What We Don't Know Yet
Yesterday we looked at the things we have learned about this team so far after two games. Today I want to take a look at some of the question marks that are still to be answered.
Who Will Step Up in Nuk's Place?
Nuk Hopkins left some big shoes to be filled. I wrote this before
Charone Peake
Charone Peake
Jr. Wide Receiver
#19 6-3, 200
Moore, SC
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's injury. At the time I thought he was the guy who had been the most consistent in becoming the number two target behind
Sammy Watkins
Sammy Watkins
Jr. Wide Receiver
#2 6-1, 205
Fort Myers, FL
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.
Martavis Bryant
Martavis Bryant
Jr. Wide Receiver
#1 6-5, 200
Calhoun Falls, SC
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did not play well against Georgia but rebounded well last Saturday.
Adam Humphries
Adam Humphries
Jr. Wide Receiver
#13 5-11, 190
Spartanburg, SC
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has been solid.
Germone Hopper
Germone Hopper
RS Fr. Wide Receiver
#5 6-0, 170
Charlotte, NC
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had two touchdown catches this past weekend but the staff says consistency is an issue.
Mike Williams
Mike Williams
Fr. Wide Receiver
#7 6-5, 205
Vance, SC
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and TJ Green have potential but neither is ready for an increased role yet. Peake will be missed. Who is the new number two?
When Will the Offense Hit Top Level?
It’s scary, but I agree with
Chad Morris
Chad Morris
Offensive Coordinator / QBs
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when he says the offense has not played well yet.
Tajh Boyd
Tajh Boyd
RS Sr. Quarterback
#10 6-1, 225
Hampton, VA
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has been slightly off in the first two weeks. The running game was very good against Georgia but took a slight step backward against South Carolina State. The offensive line had some protection issues in the first half against Georgia and didn't dominate South Carolina State. This offense has been good but we have yet to see them play efficiently in the first eight quarters so there is room for improvement.
Is Sammy Back?
Sammy Watkins had a huge 77 yard touchdown reception against Georgia but he also fumbled a punt. Watkins was not a big part of the game plan against South Carolina State. Is he back to where he was as a freshman? I think that answer will come as early as next Thursday night.
When Will Tajh Play Up to His Standards?
It is early in the year but Tajh Boyd has been slightly off in the first two games. He scored five touchdowns against the nation's number five team and is one of the nation's top Heisman candidates, so maybe our expectations are too high. However, Boyd was slightly off this past Saturday. Chad Morris said he was not patient enough and Boyd was trying to force the ball down field. I look for Boyd to get back to his high level of play next week as well.
Secondary
The Tigers have given up some big plays so far this season and most have been a result of the secondary still being a question mark. Tackling issues and bad angles have plagued this unit at times. I think the secondary has improved but at this time it remains a question mark to me.
The Return Game
The punt return team has not busted a big return yet and fumbled one against Georgia. The kickoff returners started with Watkins and Bryant against Georgia but Hopper and Green took the kickoffs against SC State. I see too much tip-toeing on kickoff returns. Will either return team make an impact this season?
Handling Success
Still, the single biggest question mark facing this team, this staff and this program is how they will handle success. Turn on a sports station anywhere today and chances are it won't take long for the word Clemson to come up. The Tigers have jumped to number three in the AP poll and have the experts talking national title. Boyd has been mentioned among the nation's top Heisman candidates.
I have mentioned this many times on this blog and on my radio show, but as humans we don't handle success too well. We get fat and happy and forget what got us there. This happens in sports and in life. Is this team, staff and program mature enough to handle the success and the attention that come with that success?
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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, Shervin Messer, 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
#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, the 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, and our great country and the men and women in uniform that protect and serve it every day, plus their families.
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