|
Replies: 14
| visibility 1
|
Senior Writer [∞]
TigerPulse: 100%
Posts: 7074
Joined: 2/4/09
|
Andre Ellington story
May 28, 2022, 1:50 PM
|
|
I saw where someone posted earlier that Andre Ellington was one of their favorite underrated players, and that reminded me of a story. Back in 2010, Ellington and Jamie Harper seemed to be splitting carries a lot. The running backs coach was Andre Powell, who I thought was a fantastic special teams coach but kinda lacking in the running back room. From a reporters' perspective, he always seemed to be angry about something and had this huge chip on his shoulder.
Well, back then, Dabo allowed us to talk to all of the position coaches each week. We would meet on the second floor of the WestZone and do interviews on Mondays and Tuesdays and there were just a few of us. Well, one week it seemed that Harper had the majority of the carries and Ellington stood there, wanting to go in, but his chances were limited. So we asked Powell why Ellington didn't play more, and he said that he didn't manage the rotation, that he was too busy with other things and let the players sub themselves in and out (which is why, I think, Dabo had Will Swinney keep a sheet to make sure CJ Spiller was getting enough touches back in the day). So Harper was basically never coming out and Ellington didn't play a lot at times, even though he was clearly, and I mean clearly, the better option.
That year was the end of all the position coaches for interviews. And the end of Powell at Clemson. Anyway, just something I remembered. One day I need to write all this down somewhere. Been quite the ride.
|
|
|
|
 |
Legend [17756]
TigerPulse: 100%
Posts: 16652
Joined: 9/1/12
|
Amazing that was nearly 12 years ago. Time flies.***
May 28, 2022, 2:08 PM
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Orange Blooded [3336]
TigerPulse: 100%
Posts: 2847
Joined: 7/10/11
|
Re: Amazing that was nearly 12 years ago. Time flies.***
May 28, 2022, 2:26 PM
|
|
Really does feel like yesterday when I was watching that 2010 team nearly beat Auburn and ruin their perfect season.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Orange Blooded [2987]
TigerPulse: 91%
Posts: 2499
Joined: 1/23/10
|
In Overtime!***
May 28, 2022, 3:44 PM
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Legend [18782]
TigerPulse: 100%
Posts: 12815
Joined: 11/30/95
|
Harper was so hyped out of high school
May 28, 2022, 2:27 PM
|
|
And just never saw it, even in the all-star games. He just wasn't quick enough. I seem to recall he had a bit of a fumbling issue.
He did have one fantastic TD reception at All barn. But yeah, Ellington was much much better!
|
|
|
|
|
|
All-In [27295]
TigerPulse: 100%
Posts: 10089
Joined: 2/14/13
|
Re: Harper was so hyped out of high school
May 28, 2022, 2:53 PM
|
|
that catch is one of my favorite plays. But watching Ellington break plays was really fun.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Orange Blooded [2695]
TigerPulse: 100%
Posts: 1819
Joined: 6/30/13
|
Re: Harper was so hyped out of high school
May 28, 2022, 3:24 PM
[ in reply to Harper was so hyped out of high school ] |
|
And just never saw it, even in the all-star games. He just wasn't quick enough. I seem to recall he had a bit of a fumbling issue.
He did have one fantastic TD reception at All barn. But yeah, Ellington was much much better!
My bet is the thought he'd develop into a Jerome Bettis or Ron Dayne kind of player.
Him and Ellington could have been Thunder and Lightning 2.0 but Harper was too much flash -- instead of embracing the power back mold he was he acted more like a scat / receiving back minus the quickness that fits the archetype.
FWIW Harper had speed (4.4ish 40 from pro day), size (5'11 235), and hands (Auburn 2011 anyone?) so the dude was physically gifted but the football speed just wasnt there compared to Ellington who was quick and saw the field much better as a RB
|
|
|
|
|
|
Orange Blooded [2695]
TigerPulse: 100%
Posts: 1819
Joined: 6/30/13
|
Re: Andre Ellington story
May 28, 2022, 3:14 PM
|
|
Wow!
That is crazy that Powell was letting players sub themselves -- jeez I feel bad for Andre Ellington in that game but that 2011 2010 season (6-7) was about on par with 2021's minus 4 wins. Wonder what stories we'll get down the road from 2021?
FWIW that problem at least worked itself out since Harper declared for the draft and Ellington took the RB starting spot and never looked back.
David really should be recording these stories for a tell-all book one day
Message was edited by: glennjamin182®
|
|
|
|
|
|
Orange Blooded [2723]
TigerPulse: 77%
Posts: 2915
Joined: 9/16/18
|
Re: Andre Ellington story
May 28, 2022, 5:28 PM
|
|
In 2010 we went 6-7. In 2011 we won the ACC.
|
|
|
|
|
|
CU Guru [1083]
TigerPulse: 100%
Posts: 968
Joined: 4/23/22
|
Re: Andre Ellington story
May 28, 2022, 3:44 PM
|
|
I remember when Dabo compared Andre to CJ he said they were basically the same but the only difference was CJ never looked back to see if he might get caught from behind. Lol
|
|
|
|
|
|
Orange Blooded [2987]
TigerPulse: 91%
Posts: 2499
Joined: 1/23/10
|
Ellington should be listed as one of Clemson's best
May 28, 2022, 3:50 PM
|
|
Andre has always been underrated as a player at Clemson! He was a lot better than most ppl remember, he was just a quiet guy. I grew up in Moncks Corner and Andre still supports the community!
|
|
|
|
|
|
CU Medallion [67715]
TigerPulse: 100%
Posts: 115417
Joined: 11/30/98
|
Re: Ellington should be listed as one of Clemson's best
May 28, 2022, 4:22 PM
|
|
yep very under appreciated. I always thought he would be more remembered if he wasn't after Spiller
|
|
|
|
|
|
110%er [6654]
TigerPulse: 98%
Posts: 9725
Joined: 9/22/11
|
Andre Ellington story - a Cousin told me of his success...
May 28, 2022, 3:58 PM
|
|
A few years ago, I was told he was the owner of 3 Golden Corrals!
|
|
|
|
|
|
Orange Blooded [2987]
TigerPulse: 91%
Posts: 2499
Joined: 1/23/10
|
Re: Andre Ellington story - a Cousin told me of his success...
May 28, 2022, 4:03 PM
|
|
I didn't know that but good for him. He puts on football camps for under-priviledged every year. His cousin Bruce was involved at some point but not sure he still is?
|
|
|
|
|
|
All-TigerNet [12834]
TigerPulse: 100%
Posts: 8172
Joined: 3/30/16
|
Re: Andre Ellington story
May 28, 2022, 6:50 PM
|
|
I didn't feel he was underrated. Possibly a top 10 Clemson running back.
Powell allowing the backs to sub themselves is just insane. Dabo had to know. ??
|
|
|
|
|
|
Replies: 14
| visibility 1
|
|
|
50
