1. Russell Wilson starting for NC State for the third consecutive season has continued his sparkling form in 2010. The redshirt junior has tossed 11 touchdowns to only 1 interception on the season and has a ridiculous 59 career TD passes to only 13 INT. Wilson struggled a bit against UCF, but has been great in his other 3 performances. Most importantly for Wilson and the Wolfpack is the perfect 4-0 start and the #23 ranking.
2. Christian Ponder was pushed hard by FSU and The ACC as a Heisman contender, but so far Ponder hasn't lived up to the hype. Ponder seems to have taken a slight step-back from his form last season looking less than steller in a performance against Oklahoma where Ponder completed just over 30% of his passes with 2 interceptions. Ponder was able to bounce back with two good games against BYU and Wake Forest. Right now Ponder has a slight edge on Kyle Parker based on his superior scrambling skills and track record, but the margin is razor thin.
3. Kyle Parker has looked pretty good ever since shaking off some rust left over from the baseball season in the opening game against North Texas. Parker is second in the ACC in passing efficiency and was impressive throwing for 220 yards and 2 TDs to 0 INTs on the road against Auburn. Parker needs a couple more performances like the one against Auburn to move up the list.
4. Tyrod Taylor played spectacular against Boise State despite the late loss to the Broncos, but wasn't able to duplicate the performance against James Madison.. Overall, Taylor has performed well leading the ACC in pass efficiency while throwing for 5 TDs to only 2 INTs while flashing some nice wheels running for almost 50 yards per game.
5. Jacory Harris has the talent to be one of the top quarterbacks in the ACC, but tends to make too many mistakes throwing the football, which resulted in a ACC high 17 interceptions last year and Harris has followed suit with another 6 in 3 games this year. Outside of few poor throws a game, Harris has played well throwing for 6 TDs and over 200 yards per game. Overall, there really isn’t a huge margin seperating 1-5 right now.
6. Josh Nesbitt is hard to rank considering Georgia Tech run the option, but the performance of the offense rests on his shoulders and the Jackets have taken a step-back this year. Nesbitt does have a couple of 100 yard rushing performances and 6 TDs on the ground, but Nesbitt has been dreadful through the air only completing 14 passes on 43 attempts this year. Nesbitt was great last year, so for now Nesbitt gets the benefit of the doubt.
7. T.J. Yates has actually looked a lot better in his fourth year starting for the Tarheels, but it is hard to look past Yates 14 TD and 15 INT performance in 2009 and rank him any higher despite throwing for over 800 yards with 5 TDs and 1 INT against 3 BCS teams so far in 2010. Perhaps Yates will put in all together in his senior season or perhaps Yates will fall back to earth, but through 3 games a legit argument could be made that Yates has played as good as any QB in the ACC.
8. Sean Renfree has looked pretty good overall taking the reigns from Thad Lewis at Duke. Renfree leads the ACC in yards per game and has tossed 11 touchdowns, but also leads the ACC in interceptions with 7. Renfree has a bright future for the Blue Devils.
9. Marc Verica has looked better this year leading the Cavs to a 2-1 record. The senior has thrown for over 600 yards and 5 TDs to only 1 INT although 4 of his TDs came against division I-AA opponents. It is hard to overlook Verica past performances, which have been horrific and rank Verica any higher.
10. Danny O'Brien saw his first significant action last weekend against Florida International and played surprisingly well throwing for 250 yards and 2 TDs. The freshmen QB also played against Morgan State and threw 3 TDs in a relief appearance. O'Brien has been named the started for the Terps game against the Blue Devils this weekend supplanting Jamarr Robinson.
11. Ted Stachitas is back starting for Wake after bruising his non-throwing hand against Duke. Stachitas leads the Deacs in rushing with 164 yards and 2 TDs while also throwing for 131 yards despite being limited to primarily running the football since the injury against Duke. True Freshman Tanner Price has also started for Wake this season.
12. Dave Shinskie has been sub-par so far throwing 4 TDs and 4 INTs on the season including a miserable performance against VT over the weekend. The 26 year old sophomore will not be starting in BC's game against Notre Dame on Saturday after being benched.
