2008 OUTLOOK: The Gamecocks return 17 starters (six on defense, 10 on offense and one specialist) from last year's squad, which went 6-6 overall and 3-5 in the brutal SEC. Fans are getting antsy after coach Steve Spurrier's first three seasons produced just a 21-16 record. The defense should be outstanding, and punter/place-kicker Ryan Succop is a candidate for the Lou Groza Award. But with the quarterback position unsettled and a lack of proven playmakers, it's hard to see the Gamecocks overtaking Georgia or Florida. Still, the defense should keep South Carolina in every game.

SCOUTING THE OFFENSE
Four starters return on the offensive line, which is good news for whoever ends up starting at quarterback. For now, that appears to be junior Tommy Beecher. He threw three picks in the spring game, but Chris Smelley tossed five. All-SEC wideout Kenny McKinley, a senior, will draw plenty of double teams, meaning players such as TE Jared Cook must step up. Senior Mike Davis and sophomore Brian Maddox will try to replace NFL draft pick Cory Boyd at tailback. Davis owns three 100-yard rushing games.

SCOUTING THE DEFENSE
This should be one of the SEC's best defenses. MLB Jasper Brinkley, an All-America candidate, returns after missing most of last season with a knee injury. DE Eric Norwood, who moves to linebacker, CB Captain Munnerlyn and S Emmanuel Cook all were second-team All-SEC selections last season. This unit should do a better job of stopping the run, assuming Brinkley stays healthy. Probably the biggest question is how players will adjust to new coordinator Ellis Johnson.

SCOUTING THE SPECIAL TEAMS
New special teams coach Ray Rychleski has come over from Maryland in hopes of improving South Carolina's kick coverage and the return game. The Gamecocks have one of the nation's best placekickers in senior Ryan Succop, who doubles as an effective punter. Succop has hit 16 of 17 career field goals from inside 40 yards. Chris Culliver, Captain Munnerlyn and Moe Brown all could return kickoffs, while Munnerlyn (9.2 yards per return last year) appears to be the top punt returner.

ROSTER REPORT

--Sophomore Patrick DiMarco, a 6-1, 242-pounder, is being moved from first-team fullback to third-team tight end. The fullback doesn't have a big role in South Carolina's offense, and coach Steve Spurrier wants to get DiMarco on the field more. "DiMarco's a good athlete that needs to get involved," Spurrier told The State. "Fullback doesn't get enough action in our offense."

--Starting MLB Jasper Brinkley was limited much of the spring after undergoing knee surgery last fall. He should be fine for training camp and is an All-America candidate. The 6-2, 275-pounder received a medical redshirt for 2007 after playing in just four games.

--Back problems kept junior C Garrett Anderson on the sidelines this spring, but the 6-6, 307-pounder remains a viable candidate to start over Seaver Brown and Ryan Broadhead if he can impress in August.

Copyright (C) 2008 The Sports Xchange. All Rights Reserved.