THE MONOLOGUE
Let’s talk about South Carolina’s offense. Again.
Expectations are higher in Will Muschamp’s third season with an intriguing blend of talent and experience returning to the roster. Gamecock fans, rightfully so, are hopeful that an offense that can be much more explosive and put many more points on the scoreboard than in the past few years.
Muschamp’s first season in 2016 was almost a wash in terms of what should have been expected; USC was the youngest team in the country offensively. That group finished the season averaging just under 21 points a game, which ranked 116th nationally. Last season, however, was more disappointing as the Gamecocks scored 24 points a game and ranked 99th nationally. Yes, USC had significant injuries on offense whether it was banged up running backs, a patchwork offensive line at times, and losing its top weapon in Deebo Samuel early in the season. But the production was not good enough regardless of circumstance on that front and the philosophy and tempo installed by Kurt Roper was simply not what was needed or wanted. Muschamp, then, made a change.
The question on everyone’s mind relates to just how big a jump the Gamecock offense will make, and no doubt it needs to make a pretty sizable one if this team is to compete the way it hopes to this season. After some offenses that, while sometimes inconsistent, frequently averaged in the 30 point per game ranges in the golden years of the Spurrier era, fans are ready for some points.
Can Bryan McClendon, Dan Werner, and the Gamecock offense stage a significant turnaround? There is some precedent. That leads us to…
STAT OF THE WEEK
Stats, to be exact. There are certainly some recent historical cases we can examine to find that, even in just one year’s time, there have been some college football teams that have been poor on offense one year and gone on to be very productive the following season.
Some USC fans will not like this example because of the team it features, but it’s a great example nonetheless. After the 2010 season in Clemson, Dabo Swinney fired offensive coordinator Billy Napier following a season in which the Tigers averaged 24 points per game (86th nationally). Swinney interviewed Justin Fuente, then at TCU, and Chad Morris and gave Morris the job. The following season, the Tigers averaged over 33 points a game and posted a top 25 finish in scoring offense. In 2012 and 2013, Clemson finished in the top 8 in scoring offense. 2014 held a more modest return, 51st nationally, but still over 30 points a game. Since then, Clemson’s offense has consistently been excellent.
One example from the past actually features USC’s quarterbacks coach, as Dan Werner arrived with Hugh Freeze in Oxford and got the ball rolling on an explosive offense. The Rebels were abysmal in Houston Nutt’s final season, averaging just 16 points a game and finishing 2-10. The progression for Ole Miss went as follow: 2012 – 31 points per game, 2013, 30 points per game, 201 – 28 points per game, and then things really took off. The Rebels finished 8th nationally in 2015 by averaging nearly 40 points per game, and scored 32 per contest in 2016.
Gary Patterson, one of college football’s top coaches, recognized the need for a change after a disappointing 2013 season. He brought in Doug Meacham and Sonny Cumbie and altered the team’s offensive philosophy. The results were stunning. One season after finishing 87th in scoring offense and averaging 25 points a game, the Horned Frogs were the nation’s 2nd-best scoring offense and racked up 46.5 points a game. Another top 10 finish was in order the following season, and despite coaching changes the Horned Frogs have continued to now do good work on that side of the ball.
A couple other examples that come to mind: Pittsburgh went from 28.2 points per game in 2015 to 41 points per game in one season after Pat Narduzzi hired Matt Canada. As well, James Franklin’s move to bring in Joe Moorhead, now at Mississippi State, looked like a stroke of genius. The Nittany Lions finished 101st (23 points per game) in 2015, and then improved that to 21st (38 points per game) in 2016 and 3rd (45 points per game) in 2017.
Are we saying USC will score 20 more points per game this season and finish in the top 10? No. But odds are that South Carolina can show enough statistical improvement based on schematic and philosophical changes, plus returning talent and experience, to make the offense something that other teams at least have to worry about consistently.
THREE: OPENING THE HISTORY BOOKS
Sunday marked eight years to the day that one of USC’s more undervalued players first committed to the Gamecocks.
That was the day that Brandon Wilds, a Blythewood product, committed to the Gamecocks. I still remember the questions surrounding taking a back with a 5.5 three-star marker. The offer list was fairly modest: East Carolina, Illinois, Maryland, and Middle Tennessee State. Arkansas circled back late and recruited Wilds hard, and his senior season was more of a statistical struggle because Blythewood’s offensive line was very porous.
