Adams: Newton operates outside Spurrier system

Danny Wuerffel was. So were Shane Matthews, Doug Johnson and Rex Grossman. So was almost anyone else who ever took a snap for Spurrier.

Newton is the exception. He's a Spurrier quarterback operating outside the Spurrier system.

And no one appreciates it more than Spurrier.

"Somebody told me we had punted eight times in the last five games," said a pleased Spurrier.

He credits that to a 50 percent conversion rate on third down. He credits the third-down conversions to Newton's scrambling ability.

Spurrier with a running quarterback: Who would have thought it?

Spurrier dominated the SEC in the 1990s, won a national championship and became Tennessee's arch-nemesis by entrusting his Florida offense to quarterbacks who rarely ventured from the pass pocket. His quarterbacks were patient, accurate and -- when at their best -- an on-the-field extension of one of the game's greatest play-callers.

You weren't just defending one quarterback in those days. You were defending two -- the one on the field and the one on the sideline under the visor.

The coach calling the plays often got more credit than the player executing them. And why wouldn't he? It was his system, and almost anyone executing it had success. Spurrier once beat Florida State by alternating three quarterbacks, including walk-on Noah Brindise.

What worked so spectacularly at Florida worked just well enough last season for Spurrier's first South Carolina team to win seven games, including upsets of UT and Florida. But when the offense struggled early this season, Spurrier turned to his senior wide receiver and turned off his old system.

Newton, who was an all-state quarterback in high school, ranks second in the SEC in pass efficiency. It's his running efficiency that will be just as much of a concern for Tennessee on Saturday night at Williams-Brice Stadium.

"It's not hard to see why we're moving the ball," Spurrier said. "It's because Syvelle Newton's at quarterback and he can dodge guys and run out of the pocket."

Running and dodging are acceptable alternatives to standing in the pocket and being sacked. Although South Carolina's inexperienced offensive line has improved, it's still one of the worst in the SEC.

Spurrier was asked how much more familiar Newton had become with the offense after five starts. His answer reflected his different approach for this season.

"I don't know," Spurrier said. "He's understands more of what we're doing, but we still don't audible much at all. I don't want to over-coach him."

Imagine what Matthews, Wuerffel, and Grossman would think of that. They learned to play the position Spurrier's way and learned to see a defense through his eyes.

Spurrier said Wuerffel audibled about half the time, and you can bet that most of those audibles didn't surprise his coach.

Newton is full of surprises, and Spurrier has learned to enjoy them. Plays that might have died beneath a pile of onrushing linemen have sprung to life through Newton's improvisation.

South Carolina beat UT without Newton last season. He suffered a season-ending Achilles injury against Vanderbilt a week earlier. Before the injury, he demonstrated his versatility, running 15 times for 80 yards, completing three of four passes and catching one pass against the Commodores.

Newton underwent surgery the following week and was released from the hospital just before the UT game.

"I watched in my room with my family," he said. "It was kind of emotional."

If healthy, Newton was expected to play wide receiver this season. That changed when Spurrier realized he needed more help at the other end of his passing game.

Newton quickly demonstrated his athleticism as well as a surprisingly accurate passing touch. Now he says, "I'm a lot more comfortable in the pocket."

But more important, his coach is a lot more comfortable with his quarterback outside the pocket.