Defending Paul Johnson's Triple Option

When GT's offense is most dangerous, the midline is really hitting. The outside veer, rocket sweeps, and other things are devastating, but Tech hits with the force of an ICBM when the midline is humming. Basically, Dwyer will run through A gap, and if the 3T squeezes him, Nesbitt will pull it, and be running vertically and chewing acreage while he is doing it. Check these 2 clips against Miami in 2008.

*In this example the C does a great job cutting the NG, the 3T gets caught in the wash, the MLB gets slammed into by the PSG and the OLB over pursues opening up a huge cutback lane. The thing that is scary is even if the OLB didn't over pursue, he is blocked, so the play is there anyway.


Dwyer's 1st TD (UM v GT 2008)

In this clip, GT runs the play to the weakside, and use the motion man (Jones) to block down on the support player (the free), the DT hammers Dwyer, and there is no one for Nesbitt and its off to the races.


Josh Nesbitt's Long Run (UM v GT 08)

Your standard meatball announcer or tailgating pop warner coach will say, play an 8 man front with the CBs manned up and 1 S in the middle of the field. Well as someone who has a love affair with all sorts of double slot formation, you are going to get a 4 vert or a vertical switch concept where you have 2 guys going vertical up the numbers and 2 up the hash which means somewhere you have Kavell Connor chasing a cat. Not good. You can also get the old run and shoot choice route shoved down your throat. One slot motions and runs a fat post, while the other slot runs a shallow cross. The backside WR runs a smash while the frontside WR runs a go. This is a cover 3 and man killer.

When GT is mashing your defense with the midline, GT is really effective at turning on their outside game. PJ is very patient and does not panic if you get up a score or two. Once the inside stuff started hitting against UGA in 2008, they Dawgs manned up the corners, ran a 4-4, and tried to overload the box. PJ will mix up blocking schemes and really get after you good. Here in the Miami game, the 3T took Dwyer, the S got cut by the playside back, and the OLB took the QB leaving no one for the pitchman.


Roddy Jones' 40 yard run against Miami

Here in the 2008 UGA game, UGA's answer was man coverage. The S screamed downhill, but because the CB was manned up, when the WR went inside to crack, the CB went with him, and there was no one on the perimeter.


Roddy Jones - Long Run - GT v UGA 2008

The final nail in UGA's coffin was a defense that had been on the field entirely too long that was no longer tackling, but rather hitting.


Roddy Jones TD - GT v UGA 2008

SO HOW THEN SHOULD STEELE ATTACK?

In the first match-up our DT and Maye took away the midline stuff, while Clemson lateral speed on the outside helped us take away the outside. Steele will have to continue to mix-up looks to try to keep PJ off balance because PJ will find and exploit weaknesses in a defense that is predictable of the course of the game.

Nesbitt is the guy that drives Georgia Tech's offense not Dwyer and if Nesbitt can keep and follow Dwyer up the middle for 4 to 6 yards like in 4th quarter of the Clemson game then we are in trouble. The QB keepers have given Clemson fits all year, so finding the answer prior to the GT game should be priority number one for Steele.

Another key will be limiting Tech's passing game, which Clemson did well in the first game; however, GT passing attack has improved as the season has progressed. Nesbitt is throwing the ball better and overall the passing game is much more fluid. Of course All-ACC WR, Bay-Bay Thomas, is the key weapon when Nesbitt drops back to throw. Clemson needs to make sure Thomas is matched-up with a taller, physical corner on every snap. Chancellor on Thomas is a match-up asking for big plays against us.

Georgia Tech's offense isn't a ball control offense, it is a big play offense, so Clemson has to score TDs, all while allowing our defense to rest and be coached up.

Not Sure If TDP Is Serious

In a recent Post and Courier article, Terry Don Phillips was asked about moving the Clemson-South Carolina game to the start of the season.

"That might be a good idea," Phillips said."



I hate this idea and hope TDP is not being serious.

Why mess with an established tradition especially an established tradition that has worked out in Clemson's favor for over 50 years?

Who cares if the ACCGC is the next week? This doesn't stop Alabama and Florida from playing a rivalry game the week before the SECGC. It also would mean that Clemson would likely have a pivotal ACC clash the week before the ACCGC, which is still two pivotal games in back-to-back weeks.

Clemson-South Carolina is a rivalry and should be played at the end of the season just like Ohio State-Michigan, Alabama-Auburn, Florida-Florida State and Army-Navy.

I don't see a single positive aspect of this lame idea and can't believe that it would ever be seriously considered by Clemson's Athletic Department.

Share your thoughts on this idea and vote in the poll question on the top right.

Steele Puts Pepper In Clemson's Grits

Clemson was ranked 13th in the nation in scoring defense in 2008 under Vic Koenning, but the defense tended to struggle in the 2nd half after limiting the opposing team's offense in the 1st half.

Insert Kevin Steele.



The biggest difference between Koenning's defense and Steele's defense is that Steele makes superb halftime adjustments and develops a scheme that produces a lot of big plays even though their stats in terms of Scoring Defense and Total Defense are virtually the same.

Below is a breakdown of offensive points allowed versus Division I teams in 2008 versus 2009 broken down by quarter.





Koenning's defense actually outperformed Steele's defense by 26 points in the 1st half, but Steele's defense outperformed Koenning's defense by 22 points in the 2nd half. Steele's defense makes adjustments while Koenning's defense had adjustments made against it.

The next most important defensive stat to pure "Scoring Defense" is "Turnover Forced" and Steele's defense is forcing 2.45 per game compared to 2.15 per game under Koenning last year.

I am not knocking Vic Koenning because Koenning didn't have the advantage of working under a competent offensive coordinator or have as good of assistant coaches or quite as much talent defensively, but Steele is on another level in terms of making adjustments and developing a scheme that results in momentum changing plays like turnovers and sacks.

Simple put Steele puts pepper in his player's grits.

Hats off to all the coaches and players for winning the Atlantic!

Clemson - Virginia Preview

Offense

Virginia

Virginia switched to a spread option offense under Urban Meyer protégé Greg Brandon, but the offense resembles more of the 4 WR spread with option running plays rather than Florida’s single-wing spread option under Urban Meyer.

The offense is directed by Jamelle Sewell, who is nursing a tender shoulder and may not be able to play on Saturday. Back-up QB Mark Verica is out with a concussion suffered in the Miami game, which may force Groh to turn to freshman Riko Small.

