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August 28th, 2010 02:54 AM
2010 South Carolina Gamecocks: Team Overview
With the SEC East wide open in 2010 – with the possible exception of first place, that is – South Carolina could go a long way towards supplanting Georgia as the division’s No. 2 team. But that only works if Steve Spurrier’s offense finally makes a move into the 21st Century. Unfortunately for Spurrier, his offensive magic never left Gainesville. The Gamecocks have, almost unbelievably, struggled at the quarterback position for almost the entirety of Spurrier’s tenure. But the biggest impediment to success has been an offensive line that has never been good under Spurrier’s reign. This year is no different, and South Carolina will have to lean on its defense and special teams in order to find success.
Returning Offensive Starters: 7 (SE, LT, C, RT, TE, QB, RB)
Returning Defensive Starters: 7 (RDE, LDT, OLB, ROV, RCB, LCB, FS)
Returning Specialists: 1 (PK/P)
Projected Overall Record: 9-3 (UF, UA, Clem)
Projected SEC Record: 6-2 (UF, UA)
Projected SEC East Record: 4-1 (UF)
Ratings (Ex, Vg, Av, Fr, Pr)
Quarterbacks: Av Defensive Line: Vg
Running Backs: Fr Linebackers: Vg
Wide Receivers: Vg Defensive Backs: Ex
Offensive Line: Fr Special Teams: Av
OFFENSE
The Fun ‘N’ Gun has too frequently morphed into the Duck ‘N’ Chuck, thanks to a line that can’t hold its position and quarterbacks who wilt under the glare of the Ol’ Ball Coach. The Gamecocks will use a full-time three-wide set, which plays to the depth of the wide receiver corps. But South Carolina is also depending heavily on freshmen at running back and unproven players on the offensive line. A quarterback controversy may also be emerging. Spurrier likes to run the football as much as pass it, but South Carolina had the worst rushing offense in the SEC last year and it put undue pressure on the Gamecock quarterbacks. South Carolina must find more balance in 2010.
QUARTERBACKS
One would think Stephen Garcia, who garnered some preseason all-SEC consideration and who was 239-of-432 (55.3%) for 2,862 yards, 17 touchdowns and 10 interceptions last year, would have a clear path to the starting job. But Spurrier spent a large part of the offseason telling anyone who would listen that Garcia’s head wasn’t in the right place, that he made too many mistakes and that he had physical flaws in his delivery. Whether this was a coach bemoaning an overrated player, or some kind of warped motivational technique is unclear. What is clear is that Spurrier is seriously considering benching Garcia in favor of a true freshman, Connor Shaw. Shaw is a capable runner and put up good numbers in high school, but is about the size of former Alabama quarterback Brodie Croyle and hasn’t taken a snap in a college game yet. Neither has Andrew Clifford, but he at least has a year in the system. Look for the Gamecocks to possibly operate from a two-quarterback system, as has been a frequent feature of a Spurrier-coached team.
RUNNING BACKS
South Carolina is hoping that Marcus Lattimore is everything the recruiting analysts said he was, because the Gamecock offense needs a shot of competency. Looking at the existing depth chart, there would figure to be a nice collection of both quantity and quality, but the quality aspect has been lacking. Brian Maddox was in Lattimore’s shoes as a freshman, supposed to be the next great Gamecock running back. He’s been reduced to a bit role, rushing for only 3.0 yards per carry in 2009 and failing to display SEC-level speed. Both Kenny Miles and Jarvis Giles have the necessary speed, and both rushed for more than 5 yards per carry last year. But they combined for only 2 touchdowns, and neither is an inside runner. SEC play demands a running back have the necessary size to go between the tackles when needed. If Lattimore can’t do it, South Carolina is right back to where it finished the 2009 season, watching Maddox get stoned up the middle while Miles and Giles run for their lives. South Carolina uses no fullback.