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Monday, September 27, 2010
Tigers In The NFL - Week 3
Offense
Charlie Whitehurst didn't play in in Seattle's 27-20 win at home over San Diego. Whitehurst is the back-up QB behind starter Matt Hasselbeck in Seattle.
James Davis saw his first action of the season racking up 9 yards on 4 carries spelling starting runningback Patrick Hillis in the Cleveland's 24-17 loss at Baltimore.
C.J. Spiller broke out with a big game in a 38-30 loss to the New England Patriots. Spiller has 29 yards on 4 carries on the ground to go along with 3 receptions for 10 yards and a TD threw the air. Spiller also had a 95 yard KO return for a TD. The TDs were Spiller's first and second career touchdowns.
Jacoby Ford didn't record any catches in the Raider's 24-23 loss to the Cardinals.
Chansi Stuckey didn't record any catches in the Brown's 24-17 loss to the Ravens
Micael Palmer didn't record any receptions in the Falcon's 27-24 OT win against the Saints.
Barry Richardson started at OT in the Kansas City Chiefs 31-10 victory over the San Francisco 49ers. Richardson has started the Chiefs first 3 games on the season at tackle. The Chiefs has a bye in Week 4.
Defense
Nick Eason recorded his first sack of the season in the Steeler's 38-13 rout of Tampa Bay.
Trevor Pryce didn't accumulate any stats in the Raven's 24-17 win over the Browns. Pryce left the Raven's game with an injury. No word on the severity of the injury.
Dorrell Scott didn't show up on the stats sheet in the Ram's 30-16 win over the Redskins.
Kavell Conner started in place of injuried LB Clint Sessions in the Colts 27-13 win over the Broncos. Conner's time on the field was limited as Conner left the game with an unknown injury and was later carted off to the locker room and didn't return to the game.
Anthony Waters didn't record any stats in the Saints 27-24 OT loss to the Falcons.
Crezdon Butler didn't record any stats in the Steeler's 38-13 rout over Tampa Bay.
Chris Clemons had 3 solo tackles and 2 assists in the Dolphin's 31-23 loss to the Jets. Clemons started at safety for the Dolphins.
Brain Dawkins recorded 3 solo tackles in the Bronco's 27-13 loss to the Colts.
Mike Hamlin didn't record any stats in the Cowboy's win over the Texans.
Notes: Leroy Hill, Phillip Merling & Ricky Sapp are injuried.
Charlie Whitehurst didn't play in in Seattle's 27-20 win at home over San Diego. Whitehurst is the back-up QB behind starter Matt Hasselbeck in Seattle.
| CMP | ATT | CMT% | LNG | YPA | TD | INT | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| @DEN | 0 | 0 | N/A | N/A | N/A | 0 | 0 |
| Season | 0 | 0 | N/A | N/A | N/A | 0 | 0 |
James Davis saw his first action of the season racking up 9 yards on 4 carries spelling starting runningback Patrick Hillis in the Cleveland's 24-17 loss at Baltimore.
| ATT | YDS | AVG | TD | REC | YDS | AVG | TD | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| KC | 4 | 9 | 2.3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | N/A | 0 |
| Season | 4 | 9 | 2.3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | N/A | 0 |
C.J. Spiller broke out with a big game in a 38-30 loss to the New England Patriots. Spiller has 29 yards on 4 carries on the ground to go along with 3 receptions for 10 yards and a TD threw the air. Spiller also had a 95 yard KO return for a TD. The TDs were Spiller's first and second career touchdowns.
| ATT | YDS | AVG | TD | REC | YDS | AVG | TD | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| @GB | 4 | 29 | 7.3 | 0 | 3 | 10 | 3.3 | 1 |
| Season | 12 | 38 | 3.2 | 0 | 11 | 41 | 3.7 | 1 |
Jacoby Ford didn't record any catches in the Raider's 24-23 loss to the Cardinals.
| REC | YDS | AVG | LNG | TD | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| STL | 0 | 0 | N/A | N/A | 0 |
| Season | 0 | 0 | N/A | N/A | 0 |
Chansi Stuckey didn't record any catches in the Brown's 24-17 loss to the Ravens
| REC | YDS | AVG | LNG | TD | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| KC | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Season | 5 | 41 | 8.2 | 11 | 0 |
Micael Palmer didn't record any receptions in the Falcon's 27-24 OT win against the Saints.
