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Pat Dye Field => Signing Day => Topic started by: War Eagle!!! on January 28, 2010, 05:48:28 PM
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Auburn or South Carolina? Decision Time for Marcus Lattimore
Analyst Written on January 26, 2010
COLUMBIA, SC - NOVEMBER 28: Cocky, the South Carolina Gamecocks mascot celebrates a first half touchdown against the Clemson Tigers at Williams-Brice Stadium on November 28, 2009 in Columbia, South Carolina. (Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images) Scott Halleran/Getty Images
In a previous article, I gave several reasons why I thought Marcus Lattimore would pick one particular university on his list. That university made it to his final two choices. He is set to make his choice at his church on Feb 2.
The South Carolina staff is putting on the full-court press for this young man. The local media has pulled out the stops and gotten serious. The Internet is full of negative posts that he might even think of going out of state, such as here and here.
While I understand such emotions, what is the benefit to Lattimore? It seems everyone is asking him to sacrifice for them. What are they offering in return? When one reminds Marcus Lattimore of the benefits of an in-state education, exactly what are they talking about?
It seems the idea is if he just sacrifices his chance of having a professional football career, he can then be assured of his state taking care of him. I wonder how much of a generous offer this is.
Why is it that Lattimore will be less of a citizen of South Carolina if he chooses to get his education out of state? There are hundreds of thousands of South Carolina citizens who did just that. They brought that education back to the state and contributed.
So what is different about Lattimore? He has an extraordinary talent that might allow him to play professional football in the future. The people of South Carolina want him to use that to entertain them on Saturdays.
There is nothing wrong with this. It might even be Lattimore's choice. If he chooses another path, does that mean he is turning his back on South Carolina? In my opinion, this is simply ludicrous.
If he had an extraordinary musical talent would the people of South Carolina be against him choosing to be educated at Julliard?
It is obvious that he thinks highly of his state. He has narrowed his choices to South Carolina and Auburn.
South Carolina would not even be on his list if he did not think highly of them. No one needs to think of why a running back would choose Auburn. They are Running Back University.
People have said Lattimore will be helping his community by staying in state. This is not necessarily true. If he stays in state and his talent is never developed, he will not have an NFL career. This will cost him millions of dollars, much of which would be contributed to the community.
Most NFL players who make it to the big-contract level contribute mightily to the communities where they grew up. Lattimore cannot do this if he never makes it to the NFL. If he chooses South Carolina, he will be taking a huge chance.
During five seasons at South Carolina, Steve Spurrier has not fielded even one 1,000-yard rusher. In 12 seasons at Florida, he fielded only three. There has been one running back drafted into the NFL from South Carolina since 1992.
South Carolina now has three four-star running backs, and none of them have produced. The South Carolina rushing attack is 91st in the nation. Is this due to non-production from untalented running backs?
Simply put, the answer is no. These running backs average around five yards per carry. The South Carolina rushing attack averages only 3.2 yards per carry. Why is this?
South Carolina prefers to run the quarterback. His runs and sacks count against the rushing statistics. So, while the running backs have been effective, they were not used. The preference was toward the quarterback.
This has always been a Steve Spurrier trait. He recruits and plays great quarterbacks and gets great production from them. If Lattimore were a quarterback, this would be great.
Lattimore is a great running back. Can he, under Steve Spurrier's system, develop the jaw-dropping skill it takes to get to the NFL, when three other four-star recruits have failed? If he chooses South Carolina, time will tell.
Auburn has had four head coaches since 1992. Current head coach Gene Chizik has only been there one season. How has Auburn done for running backs during that time?
Auburn has sent nine running backs to the NFL since 1992. Gene Chizik has sent one running back to the NFL in his first year. In five years at South Carolina, Steve Spurrier has produced 13 100-yard rushing games for a running back. Auburn equaled that in 2009 alone.
Auburn's average leading running back has averaged 1,023 yards per year over the last five years. South Carolina has had none during that time. The three four-star running backs on the South Carolina roster (Mike Davis, Brian Maddox, and Eric Baker) have 2,211 career rushing yards.
