Getting close (long)

Jul 23, 2014, 9:19 AM

So as we go through the DT and come up on the time when the players will officially report to campus and practice will begin I ponder this game called football and the situation we are in to begin the year. Clearly there are things to be excited about, and things to be concerned about, as we enter the 2014 season. My thoughts run the gamut: how will Cole Stoudt react to big time pressure situations like he will face day 1 in Athens? How much significant playing time will DeShaun Watson get early on and will he be able to unseat Cole by the end of the season? Will our defense live up to the preseason hype? Will we finally beat that dirtpecker coach down in Columbia and end what I believe is the ugliest streak in our rivalries history?
All these are things that are on the mind of every Clemson fan at this time of year. Every season we enter with hopes and dreams that once again we shall return to the glory that we tasted 33 years ago. (Has it really been that long?) Some people believe in these dreams more completely and some people prefer to take a more conservative approach. Everyone has their priority for the season. Beat USuC, beat FSU, win the ACC, win a major bowl, make the playoffs and ultimately walking home with the big one.
This board contains people who have lived through every kind of football at Clemson. Some remember Coach Howard, the frustration of Red Parker and Hootie Ingram and the sudden turnaround under Charley Pell. And then came Danny. 11 years followed that would be the greatest in school history. We became a recognized national powerhouse during that time, only to see it dismantled by the inept Ken Hatfield and the over his head Tommy West. Despite some people’s feelings on here, I think Bowden did okay in turning the program around. But when it became apparent that he was never going to take us to the next level a change was made. And suddenly we found ourselves with Dabo.
Under Dabo we’ve seen a return to the prominence that Clemson fans believe belong to us. Top 10 seasons, a long awaited ACC title, and a major bowl victory. The talent level is nearly as high as the best the school’s ever had and the program looks in good shape for the future. We’ve got 2 of the best coordinators in the country. We’re signing highly touted high school recruits and sold more season tickets this year than ever before. The fanbase is excited.
But before we can celebrate reaching the promised land we have to take a look at what we face this season. We have a tough schedule. Georgia, Florida State, UNC (if they live up to the hype), Louisville, an improved BC, the pesky Yellow Jackets and then the Evil Genius to end the year. We cannot take a 10 win season for granted.
This is a stressful time for us. It’s so close to the beginning of the season yet so far. We can taste the tailgates. But we still have to go through nearly a month of practice. (And South Carolina still has to qualify 8 recruits.) It’s almost time. Are you ready?

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So as we go through the DT and come up on the time when the players will officially report to campus and practice will begin I ponder this game called football and the situation we are in to begin the year. Clearly there are things to be excited about, and things to be concerned about, as we enter the 2014 season.

My thoughts run the gamut: how will Cole Stoudt react to big time pressure situations like he will face day 1 in Athens? How much significant playing time will DeShaun Watson get early on and will he be able to unseat Cole by the end of the season? Will our defense live up to the preseason hype? Will we finally beat that dirtpecker coach down in Columbia and end what I believe is the ugliest streak in our rivalries history?

All these are things that are on the mind of every Clemson fan at this time of year. Every season we enter with hopes and dreams that once again we shall return to the glory that we tasted 33 years ago. (Has it really been that long?) Some people believe in these dreams more completely and some people prefer to take a more conservative approach.

Everyone has their priority for the season. Beat USuC, beat FSU, win the ACC, win a major bowl, make the playoffs and ultimately walking home with the big one.

This board contains people who have lived through every kind of football at Clemson. Some remember Coach Howard, the frustration of Red Parker and Hootie Ingram and the sudden turnaround under Charley Pell.

And then came Danny. 11 years followed that would be the greatest in school history. We became a recognized national powerhouse during that time, only to see it dismantled by the inept Ken Hatfield and the over his head Tommy West.

Despite some people’s feelings on here, I think Bowden did okay in turning the program around. But when it became apparent that he was never going to take us to the next level a change was made. And suddenly we found ourselves with Dabo.

Under Dabo we’ve seen a return to the prominence that Clemson fans believe belong to us. Top 10 seasons, a long awaited ACC title, and a major bowl victory. The talent level is nearly as high as the best the school’s ever had and the program looks in good shape for the future. We’ve got 2 of the best coordinators in the country. We’re signing highly touted high school recruits and sold more season tickets this year than ever before. The fanbase is excited.

But before we can celebrate reaching the promised land we have to take a look at what we face this season. We have a tough schedule. Georgia, Florida State, UNC (if they live up to the hype), Louisville, an improved BC, the pesky Yellow Jackets and then the Evil Genius to end the year. We cannot take a 10 win season for granted.

This is a stressful time for us. It’s so close to the beginning of the season yet so far. We can taste the tailgates. But we still have to go through nearly a month of practice. (And South Carolina still has to qualify 8 recruits.) It’s almost time. Are you ready?

Getting close (long)

a wall of words if there ever was one.***

verdict still out Venerable. .imo***

Just so old tired eyes can read it:

Wow

Editorial prowess... +1.***

TL;DR

Great historical assessment. +1 ... YES!***

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