2007 Statistics

Another year, another set of hurdles Spurrier and his staff will have to get their guys over to make the most of their offensive potential. This is one of the top offensive minds of all-time in the college ranks, so do not underestimate what the man from Johnson City (TN) can do with only modest means.

QUARTERBACK
Spurrier saw the writing on the wall last year and he made sure Chris Smelley played lots of reps, a dividend that he thought would pay off in ’08. Sure enough, Smelley is the most experienced signal caller, but this former Alabama Gatorade Player of the Year (2005) has yet to hit his stride. Spring proved that neither Smelley nor junior counterpart Tommy Beecher has taken command, but Beecher gets the starting nod based on making less potential mistakes. Spurrier on where his QBs are at…“We need to go through [more] preseason practice. I found through all my years in coaching that some quarterbacks can really get better through the summer. Chris and Tommy have three months to understand the game and make good, quick decisions." Beecher is a roundabout legacy since his uncles played for Spurrier at Duke in the ‘80s, and he does have a strong pedigree. Beecher differentiated himself after Smelley threw five INTs in the spring game…the fact that Beecher threw three of his own in the spring scrimmage that didn’t allow for pass rushing and/or blitzes (and featured mostly second teamers from the back seven), you can see why Spurrier wants more from the guys who play his former Heisman-winning position. That leaves the door slightly open for last year’s No.4 dual-threat prospect Stephen Garcia, but Garcia has put himself on the backburner by being suspended until August 15th. The odds of Garcia and/or one of the two incoming froshes seeing much time under center are bad, but Spurrier has been known to go through his field generals at a rapid pace when in search of his best option under center. Too much talent is here to think Spurrier won’t coach his QBs up for maximum performance levels to be reached. In an offense that throws it more than they run between the tackles, plenty of chances will come around for someone to make plays through the air.

RUNNING BACK
Looking at the Gamecock offense from another angle, the only reason this running game ranked so poorly (101st) was due to a lack of commitment. All four games in which USC ran it less than 30 times were losses (longest run of the year for the entire team was 29 yards). Stopping the USC ground game seems like an easy plan that will work for foes until this offense proves otherwise. The Gamecock ground game works when employed, and senior Mike Davis has the soft hands to be the kind of back that this offense can continue to count upon. Davis, who was given just 35 carries over the last six games of ’07 due to maturity issues, will run in tandem with sophomore Brian Maddox. Davis seems to be getting to class and embracing the lead-by-example role he’s being forced into due to so much youth behind him needing to learn the ropes/system. Traditionally seen here, two backs work to keep legs fresh. And since Davis and Maddox both couple their big 220+-pound bodies with formidable speed, defenders cannot tell what the play will be just because the TBs sub out for each other. True FB Pat DiMarco will shift out to TE to get more playing time, but we think South Carolina should stick to two-back sets so DiMarco can get a head of steam as he plows for his teammates. But, hey, this is a passing offense and he blocks well from any position. This still leaves a need for a small, quick back to do damage in open space. Freshman Eric Baker is the only choice Spurrier has, so consider the lack of depth within the different running gears a weak point that limits the attack (in a day when RBs are often used creatively to line up outside).

RECEIVER / TIGHT END
Both TEs have extensive roles already - Jared Cook had the highest yards-per-catch average (14.0) for any South Carolina snarler with more than five catches, and ex-DE Weslye Saunders uses his 275lbs to open plays up in many ways. Big receivers are nothing new for Spurrier. Freshman Joe Hills needs to learn how to read coverages better, but he’s a sure deep threat (at 6’4) who will win many one-on-one battles before DB coaches start to mark him more closely. Dion Lecorn has to watch his size – Coach thinks he can be the next great WR to come out of last year’s class if Lecorn can stay focused and lean. The juniors Brown – Moe and Freddie – have both stepped into leadership roles with McKinley out of spring practices (turf toe). McKinley, last year’s leading SEC receiver and a former dual-threat QB, will be shuffled all over in attempts to get mismatches and to find the Mableton (GA) product some open space in which to run. Besides this year’s incoming class, the WRs – unlike the RBs – are stacked, awaiting their chances.

OFFENSIVE LINE
If you take away the sack yards lost, the Gamecocks prove themselves capable of running at a 4.5 yards per carry clip. All the experienced line has to do is learn from the tough lessons the SEC taught them and 2008 will show improvements on offense. The tackles started every game together, but senior Jamon Meredith is out for the first two games due to being granted a medical hardship waiver. Opening with N.C. State and a trip to Vandy don’t make it easy for Hutch Eckerson, who has been getting the most first-team reps due to having more experience than Quintin Richardson. But, like last year’s trial-by-fire that led to the five-game skid, the OL will be more for Eckerson and Richardson taking a few early lumps. Garrett Anderson has been suffering through a disc problem in his back, so Seaver Brown has been shifted over to compensate. Anderson’s troubles may actually produce a better starting five since Brown has been doing a better job throughout off-season practices in Anderson’s center slot. The move of Lemuel Jeanpierre to offense has proven fruitful; the former DT also has heeded tough lessons to give depth to any inside spot. The same goes for how Gurminder Thind’s backup capacity affords promise of improvements along the OL. Heath Batchelor is the final example of growth from last year paving the way for optimism in ’08 – starting the final three games as a freshman assures he will play better after the off-season clarified his experience and what is needed for an improved showing.

The main question now becomes whether Spurrier & Son do the usual and force the offense to be a passing machine primarily. This will, in turn, force the (so far) mediocre talent levels of their marginally developed QBs to be either quickly purged or unfortunately exposed… or do they work more at developing the running dimension with the iffy OL, potentially making opponents stack the box and thus creating winnable, over-the-top chances for the eager Gamecock WRs? We think the latter works best to start, but Spurrier is that infamous riverboat gambler-type who will probably choose the former and attempt to fit a round peg into a square hole all season. Hopefully, his peg becomes square or his hole becomes round, or he risks another campaign of unfulfilled potential within his offense.

