Venables says defense struggled in all phases

by David Hood - Senior Writer - Sun Sep 23 01:54:21 GMT-04:00 2012

TALLAHASSE, Fla. – Clemson defensive coordinator Brent Venables Brent Venables
Defensive Coordinator / Linebackers
View Full Profile met with the media following Saturday’s disappointing loss at Florida St., and didn’t go as far as to say that jobs were up for grabs on the defense, but did say that personnel would be “evaluated” this week.

Clemson’s defense gave up 667 yards of offense to the Seminoles, including 287 on the ground and 380 through the air as Clemson was outscored 35-3 during one stretch of the third and fourth quarters.

Venables took the blame for the defeat.

“I’m incredibly disappointed that I didn’t do more as a coach to get our guys to play better,” Venables said. “I coached them poorly and at times we didn’t play particularly well. With that being said, we had a chance there in the second half where we have a chance to win the game, and that’s when they started to run the ball when they chose to. We have to get a lot better in a lot of areas and that starts in the run game.

“We are going to go back and look at the personnel and see what we are asking them to do. There are a lot of things that we have to evaluate- scheme, personnel, everything. I thought they competed hard. For four quarters, I thought they competed hard. We didn’t always coach them good, and at times we didn’t play good and smart, but I thought our guys fought against a very talented Florida State team where there’s obviously not a lot of margin for error. So, unfortunately we let one slip away, but at the same time, I think Florida State really took it from us too.”

I asked Venables if the loss was a lack of talent, execution or a dangerous cocktail of both, and he said there were many factors in the poor play.

“I think there are probably a lot of variables that go into it,” he said. “First and foremost, we have to coach them better and that’s where it starts. They grabbed the momentum, made explosive plays, were able to run the ball in the second half. Again, I thing they grabbed the momentum and we never got it back. It was poor. Obviously we have to get a lot better at that.”

Venables had the defense show a lot of 3-man fronts in the first half, and he was asked if that was something we would only see for FSU.

“Obviously it wasn’t very good. It didn’t work very well,” he said. “I’ve played in that scheme against Florida State before, but obviously it didn’t perform like we thought it would. It gives you a lot of flexibility. It doesn’t allow guys to climb quite as quickly and get to the second level. They are athletic. They can get off of the line of scrimmage quickly and get on your backers quick. They can divide the defense. Obviously it wasn’t worth a dang.”

We also asked Venables if his saying that personnel would be “evaluated” meant that jobs were up for grabs this week.

“I don’t think it’s a shout out to anything,” he said. “Whether you win or lose, it’s our responsibility to always be evaluating, getting better, and finding ways to get better. That’s what it means.”

He was asked if there were any positives he could take away from the game.

“I thought we were really inconsistent. I saw some good and I saw a lot that ugly,” he said. “I don’t think this is the time to go and point out any positives other than I thought that our guys competed hard and we had an opportunity to win if we coach a little better, play a little better in the second half we would have had a chance to win. We didn’t. We got outplayed and outcoached. We have to move on. We have to get better. It’s a long season.

“We’ve got eight more sitting in front of us and the next one is the most important. My understanding is that we haven’t played particularly well at Boston College. I don’t particularly buy all of that. I think what matters is our mindset and how we perform next Saturday. Let’s face it - this game is challenging and difficult. Everybody has players. Everybody’s got guys. We’re going to have to get a lot better in order for us to reach our goals for this season. I think our attitude will give us that opportunity.”

Venables said the coaches have a tough task this week.

“It’s a lot of things. First and foremost, that starts with us and me,” he said. “What are we asking our guys to do? Why are there issues in the running game, the passing game, and poor tackling, letting guys behind us, giving up cheap scores, not leveraging the defense, getting punched in the gut in the second half and letting them run at will? It’s more than just one thing.”