Defense making a name for itself
Two of the defenses considered among South Carolina’s all-time best – the 1984 and ’87 editions – had cool nicknames.
The ’84 D was the “Fire Ants,” so named for the way defenders flocked to the ball in the Gamecocks’ garnet uniforms.
The ’87 defense was dubbed “Black Death” because, well, it was a bad-a$$ nickname that sounded menacing. There’s a cool YouTube video, btw, showing the “2001” entrance before the ’87 Clemson game.
(Note the band member with “Black Death” towel attached to his/her drum.)
Anyway, if this year’s D does in fact rank among the school’s best – and I’d like to hear where y’all think this group stacks up with the others – then it needs a nickname.
Some of the players have taken to calling themselves the ‘Goon Squad,’ which is apparently a rap reference that hip-hop artist Plies helped popularize. A group of students held up signs spelling out ‘Goon Squad’ at the Tennessee game.
Given that goon squad also refers to “group of individuals serving as enforcers, bodyguards, and the like, especially persons hired for such a purpose and using violent, thuggish methods,” according to wiktionary, maybe the name fits.
What do you think? Like it? Does it have staying power?
Let’s hear some other suggestions.
180 Comments to “Defense making a name for itself”
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USC football beat writer Joe Person has covered the Gamecocks since the start of the 2002 season. He's been on the college football beat since 1993. 
How about gaybob because thats what all this is. The only post that makes sense is the Seattle guy. All the rest of you guys are complete homers. No wonder we have sucked for so long,
shut up will go somewhere else
Yeah, I could just hear a color commentator saying:
“Johnson’s COCKENSTEIN defense has held the Razorbacks to just 53 yards in the first half, only 22 on the ground. That name fits, as these guys are big and scary with bad intentions”
Cool.
Captain Crunchers ( Captain Munnerlyn and posse’ )
Johnson’s Cocks
Norwood’s Johnson
Brinkley’s Bashers
Brinkley & Company
Captain Descruction
Cook ie’s Cocks
Brink’s Defenders
Brink’s Black Magic
Black Magic in HD
“Black Magic in HD” remembers the efforts of the defense in the 80′s and speaks to the new age of this incredable defense.
Tar and feather defence…
I’m know it’s not original but I’m not opposed to bringing back the “fire ants”
I like “The Swarm”.
Congrats to ‘The Garnet Wall’ (you can’t get under, over, around, or through them!), I hope they stay healthy and continue to stop the other teams.
* The Pain Train *
Fits with the Cockabooses outside.
these are probably the worst ideas ever. you all should be ashamed of yourselves.
If the offense is Cock and Fire then the defense should be Cocked and Locked
Cocked and Locked is perfect
Not the biggest fan of Goon Squad either but if the players like it then I can dig it. I also like some of the other suggestions: Black Plague, Garnet Gauntlet & Palmetto Punishers. Regardless of the nickname, our “D” is pretty dang special. Had it not been for the outstanding play of the defense, we would not have won 6 games. In addition our “o”ffense puts the defense in some very tight positions at times and they ususally find a way to get the ball back. This is all you can ever ask of any defense. You also have to look at the points the “D” scored. If you take those away then we’re get’n awfully close to to 0 for! Admittedly, it looks like they’re starting to get it together but the old HBC is still fine tuning the offense. Until then our “D” is our rock! Remember, offense sells tickets– defense win ball games.
I gotta vote for Cocked & Locked too.
in stead of the dozen, call them the dirty dozen,
or maybe the reaper
the carolina mafia
How about the Claw and Scratch Defense? After all, that’s a Gamecock’s natural tendency, and they have done that all season to achieve victory.
How about “stalking Darrin Horn”?
Barnyard Bullies
I always thought that “Swamp Foxes” would be the historically correct counterpart to “Game Cocks,” but that won’t ever stick.
Why does the defense have to have a different name every year. The black shirts in Nebraska are always the blackshirts.