Sewell is completing 53% of his passes for 6 TDs and 7 INTs this year, and his favorite targets are Kris Burd and Vic Hall who have combined for 46 catches and 2 TDs. The running game is a mix of Sewell, who leads the team in carries with 109, and running backs Rashawn Jackson and Mikell Simpson, who have combined for 135 carries and 706 yards.

The offensive line, which is usually pretty stout under Groh, has allowed an ACC high 32 sacks. Mainboarder Luke Bowanko (#70) is redshirting this season.



Clemson

The Tigers run a pro-style offense under Dabo Swinney and Billy Napier and like to get the ball in the hands of their tight ends and running backs over their wide receivers. Clemson's offense is balanced (55% to 45% run to pass) and leans heavily on Heisman Trophy candidate C.J. Spiller and emerging playmaker Andre Ellington to grind out yards on the ground.

Kyle Parker comes in to the game completing 54% of his passes, but the redshirt freshmen has looked much sharper in recent weeks, culminating in his best game of the season last week against NCSU.

Clemson's WR are still a liability outside of speedster Jacoby Ford, but both Xavier Dye and Terrence Ashe have improved their level of play in recent weeks - especially Dye, who has become Ford and Spiller’s favorite target in Halfback and WR-pass plays after hauling in a TD pass from each this season.

Thomas Austin is nursing a sprained ankle and is listed as probable for Saturday’s game. Austin will definitely give it a go in his final home game, but expect Mason Cloy to see a lot of playing time at OG as well.



QB - Advantage Clemson
OL –Advantage Clemson
RB - Advantage Clemson
TE/WR – Advantage Clemson

Overall Offense - Advantage Clemson

Defense

Virginia

The Hoos use a base 3-4 defense under head coach and defensive coordinator Al Groh, but Groh doesn’t bring as much pressure as is typically seen out of a 3-4 system.

The front-three is led by a legitimate werewolf at DE, Nate Collins, who is the most talented defensive lineman the Tigers have faced since seeing Derrick Morgan and Jerry Hughes. The line features a lot of beef but isn’t to be feared outside of Collins.

The linebackers are also big with the OLBers tipping the scales at 255 pounds, but again isn’t a unit that is going to strike fear into an opposing offensive coordinator otherwise.

Virginia’s secondary is the best unit on the entire team and is led by Ras-I Dowling, who many scouts consider to be a potential 1st Round pick in the 2010 NFL Draft. Chris Cook and Brandon Woods are also very solid players in the Cavalier secondary.

Clemson

Clemson uses a 4-3 with a base 1-Robber Man or base Cover-2 Man, but Kevin Steele likes to mix in more fronts and bring a variety of pressure.

Clemson is stacked on the defensive line, led up the middle by DTs Jarvis Jenkins and Brandon Thompson and also DE Ricky Sapp, who tops the Tigers with 4 sacks. DaQuan Bowers is listed as probable for Saturday’s game after missing the last 2 contests with a sprained knee.

Clemson's weakest spot defensively is at linebacker, but against a team that features 4 WR like UVa you can expect Steele to play a lot of nickel. Kavell Conner and Kevin Alexander have both quietly had impressive seasons, and the impact that Alexander has had as a hybrid DE/LB, especially with Cooper’s inconsistent play and Bower’s injury, should be applauded.

The defensive backs are led by safety DeAndre McDaniel, who is first in the nation in interceptions with 8. Crezdon Butler has prospered in the switch from zone to man defense under Steele, and Byron Maxwell has come on extremely strong and is playing better than Chris Chancellor, in my opinion.



DL - Advantage Clemson
LB - Advantage Clemson
DB - Advantage Clemson

Overall Defense - Big Advantage Clemson

Special Teams

Virginia

The Cavaliers are last in the ACC in kickoff returns. Punter Jimmy Howell nets an average of 40.5 yards per kick, while kicker Robert Randolph is having an All-ACC caliber season, connecting on all but 2 kicks this season.

Clemson

Clemson has returned 5 kicks for TDs, including 3 KOs and 1 PR by the best return man in the nation in C.J. Spiller. Most teams have started kicking away from Spiller, giving Clemson excellent field position as a result.

Punter Dawson Zimmerman nets an average of 39.7 yards per kick, while the Clemson kicking game is currently in complete shambles after imploding the last 2 games.

Kick Return - Big Advantage Clemson
Punt Return - Big Advantage Clemson
Punting – Slight Advantage UVA
Kicking – Big Advantage UVA

Overall Special Teams - Advantage Clemson

Closing Thoughts

Virginia has a solid defense, in fact in the same league with Miami and Wake Forest and perhaps slightly better, but the offense has been a train wreck this season, and overall UVA is the 2nd worst team in the ACC behind Maryland.

The only way that this game is an upset in my opinion is if Clemson starts uncharacteristically coughing up the ball in its own territory, giving the Hoos easy scoring chances.

I expect the Clemson defense to limit their offense to less than 2 TDs, and our offense to benefit from a bunch of three and outs by the defense and to cash in on the resulting great field position.

I expect that Tigers to be jacked on Senior Day and to collect their 1st Atlantic Division crown in runaway fashion.



Shout-out to CJ Spiller, Jacoby Ford, Michael Palmer, Thomas Austin, Ricky Sapp, Karvell Conner, Kevin Alexander, Chris Chancellor, Crezdon Butler, Sadat Chambers, Corey Lambert and all the other Tigers running down the hill for the final time. Thanks for the memories!

Clemson 34 - Virginia 10

Heisman Trophy Trust Letter To C.J. Spiller

Debunking Jeremy B

Jeremy Branham, a South Carolina Gamecock fan who lives in Sacramento, CA, recently spent a considerable time and effort writing an article and sending it to media members in an effort to derail C.J. Spiller's Heisman candidacy. But instead, Jeremy just ended up looking like a fool who failed Statistics 101.



Legitimate Werewolf

Italics are quotes from Jeremy's article.

Spiller is 46th in the nation in rushing. Some might argue that there were games he didn’t carry the ball that much and was held out. However, look at his numbers for the number of touches he gets. Spiller averages 5.46 yards per carry, 45th in the nation among all RBs. 50 out of his 153 carries, or nearly 1 out of every 3, have been for 1 yard or less. Taking into account all his offensive production (running, receiving), he ranks 20th in the nation with 1218 yards. 15 RBs are above CJ in terms of their offensive production.

