The NEXT 10 Most Important Players For 2008
posted by Scott Hood on Wednesday, June 18, 2008
1. Eric Norwood: One of the more intriguing stories heading into the start of the new campaign is how Norwood will handle the move from defensive end to outside linebacker following two highly productive season at the former position. He’ll still be counted on to provide relentless pressure on the quarterback, which is his specialty. The only difference is where he’ll be on the field when he starts his pass rush. Once he masters dropping back into pass coverage, he’ll be a complete linebacker, and a full-fledged NFL prospect
2. Garrett Anderson, Justin Sorensen, Heath Batchelor, Lemuel Jeanpierre (Tie): This quartet represents the probable starters on the offensive line in addition to LT Hutch Eckerson, who made the cut for the first Top 10. Without question, the offensive line will be the most scrutinized unit on the Gamecocks this season following a disappointing performance in 2007. OL Coach John Hunt and his players will be under the microscope. Steve Spurrier often said this spring he expects the O-line will be improved in 2008.
3. Emanuel Cook: Pound-for-pound, the junior strong safety from Riviera Beach, Fla. may be USC’s best defender. He certainly was last year after Jasper Brinkley went down with a season-ending injury when he led USC in tackles by a wide margin despite playing just 10 full games. Cook is sensational in run support and has made several game-changing tackles on fourth down in his career. Once he improves his pass coverage, he’ll be a complete defensive back. It will be fun watching Cook and free safety Darian Stewart patrol the middle of the field this season.
4. Moe Brown/Dion Lecorn: Someone has to step up as the No. 2 receiver behind Kenny McKinley and one of these guys is the most likely to emerge in that role. Brown has just 22 receptions in his first two seasons, while Lecorn had 27 as a true freshman. Brown showed signs in the spring of finally breaking out and fulfilling the promise he displayed in high school. Lecorn had some legal issues to overcome, but came on in the final two weeks of spring practice. McKinley is hoping one or both of these guys catch some passes so he won’t see double teams all the time.
5. Chris Culliver: The lightning-fast safety from North Carolina moved over to defense in the spring after not catching a pass in 2007. But he made an important contribution on special team by emerging as USC’s top kickoff returner. The special teams unit is on the verge of a revival under new coordinator Ray Rychleski, and Culliver should be at the forefront. He nearly broke loose for a couple of TD returns last season. The Gamecocks haven’t had a kickoff returned for TD since 2002. This could be the year Culliver snaps that streak and finally takes one to the house.
6. Patrick DiMarco: DiMarco made his presence felt last season as a true freshman with a rugged, physical style of play at fullback that caught the eye of the coaches. In fact, he played so well the coaches spent the spring figuring out ways to get him on the field more this season. As a result, DiMarco will be employed as a blocking tight end to help out Jared Cook and Weslye Saunders in that capacity, as well as the personal protector on punts. He’ll be a busy guy this fall.
7. Rodney Paulk/Gerrod Sinclair: Two of the three linebacker spots are claimed by Jasper Brinkley and Eric Norwood. Who will fill the other outside linebacker spot? It could be either Paulk or Sinclair. Paulk is one of the most rugged players on the team and has started 22 games in his first two seasons, while Sinclair is finally emerging after two seasons performing mostly on special teams. But his playing time at LB increased as last season went along.
8. Spencer Lanning/Ryan Doerr: Special teams coordinator Ray Rychleski made it plain during the spring that he doesn’t want Ryan Succop filling all three major kicking roles. He wants Succop to stick with placekicking – field goals and kickoffs. That means USC should have a new punter in 2008, and either Lanning or Doerr should claim the job. Lanning was inconsistent in the spring, but showed potential, while Doerr brings impressive credentials from Katy, Tex.
9. Marque Hall: The fifth-year senior from Wingate, N.C. will look to anchor the defensive tackle spot opposite Ladi Ajiboye. Hall had a subpar season in 2007 as he struggled to return from knee surgery the previous season. He should be completely healthy this time around and ready to make his mark in his final season. Hall will be counted on to plug up the middle and help out stopping the running game, something that didn’t happen often enough last season. Hall was USC’s best defensive tackle when he was injured early in the 2006 season. DL coach Brad Lawing hopes he finds the magic one more time.
10. Carlos Thomas: Possibly the most enigmatic player on the team, Thomas can make any coach leap for joy on one play and then bury his head in his hands the next. But there’s no denying his raw physical skills. If USC wants to finish first in the SEC in passing defense again, it needs Thomas to perform. Captain Munnerlyn has one CB job sewed up, so Thomas will be counted on to watch the opposite side of the field. But he felt the heat in the spring from Akeem Auguste and Stoney Woodson, so he’ll have to battle to keep his job.