Yet the Gamecocks, led by then-running backs coach Jay Graham, was convinced of Wilds’ talent and wanted him in the class. You all remember the rest. Wilds entered his freshman season fifth on the depth chart and finished as a starter after a rash of injuries. He battled injuries himself in multiple other seasons, forcing him to miss several games as a sophomore and senior. The Palmetto State product never averaged under 5.1 yards per carry for a season and was part of one of the more memorable plays in USC history, catching a pass from Pharoh Cooper in the 2013 rivalry game against Clemson to seal the victory late.
Wilds remains in the NFL on the Jaguars’ roster.
FOUR: LOCAL SPOTLIGHT
Forgive the lack of a picture this time – I’ll have to capture one next time I roll into this establishment
Today’s local spotlight is going to highlight one of Columbia’s hidden gems and one of the best pizza joints I’ve ever hit. Nestled away in Ballentine is Tonella’s Pizza Kitchen.
It features New York style pizza (including slice options at lunch), pasta, salads, and sandwiches. Trust me, having extensively sampled the menu, it’s all good.
My recommendation is heading by one day and getting yourself a couple slices. You’ll probably be hooked.
Head on over to Tonella’s at 1349 Dutch Fork Road in Ballentine and visit their website at tonellaspizzakitchen.com to learn more about them and see the menu.
No, they didn’t pay me to say any of this. But if anyone on staff there is reading this, I will take a slice of pepperoni next time I’m in.
FIVE: LINKAGE
I’ll be honest, I’m not sure if I’ve linked this piece here previously. If so, accept my apologies, but I came across it again recently and found it fascinating.
Regardless of what you think about the politics, this story written by former New York Times reporter James Risen on his sourcing and how he chased down stories in the War on Terror era is such an entertaining read.
https://theintercept.com/2018/01/03...-reporter-in-the-shadow-of-the-war-on-terror/
This clip, tweeted out by Joe Dolan of Fantasy Guru Site, absolutely slayed me. I watched it approximately 27 times in a row and was cracking up. This is Cleveland Browns offensive line coach Bob Wylie, his snap count, and his synchronized gut movements.
If anyone cares, here are some albums I’m currently listening to; I’m almost always playing music in the office while working unless I’m working the phone.
As you can tell, my musical taste covers a wide range.
Deftones – Gore
Jason Isbell – Southeastern
Hammock – Oblivion Hymns
THE CLOSEOUT
20 years.
Those that frequent our website have seen that GamecockCentral.com turns 20 this week. I have not been around for all of them as a staffer, nor was I part of things at the site’s inception, before Brian Shoemaker turned a fun idea into well, what the site has ultimately become.
I still remember vividly when Shoe gave me a huge break, a chance to join the team here as a full-time staffer. It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and one for which I’m still so grateful.
As I think back on the years that I’ve been here, nine in all back in May, the time has seemed to absolutely fly by. I’ve had the fortune of meeting folks and forging friendships that I could not have dreamed of unless I had this job. It was certainly neat to watch at South Carolina acquired talents like Jadeveon Clowney and Marcus Lattimore and made Atlanta for the first time ever. Getting a chance observe those teams, riddled with talent, and learn more about an SEC program’s inner workings was fascinating.
I think about some of the guys I’ve had the chance to meet and interview over the years, even guys that South Carolina did not land – Todd Gurley, for instance. I see those guys flourishing in the NFL and think back to their development from high school until now. I had a chance to cover the program when Steve Spurrier stepped down midseason, and the roller coaster that was the coaching search that ultimately brought Will Muschamp to Columbia.
I’ve spent countless hours on the phone, thumbing out text messages, typing out emails, or pecking away on the keyboard writing stories. I’ve searched for power outlets in random places to charge a dying cell phone battery, driven back roads in search of scoop, and posted almost 75,000 times on our message boards.
I’ve enjoyed it all. Who knows what lies ahead with South Carolina athletics, but I look forward to covering it. I’m thankful for all of you, because ya’ll give me the chance to do this job every day.
***
SprayAway SoftWash created and patented the process of softwashing, which is safe, green, quick, effective, and less destructive than traditional pressure washing. It's an EPA certified business with an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau for 22 years.
SprayAway has safely washed over 7,000 homes and businesses. The comprehensive process includes everything from your roof and shingles down, including attached porches and pickets and exterior window wash. If you have ugly black streaks on your roof, SprayAway can wash your roof and make it look brand new.
Mention GamecockCentral.com when you contact SprayAway and get $50 off any new job. Yearly maintenance contracts can also be offered at a discounted rate for your home or business, and if you refer a neighbor to join you in having your home cleaned, save even more.
Call SprayAway today at (803) 749-9544, email them at info@sprayaway.biz,or visit their website at SprayAway.Biz.
Tell them GamecockCentral.com sent you, and let your home or business shine!
