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The Pieces of the Running Game
So far this spring and summer I have written blogs about C.J. Spiller, the importance of the running game, the lack of the running game last season and this year’s offensive line. Today, I want to examine all of the pieces of the running game and how they could work to improve the running game in 2009.

There are three vital keys to the running game. You can’t have a successful running game without a productive offensive line, talented running backs and a commitment to the run.

Offensive Line
I was asked this morning on my radio show if Clemson fans should be optimistic about the offensive line this year. The caller wanted to know what was going to be different about this year’s offensive line.

I do think this year’s front will be better for a few reasons. They are one year more experienced. Clemson lost only Bobby Hutchinson from last year’s offensive line. Hutchinson started seven games last year so the Tigers return 58 of the 65 starts from last season.

This is also a big deal considering Mason Cloy (12), Landon Walker (11) and David Smith (3) combined for 26 of the 65 starts as red-shirt freshmen. Antoine McClain played all 13 games last season as a true freshman.

Remember the difference in Dustin and Roman Fry later in their careers after they played as redshirt freshmen?

Chris Hairston is very good at left tackle and he returns after starting the bowl game as a red-short freshman and ten games last season. Thomas Austin has started the last 25 games over the last two seasons.

I think McClain is a future superstar at the right guard position. There were times this past spring where he was dominant.

So with Hairston and Austin on the left side of the line, I consider this a strength. McClain seems to have solidified himself at right guard so this leaves center and right tackle as the two question marks on the offensive front.

Cloy started 12 games at guard last year but has moved to center and seems to have the inside track here. However, the staff likes Dalton Freeman also. I watched Freeman in the spring scrimmage that Cloy missed and like Freeman’s nasty streak. He is a hard-nosed kid that likes to compete. I think the Tigers are in good shape here.

At right tackle Walker returns as the starter but Corey Lambert and true freshman J.K. Jay pushed Walker this spring. Walker played well at times last season but he is not guaranteed a starting position heading into this season. Lambert is not as tough or physical but he has athletic ability. I think Jay is the long-term answer at right tackle. He is a tough, physical player that has a bright future.

Another reason I think this line will be better is competition. Cloy and Freeman will make each other better at center. I think David Smith can push the guards. The staff will try to red-shirt Brandon Thomas but he has a very bright future as well. Matt Sanders, Wilson Norris and Barry Humphries add some quality depth at guard also.

I am a firm believer that the offensive line will benefit from two coaches this season. Brad Scott will coach the guards and centers and Danny Pearman will work with the tight ends and tackles. I like the two coach system and love the toughness Pearman brings to the young tackles.

In summary, this line should be more talented, deeper and better coached in 2009.

Running Backs
The second part of a successful running game is talent at running back and this is the one aspect I have the least questions about. There is depth talent, experience and versatility in this unit.

You don’t need me to tell you C.J. Spiller is a superstar. What we will see different in 2009 is Spiller as the feature back. I love James Davis but I am looking forward to seeing Spiller get 15-20 carries per game. As a junior, he showed more toughness and I think he can handle the extra carries. He could have a monster 2009 campaign.

Before the injury in August, Jamie Harper was ultra-impressive. He is an awesome blend of power and speed. Before the injury he cut very well. For a 230-pound back he has exceptionally quick feet. I think we will see a healthy Harper who can be a major part of the running game this season.

Andre Ellington red-shirted last season but he impressed the staff with his speed, quickness and agility. Ellington is not quite as athletic as Spiller but he reminds me of Spiller is so many ways. He is not as shifty but is a tougher than Spiller was at this stage.

Three backs should get the Tigers through the season and Roderick McDowell needs a red-shirt season but he will be the next in line after Spiller graduates.

Chad Diehl and Rendrick Taylor will be valuable parts of the running game with their blocking. Taylor can also be a feature back in short-yardage situations.

The final part of the running game is a commitment to the run. As I stated in an earlier blog, I don’t care how talented your backs or line is, if you are not committed to the running game then it can’t succeed. Virginia Tech is a good example of average talent at both spots but a solid commitment to the run means success to the Hokie rushing attack.

This is a mentality and it gives the Hokies an identity. I think Dabo understands the importance of toughness and wants this kind of identity for his program.

