The Holes in the South Carolina Defense (M6)
This series of posts looks at the holes in the South Carolina 2012 defense caused by the NFL draft and graduation of talented players.
The first hole we will examine is at defensive end, the vacuum left by loss of first team All-American and first team All-SEC player Melvin Ingram (6-2, 276) (M6), one of the most dynamic play-makers in America. To give you a sense of impact, M6 was just the third player in South Carolina history to win a consensus (AFCA, Walter Camp, Sporting News and Associated Press) All-American award.
M6 had an incredible 2011. Playing primarily as a defensive end, M6 scored two touchdowns. One touchdown came on quarterback sack fumble recovery and short run, and one touchdown a game-winning 68-yard rush on a fake punt. That play left CBS announcers scratching their heads trying to figure out the other number 6 on the South Carolina roster because the CBS announcers could not believe a defensive end would have the speed to out run a fast Georgia Bulldog defense for 68 yards.
M6 was only seventh on the defense with 48 tackles. But he led the team with 15 tackles for loss and 10 sacks. He also tied two others with 6 quarterback hurries. M6 also had two pass interceptions and broke up 2 pass attempts. USC Stats.
During 2011, Defensive Coordinator Ellis Johnson, now a head coach at Southern Mississippi, moved M6 to left defensive tackle on passing downs to create match-up pass-blocking problems for offensive linemen. Ellis had M6 line up at left defensive tackle next to freakish freshman defensive end Jadeveon Clowney (6-6, 256). In this alignment, Ellis forced the blind side of opposing offensive lines to choose who (Clowney or M6) would get a double-team. That proved to be an impossible task for most offensive lines. Using M6 in this rush package allowed the 2011 Gamecock defense to consistently create a lot of quarterback pressure without blitzing.
The other starting defensive end, Devin Taylor and Ingram's backup, Clowney, return for the 2012 season. M6 did not play every down. Therefore, the M6 hole is a partial hole. The Gamecocks still have two of the same great defensive ends in 2012.
How will South Carolina fill the Ingram hole?
First, Clowney is now a starter instead of M6's backup. As good as M6 was for the Gamecocks, it must be noted that he did not force any fumbles in 2011. In contrast, his backup Clowney forced five fumbles. Clowney figures to be on the field even more often in 2012 than 2011. That cannot be good news for opposing defenses. Ingram's hole is going to be filled by Clowney getting more playing time. Thus, the M6 hole will be adequately filled as long as Clowney is well-conditioned enough to play a lot more snaps.
South Carolina lost the strength and conditioning coach, Craig Fitzgerald, who resigned. The Gamecocks promoted Joe Connolly, former Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach, to lead conditioning. Spurrier stated, "We will not miss a beat with Coach Connolly in charge of our strength and conditioning program." One aspect of Connolly's conditioning program that will be scrutinized will be his ability to condition Clowney for more playing time. The more conditioned Clowney, the more of of the M6 hole the Gamecocks will fill.
The Gamecocks have several other players who will play when Clowney is resting, or maybe as a pass rushing specialist with Clowney. One is red-shirt Junior Chaz Sutton (6-5, 248). Sutton is very fast for a lineman and could play defensive end if Clowney is moved to tackle on pass rushing downs. Sutton could threaten the edge with his speed while defenses are forced to double team Clowney.
Sutton had 13 tackles in 2011, including three for loss and one quarterback hurry. USC Stats. He received the award in the spring as the "most improved" defensive lineman. Sutton could be difficult to block one on one. Sutton sees his chance and he is going for it.
Another player who will try to fill the M6 hole is Sophomore Kelcy Quarles (6-4, 286), a defensive tackle. Quarles is a big play-maker from the tackle spot. In 2011, he had 28 tackles and four quarterback hurries. USC Stats. Thus, Clowney or Sutton could rush outside, and defenses would have to try to block the Quarles bull-rush one on one.
Like M6, senior Aldrick Fordham (6-4, 269) is also capable of playing both end and tackle. In 2011, Fordham played mostly inside. He figures to move to backup defensive end, and will see significant more playing time in 2012, possibly rushing from inside on passing downs like M6.
Not much is known about red shirt freshman Gerald Dixon (6-2, 272), or true freshman Darius English (6-6, 215), a Parade All American. Either might play depending on progress in the spring and fall practices.
M6 had a great impact as a special teams player. Can the Gamecocks find another athlete like him on the 2012 roster? It is going to be pretty hard because M6 was incredible on special teams.
Before finishing our discussion of M6, it has to be said that besides his physical talent on the field, Melvin Ingram's leadership as 2011 team captain will be hard to replace.
