Re: It’s time to move on

quozzel

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Sep 19, 2021, 11:12 AM

It appears there are three primary problems, and that's Elliott, Streeter, and Caldwell. I think they all need to move on.

Elliott's turning into Rob Spence before our eyes. He's been made, everyone has a mountain of film on him, and he isn't adapting or changing with the times. The simplicity of our offense is now working against it, its inability to attack the middle of the field is long-standing and obvious, our unsophisticated passing game is showing. People obviously are reading us like a book now because you see safeties around the ball at all times, a key indicator they know exactly what's coming and have zero fear of our ability to attack the middle. Time for new - for us and for him. Elliott needs to go elsewhere and re-invent himself, we need to do what Saban did and bring in some NFL guys with NFL concepts. (We already have one of those guys on the staff in JP Losman, we need to bring in others.)

Streeter just doesn't come across like he's good enough. Honestly I'd rate him as a QB coach about how I rated him as a QB...I get the "tries hard but just a guy" feel off him. DJU's mechanics have not improved at all - if anything he's regressed - under Streeter and Taisun Phommachanh has been notably slow to develop himself despite obvious talent - Phommachanh himself was the #1-rated dual-threat guy coming out of high school per some services. And, sorry, despite his own mammoth talent, I always felt there was another level Trevor could have gotten to he never reached, and it's showing now in the NFL. Whatever, there's a glaring gap between Streeter and, say, Lane Kiffin as far as the ability to develop a QB.

As for Caldwell...well, that's been an obvious and glaring problem for years. Again, I like Thomas Austin and if Dabo's sold on him I'll defer to his judgment...but there's plenty of NFL guys who would cheerfully take the Clemson job for an opportunity to build an OL room at one of college's monster programs. We could get a Sam Pittman and frankly there's other better college OL coaches - Vance Vice at Virginia Tech is establishing a monster reputation - we could also have just for the offering.

We're Clemson. If "best is the standard", we aren't hitting it, and this is how dynasties die: complacency and "brain drain", and what's left is mediocrity.

Nick Saban saw it happening to Alabama and re-invented himself, with cold-water ruthlessness. Dabo had best do the same if he wants to keep Clemson at the top because we aren't any more.

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Q - I agree!

Coach Elliott. Has become a bit predictable. Remember Clemson is a successful program that has challenged the "big dogs" so people study you far more even if you aren't on the schedule. The Clemson offense has been dissected and picked apart to the point there are few surprises you could likely show a defense. A big part of Chad Morris offense was making those big DL tired by running up tempo. Issue the way I see it Q is: 1st down success isn't great! Our choices on 1st down or inability to get good gains on running plays on 1st down don't allow for tempo. Thus we don't eventually wear down the DL. Wearing down the DL helps the OL look better. Not having to hold blocks forever and a day makes an OL look better! 1st down play calling has been snuffed out I am afraid. I could almost tell you one of 6 plays we would open with.

Coach Streeter - has the most hands on time with DJU. This was the Jeff Scott position and i.m.o we are missing it badly. Everyone says, "Elliott" but not having a QB coach that is getting that QB to see "the light" is hurting us a lot. QB whisperer or QB wonder worker or whatever else you want to call this position coach is not making a difference with DJU. At least none that are clear and apparent. I trust he is trying to make a difference; we just aren't seeing it on the football field with the position he coaches.

Coach Caldwell - the OL is abysmal.
This could also be on Coach Swinney in that it seems he likes to develop his OL as opposed to having guys who were highly touted. Sometimes you look at some of the dominant OL coming out of H.S. and they do not hold a Clemson offer. Why? Because of the, "I want to develop that position mindset"! Every position except LT that is. Mitch Hyatt and Jackson Carmen were 5 stars. We currently have some 4 star guys in the lineup as well as some 3 star players who have RS and developed. Does Caldwwell have enough raw talent to work with? I think he does. I like the developmental process as long as the player came in with good technical skill and a ceiling. Until the OL gets fixed you can criticize Coach Elliott and Coach Streeter all day. But, plays don't work when they get blown up before they can start. I don't care how good a play caller you are!

It’s time to move on