| REC | YDS | AVG | LNG | TD | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ARI | 0 | 0 | N/A | N/A | 0 |
| Season | 0 | 0 | N/A | N/A | 0 |
Barry Richardson started at OT in the Kansas City Chiefs 31-10 victory over the San Francisco 49ers. Richardson has started the Chiefs first 3 games on the season at tackle. The Chiefs has a bye in Week 4.
| GP | GS | |
|---|---|---|
| @CLE | 1 | 1 |
| Season | 3 | 3 |
Defense
Nick Eason recorded his first sack of the season in the Steeler's 38-13 rout of Tampa Bay.
| TOT | SOLO | SACK | INT | FF | FR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| @TEN | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Season | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Trevor Pryce didn't accumulate any stats in the Raven's 24-17 win over the Browns. Pryce left the Raven's game with an injury. No word on the severity of the injury.
| TOT | SOLO | SACK | INT | FF | FR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| @CIN | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Season | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Dorrell Scott didn't show up on the stats sheet in the Ram's 30-16 win over the Redskins.
| TOT | SOLO | SACK | INT | FF | FR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| @OAK | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Season | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Kavell Conner started in place of injuried LB Clint Sessions in the Colts 27-13 win over the Broncos. Conner's time on the field was limited as Conner left the game with an unknown injury and was later carted off to the locker room and didn't return to the game.
| TOT | SOLO | SACK | INT | FF | FR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NYG | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Season | 5 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Anthony Waters didn't record any stats in the Saints 27-24 OT loss to the Falcons.
| TOT | SOLO | SACK | INT | FF | FR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| @SF | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Season | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Crezdon Butler didn't record any stats in the Steeler's 38-13 rout over Tampa Bay.
| TOT | SOLO | SACK | INT | FF | FR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| @TEN | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Season | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Chris Clemons had 3 solo tackles and 2 assists in the Dolphin's 31-23 loss to the Jets. Clemons started at safety for the Dolphins.
| TOT | SOLO | SACK | INT | FF | FR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| @MIN | 5 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Season | 14 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Brain Dawkins recorded 3 solo tackles in the Bronco's 27-13 loss to the Colts.
| TOT | SOLO | SACK | INT | FF | FR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SEA | 4 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Season | 15 | 12 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Mike Hamlin didn't record any stats in the Cowboy's win over the Texans.
| TOT | SOLO | SACK | INT | FF | FR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| @MIN | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Season | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Notes: Leroy Hill, Phillip Merling & Ricky Sapp are injuried.
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Clemson Recruit Performance - 9/24/10
Mike Bellamy rushed for 274 yards on 13 carries in Charlotte's 52-6 win over DeSoto. Bellemy started the game with a 65 yard TD run off of a sweep. Bellemy added first half TD runs of 15, 32 and 4 yards before opening the second half with a 69 yard TD scamper.
Charone Peake had 8 catches for 139 yards and a TD in Dorman's 34-7 win over Riverside. It was Peake's first TD catch of the season who has been less than 100% with a ankle injury all season.
Adam Humphries filled in A.J. Booker and had 5 carries and 32 yards with TD runs of 3, 4 and 12 yards in Dorman's 34-7 win over Riverside.
Eric MacClain who doubles as the teams punter boomed a 56 yard punt in his only attempt as Jack Britt ripped Cape Fear 41-6. On the season MacLain has 8 catches for 147 yards and no TDs.
Marlin Lane playing in his first game since injuring his ACL on November 20th of last year finished with 58 yards on 16 carries with a 3 yard TD in Mainland's 23-19 loss to Sanford.
Tony McNeal and Chester had a bye week. Chester is 3-2 on the season
Robert Smith scored 4 TDs in Woodland 26-17 victory over Crane Creek. Smith who plays QB for Woodland scored on runs of 2, 8, 35 and 6 yards. Smith projects as a DB for Clemson.
