Offensive Driven Team in 2013

[gamecockphilip]

The past 3 years our recipe for winning has been playing outstanding defense and playing ball control offense with the zone read.

Our defense is going to be considerably weaker than previous years, our O might have to carry the load in 2013.

Thoughts?

[BigSteven34]

It will be interesting to see the offense we field when we kick off against the goats next year. I for one am excited...as long as the o-line shows up.

[b381l]

We lose 6 on defense and 3 on offense. I think we have a lot of talent to fill those spots, but only time will tell to see how well they perform. But I am very optimistic.

[Mick Chicken]

I don't think it's fair to say the defense will be considerably weaker. There are question marks galore..and they will be inexperienced...but there will be talent all over the field. Having one of the best d lines in the nation should help mask some of the secondary's growing pains while they gain some experience and confidence. The linebackers next year are a huge unknown. Hopefully we can see some young guys grow up pretty quick next year. Offense should be sick next year

[CoverTwo]

There is no excuse for this offense not to be in the top half of the conference.

4 out of 5 starters on the offensive line, both QBs, 2 backs with extensive playing time, and almost the entire receiving and tight end corp. Not to mention a ton of young players at almost every spot.

This offense is borderline loaded at the skill positions full of big play guys. The line is a bit of a concern but it features two 3rd year players at tackle, a 3rd year starter at LG, and a senior at RG. Not only that but best case scenario is that this group gets Mike Matulis and Cody Gibson back both of which played very well at times before they got injured. Then the Stadniks, Cody Waldrop, Mason Zandi, Will Sport, and possibly some of the very talented freshmen enter the mix to create a nice mixture of talent and experience.

We saw glimpses of the Fun n Gun at the end to finish the year, I fully expect the big plays to continue in 2013.

[cockybusiness2]

Can you see a throw first then run offense, compared to our run first offense of the last couple of years

[Emery]

We averaged 30 points per game the past 3 seasons. If our offense gets any better (without having the let down cluster game this year) our defense doesn't have to amazing, just above average.

By the way, as lost as we look sometimes with football I was surprised that we averaged that high the past 3 years.

[Garnet Gamecock]

2013 -- the year of the
Cock 'N Fire!

[2000grad]

C2,

Who is the second RB with EXTENSIVE playing time. I'm not up on all the players like you guys are.

Thanks

[CoverTwo]

Originally Posted by cockybusiness2

Can you see a throw first then run offense, compared to our run first offense of the last couple of years

I think Coach Spurrier goes with what opposing defense give him, but I expect 60/40 pass most weeks. Maybe more run with Connor than Dylan, but overall I expect the ball to be in the air 25-30 times a game roughly.

No this hasn't been the same formula we have used but it can now be argued that Coach Spurrier finally has the personnel, especially at QB, to let it fly a little more.

And with the defense likely to need a month or so to get its feet wet with all of the new guys, the offense is going to have to score some points.

[SR4-AJ1]

Originally Posted by 2000grad

C2,

Who is the second RB with EXTENSIVE playing time. I'm not up on all the players like you guys are.

Thanks

B. Wilds

[CoverTwo]

Originally Posted by 2000grad

C2,

Who is the second RB with EXTENSIVE playing time. I'm not up on all the players like you guys are.

Thanks

Brandon Wilds.

Mike Davis logged a good amount of snaps this year.

Extensive may be the wrong word, but its not like we don't have guys that have played in big games or in big atmospheres.

[b381l]

In addition to what C2 said. I can make a legitimate argument that we could be better at LB (more athletic) and whoever takes DJ's place.....as good as he was, he wasn't a great tackler and he got out of position at times in coverage. TE could be better with the addition of pt for Adams. At WR Jones and Bryd played well in the bowl and Shaq is starting to figure things out.....plus K Smith really performed well in practice. Waldrop looks like he might be the guy to take over at center and he was tough minded and very strong before he stepped on campus. At RB, we don't have Marcus, but we have 6 very good players, each with somewhat different skill sets that will compliment each other. Spring practice is going to be really fun to see which guys move forward now that many spots are open.

