Conservative Play Calling


by - Radio Host -

Conservative Play Calling

I understand why some fans have been concerned about the conservative nature of the play-calling this season, but I wanted to point out a few things.

First, they were not conservative in the first two games against Wofford and Appalachian State. Wofford did try to limit the deep ball by playing their safeties deep, but the offense threw it a lot in both games until the game got out of hand. What hurt the offensive production in those games was the fact that the staff got Deshaun WatsonDeshaun Watson
So. Quarterback
#4 6-2, 207
Gainesville, GA

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out of the game early. The offense did not look the same once the back-up quarterback came in.

In the Louisville game, the Cardinal defense used their big safeties very high in coverage as well. In fact, both deep balls Clemson tried were picked off. In this look, Clemson's staff decided to take what the defense was giving it and did not try to force the ball downfield. As a result, they rushed for over 200 yards against a good front seven.

Last week the plan was to air it out. Clemson's staff felt better about throwing the ball because the Irish were more talented in their front seven instead of their secondary. However, Clemson got out to a lead and were having more success with the running game. And oh yeah, it was an awful weather event for the entire game.

If anything, I thought the deep balls hurt the momentum the last two games. The two interceptions at Louisville gave the Cards momentum. Clemson was first and ten at the Notre Dame 33 and had run the ball to that point, but a deep ball interception changed the momentum once again.

This week I would not be surprised to see Clemson get more aggressive in the passing game. However, this offensive line and the combination of Watson and Wayne GallmanWayne Gallman
RS So. Running Back
#9 6-1, 210
Loganville, GA

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give Clemson balance and a running threat now. In the future, I can see this staff continuing to attack the area where the defense is weakest. If defenses choose to play deeper coverage, this staff is prepared to throw underneath and run the football. If defenses get aggressive in stopping the run or in their blitzes and coverage, this staff is ready for more of a vertical passing game.

I think as humans we always want what we don't have. My buddy jokes that when he has a blonde girlfriend he wants a brunette and when he has a brunette he wants a red head.

Back in the Danny FordDanny Ford
Former Head Coach
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days Clemson was strong on defense and played conservative on offense. I can remember some fans screaming to throw the ball more. In the Bowden days and the early tenure of Dabo the offense was wide open and explosive, but some fans wanted to return to the days of great defense and a running game.

On my radio show and blog, some fans thought Chad MorrisChad Morris
Offensive Coordinator / QBs
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abandoned the run too early in some games. Now I hear how we don't throw the ball anymore.

I will take 3-2 wins and 55-54 wins. I just want to win. But I am encouraged that Clemson's offensive line had allowed the offense to rush for over 400 yards against Louisville and Notre Dame. It is nice to be able to run the ball again.

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Subject (Replies: 36) Author
spacer Plyler's Blog: Conservative Play Calling
TigerNet News®
spacer Here's the thing re: play calling vs ND
Tharealdonjuan
spacer When they no longer had to defend the deep ball...
ClemsonTiger1988®
spacer When they no longer had to defend the deep ball=BEST.
tigeron®
spacer we threw it twice? in the last 5 possessions, none of which
deadsolidperfect®
spacer That seems like a perfectly good elaboration of what I said.
ClemsonTiger1988®
spacer Re: That seems like a perfectly good elaboration of what I said.
deadsolidperfect®
spacer maybe the best sentence I've seen on this topic...
RU4GOD2
spacer Good point, I remember wishing Danny would throw it
1portroyalty®
spacer 400 yards rushing AND no sacks.
OldTiger05
spacer This^^^^***
jtiger1®
spacer OL and DL are MUCH better than the preseason prognosis...
SOLOS®
spacer D Conservative Play Calling
cuatnicks
spacer We didn't get much pass rush on Kizer all night.
Clemsnman®
spacer we did well until tired in 4th quarter - need more depth and
tigeron®
spacer Didn't we have 4 sacks?
TigJam®
spacer yes. cu dominated up front. cu might have gone victory too
deadsolidperfect®
spacer Too much blitzing in the fourth... The LBs needed to secure
SOLOS®
spacer 'Conservative' is not accurate. 'Simple' is what I would say
Clemsnman®
spacer Re: 'Conservative' is not accurate. 'Simple' - AGREE!***
tigeron®
spacer When he got the job, I just remember Dabo saying that he
jcolber
spacer well, he's always wanted a strong running game and after
deadsolidperfect®
spacer YES - "...attacking offense using all of our weapons!"***
tigeron®
spacer Re: Plyler's Blog: Conservative Play Calling
SBCharleston
spacer The Irish were desperate in the 4th quarter, and ...
apextiger
spacer AMEN "Mackey"...I mean Mickey!
lightbulbbill®
spacer agree, but it was 21-3, 21-9, then 24-9...***
deadsolidperfect®
spacer Correct ... but, still ...***
apextiger
spacer haha, i said "agree", just tweeked the score for posterity.***
deadsolidperfect®
spacer The article talks about passing as if going deep is the only
think2x
spacer This^^^^
PACIFIC BEACH TIGER®
spacer Re: This^^^^
glaspytiger
spacer Conservative to ULTRA Conservative
Chungzilla
spacer Amen and Preach on Brother. Because of our ability to run
NGATigr
spacer Re: Plyler's Blog: Conservative Play Calling
glaspytiger
spacer Re: Plyler's Blog: Conservative Play Calling
tigersnake1954
spacer I'll make a deal with you Mickey.
ClemsonTiger1988®