Cortez Davis had 7 receptions for 91 yards and 2 TDs in Mainland's 23-19 loss to Sanford. Davis has TD receptions of 12 and 22 yards. Davis projects as a DB for Clemson.
Charone Peake had 8 catches for 139 yards and a TD in Dorman's 34-7 win over Riverside. It was Peake's first TD catch of the season who has been less than 100% with a ankle injury all season.
Adam Humphries filled in A.J. Booker and had 5 carries and 32 yards with TD runs of 3, 4 and 12 yards in Dorman's 34-7 win over Riverside.
Eric MacClain who doubles as the teams punter boomed a 56 yard punt in his only attempt as Jack Britt ripped Cape Fear 41-6. On the season MacLain has 8 catches for 147 yards and no TDs.
Marlin Lane playing in his first game since injuring his ACL on November 20th of last year finished with 58 yards on 16 carries with a 3 yard TD in Mainland's 23-19 loss to Sanford.
Tony McNeal and Chester had a bye week. Chester is 3-2 on the season
Robert Smith scored 4 TDs in Woodland 26-17 victory over Crane Creek. Smith who plays QB for Woodland scored on runs of 2, 8, 35 and 6 yards. Smith projects as a DB for Clemson.
Cortez Davis had 7 receptions for 91 yards and 2 TDs in Mainland's 23-19 loss to Sanford. Davis has TD receptions of 12 and 22 yards. Davis projects as a DB for Clemson.
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Clemson Tigers in the NFL - Week 2
Offense
Charlie Whitehurst - QB - Seattle Seahawks
| CMP | ATT | CMT% | LNG | YPA | TD | INT | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| @DEN | 0 | 0 | N/A | N/A | N/A | 0 | 0 |
| Season | 0 | 0 | N/A | N/A | N/A | 0 | 0 |
James Davis - RB - Cleveland Browns
| ATT | YDS | AVG | TD | REC | YDS | AVG | TD | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| KC | 0 | 0 | N/A | 0 | 0 | 0 | N/A | 0 |
| Season | 0 | 0 | N/A | 0 | 0 | 0 | N/A | 0 |
C.J. Spiller - RB - Buffalo Bills
| ATT | YDS | AVG | TD | REC | YDS | AVG | TD | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| @GB | 1 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 23 | 5.8 | 0 |
| Season | 8 | 9 | 1.1 | 0 | 8 | 31 | 3.9 | 0 |
Jacoby Ford - WR - Oakland Raiders
| REC | YDS | AVG | LNG | TD | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| STL | 0 | 0 | N/A | N/A | 0 |
| Season | 0 | 0 | N/A | N/A | 0 |
Chansi Stuckey - WR - Cleveland Browns
| REC | YDS | AVG | LNG | TD | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| KC | 1 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 0 |
| Season | 5 | 41 | 8.2 | 11 | 0 |
Micael Palmer - TE - Atlanta Falcons
| REC | YDS | AVG | LNG | TD | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ARI | 0 | 0 | N/A | N/A | 0 |
| Season | 0 | 0 | N/A | N/A | 0 |
Barry Richardson - OL - Kansas City Cheifs
| GP | GS | |
|---|---|---|
| @CLE | 1 | 1 |
| Season | 2 | 2 |
Defense
Nick Eason - DL - Pittsburgh Steelers
| TOT | SOLO | SACK | INT | FF | FR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| @TEN | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Season | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Trevor Pryce - DL - Baltimore Ravens
| TOT | SOLO | SACK | INT | FF | FR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| @CIN | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Season | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Dorrell Scott - DL - St Louis Rams
| TOT | SOLO | SACK | INT | FF | FR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| @OAK | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Season | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Kavell Conner - LB - Indianapolis Colts
| TOT | SOLO | SACK | INT | FF | FR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NYG | 5 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Season | 5 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Anthony Waters - LB - New Orlenes Saints
| TOT | SOLO | SACK | INT | FF | FR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| @SF | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Season | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Crezdon Butler - CB - Pittsburgh Steelers
| TOT | SOLO | SACK | INT | FF | FR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| @TEN | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Season | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Chris Clemons- S - Miami Dolphins
| TOT | SOLO | SACK | INT | FF | FR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| @MIN | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Season | 9 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Brain Dawkins - S -Denver Broncos
| TOT | SOLO | SACK | INT | FF | FR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SEA | 8 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Season | 11 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Mike Hamlin - S - Dallas Cowboys
| TOT | SOLO | SACK | INT | FF | FR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| @MIN | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Season | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Notes: Leroy Hill, Phillip Merling & Ricky Sapp are injuried.