WIDE RECEIVERS
Things got a little sketchy when starting tight end Weslye Saunders was suspended for an unspecified rule violation. Speculation has been that Saunders has been somehow connected to the recent investigation into agent-contact activities in the Carolinas, but USC coaches insist the suspension was for a separate incident. Regardless, Saunders’ loss will be felt. His backup, Patrick DiMarco, is a converted fullback who isn’t big enough to play on the line and is most effective as an H-back. Justice Cunningham now will be required to take on a much larger role, along with either Mike Triglia or UCF transfer Kyle Madden. As for the wideouts themselves, USC has a group as good as any in the conference. Alshon Jeffery may be one of the the best young receivers in the country, and will probably take over the title of SEC’s most physical receiver after Alabama’s Julio Jones departs. His height, speed and physicality are hard to match. Tori Gurley and Jason Barnes give South Carolina three starters 6’4” or taller. The backups include Dion LeCorn, an accomplished slot receiver who is still battling for a starting position. D.L. Moore, DeAngelo Smith and Lamar Scruggs provide depth, along with DeMario Bennett. If the whole team had this kind of depth, the Gamecocks would be a conference title contender.
OFFENSIVE LINE
This unit is in trouble, especially in light of a pair of serious injuries suffered in the early days of camp. Things were already shaky, as Jarriel King is being handed the left tackle job based largely on raw ability. King is a senior, however, and has yet to play up to his enormous potential. King’s success is now more important than ever, as Quintin Richardson was lost, likely for the season, to a shoulder injury suffered in camp. On the other side, Hutch Eckerson may start ahead of Kyle Nunn, who will back up both tackle positions if he can’t beat out Eckerson for the starting job. South Carolina has no other experienced tackles. Eckerson is a good spare part on a strong team, but it remains to be seen if he’s an every-down player. The guards are new, but are both seniors: Garrett Chisolm on the left and Terrence Campbell on the right. Junior Rokevious Watkins is listed as the backup at both slots, and again, there’s no one else now that reserve center-guard Ryan Broadhead has been lost for the year with a knee injury. T.J. Johnson slides from guard to center and is the undoubted leader of the line. Another reserve lineman, Nick Allison, quit the team, leaving true freshman A.J. Cann as the most likely backup should a guard or center go down and Watkins not be able to handle the assignment. The problem with this unit is twofold: not nearly deep enough, and the players that remain are not considered to be top-flight SEC specimens.
DEFENSE
Ellis Johnson has developed into one of the most respected coordinators in the game, a far cry from his early years that included fitful stops at Clemson and Alabama. Lorenzo Ward is technically the defensive coordinator and secondary coach, but the defense bears mostly Johnson’s signatures. South Carolina runs a hybrid 4-2-5 scheme, with a rover safety who is expected to play a linebacker-type role in some formations. The defense doesn’t have any glaring weaknesses and the depth in the secondary is impressive. South Carolina may have to win a lot of games by scores of 17-9 or something similar this year.
DEFENSIVE LINE
Defensive tackle Ladi Ajiboye was an unknown quantity until last year, when the rest of the league finally caught on. Despite being smaller than a typical SEC tackle, Ajiboye’s motor runs all the time and his surprising strength allows him to collapse plays. Fellow tackle Travian Robertson complements Ajiboye well, and his size makes him tough to move. Melvin Ingram is smaller than Ajiboye, and his effectiveness is limited because of it, but he should be good for around 15 snaps a game. Kenny Davis bulked up over the summer and should be able to spell Robertson well. Freshman Ronald Byrd has not yet grown into his frame and as a result, can be pushed around, but he’s got a lot of potential. Outside, Devin Taylor is the new starter at end across from Cliff Matthews, one of the SEC’s most productive weakside ends. Byron McKnight and Aldrick Fordham provide depth along with Chaz Sutton and Chaun Gresham. South Carolina took a substantial hit when super-prospect Kelcy Quarles, who could have been a force at strongside end, failed to qualify. South Carolina needs JUCO transfer Byron Jerideau to step up at tackle to add depth, and it wouldn’t hurt to get a contribution from freshman tackle J.T. Surratt.