This series of posts looks at the holes in the South Carolina 2012 defense caused by the NFL draft and graduation of talented players.
The first hole we will examine is at defensive end, the vacuum left by loss of first team All-American and first team All-SEC player Melvin Ingram (6-2, 276) (M6), one of the most dynamic play-makers in America. To give you a sense of impact, M6 was just the third player in South Carolina history to win a consensus (AFCA, Walter Camp, Sporting News and Associated Press) All-American award.
M6 had an incredible 2011. Playing primarily as a defensive end, M6 scored two touchdowns. One touchdown came on quarterback sack fumble recovery and short run, and one touchdown a game-winning 68-yard rush on a fake punt. That play left CBS announcers scratching their heads trying to figure out the other number 6 on the South Carolina roster because the CBS announcers could not believe a defensive end would have the speed to out run a fast Georgia Bulldog defense for 68 yards.
M6 was only seventh on the defense with 48 tackles. But he led the team with 15 tackles for loss and 10 sacks. He also tied two others with 6 quarterback hurries. M6 also had two pass interceptions and broke up 2 pass attempts. USC Stats.
During 2011, Defensive Coordinator Ellis Johnson, now a head coach at Southern Mississippi, moved M6 to left defensive tackle on passing downs to create match-up pass-blocking problems for offensive linemen. Ellis had M6 line up at left defensive tackle next to freakish freshman defensive end Jadeveon Clowney (6-6, 256). In this alignment, Ellis forced the blind side of opposing offensive lines to choose who (Clowney or M6) would get a double-team. That proved to be an impossible task for most offensive lines. Using M6 in this rush package allowed the 2011 Gamecock defense to consistently create a lot of quarterback pressure without blitzing.
The other starting defensive end, Devin Taylor and Ingram's backup, Clowney, return for the 2012 season. M6 did not play every down. Therefore, the M6 hole is a partial hole. The Gamecocks still have two of the same great defensive ends in 2012.
How will South Carolina fill the Ingram hole?
First, Clowney is now a starter instead of M6's backup. As good as M6 was for the Gamecocks, it must be noted that he did not force any fumbles in 2011. In contrast, his backup Clowney forced five fumbles. Clowney figures to be on the field even more often in 2012 than 2011. That cannot be good news for opposing defenses. Ingram's hole is going to be filled by Clowney getting more playing time. Thus, the M6 hole will be adequately filled as long as Clowney is well-conditioned enough to play a lot more snaps.
South Carolina lost the strength and conditioning coach, Craig Fitzgerald, who resigned. The Gamecocks promoted Joe Connolly, former Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach, to lead conditioning. Spurrier stated, "We will not miss a beat with Coach Connolly in charge of our strength and conditioning program." One aspect of Connolly's conditioning program that will be scrutinized will be his ability to condition Clowney for more playing time. The more conditioned Clowney, the more of of the M6 hole the Gamecocks will fill.
The Gamecocks have several other players who will play when Clowney is resting, or maybe as a pass rushing specialist with Clowney. One is red-shirt Junior Chaz Sutton (6-5, 248). Sutton is very fast for a lineman and could play defensive end if Clowney is moved to tackle on pass rushing downs. Sutton could threaten the edge with his speed while defenses are forced to double team Clowney.
Sutton had 13 tackles in 2011, including three for loss and one quarterback hurry. USC Stats. He received the award in the spring as the "most improved" defensive lineman. Sutton could be difficult to block one on one. Sutton sees his chance and he is going for it.
Another player who will try to fill the M6 hole is Sophomore Kelcy Quarles (6-4, 286), a defensive tackle. Quarles is a big play-maker from the tackle spot. In 2011, he had 28 tackles and four quarterback hurries. USC Stats. Thus, Clowney or Sutton could rush outside, and defenses would have to try to block the Quarles bull-rush one on one.
Like M6, senior Aldrick Fordham (6-4, 269) is also capable of playing both end and tackle. In 2011, Fordham played mostly inside. He figures to move to backup defensive end, and will see significant more playing time in 2012, possibly rushing from inside on passing downs like M6.
Not much is known about red shirt freshman Gerald Dixon (6-2, 272), or true freshman Darius English (6-6, 215), a Parade All American. Either might play depending on progress in the spring and fall practices.
M6 had a great impact as a special teams player. Can the Gamecocks find another athlete like him on the 2012 roster? It is going to be pretty hard because M6 was incredible on special teams.
Before finishing our discussion of M6, it has to be said that besides his physical talent on the field, Melvin Ingram's leadership as 2011 team captain will be hard to replace.
Last edited by a moderator: