The Book: 2003 Football

[Turbine]

Get well soon Michael.

A week ago today his life was on the line, in fact he almost died last Monday. he is not completely out of the woods yet.

When I saw or didn't see MZ at practice for a few days I corresponded with his father over the weekend as to his well being. I was only slightly concerned because at the start of fall practice I talked to Michael about the upcoming season and inquired if he was going to be playing the rover position like he practiced last year. He informed me he was now going to be at corner. In the few minutes we talked it came up that he did have a rash and was sitting out a few practices, but it seemed to be healing. In actuality he had an infection that was quickly turning into gangrene.

He has had 3 surgeries and has one more scheduled for today (Monday). According to Mick Zaterain (Michael’s father) "Everyone has been incredible. Coach Bustle and the staff were on the way to hospital in the middle of the night when they learned about my son. All the coaches have called more than once a day. All the folks at UL have been 5 star.”

He went on to say "Michael is going to be all right over time and will be able to play next season. I'm not sure there are many D-1 schools that have a devoted coaching staff that would care that much about a redshirt. God Bless the Ragin' Cajuns.”


I asked Mick if this was a private matter and he said no. His exact quote was;
"Oh, No. I want everyone to know he's doing well. But, most importantly, I want to thank the entire Ragin' Cajun Family for all their support.

From a father, it means so much.

Thanks, and see you all in Lafayette soon.

We're Dome Bound!

---

We all want you to get well soon Michael. Thanks for letting me photograph your helmet from multiple angles.

ps here is an ongoing bio of M.Z. going back to his high school days.

[1stTake]

Get well soon Michael our prayers are with you.

[NOCajun]

DITTO from the BIGGEST RAGIN' CAJUNS fan in New Orleans!!! Hope we'll get to see you on the field next season!!! Best wishes for a complete and speedy recovery.

Jack Knauer - Class of '88

[snote]

hey thank you Jon for keeping us all updated.. no doubt Mick,, we all wish Michael and your whole family our best.. bil

[Hammer58]

Thanks for your dedication to the program and get well soon. We look forward to seeing you back next year.

[Turner]

I can only imagine the scare you are going through. Please get well SOON.

[RaginRash]

Ditteaux. Get well soon!

[Cajun1997]

Originally posted by Chuck
Get well soon Michael our prayers are with you.

AMEN.

[A$$kickinchicken]

Originally posted by 1st and Goal
A little advice on parking for the game. Once on I-77 headed towards the stadium (you will see the signs) exit onto Bluff Road. The stadium is on Bluff Road, past the 'hood

Once on Bluff Rd follow it to the fairgrounds, just past the stadium. Turn into the fairgrounds and they will direct you to where alot of visiting teams get together.

There are many places to park around Williams Brice but the later you arrive, the further away you will have to park. Our place seats 82,000 and it will be filled, so get there early because the un-reserved parking fills up fast (half of the fairgrounds are reserved for Gamecock Club members)

Alot of tailgaiting takes place in the fairgrounds, walk around, we are friendly folk who like to have a good time. Walk up to the RV's, one always has a DJ spinning great tunes.

Enjoy

Hey 1st, why not invite a few of them over to the ranch for a taste of some down-home tailgating? They seem like a pretty decent group of fans!

[ATXCajun]

well i'm glad you're ready for some football. i was beginning to wonder. visited some of your forum pages and saw nothing but smack talk and ____ about the olsen twins. i guess the higher profile attracts some immature posters to those pages. maybe you can recommend a good page. as for what to expect from our team, we may have as many questions as you do. with so many new faces, it is hard to gauge. the defense has looked good in scrimmages, but perhaps only because the o-line is patched together for the moment. USC should be a good test. Expect a very physical defense, at least one big play on special teams, and perhaps a change in QB at some point during the game. We have two that Coach Bustle will likely want to see in game action if possible. Also may see a committee of RBs as none have really separated from the pack yet. Our most proven product is Fred Stamps. Perhaps one of the top 5 or 10 receivers in the country. Lou will double-cover him for sure.

[Cajun1997]

Coach: Lou Holtz (22-25, 5th season)
2002 overall record: 5-7
Conference record: 3-5

Returning starters
Offense: 2
Defense: 6
Kicker/Punter: 1

2002 statistical leaders (* - returners)
Rushing: Corey Jenkins (655 yds)
Passing: Corey Jenkins (1,334 yds)
Receiving: Troy Williamson* (491 yds)
Tackles: Jonathan Martin (122)
Sacks: Langston Moore (9.5)
Interceptions: Dunta Robinson* (4)

Outlook: In the latest installment of the long-running football farce, "Poor Lou Holtz," the coach of the Gamecocks announced that his team has less talent than at any time since his first squad went 0-11. "Right now it looks like the darkest I've seen except for our first year," he mourned. It's true that almost all the guys who made the plays that took South Carolina to improbable back-to-back bowl games are gone. But it's also true that Holtz has put together three consecutive stellar recruiting classes -- and there are even rumors that in private, Poor Lou has told a few folks that he has as much talent as South Carolina has EVER had. The truth will come out on the field soon enough. The primary question about this team is the same as last year: Are the quarterbacks good enough to win in the SEC? Dondrial Pinkins started the last two games last year and will be the man this year. Carolina loves Pinkins' big arm and fast feet. The fact that he went through spring drills without throwing an interception raises Holtz's hopes that his command of the position will improve in his second season of Division I-A football. The other major offensive issue is whether or not Holtz follows through on his pledge to loosen the reins on son/offensive coordinator Skip. Holtz the younger would prefer to spread the field and throw the ball more, but Holtz the older used his veto power last year to stay ultra-conservative. The result was an offense that produced the fewest passing first downs in the league and eventually suffered a ghastly collapse in the second half of the season. The Gamecocks averaged just 11 points their final six games, and lost the last five. Will Lou really let Skip loosen it up? Answers start rolling in Aug. 30. Charlie Strong did fine work as defensive coordinator before moving on to Florida, but Holtz wasn't pleased with his unit's inability to generate sacks or create turnovers last year. New coordinator Chris Cosh will change from a three-man front to four, and will be asked to crank up the aggressiveness and turn up the heat on opposing offenses. His group will be light on senior leadership but long on talent and potential.

Keep an eye on: Backup quarterback Michael Rathe. The junior college transfer seems to be well-suited for the spread offense Skip Holtz favors over sledgehammer option football. If Skip really is calling the shots on offense this year, Rathe might fit into his plans -- especially if Pinkins struggles early.

Key game: Last year started coming apart with a 13-point loss to Virginia in the second game. This year the Cavaliers come to Columbia Sept. 6, and likely will bring a national ranking with them. An upset there would show that the Holtz magic of 2000 and 2001 has been recaptured. A loss, followed by trips to Georgia and Tennessee before the month is out, could set up the Gamecocks for another losing season.

It's a good year if. . .: South Carolina climbs back above .500 and takes its horde of diehard fans bowling again. The schedule is no bargain, but eight home games sure helps the cause. So does the fact that Tennessee has been shuffled up in the schedule to September, somewhat alleviating the annual late-season death march. And the East could be uncharacteristically vulnerable this year. If the young talent shows it's ready to play on this level, Holtz's genius reputation is restored -- but they may be a year away.


SEC Preview

[Cajun1997]

Originally posted by ODCockfan
who's coming to Columbia???

Wish I was, sounds like a great place to visit and even better place for an upset