Wednesday December 09, 2009

2010 Offense

2010 Offense
I know the Tigers still have the Music City Bowl on December 27 and I know the staff will add about five more players to the next recruiting class but today I wanted to start to look ahead to the 2010 season. Today we will take a very early look at the 2010 offense and tomorrow we will feature the defense.

First, the most important part of any program is the schedule and the Tigers face an extremely difficult schedule next season especially on the road. Clemson goes to Auburn, North Carolina, Florida State, Boston College and Wake Forest. Home games are against Presbyterian, North Texas, Miami, Georgia Tech, NC State, Maryland and South Carolina. The Tigers will face seven bowl teams in 2010.

Statistically speaking Clemson’s offense made great strides in 2009. Last season the Tigers averaged 25.2 points per game. With one game remaining this year Clemson has averaged 31.9 points per game this season. Last year the Tigers averaged 112 yards on the ground and this year they have improved to average 170 rushing yards per game. The passing offense average has fallen from 218 yards per game last year to 196 this season but the total offense has improved from 330 yards last season to 365 yards per game this season. Last year the Tigers gave up 34 sacks and have lowered that number to 19 so far this season.

Early in the season the offensive staff caught a lot of criticism but the critics went away as the season progressed. I would consider Billy Napier’s first season as a coordinator very successful. In 2010 the challenge will be to continue to successfully run the football and improve the passing game.

The obvious voids in the offense will be the departure of C.J Spiller, Jacoby Ford, Michael Palmer and Thomas Austin. The Tigers return seven starters on offense but the four they will have to replace are huge.

Spiller and Ford will be missed but perhaps their biggest statistic that will be a factor in 2010 will be field position. Spiller and Ford helped give Clemson terrific field position throughout most of 2010.

From scrimmage I think Clemson can run the ball effectively in 2010. Sure Spiller’s 1,145 yards will be missed in the running game but I love Andre Ellington. I think we will see little drop off in the running game with Ellington who is averaging 7.4 yards per carry as a freshman.

Clemson will have to get more production out of Jamie Harper who averages 4.7 yards per carry so far this season. The Tiger will work Rod McDowell in the spring in order to provide more depth at tailback and some were impressed with the Sumter native in his red-shirt season.

Also look for more rushing yards out of the quarterback position in 2010. Speaking of quarterback, I thought Kyle Parker has had a terrific freshman season. So far he is 197 of 355 for 2,385 yards for 19 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. He also has 119 yards rushing with one touchdown. Parker has a plus, plus arm and is athletic enough to buy extra time in the pocket. I thought he matured as the season progressed and his decision making skills improved.

In my opinion the quarterback play was an improvement in 2009 and I look for even more improvement in 2010. The only problem is we don’t know who the starting quarterback will be at this point. This is a great problem to have because some inside the program think red-shirt quarterback Tajh Boyd has more ability than Parker. I think it is difficult to beat out an incumbent at quarterback but Boyd is a tireless worker who will fight for every chance to impress the coaches in the spring.

Assuming Mason Cloy returns from a broken leg in the bowl game, the Tigers will return four starters on an offensive line that improved in 2009. Chris Hairston returns at left tackle and could be considered an all-conference candidate in the pre-season. The other tackle spot should be manned by two-year starter Landon Walker and his competition David Smith. I look for continued improvement at tackle. One thing the staff will look for is depth which could come from Brandon Thomas, Phillip Price and J.K. Jay if he can return from injury.

The guard spots should be manned by Cloy and Antoine McClain but depth is a concern here. Wilson Norris and Matt Sanders will face an important spring. True freshmen could get a look in August.

The center position was more productive when Dalton Freeman took over and the freshman made strides in 2009. Depth is another concern here.

With seven linemen with significant experience returning and four starters coming back I think this line can be considered a strength if depth is developed.

The major positions of concern going into the spring will once again be wide receiver. Clemson will miss Ford’s 53 receptions, 735 receiving yards and five receiving touchdowns. Replacing his speed will be difficult.

Xavier Dye improved in the second half of the season and could be the number-one guy in 2010. Terrence Ashe, Marquan Jones, Jaron Brown, Brandon Ford, Brandon Clear and Bryce McNeil will get a chance to get more playing time if any of those guys prove to be dependable. I would also look for the freshmen like DeAndre Hopkins and Martavis Bryant will get a chance to get into the rotation.

Clemson will certainly miss Michael Palmer who has 41 receptions for 468 yards and four touchdowns this season. Dwayne Allen will take over as the top tight end and the freshman has a chance to have a great career if he improves his ball skills. Chad Diehl has been very dependable as a fullback/h-back/tight end so far in his career and I am interested to see if his role will expand in the spring. Depth is a big concern at tight end heading into the spring.

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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.
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Those who need our prayers include:
Finn Brookover, 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, Kaitlyn L, 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, Caleb Kennedy, Ann Fallaw, Bob Pollock, Teresa O'Connor, Matt Jacobs, Mike Kingsmore,Perrin Seigler, Carole White Begley, Candee Massee, Lindsey Jordan, Sam Catoe, Tyler Felch, Steve Cato.