Wednesday October 08, 2008
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Wednesday October 08, 2008
Harper-Korn-Parker I will put up the Wake Forest preview tomorrow because I was moved to write about a subject that came up on my radio show again this morning. A caller asked about Willy Korn and the possibility of seeing him take meaningful snaps this season. Obviously this is an interesting topic that I have mostly avoided so far. However, I wanted to take a chance to touch on it today. First the caller made a great point when he said coaching football has to be harder than we think because we amateurs always think we have all of the answers. I think we should always keep that into consideration. So here are my thoughts on the quarterback situation at Clemson: *In my opinion, one of the reasons why Harper won the job in the spring and summer of his junior season is the fact that he had to hear about the “Great Willy Korn” all of the time. I believe Harper developed a chip on his shoulder and had an edge to him. I saw Harper wanting to prove his worth despite the publicity and attention Korn garnered and Harper had a record setting year in the process. *I think it would have been easy for Harper to lose the chip when he was the pre-season ACC player of the year. I think he still worked hard but this summer he was the guy on the cover of the magazines and Korn was in the background. *In the past eight games under Harper, Clemson is 4-4. He has pretty good numbers in terms of completion percentage but he is not as effective throwing the ball downfield. During that stretch Harper has thrown for four touchdowns and seven interceptions. *Harper has had to play against the tough defenses like Alabama, Virginia Tech and Boston College and Korn has only faced four lesser opponents but Korn’s numbers are impressive. *I will listen to the argument that Korn’s playing time has been against Louisiana-Monroe, Furman, The Citadel and South Carolina State if you admit that Harper’s stats were also padded against lesser opponents also. *I will listen to the concept that Korn is performing against worn down defenses in the fourth quarter if you admit that he has to play behind a lesser talented offensive line and is throwing second and third team skill players. Korn has completed 22 passes in his Clemson career and has never played a single down with James Davis, C.J. Spiller, Jacoby Ford, Tyler Grisham or Aaron Kelly. His pass completions have gone to Xavier Dye (5), Marquan Jones (3), Nelson Faerber (2), Durrell Barry (1), Chad Diehl (1), Paul Macko (1), Jamie Harper (1), LaDonte Harris (1), Terrence Ashe (1), Sadat Chambers (1), Michael Palmer (1) and Jeff Ogren (1). *In his Clemson career Korn is 22 of 29 for 257 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions. *Korn has played twelve drives in his four appearance but four of those drives were the final drive of the game in which the Tigers ran out the clock and did not try to score. Of the eight drives he has played where the game did not end on the drive, Korn has led the Tigers to five touchdowns and a field goal. In the two drives where the Tigers did not score, Korn was sacked on one drive that ended the drive and had a penalty and a sack that ended the other (again playing with all reserves on the offensive line). Those two non-scoring drives came last season. In the four drives Korn has had this season he has led the Tigers to three touchdowns and a field goal. *I am also very aware that Willy Korn is one of the finest leaders I have ever been around and I think this team could use an injection of his leadership. In summary, I like Cullen Harper and think he has done a good job over the last two seasons but I also think Korn has earned playing time. As a fan I just want to see one drive a game where he could see significant action. I think the team would benefit this season because Korn brings a different skill set to the table. I think the program would be better next year because of Korn’s valuable experience. I think Korn will be better because of the experience and I even think Harper would be better because he would have competition. As fans, we always love the second team quarterback. And as fans, we know only a small percentage of the game that our coaches know. However, I am a firm believer in competition. Competition makes everyone better. It might have made Will Proctor better but the staff decided that he was not threatened by Cullen Harper. It made Harper better last season. I think it has made both punters, Jimmy Maners and Dawson Zimmerman, better this season. In fact, I also think next season Korn might be a better if he knew Kyle Parker is able to push him and maybe Parker would deserve a series or two per game.
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All very valid points. Unfortunately, the concept of getting the second team QB any meaningful snaps, has been lost with a Tommy Bowden team.
Posted by MackDaddy on October 08, 2008 at 12:22 PM EDT #
Mick you saw Will play at Byrnes you know how good he was and is,we are wasting him on the side lines .If Clemson added a running QB to the talent back there now we would be a better team.Hes a fighter and leader that could well salvage the season,whos the only person stopping him?Well we all know that dont we good buddy.
Posted by MBIGTIG06 on October 08, 2008 at 01:02 PM EDT #
Great topic and great points.
"Korn has only put played against tired and lesser defenses"
Is that argument not a really good reason to give him MEANINGFUL snaps? What happens if Korn has to play against good defenses? That could happen Thursday night with 1 hard hit on Harper.
