier, adding he does not mind the speaking engagements.
Spurrier said enrollment for his football camps is down, and figures season ticket sales are off, as well.