LINEBACKERS
If there’s a weakness, it’s here. One starter, Rodney Paulk, has seen his career derailed a couple of times due to injury. The other starter, Shaq Wilson, is smaller than some safeties. Both players are counting on speed and experience to make the difference. At least the bench is in good shape; seniors Josh Dickerson and Tony Straughter have plenty of experience, and Quin Smith is a good prospect. Sophomore transfer Toquavius Gilchrist will also get a look. None of those players are taller than 6’1”, nor does anyone weigh more than 225 pounds. In short, the linebackers are basically big safeties, and Johnson and Ward will have to scheme this group into productivity. The loss of Eric Norwood to graduation will be felt.
DEFENSIVE BACKS
South Carolina has an embarrassment of riches here. Starting cornerbacks Stephon Gilmore and Chris Culliver are both all-star candidates, and when your third corner is C.C. Whitlock, it underscores just how deep this unit is. Free safety Akeem Auguste is underrated, and the lone new starter – sophomore strong safety DeVonte Holloman – may turn out to be the best of the bunch. Depth at safety is good and includes promising sophomore D.J. Swearinger. The “Spur” safety – essentially a rover – is Antonio Allen, backed up by Demario Jeffery. Corners Brandan Davis and Marty Markett, along with safety Corey Addison, the lone freshman in the two-deep, round out the group. South Carolina was second in the conference in pass defense and No. 8 overall last year, and it just figures to get better from there in 2010.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Spencer Lanning handles both punting and placekicking duties. He was acceptable at both last year but not quite the game-changer that Ryan Succop was before him. The kickoff job was Adam Yates’ last year, but South Carolina couldn’t kick the ball deep and then, couldn’t tackle the return men afterwards. It was a bit perplexing given the athletes available at receiver and defensive back. Jay Wooten and Joey Scribner-Howard figure to compete with Yates for that job, and might also challenge Lanning for the job on long kicks. South Carolina also needs to improve on its own return game, which didn’t scare anyone last year.
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August 28th, 2010 02:54 AM
2010 South Carolina Gamecocks: Team Overview
With the SEC East wide open in 2010 – with the possible exception of first place, that is – South Carolina could go a long way towards supplanting Georgia as the division’s No. 2 team. But that only works if Steve Spurrier’s offense finally makes a move into the 21st Century. Unfortunately for Spurrier, his offensive magic never left Gainesville. The Gamecocks have, almost unbelievably, struggled at the quarterback position for almost the entirety of Spurrier’s tenure. But the biggest impediment to success has been an offensive line that has never been good under Spurrier’s reign. This year is no different, and South Carolina will have to lean on its defense and special teams in order to find success.
Returning Offensive Starters: 7 (SE, LT, C, RT, TE, QB, RB)
Returning Defensive Starters: 7 (RDE, LDT, OLB, ROV, RCB, LCB, FS)
Returning Specialists: 1 (PK/P)
Projected Overall Record: 9-3 (UF, UA, Clem)
Projected SEC Record: 6-2 (UF, UA)
Projected SEC East Record: 4-1 (UF)
Ratings (Ex, Vg, Av, Fr, Pr)
Quarterbacks: Av Defensive Line: Vg
Running Backs: Fr Linebackers: Vg
Wide Receivers: Vg Defensive Backs: Ex
Offensive Line: Fr Special Teams: Av
OFFENSE
The Fun ‘N’ Gun has too frequently morphed into the Duck ‘N’ Chuck, thanks to a line that can’t hold its position and quarterbacks who wilt under the glare of the Ol’ Ball Coach. The Gamecocks will use a full-time three-wide set, which plays to the depth of the wide receiver corps. But South Carolina is also depending heavily on freshmen at running back and unproven players on the offensive line. A quarterback controversy may also be emerging. Spurrier likes to run the football as much as pass it, but South Carolina had the worst rushing offense in the SEC last year and it put undue pressure on the Gamecock quarterbacks. South Carolina must find more balance in 2010.