If we’re going to pick a name for the defense then we should stick with it.
I agree. A name should stick for years or it’s nothing special.
this subject is dumb , I would bet that most of the people on this tread coming up with these stupid nicknames are the same so called fans that were complaining after we lost to vanderbilt earlier this season, why can’t they just be the gamecock defense , is it because there finally good for a change? I like the FIGHTING GAMECOCKS because that was our ORIGINAL team name before peta complained enough that the school dropped the fighting part off the name. as far as a nick name for this particular group of players I beleave that the players and coach Johnson have the right to call them selves what ever thay want as they have earned it!
THE IRON ANVIL
THE BLACK HOLE
“enter with caution, you may not return”
Smashing Pumpkins!
“GARNETandBLACK ATTACK”
Attack-to set upon with violent force
The Blackhole — because your offense disappears!
The BLACKHOLE D – bacause your offense disappears!
THE MIGHTY FLOGGING D !!!!!!!!!!
FLOGGING – to beat with or as if with a rod or whip
I think that Garnet Steel or Black Steel Defense is catchy!
BLACK ATTACK!
How many 12 year olds have posted on this subject???? I feel like I’m reading names for the new Matel Action Figures play sets.
birds of a feather………are flocking outside!!!
since when did gamecock fans lose their sense of humor? perhaps none of the whiners stormed the field in ’92 when we lost at Bama 55-3, but scored the first points then drove back to Columbia and streaked the Horseshoe. All in the pouring rain.
Black hole is great, but I agree with the idea that we must first find a nickname for Williams Brice and then choose an appropriate nickname that sticks for good. That’s the real problem is ‘finding’ tradition. If HBC wins out, let’s let him name W-B, the future defenses and the future offenses.
Until then, I’m partial to Black Hole (for the D). That’s where the Cocks like to be.
this is what the players want, it doesnt matter what yall think
I HAVE IT…
“THE WALL”
MAN WE SHOULD PLAY PINK FLOYD AT THE GAMES..No one can get past the wall, no one can go through the wall, no one can go over the wall. it does not move. it is taller and wider than any can traverse…your travels end at the wall
then if we get the offense going they can call that “the machine” pink floyd again!!
and no I dont smoke pot!
Bluff Road Bullies
Hey, lets hang with traditon and stick with the FireAnts. The defense was named in the 80′s and this is the first squad that has come near to earning that legendary name (heck the first defense that has performed well enough to earn a nick)… At anyrate, don’t name ‘em til the seasons over. Don’t jinx the guys. But stick with a cock tradition! Go Daddy Joe, RIP!
Minnesota Mario had something with “tick tick booom”. One of the players has the song “Here comes the Boom” on their Myspace. Maybe you could just shorten it and call them “The Boom!” – Fans can chant “Here comes the boom!” when they come out on the field or make a great play.
“The Class Destruction” or “The Seek and Destroy Defense”
Cash Deposit – because they’re money in the bank, baby!
How about “G-Fence” for Garnet Fence, but I also like Garnet Wall.
name of defense BONE RATTLERS
name the defense BONE RATTLERS
Name the Defense – How about the “Cold Cocking Goons”.
Since the players like “goons” and they simply “cold cock” other teams with their plays… Teams simply get Cold Cocked.
The Cocks are diamond tough and Johnson Rough
How abot the “BLACK DIAMONDS”
Hard enough to get the job done!
I am affraid that guy is right. If it weren’t for our coach allowing gangmembers to remain on the team, we woudn’t have any defense at all. I am surprised we’ve not been called for helmet to helmet hits yet because we do it all the time.
The Bruise Man Crew.
D Mockingbirds… “mockin’ your QB when he’s layin’ on his back!!!!”
Alfred HitchCOCK’s THE BIRDS
i gotta say i like the palmetto punishers. but then again u can’t really yell that out…
goon squad could work, and if the players like it, thats cool.
seems like we could come up with something better though.