Ben Tate graduated from Auburn this year with 3,300 career yards rushing. He was a four-star running back out of high school. He is now off to play in the NFL. Auburn's freshman four-star running back Ontario McCalebb gained 606 yards while being used sparingly due to injuries.
Gus Malzhan, offensive coordinator at Auburn, has fielded a 1,000-yard running back every season he has coached. Several of those running backs are currently playing in the NFL. His system requires a minimum of three good running backs to split the 50-plus rushing plays per game.
On the roster at Auburn now for running backs is Dontae Aycock.
On the roster at Auburn now for scat back/speed back is Ontario McCalebb.
On the roster at Auburn now for H-back/tight end are Mario Fannin, Philip Lutzenkirchen, and Eric Smith.
There are more running backs on the South Carolina roster than at Auburn. South Carolina also has as many running backs targeted for this recruiting class as Auburn.
This is the choice Lattimore faces. He can be the talented piano player who stayed at home and played in the local church, or the concert pianist who developed his skill to its peak. The choice is really that different.
Should friends and neighbors see Lattimore as betraying his local roots if he decides to develop his talent? Should anyone begrudge this young man for making a choice for his future?
No matter what choice he makes, I think we all need to support this young man in his decision. There was a very ugly bashing handed out when Eric Mack chose his path. I don't think he deserved it, and I hope Marcus Lattimore will not face the same.
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Link?
That was from an SC writer, right?
I hope Latt sees it.
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Great breakdown of the two school's rushing stats.
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In five years at South Carolina, Steve Spurrier has produced 13 100-yard rushing games for a running back. Auburn equaled that in 2009 alone.
This was eye popping to me! Pretty sad that with the support SC fans give that they can get no better results.
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BUT,will Lattimore choose Auburn in front of 600+ Gamecock fans?
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BUT,will Lattimore choose Auburn in front of 600+ Gamecock fans?
The poor kid would probably get booed out of his own Church, the way those folks are acting lately over the Mack situation and this.
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That smacked of cushioning the blow.
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Link?
That was from an SC writer, right?
I hope Latt sees it.
Yes. From SC writer somewhere. I saw it on the bunker. Can't find link now.
You're right Kaos. But whatever it is, it points out the facts that I would be using to sell Latt to Auburn if I were Chizik. Facts are facts...
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Lattimore said he's going to go where he feels he can be part of a championship team. You can make whatever argument you want, but only an idiot would argue that SC has a chance at winning any sort of championship in the near future. It isn't going to happen with Spurrier at the helm. I would imagine this kid is AU bound.
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Lattimore said he's going to go where he feels he can be part of a championship team. You can make whatever argument you want, but only an idiot would argue that SC has a chance at winning any sort of championship in the near future. It isn't going to happen with Spurrier at the helm. I would imagine this kid is AU bound.
You just said we are a championship team.
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You just said we are a championship team.
You could at least argue that AU could do it. SC? Not so much.
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You could at least argue that AU could do it. SC? Not so much.
Pfffffffffff. It's plausible we could win...yeah, Auburn would have to get reallllllly lucky.
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Pfffffffffff. It's plausible we could win...yeah, Auburn would have to get reallllllly lucky.
Maybe so, but SC would have to get WAY more lucky than AU for it to happen. Even if we're talking only SEC championship. Like I said, you could make the argument however you wanted to. However, you would have a really really tough time making some sort of valid point that SC will amount to anything.
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Hard to quesion the concept that Auburn is closer than SC to viability.
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Lattimore said he's going to go where he feels he can be part of a championship team. You can make whatever argument you want, but only an idiot would argue that SC has a chance at winning any sort of championship in the near future. It isn't going to happen with Spurrier at the helm. I would imagine this kid is AU bound.
Underrated post. Good point. This is HUGE to him.
How many Conf Titles, 10 win seasons, NC's, Top 10 finishes, 1000 yard rushers - does SC have? This one can be done on one hand.
And in Spurrier's Defense, it aint gonna happen at SC with ANYONE at the helm. If Spurrier and Holtz cat get you over the hump, then its just not in the cards folks. When they played UConn, they posted the all time W/L records on the screen from both teams. UConn's was actually BETTER. SC has lost more games than theyve won. This would just be a no brainer to me.
