Monday April 13, 2009

Spring Review

Spring Review
We have all seen spring games. We have seen good ones from teams that turned out to have losing seasons on the field and bad spring games from teams that went on to win championships. So I don’t normally get too high or low about spring games.

The 2009 spring game was no different in that respect but it was different in many ways. It was Dabo’s first and I can’t remember a team running down the hill for a spring game. In the past the head coaches have stayed in the press box or stayed away from any duties accept for a television interview. But Dabo was right in the middle of all of the action right in the middle of the field.

I saw enthusiasm also. Say what you will about Dabo but his stamp on this football program has not taken long to witness. The team is tougher. They are more physical. There is more unity.

On the field this team has issues but so does every team in America. I worry about the wide receivers. I am not sure who the number-two wide out will be and I worry about consistency and depth there. I think there are more answers at wide receiver than there are at linebacker though. That is my biggest concern. I worry about talent and depth there. I also wonder if you can have a great defense without great linebackers.

I hear people at the game question the offensive line in the spring game but I have three points on the subject. First, no one can block Da’Quan Bowers so don’t judge them there. This is a very good defensive line, perhaps the best in the ACC. Second, the line may have struggled with pass protection early but I thought they played well for the most part as the game wore on. Third, spring games are toughest on the offensive line. Other positions don’t see problems like the offensive line have in spring games. With the teams being split up evenly, you get first, second and third teams guys playing together for the first time and we all know continuity is a big part of good offensive line play. Georgia may have the best offensive line in America next season and I heard some of their fans complaining about their offensive line after watching their spring game this weekend. So spring games are toughest on offensive lines.

The other major discussion I heard from the weekend was the quarterback play. Like most others I think Kyle Parker clearly played better than Willy Korn and Michael Wade on Saturday. I think it is clear that Parker played better over the last half of spring practice.

However, I still think the quarterback position is not decided yet. Everyone knows I really like Willy Korn and rave about his character. But I like Parker also. He is a really nice kid that has made a big impression on some friends of mine who are closer to Kyle.

So I have no personal favorite here. I just want to play the quarterback who gives the Tigers the best chance to win. At this point Parker appears to be the guy but Clemson does not play a football game until September. How will Parker progress over the next few months? What will Korn’s throwing motion look like in August? When will we have a starter? Will both quarterbacks play?

I don’t know the answers from the first three questions but my guess is this staff will not be afraid to play two quarterbacks, especially early in the season.

I think it the most important thing about the quarterbacks are concerned is the quality of play. In my opinion Clemson will be better at quarterback next season. This time last year, the Tigers were talking about a record-setting quarterback returning for his senior season. Cullen Harper was the ACC’s pre-season player of the year. Who knew the Tigers would get below average quarterback play in 2008? My guess is we will see better quarterback play in 2009.

Will anyone have better running backs than the Tigers in 2009? Saturday’s group included a healthy Jamie Harper who ahs the quickest feet any big back at Clemson has had in recent memory. A lot of Tiger fans saw Andre Ellington for the first time and loved his quickness. But the star of the day was an old face at a new position. Rendrick Taylor gives the Tigers a terrific short-yardage option and a power back that looked like Jerome Bettis on Saturday.

Oh yeah, don’t forget C.J. Spiller decided to come back for his senior season.

The defensive line is deep and talented. I don’t think Kevin Steele would trade Bowers, Ricky Sapp, Kevin Alexander, Kourtnei Brown, Andre Branch, Malliciah Goodman, Brandon Thompson, Jarvis Jenkins, Jamie Cumbie, Miguel Chavis and Rennie Moore for any defensive line in the Atlantic Coast Conference.

If one of the safety positions can be solidified before September, the staff would probably say the same thing about the secondary. There is talent and experience with this group of defensive backs but inexperience and depth is somewhat of a concern at safety.

So in summary, I like where the Tigers came out of spring at quarterback, running back, tight end, offensive line, defensive line, defensive backs and the kicking game. I am still concerned about wide receivers and linebackers. I am also concerned about the schedule.

Over the next few weeks we will have a post spring look at each position on this 2009 team.

The staff will now focus on recruiting over the next six weeks and the blog will also move in that direction over the next few weeks as well.

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Prayer List
We have started a prayer list on the blog. Here are the guidelines:
*If you are offended by prayer or prayer lists then I apologize in advance. The blog is free and the prayer list will be on the bottom of the page so you don’t have to read it.
*If you would like to add someone to the list please e-mail me at mickeyplyler@hotmail.com
*If you want the reason for the prayer to be added to the name please specify in your e-mails.
*Please let me know when it is appropriate to take the person off of the prayer list

Those who need our prayers include:
Finn Brookover, Mrs. Kathleen Bowers, Larry in Naples, FL, RTG-Pawsitive Tiger, Mary-Louise Pawlowski (John's daughter), Sandy Wright, Jo Ann Bachman, Frank Taylor, Kenneth Bryant, Pruitt Martin, Got igers and his family, David Rowland, Leonard Gillespie and his family, Jim S, Christine Hepfer, Daniel Rosborough, Amy Murphey, Jack Huffman, Nancy Winkler, Dr. Nancy Strom Morgan, Edward Putman, John Reeve, Eileen Woodrum, Ethel Southard, Vinnie Brock, Jean-Pierre Bailey, Kaitlyn L.