The Holes in the South Carolina Defense

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) (MI6), one of the most dynamic play-makers in America. MI6 was the 18th pick of the NFL draft going to the Chargers in the first round. To give you a sense of impact, MI6 was just the third player in South Carolina history to win a consensus (AFCA, Walter Camp, Sporting News and Associated Press) All-American award.



MI6 had an incredible 2011. Playing primarily as a defensive end, MI6 scored two three touchdowns. One touchdown came on quarterback sack fumble recovery and five-yard run, one on a fumble recovery in the end zone, and one touchdown a game-winning 68-yard rush on a fake punt. That play left CBS ESPN announcers scratching their heads trying to figure out the other number 6 on the South Carolina roster because the CBS ESPN announcers could not believe a defensive end would have the speed to out run a fast Georgia Bulldog defense for 68 yards.

MI6 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. MI6 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 MI6 to left defensive tackle on passing downs to create match-up pass-blocking problems for offensive linemen. Ellis had MI6 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 MI6) would get a double-team. That proved to be an impossible task for most offensive lines. Using MI6 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. MI6 did not play every down. Therefore, the MI6 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 MI6's backup. As good as MI6 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 MI6 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 MI6 hole the Gamecocks will fill.

A good strength and conditioning coach is an artist. A good strength and conditioning coach does not just run a program for everyone. He must be able to recognize unique traits in an individual and design individualized training depending on the position and player.

Craig Fitzgerald and Joe Connolly together trained up Ingram to such an extent that by the time he undertook tests at the various pro-days he was able to run a 20 yard shuttle in 4.18 seconds. That is incredibly fast for a big man like Ingram. For example, the first defensive end taken in the 2012 NFL draft was North Carolina's Quinton Coples (16th overall), who achieved a relatively slower 4.8 in the same drill.

The 20-yard shuttle tests closing speed. It is a skill that goes hand and glove with a great pass rusher. Ingram led the Gamecocks in sacks the past two years. It is going to be hard to replace that explosiveness. A lot of the credit for Ingram's player development must go to the strength and conditioning he achieved at South Carolina. It goes to show you what a good program and hard work can accomplish.

Now the question for the 2012 Gamecocks is whether Connolly is as great a genius in making individualized conditioning a priority as was Fitzgerald. If he is, then there are several relatively unheralded players who have the potential to develop into great pass rushers like Ingram.

One player 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. If he continues to progress as he has the past few years, 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 MI6 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 MI6, 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 MI6.

Not much is known about red shirt freshman Gerald Dixon (6-2, 272) and Deon Green (6-4, 290), or true freshman Darius English (6-6, 215), a Parade All American. Any might play depending on progress in the spring and fall practices.

MI6 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 MI6 was incredible on special teams.

Before finishing our discussion of MI6, 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.