Fan sites censor talk of replacing Gamecock Defensive Coach Lorenzo Ward?

Some pre-season speculation
was that SC's defense would be better
without Clowney. 

Some Gamecock fan sites like “CocyTalk” and “Gamecock Central” have removed chat threads asking the question: “Who should SC get to replace Lorenzo Ward?”

Because the fan sites are tightly monitored and controlled, any talk of replacing a current coach was immediately censored. 

Evidently, those fan sites have to follow certain rules from USC to be given access. And honestly discussing the defensive problems, and solutions, is forbidden.

Will Muschamp - Florida head coach - is already being speculated upon by FITS, the Columbia-based political gossip blog, as a replacement for Ward. Florida would have to fire Muschamp, first.

Logic would dictate that whoever replaces Ward will get to bring his whole staff to South Carolina.

There is not really a bright spot on the Gamecock defense, despite claims in the pre-season that Carolina was stacked on talent. The D-line, linebackers and secondary have looked excruciatingly helpless as the Gamecocks have blown double-digit leads to lose two games to obviously inferior (talent-wise) teams.

The Gamecocks have likely been propped up by talent evaluated and brought in before Ward became DC.

In the off-week it was reported that Ward will move from the sideline up to the booth. But with as many years of coaching as Ward has under his belt, is this going to make much difference? If it was his best perspective, he likely would have figured that out before now.

What a Gamecock fan said:

A fan on Gamecock Central said: “Watching our defense this year reminds me so much of Wally Burnham's defenses during Brad Scott's tenure. Our Defensive end play is the worst I have seen in a long time. Our D lineman look out of shape, get pushed around and rarely shed their blocks quick enough to effect the play. The DB's rarely play the ball and often are out of position. We have lost to two awful qQBs. Our LB's, although extremely talented and the strength of the defense, are being forced to cover for our DB's and lineman. They still look poorly coached often taking terrible pursuit angles.” (edited for spelling.)

Pundits claimed SC defense could be better without Clowney!

In the spring, SaturdayDownSouth (SDS) reported “Relative unknowns Darius English, an under-recruited redshirt sophomore, and Abu Lamin, South Carolina’s crown JUCO jewel, are poised to produce following impressive performances during spring practice.”

Lamin was “the 16th-best JUCO player in the country last season,” according to SDS.

SDS also said: “It’s unrealistic for defensive line coach Deke Adams to expect a double-digit sack total from either player, but the potential’s there. English fills the gaping hole off the edge left by the Houston Texans’ No. 1 overall pick while Lamin will likely play inside on third down.”

But the D-line may be the most disastrous portion of the USC defense in 2014.

Do not expect Defensive Line Coach Deke Adams, hired from the ACC, to be back.

Also from SDS: “ the Gamecocks’ defensive front could be stronger without Clowney’s services. It sounded ridiculous at the time, but there’s some truth to it.”

SDS said: “The progression of Gerald Dixon along with English and Lamin’s expected impact gives the Gamecocks a more well-rounded group with less of a focus on one individual player in Ward’s 4-3 scheme that will feature more 3-4 looks.”

There was not even a hint of the implosion that has happened with the D.