Article: Wilds or Davis to be Feature Back?

[ConwayGamecock]

Pretty good online article from GreenvilleOnline.com (I hope this reference is allowed here...if not, please delete):

http://www.greenvilleonline.com/arti...nclick_check=1

Interview with Coach Sands: he says he doesn't expect a "RB-by-committee" approach for USC this season, and that Wilds and Davis are front-runners to be the "feature back" for USC. Whoever wins the job will reportedly get 60%+ of the carries.

The two feature somewhat different running styles. At 5-foot-9 and 215 pounds, Davis is considered the shiftier of the two, with the 6-2, 218-pound Wilds described more as a power back.

However, Davis said, Wilds has speed to spare.

“The dude ran a 4.4 (40-yard dash) this winter,” Davis said. “You can’t sleep on Brandon about his speed.”

[dapheet]

Love the competition. hopefully it will show.

[sodacitynate]

Wilds ran a 4.4? That's very surprising.

[uscsandstorm85]

Personally, I would go by situation. Give Davis most of the carries in the open field, then give Wilds the carries inside the 30 and on short yardage situations.

[bcolinc]

Originally Posted by uscsandstorm85

Personally, I would go by situation. Give Davis most of the carries in the open field, then give Wilds the carries inside the 30 and on short yardage situations.

I would agree with that statement, logically. Can you imagine how effective that approach would be. Not to mention maybe D. Williams coming off the bench for some reps. We have a lot to be excited about in the backfield again!

[USCremedy]

Davis seems to be the fan favorite, but Wilds is going to suprise. They will both contribute.

[ZenUSC]

Originally Posted by USCremedy

Davis seems to be the fan favorite, but Wilds is going to suprise. They will both contribute.

As far as onfield results and playing time Wilds has shown more than Davis. I think wilds was just becoming a star RB when he hurt his ankle in 2011. Davis hasn't played much due to Lattimore and Kenny Miles in 2012 and has no breakout game to his resume' like Wilds has from 2011. Wilds is capable of 150yds vs an SEC opponent which is downright amazing.

That being said, the season is long and brutal so I hope we can find two more RBs in addition to Wilds/Davis. In the SEC there really is no such thing as second string. The teams who win from October onwards are the teams who had depth as bruises add up. The Gamecocks have shown the past few years that they now have depth. If you win 10-11 games in the SEC it is because you had horses on the bench .

Wilds has been a star in my book for a long time.

[Big-Cock]

Originally Posted by USCremedy

Davis seems to be the fan favorite, but Wilds is going to suprise. They will both contribute.

This! I dont get why everyone loves davis so much. Wilds carried the team on his back as a true freshman and dont forget where he got his first start at....that place is not that easy to play at.

I like davis too and hope he turns out to be a beast but I was really impressed with wilds running. He runs like latti.. He has the forward lean and great vision. I know he needed a little work with his hands and maybe blocking but dont forget he was a true freshman that had to start for the number one running back in the country in the middle of a hard ass SEC schedule.

The few times I saw davis play he missed blocks and gained very little yards except against lessor talent. Not saying he isnt going to be good but he looked way behind wilds when compairing them to each other as a true freshman.

[MillerTime843]

A big back with 4.4 speed! Me likey :)

[OldPat]

BW was a surprise year before last when he filled in for Latti, and Davis looked good last year in limited action. Both these guys are good running the ball. May well come down to who's the better pass-catcher and blocker.

[BigSteven34]

Holy crap, Wilds ran a 4.4! I know things are different when you put the pads on...but damn, I didn't know he was that fast.

[GamecockSuperFan]

Reading 4.4 just blew my mind. I think Wilds will be the main guy, with Davis getting plenty of carries. Both these guys are fast. It's going to be exciting seeing 2 backs with break away speed once they get to the second level of the defense.

Kind of like Lattimore/Kenny Miles, except you might not see Wilds getting 30+ carries a game with Davis capable of taking some of the load off.

This is going to be interesting to watch. Needless to say I think we'll be in great hands at the runningback position.

[sc455]

davis may be the fan favorite to those with short memories or those who look at star ratings. at this point, give me the proven player. wilds was outstanding 2 yrs ago and has become stronger and faster.

[92Pony]

Originally Posted by sc455

davis may be the fan favorite to those with short memories or those who look at star ratings. at this point, give me the proven player. wilds was outstanding 2 yrs ago and has become stronger and faster.

This.

Can't wait to see Wilds in the backfield again - Beastmode!

[eaglegolf018]

I don't think we're going to have a "feature back". Way too much talent to give only 1 the load. And they're all very different. So they bring a different style in. But if I had to pick one that I look at right now and say he's ready for 30 touches a game and need him for a "Lattimore drive" where he puts the game away late, I'd say its Wilds.

[cockypanther]

Originally Posted by eaglegolf018

I don't think we're going to have a "feature back". Way too much talent to give only 1 the load. And they're all very different. So they bring a different style in. But if I had to pick one that I look at right now and say he's ready for 30 touches a game and need him for a "Lattimore drive" where he puts the game away late, I'd say its Wilds.

We need to follow LSU and Alabama's lead and use multiple talented backs since we have 'em.

[davisd9]

Originally Posted by cockypanther

We need to follow LSU and Alabama's lead and use multiple talented backs since we have 'em.

Agreed! As the defense is wearing down just rotate in the fresh back! Beat them until they give up.

[Roosterboy]

Originally Posted by cockypanther

We need to follow LSU and Alabama's lead and use multiple talented backs since we have 'em.

I like the idea.
Especially with uncertanity at WR...running the ball will be our best bet.
Start with Wilds, follow with Davis, when he gets a little winded, bring in the next bruiser.

We got the backs...let's use em.

[ShutTheSuccop]

Maybe we could call them "Thunder and Lightning"

[2000grad]

Wilds at 4.4 and Clowney at 4.5

Reminds me of Arkansas a few years ago