Wednesday January 16, 2008

8 For 08 Defense

8 For 08- Defense
Yesterday we gave you a look at keys on the offensive side of the ball next season so today we turn our attention to the defense. Here are 8 keys for 08 on defense:

1. Will Will Be A Strength?
Clemson used to be Linebacker U but this unit has not been blessed with outstanding recruiting like the defensive line and secondary. Will linebacker Nick Watkins was the best of the Clemson linebackers the last two seasons and he will be missed especially in pass coverage. Because of the suspension in the bowl game, the staff went with Kavell Conner who looked like he played OK. Conner has the speed to be effective at the position but he lacks experience.

Antonio Clay has played some at the outside linebacker position but was moved inside after Anthony Waters went down last year. Clay is a talent but has other issues like inconsistency. At this time we are not sure if he stays at middle linebacker or moves to the outside.

Depth here should come from senior Josh Miller but he has never started a game in his three seasons. Freshmen Stanley Hunter and Tarik Rollins have enrolled in school and will get a chance to impress coaches this spring.

2. Sam I Am
Tremaine Billie was a good player over the last five seasons but he made mistakes and inconsistency was an issue. In the bowl game Scotty Cooper showed promise at times but also showed how much he needs to improve in his tackling. Cooper is a ball of energy and toughness and he should get better with experience as he gets a better grasp of the defense.

Jeremy Campbell is not as talented as Cooper but is more experienced and may understand the scheme better. However, Cooper started the bowl game for a reason and Campbell starts the 2008 spring behind Cooper.

Add to this list the freshmen mentioned above because the staff will try to find which players are better suited for Will or Sam.

3. Mike
Cortney Vincent started all 12 games during the regular season at the middle linebacker spot after he beat out Clay in the fall. He is the emotional leader that should take on a bigger leadership role after Phillip Merling’s departure. Vincent is not the most talented of the Tiger linebackers but he gets the most out of his abilities.

Clay could stay at Mike and be a factor but some feel he may move because of the emergence of red-shirt freshman Brandon Maye. The Alabama native reminds some on the staff of a young Anthony Waters. He is a bigger body there and also is a very emotional player. Keep an eye on Maye as he may a big mover and shaker in the spring.

4. Safety at Safety
When Michael Hamlin injured his knee in the bowl game it might have been the best thing to happen to the Tigers. The defense certainly missed his presence in that game but his injury helped put aside any idea that Hamlin would not return for his senior season and instead opt for the NFL draft.

Hamlin had an exceptional season and is poised for a huge 2008. He is perhaps the most important player on next season’s defense.

Chris Clemens had another solid campaign and returns for his senior season as well. Clemens usually does not make the spectacular play but is a good open field tackler.

DeAndre McDaniel showed flashes of brilliance as a freshman and showed sometimes that he was still a freshman. He is a terrific athlete who should see his role increase as he continues to learn the defense.

Other than those three safeties Clemson has a total of 13 career snaps out of the reserves. Darius Gaither has not been the player some thought he was coming out of high school and he is the only other safety on scholarship at this point.

The staff could count on true freshmen like highly thought of commitment Spencer Adams or St. Augustine, FL products Rashard Hall and Carlton Lewis. I could also see a scenario where the staff moves someone from another position in the spring to help the depth chart. For example, Sadat Chambers had some success at safety before he was moved to running back and Haydrian Lewis could move if he comes back from his injury.

5. Superman
Merling will be missed in 08. He was an emotional force on the defense and he played very hard every play. However, as rare as it is, Clemson has an upgrade here. I am not saying DaQuan Bowers will be an upgrade in his freshman season but eventually he will be an upgrade from a guy who left school early and is projected as a second round pick in the NFL draft. That is a tremendous compliment.

Bowers is a freak. He is a rarity. As the nation’s number-one ranked player by ESPN and number-two by Rivals.com and Scout.com, Bowers will be the highest rated player to ever sign with the Tigers. It is not a matter of if Bowers will be a hit; it is a matter of when. Going through matt drills and spring practice will help and I fully expect him to be a starter when the Tigers tackle the Tide in the Georgia Dome opener next season.

6. Tackling
There were times where Clemson tackled extremely well last season. There were other times where I felt tackling was a concern. If this team wants to win an ACC title in 08, tackling has to become a strength.

7. Turnovers
Clemson was among the ACC’s best in turnover margin last season but that was mostly based upon the offense not turning the ball over. The Tigers only forced 25 turnovers in 13 games. I would think they have to get that average above two turnovers a game to become a great defense. Clemson has been very good on defense recently but the next step is greatness and that will call for more turnovers.

8. Big Time Players Make Big Time Plays in ….
Turnovers for scores are the best a defense can do. Turnovers are the next best and sacks and big negative yardage plays are next in the pecking order. Clemson’s defensive had only 26 regular season sacks last year and that number has to improve. Pressuring the passer leads to big plays and this defense needs more in 08. The next step also means more big plays on returns of fumbles and interceptions. This defense will have a lot of experience in a lot of places so I think it OK to expect bigger plays on this side of the football next season.

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