Article: Wilds or Davis to be Feature Back?

ConwayGamecock · 03-13-2013, 12:23 AM

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.

Quote:

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 · 03-13-2013, 12:41 AM

Love the competition. hopefully it will show.

sodacitynate · 03-13-2013, 12:45 AM

Wilds ran a 4.4? That's very surprising.

uscsandstorm85 · 03-13-2013, 12:47 AM

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.

USCremedy · 03-13-2013, 12:57 AM

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

MillerTime843 · 03-13-2013, 01:19 AM

A big back with 4.4 speed! Me likey :)

OldPat · 03-13-2013, 02:02 AM

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 · 03-13-2013, 03:31 AM

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 · 03-13-2013, 04:19 AM

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.

bcolinc · 03-13-2013, 04:27 AM

Quote:

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!

sc455 · 03-13-2013, 07:04 AM

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.

eaglegolf018 · 03-13-2013, 07:14 AM

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 · 03-13-2013, 07:36 AM

Quote:

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 · 03-13-2013, 07:52 AM

Quote:

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.

ShutTheSuccop · 03-13-2013, 08:12 AM

Maybe we could call them "Thunder and Lightning"

2000grad · 03-13-2013, 08:17 AM

Wilds at 4.4 and Clowney at 4.5

Reminds me of Arkansas a few years ago

LegalCock · 03-13-2013, 08:24 AM

We tried to tell you he was bigger and faster.

Acockolypse Now · 03-13-2013, 09:43 AM

My guess would be Wilds, but both guys need to work on their blocking.

Depth is a nice problem. Not too long ago we would laugh at the idea of redshirting a 4 star back, but that may very well happen this year.

scfanohio · 03-13-2013, 09:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Acockolypse Now

My guess would be Wilds, but both guys need to work on their blocking..

This!

It's easy to forget how good and valuable Marcus and Kenny were as blockers.

CockLurker · 03-13-2013, 10:04 AM

Still don't understand why Wilds is considered a big back - he's tall, but he's not big, as evidenced by the fact that MD weighs just as much even though he's significantly shorter.

Is wilds actually the "smallest" back on the roster?

I'm in the crowd that thinks both should see good playing time. The competition for feature back status may just be a way to keep a fire lit between these guys to have them busting their tails until the season starts.

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03-13-2013, 12:41 AM	#2
dapheet Recruit Male Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: greenville, sc Posts: 230 CockyCash: 500	Re: Article: Wilds or Davis to be Feature Back? Love the competition. hopefully it will show. __________________ I'm sorry sir, we're out of guacamole.

03-13-2013, 12:45 AM	#3
sodacitynate Praemonitus praemunitus. Male Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Lagos Posts: 2,709 CockyCash: 1021	Re: Article: Wilds or Davis to be Feature Back? Wilds ran a 4.4? That's very surprising.

03-13-2013, 12:47 AM	#4
uscsandstorm85 Starter Male Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Anywhere USC is playing. Posts: 1,424 CockyCash: 500	Re: Article: Wilds or Davis to be Feature Back? 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 don't know. I sort of always liked playing them that second game because you could always count on them having two or three key players suspended."-S. Spurrier on scheduling changes in the sec.

03-13-2013, 12:57 AM	#5
USCremedy This your bush? Male Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Lake City Posts: 1,152 CockyCash: 2300	Re: Article: Wilds or Davis to be Feature Back? Davis seems to be the fan favorite, but Wilds is going to suprise. They will both contribute. __________________ "and so forth"

03-13-2013, 01:19 AM	#6
MillerTime843 6th Year Senior Male Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Murrells Inlet Posts: 3,940 CockyCash: 1154261	Re: Article: Wilds or Davis to be Feature Back? A big back with 4.4 speed! Me likey :) __________________

03-13-2013, 02:02 AM	#7
OldPat 4-Star Male Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: sc Posts: 257 CockyCash: 500	Re: Article: Wilds or Davis to be Feature Back? 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.

03-13-2013, 03:31 AM	#8
BigSteven34 Bowl MVP Male Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Songtan, South Korea Posts: 2,288 CockyCash: 35360615	Re: Article: Wilds or Davis to be Feature Back? 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. __________________ Boom goes the dynamite!

03-13-2013, 04:19 AM	#9
GamecockSuperFan Forever To Thee Male Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Spartanburg SC Posts: 3,338 CockyCash: 1000	Re: Article: Wilds or Davis to be Feature Back? 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. __________________

03-13-2013, 07:04 AM	#11
sc455 1st Team All-American Male Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: south carolina Posts: 12,662 CockyCash: 23088816	Re: Article: Wilds or Davis to be Feature Back? 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.

03-13-2013, 07:14 AM	#12
eaglegolf018 #1 Gamecock Braves Fan Male Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Small Town Posts: 23,098 CockyCash: 96872	Re: Article: Wilds or Davis to be Feature Back? 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. __________________

03-13-2013, 08:12 AM	#15
ShutTheSuccop Go Cocks! Male Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Kingsport, TN Posts: 8,452 CockyCash: 97950	Re: Article: Wilds or Davis to be Feature Back? Maybe we could call them "Thunder and Lightning"

03-13-2013, 08:17 AM	#16
2000grad Unofficial WDW Expert Male Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: SC Posts: 16,385 CockyCash: 1000468	Re: Article: Wilds or Davis to be Feature Back? Wilds at 4.4 and Clowney at 4.5 Reminds me of Arkansas a few years ago __________________ BLOG

03-13-2013, 08:24 AM	#17
LegalCock 1st Team All-American Male Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: NC Posts: 12,412 CockyCash: 1500	Re: Article: Wilds or Davis to be Feature Back? We tried to tell you he was bigger and faster.

03-13-2013, 09:43 AM	#18
Acockolypse Now L-I-V-I-N Male Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Rock Hill, SC Posts: 10,900 CockyCash: 45000175	Re: Article: Wilds or Davis to be Feature Back? My guess would be Wilds, but both guys need to work on their blocking. Depth is a nice problem. Not too long ago we would laugh at the idea of redshirting a 4 star back, but that may very well happen this year. __________________ Always remember... stay Feisty.

03-13-2013, 10:04 AM	#20
CockLurker Blue Chip Male Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Ga Posts: 577 CockyCash: 1000	Re: Article: Wilds or Davis to be Feature Back? Still don't understand why Wilds is considered a big back - he's tall, but he's not big, as evidenced by the fact that MD weighs just as much even though he's significantly shorter. Is wilds actually the "smallest" back on the roster? I'm in the crowd that thinks both should see good playing time. The competition for feature back status may just be a way to keep a fire lit between these guys to have them busting their tails until the season starts.

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