Jeremy starts this paragraph with a seeming acknowledgment of Spiller's combined 9 carries against Middle Tennessee State and Coastal Carolina, thus making the point that it is unfair to look at cumulative stats. Yet then he closes the paragraph by saying that Spiller only ranks 20th in the nation (15th among RBs) in terms of total offensive production: a stat that would be greatly affected by having only 9 touches in those games combined.

Jeremy then states that Spiller averages only 5.5 yards per carry, but he doesn't consider the fact that Spiller has played behind a mediocre line on a bum toe for the entire season and regardless this is still higher than the 5.3 yards per carry that Toby Gerhart averages. Gerhart, of course, is legit Heisman candidate according to Jeremy, but Spiller is not. Go figure.

Spiller’s rushing stats are grossly overinflated by 1 or 2 long runs a game. The rest of the time, Spiller is actually a below average back. Check out the numbers through the FSU game:

Middle Tenn - 4 carries, 12 yards 3 ypc
GT - 1 carry for 20 yards and another for 25 yards, other 18 carries for 42 yards 2.33 ypc
BC - long of 13 yards, other 16 carries for 64 yards. decent at 4 ypc
TCU - long of 34 yards, other 24 carries for 78 yards. 3.25 ypc
MD - long of 12 yards, other 17 carries for 60 yards. 3.52 ypc
WF - long of 66 yards, other 8 carries for 40 yards. decent 5 ypc
Miami - long of 48, other 13 carries for 33 yards 2.54 ypc
FSU - long of 45, 21, and 36. Other 19 carries were for 63 yards. 3.32 ypc

This is the quite possible the dumbest statistic that I have ever seen in my life.

Who takes out 1-3 of the best stats and then averages the rest? Sorry, CJ, your 8 plays of 50+ yards this season no longer count. Those 3 long runs against FSU that helped win the game? Those are gone, too, because according to Jeremy, the only accurate way to measure a players value is by factoring out big plays.

Of course Mark Ingram's or Toby Gerhart's or Tim Tebow's or Colt McCoy's stats don't look as impressive either if you factor out their biggest 1-3 plays of the game, but Jeremy fails to mention this fact.


Voters Please Factor These Plays Out

Most will argue that CJ is such an exciting player because it is special teams as well. While he has 3 TDs, he is not even the best kick returner in the nation.

Spiller has 4 special teams TDs not 3, but perhaps Jeremy just factored that TD out because it was a big play and thus should not count in Spiller's favor.

Spiller is 4th in the nation in kickoff return average at 34 yards per return, but is 1st in the nation in percentage of kick offs returned for TD at 19%. DJ Monroe from Texas is second in nation at 14%.

Also not factored into Spiller numbers are the numerous times that teams have given up field position to kick away from him.

A couple of examples include the opening kickoff against Wake Forest where Clemson started on Wake's 46 after a short kick to avoid Spiller, and against NCSU where Clemson started at NCSU 17 after a punt travelled 6 yards in an attempt to angle the ball away from Spiller.

These numbers don't show up in the stats, but a player that puts so much fear into opposing teams that they are willing to routinely give your offense great starting field position cannot be underestimated and is more important than Jeremy is willing to admit.

CJ averages 9.81 yards per play (including rushing, receiving, and returns). That average actually puts him at 50th in the nation. What this tells us is that his total yards are grossly overinflated based on kick and punt returns.

Spiller might be 50th in nation in yards per play, but if Jeremy knew much about football then he would know that yards per play is dominated by wide receivers and return specialists, not running backs.

What is funny is that if you throw out return yards for Spiller, Gerhardt, and Ingram, and focus only on rushing and receiving, you get the following yards per play:

Spiller - 6.9
Ingram - 6.9
Gerhardt - 5.5

Spiller is hyped as an exciting player who is a threat every time he touches the ball. Yet Clemson is ranked 63rd in the nation in offense. And of there 40 TDs, Spiller has scored 11 of them. Only 7 of those have actually come on offense (rushing or receiving). He might be a threat but his play doesn’t turn into many TDs or much offense for Clemson. Contrast this with a player like Gerhart whose team is 14th in the nation in offense. He has accounted for 19 of Stanford’s 47 TDs and has truly carried this team. The same could be said of Mark Ingram as well. Neither player is flashy like Spiller but these two players, in just runing the ball only, have been more valuable and more productive playing in better conferences against better teams than Spiller. And Spiller’s stats are grossly overinflated and overvalued by one of the easiest yardage stats in football - returns

Spiller's play doesn't turn into many TD according to Jeremy, yet Spiller has a lower touch per TD average then either Gerhart or Ingram.

Spiller averages 1 TD per every 13.7 touches
Gerhart averages 1 TD per every 14.2 touches
Ingram averages 1 TD per every 16.9 touches

These stats are not accurate according to Jeremy B, though, because they count Spiller's 4 TDs on special teams. Apparently, only offensive TDs show up on the scoreboard and really the only accurate way to measure the value of CJ Spiller is to look at yards per rush (but only after factoring out long runs!).

I am not a fan of Tebow, Ingram, McCoy, Gerhart, or any of their teams. I just think including Spiller as a candidate is based more on hype rather than substance.

No, but what you are is a South Carolina fan who is biased against Clemson and CJ Spiller. You also don't know how to properly use statistics and apparently know very little about the game if you think that special teams doesn't have a profound effect on the outcome.

Spiller might not be the best pure RB in the country, but when you combine his impact in the running game, in the passing game, and in the return game, Spiller deserves to be in the mix for Heisman just as much as Tebow, Ingram, McCoy or Gerhart

Clemson - NC State Preview

Offense

North Carolina State

NC State utilizes a pro-style offense under Dana Bible and focuses a lot of attention on working the ball to the TEs and RBs. NCSU uses a lot more of the field vertically than FSU. Bible's offense is directed by dual-threat QB, Russell Wilson who leads a balanced attack that throws and runs at almost the exact same clip (49% to 51% run to pass). Wilson completes roughly 60% of his attempts focusing a lot of attention on TE George Bryant who has 35 catches for 6 TDs and WR Jarvis Williams and Owen Spence who combine for 53 catches and 10 TDs.



