Shell improving after rough start
When the South Carolina offensive line struggles in practice, it has to keep perspective.
There's a good chance the defensive front it faces every day is the best it'll see all season long.
"Our entire defense makes us a better offense as a whole," said offensive line coach Shawn Elliott. "Every single day, we're lucky to death to have the ability to come out here and practice against the people we do."
Elliott's group has a tall task on a daily basis, trying to block Jadeveon Clowney, Melvin Ingram, Travian Robertson, Devin Taylor and the rest of the defense. Many times this summer, the offensive line has been made to look bad because of it, with the defense moving the line of scrimmage backward every play. Elliott sees that as a temporary defeat in order to improve over the long term.
"The better the talent, the better the progress of any individual," Elliott said. "I don't care what sport you do. If you go up against great players, you've got to become better."
Shell doing well: Brandon Shell had a rough first few days as a Gamecock.
The Goose Creek native was limited in the beginning of summer practice after offseason shoulder surgery. Once he got back to full speed, he then had a heat-related incident while running sprints at the end of practice. As a precaution, Shell was taken from the Bluff Road fields in an ambulance to the hospital for observation before being released that night.
Things seem to have calmed down for the 6-foot-6 tackle. Shell has a feel for the offense and has looked good lately in practice according to Elliott.
"He's actually come around here in the last three or four days," Elliott said. "He's really picked up the game of football, sort of speak. He's started to learn a lot."
There has never been a doubt Shell, a four-star recruit who was actively recruited by schools such as Alabama even after committing to USC, has the physical ability to be an elite offensive lineman. Elliott said now that he is growing more adept with the mental side of the game, he has a chance to see time this fall.
"If they're not picking up on the plays, they play hesitant," Elliott said. "That's the problem with a lot of incoming guys. I think he's starting to understand the concepts and what we're trying to get across. He's really playing hard ... He could potentially be out there."
No concern about Johnson: Elliott said he wasn't overly concerned about center T.J. Johnson, who has struggled snapping the ball in the shotgun this summer. Keeping with the theme of the line facing elite competition every day, Elliott credited some of the high snaps to the necessary adjustments Johnson has to make.
"It's part of the process," Elliott said. "I think you line up a 315-pound noseguard over you a couple times and you've got to really get him off the ball, there's going to be a little variation in your snap."
USC coach Steve Spurrier playfully jabbed at Johnson earlier in the week, interrupting the junior's postpractice interview to comment on his snapping. Elliott acknowledged Johnson has to work on it, but said his accuracy on the whole is very good.
"He is consistent," Elliott said. "He probably snapped a hundred snaps out here today, and I think one was off the mark. It's not like it's terrible."
Watkins hit not OK: When offensive lineman Rokevious Watkins laid out cornerback Corey Addison after an interception during Wednesday night's scrimmage, the crowd cheered and the rest of the Gamecocks seemed to enjoy the play.
Elliott didn't share in the sentiment.
"I thought it was a pretty cheap hit," Elliott said. "I appreciate him covering out, but I think in camp you've got to take care of yourself and know when to do things and when not to. I thought it was a bad opportunity for him."