Monday August 30, 2010

Saturday's Offense

Saturday’s Offense
The Tigers open the 2010 campaign Saturday afternoon and I have a few things I would like to see from this year’s group in the opener. Tomorrow I will look at the defensive thoughts for Saturday but today I will look at 10 things I would like to see from the offense.

Efficiency in the O-Line
This unit has been much maligned in recent years but they return 82 starts between the group. This is the most experience the Tigers have had in the offensive line since 2006. There is also a little talent here as well. Dalton Freeman is one of the top young centers in the country. Chris Hairston will get a look from NFL scouts. Landon Walker is starting for the third consecutive season. Antoine McClain and David Smith are athletic guards that can run and Mason Cloy is a tough, smart football player. This group needs to be productive and it starts with an efficient effort Saturday.

Second-team Offensive Linemen
I would like to see the reserves get some significant playing time Saturday, especially in the offensive line. Brandon Thomas and Phillip Price have had good camps and are athletic enough to play significant snaps this season. Both are expected to get their first real action Saturday. Ben Ramsey and Matt Sanders have played a little on the inside but this could also be true freshman Kalon Davis’ first college action. Second-team offensive lines usually lack continuity and rhythm but it would be nice to see this group get a bunch of second half snaps and get to see them on video for the first time.

Wide Receivers Emerge
Last season none of the returning wide outs from this year emerged as a consistent option. I maintain that part of the reason that was the case was because the staff did not have to rely on any as Jacoby Ford, Michael Palmer and C.J. Spiller were the first options in the passing game. This season is a different story. This team will need for at least two receivers to step up and prove their value in a much more consistent role. Seniors Xavier Dye and Terrence Ashe will get a long look. Marquan Jones has had his best camp. Jaron Brown and Bryce McNeal have ability and will have a chance to grab the staff’s attention. DeAndre Hopkins’s hands give him a shot at early playing time. One advantage this group does have is the fact that they have a returning starter at quarterback delivering the ball.

Harper’s Confidence
When he came out of high school many thought Jamie Harper was the next great Clemson back. He chose the Tigers over Miami, Florida and Florida State. He even talked about leaving school after his junior season. But things have not worked out so far for Harper. He fumbled on his first collegiate carry. He hurt his ankle in his first fall camp. He has had to sit behind two of the best backs in school history in James Davis and C.J. Spiller and he has had to watch Andre Ellington emerge as perhaps the top back this season. Harper has shown flashes of ability but he needs to regain his confidence. Saturday could be a step in regaining that confidence.

Ellington Excellence
We have seen Andre Ellington have success as the number-two back in the offense. Now we will see if he can carry to load as the primary back. Ellington will split time with Harper but there is little doubt that “Lil Bit” will be a bigger ingredient for this offense. Ellington averaged over seven yards a carry as the second guy last season. Saturday he steps into the role as the back defenses have to stop as the primary back.

McDowell’s Role
Coming out of spring practice Roderick McDowell was your typical third-team back. He was a guy that had not proven that he could be counted on in a game that mattered. However, he came back to camp a different back. His toughness and big play capability has changed his role entering his red-shirt freshman campaign. McDowell may now see significant carries in crucial parts of games. He has proven it in scrimmages but Saturday will be his first college game.

Parker Crisp
Usually when a quarterback misses part of the spring and the entire summer rust can be expected. This is not the case with Kyle Parker. The sophomore enters most likely his final season at Clemson and I expect big things from the Florida native. I am not sure how much he will play but Parker will have lot of eyes on him Saturday afternoon. He could send a message with a crisp performance

Boyd’s First Action
We have talked McNeal, Hopkins, McDowell, Thomas and Davis maybe seeing their first action as a Tiger Saturday but more eyes will be upon Tajh Boyd, who expects to play in his first college game. No one knows what the situation will be when he enters but I would expect to see an excited first timer under center. A successful debut would be an efficient afternoon from the highly touted back-up. Saturday should be looked at as something to build on for Boyd.

Lack of Penalties
Season openers sometimes means penalties. I would like to see the offense limit the procedure penalties and false starts. Also the little things like delay of game penalties and forced timeouts because of the play clock or the wrong personnel on the field hamper first games often. I would like to see the offensive penalties be held to a minimum Saturday.

Rhythm
Many times in openers you don’t see the offenses get in a rhythm. I would love to see the offense get clicking with a balanced attack and a nice rhythm. When an offense is truly clicking it seems like every play call works and the defense is constantly off balance but this is a tall task for an opening game in many cases.

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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.
*If you would like to add someone to the list please e-mail me at mickeyplyler@hotmail.com
*If you want the reason for the prayer to be added to the name please specify in your e-mails.
*Please let me know when it is appropriate to take the person off of the prayer list

Those who need our prayers include:
Finn Brookover, RTG-Pawsitive Tiger, Mary-Louise Pawlowski (John's daughter), Jo Ann Bachman, Kenneth Bryant, Pruitt Martin, Got igers and his family, David Rowland, Leonard, Gillespie and his family, Jim S, Christine Hepfer, Daniel Rosborough, Amy Murphey, The Huffman family, Nancy Winkler, John Reeve, Ethel Southard, Vinnie Brock, Kaitlyn L, Susan Miller, Joyce Harley, Steve Proveaux, Jeffrey Greene, the Hutto family, Sherl Drawdy, Caleb Kennedy, Teresa O'Connor, Matt Jacobs,Perrin Seigler, Carole White Begley, Candee Massee, Lindsey Jordan, Sam Catoe, Tyler Felch, Steve Cato, the Nicolopulos family, Cason Palmer, Scott Jackson, "the Jacksonville, FL guys", Kim Sims, the Coyle familty, Ryleigh Tedder, Steve Lee, Richard Crawford, Kelly Trakas, Jimmy Moore, Steve Williams Jr, Steve Williams III, Kim Thomas, Reid Thomas, Sam Thomas, Linda Wiggs, Emily Claire Young, Dr. Wallace Honeycutt, Stacy Fowler, Kitty Bowers,Julie and Austin Locke, the Scheider family.