State's running game is led by Toney Baker who averages over 5 YPG, but the real wildcard is the running ability of Russell Wilson who has picked-up large chunks of yardage with his legs both on designed runs and scrambling when the pocket collapses.

Clemson

The Tigers run a pro-style offense under Dabo Swinney and Billy Napier, and like NCSU get the balls in the hands of their tight ends and running backs over their wide receivers. Clemson offense is balanced (55% to 45% run to pass) and leans heavily on Heisman Trophy candidate C.J. Spiller and emerging playmaker Andre Ellington to grind out yards on the ground.

Kyle Parker comes in to the game completing 53% of his passes, but the redshirt freshmen has looked much sharper in recent weeks with the emergence of Michael Palmer and Dwayne Allen as primary targets.

Clemson's WR are still a liability outside of speedster, Jacoby Ford, but both Xavier Dye and Terrence Ashe have improved their level of play in recent weeks.

The Tigers have played much better offensively in recent weeks and will need to maintain that high-level of play on the road in Raleigh.



QB - Advantage NCSU
OL – Push to Slight Advantage Clemson
RB - Advantage Clemson
WR - Advantage NCSU

Overall Offense - Advantage NCSU

Defense

North Carolina State

The Pack use a base 4-2-5 defense under Mike Archer that is similar to Vic Koenning’s scheme last year at Clemson. NCSU bring more pressure than Clemson brought under Koenning, but the base defense is similar.

The front-four is the strongest component of their defense led by SR defensive end, Willie Young and SR defensive tackle, Michael Allen-Cash. The Pack have had success stopping the run, but it isn’t a unit that will strike fear into the opposing team.

The back 7 has been hit hard by injuries (Nate Irving, Ryan Cheek, Ray Micheal, Javon Walker, Rashaad Smith) and is lacking in both talent and experience. The Wolfpack play 3 SO linebackers and 3 FR in the secondary and teams have routinely gashed this group both on the ground and through the air.

Clemson

Clemson uses a 4-3 with a base 1-Robber Man or base Cover-2 Man, but Kevin Steele likes to mix in more fronts and bring a variety of pressure.

Clemson is stacked on the defensive line led up the middle by DT's Jarvis Jenkins and Brandon Thompson and Ricky Sapp who tops the Tigers with 4 sacks, but DaQuan Bowers will be out again this week with a knee injury.




Clemson's weakest spot defensively is at linebacker, but Steele's plays a lot of nickle bringing in an extra DB. A key for the Tigers will be keeping Wilson in check in the running game and place that Clemson has issues with in losses to TCU and Maryland.

The defensive backs are led by safety DeAndre McDaniel who is first in the nation in interceptions with 8. Crezdon Butler has prospered in the switch from zone to man defense under Steele, but Chris Chancellor has struggled a bit giving up some chunk plays. Back-up CB, Byron Maxwell has really elevated his play in recent weeks.

The biggest issue defensively will be whether or not the defense comes to play on the road. The defense has been outstanding at home, but hasn’t performed up to their capabilities on the road.



DL - Big Advantage Clemson
LB - Advantage Clemson
DB - Big Advantage Clemson

Overall Defense - Big Advantage Clemson

Special Teams

North Carolina State

The Pack are average at kick and punt returns especially with T.J Graham out with a leg injury. Punter, Jeff Ruiz nets an average of 38.8 yards per kick while kicker, Josh Czajkowski is very good having nailed 16 of 19 FG and 100% of his extra points.

Clemson

Clemson has returned 5 kicks for TDs including 3 KOs and 1 PR, by the best return man in the nation in C.J. Spiller. Most teams have started kicking away from Spiller giving Clemson excellent field position as a result.

Punter, Dawson Zimmerman nets an average of 40 yards per kick while Clemson kicking game is currently a mess after imploding during the Florida State game. Spence Benton will start over Richard Jackson.

Kick Return - Big Advantage Clemson
Punt Return - Big Advantage Clemson
Punting - Push
Kicking – Advantage NCSU

Overall Special Teams - Big Advantage Clemson

Closing Thoughts

NCSU is a mirror image of FSU with good offenses and bad defenses. NCSU has a better DL, while FSU has a better OL (R.J Mattes and Danzelle Good are out for NCSU), so this should be a similar game to last week and might actually be a bit tougher considering it is on the road.

The scariest part of this game is going on the road following a big win at home and coming out flat, but Clemson's offense has improved and their defense has been phyical while creating momentum changing plays, which bodes well for the Tigers avoiding a letdown.

If the Tigers avoid a letdown out of the gate and play up to their potential then the game will not be close, but if Clemson plays down to the competition and it will give the Pack a chance to win the game late.

I think the game will be close until the Tiger’s pull away in the 4th quarter due to superior depth across the depth chart.

Clemson 31 - NCSU 21

Dear AD: More Port-A-Johns Please

Clemson has one of the best game day experiences in the entire country, but after Saturday night's game against Florida State one area clearly needs to be improved upon as soon as possible. More Port-A-Johns please!


More Please

Waits were out a hand on Saturday in a handful of the parking lots.

- Lot 1 had waits of up to 40 minutes.
- Lot 2 had similar lines as Lot 1.
- Lot 4 had lines of around 30 minutes.
- Lot 25 had extremely long waits
- Lot 6 had a line of around 25-30 minutes.
- Lot 8 lines were 25 minutes or more with Sirrine no longer open

Poeple having to wait in line for over twenty-five minutes is ridiculous especially considering how simple the issue can be fixed by adding a few more Port-A-Johns in some of the problem areas prior to the Virginia game. I know a lot of Clemson supporters and their bladders will thank you.

Reminder: Littlejohn and Doug Kingsmore Stadium's restrooms are open to the public as well and I don't think that message has filtered out to the Clemson faithful, so let this serve as another reminder.

Contact - Jason Wilson - 864-656-2115 - wilson@clemson.edu

Clemson - Florida State Preview

Offense

Florida State

Florida State feature a pro-style offense under Jimbo Fisher, who employs a number a different formation that attempt to attack a defense on all levels. Leading Fisher's offense is dual-threat QB, Christian Ponder (Ponder is questionable with a bruised ribs). The offense leans on the pass more than the run (62% to 38%) and Ponder, who completes just shy of 70% of his attempts, spreads the ball around to bevy of receivers lead by Bert Reed, Rob Owens and Jarmon Fortson.


