AND WHY NOT?
Last November we traveled to Charlotte, N.C. to watch the Denver Broncos humiliate the Carolina Panthers. The Broncos’ 36-14 win was a big one for our founding editor’s longtime “man crush” Peyton Manning – who moved into a tie with Hall-of-Famer Dan Marino for career wins and touchdown passes (Manning has since passed Marino in both categories).
But while Sic Willie was obsessing over Manning’s exploits, we felt an uneasiness in the pit in our stomachs as we watched Broncos’ return specialist Trindon Holliday take a Panthers’ punt 76 yards to pay dirt on the first play of the second quarter.
Why did we feel an uneasiness in the pit of our stomachs? Because we knew University of South Carolina return specialist Ace Sanders was probably watching the former Louisiana State University star thinking to himself, “hey, I can do that.”
Holliday – who returned both a punt and a kickoff for touchdowns in last week’s AFC divisional game – is 5-foot-5, 169 pounds. Sanders is a little bit bigger – 5-foot-8, 175 pounds – but he’s every bit as fast (both players have been clocked running the 40-yard dash in a blazing 4.3 seconds).
Don’t believe us? Check this out …
And this …
And of course this …
Accordingly, we weren’t surprised to learn this week that Sanders will forego his senior year of eligibility at USC and enter the 2013 NFL draft. The Bradenton, Florida native initially indicated he would return for his senior season, but apparently thought better of it. And who can blame him?
Sanders – the MVP of USC’s thrilling 2013 Outback Bowl victory – ranked first in the SEC and fourth in the NCAA in punt return yardage last year, returning 28 punts for a school record 429 yards and two touchdowns. Not only that he was the team’s leading receiver with 45 receptions for 531 yards and nine touchdowns.
One of the indispensable talents who has led South Carolina from chronic mediocrity to back-to-back 11-win seasons and Top Ten finishes, Sanders finishes his USC career with 1,230 receiving yards, 594 return yards, 79 rushing yards and 19 passing yards in forty games. He caught thirteen touchdowns, returned three punts for touchdowns and threw for another two scores.
“We’re all for Ace and we wish him the best,” USC head coach Steve Spurrier said.
We also wish Sanders the best as he takes his skills to the next level. He provided Gamecock fans with some truly electrifying moments during his three years in Columbia, and we suspect he will provide whatever team drafts him with similar fireworks.
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Pic: Travis Bell, Sideline Carolina
12 comments
As much as I’d like him to stay, I can’t see where he can do anything else to improve his status Iin the draft. I wish him nothing but the best.
A FITS NEWSFLASH: Obama Re-elected Despite His Horrible Economy….
This Ace news is very STALE…this happened days ago.
Also: I LMAO. Tebow adavanced Denver more in the playoffs and he had a higher winning percentage for the Broncos than Manning…but Manning cost the Stupid Broncos $15 Million more a year…To LOSE!!!!
Idiot (and religious BIGOT) Elway should be FIRED…
Hate fails in the end…hope FITS and Obama worshipers take notice…
Elway (no evidence of being a religious bigot, but we do have evidence that you are) knows that Manning is a great NFL QB and Tebow sucks dick. That should explain it for a simpleton such as yourself.
Making any kind of comparison between the two QB’S shows that idiocy follows you in all walks of life.
Not sure we know about Tebow, and how good, or bad, he could be…he got very little chance..but he took his team more into the playoffs than Manning did at Denver…
Still: Closed-minded RELIGIOUS Bigots like you DEMAND a chance for your ignorant special intrest groups…but you make sure a man is Silenced because you cannot handle a strong Christian…
Hate and stupidity will catch up w/ you…just wait…
It’s not based on religion. You’re not that stupid, you know Manning is better, so we will set that aside. But Tebow is not an NFL QB. Period. Deal with it. Root for Flacco…he’s a good Catholic boy. Or do you hate Catholics, too?
You hated Mitt Romney because YOU are the religious bigot. Just like the other effing rock heads who voted for Newt Gingrich in the SC Primary. And your hate and stupidity caught up with you in November.
But I will pray for you.
What happened to Manning? Brady? lol… FITS sure can pick ’em.
Good luck to Sanders and Lattimore though.
Ace is not even close to a 4.3. I wish him the best, but Trindon Holliday was All-American for the LSU Track team. Ace doesn’t even run track at USC.
That said, he’s still capable of busting one at any time. Just fact checkin’.
Love Ace. Good luck, man.
I can pull King Arthur’s sword out faster than Ace can run the 40yard dash. Just saying man…
If you dont think Ace is fast you are an idiot
YEP, peyton manning is a career CHOKER! how many times has he gone one and done in the playoffs? and his greatest accompishment is beating the rex grossman-led bears, EASILY the worst team EVER to play in the super bowl- AND IT WAS A SOMEWHAT CLOSE GaME! LOL, youre bragging about the broncos beating the panthers?/???/? a week after your hero chokes AGAIn? LMFAO! if holliday hadnt returned 2 kicks for TDs, it wouldnt even have been a game. peyton manning: most overrated great white hype in ALL OF SPORTS! i attribute almost all of his success to marvin harrison, reggie wayne, dalls clark, pollard, and those 2 defensive ends. peyton manning is nothing but a regular season videogame qb, WHO CHOKES ON COCK come playoff time. the media of course promotes him becaue he is a faithful corporate shill. he souldve quit after the back problems. his brother cooper will have more motor skill control than him in a few years. cant wait untl he junior seaus himself.
I grew up with Ace Sanders dad and trust me speed is in his blood line. His Dad played with Deion Sanders at Florida State and was also the quarteback that got our High School(Manatee) their first state champion. I live in North Carolina now and I have been following Ace for the past three years and I definitely think he is ready for hte NFL. True talent and speed will get you to the nexl level.