O-LINE & THE D-LINE

[dreammachine]

With all the returning players on both sides of the ball, plus red-shirt freshmen and any true freshmen that might see some playing time, in your own humble opinion, which unit would you say that the Gamecocks are in better shape for the upcoming season, the O-Line or the D-Line?

[qcgamecock]

Originally Posted by dreammachine

With all the returning players on both sides of the ball, plus red-shirt freshmen and any true freshmen that might see some playing time, in your own humble opinion, which unit would you say that the Gamecocks are in better shape for the upcoming season, the O-Line or the D-Line?

Clowney, enough said!!

[walk.daddy]

We've recruited well enough on the D-line that we shouldn't have much of a drop off if any but we only lost T.J. from last year's O-line and we have brought in a ton of talent so I'm gonna go with them.

[dreammachine]

I know that we don't lose much on the O-Line side other than T.J. and he was a heck of a ballplayer. Our D-Line loses Devin Taylor, Byron J, but return Kelsey Q, JD, and you have Chaz Sutton who will be playing the other end that Devin Taylor was playing, so I don't think that there is much of a drop off there. You also have several players that played a lot of snaps such as J.T. Suratt, and the Dixon Brothers and several players that were red-shirted so I would have to think that our D-Line might be in better shape going into spring practice and fall practice.

[Acockolypse Now]

The lack of depth at DE concerns me, but honestly the OL hasn't proved itself...yet.

Right now I'd give the edge to the DL until the OL proves otherwise, but I expect both to be team strengths. We've changed the way we recruit, and it shows.

[GarnetBlack&Blue]

I'm anticipating our best o-line of the spurrier era... (so probably best ever...)




but, Clowney.

[gamecockguy]

The dline did lose more talent than the oline (3 solid contributors on the dline in Taylor, Jerideau and Fordham to just TJ on the oline) but the dline still has more proven talent returning in Clowney, Quarles, Sutton, and has some additional potential breakout stars waiting in the wings.

I think the oline will be improved and that it has the potential to be a top 5 line in the league, but its wayyy too early to tell if it can live up to it's potential with Cann as the only proven All-SEC caliber player.

Right now, advantage dline

[PageUSC]

Originally Posted by gamecockguy

The dline did lose more talent than the oline (3 solid contributors on the dline in Taylor, Jerideau and Fordham to just TJ on the oline) but the dline still has more proven talent returning in Clowney, Quarles, Sutton, and has some additional potential breakout stars waiting in the wings.

I think the oline will be improved and that it has the potential to be a top 5 line in the league, but its wayyy too early to tell if it can live up to it's potential with Cann as the only proven All-SEC caliber player.

Right now, advantage dline

I agree with this. We lose 3 solid players on the DL in Taylor, Byron and Fordham. But we have guys like sutton,Suratt, and the dioxins that have experience and are ready to ball out. Plus add in guys like English and green that haven't had their shot yet and it's the DL by far IMO.

Yea we return everybody on the OL, ok but what have they really proved anyway? They struggled in pass protection and run blocking last year. Cann is solid at G but Patrick is serviceable at best at the other G. At C we are relying on a RS freshman. Now at T, I'm hoping it gets better as Robinson and Shell are coming off their 1st seasons starting or playing at all. Gibson meh. We'll see about Matulis. Sport is unproven. Then we have the redshirts Stadnicks and Zandi who are all a wait and see also. So the OL still has alot to prove IMO but should be better as long as the C position Holds up.

[BeatBamaTwice]

Kyle Harris is no longer with the team, correct? So does Cann move to center or do Cody Waldrop and Bryce King end up 1 and 2 on the spring depth chart?

[catdaddy66]

The dline has much more proven depth and by that I mean experienced depth, tested in games. The oline has gotten infinitely better talent wise but it has much less experience. This is due to the reluctance (or inability ?) to substitute the backups. Maybe Coach Elliott felt he could not as the games were too close, although this year he did much better with changing out personnel.

That being said, Acock is correct in the oline isn't a proven bunch yet despite being very talented. If our offense is to be all it can be the oline has to hit its mark this year. The dline has done that in spades and looks to continue being the best part of the entire defense.

So to answer the OP, dline trumps oline until proven otherwise.

[garnet_black215]

I'd give the edge to the DL because it's the most proven unit on the team. Having Clowney doesn't hurt either.

I do think that the OL should (hopefully) put it all together this year. There is finally a good bit of experience returning there, and hopefully it equates to a solid-good OL.

[garnet_black215]

Originally Posted by BeatBamaTwice

Kyle Harris is no longer with the team, correct? So does Cann move to center or do Cody Waldrop and Bryce King end up 1 and 2 on the spring depth chart?

Many on here think Waldrop is going to be the one to beat at C. Absolute mauler and very physical inside is some of the things I've read about him.

[HeadCockFan]

Originally Posted by garnet_black215

Many on here think Waldrop is going to be the one to beat at C. Absolute mauler and very physical inside is some of the things I've read about him.

Saw him at Moe's once. He is a mauler alright.

[Lonnie]

I love Devin, but Sutton is going to be an upgrade.

[catdaddy66]

Originally Posted by HeadCockFan

Saw him at Moe's once. He is a mauler alright.

"Welcome to MOE'S!!!"

This should be his rallying cry!

[BeatBamaTwice]

For all you "star" buffs, this is the average stars per OL player for each year as indicated by Rivals. But Joe Harris has yet to set foot on campus, correct? :

2013 3.4 stars (5 players; 2 4 stars Park & Rogers)
2012 3.2 stars (5 players, 2 4 stars Joe Harris & B Stadnik)
2011 3.1 stars (6 players; 1 4 star Shell)
2010 3.1 stars (6 players; 1 4 star Cann)
2009 2.4 stars (3 players; including 2 star Rok)
2008 3.0 stars (2 players; including 3 star TJ)

[OfficeLinebackerCock]

Originally Posted by dreammachine

With all the returning players on both sides of the ball, plus red-shirt freshmen and any true freshmen that might see some playing time, in your own humble opinion, which unit would you say that the Gamecocks are in better shape for the upcoming season, the O-Line or the D-Line?

Without question - D Line!

O-Line had a tough year with a few bright spots here and there. There is reason to hope that the O Line will finally gel and start being the kind of line that they SHOULD be but there a ton of question marks about this unit.

[BeatBamaTwice]

Originally Posted by garnet_black215

Many on here think Waldrop is going to be the one to beat at C. Absolute mauler and very physical inside is some of the things I've read about him.

Thanks GB. Three inches shorter than TJ at 6'2" but already at 300 (recruited at 285). Hopefully a bit more run leverage being closer to the ground ;) Would love to see our inside running game averaging a yard more push.

[LegalCock]

DL. Ol is just a bunch of guys who have played or who we think might be good, not guys that have consistently played particularly well over a period of time.

[Coop2Cocky]

Originally Posted by Lonnie

I love Devin, but Sutton is going to be an upgrade.

I agree 100%!...And if English can put on a few more pounds of muscle...LOOK OUT!!!