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Clemson @ Auburn Post Game Thoughts
Saturday night game against Auburn was a bitter pill to swallow because Clemson generally played well and looked like the better more physical team despite losing in overtime on a missed field goal. The 17 point margin that Auburn overcame to win was Clemson’s biggest blown lead since the 1984 game against South Carolina and was especially tough because Clemson had chance after chance to win the game. Parker floated and overthrew a wide open Dwayne Allen down the sidelines that would have at worst put the Tigers in field goal range and the Parker missed a wide open Jaron Brown in the end zone on a designed rollout. The Tigers subsequently missed a 31 yard FG to lose the game that came after a procedure penalty forced the Tigers to re-kick the game tying FG.
Despite the bitterly disappointing result, their was a lot to be encouraged about from the game. The game plans on both sides of the ball were excellent and Clemson responded with some great adjustments and were able to bounce back after Auburn scored 21 unanswered points in the 3rd quarter. Clemson played a very physical brand of football on both sides of the ball that has rarely been seen since the 80s and early 90s. The offensive line played a very good game overall. Their run blocking is definitely ahead of their pass protection at this point, but this unit definitely looks like the best OL since 2006 and perhaps the best since the Ford Era. Ellington looked outstanding and Dwayne Allen will easy be the best Clemson TE since Cunningham. Defensively the players were laying the lumber and really limited Cam Newton dynamic rushing ability. Bower’s played the best game of his career and has started to play up to his potential.
Really my only complaint from the game on Saturday was that the coaching staff got way too high after getting the 17-0 lead. Swinney and the coaching staff were doing too much fist-pumping, high-fiving and back-slapping and in my opinion they acted like the game was over at that point. It spilled over to the players who were high-fiving fans on the way to the locker room. Swinney is a great motivator and the players feed off of his intensity, which is exactly what you want as a coach, but when you see that same coach loosen up and relax then it is only natural that the players are going to follow that lead and it isn’t surprising that the team let off the gas in the third quarter. I think the team took a similar approach after wrapping up the Atlantic Division after the UVA game and the players took their foot off the pedal against South Carolina.
This team has to learn how to win and it starts from the coaching staff instilling in their players to go for the kill when you opponent on the ropes and never take the pressure off until the game is well in hand. I hope and think that this will be a learning experience to both the coaches and the players that they have to keep same killer mentality throughout the game and throughout the entire season. Regardless of the outcome, it was a encouraging performance with more a lot more good than bad that if duplicated will result in a great season and back-to-back trips to the ACC Championship Game. It all starts with coming out with similar intensity and toughness at home against Miami. Personally, I think we will see it and respond with a win.
This team has to learn how to win and it starts from the coaching staff instilling in their players to go for the kill when you opponent on the ropes and never take the pressure off until the game is well in hand. I hope and think that this will be a learning experience to both the coaches and the players that they have to keep same killer mentality throughout the game and throughout the entire season. Regardless of the outcome, it was a encouraging performance with more a lot more good than bad that if duplicated will result in a great season and back-to-back trips to the ACC Championship Game. It all starts with coming out with similar intensity and toughness at home against Miami. Personally, I think we will see it and respond with a win.
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
The Maturation of the Offensive Line
Clemson entered the 2008 season ranked as the preseason #9 team in the country, but the hopes of a dream season were dashed right off the bat when the Alabama rocked the Tigers to a tune of 38-10 in the Georgia Dome. The Tigers were mauled physical up-front and the season quickly unraveled and Tommy Bowden was fired after the Wake Forest game and replaced by Dabo Swinney. Alabama exposed a weakness along the lines especially at OL where the Tigers clearly lacked the talent and experience up front to be even a Top 25 team much less a Top 10 team.
