Thursday August 10, 2006

Rendrick Taylor; Jimmy Maners; Big Body Program; Joey Batson; Freshmen Reviews; Non-Clemson Notes

Rendrick Taylor
I check out the board on Tigernet about everyday just to see what you guys have going on. Most times you guys crack me up with your sense of humor and your creative posts. In the last year, one of the most popular post is a request for a Rendrick Taylor picture. Tigernetters are rightfully amazed at his fitness. There are few freaks of nature that could compete with Taylor when it comes to the total package.

As I mentioned in a blog a few months ago, I must admit that the first time I ever met Taylor I was expecting the stereotype I had in my mind. I admit that I judged Taylor before I ever met him. I saw dred locks. I saw a kid from perhaps one of the hardest places to grow up in the state of South Carolina. I saw others from his high school and thought he was the same type of kid. Boy was I wrong.

I had talked to Taylor on the telephone for a couple of radio interviews after he committed to Clemson early in his senior season. But the first time I met him in person was at the Shriners’ Hospital in Greenville. It was the Sunday before the Shrine Bowl and the players from North and South Carolina were there to meet the patients. Much to my surprise Taylor was a soft-spoken, shy kid. This massive wide receiver prospect was a gentle giant.

My good friends Rick Stockstill and Tommy West would describe a kid like Taylor as being a “sweetheart of a kid.” It was a compliment. They used it when they found a kid with great character and one who chose to be a gentleman.

Today Taylor has changed his body for the better. He has changed his game for the better but he has not changed as a person.

Jimmy Maners
Cole Chason has been the punter for the Tigers but the senior has a challenge on his hands to retain his job. Just when some thought it was a two-man battle, a third punter has emerged to throw his hat in the ring. Rock Hill native Jimmy Maners is a walk-on that wowed the fans that got there early last year in pre-game warm ups. I remember watching Maners hit these Dale Hatcher-looking bombs in the pre-game warm-ups week after week. I asked a coach about it and the response was always the same, “He can’t get it off in time.”

Well this past off-season Maners has worked hard and has had help from a punting specialist to help with his mechanics. Tommy Bowden said earlier this week that if today were game day that Maners would be the starting punter. I still want to see how he handles the pressure of the competition in camp but injuries to Chason and Richard Jackson may limit a little of that.

Big Body Program
Some of you have heard the story about Tommy Bowden and David Blackwell’s trip to Norman, OK a few years ago. Blackwell says that he and the head coach took in a spring practice with Bob Stoops and they were impressed with the Sooners in one area more than any other. At the time Clemson had just had Charlie Whitehurst, Derrick Hamilton, Airese Currie, Kevin Youngblood, Leroy Hill, Justin Miller, Tye Hill, etc. Blackwell said that Clemson looked like the Sooners in many areas but they were not close to Oklahoma along the lines of scrimmage. Blackwell said the Tigers lacked the number big bodies that Oklahoma had and they began to make that a major priority with future recruiting classes.

The 2004 class included 11 players that weighed 250 pounds or more. In 2005, the Tigers inked 10 players that were that over 250 pounds. Six of the 13 commitments in upcoming class are over 250 pounds.

Today, the Tigers have 19 scholarship offensive linemen. They have 23 players on offense that weigh at least 250 pounds. They have 14 defensive linemen on scholarship. Those big bodies might be Blackwell’s biggest mark on this program. Is it any wonder the Tigers actually finished ahead of the Sooners in the polls last season?

Joey Batson
Speaking of big bodies, I think it is appropriate to recognize Clemson strength coach Joey Batson and his staff. In my opinion, Clemson did not face a team last year that was in better condition than the Tigers. Just judging from what I have seen and heard this year, I think the Tigers are in even better condition this season.

Freshmen Reviews
In talking to those who have seen practice one thing I hear over and over again concerns the impressive freshmen class. Clemson may not play as many freshmen this season because they may not need to but this class is every bit as strong as it look when they signed in February. Kevin Alexander, Crezdon Butler, Jeremy Campbell, Jamie Cumbie, Jacoby Ford, Chris Hairston, Richard Jackson, Byron Maxwell, Rickey Sapp and C.J. Spiller have drawn praise from the staff publicly so far in the pre-season.

Non-Clemson Notes
*Nice job Maurice Clarrett. You have made quite a nice life for yourself.

*Only three teams have better than a .600 winning percentage in Major League Baseball. Only two teams are under .400. I would say the luxury tax is working and there is no need for salary caps like the NBA and NFL.

* I like Rich Rodriquez and his no-nonsense approach. He sometimes eats at the dining hall with his players. He doesn’t think you have to have flat-screen TVs in the locker rooms. He believes in running the football and being tougher than the opponent.

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