I happen to think Korn would do fine against good teams. Those who think Korn has only performed against weak and tired defenses should compare Harper's numbers in similar situations. As you said, that is where his stats get a boost.
I am OK with keeping continuity between 1st and 2nd teams. I have no problem with Korn and 10 other 2nd team players getting 1-2 series per game. Gives the 1st team a rest, a fresh perspective as they watch together, some possible coaching minutes (not that we adjust), and some competition. Also creates difficulty for the other D since they do not prepare for the 2nd team.
Posted by tigerP94 on October 08, 2008 at 01:11 PM EDT #
The comments about Korn as a leader make it more obvious he should play. I think that quality is what we are missing.
Getting Korn some snaps with 1st team would be great, but I would settle for any meaningful snaps (even with 2nd team).
Odds and indications are we will not see either. This based on Spence's comments on the topic. I do not see how we put faith in his judgment there, based on history of playing a 'starter' becuase the back-up is not 'as good'. I did not believe that with Harper-Proctor at all, and doubt that is the case with Korn now.
Posted by tigerP94 on October 08, 2008 at 01:15 PM EDT #
Playing two QB's would be great, if that's what it takes to win more games... We know what Harper can do when he is not hurting... So bring on Korn for 2 or 3 series a game, with the first team, and see what we have...
Posted by Gray_Court_Tiger on October 08, 2008 at 02:08 PM EDT #
Korn appears to be at least as good at passing (if not better) THIS YEAR, and he’s clearly better at running & scrambling than Harper. Bowden & Spence claim that Harper has a better grasp of the offense. Maybe so.
But does true-freshman QB Terrelle Pryor have a better grasp of the offense than senior Todd Boeckman? No. Does Pryor have a better grasp of OSU's offense than Korn has of Clemson's? Highly unlikely. Was Tressel right to play the more athletic, dual-threat freshman over Boeckman? Yes. If TB & RS were coaching OSU, would Pryor be the QB? Doubt it.
Ditto with VT & FSU playing sophomore dual-threat QBs Taylor & Ponder, over senior QBs Glennon & Weatherford, respectively.
I think Bowden & Spence are guys who strongly prefer to be loyal to their seniors. Korn recently said so (and praised that) in an interview.
Korn is a dual-threat that could keep defenses honest and mitigate weak pass protection. One experiment is better than 10,000 expert opinions.
Posted by Razzmatazz on October 08, 2008 at 02:13 PM EDT #
Maybe even consider a short yardage situation - say fourth and one foot -WITH THE GAME ON THE LINE to put the more athletic, more physical QB (Korn) into the game. Oh, wait, that's already happened this year - and CTB gave the ball to the other guy, the PRE-SEASON ACC Player of the Year. How'd that turn out???
Posted by RogerS on October 08, 2008 at 03:10 PM EDT #
Les Miles and Urban Meyer recently won National Championships playing 2 QBs. Tressel is playing a true freshman over a proven guy. Beamer and Bobby Bowden are paying sophomores ahead of proven seniors.
Yet TB is playing and game planning around an emotionally and physically wounded/limited QB, with shaky confidence, low mobility, and poor offensive line when he has a more mobile and talented guy sitting on the bench.
So much for TB's mantra of the "best 11 on the field". And if TB were a better coach than the ones listed above, then things might be different, but TB's record of developing QBs post-RichRod is dismal at best!!
Posted by flatiger66 on October 08, 2008 at 03:33 PM EDT #
Will not happen as long as "Tommy BowDown" is the coach!
Posted by FORESTTIGER on October 08, 2008 at 03:50 PM EDT #
QBs are like pitchers in baseball, right? Once you pull the starter, he can't come back in.
Right? I mean, it's got to be something like that...
Posted by Tiger TC on October 08, 2008 at 04:00 PM EDT #
According to ESPN (and Wake's AD), there will be 39 NFL scouts at the Wake game, so I hope Harper returns to form and makes a strong case for the NFL. http://myespn.go.com/blogs/acc/0-2-350/Clemson-and-Wake-will-have-an-NFL-audience.html
Posted by Razzmatazz on October 08, 2008 at 04:05 PM EDT #
Danny Ford sat Rodney a few times. He said sometimes the QB needs to gather himself and see what the defense is doing. He knew it also got their attention and fired them up.
If your dog craps on the floor he'll continue to crap on the floor until you let him know there are negative consequences. Even the mob only let's loyalty go so far.
At some point performance has to dictate change, be it QBs, kickers, assistant coaches, or the head coach, because he is the one that is suppose to be held accountable. It's sad when schools like Duke & Stanford fire coaches faster than Clemson!!!
Posted by flatiger66 on October 08, 2008 at 04:28 PM EDT #
Tommy gets it!
