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How big of an impact is loosing ACE to the draft?

Posted on 1/26/13 at 3:21 pm
Posted by Wholelottacock
Charleston, SC
Member since Oct 2012
337 posts
Posted on 1/26/13 at 3:21 pm
I think a lot of people underestimate what how big he came up for us this year. Obviously with the kick off return threat. But it seemed like the kid was always the sure thing on the underneath route when we needed it.
Posted by CNB
Columbia, SC
Member since Sep 2007
102294 posts
Posted on 1/26/13 at 5:31 pm to
Punt return threat.

And it hurts. We'll definitely need someone else to step up big time.
Posted by Cockopotamus
Member since Jan 2013
16001 posts
Posted on 1/26/13 at 7:03 pm to
Hurts a lot, and he can't be replaced by one player. Obviously it will be tough to replace what he did as a punt returner. But I think He was pretty underrated as a receiver.

For being so short we went to him several times on the goal line (@LSU and in the bowl game off the top of my head) because he was such a good route runner he could get wide open on a short little out.

Also looking at his touchdown against Clemson really makes me wish he had stayed for his final year.
Posted by atlgamecockman
Nola
Member since Dec 2012
4324 posts
Posted on 1/27/13 at 5:46 pm to
I think it is a huge loss. He was our most experienced receiver. When your most experienced WR leaves, you will ee a downfall. I am hoping for roland or kj brent to step up big.
Posted by ConwayGamecock
South Carolina
Member since Jan 2012
9121 posts
Posted on 1/28/13 at 2:54 am to
I was certainly excited about the prospect of having him along with the other WRs returning for another season...

However having said that, I feel the prospects of our passing game for 2013 is much more promising than what 2012 looked to be. We didn't have a returning receiver for '12 that we could label a proven "go-to" threat. Sanders turned into one, but although he had some decent production in '11 he still needed to prove himself. IMO Bruce has proven himself with his performance last season: he almost had the same numbers Alshon had in his last season with us...

And Byrd put up similar numbers in '12 to what Sanders put up in '11, with fewer receptions. We also will have Roland, Fuller, and Smith with a year in the program to learn the routes, develop their bodies and acclimate themselves to SEC football...

Add to all that the substantial improvements at QB in regards to the passing game (I feel both Shaw and Thompson are very effective, experienced, and confident QBs now), and very possibly the loss of Sanders may get totally swallowed up in Coach Spurrier's best passing offense yet at USC. At least that's what I'm hoping we'll see in 2013....
Posted by UpstateCock2007
Columbia, SC
Member since Mar 2009
7744 posts
Posted on 1/30/13 at 7:23 am to
Time for Shaq Roland to step up.
Posted by fearthespur
Spartanburg
Member since Jan 2013
2 posts
Posted on 2/1/13 at 2:12 pm to
I am probably in the minority but I actually we will not miss him all that much. Yes his leadership will be missed. However, he was not the leading receiver on the team last year(Ellington was). I think Damiere Byrd will fill his roll of speed guy that is dangerous with ball in open space nicely. A slong as he gets his route running in order. While I think we will lose some skill on special teams, Victor Hampton has shown he is more than capable at returning kicks as well as Ellington.
Posted by JimMorrison
The Peninsula
Member since May 2012
20747 posts
Posted on 2/1/13 at 2:23 pm to
quote:

I actually we will not miss him all that much.


He is a HUGE loss on special teams. He was the best punt returner in the country
Posted by CockRocket
Columbia, SC
Member since May 2012
6840 posts
Posted on 2/1/13 at 7:46 pm to
quote:

he was not the leading receiver on the team last year(Ellington was)
Ace actually had more catches than Bruce and only like 70 less yards. He also had two more TDs. Ace was unbelievable clutch as well. Just think back to the bowl game on our last drive, Ace caught a pass on 4th and 2 that kept the game alive. Then he bailed out Shaw after he spun out of a sack and got another first down. We were fortunate to not suffer much of a drop in our receiving corp after Alshon left, I'm not sure if we'll be that lucky this year.
Posted by theGarnetWay
Washington, D.C.
Member since Mar 2010
27347 posts
Posted on 2/5/13 at 3:54 pm to
Is he an important loss? Yeah. But at the same time I think our team has gotten so deep that his #s can be replaced. Perhaps not necessarily in the punt return game but certainly in the WR position.

I remember being worried about what our WR corp would do without Jeffery and what our RBs would do without Lattimore (both times) and it turned out fine. While no single player could replace their production we are deep enough to where a host of players can.
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