Let’s talk about South Carolina’s offense. Again.
Expectations are higher in Will Muschamp’s third season with an intriguing blend of talent and experience returning to the roster. Gamecock fans, rightfully so, are hopeful that an offense that can be much more explosive and put many more points on the scoreboard than in the past few years.
Muschamp’s first season in 2016 was almost a wash in terms of what should have been expected; USC was the youngest team in the country offensively. That group finished the season averaging just under 21 points a game, which ranked 116th nationally. Last season, however, was more disappointing as the Gamecocks scored 24 points a game and ranked 99th nationally. Yes, USC had significant injuries on offense whether it was banged up running backs, a patchwork offensive line at times, and losing its top weapon in Deebo Samuel early in the season. But the production was not good enough regardless of circumstance on that front and the philosophy and tempo installed by Kurt Roper was simply not what was needed or wanted. Muschamp, then, made a change.
The question on everyone’s mind relates to just how big a jump the Gamecock offense will make, and no doubt it needs to make a pretty sizable one if this team is to compete the way it hopes to this season. After some offenses that, while sometimes inconsistent, frequently averaged in the 30 point per game ranges in the golden years of the Spurrier era, fans are ready for some points.
Can Bryan McClendon, Dan Werner, and the Gamecock offense stage a significant turnaround? There is some precedent. That leads us to…
STAT OF THE WEEK
Stats, to be exact. There are certainly some recent historical cases we can examine to find that, even in just one year’s time, there have been some college football teams that have been poor on offense one year and gone on to be very productive the following season.
Some USC fans will not like this example because of the team it features, but it’s a great example nonetheless. After the 2010 season in Clemson, Dabo Swinney fired offensive coordinator Billy Napier following a season in which the Tigers averaged 24 points per game (86th nationally). Swinney interviewed Justin Fuente, then at TCU, and Chad Morris and gave Morris the job. The following season, the Tigers averaged over 33 points a game and posted a top 25 finish in scoring offense. In 2012 and 2013, Clemson finished in the top 8 in scoring offense. 2014 held a more modest return, 51st nationally, but still over 30 points a game. Since then, Clemson’s offense has consistently been excellent.
One example from the past actually features USC’s quarterbacks coach, as Dan Werner arrived with Hugh Freeze in Oxford and got the ball rolling on an explosive offense. The Rebels were abysmal in Houston Nutt’s final season, averaging just 16 points a game and finishing 2-10. The progression for Ole Miss went as follow: 2012 – 31 points per game, 2013, 30 points per game, 201 – 28 points per game, and then things really took off. The Rebels finished 8th nationally in 2015 by averaging nearly 40 points per game, and scored 32 per contest in 2016.
Gary Patterson, one of college football’s top coaches, recognized the need for a change after a disappointing 2013 season. He brought in Doug Meacham and Sonny Cumbie and altered the team’s offensive philosophy. The results were stunning. One season after finishing 87th in scoring offense and averaging 25 points a game, the Horned Frogs were the nation’s 2nd-best scoring offense and racked up 46.5 points a game. Another top 10 finish was in order the following season, and despite coaching changes the Horned Frogs have continued to now do good work on that side of the ball.
A couple other examples that come to mind: Pittsburgh went from 28.2 points per game in 2015 to 41 points per game in one season after Pat Narduzzi hired Matt Canada. As well, James Franklin’s move to bring in Joe Moorhead, now at Mississippi State, looked like a stroke of genius. The Nittany Lions finished 101st (23 points per game) in 2015, and then improved that to 21st (38 points per game) in 2016 and 3rd (45 points per game) in 2017.
Are we saying USC will score 20 more points per game this season and finish in the top 10? No. But odds are that South Carolina can show enough statistical improvement based on schematic and philosophical changes, plus returning talent and experience, to make the offense something that other teams at least have to worry about consistently.
THREE: OPENING THE HISTORY BOOKS
Sunday marked eight years to the day that one of USC’s more undervalued players first committed to the Gamecocks.
That was the day that Brandon Wilds, a Blythewood product, committed to the Gamecocks. I still remember the questions surrounding taking a back with a 5.5 three-star marker. The offer list was fairly modest: East Carolina, Illinois, Maryland, and Middle Tennessee State. Arkansas circled back late and recruited Wilds hard, and his senior season was more of a statistical struggle because Blythewood’s offensive line was very porous.
