Venables concerned about depth |
CLEMSON – The defensive rotation at Kansas St. in the late 1990’s was easy for
Brent Venables
Brent Venables Venables said that the Wildcats had 11 players that played the majority of the snaps, and said Tuesday following Clemson’s final practice of fall camp that the 2012 Clemson Tigers won't be far off of those numbers. “We have to start with eleven,” Venables said to the media. “We will have 11 to 15 guys, with a couple of swing guys at each position. So it might fluctuate here and there. We will see how guys perform in practice and the games. They might get in the game and they aren’t ready for the moment and not see any more time. That is up to them, not me.” With the season opener against Auburn looming just 11 days away, Venables said the next 10 days will be critical for his defense. “We are making progress, but we still have a lot of work to do,” Venables said. “The next 10 days will be critical, and it will be a process all year long. We have to continue to get better and improve at all the little things. It’s a process that requires daily investment, and it’s just not going to happen overnight. But I like the mindset of our guys and the work that they have put in to focus and prepare and take it one day at a time.” Venables said that he has five players who can take snaps at defensive tackle, but that
DeShawn WilliamsDeShawn Williams “We have five guys we are going to play. As far as how many snaps each will take, that will be determined,” he said. “But I have three guys that will take the majority and then the two freshmen we are still working on and we will see what they can handle. At defensive end, we have Malliciah [Goodman] and Vic [Beasley] and Corey [Crawford] and Tavaris [Barnes]. “ *Venables said that
Travis BlanksTravis Blanks *There is still no word on whether defensive back
Martin JenkinsMartin Jenkins *Venables said linebacker
Tony StewardTony Steward *Venables wasn’t very complimentary of the depth behind Robinson and Breeland at corner. He was asked how he felt about the depth, and he was honest. “Not very good. Not very good,” Venables said. “There are some guys that will have their opportunity sooner rather than later to show what they can do.” *To help with depth issues, defensive back Garry Peters has been moved from his former position at safety to corner. “He has done a nice job,” Venables said. “He is picking things up well.” Peters recorded an interception in the corner of the end zone during last Saturday’s scrimmage while covering Sammy Watkins. *He said that linebacker
Stephone AnthonyStephone Anthony “I think he has progressed well,” he said. “He has a chance to be a very good player. We are still fine-tuning him. He loves to compete and has all of the intangibles.” *Clemson Head Coach Dabo Swinney is giving the Tigers the day off Wednesday since classes at Clemson officially begin. The Tigers will resume practice on Thursday, which will begin the team’s regular practice schedule for “Game Week” the rest of the year.
Defensive Coordinator / Linebackers
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–at that time the linebackers coach for the Wildcats – to memorize.
So. Defensive Tackle
#99 6-1, 285
Central, SC
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,
Grady JarrettGrady Jarrett
So. Defensive Tackle
#50 6-1, 290
Conyers, GA
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and
Josh WatsonJosh Watson
RS So. Defensive Tackle
#91 6-4, 285
Wilmington, DE
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will see the majority of the snaps over freshmen
D.J. ReaderD.J. Reader
Fr. Defensive Tackle
#48 6-3, 335
Greensboro, NC
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and
Carlos WatkinsCarlos Watkins
Fr. Defensive Tackle
#94 6-3, 300
Forest City, NC
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. At defensive end, he said he foresees freshmen
Kevin DoddKevin Dodd
Fr. Defensive Tackle
#98 6-5, 280
Greer, SC
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and
Martin AikenMartin Aiken
Fr. Defensive End
#53 6-2, 255
Bamberg, SC
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redshirting.
Fr. Defensive Back
#11 6-1, 190
Tallahassee, FL
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and
Robert SmithRobert Smith
So. Safety
#27 5-11, 210
St. George, SC
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can provide depth in the back of the secondary, while it looks like
Bashaud BreelandBashaud Breeland
RS So. Cornerback
#17 6-0, 195
Allendale, SC
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and
Darius RobinsonDarius Robinson
Jr. Cornerback
#21 5-10, 175
College Park, GA
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have nailed down the starting spots at corner. Venables called
Xavier BrewerXavier Brewer
RS Sr. Defensive Back
#9 5-11, 190
Jacksonville, FL
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his “adjuster” and said he will fill in all over the secondary.
Jr. Cornerback
#14 5-10, 180
Roswell, GA
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will redshirt. Venables said there is no timetable on a return to full health for Jenkins.
So. Linebacker
#7 6-1, 235
Hastings, FL
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is still third-team at the WILL, behind Tig Willard and Corico Hawkins and said that a redshirt is still on the table.
So. Linebacker
#12 6-3, 235
Polkton, NC
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has progressed this fall.
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