Here is the starting line-up along the OL from that 2008 game:
LT – Chris Hairston - SO
RG – JeMarcus Grant – JR
C – Thomas Austin – JR
LG – Barry Humphries – JR
RT – Corey Lambert – JR
The line only featured two quality players in Hairston and Austin. Hairston was only a SO and was replacing Barry Richardson, so it should be no surprise that this unit was just completely manhandled and abused throughout the season. This group simple lacked the talent and experiance to play physical football. It also showed that it is borderline impossible to win consistently when your OL is a weakness regardless of the amount of talent elsewhere on the squad.
To start the 2009 season the Tiger’s had a completely reshaped offensively line and started the season with the following look:
LT – Chris Hairston – JR
RG – Mason Cloy – SO
C- Thomas Austin – SR
LG – Antonio McLain – SO
RT – Landon Walker – SO
This line was better than the 2008, but struggled early in the season to the point that the line was shaken-up after the Maryland game with Dalton Freeman a redshirt freshmen moving to C and Austin replacing Cloy at RG. The line really started to improve as Austin looked better and looked much more comfortable at OG and Freeman really emerged as a beast a C. The OL keep getting better and better as the season progressed and the line jelled and started working together as an effective unit.
Dalton Freeman
Clemson started the following OL in 2010:
LT – Chris Hairston – SR
RG – David Smith – JR
C- Dalton Freeman - SO
LG - Antonio McLain – JR
RT – Landon Walker – JR
The 2010 line has a combined total of 71 starts lead by Hairston with 23 and Walker with 22. Mason Cloy is also a valuable swing-man who has started 17 games and can fill in at any position along the interior with almost zero drop-off. Cloy would likely have been a standout on the 2008 OL, which speaks to how far the line has progressed in two seasons. For the first time since the 2006 season, Clemson has an OL that is a strength of the team and OL that is able to play physical and hard-noised football.
I thought the OL was impressive in the first real test of the season at Auburn on Saturday. They played a physical brand of football that was rarely seen during the Bowden era. The group still has room to improve especially in-terms of pass protection, but overall this OL has the talent and potential to be the best OL since the Ford era as long as they play with passion and intensity for the rest of the season.
Here is the starting line-up along the OL from that 2008 game:
LT – Chris Hairston - SO
RG – JeMarcus Grant – JR
C – Thomas Austin – JR
LG – Barry Humphries – JR
RT – Corey Lambert – JR
The line only featured two quality players in Hairston and Austin. Hairston was only a SO and was replacing Barry Richardson, so it should be no surprise that this unit was just completely manhandled and abused throughout the season. This group simple lacked the talent and experiance to play physical football. It also showed that it is borderline impossible to win consistently when your OL is a weakness regardless of the amount of talent elsewhere on the squad.
To start the 2009 season the Tiger’s had a completely reshaped offensively line and started the season with the following look:
LT – Chris Hairston – JR
RG – Mason Cloy – SO
C- Thomas Austin – SR
LG – Antonio McLain – SO
RT – Landon Walker – SO
This line was better than the 2008, but struggled early in the season to the point that the line was shaken-up after the Maryland game with Dalton Freeman a redshirt freshmen moving to C and Austin replacing Cloy at RG. The line really started to improve as Austin looked better and looked much more comfortable at OG and Freeman really emerged as a beast a C. The OL keep getting better and better as the season progressed and the line jelled and started working together as an effective unit.
Dalton Freeman
Clemson started the following OL in 2010:
LT – Chris Hairston – SR
RG – David Smith – JR
C- Dalton Freeman - SO
LG - Antonio McLain – JR
RT – Landon Walker – JR
The 2010 line has a combined total of 71 starts lead by Hairston with 23 and Walker with 22. Mason Cloy is also a valuable swing-man who has started 17 games and can fill in at any position along the interior with almost zero drop-off. Cloy would likely have been a standout on the 2008 OL, which speaks to how far the line has progressed in two seasons. For the first time since the 2006 season, Clemson has an OL that is a strength of the team and OL that is able to play physical and hard-noised football.
I thought the OL was impressive in the first real test of the season at Auburn on Saturday. They played a physical brand of football that was rarely seen during the Bowden era. The group still has room to improve especially in-terms of pass protection, but overall this OL has the talent and potential to be the best OL since the Ford era as long as they play with passion and intensity for the rest of the season.
