Wednesday April 18, 2007

Post Spring Analysis-TE, OL

Post Spring Offensive Analysis
I only saw the team a couple of times but did speak to several who have been to every practice and scrimmage including a couple of the offensive coaches. Below is a review of the tight ends and offensive line from the spring:

Tight Ends
Barry So, Palmer So, Robinson Jr, Linthicum Fr

Rob Spence plays as many tight ends in a game as any offensive coordinator in college football and he has a pretty good group to work with this season. Clemson’s tight end coach, Billy Napier, has these four tight ends plus Alex Pearson as an H-Back/fullback/tight end to work with.

Durrell Barry is the best pass catching tight end. He has improved his toughness but still has to improve in his blocking efforts. Barry missed a lot of time this spring due to injuries. His health will be a key to this group.

Michael Palmer is the most dependable tight end on scholarship. He really surprised coaches last fall when he avoided a red-shirt season. Palmer is a hard-nosed kid that should continue to develop as a good blocker.

Akeem Robinson has bounced from position to position but has settled in at tight end. He is not a great athlete but he works hard. Robinson is a much better blocker than a pass receiver. He blocks like an offensive lineman but unfortunately runs like one too. Look for his blocking role to be a key to this group.

Brian Linthicum really benefited this spring by entering school early. He has so much to learn and must get bigger in order to compete. However, he showcased toughness this spring and showed signs of his potential. He will become more experienced and could really turn into a good one. Napier says, “He are excited about his future at Clemson.”

Left Tackle
Richardson Sr, Hairston Fr, Smith Fr

The offense got a big lift when Barry Richardson decided to return for his senior season. The truth is he really needed another year. He should become one of the most experienced offensive linemen in school history and one of the few four year starters. Richardson can be as good as he wants to be. His conditioning will be a key so he faces a big summer. Richardson can also have a big role on this team as a leader.

Chris Hairston has a chance to be a good one if he continues to develop at his current pace. He is still raw in many areas but is a good athlete with good quickness. His red-shirt season was a success and now he will get a look as a back-up. Hairston wants to be able to hold off Corey Lambert who could be a swing tackle.

Right Tackle
Capote Sr, Lambert So, Walker Fr

Chris Capote really turned his football career around after his automobile accident at the bowl game two years ago. He has a much better work ethic since his brush with tragedy. Capote is really more of a guard and excels as a run blocker. He will continue to try to improve his pass protection but I think he can be counted on in 2007.

Corey Lambert is exactly what the staff thought he would be—a good athlete with good feet. Lambert is inexperience and needs to play tougher but the skills are there. He is a much better pass protector because of his excellent feet. Lambert should press Capote for playing time all season.

Landon Walker is a future star. He looks like an NFL tackle who only lacks experience. Like the other four true freshmen, Walker greatly benefited from his early enrollment. He has gained over 15 pounds of muscle due to his hard work already in the weight room. Walker is raw but he is the best offensive linemen Clemson has signed in recent years.

Left Guard
McDuffie Sr, Grant So, Medlin Fr

Unfortunately last season Roman Fry went down. Fortunately for this season, Chris McDuffie gained valuable experience as a starter. McDuffie is a better run blocker than a pass blocker. There is little depth behind McDuffie but I think Austin could move over if needed.

Jamarcus Grant missed most of the spring following his accident where a fire claimed his home back in Mullins. He is a barrel-chested guard that shows signs of being ready to compete for playing time. The staff is still high on his potential.

Jamal Medlin needed a red-shirt season last year and used it well. He reminds me of Grant in some ways. Medlin was also banged up in the spring and needs to get valuable experience. I can see Grant or Medlin starting at guard in 2008.

Right Guard
Pilgrim Sr, Austin So, Norris Fr

This is one of the best position battles going into the spring as Brandon Pilgrim was set to try to hold off the very dependable Thomas Austin. Injuries to both turned an exciting part of spring practice into a disappointment. Pilgrim missed time with an elbow problem and Austin suffered a foot injury. Both can be counted on but Austin is the future star of this offensive line.

Center
Humphries So, Hutchinson Jr, Cloy Fr

Going into the spring this was a major area of concern. However, Barry Humphries had a very solid spring and now can be counted on. Like almost all offensive linemen, Humphries red-shirted and learned the position but now he is ready. He is perhaps the strongest member of the squad. At one point the staff considered moving Austin to center but Humphries has stopped that talk currently.

Bobby Hutchinson is a solid back-up at this position. He could get you through a ngame in case of injury.

Tomorrow we will look at the defense coming out of the spring.

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