Returning to the blog, a shout out, and a season recap

Hi guys! I know it has been a while since I have used my blog to talk about the Gamecocks. Well, after moving half way across the country last October (from Greenville, SC to Austin, TX), starting a new job, getting married, buying a house in the suburbs, and getting adjusted to the Texas weather, I am now settled into my new life and ready to start back recording my thoughts on the Gamecocks.

First of all, I must say how proud I am of TheBigSpur.com. While I am no longer a publisher or have any ownership in the site I started with JC Shurburtt in the fall of 2007, I continue to be proud that TBS has now become the preeminent site for all things Gamecock on the world wide web. Adding a good friend like Tony Morrell was pure genius on the part of JC and JBKingmancock. With Tony, JC, Josh Low, and Bill Gunter, and the media staff added, you really can't find a better team site on the web. John Whittle's coverage of Carolina baseball and baseball recruiting is unparalleled. I am so proud of those guys and all they are doing to totally outclass and out-scoop the other sites that cover the Gamecocks. If you are not a member and you want real Gamecock information, sign up immediately.

With a new coaching hire upcoming, recruiting season shifting into high gear, and basketball team news, it is a great time to join TheBigSpur.com

Now, on to the Gamecocks.

What a roller coaster ride the 2009 season was. But could we have really expected anything different with such a young football team? There were so many unknowns about this team heading into the season. Carolina had a very unproven quarterback, no real experience at running back, and a largely unproven receiving corps. And there was also a group of offensive linemen that had managed to be last in the SEC in rushing and first in sacks allowed to be molded by a new OL coach.

Who knew the new QB coach GA Mangus would do such a great job with Sophomore QB Stephen Garcia? The last time Gamecock fans saw Garcia was a 4 turnover performance in the first half of the 2009 Outback Bowl, which saw the Gamecocks embarrassed by Iowa. However, to Garcia's credit, he showed signs of being the QB The Gamecock Nation and coaching staff thought he would be when he was signed in the 2007 recruiting class. Garcia finished the 2009 second in the SEC in passing, with over 2700 yards, with 17 TD passes and only 9 interceptions. Garcia capped the regular season with a 3 TD pass performance against ACC division champion Clemson.

The Gamecock receiving corps was lead by a pair of freshmen in Tori Gurley and All-American Alshon Jeffery, who was named to numerous freshmen All- American teams. Senior Moe Brown capped his Carolina career with a consistent season, something the Anderson,SC native had not been able to do in his first three seasons.

TE Weslye Saunders also showed great promise early in the season, then capped off his junior year, with TD catches against both Florida and Clemson. Saunder has 1st round NFL ability and should be an integral part of the Gamecock passing attack in 2010.

As for the offensive line, it is still clearly a work in progress, and progress was seen in the final two games of the season against a couple of highly touted defensive fronts. Against both Florida and Clemson, the Gamecocks were able to run the football, especially against in-state rival Clemson, as the Carolina ground attack ran rushed for 223 yards, the most by far against any quality opponent.

I feel great for senior Lem Jeanpierre, who finally flourished on the OL at center in his final season as a Gamecock. The biggest surprise had to be the emergence of walk-on guard Garrett Chisholm. The 6-foot-6 290-pound transfer from Pikeville College started at left guard down the stretch and was perhaps the most physical lineman on the roster. Redshirt freshman TJ Johnson was the only player to start every game.

On the other hand, the most disappointing player has to be Jarriel King, who after starting 10 games at left tackle last year, was plagued by inconsistency under first year line coach Eric Wolford and was replaced by Soph. Kyle Nunn. This unit still lacks the strength and physicality to perform at a high level. A great off season under the direction of strength coach Craig Fitzgerald will be needed if the Gamecocks are to make a jump at this position.

Look for redshirt JC prospect Rokevious Watkins to be in the starting lineup in 2010, along with Quintin Richardson, Chisholm, and TJ Johnson. Richardson could make the move to center or Johnson could slide over from his right guard position. The tackle positions will be manned by Watkins, Nunn, Hutch Eckerson, and King.

The good news is that despite the fact that Wolford left for Youngstown State after only eight months on the job, it appears that all seven of Carolina's OL commits will stick. AJ Cann was a standout at the Shrine Bowl of the Carolina's this past week and could come in and vie for playing time at center or guard as a true freshman. Other possibilities include guards Eric Mack and DuVon Millsap. Both possess the size and strength necessary to play in the SEC, but only time will tell. Obviously, both would benefit from a redshirt year to adjust to the speed of the SEC.

Defensively, Ellis Johnson also had a laundry list of issues to deal with as well. Carolina's assistant head coach for defense had to break in a new secondary, excluding Chris Culliver at free safety and a new middle linebacker. Players like Akeem Auguste, CC Whitlock, and a trio of true freshmen in Stephon Gilmore, Devonte Holloman, and DJ Swearinger would be depended on to fill major rolls in 2009.

All exceeded my expectations, and while the Carolina secondary, under the direction of first year coach Lorenzo Ward, did not have very many interceptions, they were a part of a unit that finished thrid in the SEC in total defense behind only Florida and Alabama.

Defensive line coach Brad Lawing promised he would change the DNA of the D-Line when he came to Carolina. He has done that, as the Gamecocks boast one of the Nation's most athletic groups of down linemen and fierce pass rushers in Cliff Matthews, Eric Norwood, Devin Taylor, and Clifton Geathers, who played his best football down the home stretch of the 2009 season.

Carolina's interior D-Linemen also had a very productive year, despite the early season loss of starter Travian Robertson. Converted linebacker Melvin Ingram stepped in and had an excellent year, along with a trimmed down Ladi Ajiboye. What can you say about Nathan Pepper? The 295 pound senior from Greenville HS will be the first player in Carolina history to play in four bowl games. Pepper has been one of my favorite Gamecocks over the course of his career. Pep has been a stalwart at defensive tackle. His consistent effort and stellar play was a big reason why Carolina's defense was third in the SEC this season.

While Darian Stewart did not have the type of senior season the coaches would have liked to have seen, the Huntsville, AL native did show up big down the stretch when he was moved back to his more natural SPUR position. I look for DaMario Jeffery to take over that role and be a standout defensively for the Gamecocks. Jeffery has the potential to be the type of player that Florida, Alabama, and Southern Cal have played at OLB. If the Gamecocks can get some good play from rising Sophomore Reggie Bowens and JC signee Toquavius Gilchrist, along with returning players like Shaq Wilson, Rodney Paulk and Josh Dickerson, the Gamecocks could very well have the top defense in the SEC in 2010.

There are a lot of promising young Gamecocks on defense that will return in 2010 that did not play major roles this year like Chaz Sutton, Aldrick Fordham, Quin Smith, Jimmy Legree, and Chaun Gresham just to name a few.

So, there are some thoughts on the 2009 season. I hope you enjoy reading them. I hope to see you all in Birmingham for the Pappa Johns Bowl on Jan. 2nd. Lets start the new year with a Gamecock win for the first time since 2002.