Friday, September 10, 2010
Tigers In The NFL By Position
OFFENSE
QB
Charlie Whitehurst - 5th Year - Seattle Seahawks
RB
James Davis - 2nd Year - Cleveland Browns
CJ Spiller - Rookie - Buffalo Bills
WR
Jacoby Ford - Rookie - Oakland Raiders
Tyler Grisham* - 2nd Year - Pittsburgh Steelers
Chansi Stucky - 4th Year - Cleveland Browns
TE
Michael Palmer - Rookie - Atlanta Falcons
OL
Barry Ricardson - 3rd Year - Kansas City Cheifs
DEFENSE
DT
Nick Eason - 8th Year - Pittsburgh Steelers
Trevor Pryce - 15th Year - Balitmore Ravens
Dorrell Scott - 2nd Year - St Louis Rams
DE
Phillip Merling** - 3rd Year - Miami Dolphins
Ricky Sapp*** - Rookie - Philadelphia Eagles
LB
Kevin Alexander* - Rookie - Denver Broncos
Karvell Conner - Rookie - Indianapolis Colts
Leroy Hill** - 6th Year - Seattle Seahawks
Anthony Waters - 3rd Year - New Orleans Saints
CB
Crezdon Butler - Rookie - Pittsburgh Steelers
SAF
Chris Clemons - 2nd Year - Miami Dolphins
Brain Dawkins - 16th Year - Denver Broncos
Michael Hamlin - 2nd Year - Dallas Cowboys
* - Practice Squad
** - Reserve List
*** - Injuried Reserve
Congrats to all Tigers in the NFL!
QB
Charlie Whitehurst - 5th Year - Seattle Seahawks
RB
James Davis - 2nd Year - Cleveland Browns
CJ Spiller - Rookie - Buffalo Bills
WR
Jacoby Ford - Rookie - Oakland Raiders
Tyler Grisham* - 2nd Year - Pittsburgh Steelers
Chansi Stucky - 4th Year - Cleveland Browns
TE
Michael Palmer - Rookie - Atlanta Falcons
OL
Barry Ricardson - 3rd Year - Kansas City Cheifs
DEFENSE
DT
Nick Eason - 8th Year - Pittsburgh Steelers
Trevor Pryce - 15th Year - Balitmore Ravens
Dorrell Scott - 2nd Year - St Louis Rams
DE
Phillip Merling** - 3rd Year - Miami Dolphins
Ricky Sapp*** - Rookie - Philadelphia Eagles
LB
Kevin Alexander* - Rookie - Denver Broncos
Karvell Conner - Rookie - Indianapolis Colts
Leroy Hill** - 6th Year - Seattle Seahawks
Anthony Waters - 3rd Year - New Orleans Saints
CB
Crezdon Butler - Rookie - Pittsburgh Steelers
SAF
Chris Clemons - 2nd Year - Miami Dolphins
Brain Dawkins - 16th Year - Denver Broncos
Michael Hamlin - 2nd Year - Dallas Cowboys
* - Practice Squad
** - Reserve List
*** - Injuried Reserve
Congrats to all Tigers in the NFL!
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Pawvision Running Off Rabbit Ears?
Not a whole lot to take away on the field from last weekends 35-10 victory in the game over North Texas, but a major take away off the field was that Pawvision's picture was about as clear as the picture on a 1996 Zennith TV trying to pick-up the WB on a pair of tinfoil covered rabbit ears.
I am not sure what the issue is with the Daktronics' manufactured screen, but I hope that it gets corrected so the patrons can watch crystal clear replays of all the big plays in this weekends thrashing of the Blue Hose.
I am not sure what the issue is with the Daktronics' manufactured screen, but I hope that it gets corrected so the patrons can watch crystal clear replays of all the big plays in this weekends thrashing of the Blue Hose.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Rumor: Tigers looking to schedule BYU
Nothing concrete but with Brigham Young University making the switch from the Mountain West Conference to Independent status for the 2011 football season, the Tigers and Cougars are looking to schedule a home and home series in the near future.
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