The Cool Chicken

So… it was ugly. You know I am half using the word ugly in the way of slang’s use of negative words in a positive light. I’m using it similar to bad meaning cool, sick meaning cool, stupid meaning crazy with crazy meaning cool.

It was ugly in the way a man falls to the Ultimate Fighting Championship canvas, his body limp, his eyes rolling, and blood streaming from some ungodly cut below his eye as Chuck “The Iceman” Liddel runs around the ring, his arms outstretched in victory and his mouth releasing a primordial scream of victory.

I think the Iceman would be impressed with defensive unit of South Carolina. Nay… I say the heart and overall toughness of the South Carolina team as a whole.

Let’s start with Jasper Brinkley. Jasper displayed the knock out power we have all heard about from spring practice on the first defensive play for the Gamecocks. Flushed from the pocket and on the run was the MSU quarterback, when a black, white and garnet blur hit high and hard spinning his head around the twisting his body to the ground. It is a true testament to Michael Henig’s toughness that he walked back to the huddle. Although much like a fighter who has had his bell rung… their heart keeps them in the game but their body says… “Please don’t let that shit happen again.” I would say from that point on… Michael was a little hesitant. Jasper wasn’t done. Jasper finished with 11 tackles 8 of which he earned on his own and 1 sack. Also let’s not forget he delivered the hit that stopped MSU running back Anthony Dixon on the bulldog’s last hope 4th and 1 play.

Next up… Casper. Jasper and Casper… that’s right. Their twins… as if you didn’t know already. Casper was not as loud as Jasper in the ring… but he had a huge voice as a corner man. Although, he did deliver a few elbows of his own. Casper dropped 3 tackles on MSU but again his biggest contribution was keeping Jasper’s ear.

Marque Hall. One big play. One haymaker of a punch. But as Tito Ortiz will tell you (knocked out by Chuck Liddel by such a blow in the UFC)… that is all it takes. Of course Marque’s knock out blow came more in the tradition of Tito Ortiz… a great GROUND and POUND martial artist. Here is how the play went down: MSU snapped the ball, Marque ran up the middle like a man possessed, his arms closed around the much smaller body of Michael Henig, he lifted and then BAM… he slammed the quarterback in the unforgiving ground. What’s worse is all 6 foot 3 inches and 295 pounds of Marque Hall landed directly on top of Michael and punished his left shoulder in to the ground. Michael got up. Tried a few plays and then left the game. The diagnosis? Broken collar bone. I applaud Michael’s grit… but I have to say when he came out of that locker room and roamed the sideline… he looked like some one beat his momma with an ugly stick and she passed on the ugly face to him. Don’t cry like that on the sideline dude. I know you want to play… but your face could be likened to a 3 year old who was just told he couldn’t have candy.

Who’s next? Fred Bennet. Fred was quiet. That is a good thing. The Fred of last year liked to break on the ball and would from time to time give up big plays. Last night, Fred displayed patience and it paid off. He and Carlos Thomas (who broke up MSU’s only true deep threat) played like they were coached up. Much props to them.

All in the entire defense played stud all night. A perceived weakness coming in to this season, they just might be our strength. Ironic as it is a role reversal of last year and to be honest a welcome one.

My only caution is we were playing MSU. Next week against Georgia, we will find out how good our defense is.

Let’s talk offense shall we.

Big props to Blake Mitchell. You heard me. Blake Mitchell. Whether he had his best night or not… you gotta give the kid a nod for going in, getting stitches and coming back out to play. Kid’s got heart… and he is unselfish. MSU may be anemic on offense but their defense has been touted as one of the best and hardest hitting in the SEC. To open our schedule with them… take some hits, shake them off and remain focused is a testament to this offense as a whole. Blake is the man in charge and I will say he didn’t win the game for us… but he didn’t lose it either.

Newton. Lucky number 13. Electric when he has the ball. Recovering from a torn hamstring and working at about 90% he is still better than most in the SEC. With his nose for the end zone and his instincts on the field, he is one player I am truly glad to see getting cocky.

Boyd. So how did Boyd do after a full year suspension? Well I may not be at liberty to say this and I don’t mean to offend… but his mother would be proud. Owner of the Gamecocks sole touchdown, Boyd also rattled off 93 yards on the ground.

Rice. With one called back touchdown, Rice was quiet most of the night. At least in what he actually did. But his presence on the field spoke volumes. Double and sometimes triple teamed; Rice can open up any game… whether he is catching the ball and decoying… Rice is still the man.

And what about the hook up between Smelley and McKinley? That was Sick! There’s that slang again. How McKinley kept that ball off the ground… I do not know.

Smelley has promise. I really feel we are in good shape with him at the helm.

Finally… when did they start letting us car launchers in the punting game? Succop has a disgusting leg (new slang). He won the MVP of the game and deservedly so. With a punting average of 48 yards, 3 field goals and game changing botched punt in which he ran for a first down… Succop is no doubt the man with the leg for the Gamecocks.

While the offensive showing wasn’t what I hoped for, I am still very encouraged. Why?

Well answer this question: What happens when the jitters are gone and Boyd, Newton, Mitchell, Davis, Jasper, Rice, Bennet, McKinley and Succop are all “on” at the same time? I will tell you what… a nauseating, sweat inducing, ass kicking disaster and nightmare of a game for… whoever we are playing. And I don’t mean that in the slang sense.

-The Cool Chicken.

2006 Prediction Record
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COVERAGE:
Dog Catchers
Gamecocks Shutout Dogs in Opener
Spurrier Goes for the Throat
Spurrier's 150th Win
College Football News Eats Their words