Christian Ponder

The Noles running attack doesn't strike as much fear in opponents as their passing game, but the ability of Ponder to move the chains with his legs adds another dimension to back Jermaine Thomas.

Clemson

The Tigers also run a pro-style offense under Dabo Swinney and Billy Napier, but prefer to mix in more motion and get the balls in the hands of their running backs and tight ends over their wide receivers. Unlike FSU, Clemson prefers to lean on its running game (55% to 45%) behind Heisman Trophy candidate C.J. Spiller and talented redshirt freshman Andre Ellington. Kyle Parker comes in to the game completing just 52% of his passes, but the redshirt freshmen has improved in recent weeks with a focus on getting the ball in the hands of his RBs and TEs. Clemson's WR are a liability outside of speedster, Jacoby Ford, who is the only WR on the roster with over 10 catches.



QB - Big Advantage FSU
OL - Slight Advantage FSU
RB - Big Advantage Clemson
WR - Big Advantage FSU

Overall Offense - Advantage FSU

Defense

Florida State

The Seminoles use a base 4-3 defense with man-free coverage and a rover that has been a staple under Mickey Andrew since the late 80s. The Noles pretty much play the exact same defense 80% of the time, so opposing offenses know exactly what the are facing. Surprisingly a scheme that was dominate throughout the 80s, 90s and most of the 00s has become a huge liability in 2009.

The Noles just are not that talented in their front seven especially up the middle where they start former Byrnes HS tweener DE/DT, Everrett Dawkins at DT and generally lack playmakers outside of former South Aiken HS star Dekota Watson.

The back-four is talented outside of Corey Mangum who makes Kyler Hall look like an All-American, but just doesn't seem to be well coached constantly blowing assignments and allowing wide receivers to run free.

Clemson

Clemson also goes with a 4-3 usually running a base 1-Robber Man or base Cover-2 Man, but Kevin Steele likes to mix in more fronts and bring a variety of pressure.

Clemson is stacked on the defensive line lead up the middle by DT's Jarvis Jenkins and Brandon Thompson and on the ends with Dequan Bowers (Bowers is questionable with a knee injury) and Ricky Sapp who leads the Tigers with 4 sacks.

The linebackers are Clemson weakest spot defensive. A key for the Tigers will be keeping Ponder in check in the running game and place that Clemson has issues with in losses to TCU and Maryland.

The defensive backs are lead by safety DeAndre McDaniel who leads the nation in interceptions with 7. Crezdon Butler has prospered in the switch from zone to man defense under Steele, but Chris Chancellor has struggled a bit giving up some chunk plays.



DL - Big Advantage Clemson
LB - Advantage Clemson
DB - Big Advantage Clemson

Overall Defense - Big Advantage Clemson

Special Teams

Florida State

The Noles are average at kick and punt returns, talent freshmen, Greg Reid looks to be the type of player that could take it to the house at anytime.

Punter, Shawn Powell nets an average of 40.7 yards per kick while kicker, Dustin Harris is consistent inside 40 but struggles outside 40, but has distance to hit from 50+.

Clemson

Clemson has returned 5 kicks for TDs including 3 KOs and 1 PR, by the best return man in the nation in C.J. Spiller. Most teams have started kicking away from Spiller giving Clemson excellent field position as a result.


C.J Spiller

Punter, Dawson Zimmerman nets an average of 39 yards per kick while big-legged kicker, Richard Jackson is consistent inside 40 and hits slightly 50% outside 40 yards including 3/3 from 50+.



Kick Return - Big Advantage Clemson
Punt Return - Big Advantage Clemson
Punting - Advantage FSU
Kicking - Slight Advantage Clemson

Overall Special Teams - Big Advantage Clemson

Closing Thoughts

Florida State has the advantage offensively, but their strength throwing the ball matches-up well with Clemson's strength stopping the pass. Clemson offense is average but goes up against one of the worst defenses in the country in FSU. Clemson will not shut down the Noles offense, but will keep the Noles under 30 points

Clemson special teams should give the Tigers great field position and help their offense put up points perhaps even chipping in another TD if FSU decides to kick to Spiller.

The Valley should be rocking at night and it would take Florida State playing great offensively coupled with an off-night for Parker for the Noles to pull the upset.

Clemson 31 - FSU 24

Offensive Observations - First 5 Games vs. Last 2 Games

Right off the bat, I want to give props to Dabo Swinney and Billy Napier for righting the offensive ship the last two games. Hats off to both Swinney and Napier along with the the players for the offensive improvement against Wake and Miami.

Here are some differences I noticed between the first 5 games and the last 2 games. Below is Kyle Parker's completions and attempts by target for the first five games versus the last two games. Throw-aways are not included in the raw data because there is no intended target.

Completion/Attempts For First 5 Games




The raw data comes from ESPN.com.

Observations From The Data

1st 5 Games - 48% of completions to RBs and TEs
Last 2 Games - 77% of completions to RBs and TEs

1st 5 Games - 46% of attempts to RBs and TEs
Last 2 Games - 70% of attempts to RBs and TEs

1st 5 Games - 19% of completions to TEs
Last 2 Games - 38% of completions to TEs

1st 5 Games - 18% of attempts to TEs
Last 2 Games - 30% of attempts to TEs


Both completions and attempts to the RBs and TEs are up roughly 29% and 24% respectively while completions and attempts to the TEs are up 19% and 12% respectively.

The last 2 games the TEs and RBs have been more involved in the offense while the WR have been deemphasized, which makes sense considering the stregths and weaknesses of our team coupled with the fact that Clemson RBs and TEs have better hands and drop less balls.

In the first 5 games, Parker tried to force the ball to Ford (32% of his attempts) or had to throw the ball away (6.4 times per game) when Clemson's complimentary WRs struggled to get open. Both attempts to Ford (10%) and throw-a ways (3.5 per game) have decreased with the emphasis on getting the ball to the RBs and TEs, which has helped tremendously with the rhythm of the offense.

As a result, Parker's completion percentage has risen from 48% to 65% and the offense has been in a much better position on 2nd and 3rd downs, which only further helps our offensive execution.

Other Observations Over The Last 2 Games

- Hairston returning from his injury has been a boost along the offensive line, but so has the switch of Freeman to starting center and Cloy providing quality relief at OG. David Smith has also emerged as a quality 3rd OT. The offensive line is still only average at run blocking, but has been solid in pass-pro. I wish some of these moves were made sooner as people have been calling for them since before the season, but better late than never.