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Maybe so, but SC would have to get WAY more lucky than AU for it to happen. Even if we're talking only SEC championship. Like I said, you could make the argument however you wanted to. However, you would have a really really tough time making some sort of valid point that SC will amount to anything.
WOOOOOOOOOOOSH
What was that noise?
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WOOOOOOOOOOOSH
A sound not heard often in B.E. Coliseum??
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Hard to quesion the concept that Auburn is closer than SC to viability.
I'm not arguing that point, I actual agree with that. It's the underneath tone that Auburn will have to be lucky to win a Championship...because they're not the Army of God built in Tuscaloosa.
And half cause I'm messing with him. ;)
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I'm not arguing that point, I actual agree with that. It's the underneath tone that Auburn will have to be lucky to win a Championship...because they're not the Army of God built in Tuscaloosa.
And half cause I'm messing with him. ;)
So, its a given AU will win one? I mean, what do you want me to say here? Pre-season, I thought Alabama would have to be really lucky to get to the SECCG again in 2009 because we were replacing our starting QB with an unproven backup, starting RB, and over half of the OL. Auburn is replacing their starting QB with an unproven QB, possibly a true freshman at RB, and next season will replace the entire OL. Odds are against AU the next few seasons, like it or not. I'm not saying its impossible, but why wouldn't I hold AU to the same standard of doubt that I held my own team to?
I know what the intent of the post was, and I knew where it was going.
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So, its a given AU will win one? I mean, what do you want me to say here? Pre-season, I thought Alabama would have to be really lucky to get to the SECCG again in 2009 because we were replacing our starting QB with an unproven backup, starting RB, and over half of the OL. Auburn is replacing their starting QB with an unproven QB, possibly a true freshman at RB, and next season will replace the entire OL. Odds are against AU the next few seasons, like it or not. I'm not saying its impossible, but why wouldn't I hold AU to the same standard of doubt that I held my own team to?
I know what the intent of the post was, and I knew where it was going.
God Damn. Seriously?
He was giving you a sarcastic response because of "you could AT LEAST argue that AU" in your previous post. He's not arguing with you. Just poking fun at your "at least" attitude, as if Auburn hasn't won anything, or has to overcome serious hurdles to even remotely have a chance.
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God Damn. Seriously?
He was giving you a sarcastic response because of "you could AT LEAST argue that AU" in your previous post. He's not arguing with you. Just poking fun at your "at least" attitude, as if Auburn hasn't won anything, or has to overcome serious hurdles to even remotely have a chance.
God Damn. Seriously?
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So, its a given AU will win one? I mean, what do you want me to say here? Pre-season, I thought Alabama would have to be really lucky to get to the SECCG again in 2009 because we were replacing our starting QB with an unproven backup, starting RB, and over half of the OL. Auburn is replacing their starting QB with an unproven QB, possibly a true freshman at RB, and next season will replace the entire OL. Odds are against AU the next few seasons, like it or not. I'm not saying its impossible, but why wouldn't I hold AU to the same standard of doubt that I held my own team to?
I know what the intent of the post was, and I knew where it was going.
It is a given that AU will not win a championship...
in Basketball, this season.
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It is a given that AU will not win a championship...
in Basketball, this season.
Yeah, I can't believe you guys are building a new arena for that shit.
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God Damn. Seriously?
The point was, he wasn't debating with you. You then exploded into debate anyway.
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The point was, he wasn't debating with you. You then exploded into debate anyway.
Your definition of "exploding into debate" must seriously differ from mine. What I posted wasn't mean to debate with him, as I felt no need to debate it. Fuck, am I allowed to create posts, or do I need to get it cleared through you first?
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Your definition of "exploding into debate" must seriously differ from mine.
Ha. Maybe. Of course I've seen some seriously exagerated terms describing less.
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Your definition of "exploding into debate" must seriously differ from mine. What I posted wasn't mean to debate with him, as I felt no need to debate it. Fuck, am I allowed to create posts, or do I need to get it cleared through you first?
If you add the word shtick or flaccid to every post, consider them approved.