Yet the Gamecocks, led by then-running backs coach Jay Graham, was convinced of Wilds’ talent and wanted him in the class. You all remember the rest. Wilds entered his freshman season fifth on the depth chart and finished as a starter after a rash of injuries. He battled injuries himself in multiple other seasons, forcing him to miss several games as a sophomore and senior. The Palmetto State product never averaged under 5.1 yards per carry for a season and was part of one of the more memorable plays in USC history, catching a pass from Pharoh Cooper in the 2013 rivalry game against Clemson to seal the victory late.
Wilds remains in the NFL on the Jaguars’ roster.
FOUR: LOCAL SPOTLIGHT
Forgive the lack of a picture this time – I’ll have to capture one next time I roll into this establishment
Today’s local spotlight is going to highlight one of Columbia’s hidden gems and one of the best pizza joints I’ve ever hit. Nestled away in Ballentine is Tonella’s Pizza Kitchen.
It features New York style pizza (including slice options at lunch), pasta, salads, and sandwiches. Trust me, having extensively sampled the menu, it’s all good.
My recommendation is heading by one day and getting yourself a couple slices. You’ll probably be hooked.
Head on over to Tonella’s at 1349 Dutch Fork Road in Ballentine and visit their website at tonellaspizzakitchen.com to learn more about them and see the menu.
No, they didn’t pay me to say any of this. But if anyone on staff there is reading this, I will take a slice of pepperoni next time I’m in.
FIVE: LINKAGE
I’ll be honest, I’m not sure if I’ve linked this piece here previously. If so, accept my apologies, but I came across it again recently and found it fascinating.
Regardless of what you think about the politics, this story written by former New York Times reporter James Risen on his sourcing and how he chased down stories in the War on Terror era is such an entertaining read.
https://theintercept.com/2018/01/03...-reporter-in-the-shadow-of-the-war-on-terror/
This clip, tweeted out by Joe Dolan of Fantasy Guru Site, absolutely slayed me. I watched it approximately 27 times in a row and was cracking up. This is Cleveland Browns offensive line coach Bob Wylie, his snap count, and his synchronized gut movements.
If anyone cares, here are some albums I’m currently listening to; I’m almost always playing music in the office while working unless I’m working the phone.
As you can tell, my musical taste covers a wide range.
Deftones – Gore
Jason Isbell – Southeastern
Hammock – Oblivion Hymns
THE CLOSEOUT
20 years.
Those that frequent our website have seen that GamecockCentral.com turns 20 this week. I have not been around for all of them as a staffer, nor was I part of things at the site’s inception, before Brian Shoemaker turned a fun idea into well, what the site has ultimately become.
I still remember vividly when Shoe gave me a huge break, a chance to join the team here as a full-time staffer. It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and one for which I’m still so grateful.
As I think back on the years that I’ve been here, nine in all back in May, the time has seemed to absolutely fly by. I’ve had the fortune of meeting folks and forging friendships that I could not have dreamed of unless I had this job. It was certainly neat to watch at South Carolina acquired talents like Jadeveon Clowney and Marcus Lattimore and made Atlanta for the first time ever. Getting a chance observe those teams, riddled with talent, and learn more about an SEC program’s inner workings was fascinating.
I think about some of the guys I’ve had the chance to meet and interview over the years, even guys that South Carolina did not land – Todd Gurley, for instance. I see those guys flourishing in the NFL and think back to their development from high school until now. I had a chance to cover the program when Steve Spurrier stepped down midseason, and the roller coaster that was the coaching search that ultimately brought Will Muschamp to Columbia.
I’ve spent countless hours on the phone, thumbing out text messages, typing out emails, or pecking away on the keyboard writing stories. I’ve searched for power outlets in random places to charge a dying cell phone battery, driven back roads in search of scoop, and posted almost 75,000 times on our message boards.
I’ve enjoyed it all. Who knows what lies ahead with South Carolina athletics, but I look forward to covering it. I’m thankful for all of you, because ya’ll give me the chance to do this job every day.
***
SprayAway SoftWash created and patented the process of softwashing, which is safe, green, quick, effective, and less destructive than traditional pressure washing. It's an EPA certified business with an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau for 22 years.
SprayAway has safely washed over 7,000 homes and businesses. The comprehensive process includes everything from your roof and shingles down, including attached porches and pickets and exterior window wash. If you have ugly black streaks on your roof, SprayAway can wash your roof and make it look brand new.
Mention GamecockCentral.com when you contact SprayAway and get $50 off any new job. Yearly maintenance contracts can also be offered at a discounted rate for your home or business, and if you refer a neighbor to join you in having your home cleaned, save even more.
Call SprayAway today at (803) 749-9544, email them at info@sprayaway.biz,or visit their website at SprayAway.Biz.
Tell them GamecockCentral.com sent you, and let your home or business shine!