Tommy Tubberville, that is! We've had Spence & Bad Scott (NOT a typo!) how long? And TT fires the OC after only 6 or 7 games!
Posted by flatiger66 on October 08, 2008 at 05:49 PM EDT #
Harper has been less than impressive this year. Korn would not have to do a whole lot to equal Harper's performance. Give the kid a chance and give Cullen a clipboard.
Posted by Biguns on October 08, 2008 at 06:19 PM EDT #
Oh come - on, Mickey, do you really believe Harper has gotten over the shoulder injury from last year? After the operation, he was terrible against Auburn and then admitted his shoulder was not healed yet. He was terrible against Alabama, and then he admitted his shoulder was hurt in first quarter. Then clueless Spence did not even know he was hurt. When was the last time Harper threw a beautiful long pass down field to Kelly? Not since the BC game. The pass at the end of the first half was the first time he had tried...and it looked like a wounded duck and was intercepted. He should have been taken out at first clue and definitely not played most of those 3 patsies. He is being "Proctorized" and is losing confidence. Spence and Bowden are hurting his pro chances and the Tigers in the process. Shame! And I hope he proves me wrong against WF and rest of year.
Posted by captron on October 08, 2008 at 06:45 PM EDT #
HEY I GOT A THOUGHT!!!!!
FIRE TOMMY BOWDEN AND ALONG WITH HIS ENTIRE SKIRT WEARING, PRE PUPERTY SORRY EXCUSE MAKING STAFF!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by tiger7272 on October 08, 2008 at 07:57 PM EDT #
Actually Harper tried a long pass on the very first play of the season against Alabama and it was a high floating horrible excuse of a pass that would have been intercepted if Kelly hadn't stopped the DB from intercepting it.
Posted by Rhymedog56 on October 08, 2008 at 08:36 PM EDT #
Harper's a flash in the pan, Korn's the real deal. Plain and simple. Harpers interception in the NC St. game in the first series showed me that.
Posted by tiger_72 on October 08, 2008 at 09:00 PM EDT #
What I don't understand about CTB and RS is why they so stubbornly keep a starting quarterback on the field when it is obvious to everyone that he is injured, and we all can see the performance drop off. It's not just with Harper. They did it with Whitehurst,also, and let us loose games when we had an adequate back-up. I don't blame the players for this. It's been frustrating to watch, when we have been so close for 3 years now. And, by the way, if we were a smash-mouth team, we would not be so dependent on the quarterback position to win games for us. Remember when our O-Lines used to push people 4-5 yards down field each time the ball was snapped?
Posted by EGTiger83 on October 08, 2008 at 11:21 PM EDT #
https://paydotcom.com/r/53867/Bil3mar/20826920/
Posted by Bilmar3 on October 09, 2008 at 12:25 AM EDT #
I see TB and Spence, surprisingly for Christian men, to be guilty of one of the "seven deadliest sins" - pride (which is best described in English as arrogance). They are not humble enough to admit mistakes and that includes the qb situation, taking a hot Merriweather out,etc. Being stubbornly conservative is not a true Christian attribute.
In the 12 step process, it is called "stinking thinking", and is a big problem in this current political atmosphere.
However, like I said, I hope I am wrong and Cullen gets back to his NFL future form! And TB and Spence get to come back next year. (Well, TB anyway) GO TIGERS! TURN IT AROUND!
Posted by captron on October 09, 2008 at 10:53 AM EDT #
Captron: Bowden called Saban, et al, for advice after the Alabama blow-out, remember? So I don't think pride is the problem. And I don't think it's right to bring Christianity into this.
I think it's simply a matter of competence. Bowden is roughly a B-. Spence is a C-. Scott is a C-. Koenning is a B+. Except for maybe Koenning (and some of the guys like Dabo, et al) it's just not a championship-caliber staff. I think they work hard and do their best. But given the same player talent, top-tier coaching staffs will beat them more often than not. If Bowden’s staff were still at Tulane, they’d have probably won multiple conference titles. But they’re in the big leagues competing against several top-tier coaches. (And top tier coaches wouldn't be so loyal to guys like Spence, Scott, & Harper.)
Spence's weak play-calling clearly cost Clemson the UMD game this year and the BC game last year. I'm sure he's humbly trying his best. He's just not that good.
Posted by Razzmatazz on October 09, 2008 at 12:02 PM EDT #
Yea, what Razz said! We need a thumbs-up for the blog!!
Posted by flatiger66 on October 09, 2008 at 02:11 PM EDT #
Razz, I agree - good feedback - not good to bring in religion and politics - my bad!
Posted by captron on October 09, 2008 at 02:29 PM EDT #