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If you add the word shtick or flaccid to every post, consider them approved.
I think I can handle that.
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http://blog.al.com/kevin-scarbinsky/2010/01/watching_the_marcus_lattimore.html (http://blog.al.com/kevin-scarbinsky/2010/01/watching_the_marcus_lattimore.html)
Watching the Marcus Lattimore Watch
By Kevin Scarbinsky -- The Birmingham News
January 29, 2010, 7:01AM
Did you know that, when Marcus Lattimore was 2 years old, he fell off a slide and broke his leg?
Did you know that the running back is a pretty mean bowler?
Did you know that Silver Hill Memorial United Methodist Church in Spartanburg, S.C., where the five-star prospect will announce his college choice of Auburn or South Carolina next Tuesday at 6 p.m., the night before signing day, can hold 600 people or more?
Did you know that his announcement is open to the public?
I did, and now you do, too, thanks to the Lattimore Watch (http://www.thestate.com/gogamecocks/story/1120092.html), a special feature on the Web site of The State newspaper in Columbia, S.C.
The site within the site is quite a sight. It's a heady mix of background and updates, though it tells us not to expect a peep out of the player or his family until his announcement.
The site is a bit breathless, no doubt like the defenders and coaches who've been chasing him. To its credit, it's not nearly as fascinating or disturbing as the Miami Herald recruiting diary of former linebacker phenom Willie Williams out of Florida, who once turned heads and stomachs with his tales of wretched excess on the recruiting trail.
That diary almost single-handedly changed NCAA recruiting rules, ruining a good thing for future would-be phenoms.
This isn't that. No, the Lattimore Watch is an entertaining and informative sign that no nugget of information is too small when it comes to a five-star running back. So, you know, it's a sign of the times.
That SC media is crazy-exgirlfriend-level-obsessive. The Mack meltdown will be nothing compared to what it looks like will ensue if he signs with the good guys.
I will say though, that I don't think it bodes well that he's announcing at his church. Like "I'm staying home, guys. I'll be playing for the team all you people want to see me play for."
Again, just my opinion, and I definitely hope I'm wrong.
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Some of us think that two DTs such as Whitaker and Thornton are as important as another back so where do we stand with those kids? Lemonier?
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I think everyone hopes we get Lemonier and Whitaker as much as Lattimore (Thornton is dead to us), but just like most people, the 5-star running back is a little flashier (and has more drama surrounding him do to being out of state).
The fact that he wants to win championships bodes well for us.
The fact that he is announcing at his church bodes well for us (he probably feels safe around people he and his family are close to).
The fact that it's open to the public does not bode well for us. I would think that if he was announcing for Auburn, he would want a controlled environment, not a mad house (I would think his church would want the same thing). To me, this kind of makes me think he's going to announce South Carolina (which will bring huge cheers), and then announce that he believes they can win an SEC title in the next 3-4 years (which will bring bigger cheers).
Or maybe the first two facts I listed will win our in favor of Auburn. :popcorn:
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On a separate note, I don't think going to South Carolina would hurt his chances at making the NFL. If he's that good, he could still make it.
Anthony Dixon is NFL bound despite playing for bad MSU teams.
Willie Parker of the Steelers sat the bench at North Carolina.
Brandon Jacobs wasn't going to get much time behind Caddy and Ronnie, so he played at Southern Illinois.
Pierre Thomas and Mike Bell were nobodies, yet they both had far more touches than Reggie Bush.
As you all know, this list goes on and on for pages and pages if we want. If the kid is good enough, avoids injuries, stays in school, etc...he'll be in the NFL whether he goes to Auburn, South Carolina, or East Carolina, or Eastern Michigan.
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On a separate note, I don't think going to South Carolina would hurt his chances at making the NFL. If he's that good, he could still make it.
Anthony Dixon is NFL bound despite playing for bad MSU teams.
Willie Parker of the Steelers sat the bench at North Carolina.
Brandon Jacobs wasn't going to get much time behind Caddy and Ronnie, so he played at Southern Illinois.
Pierre Thomas and Mike Bell were nobodies, yet they both had far more touches than Reggie Bush.