- Chad Diehl has played more meaningful snaps at the expense of Rendrick Talyor. Diehl is simple a more devastating blocker and much more physical at the point of attack than Taylor. Diehl also has a lot less missed assignments than Taylor and MA simple kill plays. This has helped our short-yardage and running game over the last two contests.

- KISS. Keep it simple stupid. Clemson has done a lot less formation changes and less switching of personnel during drives. The offense has also reduced the amount of pre-snap motion. Players are on the same page and there is much less confusion, which helps tremendously in execution.

- CJ Spiller for Heisman.

Lets take it one game at a time and keep up the good work.

Billy D'Andrea Update

We posted this as a comment in the "Billy D'Andrea In Talks With Coastal Carolina" blog over an hour ago, but Billy D'Andrea official withdrew his name from consideration to become the new Athletic Director at Coastal Carolina yesterday.

D'Andrea strongly considering the position, but in the end decided to stay at Clemson University.

Clemson's Terry Don Phillips Update

Clemson's Board of Trustees met Thursday and Friday prior to the Wake Forest game in Clemson. According to sources inside the Athletic Department, one of the main topics of discussion was the middling performance of Clemson's entire athletic program under Athletic Director Terry Don Phillips. The BOT's main issues with Phillips were the lack of championships under his watch combined with what was viewed as questionable hiring processes along with a preceived disconnect with the Clemson fan base. Noteably being expressed was the BOT's lack of faith in TDP ability to execute a plan to right the ship. After some debate the BOT made a recommendation to President Barker to make a change at the AD position.


President James Barker

President Barker was reportedly not happy with the recommendation and tried to get the BOT to reconsider their decision. However, the BOT repeatedly explained to Baker that their decision was final.

In situations like this, the BOT's recommendation is not final as the final decision rests in President Barker's hands.

Billy D'Andrea In Talks With Coastal Carolina

Terry Don Phillips is currently planted firmly on the hot seat as Athletic Director at Clemson University and many people are speculating that Billy D'Andrea will ultimately be Phillip's sucessor.



 
Billy D

However according to several sources Billy D who is currently Clemson Senior Associate AD for External Affairs has recently engaged in serious discussions with Coastal Carolina University about becoming their next Athletic Director. D'Andrea formally interviewed for the job on Saturday, October 10th over the bye week and D'Andrea was scheduled to meet with some big Coastal Carolina boosters yesterday evening to discuss details of the package on the table for him.

More to come as this situations develops.

C.J. Spiller - A True Clemson Tiger

By The Avenue of Champions (aoc.clemson@gmail.com)

All is not well inside Clemson's Athletic Department, but CJ Spiller personifies everything that is right with Clemson Athletics. A leader on and off the field, a outstanding student and one of the best players to ever wear the Tiger Paw. The only Clemson Tiger to every run for a TD, catch a TD pass, return a KO for a TD, return a punt for a TD and throw a TD pass on top of being the all-time all-purpose yardage leader in the ACC.

Clemson needs more players and people like CJ Spiller.

In this video, The Avenue of Champions salutes a true Clemson Tiger and a true American in C.J. Spiller.

The video clip includes all nineteen of Spiller's 50+ yard plays over the course of his career.



Thanks to everyone that worked on getting this video together over the last 10 days.

The Avenue of Champions can be reached at aoc.clemson@gmail.com

Power Struggle

By The Avenue of Champions (aoc.clemson@gmail.com)

The dismal offensive performances through five games has a large portion of Clemson faithful pointing the finger at Offensive Coordinator Billy Napier and while Napier certainly is part of the problem, the finger should also be pointed in the direction of Head Coach Dabo Swinney. It was widely reported when Swinney hired Napier as OC that Swinney went with an inexperienced OC in Napier, so that Swinney could have significant input into offensive philosophy and play calling, but Swinney's intervention has allegedly been largely - and alarmingly - negative through the first five games.

The biggest issue is apparently Swinney's tendency to overrule the play calling. Since Swinney often signals in the plays, Swinney has time to change the play call without the offensive staff knowing it until the play unfolds before their eyes. Not only that but Swinney has on a handful of occasions changed into a play that features the wrong personnel grouping on the field or switches to a play call that isn’t optimal to run out of the designated formation. Swinney has also botched or completely forgotten to signal the protection scheme or route combination and as a result the players subsequently end up "winging it".









The Wrong Signal

Swinney reportedly overrides Napier around 15-25 plays per game, primarily taking control in the red zone and during critical situations including calling almost all of the last 3 drives of the game against Maryland

On the final offensive play against Maryland, Billy Napier called a play and Dabo signaled in a different one. Unfortunately, Swinney forgot to change the protection scheme to match the new play and as a result a blitzing LB was given an unobstructed path to the QB. The play ultimately resulted in a sack and fumble and killed the Tigers chances of kicking a game tying FG.

Swinney, who Vic Koenning called “Goat Boy” for his tendency to offer players that were not Division I caliber, is also so motivated to prove that these players can play that Swinney will play them knowing that they do not give the team the best chance to win. Napier, who prefers running I-Formation and utilizing TEs which fit with Clemson’s strength, often clashes with Swinney who wants to run 3 and 4 WR sets in part to prove that the wide receivers that Swinney coached previously can actually play.

Napier didn’t attend the post game press conference following the Maryland Game due to his frustration at Swinney for killing the momentum and botching signals in crunch time and also to show that Swinney is the coach actually in charge of Clemson’s offense.

Clemson’s 2-3 record has Swinney panicking and riding the players and coaches extremely hard. Swinney’s temper got the better of him on a couple of occasions during last Wednesday's practice, resulting in two face-to-face altercations with Napier.  Coaches had to step-in and separate the parties prior to it escalating. Woody McCorvey recently was forced to step-in and council Swinney on controlling his temper.

While Swinney and Napier are both responsible for the grease fire that is our offense to date the blame ultimately lies at the feet of Athletic Director Terry Don Phillips, who actually thought that a former WR Coach and former TE Coach without any  play calling experience could combine to put a competent offensive product on the field.


The Avenue of Champions can be reached at aoc.clemson@gmail.com

Lack of Support

By The Avenue of Champions (aoc.clemson@gmail.com)

The time has come for a change in leadership of the Clemson University Athletic Department.