QUARTERBACKS
One would think Stephen Garcia, who garnered some preseason all-SEC consideration and who was 239-of-432 (55.3%) for 2,862 yards, 17 touchdowns and 10 interceptions last year, would have a clear path to the starting job. But Spurrier spent a large part of the offseason telling anyone who would listen that Garcia’s head wasn’t in the right place, that he made too many mistakes and that he had physical flaws in his delivery. Whether this was a coach bemoaning an overrated player, or some kind of warped motivational technique is unclear. What is clear is that Spurrier is seriously considering benching Garcia in favor of a true freshman, Connor Shaw. Shaw is a capable runner and put up good numbers in high school, but is about the size of former Alabama quarterback Brodie Croyle and hasn’t taken a snap in a college game yet. Neither has Andrew Clifford, but he at least has a year in the system. Look for the Gamecocks to possibly operate from a two-quarterback system, as has been a frequent feature of a Spurrier-coached team.
RUNNING BACKS
South Carolina is hoping that Marcus Lattimore is everything the recruiting analysts said he was, because the Gamecock offense needs a shot of competency. Looking at the existing depth chart, there would figure to be a nice collection of both quantity and quality, but the quality aspect has been lacking. Brian Maddox was in Lattimore’s shoes as a freshman, supposed to be the next great Gamecock running back. He’s been reduced to a bit role, rushing for only 3.0 yards per carry in 2009 and failing to display SEC-level speed. Both Kenny Miles and Jarvis Giles have the necessary speed, and both rushed for more than 5 yards per carry last year. But they combined for only 2 touchdowns, and neither is an inside runner. SEC play demands a running back have the necessary size to go between the tackles when needed. If Lattimore can’t do it, South Carolina is right back to where it finished the 2009 season, watching Maddox get stoned up the middle while Miles and Giles run for their lives. South Carolina uses no fullback.
WIDE RECEIVERS
Things got a little sketchy when starting tight end Weslye Saunders was suspended for an unspecified rule violation. Speculation has been that Saunders has been somehow connected to the recent investigation into agent-contact activities in the Carolinas, but USC coaches insist the suspension was for a separate incident. Regardless, Saunders’ loss will be felt. His backup, Patrick DiMarco, is a converted fullback who isn’t big enough to play on the line and is most effective as an H-back. Justice Cunningham now will be required to take on a much larger role, along with either Mike Triglia or UCF transfer Kyle Madden. As for the wideouts themselves, USC has a group as good as any in the conference. Alshon Jeffery may be one of the the best young receivers in the country, and will probably take over the title of SEC’s most physical receiver after Alabama’s Julio Jones departs. His height, speed and physicality are hard to match. Tori Gurley and Jason Barnes give South Carolina three starters 6’4” or taller. The backups include Dion LeCorn, an accomplished slot receiver who is still battling for a starting position. D.L. Moore, DeAngelo Smith and Lamar Scruggs provide depth, along with DeMario Bennett. If the whole team had this kind of depth, the Gamecocks would be a conference title contender.
OFFENSIVE LINE
This unit is in trouble, especially in light of a pair of serious injuries suffered in the early days of camp. Things were already shaky, as Jarriel King is being handed the left tackle job based largely on raw ability. King is a senior, however, and has yet to play up to his enormous potential. King’s success is now more important than ever, as Quintin Richardson was lost, likely for the season, to a shoulder injury suffered in camp. On the other side, Hutch Eckerson may start ahead of Kyle Nunn, who will back up both tackle positions if he can’t beat out Eckerson for the starting job. South Carolina has no other experienced tackles. Eckerson is a good spare part on a strong team, but it remains to be seen if he’s an every-down player. The guards are new, but are both seniors: Garrett Chisolm on the left and Terrence Campbell on the right. Junior Rokevious Watkins is listed as the backup at both slots, and again, there’s no one else now that reserve center-guard Ryan Broadhead has been lost for the year with a knee injury. T.J. Johnson slides from guard to center and is the undoubted leader of the line. Another reserve lineman, Nick Allison, quit the team, leaving true freshman A.J. Cann as the most likely backup should a guard or center go down and Watkins not be able to handle the assignment. The problem with this unit is twofold: not nearly deep enough, and the players that remain are not considered to be top-flight SEC specimens.