Running the football is a vital. Running it against good defenses is tough but imperative. Because of improvement in all three areas, I would be surprised if this offense does not see a drastic improvement in the running game in 2009.

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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, Mrs. Kathleen Bowers, 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, Jean-Pierre Bailey, Kaitlyn L, William Perry, Delores Weaver, Eric Boessneck, John Bowers, Jimmy Ness, Susan Miller, Joyce Harley, Steve Proveaux, John Petrey, the Byrd family, the Dixon family, Chalmers Carr.

Comments:

I think a critical question is who will step in at left tackle if Hairston goes down. They have multiple players who can get the job done at the other positions, but no real depth at left tackle. Do you know if Jay could move over there to provide depth?

Posted by Locotiger on July 13, 2009 at 02:23 PM EDT #

Locotiger,

That is an excellent point on Left tackle depth. I would hope Jay could move over there b/c we saw in the FSU game that Lambert was not the answer for replacing Hairston. Lambert can obviously improve but he was totally overmatched in that game at LT.

Posted by Orange on July 13, 2009 at 02:40 PM EDT #

Locotiger,

Posted by Orange on July 13, 2009 at 02:44 PM EDT #

Thankyou, Orange. I would imagine the staff has banned him from riding mo-peds.

Posted by Locotiger on July 13, 2009 at 03:31 PM EDT #

I agree with you Mic on the three pieces of the running game you outline above, but I think you may have missed one.

My biggest concern for the running game is the schemes of opposing defenses. As we saw last year, if your offense does not have a vertical passing threat, the opposing D-coordinator will just stack the box with 8 players. I don't care how good your o-line, running backs, and commitment is...if you get out numbered like this, you will not be able to run the ball. And the only way to prevent this is to have a solid passing attack.

Ironically, I think the biggest determining factor of how good a running team we are is going to be our QB and Receiver play.

Posted by PokerTiger on July 13, 2009 at 04:26 PM EDT #

The running game will be a strength because the OL will be better in almost all aspects.

Playing smarter ... getting more consistent ... playing more instinctively ... performing as a unit.

All these things come together as the players mature and the coaches have more time with them.

That's the reason you often see poor OL play one year and then see a crack unit the next from the same basic group of players and coaches.

There is every reason to believe that barring injury this group can mature into a group that will be one of the best at Clemson in the last 10-15 years.

The best part is that we will only have one senior starter on this unit that is 2-deep with experience and talent.

Posted by apextiger on July 13, 2009 at 05:36 PM EDT #

I still don't get the need for (or perhaps the meaning of) a "commitment to the run". IMHO teams need to commit to a balanced attack and then play-call both strategically (based largely on personnel match-ups) and tactically based on the defense's tactics of loading the box, playing zone, etc.

Spence rarely seemed to take advantage of the opponents' weaknesses, & tactics. Two years ago, in our loss to BC, Spence committed to run against BC's #2 ranked run-D rather than passing against their #110th ranked pass-D. Prior to Clemson's last desperation drive of 10 straight passes, Spence called mostly runs, including 61% runs on 1st down-- even though Clemson averaged 1.5 yards per carry. But for some reason, Spence called fewer passes despite 67% completions, 5.7 yards per attempt, and 6.7 yards per catch. ESPN’s announcers and I were shocked. Last year Spence continued to run after UMD adjusted to stuff the run by loading the box in the 2nd half.

Posted by Razzmatazz on July 13, 2009 at 06:09 PM EDT #

The O-line is obviously more experienced. But are they any better? I'm not convinced they are. I hope they prove me wrong.

Posted by Fluxus on July 13, 2009 at 09:44 PM EDT #

Two Reasons we may stink it up this year.
A: More experience does not automatically produce better results. Practice a fundementally poor golf swing over and over, and you'll have more experience.... ... at hitting poor shots.

B: We're loaded in the running dept. But it won't matter how good we are running the ball if we're not also a vertical threat.

Posted by RU4GOD2 on July 13, 2009 at 10:50 PM EDT #

RU4GOD2 ... Have you ever seen Kenny Parry hit a golf ball?

Posted by apextiger on July 14, 2009 at 09:43 AM EDT #