Ellis Johnson is the new coordinator brought in to replace three-week hire Brian Van Gorder, who didn’t stay long after the Atlanta Falcons inquired about his plans. Johnson's loudest message to his players this spring has been this one: teams that play the most physical and are the toughest mentally are the ones that win in the SEC. It has been difficult to instill the new approach in just 15 spring practices, so the changes may keep the D from starting out as strong as many expect with so many faces back. Brought in from Mississippi State, Johnson inherits a young-but-experienced group that loses only a handful of members. Only four of the eleven returning starters are seniors (Lindsey started six games in ’06), and like on offense, lumps taken last season will strengthen the resolve for the evolving youth movement.

DEFENSIVE LINE
Run stopping was a real problem, seeing how every foe broke the 100-yard mark and how the three biggest point totals allowed in ’07 were to three of the four teams that ran for the most yards. Couple in how Johnson’s last Mississippi State crew also struggled mightily against running teams LSU and Arkansas, and you see why much has to be proven on the field for the Gamecocks DL before spring practice reports of progress along the will be believed. The first and foremost change is All-American Eric Norwood’s move to LB. In his place, we find Cliff Matthews, a DE recruit who was shifted to LB and started nine games there in ‘07. Matthews is looking better at his natural position (more on Norwood later). The other end will again be Jordin Lindsey, who started six games in ’06 before his academic problems kept him sidelined all of last season. Lindsey was the Outstanding Defensive Player in the Liberty Bowl the last time he strapped on a USC helmet, so his return has to help. Ex-OT Gaethers, possibly the most physically gifted of the DLmen, and classmate Robertson weren’t ready last year as true freshmen, but they were prototypical of many who were rushed into service before reaching the levels needed. The interior will also find improvement through maturity. Sophomore Ladi Ajiboye will prove why coaches were drooling about how much better he seemed this spring. This Freshman All-American (and All-SEC) of Nigerian descent is being labeled “dominant”, and Ladi moves quickly enough for a DT to earn such a tag. Marque Hall also moves especially quickly for his 300+ frame. The fifth-year senior never bounced back last year at quite the same level from a 2006 knee injury. He is rumored to have an uphill journey after more surgery this past off-season has Hall again fighting to keep his starting status. Jonathan Williams has been flooring throughout workouts and scrimmages, impressing the coaching staff enough so that losing Hall’s best effort won’t sting too much. Another knee injury took Nathan Pepper out of the 2007 ranks, but Pepper can play end also, making him a needed cog. If Kendrick Ellis can keep his weight down, he also has a place in the tackle rotation. The line looks improved, but N.C. State will let all know if the Gamecocks can again stop the run as needed to get back over .500.

LINEBACKER
Norwood as a linebacker is an interesting proposition – MLB Jasper Brinkley already tips the scales at 270lbs (listed at 275), so how much speed can guys this big (Norwood is 270lbs) really bring for matching up against TEs/WRs/HBs/RBs when they line up in passing situations? DC Johnson on Norwood’s switch to OLB from DE: “He's bright mentally, so he can handle it. He can learn both the linebacker spot, then switch up and be a rush (end) in the dime package." The rest of the corps is properly sized for running down field 50 or more yards at a hurried shot. Rodney Paulk has started since his true freshman campaign and finished as the team’s top tackler from those also at this position. Marv Sapp will back up Jasper Brinkley at MLB once all are healthy, but Brinkley out this spring gave Paulk and Marvin Ingram the chance to play the middle, giving promising results as the corps becomes stronger each day. Sinclair will have to keep his efforts consistent to hold of Shaq Wilson, an early enrollee who has turned many heads. "He [Wilson] came in and it was like we've been coaching him for three years," Johnson said. "He already knows a lot of stuff. You don't have to worry about him repeating mistakes." The compliment of linebacking types, if managed properly, will result in improved defensive results across the board.

DEFENSIVE BACK
One area we know is already strong is the Gamecock’s top SEC pass defense. Confidence within the secondary abounds - only allowed to run three basic coverages in the final spring scrimmage, the DBs killed with mostly second team guys filling as the starters were rested to keep them healthy. The biggest unveiling has been top receiver prospect Chris Culliver switching sides and fortifying the already-strong safety slots. His speed (4.28-seconds in the 40) has translated well…so far. Ex-triple jumper Darian Stewart is in front of the former five-star WR recruit, but Culliver also stepped in when Emanuel Cook sat out after breaking his thumb, so he will be able to play Rover or FS this fall. Cook started his first game as a true frosh and has improved steadily, finishing ’07 with a stat line that boasts “All-American” for ’08 (his four sacks were second on the team only to Norwood). The salutes for CB Captain Munnerlyn piled in (All-SEC First Team, coaches and Rivals) and will continue to come for the breakout junior who plays much bigger than his 5’9 frame brags. Ex-WR Carlos Thomas is the lone senior amongst the DB starters, though, leadership will come from each of them as the coverage units are old hat for the veterans. Stoney Woodsen is a smoking nickel, capable of starting when you consider how he had even more tackles last year than Thomas. The DBs will be left on islands regularly; zone coverages will be the different looks, a good change-up that will challenge opposing QBs on obvious passing downs.

The decline on D in ’07 over the last three games has to be worn as a chip on their collective shoulders. Some have even said this could be the top defense in the toughest defensive league, but until they reflect consistency over 12 regular season games, this stopping unit will have to re-earn any superlatives which have recently slipped through their fingers.