CLEMSON FOOTBALL

Billie Making Noise At Linebacker Spot


by - Correspondent -

CLEMSON - It has been reported that senior linebacker Tremaine Billie is in a tight position battle with sophomore Antonio Clay. Monday, Billie served notice that he isn't taking the battle lightly.

The Tigers did situational scrimmaging during the first of Monday's two workouts, practicing live third-and-one situations. Billie was nearly unstoppable during the live scrimmaging, said head coach Tommy Bowden, making play after play.

Billie's good day continued in the afternoon session, prompting Bowden to single him out for his effort.

"We about had to call off a couple of drills," Bowden said following the afternoon practice. "He was making plays all over the field. He's really stepped it up."

Asked the difference between Monday and previous workouts for Billie, Bowden shook his head.

"You'd have to ask him. Maybe it was something he ate."

Bowden also singled out redshirt sophomore defensive tackle Rashaad Jackson, who "stepped it up a notch or two."

While the battle for playing time will continue throughout the fall, Bowden said the pecking order is already beginning to take shape.

The coaching staff is to meet to discuss personnel on Tuesday, at which time changes in the current depth chart could be made. From Bowden's standpoint, the timing is about right.

"Usually after the first scrimmage you'll see coaches begin slotting players," he said. "So it took us what, six or seven days before we had that (Saturday) scrimmage. Game-type situations are usually where positions are won and lost."

In other news from Monday:

- Freshman wide receiver Kendrick Johnson worked out for the first time after finally making it through the NCAA Clearinghouse;

- Freshman punter Richard Jackson continues to have problems with his back, which has had a major effect on his kicking. Bowden said Jackson did run conditioning sprints Monday with no trouble;

- With Jackson momentarily out of the picture, the punting battle continues to wage between incumbent Cole Chason and Jimmy Maners. Bowden said Chason kicked "a little better" in the Saturday scrimmage, but Maners has looked better in practice;

- The afternoon rain which came through the area did not affect Clemson's practice. The team is scheduled to workout just once on Tuesday.

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