Tuesday October 03, 2006

Final La Tech Notes

Final La Tech Notes
*You could almost take our notes from the UNC game and copy and paste them here.

*I know the opponent was not a great test but the intensity and energy we saw from the Tigers Saturday night was once again incredible.

*The offensive line played lights out again. This week Dustin Fry received the honors as the ACC offensive linemen of the week. The line dominated and made its presence felt all night. I cannot remember the last time I saw a line get downfield like that. The push the offensive line had was amazing.

*James Davis continues to come up with tremendous efforts. This was his fifth good game this season. The Tigers are different with him in the game as we saw last season. Davis is also much stronger this season and breaks more tackles than we saw last season. He is also so consistent.

*C.J. Spiller had his best game in many ways but his two fumbles put a damper on that. Spiller had big runs all night. He would have had even more yards if it were not for Akeem Robinson jumping offsides on the one touchdown run. Spiller is awesome in the open field. However, until he protects the football he will not be a complete back.

*With Reggie Merriweather out, Demerick Chancellor had his first 100-yard rushing game. Chancellor looks strong in breaking tackles. He is very physical when he takes the punishment to the defensive back. This is a big back that also has breakaway skills.

*Will Proctor was not asked to do too much in the passing game versus La Tech but he looked good in those few opportunities. It was the great performances against BC and FSU that have helped this running game. You cannot just load the box against Clemson because the Tigers are as balanced as anybody in the country on offense. Actually, the past two running performances will only help the passing game with future opponents.

*Chansi Stuckey had some huge plays against the Bulldogs. His juggling catch was incredible but his diving catch may have been better.

*The rest of the receiving corps may not have had to do a lot in the passing department but I would like to commend them on their downfield blocking.

*Defensively, I would say that once again the Tigers defensive front controlled the line of scrimmage. Gaines Adams and Phillip Merling were able to pressure the passer and the interior guys like Jock McKissic, Rashaad Jackson, Dorell Scott and Etta Etta-Tawo worked over the Bulldog defensive line.

*I talked to David Blackwell, Clemson linebacker coach, and he says Antonio Clay continues to get more comfortable each week. He said Clay has a huge upside and could be one of the best linebackers he has ever coached before he leaves Clemson.

*I was glad to see Nick Watkins score Saturday night. Watkins is one of the most underrated players in the ACC. He plays his coverage assignments extremely well. I know he has been through so much with Hurricane Katrina and it was nice to see him get into the end zone.

*They don’t know exactly what they are doing right now but true freshmen linebackers Jeremy Campbell and Kevin Alexander look great doing it. Both look like they have big upsides.

*Speaking of freshmen, Crezdon Butler’s play as a true freshman reminds me of Justin Miller and Dexter Davis. I can’t say for sure, but I would not be surprised if Butler baited the Bulldog quarterback on his second interception.

*Cortney Vincent had an incredible interception near the goal line. It was nice to see him get more snaps and get more comfortable at his new position.

*The special teams were a mixture of high lights and low lights. On the highlight side, the blocking effort and return effort on Jacoby Ford’s kick off return was special. Ford’s speed and athletic ability shined through on the big play. Spiller made a tremendous effort on his block.

*The extra point efforts continue to struggle. Besides the blocked kicks several others were too low as well.

*Two punts were fumbled. Ford and Spiller are freshmen but both have to improve before it costs the Tigers a game.

*The crowd was terrific once again. I am a huge believer in that stadium being special. When it is on there is no other place like it in America. However, I have sat through many games against lesser opponents where it did not have the energy. I applaud the fans and the students for making the atmosphere first class. I still wonder where those students go in the second half?

*One of the most promising things I saw Saturday night was Bowden’s enthusiasm after the Tigers held La Tech in the red zone. He was going crazy and was greeting the players as they came off of the field. It was great to see that kind of intensity even with the game out of hand.

*I was impressed with Tech head coach Jack Bicknell. He coached as hard as anyone this side of Duke’s Ted Roof. If a coach asks a player to play hard for 60 minutes then he ought to coach hard for 60 minutes.

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