As you all know, this list goes on and on for pages and pages if we want. If the kid is good enough, avoids injuries, stays in school, etc...he'll be in the NFL whether he goes to Auburn, South Carolina, or East Carolina, or Eastern Michigan.
South Alabama?
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South Alabama?
Sorry, not currently.
South Carolina
South Carolina State
South Dakota
South Dakota State
South Florida
Those are all the "South" schools currently represented in the NFL.
Please strike my entire argument from the record and proceed as if you did not hear (read) it.
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I think everyone hopes we get Lemonier and Whitaker as much as Lattimore (Thornton is dead to us), but just like most people, the 5-star running back is a little flashier (and has more drama surrounding him do to being out of state).
The fact that he wants to win championships bodes well for us.
The fact that he is announcing at his church bodes well for us (he probably feels safe around people he and his family are close to).
The fact that it's open to the public does not bode well for us. I would think that if he was announcing for Auburn, he would want a controlled environment, not a mad house (I would think his church would want the same thing). To me, this kind of makes me think he's going to announce South Carolina (which will bring huge cheers), and then announce that he believes they can win an SEC title in the next 3-4 years (which will bring bigger cheers).
Or maybe the first two facts I listed will win our in favor of Auburn. :popcorn:
Not to drag you into the ongoing saga, but this is exactly what Prowler does and it drives Kaos into mad rampages. I imagine its ok coming from you.
For the record, I have no problems with exploring and discussing the multiple motivations and factors that could play into a recruit's decision. Just wanted to point that out.
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Not to drag you into the ongoing saga, but this is exactly what Prowler does and it drives Kaos into mad rampages. I imagine its ok coming from you.
For the record, I have no problems with exploring and discussing the multiple motivations and factors that could play into a recruit's decision. Just wanted to point that out.
Not to drag back, but I never claimed to know anything about anything in my entire post.
No one told me anything, I don't claim to know anything (followed by also expecting the opposite)...no texts, no emails, no tweets, no skreets.
I don't think people guessing out loud bothers Kaos at all. I probably shouldn't speak for Kaos on that, but that's my guess.
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Not to drag back, but I never claimed to know anything about anything in my entire post.
No one told me anything, I don't claim to know anything (followed by also expecting the opposite)...no texts, no emails, no tweets, no skreets.
I don't think people guessing out loud bothers Kaos at all. I probably shouldn't speak for Kaos on that, but that's my guess.
Doesn't bother me. There's no posing here. There's no bullshit "heard on da skreets" nonsense. Guess all you want, just admit that it's a guess and not some nugget of valuable information you received via the bat phone next to your drill press.
Sancho misjudges me.
I ridicule Prowler because it's funny to me. And I can't exist without a foil. I have to have one or this exercise is meaningless to me. I have to have somebody to kick around for fun. Prowler serves because when you question his sources, you trigger a days long retard-fest. It makes me laugh.
My rampages, as it were, are almost always calculated missiles intended to create a desired outcome. The times I've truly been pissed off or personally vested are rare. Not that they don't and haven't exist/existed, but they are not frequent.
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Doesn't bother me. There's no posing here. There's no bullshit "heard on da skreets" nonsense. Guess all you want, just admit that it's a guess and not some nugget of valuable information you received via the bat phone next to your drill press.
Yes, that is one crusade, but there was another over, as you saw it, claiming "This will happen, unless this does". I (and he) tried to explain to you that he wasn't claiming anything about an inside source, or even a prediction on what would happen, but simply explaining why he thinks he might choose one school or another. Not whether or not he will.
I ridicule Prowler because it's funny to me. And I can't exist without a foil. I have to have one or this exercise is meaningless to me. I have to have somebody to kick around for fun. Prowler serves because when you question his sources, you trigger a days long retard-fest. It makes me laugh.
This is surprising to no one.
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Yes, that is one crusade, but there was another over, as you saw it, claiming "This will happen, unless this does". I (and he) tried to explain to you that he wasn't claiming anything about an inside source, or even a prediction on what would happen, but simply explaining why he thinks he might choose one school or another. Not whether or not he will.
