Wednesday March 10, 2010

Spring Practice Impressions-Defense

Spring Practice Impressions
I had a chance to get out to football practice for about an hour and 45 minutes Monday and wanted to share some observations. Yesterday we took a look at the offense, so today we will look at the defense.

DaQuan Bowers had a knee brace or sleeve on his knee he hurt from last season but it did not appear to affect his mobility. I thought Bowers looked a little heavy last year but he looked like he lost a little weight in the off-season.

Malliciah Goodman continues to fill out his body. This is a great looking physical specimen that continues to mature physically. I think he has a huge upside and a potential NFL career down the road but it was nice to see him look physically more like a guy who has been in the strength and conditioning program for a full year.

Andre Branch ran with the first team defense and looks in good shape. His motor always runs hard and he has been very productive.

Kourtnei Brown is one of about five guys who really stood out in terms of how they have changed their body since we last saw them. The defense end red-shirted last season and he spent that time well. Brown looks like he has added 15 pounds of muscle.

Jarvis Jenkins is another in that group of about five that really looks different. In fact, I think he might have made the biggest change. On my radio show this morning, Cris Ard of TigerIllustrated.com said he thought Jenkins looked like he lost 20 pounds since last November. Sometimes guys entering their senior years develop this sense of urgency and in Jenkins case it will help him in the eyes of the NFL draft people. Jenkins looks to be in the best shape of his career.

I did not get to see enough of other defensive tackles like Brandon Thompson, Jamie Cumbie, Miguel Chavis and Rennie Moore but I was impressed with Tyler Shatley. The strength and conditioning staff talks about Shatley and his chances to break weight room records and it is easy to see his hard work when he walks on the field. The other freshman defensive tackle is Josh Watson who has also added about five pounds of muscle since arriving on campus in January.

I tried to watch the linebackers for about 30 minutes Monday but we did not get to see Brandon Maye, who was wearing a yellow jersey due to an injury. The one linebacker who looks like he made the biggest strides since last season was Corrico Hawkins. He has changed numbers and looks bigger since last season. Hawkins has good instincts which will help him grab more snaps next season. I think he will push for a starting position at either MIKE or WILL.

I got my longest look at Spencer Shuey Monday and liked what I saw. Today when the pads go on is when he will have a chance to shine because he is a run stopper that will have to make his plays between the tackles.

Tig Willard looks like he is much more comfortable also. Next year will be his third year in the program and I think he will play a much bigger role in the defense.

The staff has been forced to play more nickel in recent years and I did not get to see a lot of Quandon Christian and Scotty Cooper Monday. I hope to get a better look at both SAM linebackers today.

In the secondary Byron Maxwell and Marcus Gilchrist are two physical corners. Maxwell is a big corner and Gilchrist is moving from safety but he has experience at corner. Clemson is replacing both starting corners but both of these guys have played important snaps in the past.

Xavier Brewer and Coty Sensabaugh are the second team corners with Brewer grabbing a majority of the snaps in the nickel package.

Both starting safeties look terrific. Rashard Hall and DeAndre McDaniel have to be considered as good as any safety tandem in the ACC. It is fun to watch McDaniel practice as he is the vocal leader of the defense when Maye is out. McDaniel seems to really understand the defense and directs his teammates around in the pre-snap adjustments.

Jonathan Meeks and Spencer Adams are the two back up safeties that look the part and have a lot of physical tools but need more experience. The coaching staff seemed to have to correct their mistakes and reads more which should not be a surprise considering their lack of experience.

In no way would I ever try to diminish the importance of special teams but I did not spend a lot of time watching the kickers and punters Monday. I have seen spring practice superstar kickers that look great in shorts in March that never turn out in September. There is competition between Dawson Zimmerman and Richard Jackson at punter and Jackson and Spencer Benton at placekicker but I am not sure anything will be decided in the spring.

One other quick note from Monday concerning the staff, after watching the defensive staff coach Monday, it is easy to see why SEC schools had interest in at least three Clemson defensive assistants. There is a tremendous amount of experience in this staff and I think a very good blend of different kinds of coaches. Kevin Steele is the emotional guy. Charlie Harbison and Dan Brooks are the more quiet teachers. Chris Rumph seems to be a blend of both styles. Dabo has to be pleased with his staff and the continuity entering year number two.

I will get a better feel after Wednesday’s practice in pads but this defense has a lot of potential. The defensive front is deep and talented. The secondary has a pair of extremely talented safeties and a couple of physical corners. This defense will be as good as the linebackers allow them to be. The development of the linebackers seems to once again be the key.

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Those who need our prayers include:
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