How do we replace Swearinger?

[Cock Kool-Aid]

I'm kind of shocked that a thread hasn't been started on this already...


If it has and I missed it... sorry.


So, here's the topic of discussion:


How do we replace DJ Swearinger AKA The Walking Swagg Machine AKA Jungleboi Swagg?


How do we replace the intensity, emotional leadership, and physicality that he brought to our defense?


And more simply, who do we place in his spot at safety and what kind of dropoff are we looking at that position?


Discuss.

[eaglegolf018]

TJ Gurley

[MikeTrainNC8]

Lol this^

[carolina2010]

Ko Simpson, E Cook, Antonio Allen, Swearinger, _____ somebody always steps up and lays the wood in the secondary

[super_cock_master]

I could see Brison Williams stepping up as a leader, I think DJ did a great job instilling his mentality on the rest of the safeties.

[STEPHONGILMOREFAN!]

Yeah. Tj

[CoverTwo]

TJ Gurley who played phenominal as a true freshman. It doesn't sound as though he will be quite 100% for the start of the Fall so hopefully the guys behind him will step up .... Chaz Elder being one.

[eaglegolf018]

Originally Posted by CoverTwo

TJ Gurley who played phenominal as a true freshman. It doesn't sound as though he will be quite 100% for the start of the Fall so hopefully the guys behind him will step up .... Chaz Elder being one.

I remember Spurrier saying after Lattimore's injury that he and TJ had pretty much the same injury. They said its a little under a year recovery. So I would say Vandy or UCF is when he will be back.

[Cock Kool-Aid]

So, that answers the question of who actually fills his spot on the field- TJ Gurley. Still a question mark because he is recovering from an injury. Is Chaz Elder slated to fill his spot until he is 100%?

The second part of my question is who is going to be that guy who motivates the team and strikes fear into the opposing offense. The only one I know for certain has a similar mentality is Hampton, but I don't see him having quite the same effect as he won't be flying around the ball and involved in almost every play sort of like DJ was. I think that intimidating physical presence and intensity is best coming from a safety or linebacker.

[Cock Kool-Aid]

Originally Posted by carolina2010

Ko Simpson, E Cook, Antonio Allen, Swearinger, _____ somebody always steps up and lays the wood in the secondary

Swap out Antonio Allen with Chris Culliver and you're more on point. Antonio Allen played spur and, yes, was an absolute beast. Ko Simpson and E.Cook fit the mold of Swearinger. Culliver was more of a world-class athlete and not so much a physical enforcer. Gilmore was also a very physical presence for us... while Hampton is a great cover corner, I don't think he quite has the physicality that Gilmore possessed.

[CoverTwo]

I don't think we have a guy that has the leadership qualities that DJ had. Heck, DJ had that attitude when he came into the program. People were tabbing him as a future leader of the defense when he signed.

Hampton brings some attitude and he will bark, but other than him I'm not sure who fits that persona. Brison Williams is probably the closest. I think Rico McWilliams has some of that swag too.

But I don't think we have a guy that has swag on hundred like DJ.

[STEPHONGILMOREFAN!]

I know for a fact.. that clowney has taken on the role of shittalker/motivator on D. Per my man rico

[Mt. Lattimore]

Originally Posted by CoverTwo

I don't think we have a guy that has the leadership qualities that DJ had. Heck, DJ had that attitude when he came into the program. People were tabbing him as a future leader of the defense when he signed.

Hampton brings some attitude and he will bark, but other than him I'm not sure who fits that persona. Brison Williams is probably the closest. I think Rico McWilliams has some of that swag too.

But I don't think we have a guy that has swag on hundred like DJ.

Legree's got it.

[Nureye]

Originally Posted by Cock Kool-Aid

...The second part of my question is who is going to be that guy who motivates the team and strikes fear into the opposing offense...

I think this is a very legit question...for both sides of the ball.

We only have 4 seniors on this team on scholarship.

The good thing is that we have a history. Especially on defense, of having guys step up to be that vocal leader. Clowney is the obvious choice, but I'm just not sure that is his style. Vic may be the guy, but it's hard to say if he has the respect in the locker room. Quarles is another guy that is vocal, and produces.

Who knows on offense. Seems like that side of the ball is more led by the coaches. Spurrier/Mangus and Elliott. The last vocal leader on offense that I can recall was Rok Watkins, but obviously I am not privy to all of the goings-on with our team..

Good thread BTW.

[JDRAY^#]

I think DJs swag is something that rubbed off on most of our secondary players like Brison, Tj, and Hampton. DJ had his swag on and off the field 100%. I think Brison, TJ, and Hampton will show swag during their moments, but DJ showed it before the game, during the game, half time and so on. I think Kelcy Quarles is a guy that could potentially take the vocal leadership role of the defense, and Hampton will be the vocal leader of the secondary.

[I Bleed Garnet]

You get someone to grow dreads then get a lot of tatoos.
Then have them tweet and Instagram about "getting that money" "grind flu" or "swag"

Pretty east if you ask me

[Cock Kool-Aid]

Originally Posted by CoverTwo

I don't think we have a guy that has the leadership qualities that DJ had. Heck, DJ had that attitude when he came into the program. People were tabbing him as a future leader of the defense when he signed.

Hampton brings some attitude and he will bark, but other than him I'm not sure who fits that persona. Brison Williams is probably the closest. I think Rico McWilliams has some of that swag too.

But I don't think we have a guy that has swag on hundred like DJ.

I really feel like DJ's intensity has been a critical part to our defense's success the last two years. I feel like we would lose a little bit of something without one of those personalities on the team this year. Maybe Brison will step up as a motivator if he starts feeling that lack of motivational presence when he steps on the field. Are any of the incoming linebackers expected to have that type of attitude?

[CoverTwo]

DJ was a unique person for lack of a better term. I don't think we are EVER going to have a guy do what DJ did in the warm ups prior to the Clemson game. Dude goes over to where Tajh Boyd and Chad Morris are throwing and intercepts a pass and has some choice words for both of them.

[henmania]

Originally Posted by CoverTwo

DJ was a unique person for lack of a better term. I don't think we are EVER going to have a guy do what DJ did in the warm ups prior to the Clemson game. Dude goes over to where Tajh Boyd and Chad Morris are throwing and intercepts a pass and has some choice words for both of them.

DJ was off the chain. I heard he took TJ Gurley under his wing. Hopefully some of it rubbed off. Not sure when TJ will be able to play because I understand his injury was pretty bad.

[trapper82]

Originally Posted by Cock Kool-Aid

So, that answers the question of who actually fills his spot on the field- TJ Gurley. Still a question mark because he is recovering from an injury. Is Chaz Elder slated to fill his spot until he is 100%?

The second part of my question is who is going to be that guy who motivates the team and strikes fear into the opposing offense. The only one I know for certain has a similar mentality is Hampton, but I don't see him having quite the same effect as he won't be flying around the ball and involved in almost every play sort of like DJ was. I think that intimidating physical presence and intensity is best coming from a safety or linebacker.

Gurley got chewed out by Spurrier for hitting too hard during a scrimmage, and I remember one of the coaches saying that when it was over, Missouri would not be happy that TJ played in DJ's place. Basically his inexperience was a concern, but he hit just as hard. I don't think you have anything to worry about on the physicality front.

http://www.columbiatribune.com/sport...l#.US-JNaLktFs

http://www.gamecocksonline.com/blog/...wearinger.html