Phillips simply is not “All-In” as Clemson’s AD. Phillips often misses IPTAY functions because he simple does not want to go and has turned down opportunities to fundraise with Clemson’s top donors. Phillips has shown little interest in getting former players involved other than to ask for their money. It is hard to run a successful program when the AD does not do the little things that it takes to succeed.

The following presents some highlights, or perhaps more aptly described as lowlights, of Phillips’ tenure compared to the last few years of the Bobby Robinson regime. The results speak for themselves.

Overall

Since Terry Don Phillips took over on July 1, 2002, Clemson has amassed a grand total of 8 ACC Championships while Bobby Robinson won 19 ACC Championships from 1996-2002.

TDP - Asleep At The Wheel

Baseball
Prior to Phillips' hiring in the summer of 2002, the team made the College World Series in 1995, 1996, 2000, and 2002. With Phillips as Athletic Director, the baseball team has managed a single ACC Championship and CWS appearance, both in 2006, and missed the NCAA Tournament for the first time in 21 years in 2008.

Perhaps the most respected member of the coaching staff, Pitching Coach Kyle Bunn recently made a lateral move to the University of Alabama, in large part, because Bunn did not believe he received the proper support from the Athletic Department. Despite Bunn’s spending hours on the road recruiting, the Athletic Department refused to pay for a car for Bunn, which is commonplace at big-time baseball programs. This was a significant factor in the South Carolina native’s leaving Clemson for the same position at Alabama.

Subsequently, Phillips handcuffed Leggett severely limiting the amount of funds that Leggett could spend on a new hire to the point where hiring a proven “name” pitching coach was impossible. As a result, Leggett replaced Bunn with a Division III head coach with no real background in developing pitchers.

Clemson baseball, already underfunded with a coaching staff that costs roughly 20% less than the University of South Carolina, was recently informed by Phillips and assistant Athletic Director Katie Hill to cut back on the number of baseballs they purchase in 2009.

Women’s Basketball
Prior to Phillips, Clemson made the NCAA Tournament every year from 1996 to 2002 under Head Coach Jim Davis. Upon taking the reins, Phillips fired Coach Davis and let Barbara Kennedy-Dixon and Katie Hill handle the search for Davis’ replacement, involving himself little. The botched search process resulted in the hiring of Christy McKinney who promptly drove the program into the ground.

Men’s Soccer
Prior to Phillips, the men’s soccer team went to the NCAA Tournament in 1997, 1998, 2000, 2001, and 2002 and won the ACC Championship in 2001. After Phillips took over, the soccer team had some success in 2005 and 2006, including a trip to the Final Four in 2005, before falling on hard times the last few years.

This summer Head Coach Trevor Adair was arrested after an ugly scene on his front lawn. However, once more facts in the case came to light, Phillips told Adair that he would retain his job. A few days later, the Athletic Department attempted to force Adair’s resignation for personal reasons. Adair declined and was subsequently fired right before the season, leaving no chance to hire a competent replacement.

Men’s Tennis
Prior to Phillips, the men’s tennis team won an ACC Championship in 1997 and was invited to the NCAA Tournament from 1996 to 2000. After Phillips took over, the men’s tennis team went to NCAA Tournament from 2003 to 2007. However, after the 2007 season, long-time Head Coach Chuck Kriese retired and Phillips hired Assistant Coach Chuck McCuen.

Despite Kriese’s many successful years devoted to Clemson, Phillips didn't even bother to attend Kriese's farewell match. In fact, Phillips rarely attends any non-revenue sporting events, a fact which does not sit well with coaches who already feel that their Athletic Director fails to provide an adequate level of support for their programs to succeed on a high-level.

While the aforementioned sports have struggled since Phillips' arrival, Women’s Rowing, Women’s Tennis and Women’s Volleyball have improved over the same time period. However, to be frank, outside of Clemson Basketball, the sports most fans care about and associate with success at Clemson have remained stagnant or declined under Phillips’ leadership.

Perhaps the worst example of mismanagement in Phillips’ tenure occurred when Phillips signed Tommy Bowden to a $3.5 Million buyout after Bowden threatened to leave for the University of Arkansas in December 2007. Just ten months later, Phillips fired Bowden, obligating Clemson to pay Bowden’s enormous buyout.

Subsequently, Phillips conducted a sham of a “coaching search” resulting in the hiring of former Wide Receivers Coach Dabo Swinney. Despite the anemic offense featured in the later part of the Bowden tenure, Phillips hired Swinney fully aware that Swinney's plan was to promote Billy Napier, Clemson’s 30-year-old tight end coach to offensive coordinator, keep Offensive Line Coach Brad Scott and Running Backs Andre Powell, and promote Graduate Assistant Jeff Scott to wide receivers coach and recruiting coordinator.

Phillips luckily decided that the Maryland game wasn’t important enough to him to attend in person and missed another train wreck offensive performance that should have been obvious to any Athletic Director prior to the season.

Of course, Phillips did promise Swinney that money would be available to hire a larger support staff. Swinney requested that the Athletic Department hire Levon Kirkland and Patrick Sapp to assist in player development under the strength and conditioning staff. Among other responsibilities, Kirkland and Sapp would have had major roles in player development during voluntary summer workouts. However, Phillips and the Athletic Department reneged on their promise to Swinney, telling Kirkland and Sapp that their paltry $60,000 salary that the pair requested was too high. Instead, Phillips authorized Swinney to hire a couple more part-time Graduate Assistants.

Currently, the morale in the Athletic Department is at an all-time low due to Phillips’ repeated failure to support the various athletic programs and live up to his promises and commitments. Phillip’s lets Assistant Athletic Director Katie Hill repeatedly use excessive foul language and berate the staff and as a result Hill has almost zero respect from Athletic Department employees, which only worsens morale. To make matters worse, despite obvious signs that Phillips’ and Hill’s modus operandi is not working, neither has attempted to change their approach or do anything to turn the program around. Rather, both seem content to sit idly by and watch the programs they support slide further and further into mediocrity.

Clemson deserves an AD that wins championships, that doesn’t allow the AARC to be implemented, that stands up for valuable people like Team Chaplin Tony Eubanks and does whatever it takes to provide the level of support that each program needs to succeed. After seven years, it is painfully obvious that Terry Don Phillips is a failure as Athletic Director of Clemson University.

