Thursday May 07, 2009

Running Game

Running Game
A few weeks ago I went back and looked at the past couple of football seasons in an attempt to analyze the factors involving wins and losses.

There are obvious stats that stick out in crunching the numbers. Points allowed is a pretty obvious stat. Turnovers are also a big determining factor when looking at the results. In the coming weeks I will take a look at several other stats but today I wanted to take a peak at the running game.

There are three components with the running game (the offensive line, the running backs and the commitment to the run). Without one aspect performing at a high level it is difficult to be productive in the running game. If the offensive line cannot sustain blocks then it does not matter who your backs are. Without quality running backs, an offensive line may not appear to be as productive.

However, without a commitment to the running game an offensive line and running backs cannot flourish.

Over the past two seasons, I think it has been obvious that Clemson has not had issues at running back. James Davis and C.J. Spiller might be the top tailback combinations in school history.

I think it is fair to question the level of talent of the offensive line in the past two seasons. To be honest, these lines did not feature the John Phillips or Jim Bundren.

In my opinion though, the number one deficiency the past couple of couple of seasons in the running game has been the lack of commitment.

Over the last two seasons, Clemson has gone 9-4 and 7-6. In the ten losses Clemson rushed for over 100 yards only twice.

In 2007, Clemson lost to Georgia Tech, Virginia Tech, Boston College and Auburn. In the Georgia Tech loss the Tigers ran the ball 32 times for 34 yards. In the home loss to the Hokies Clemson had 23 carries for eight yards. The crushing loss to Boston College featured 23 rushes for 47 yards. The only loss in 2007 that saw the Tigers rush for over 100 yards was the overtime loss in the Peach Bowl to Auburn. In the bowl game Clemson had 40 carries for 189 yards but a large bulk of that came one electric C.J. Spiller run.

In 2008 the Tigers lost to Alabama, Maryland, Wake Forest, Georgia Tech, FSU and Nebraska. The Maryland loss was extremely rare in that the Tigers rushed for 221 yards on 41 carries. The other losses in 2008 looked similar to 2007.

The embarrassing loss to Alabama saw Clemson run the ball 14 times for zero yards. Against Wake Forest, Clemson had 21 yards on 23 carries. Georgia tech held Clemson to 51 yards on 24 rushes. The Tigers had 26 rushes for 79 yards in the loss in Tallahassee. In the Gator Bowl Nebraska held Clemson to 26 rushes for only four yards.

In my opinion, the best offensive game plan I have seen from Clemson’s staffs in the past two seasons was last year’s South Carolina 31-14 win. The Tigers utilized the fullback as a lead blocker and tallied 184 yards on 47 rushes.

We have witnessed other games where a fan could not question the Tigers commitment to the run. For example the N.C. State game of 2007 where Clemson had 50 rushes for 340 yards. In that contest the staff chose to feed Davis and Spiller consistently and the duo delivered.

Before the Maryland game of 2007 Davis guaranteed a victory and the offensive line and the backs delivered a 56 carry, 249-yard performance.

Sometimes the magic number is rushing yards and stats are very favorable when the Tigers rush for over 100 yards, 150 yards and 200 yards respectively. However, another number is the number of rushes. This stats speaks to the commitment to the run. In 2007 the Auburn game was the only game where Clemson ran it 40 times or more and still lost.

A commitment to the run means running the ball on first down and then running it again on second down. It means running the ball on second and long. It means not giving up on the run because it is currently not working.

A few years ago a good friend of mine told me a story about his mom and dad. He said they were total opposites but had just celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. My friend said the only reason their marriage worked that long was because they were both committed to the marriage. They did not go in another direction when sometimes it looked like they were facing second and nine.

A commitment to the run also means a commitment to the run in practice. It means toughness is developed easier. It means the defense can also develop toughness easier when the offense has it.

Play-action passing games are not as effective when the defense does not feel like the offense is committed to the run. When the defense knows the offense will abandon the run on second and long then it makes it easier to defend. When a defense can get an offense one-dimensional the offense becomes easier to defend.

So, is Clemson committed to the run in 2009? Can they consistently run the football in 2009? Will they be able to run the football against better defenses in 2009?

I think hindsight will provide the real answers but it is May and we all like to speculate. From what I have seen, I think all three aspects of the running game will be improved in 2009.

I think the offensive line play will be improved with their renewed emphasis on toughness. Danny Pearman brings toughness and brad Scott has wanted to get in a three-point stance for several years. This group is more talented and more experienced in 2009.

Despite the loss of James Davis, I think the running backs will be improved. Spiller is poised for a huge senior season and much of the offense will be built around him. Jamie Harper looked terrific in the spring and Andre Ellington appears to be knocking on the door of stardom. Rendrick Taylor brings a physical presence to the short-yardage game.

Most importantly, I think this staff is committed to the run. I think this group wants to run the football well and wants toughness to be the identity of the offense and program.

I think Dabo understands that the best Clemson offenses of the last 30 years have been the ones that ran the football effectively. I am an optimist but I look for improvement in the running game in 2009.

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Those who need our prayers include:
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