Spring Game Questions |
| - - Wednesday, April 16, 2014, 9:17 AM |
Spring Game Questions
Monday I took a look at what I perceived as the strengths of the team from what I saw in Saturday's spring game. I wanted to take a look at the positions that were still question marks yesterday but
Chad Kelly
Chad Kelly
RS So. Quarterback
#11 6-2, 210
Buffalo, NY
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's dismissal took center stage and I devoted yesterday's blog to that subject. So today I wanted to get back to the schedule and look at some of the questions that will need to be answered in August.
Right Tackle
On my radio show Monday
Dabo Swinney
Dabo Swinney
Head Coach
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said right tackle is his biggest concern coming out of the spring. Observers Saturday could have guessed that if they watched Swinney jump first teamer
Shaq Anthony
Shaq Anthony
RS Jr. Offensive Tackle
#76 6-3, 265
Williamston, SC
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during the scrimmage.
At this point Anthony is the most experienced right tackle but he is inconsistent and is suspended for the Georgia game. My guess is that Eric MacLain may be the best answer at the position heading into the season opener but he missed much of the spring with a toe injury.
Joe Gore
Joe Gore
RS Jr. Offensive Tackle
#73 6-4, 275
Lake Waccamaw, NC
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has not been very healthy either. Another option is moving starting guard
Kalon Davis
Kalon Davis
RS Sr. Offensive Guard
#67 6-5, 330
Chester, SC
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to tackle. Unfortunately, most of the potential candidates at right tackle are still very big question marks.
SAM/Nickel
Brent Venables
Brent Venables
Defensive Coordinator / Linebackers
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said during the spring that he was encouraged at times with
T.J. Burrell
T.J. Burrell
RS So. Linebacker
#41 5-11, 215
Goose Creek, SC
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at the SAM linebacker. Burrell is still very inexperienced.
Dorian O'Daniel
Dorian O'Daniel
RS Fr. Linebacker
#6 6-1, 205
Olney, MD
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is a red-shirt freshman that has shown some promise but has to get bigger if they stay in the 4-3 look. The most likely scenario here is for the Tigers to counter the spread offenses with a nickel back. Unfortunately both
Travis Blanks
Travis Blanks
Jr. Defensive Back
#11 6-0, 190
Tallahassee, FL
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and
Korrin Wiggins
Korrin Wiggins
So. Defensive Back
#12 6-1, 185
Durham, NC
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were missing in the spring. My guess here is that Blanks and Wiggins get the majority of the snaps here.
Starting Running Back
Clemson has been very fortunate to have a 1,000 yard rusher in most years under Dabo Swinney but this season there is less experience at running back. This year we may see a running back committee approach.
D.J. Howard
D.J. Howard
RS Sr. Running Back
#22 5-11, 195
Lincoln, AL
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and
Zac Brooks
Zac Brooks
Jr. Running Back
#24 6-1, 185
Jonesboro, AR
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are the upperclassmen and have the most experience but I thought
Wayne Gallman
Wayne Gallman
RS Fr. Running Back
#9 6-1, 195
Loganville, GA
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and
C.J. Davidson
C.J. Davidson
RS Jr. Running Back
#32 5-11, 185
Clemson, SC
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looked the best in the Saturday's spring game.
Tyshon Dye
Tyshon Dye
RS Fr. Running Back
#23 6-1, 205
Elberton, GA
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has been hurt and missed the spring but the highly touted back is scheduled to healthy in the fall and could put his name in the hat for the top spot here. I would also think
Adam Choice
Adam Choice
Fr. Running Back
# 5-10, 200
Thomasville, GA
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is the top true freshman that will get a look.
Number One Wide Receiver
Clemson has been fortunate to feature record setting wide receivers in each of the past three seasons. It will be strange not seeing NFL wide outs like Nuk Hopkins,
Sammy Watkins
Sammy Watkins
Wide Receiver (2011 - 2013)
#2 6-1, 205
Fort Myers, FL
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or
Martavis Bryant
Martavis Bryant
Wide Receiver (2011 - 2013)
#1 6-5, 200
Calhoun Falls, SC
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on the field next season. We did not see
Charone Peake
Charone Peake
RS Jr. Wide Receiver
#19 6-3, 200
Moore, SC
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in the spring because he was recovering from a torn ACL but I think Peake is the leading candidate to be the top receiver this season. He is the most experienced and I thought he was close to becoming the number two guy behind Watkins before the injury. If he can regain his confidence, I expect Peake to have a very good season.
Mike Williams
Mike Williams
So. Wide Receiver
#7 6-5, 205
Vance, SC
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is a big receiver that is getting closer to being the top guy if he can become more consistent. I doubt
Adam Humphries
Adam Humphries
Sr. Wide Receiver
#13 5-11, 190
Spartanburg, SC
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or
Germone Hopper
Germone Hopper
RS So. Wide Receiver
#5 6-0, 170
Charlotte, NC
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can be a number one receiver but eventually I can see true freshman
Artavis Scott
Artavis Scott
Fr. Wide Receiver
#3 5-11, 180
Tarpon Springs, FL
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being that guy.