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Monday, we identified the 10 Most Important Players For South Carolina. Some of those players were seen as “no-brainers,” which, of course, is why they’re on the list. Great players have a habit of showing up on Top 10 lists. But, football is a team made up of 22 starters on both sides of the ball, so there’s plenty of players USC will be counting on in order to have a successful season. Here are the next 10 most important players for the Gamecocks this season:
1. Eric Norwood: One of the more intriguing stories heading into the start of the new campaign is how Norwood will handle the move from defensive end to outside linebacker following two highly productive season at the former position. He’ll still be counted on to provide relentless pressure on the quarterback, which is his specialty. The only difference is where he’ll be on the field when he starts his pass rush. Once he masters dropping back into pass coverage, he’ll be a complete linebacker, and a full-fledged NFL prospect
2. Garrett Anderson, Justin Sorensen, Heath Batchelor, Lemuel Jeanpierre (Tie): This quartet represents the probable starters on the offensive line in addition to LT Hutch Eckerson, who made the cut for the first Top 10. Without question, the offensive line will be the most scrutinized unit on the Gamecocks this season following a disappointing performance in 2007. OL Coach John Hunt and his players will be under the microscope. Steve Spurrier often said this spring he expects the O-line will be improved in 2008.
3. Emanuel Cook: Pound-for-pound, the junior strong safety from Riviera Beach, Fla. may be USC’s best defender. He certainly was last year after Jasper Brinkley went down with a season-ending injury when he led USC in tackles by a wide margin despite playing just 10 full games. Cook is sensational in run support and has made several game-changing tackles on fourth down in his career. Once he improves his pass coverage, he’ll be a complete defensive back. It will be fun watching Cook and free safety Darian Stewart patrol the middle of the field this season.
4. Moe Brown/Dion Lecorn: Someone has to step up as the No. 2 receiver behind Kenny McKinley and one of these guys is the most likely to emerge in that role. Brown has just 22 receptions in his first two seasons, while Lecorn had 27 as a true freshman. Brown showed signs in the spring of finally breaking out and fulfilling the promise he displayed in high school. Lecorn had some legal issues to overcome, but came on in the final two weeks of spring practice. McKinley is hoping one or both of these guys catch some passes so he won’t see double teams all the time.
5. Chris Culliver: The lightning-fast safety from North Carolina moved over to defense in the spring after not catching a pass in 2007. But he made an important contribution on special team by emerging as USC’s top kickoff returner. The special teams unit is on the verge of a revival under new coordinator Ray Rychleski, and Culliver should be at the forefront. He nearly broke loose for a couple of TD returns last season. The Gamecocks haven’t had a kickoff returned for TD since 2002. This could be the year Culliver snaps that streak and finally takes one to the house.
6. Patrick DiMarco: DiMarco made his presence felt last season as a true freshman with a rugged, physical style of play at fullback that caught the eye of the coaches. In fact, he played so well the coaches spent the spring figuring out ways to get him on the field more this season. As a result, DiMarco will be employed as a blocking tight end to help out Jared Cook and Weslye Saunders in that capacity, as well as the personal protector on punts. He’ll be a busy guy this fall.
7. Rodney Paulk/Gerrod Sinclair: Two of the three linebacker spots are claimed by Jasper Brinkley and Eric Norwood. Who will fill the other outside linebacker spot? It could be either Paulk or Sinclair. Paulk is one of the most rugged players on the team and has started 22 games in his first two seasons, while Sinclair is finally emerging after two seasons performing mostly on special teams. But his playing time at LB increased as last season went along.
8. Spencer Lanning/Ryan Doerr: Special teams coordinator Ray Rychleski made it plain during the spring that he doesn’t want Ryan Succop filling all three major kicking roles. He wants Succop to stick with placekicking – field goals and kickoffs. That means USC should have a new punter in 2008, and either Lanning or Doerr should claim the job. Lanning was inconsistent in the spring, but showed potential, while Doerr brings impressive credentials from Katy, Tex.
9. Marque Hall: The fifth-year senior from Wingate, N.C. will look to anchor the defensive tackle spot opposite Ladi Ajiboye. Hall had a subpar season in 2007 as he struggled to return from knee surgery the previous season. He should be completely healthy this time around and ready to make his mark in his final season. Hall will be counted on to plug up the middle and help out stopping the running game, something that didn’t happen often enough last season. Hall was USC’s best defensive tackle when he was injured early in the 2006 season. DL coach Brad Lawing hopes he finds the magic one more time.
10. Carlos Thomas: Possibly the most enigmatic player on the team, Thomas can make any coach leap for joy on one play and then bury his head in his hands the next. But there’s no denying his raw physical skills. If USC wants to finish first in the SEC in passing defense again, it needs Thomas to perform. Captain Munnerlyn has one CB job sewed up, so Thomas will be counted on to watch the opposite side of the field. But he felt the heat in the spring from Akeem Auguste and Stoney Woodson, so he’ll have to battle to keep his job.
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Scott Hood. Since February of 2005, Scott has covered the South Carolina football, men's basketball and baseball programs for GamecockCentral. He may be reached by email at scottblog(at)gamecockcentral.com. Replace (at) with @.