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