[cockybusiness2]

Cannot wait, How long till Sping Practice?

[CoverTwo]

One of the best things that happened to the offense is the stellar play of Nick Jones at the B receiver. It's not just the Ace and Bruce show anymore. You have to account for ALL of the receivers now because they will all burn you just like in Spurrier's Florida days. His best offenses at Florida not only had great QB play, but usually 3 receivers that could make plays all over the field .. Anthony/Green/Hillard, Gaffney/Jacobs/Caldwell .. This is going to open up a bunch of opportunities for other players such as the backs and TEs.

I know people are excited about Busta and Jerrell at TE, but keep an eye on Drew Owens. Remember, he had a very good Spring camp this past year before getting injured in the G&B game. He has some ability and if Kelvin Rainey makes the shift to linebacker that opens up some PT for him.

[JT21]

Originally Posted by b381l

In addition to what C2 said. I can make a legitimate argument that we could be better at LB (more athletic) and whoever takes DJ's place.....as good as he was, he wasn't a great tackler and he got out of position at times in coverage. TE could be better with the addition of pt for Adams. At WR Jones and Bryd played well in the bowl and Shaq is starting to figure things out.....plus K Smith really performed well in practice. Waldrop looks like he might be the guy to take over at center and he was tough minded and very strong before he stepped on campus. At RB, we don't have Marcus, but we have 6 very good players, each with somewhat different skill sets that will compliment each other. Spring practice is going to be really fun to see which guys move forward now that many spots are open.

Agree. As much experience as we had at the LB position, the guys looked flat out unathletic at times this year. Holloman will be tough to replace, however. He was definitely the second best player on D this year imo (granted, I thought overall Antonio Allen had the best year of any defender on the team the year before).

As always will come down to QB play though and to a lesser extent OL. If Connor and Dylan take a step forward with consistency, offense will be really good. If not, likely looking at another 2+ loss year.

[Goofyboy]

I think the defense will show some dropoff, but not much. We have to fill in for some really good contirbutors at LB, Spur, safety, and DT. What I hope for is better balance; I don't see offense dominating our success, but hopefully contributing in every game. On defense, we will be thinner in terms of solid players, but do have real ability at every position. As in the past, the offseason will make a lot of difference. If the upcoming guys want it like our present group of seniors, I believe we will see some good new performers. If we can develop a passing game that is more than short outlets, WR screens, and shots downfield when we need a strong 8-15 yard game, I can see us as a good Alabama-style ball-control offense. Teams have still had some success packing the box and run-blitzing against us. Passing confidence and accuracy would do wonders for our running game. We were a little spoiled with Marcus and Alshon covering our weaknesses, and I think our D will still have to be our mainstay until the offense can move the ball on every series all game long.

[ra742002]

Just a couple of thoughts here: On offense, we lose TJ and Justice. I know TJ has been wonderful for us, but, we will miss Justice's run blocking ability on the edge and being able to make timely receptions when we needed them. On defense we lose Swearinger and Holloman on the back end. DJ was a huge guy for us, but Devonte Holloman will be the guy we miss most next year, IMO. I know we have some good guys behind him, but he was a ball hawk, the kind of guy who plays the Spur position. I am interested to see who replaces him. Up front, we'll be fine. LB's are shaky, but we have talent, just gotta get em on the field.

[uscsabres]

I'll repeat what I said in another thread a week or two ago. I think that the experience of our linebacking corps helped them overachieve in comparison to their skill level and athleticism. I think we have enough talent (and quality coaching) for our linebacking corps to be better at the end of next season than it was at the end of this season.

[b381l]

Diggs, Roberts and Golightly (in no order) are the SPUR's currently on the depth chart and most likely to take DH's place.....although, there are a couple of commits that may work out there as well.