Thursday August 13, 2009

Football Questions-Volume IV

Football Questions-Vol. IV
Throughout the last few weeks we have tried to take a look at some of the 24 football program questions we posed in the July. Today we continue with the next installment with questions eight and nine on the list of 24.

Are the tight ends a strength?
Each spring college football coaches all across the country talk about getting the tight end more involved in the offense. Each fall camp they speak about the importance of getting the ball to the tight ends more. If you listen to almost any coach’s weekly radio show you will hear a caller ask about increasing the production at tight end. Yet many programs across the nation tend to not get the tight end involved as much as they would like on Saturdays.

I asked former Clemson wide receiver coach Rick Stockstill about this and he made an interesting point. Stock said tight ends get involved in the blocking and pass protection throughout so much of practice and most plays in each game. He said they are big bodies that are not as fast or athletic as the wide outs and the running backs and their hands take a beating on most blocking plays. Stock made the case that the tight ends are not as good with the ball after the catch as a wide out or running back. He made the case that the wide receivers and running backs are used to handling the football more and thus have better ball skills in many cases. So he asks, “why should we want to get the ball to the tight ends more?”

I tend to agree with some of that philosophy. For every time Clemson throws the football to a tight end, it is one less time that C.J. Spiller, Andre Ellington, Jacoby Ford and other wide outs touch it.

Now, I do understand the importance of a tight end in the middle of the field at times. I do understand the tight end as a third down receiver or a red zone target. Balance should be a big part of any offense and having a threat at tight end can help. However, I would be in favor of increasing the running backs’ receptions instead of the tight end.

Also, it is important to note that blocking is the most important aspect in evaluating a tight end. That is a main reason why Michael Palmer is a returning starter.

So, is this unit a strength in 2009?
Palmer is solid. He is fundamentally sound and is athletic enough to contribute in the passing game. He is not able to stretch the field vertically but he has good enough hands to become a bigger part of the passing game. Palmer is a smart player that understands the offense and his assignments. He started three games as a true freshman and caught five balls for 30 yards. The last two seasons he has started 21 games and has 25 catches for 288 yards and four touchdowns. Palmer has played over 1,100 plays over the last two campaign.

Durrell Barry is a terrific athlete that did not live up to his potential for the first two seasons in Tigertown. He improved last season and contributed more. Barry started three contests as a junior but has yet to play more than 150 snaps in a season.

Dwayne Allen is the physically most talented tight end and has the biggest upside. Allen benefitted from red-shirting last year but he should be a major factor in the offense in 2009. This is the kind of tight end some of the top programs in the country are playing with. Allen continues to make strides in his maturation and should have a good freshman season.

When you consider the experience and dependability of Palmer and the athleticism of Barry and Allen, you could think of this as a position of strength in 2009. These guys are not Kellen Winslow and Dave Casper but they are solid. This group of tight ends will also benefit from new position coach Danny Pearman. The new tight end and tackle coach will have this unit playing at a high level and this will be a much more physical group this season.

Should we be optimistic about the offensive line?
There are reasons for optimism along the offensive line but I would classify this as cautious optimism.

Some pre-season magazines have Clemson among the nation’s top 10 offensive lines. Phil Steele’s pre-season publication has the Tigers as the country’s ninth best offensive line.

Another reason for renewed hope for this unit is experience. Thomas Austin played 795 snaps last season, 780 as a sophomore and 117 in his freshman season. Chris Hairston has played 745 snaps and 21 games in his first two seasons. Mason Cloy played 660 snaps in his freshman season last year. Landon Walker benefitted from playing 672 snaps in his freshman campaign.

This group will be better this season also because of competition and talent. Hairston is an All-Conference candidate that could play for a lot of programs. Austin is thought of very highly by NFL scouts. Maybe the biggest upside can be seen in Antoine McClain who showed promise as a freshman.

The starters are being pushed and this competition makes everyone better. Cloy is in a battle for his starting spot at center with red-shirt freshman Dalton Freeman. McClain can’t take a day off because David Smith is finally healthy and is poised for more playing time and right guard.

However, there are concerns with this unit also. Clemson fans are tired of hearing about how good some of these guys are and they want to see it. Production has been down on the offensive front the last couple of seasons so fans are cautious to buy into the pre-season hype.

Also there is a concern with depth at the tackle. J.K. Jay is out for the season with back surgery and Brandon Thomas is not ready yet. Corey Lambert has not lived up to his billing yet. So depth at tackle is a concern.

I am encouraged by the prospects here though. As these guys continue to mature, I think this could be a good line this season and perhaps a great one next year.

The Brad Hughes All-State Insurance Agency

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), 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, John Reeve, Eileen Woodrum, Ethel Southard, Vinnie Brock, Jean-Pierre Bailey, Kaitlyn L, Delores Weaver, Eric Boessneck, John Bowers, Jimmy Ness, Susan Miller, Joyce Harley, Steve Proveaux, John Petrey, Chalmers Carr, Drayton Melton, Jeffrey Greene, the Hutto family, Sherl Drawdy.