The Pessimist

Mickey Plyler - Radio Host - Tuesday, July 28 2015

The Pessimist

Clemson assistant coach Danny PearmanDanny Pearman
Assist. Head / ST / TE
View Full Profile has coached with some legends including Gene Stallings and Frank Beamer, but two guys he has worked with couldn't be any more opposite. He told me Ralph Friedgen was a pessimist by nature, and it helped him become a good head coach because he sees things that will break before they break. He told me Dabo SwinneyDabo Swinney
Head Coach
View Full Profile is the most optimistic coach in America, and this helps because of the positive attitude that permeates through a program.

In the next two days, I want to take the pessimistic and optimistic points of view about Clemson's season and program. Today, let's take the pessimist's point of view.

The Pessimistic Points:

Watson's Health

Deshaun WatsonDeshaun Watson
So. Quarterback
#4 6-2, 205
Gainesville, GA
View Full Profile had a knee issue in high school. He broke his collar bone last spring. He broke a bone in his hand in the Louisville game. He tore his ACL in November. Clemson's offense revolves around Watson, and his backups have very little experience. It's nice to have one of the nation's top quarterbacks, but it is scary to think about his injuries of the past.

The Offensive Line

The Tigers will start a true freshman at left tackle in Mitch HyattMitch Hyatt
Fr. Offensive Line
#75 6-6, 270
Sugar Hill, GA
View Full Profile. Joe GoreJoe Gore
RS Sr. Offensive Tackle
#73 6-5, 290
Lake Waccamaw, NC
View Full Profile has been very inconsistent at right tackle. Eric MacLain and Tyrone CrowderTyrone Crowder
RS So. Offensive Guard
#55 6-2, 330
Marston, NC
View Full Profile are fairly inexperienced at guard, and Ryan NortonRyan Norton
RS Sr. Offensive Line
#58 6-3, 285
Simpsonville, SC
View Full Profile has had a few issues at center. Also depth and experience are even bigger factors. Keeping Watson is job number one and issue on the offensive line, and there are major concerns here.

Difference Maker in the Running Game

Clemson has a stable of running backs but is there a go to guy? Wayne GallmanWayne Gallman
RS So. Running Back
#9 6-1, 205
Loganville, GA
View Full Profile separated himself from the pack last year, but most of his yards came against bad defenses. Is Gallman ready to produce against better defenses? Tyshon DyeTyshon Dye
RS So. Running Back
#22 5-11, 215
Elberton, GA
View Full Profile has had an injury. Adam ChoiceAdam Choice
So. Running Back
#26 5-9, 215
Thomasville, GA
View Full Profile is coming off of ACL surgery. Zac BrooksZac Brooks
Running Back (2012 - 2015)
#24 6-0, 200
Jonesboro, AR
View Full Profile missed all of last season with an injury. CJ Davidson has not shown consistency. C.J. FullerC.J. Fuller
RS Fr. Running Back
#27 5-9, 215
Easley, SC
View Full Profile hasn't played a down of college football yet. Clemson's next superstar at running back may be Tavien Feaster, but he will play this season at Spartanburg High School.

No Complete Tight End

Jordan LeggettJordan Leggett
Jr. Tight End
#16 6-5, 250
Navarre, FL
View Full Profile has been inconsistent in his time so far at Clemson. Stanton Sekinger is the best receiver but has trouble in blocking. Jay Jay McCulloughJay Jay McCullough
RS Jr. Tight End
#89 6-3, 248
Fort Mill, SC
View Full Profile has been in and out of the doghouse. Cannon SmithCannon Smith
RS Fr. Tight End
#84 6-4, 240
Columbia, SC
View Full Profile and Milan RichardMilan Richard
RS Fr. Tight End
#80 6-2, 245
Savannah, GA
View Full Profile are red-shirt freshmen.

Depth at Defensive End

The Tigers lose playmakers like Vic BeasleyVic Beasley
Defensive End (2010 - 2014)
#3 6-2, 236
Adairsville, GA
View Full Profile, Corey CrawfordCorey Crawford
Defensive End (2011 - 2014)
#93 6-5, 275
Columbus, GA
View Full Profile and Tavaris BarnesTavaris Barnes
Defensive End (2010 - 2014)
#9 6-3, 275
Jacksonville, FL
View Full Profile. Shaq LawsonShaq Lawson
So. Defensive End
#90 6-3, 269
Central, SC
View Full Profile looks like he is ready to take the next step, and Kevin DoddKevin Dodd
RS Jr. Defensive End
#98 6-5, 275
Taylors, SC
View Full Profile looks the part, but depth is an issue. Clemson has very little experience here, and the best players may be true freshmen Clelin FerrellClelin Ferrell
Fr. Defensive End
# 6-5, 220
Richmond, VA
View Full Profile and Austin BryantAustin Bryant
Fr. Defensive End
# 6-4, 250
Pavo, GA
View Full Profile.

Losses at Linebacker

Stephone AnthonyStephone Anthony
Linebacker (2011 - 2014)
#42 6-3, 245
Polkton, NC
View Full Profile and Tony StewardTony Steward
Linebacker (2011 - 2014)
#7 6-, 235
Hastings, FL
View Full Profile were two five-star linebackers that graduated and have moved on to the NFL. Ben BoulwareBen Boulware
Jr. Outside Linebacker
#10 6-0, 235
Anderson, SC
View Full Profile has played a lot of snaps and BJ Goodson steps in as well, but playmakers will be missed.

Questions at One Corner

Mackensie AlexanderMackensie Alexander
RS So. Cornerback
#2 5-10, 190
Immokalee, FL
View Full Profile is as good as any corner in the country, but Garry PetersGarry Peters
Cornerback (2010 - 2014)
#26 6-0, 194
Conyers, GA
View Full Profile is gone, and the Tigers have issues at the other corner. Cordrea Tankersly has the inside track, but maybe Mark FieldsMark Fields
Fr. Cornerback
# 5-10, 185
Cornelius, NC
View Full Profile makes his impact as a true freshman.

New Kickers

Bradley PinionBradley Pinion
Punter (2012 - 2014)
#92 6-6, 230
Concord, NC
View Full Profile left unexpectedly for the NFL leaving a big void at punter. Amin Lakip's discipline issues have not been resolved at this point. Two new kickers could keep the staff up at night.

Tomorrow we will take the optimistic view of the 2015 season.

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Defensive Tackle (2008 - 2011)
#98 6-2, 310
Thomasville, GA
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Linebacker
# 0, 0
,
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Offensive Line (2012 - 2013)
#71 6-5, 275
Spartanburg, SC
View Full Profile, Robert Summerville, Wendell Harrington, Michelle Richey, Julie Moore, Ashley Fitch, Drew Moyer, Kevin Anderson, Lyn Price, John Robert SmithRobert Smith
Safety (2011 - 2014)
#27 5-11, 215
St. George, SC
View Full Profile, Allison Williams, Nicholas Wickiser, Lena Wright, Donna Springs, Elizabeth Bruner and our great country and the men and women in uniform that protect and serve it every day, plus their families.