H-Back
If Clemson is to utilize the running game more in 2014 they may use the scheme similar to what Auburn used last season. If that is the case, the Tigers will need an H-Back or lead blocker to assist in the running game. At this point I have not seen an answer here. Maybe true freshman Kurt Fleming could fit into that role.
Placekicker
I think
Chandler Catanzaro
Chandler Catanzaro
Punter / Kicker (2009 - 2013)
#39 6-2, 195
Greenville, SC
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is as good as any placekicker in school history and he will be missed. Swinney said
Ammon Lakip
Ammon Lakip
RS Jr. Kicker
#36 5-10, 185
Alpharetta, GA
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had an excellent spring and the head coach says he has full confidence in the new kicker. I trust that but still will need to see Lakip make a big kick to feel the same way.
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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 email me at mickeyplyler@hotmail.com
*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, Jo Ann Bachman, Kenneth Bryant, Pruitt Martin, Got Igers and his family, David Rowland, Leonard, Gillespie and his family, Jim S., Daniel Rosborough, the Huffman family, Nancy Winkler, John Reeve, Vinnie Brock, Kaitlyn L., Susan Miller, Joyce Harley, Steve Proveaux, Jeffrey Greene, the Hutto family, Sherl Drawdy, Caleb Kennedy, Teresa O'Connor, Matt Jacobs, Perrin Seigler, Candee Massee, Lindsey Jordan, Sam Catoe, Tyler Felch, the Nicolopulos family, "the Jacksonville, FL guys," Kim Sims, the Coyle family, Ryleigh Tedder, Steve Lee, Kelly Trakas, Jimmy Moore, the Thomas V. family, Emary Claire Young, Kitty Bowers, Julie Locke, the Scheider family, Lauren Kittles' family, Frank Gentry, Joyce Bussey, Stacey McKeown, Dale Childs, Larry Lentz, Jr., Carl Sharperson, Scott Hannon, William Perry, Tyler Swaney, Lillian, Mark Feit, David Frame, Chad Berry, the family of Matthew M. Watson, the Dowis family, Alan Putnam, the Olivers, Lee Tate, Ronnie Abrams, Eddie Greene, the Jackson family, Bill Vader, Jim Taylor, Tina DeWitt, Rock Horne, Christopher Tuten, Bobby Wayne Thomas, Emma and Danielle Carothers, Robert Ditty, Mr. and Mrs. Murray Smith, Dot Cartee, Ayden Mills, Millie Heatley, Lynn Martin and family, Michael Pinson, Jake David family, Angie Crowley, Ira, Mike Tolson, Poly Wells, Dr. Muriel Bishop, Jack Cunningham, Emily Jefford Meister, Zachary Stoller, Aaron Clackum, Pat James, Cortney Moore, William Moore, Angelia and Savannah Anderson, William Ross, Meredith Legg, Scott Johns, Frank Carroll,
Brandon Thompson
Brandon Thompson
Defensive Tackle (2008 - 2011)
#98 6-2, 310
Thomasville, GA
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, Alvin Sammons, Georgine McAlhaney, Glen Davis, Mike Price, Clay Childers, Aaron Knight, Danielle Johnston and family, Nicholas Abrams, Lana Kuykendall, Gary, Gary G., William Huggins, Jim Bennett, Chantz Fowler, Ethel McElveen, Michele Gurganus, William Gentry, Lewis Usher and Tanya Sanders, Shon Cooper, Nick Collins, Amanda Peake, Danny Hammond, Chip Turner, Nick Collins, Allen Steen, the Sturkey family, the Lance family, Nick Chrisley's family, Allison Williams, Lt. Kyle Walker, Summer and Joel Johnson, Nicole O'Donnell, James O. Johnson, Joy Pruett and family, Bill Schmidt, Jack Bailey, Gardner Family, Charles Turner, Kathy Bartholomew, Ray Sanders, David and Robin Blocker, J.R. Ray, Kenneth Kowe, Lauren Sielicki, Doug Bailey and family, Jenna Phipps, Mark Lawrence, Harlan Sullins, Peter Laboy, Kat and Carlisle Jones, Elizabeth Galloway and family, Anita McDonald, Willard Harryman, Liz Surratt, Molly Senn, Jackie Shearer, Richard Sellers, Tim Drisdelle, Edward Easterling, Dawson Bourne, Susan and Mike Brown, Julie Goodman Marshall, Willard and Dorothy Harryman, Justin Jernigan, Jack Cunningham, Mia Daughtery, Tee Senn, Jim Lanier, Bob Garrett, Skylar, Joseph Thomas, Mrs. Nelis, Jeanne Thompson, Sean Rowell, George Parker,
Levon Kirkland
Levon Kirkland
Linebacker
# 0, 0
,
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and family, Catherine Sewell, Randy Davenport,
Patrick DeStefano
Patrick DeStefano
Offensive Line (2012 - 2013)
#71 6-5, 275
Spartanburg, SC
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, David Vaughn, Keith Dalton, B.T., Bill Hilbig, Rita Elrod Hammond and family, Jim McKeller, and our great country and the men and women in uniform that protect and serve it every day, plus their families.