Please join us in making our voices heard. Please email, fax and call the James Barker and the Athletic Department and demand the removal of Terry Don Phillips as Athletic Director of Clemson University.

James Barker – Phone: (864) 656-3311; Fax (864) 656-0622
Athletic Department - Phone: (864) 656-1935; Fax (864) 656-7425

The Avenue of Champions can be reached at aoc.clemson@gmail.com

Losing Faith

By The Avenue of Champions

This winter when Terry Don Phillips hired Dabo Swinney and signed him to one of the lowest contracts of any coach at the BCS level, much was made of Phillips' promises to make that up to Swinney in the salaries of additional support personnel.

So far, some of those promises have been realized, with the additions of Woody McCorvey as director of football operations and Mike Dooley as director of High School relations. However, other positions have not materialized as promised.

A recent example of Phillips failing to go to bat for the football team occurred with Clemson Football Chaplain Tony Eubanks. As many of you know Tony Eubanks has been the Team Chaplin since 2003. Eubanks has led many of our players to Christ and is an instrumental mentor that is key in helping our players lead positive lives not only while at Clemson but long after they leave.


Tony Eubanks
Heart & Soul of Clemson Football

According to anonymous sources inside the Athletic Department in the week leading up to our game against Middle Tennessee State, our Athletic Director sided with Assistant AD Katie Hill in trying to eliminate Eubanks' role with the team. A near mutiny amongst some of the players and a few of the coaches almost occurred, with players threatening to leave the program and coaches willing to resign their positions in outrage. Dabo Swinney himself was forced to go to the mat for Eubanks. Phillips backed-down, temporarily, in response and allowed Eubanks to remain as Team Chaplin.

Does this sound like an athletic director giving Dabo Swinney total support and making good on the promises he made when he hired Dabo last December?

Brad Scott Isn't Getting The Job Done

By The Avenue of Champions

Scott built-up reputation as one of the finest offensive line coaches in the country working for Bobby Bowden at FSU from 1987-1993 during a time when the Seminoles made it look easy on the field. The Seminoles embarrassed every team in the ACC in 1992 and 1993.

Scott used the Seminoles 1993 National Championship to springboard into the HC position at University of South Carolina in 1994 and led the Gamecocks to a 7-6 record and a Carquest Bowl victory in his first season. The success was short lived as South Carolina went an embarrassing 1-10 in 1998 and Scott was subsequently fired. Scott’s tenure laid the groundwork for a record 21 consecutive losses that showed an obvious inability to find, develop and coach-up talent.



Brad Scott Laying The Foundation For 21 Straight Losses.

Tommy Bowden brought Scott to Clemson as a position coach and after moving from TE to OC, Scott ultimately found himself in charge of the offensive line at Clemson in 2004. In Clemson first year under Scott, Clemson rolled out a starting unit of Jesse Pickens, Cedric Johnson, Tommy Sharp, Nathan Bennett and Marion Dukes to start the season and looked absolutely terrible culminating in a humiliating performance by the OL in College Station against Texas A&M. People questioned Scott for starting a walk-on at OT and OC and eventually Barry Richardson replaced Pickens and the line improved a little as the year progressed.

In 2005, Clemson returned 3 starters in Richardson, Bennett and Dukes and replaced the undersized Sharp with Dustin Fry a player that most pundits thought should have started over Sharp in 2004. The line showed improvement from the previous year buoyed by to naturally tough guards in Nathan Bennett and Roman Fry and by the end of the season was a pretty good unit overall.

In 2006, Clemson returned all 5 starters and not surprisingly for a team with 100s of starts combined played very well through the GT game until Roman Fry went down with an injury against GT and the lack of depth at OG caused the line play to suffer tremendously.

In 2007, Clemson had to replace the entire line with new starters with the exception of Barry Richardson who was basically the same player in 2004 as in 2007 after showing little improvement under Scott. The line struggled against average defensive teams and showed marginal improvement as the season progressed.

In 2008, Clemson faced a multitude of injuries and ended up starting a different starting five almost every game for the entire season. The only thing consistent with the line in 2008 was that they were consistently terrible and showed little improvement as the season progressed.

In 2009, Clemson returned every player on the two-deep with the exception of Bobby Hutchinson and thus far the line has been the weakest link on the team struggling with the less than imposing front-fours of MTSU and GT.

Clemson doesn’t have the luxury of hand-picking Rivals100 talent like Scott did at FSU during the late 80s and early 90s and thus has to rely heavily on Scott’s scouting ability to find diamonds in the rough and Scott’s coaching skills to develop them into talented football players.

Here is a look at the players Scott has hand-selected as offensive line coach.

2005
Thomas Austin – Solid player
Jamarcus Grant - Bust
Barry Humpries - Bust
Cory Lambert – The Matador
Quentez Ruffin - Bust

2006
Jamal Medlin - Bust
Chris Hairston - Solid Player

2007
Mason Cloy – Solid Player
Wilson Norris - Incomplete
David Smith – Back-up
Landon Walker – Back-up behind The Matador (now starting)

Scott has landed 3 players out of our SR, JR and SO on this team that can be considered solid players and all but 1 of the under-the-radar players (Hairston) that Scott has landed have been busts. Even the 4-Star recruits that had a grab bag of offers coming out of High School like Lambert and Walker have underachieved and failed to live up to their potential under Scott.

The lack of depth is also a constant issue with the team. The offensive line is always one injury away from catastrophe. Catastrophe that was realized when Roman Fry went down in 2006 and was realized last year when the OL had a couple of players rotating on and off the trainers table. Of course it doesn’t help that seemingly every OT that Scott recruits ends up being better suited for OG, which leaves us without options at OT and somehow also thin at OG.

Scott is a great person, is a outstanding communicator with high school coaches and was a very good recruiter to boot but in recent years hasn’t recruited with the level of effort required, but as far as evaluating talent and coaching-up talent Scott fails to measure up to his peers. Scott’s lines consistently lack toughness, consistently fail to open up holes in the running game and consistently allow pressure on the QB in passing situations. The players deserve better. The players deserve a coach that is going to coach them up. The players deserve coach that is going to maximize their ability and a coach that is going to get them to the NFL.

Sadly the players are getting none of that under Scott’s watch.

Hopefully that will change in 2010.