Wednesday August 23, 2006

Defensive Rankings; Special Teams; Leggett’s Contract; Greenville-Mann; BC Bound; Relief

Collegefootballnews.com’s Defensive Rankings
The thorough website www.collegefootball news.com has their defense unit rankings out and they think highly of the Tigers. The website has Clemson’s defense ranked 14th in the country. They rank Clemson’s DL 15th, LB 15th, DB 21st and special teams 83rd.

Below is a look at how Clemson compares to its opponents:

Team              Defense     DL    LB    DB    ST

Clemson            14         15    15    21    83

Florida Atlantic  116        118   117   103   119

Boston College     20         25    22    16    55

FSU                16         16    16    19    40

North Carolina     42         36    52    36    28

La Tech           100         96    95   100    17

Wake Forest        56         59    35    68   105

Temple            119        119   119   119   118

Georgia Tech       15          6    13    48    51

Virginia Tech       9         22     6    10     5

Maryland           34         42    31    25    24

NCSU               24         26    37    15    25

South Carolina     62         64    68    42    87

*The return game suffered last year until Tyler Grisham and Aaron Kelly were inserted into the kick off return team as the returners. The problem was the personnel and not the scheme. It was the same scheme that Justin Miller had when he lit up the opponents in kick off returns. I think Jacoby Ford and C.J. Spiller will have great years as return guys this season.

*The punt returns were solid with Chansi Stuckey back there last season. I think they will continue to be solid this season.

*The place kicks were among the nations best last season. Cole Chason did a great job as the holder and Jad Dean was one of the top kickers in the nation.

*The punt team has new protection and competition. Jimmy Manners has been very good so far and Chason has improved. The snaps are a concern but not to the degree they were last year.

*The kick off coverage has been good. Dean and Richard Jackson continue to battle for kick off duties and both should be fine.

In summary, the schemes were solid in the past but the personnel has improved this season. Therefore, I believe fans will see a great improvement in this year’s special teams units.

Leggett’s Contract
I was glad to see the details of Jack Leggett’s new contract in one of our morning papers. There are many incentives in the contract which is always a good idea but I doubt Leggett needs anymore incentive. He is high strung and will not get outworked. Some may be concerned about the low buy out if Leggett decides to leave but I cannot see a scenario where he would want to leave. He has one of the best jobs in the nation and he is building a big new house on the lake. Leggett is happily re-married and has set his long term roots right here in Clemson.

Greenville-Mann
The Red Raiders play their cross-town rival Friday night at J.L. Mann High School and I have the pleasure of working with Ralph Patterson with the Charter Game of the Week for TV in the upstate. If you are going or watching on TV look for Clemson commitment David Smith at left tackle and junior defensive lineman Arterio Arnold for Greenville. Mann has junior athlete J.T. Floyd.

I have seen these three prospects play and think they are ACC/SEC caliber. Smith is a better football player than former Greenville High star Corey Lambert. Arnold will receive many offers after his junior season. I think the Tigers will offer early. Floyd is a quick athlete/corner who will see Division I offers before the end of his senior year as well.

I also know many of you will be watching Willy Korn and Stanley Hunter as they face Glades Central on ESPN on Saturday. It should be great exposure for both programs.

BC Bound
I booked my airline tickets and hotel for the Boston College game this morning. If anyone know of 3-5 tickets for the BC game and/or the Red Sox game Friday night please let me know.

Relief
I thought it was interesting that Bowden is giving the team off Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday. I think that is a good sign but I am an optimist.

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