Re: Fans can only base their opinions

On what they see on the field every Saturday. Most of us don’t like what we are seeing at the QB position. It’s difficult for me to understand that coaches see things I don’t see. The performance from DJ is not even close to being average.
If I could see improvement from one game to the next I could accept what is happening. Instead I still see the same poor passes, poor blocking, dropped passes and overall poor offensive football that I saw in the Georgia game. Clemson isn’t that short of talent on the field regardless of the rash of injuries . Most of us wants answers. None of us are giving up on the team. What’s going on with Clemson? I’m asked that multiple times every day. Those who ask me have a big smile on their face and that makes it ever more difficult! GO TIGERS

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Oct 5, 2021, 2:00 PM

I have bounced around in my head on lot on the "What's going on with Clemson" question as well due to being asked by smiling coots and concerned Tigers.

Here is where I have landed for today (subject to change by tomorrow or even by this evening):

DJ is exactly the same as he was last year.

No I'm not crazy (I don't think). I will explain.

You said in not so many words in your post "DJ is terrible.... we can't block, catch, throw, find holes, or essentially get out of our own way". I notice there are several things thrown in there that DJ isn't technically responsible for.

What came first, the chicken or the egg: Some people have suggested that the youth around DJ is making him struggle. Some people have suggested that DJ is so bad that he is making talented players around him struggle. I think both things are true.

Back to DJ being the same: Last year DJ made some of the exact same errant throws (he should have gotten better since last year, I know). He made some of the same bad reads on run plays. He had the same planted feet in the pocket. He had the same first several slow steps.

So why did DJ throw for almost 1000 yards and have a 30 yard rushing TD in just 2 games where it looked like he was a potential first round draft pick as a passer and actually a decent runner?

Well the short answer is better players around him, but more specifically:

Last season DJ was "failing" on the same number of plays, but the major difference was that all of the players around him were dependable. If he was errant on 2 out of 5 throws he was getting 3 completions and one of them was a chunk play with yards after the catch. Result is 60% completions and roughly 10-15 yards per completion.

This season if he is errant on 2 out of 5 throws he is getting 1 or 0 completions because guys are running the wrong routes, dropping balls, can't get open, or are showing a lack of effort.

Further, if those guys did make a mistake last season, DJ knew they would make up for it the next time he gave them a shot. The skill players this season have not shown him that same resolve.

This change is only showing up on DJs stats and making it look like he has had a major regression. That isn't the case.

At the same time DJ is pressing because he knows he is part of the problem (I think this is where the "he hasn't improved since last season comes in), which as we all knows will only make things worse.

I don't expect this offense to completely fix things this year.

I do think they have made minor improvements that are not noticed because rather than being compared to the previous week or game, they are being compared to previous seasons.

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Fans can only base their opinions

that is true .