USC's defense

[cocky4ever]

I think that based on the defensive coaches Spurrier is putting in place we will have a very good defense next year. John Thompson has a very good resume and will run an agressive defense aimed toward turnovers. Minter's defense was also aimed at turnovers but he rarely pressured the qb's, something we should see a lot more of next year. He has been a defensive coordinator at 4 SEC schools and wanted very much to come to SC. He has coached many players who later went on to the NFL and also coached many All Americans. He has also had top ranked defenses a few seasons. The talent level is high on the defensive side of the ball and I'm sure he will only better these players. Also Dave Wommack will be coaching the secondary and he has a very good reume too. He was defensive coordinator at Ark. in 2003 when they led the SEC in turnovers. I love aggressive defenses and I feel that we have added two great defensive minds to our coaching staff. With ball hogs like Simpson and Bennett running in this defense I see them only getting better. Not to mention our defensive linemen and the linebackers.It should also be noted that these two coaches are close friends and have a good chemistry together. They should have our defense running like a well oiled machine. Spurrier likes to concentrate on the offensive play calling and with defensive minds like this working with him I don't think he will have to worry at all about what's happening on the defensive side of the ball.

[Demandbetter]

I think that based on the defensive coaches Spurrier is putting in place we will have a very good defense next year. John Thompson has a very good resume and will run an agressive defense aimed toward turnovers. Minter's defense was also aimed at turnovers but he rarely pressured the qb's, something we should see a lot more of next year. He has been a defensive coordinator at 4 SEC schools and wanted very much to come to SC. He has coached many players who later went on to the NFL and also coached many All Americans. He has also had top ranked defenses a few seasons. The talent level is high on the defensive side of the ball and I'm sure he will only better these players. Also Dave Wommack will be coaching the secondary and he has a very good reume too. He was defensive coordinator at Ark. in 2003 when they led the SEC in turnovers. I love aggressive defenses and I feel that we have added two great defensive minds to our coaching staff. With ball hogs like Simpson and Bennett running in this defense I see them only getting better. Not to mention our defensive linemen and the linebackers.It should also be noted that these two coaches are close friends and have a good chemistry together. They should have our defense running like a well oiled machine. Spurrier likes to concentrate on the offensive play calling and with defensive minds like this working with him I don't think he will have to worry at all about what's happening on the defensive side of the ball.


I agree with you. I do, however, want to add something to that. I think Lou had a great deal to do with Minter's inability to get the defense to pressure opposing QB's. Lou was deathly afraid of making a mistake on offense or defense so he played everything ultra-conservative. He never let his coordinators coach. SS will allow the DC to coach the defense. I think we will now see the athletes on the defensive, and offensive side of the ball be able to use their skills instead of playing with one hand tied behind their backs. I look forward to the future. Go Gamecocks!

[Payindews]

I hope you guys are right. John did not have a good record at East Carolina his two seasons there and that makes me nervous. Anytime a coach tries something new and that doesn't work out it usually takes away some of their confidence. Same with Steve coming from the NFL.
When Lou announced that he hired Rick last year, I was excited then because I knew he ran an aggresive defense. I just couldn't believe when I saw them play how much time the opposing QB's had. Maybe Lou was hindering the other coaches. Somehow though I really think that Minter and Skip both really didn't care about winning at South Carolina. Atleast that is what there results show.

[Neo]

I hope you guys are right. John did not have a good record at East Carolina his two seasons there and that makes me nervous. Anytime a coach tries something new and that doesn't work out it usually takes away some of their confidence. Same with Steve coming from the NFL.
When Lou announced that he hired Rick last year, I was excited then because I knew he ran an aggresive defense. I just couldn't believe when I saw them play how much time the opposing QB's had. Maybe Lou was hindering the other coaches. Somehow though I really think that Minter and Skip both really didn't care about winning at South Carolina. Atleast that is what there results show.

Using that logic, Minter failed at Cincinnati so you should have been nervous with him.

Comparing the NFL to the NCAA is a mismatch to say the least. There were plenty of college coaches that bombed in the NFL. Mr. Spurrier wasn't the first and he won't be the last. (Holtz, Spurrier, Davis, Erickson) For those that think Spurrier's first years were horrible, I recommend that you look up the NFL stats. Statistically, (W & L) Spurrier's first two (2) years were better than Gibbs, Parcells, Walsh, Shell, Bellichek. (sp?)

Being a HC and a DC/OC are two totally different beasts. Some coaches just can't handle the garbage that comes with being a HC. A prime example would be Miami Dolphins former HC Dave Wannstedt. He was an EXCELLENT DC, but sucked majorly as a HC.

[cocky4ever]

Using that logic, Minter failed at Cincinnati so you should have been nervous with him.

Comparing the NFL to the NCAA is a mismatch to say the least. There were plenty of college coaches that bombed in the NFL. Mr. Spurrier wasn't the first and he won't be the last. (Holtz, Spurrier, Davis, Erickson) For those that think Spurrier's first years were horrible, I recommend that you look up the NFL stats. Statistically, (W & L) Spurrier's first two (2) years were better than Gibbs, Parcells, Walsh, Shell, Bellichek. (sp?)

Being a HC and a DC/OC are two totally different beasts. Some coaches just can't handle the garbage that comes with being a HC. A prime example would be Miami Dolphins former HC Dave Wannstedt. He was an EXCELLENT DC, but sucked majorly as a HC.
Now that Tyrone Nix has been added to the defensive coaching staff I must say that it is looking better and better. The amount of experience on the defensive side of the ball along with the talented players already on the roster I must say that our defense should be very strong next year. A lot more aggresive and at the same time structured. Not only will the offense be much more interesting to watch, but the defense should be fun to watch too next year. Damnit the offseason gets longer and longer every year.

[Neo]

I agree.

Practically our ENTIRE staff has head coaching experience and they are very good at what they do. This is a grand slam in my eyes! It cleared the "Big Green Monster" in Boston.

[raptorcox]

I feel our defense will be the last thing on everyone's minds next year (Everyone wants to see Spurrier's offense) :)

[Hardie]

heres something for yall .... Offense wins games but Defense wins championships.

[Neo]

heres something for yall .... Offense wins games but Defense wins championships.


That is exactly true!!

[Hardie]

Thats why Bear was so successful at Alabama. He always had great defenses. The offense was run run run and then run again and it was the defense that won us the national championships.

[Neo]

Thats why Bear was so successful at Alabama. He always had great defenses. The offense was run run run and then run again and it was the defense that won us the national championships.

Well...I've always said it myself that defenses win NC's.

[GRASSHOPPER]

There Are So Many Eyes On Sos' Offense Our Defense Will Sneak Up On Teams Gotta Love Blindsiding Your Opponents

[Neo]

Yep...You will see in due time.

[SPURED]

the ball hog (Ko) for national defensive player of the year! representin the ROCK well! hope he continues his success

[cocky4ever]

the ball hog (Ko) for national defensive player of the year! representin the ROCK well! hope he continues his success
I think we will be begging opponents to throw the ball next year. With the returning talent coming back and a recruiting class that looks to be loaded on the defensive side of the ball again we should have a great defense next year. Not to mention the great defensive lineman that are probably going to be going after the qb more often. Based on what our recruiters are going after I think the game plan will be to run up the score as much as possible with the pass and shut down opponents passing game. Look at all the DB's and WR's we're going after, and we're getting high interest from a lot of good ones. I think Spurrier's defense at USC could be better than his defense was at FL.