There were never two crusades, they were all the same thing. All of Prowler's bullshit is prefaced by or linked to his "sources." Right now my "source" (same as one of his major ones) is tuned to Disney Channel since my daughter is home from school and it's raining outside. I'm probably getting just as much legitimate information from whatever tween hoochie this is on my screen as he does.
That was always the crusade. Prowler can't say what he thinks. He has to couch it all in nonsensical "I know" shit and cryptic "got me a text message" manure.
But whatever, it's all in fun. Even he knows that. Pretty sure he does, anyway. If we were ever to meet, I'd call him a dumbass to his face and then he would buy me some food.
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Jeeze...
http://blog.al.com/birmingham-news-sports/2010/02/to_hear_marcus_lattimores_deci.html (http://blog.al.com/birmingham-news-sports/2010/02/to_hear_marcus_lattimores_deci.html)
To hear Marcus Lattimore's decision, arrive early for a parking space
By Charles Hollis -- The Birmingham News
February 01, 2010, 9:02PM
We can't make this up. Marcus Lattimore, the nation's top-ranked running back according to Rivals and Scout, will announce his decision Tuesday around 5-5:30 p.m. CST at Silver Hill Memorial United Methodist Church in Spartanburg.
If you're going, better get there early, a church official is telling the media.
The church is limited to 600 attendees, which will be comprised mainly of family, close friends and the community, according to an e-mail from a family spokesman.
Parking at the church will be provided on a first-come, first-serve basis, and access to the church will not be provided to the general public before 3 p.m. CST.
And if you're going, and still have some questions, contact Silver Hill Memorial United Methodist Church at (864) 587-2018 or by e-mailing enveemarketing@yahoo.com.
When you're the nation's top running back and from a small town, this is the kind of turnout you can expect. Tune in Tuesday for Lattimore's decision - it's between South Carolina and Auburn, but you already know that.
The word coming out of South Carolina is that Lattimore is leaning to the Gamecocks, but then that's just what we're hearing out of South Carolina.
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Jeffrey Lee of AuburnSports.com had announced a few weeks ago that he would be traveling to SC to cover Lattimore's announcement. He announced last night that he was cancelling his plans to cover it. Read into that however you want, I suppose. I still can't see why this kid would go to SC over AU, unless he just doesn't want to compete for PT.
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Jeffrey Lee of AuburnSports.com had announced a few weeks ago that he would be traveling to SC to cover Lattimore's announcement. He announced last night that he was cancelling his plans to cover it. Read into that however you want, I suppose. I still can't see why this kid would go to SC over AU, unless he just doesn't want to compete for PT.
Hate it if we miss on him but I'm sure he will do fine. As said many times over 17-18 year old kids do a lot of things that people with more experience or different judgment would not do.
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Jeffrey Lee of AuburnSports.com had announced a few weeks ago that he would be traveling to SC to cover Lattimore's announcement. He announced last night that he was cancelling his plans to cover it. Read into that however you want, I suppose. I still can't see why this kid would go to SC over AU, unless he just doesn't want to compete for PT.
http://jaygtate.blogspot.com/2010/02/my-journey-heads-east.html (http://jaygtate.blogspot.com/2010/02/my-journey-heads-east.html)
Hey everyone. I soon will begin my trip toward Spartanburg, S.C., where tailback Marcus Lattimore will make his decision between Auburn and South Carolina later today.
As I have said before, I am going for the story. Don't read too much into my decision to go. I'm not going because I'm 100% sold on him choosing Auburn. I'm going because ESPN says he's the nation's top tailback recruit and this situation has intrigued me since last summer.
Lattimore's announcement is scheduled for 5 p.m. CST. I'll update you if that changes.
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http://jaygtate.blogspot.com/2010/02/my-journey-heads-east.html (http://jaygtate.blogspot.com/2010/02/my-journey-heads-east.html)
And?
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And?
Too many words for you?
I'll trim the fat.
Don't read too much into my decision to go. I'm not going because I'm 100% sold on him choosing Auburn.
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And?
Or, to use your own words from a nearly identical in nature post...
Read into that however you want, I suppose.