DEFENSE
Ellis Johnson has developed into one of the most respected coordinators in the game, a far cry from his early years that included fitful stops at Clemson and Alabama. Lorenzo Ward is technically the defensive coordinator and secondary coach, but the defense bears mostly Johnson’s signatures. South Carolina runs a hybrid 4-2-5 scheme, with a rover safety who is expected to play a linebacker-type role in some formations. The defense doesn’t have any glaring weaknesses and the depth in the secondary is impressive. South Carolina may have to win a lot of games by scores of 17-9 or something similar this year.
DEFENSIVE LINE
Defensive tackle Ladi Ajiboye was an unknown quantity until last year, when the rest of the league finally caught on. Despite being smaller than a typical SEC tackle, Ajiboye’s motor runs all the time and his surprising strength allows him to collapse plays. Fellow tackle Travian Robertson complements Ajiboye well, and his size makes him tough to move. Melvin Ingram is smaller than Ajiboye, and his effectiveness is limited because of it, but he should be good for around 15 snaps a game. Kenny Davis bulked up over the summer and should be able to spell Robertson well. Freshman Ronald Byrd has not yet grown into his frame and as a result, can be pushed around, but he’s got a lot of potential. Outside, Devin Taylor is the new starter at end across from Cliff Matthews, one of the SEC’s most productive weakside ends. Byron McKnight and Aldrick Fordham provide depth along with Chaz Sutton and Chaun Gresham. South Carolina took a substantial hit when super-prospect Kelcy Quarles, who could have been a force at strongside end, failed to qualify. South Carolina needs JUCO transfer Byron Jerideau to step up at tackle to add depth, and it wouldn’t hurt to get a contribution from freshman tackle J.T. Surratt.
LINEBACKERS
If there’s a weakness, it’s here. One starter, Rodney Paulk, has seen his career derailed a couple of times due to injury. The other starter, Shaq Wilson, is smaller than some safeties. Both players are counting on speed and experience to make the difference. At least the bench is in good shape; seniors Josh Dickerson and Tony Straughter have plenty of experience, and Quin Smith is a good prospect. Sophomore transfer Toquavius Gilchrist will also get a look. None of those players are taller than 6’1”, nor does anyone weigh more than 225 pounds. In short, the linebackers are basically big safeties, and Johnson and Ward will have to scheme this group into productivity. The loss of Eric Norwood to graduation will be felt.
DEFENSIVE BACKS
South Carolina has an embarrassment of riches here. Starting cornerbacks Stephon Gilmore and Chris Culliver are both all-star candidates, and when your third corner is C.C. Whitlock, it underscores just how deep this unit is. Free safety Akeem Auguste is underrated, and the lone new starter – sophomore strong safety DeVonte Holloman – may turn out to be the best of the bunch. Depth at safety is good and includes promising sophomore D.J. Swearinger. The “Spur” safety – essentially a rover – is Antonio Allen, backed up by Demario Jeffery. Corners Brandan Davis and Marty Markett, along with safety Corey Addison, the lone freshman in the two-deep, round out the group. South Carolina was second in the conference in pass defense and No. 8 overall last year, and it just figures to get better from there in 2010.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Spencer Lanning handles both punting and placekicking duties. He was acceptable at both last year but not quite the game-changer that Ryan Succop was before him. The kickoff job was Adam Yates’ last year, but South Carolina couldn’t kick the ball deep and then, couldn’t tackle the return men afterwards. It was a bit perplexing given the athletes available at receiver and defensive back. Jay Wooten and Joey Scribner-Howard figure to compete with Yates for that job, and might also challenge Lanning for the job on long kicks. South Carolina also needs to improve on its own return game, which didn’t scare anyone last year.
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