Wednesday August 25, 2010

The Goals; Upgrades

The Goals
Located on a plaque on the front wall of the team meeting room in the West Zone is a list of Clemson’s football goals each year. They are simple. They are clearly defined. They are as short-termed and as long-termed as goals can be for each season. They start with the opening game and last until the bowl game. They kept the team focused throughout the off-season. They say nothing about individuals. They are easily found and visible. Finally, they are all within reason.

Here are the goals:

1. Win the Opener
I think this is one of the most important goals for a couple of reasons. First, it keeps the team focused in the off-season. The off-season is long and sometimes focus can be lost but if you make this a team goal then focus may not be easily lost. Notice the goal did not say beat Middle Tennessee last year or defeat North Texas this year. The goal says win the opener. The opponent does not matter. The opponents change but the goal never does.

2. Win the Atlantic Division
The Tigers found out last season what an incredible experience this can be. The feeling on that November day was exciting and one that we have not enjoyed in a while. This goal is something that requires the longest time for focus. This is a goal that requires good play for the most of the season. The other four goals deal with beating one opponent in a one game scenario but this one requires multiple wins against multiple opponents.

3. Win the State Championship
Beating South Carolina is never really all that important until you experience losing to them then all of the sudden it becomes a huge deal. In fact South Carolina has not beaten Clemson in back-to-back seasons in almost 40 years. Sometimes we take this win for granted but not in those years following a rare Gamecock victory in the series. I think it is very appropriate to have this as a goal. In fact I probably put too much emphasis on this one.

4. Win the Atlantic Coast Conference
Since the Atlantic Coast Conference spilt into divisions this really means a one game scenario. While that is not totally true, due to the fact that you have to win the division in order to get to the conference championship game but the division title was clearly defined in an early goal. Therefore this is another single game goal but a big one at that. Accomplish this goal and a BCS bowl game followed.

5. Win the Bowl Game
Like the opening goal, this one does not say anything about a specific opponent. It does not say win the Orange Bowl, the Chic-fil-a Bowl or Music City Bowl. In essence the bowl or the opponent is not important to the goal. The goal is simply to win the bowl game no matter what bowl and what opponent.

In summary, I like the fact the goals are obtainable and are clearly defined for all to see every time they walk into the room.

Upgrades
Like most of you I am ready for football season with a few exceptions. When you live in Clemson your house turns into a bed and breakfast for family and friends for the weekends. I love having a house full with my mom, dad, sister, nieces, nephew, grandmother, aunts, uncles, cousins, and Ryan and his dad cramming into my house.

But as I look around my home is not ready for football yet. Garage is a mess. Yard needs work. Gutter issues. Cracked window. Transition pieces of hardwood floors coming up. Everywhere I look I see issues.

Home improvement is a lot like a football program. When you take your resources to put it in one area, another gets ignored. My golf game is the same way. If I practice my driver too much then my short game falls apart and vice-versa.

As I look at this Clemson program I see areas where the staff has obviously done a great job of upgrading the talent. This offensive line was a major weakness in years past but through recruiting, the staff has upgraded the talent level. The defensive line and secondary have also seen upgrades from a few years ago. The quarterback position and the running back units look exceptionally strong. Yet there is a drop off at the wide receiver position and at tight end. The staff has obviously taken note and upgraded with Bryce McNeal and DeAndre Hopkins at wide receiver. Next year they add Charon Peake and Martavious Bryant, two more top 100 players. There is a decent chance Sammy Watkins could also jump on board.

At tight end, Dwayne Allen is an NFL type of player and this year the staff added Vic Beasley and Sam Cooper to the mix to help with the upgrade. Top 100 tight end Eric MacLain will help next season and there is a chance the Tigers could add another top 100 tight end in Jay Rome.

Defensively the upgrade is now needed at linebacker. Justin Parker was a top 100 player last year so he helps improve the talent level. The staff is actively involved with several top 100 kind of linebackers like Tony Steward, Stephone Anthony, A.J. Johnson, Travis Hughes and Lateek Townsend.

You will always have weak spots on your depth chart. Attrition, injuries, bad evaluations, player development and recruiting misses mean no program is strong in every area every year. Turnover in players and coaches make it impossible to be sound in every unit.

However, the key is to consistently recruit across the board. If you can have a solid base of talent and continue to attempt to upgrade at every position then this makes it easier to avoid huge drop offs in talent.

No situation is ever perfect but this staff does a very good job recognizing problem areas and addressing the need for upgrades through recruiting.

The Brad Hughes All-State Insurance Agency

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, Lauren Kittles.