EIGHT BIG QUESTIONS FACING THE GAMECOCKS IN 2009

We have been excited about the previews of the offensive line and running backs and appreciate the insight from Coach Smouse and Coach Ogle. There are more previews to come, but we thought we’d take a break and start some discussion on the Seven Big Questions Facing the Gamecocks in 2009.

QUESTION 1: Can the Gamecocks Overcome the Schedule?

To our knowledge, this is the first time in the history of the program that JSU has opened up: 1) against two BCS opponents; and 2) with straight four road games. Adding additional difficulty, we only have four home games. However, what doesn’t kill us only makes us stronger, and if the Cocks can survive the first four games, I actually like the way the rest of the schedule plays out.

First, in a quirk of OVC scheduling, the Cocks don’t have to play Tennessee State. Prior to an end of the season collapse, TSU was leading the OVC and ranked nationally. Second, at least on paper, the Gamecocks toughest games are at home. Traditional OVC powers Eastern Kentucky and Eastern Illinois as well as former Gulf South foe UT Martin will have to travel south this year. It will be interesting to see if home field advantage is meaningful against EKU and UTM-- the Cocks lost those two games last year by a grand total of 5 points.

There are other things I like about the schedule as well. Tennessee Tech, who historically plays JSU tough, visits the the week after playing Georgia. They will be worn out. Next, we get an off week before playing Eastern Illinois. Coach Crowe is one of the best scheme guys in the business and I like the idea of him and Coach Letson having two weeks to prepare for the Panthers.

Finally, our road games are against Peay, SEMO and Murray, three teams we should be favored to beat. That being said, we lost to SEMO in '07 and Murray in '03. These are games the Cocks need to come out of the gate with intensity and put the game away. While our losses last year were to two very good football teams by close margins, in my outsider’s view we let some lesser opponents hang around too long last year.

QUESTION 2: Will Ryan Perrilloux Be the Man on Offense?

Ryan Perrilloux was every bit as good as advertised. He threw for 2318 yards, ran for 368 and had a 140.9 qb rating. That being said, Ryan can still improve. His five interceptions against EKU remain mystifying to this day. Further, he can’t force the action. Ryan also needs to show the NFL scouts that he is a leader. No matter who scores the touchdown or makes the big play, Ryan should be the first player leading the charge to congratulate him. Finally, he’s a grown man. Stay out of trouble and make a few million in “the League” in 2010 and beyond. By the way, a donation to JSU when that happens would be nice!


QUESTION 3: Will Alexander Henderson Be the Man on Defense?

If JSU received the same level of coverage that Auburn and Alabama did (hey- we are doing our part!), Alex Henderson would be a household name. The linebacker from Mobile racked up 103 tackles last year and had 20+ tackles in back to back games, one of only two players in JSU’s division to accomplish that feat. He’s a Certified Bone Crusher. Wondering just how good Henderson is? Consider this- he had 57 solo tackles, with the next closest on the team being 39 and 103 total tackles with the next closest being 66. The question is - can he maintain that level of play or even improve in 09? I can’t wait to find out. A side note- there is an assassin in the wings by the name of Morrell Jones that is primed to light some people up in 2009.

QUESTION 4: Who’s Going to Fill Their Shoes?

The great George Jones (no relation to Morrell) sang “Who’s going to fill their shoes?” He was talking about Waylon, Willie and company, but the song could have been written about departed Gamecocks WR Marcus Dupree and RB Daniel Jackson. Marcus accounted for almost 1/3 of the receiving yards and Daniel accounted for well over 1/2 of the rushing yards by running backs.. We have to replace these guys. Coach Ogle things we are going to be ok at running back, that’s good enough for me. We also have some fine wide receivers returning, including veterans John Houston Whiddon, Jeff Cameron and James Wilkerson. Converted DB, James Shaw, is a playmaker that Coach Crowe really likes. Somebody among this group needs to step up. If internet rumors are correct, help may be on the way at the wide receiver position by way of Greg Smith, Georgia Tech’s leading receiver from two years ago. But, as we all know, you can’t necessarily believe what you read on the internet unless of course it's on www.jsugamecock.blogspot.com!

QUESTION 5: Will the Offensive Line Dominate?

I’m not going to reiterate what was in our March 31 blog post about the offensive line, but we are 2 deep this year with some special players leading the way. The depth is certainly a difference between this year and recent years and is unique at the FCS level. Curt Porter, Matt Jones and Reggie Wade are future all-stars. As Matt’s former Hoover High School coach and JSU grad, Russ Propst, might say: “This line needs to go out and physically beat the pi** out of some people.”

QUESTION 6: Will the Special Teams Be Special?

I would describe JSU’s special teams play in 2008 as “The Best of Times and the Worse of Times.” Save one extra point miss, Gavin Hallford was terrific and deserves the praise of the Gamecock Nation for playing with an injury all season long. Hallford’s first year replacement Al Chamazhad struggled at times to get depth on his kicks which led to some horrible field position problems. However, credit to the young man for stepping up for the Gamecocks when we needed it- he was a true freshman after all. No word on whether Auburn transfer Patrick Tatum will attempt to kick as well, but Tatum has a strong chance to be the Gamecocks punter. He averaged over 43 yards per punt for the Tigers in 2007. Hopefully, we won’t be doing much punting in 09’ though.

JSU’s bad kick coverage was offset by their outstanding kick return team, but Maurice Dupree is gone. Hopefully, we can find an equally dangerous return man as it seems every team in the OVC has at least one dangerous kick returner. I think Jamal Young may fit the bill.

QUESTION 7: Can the Gamecocks Get a Pass Rush?

I loved the tenacious play of Jamison Wadley, Brandt Thomas and Duane Tolbert among others last year, but the bottom line is in 2008 JSU did not generate enough pressure on the passer. Will this improve in 2009? If we can get a pass rush, I think talented defensive backs AJ Davis and Carnell Clark will get the opportunity to make some big plays to blow games open.
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QUESTION 8: Will the fans get off their hands?

To paraphrase the legendary Larry Munson’s call at the 1980 Georgia - Florida game, we need to make so much noise at the Snow next year that they will have to tear the place down and renovate it. To me, a big question is if the players deliver a championship performance are the fans going to give championship enthusiasm. As the months go on, this blog is going to devote more attention to: a) how we get people in the seats at JSU; and b) once we get them in the seat, how do we get them up from the seat to enthusiastically cheer for the Cocks. I have to quit typing now, I’m getting so fired up I’m ready to play and I know the staff has no use for middle aged, white guys who even in their day were “small but slow.”

I think those are the big questions. What do you think? What are the other question marks for 09? Let us know! Go Cocks!!

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