Re: That’s a tall task…..

I agree the QB will “work itself out”. The QB position is probably 4th on my “concern list”

1. WRs - I don’t see ANY WR on our next years roster (or this years) that comes remotely close to a Mike Williams, tee Higgins, Sammy, Ross (pre injury), Renfrow, Rodgers, etc…. Even when DJ made his throws the WRs dropped them. No separation could be made this year by our WRs. This position needs HUGE off season improvement. From a shear talent perspective we’re not close to our talent of national championship teams.

2. Oline - same story different year. I hear we have talent. Talent. Talent. But yet never see any kind of development. Even our 2016 & 2018 olines weren’t that great. For whatever reason our Olines have always underperformed.

3. OC/play calling - I have doubts about streeter. However I’m holding out hope that the atrocity of an offense we saw this year will cause streeter to make the much needed tweaks to the offense and play calling that we need to return to the 40+PPg a national title contender offense possesses.

4. QB - DJ was not that good this year but I think the perfect storm of subpar performance of the above 3 didn’t help at all. This position will work itself out. Either DJ or klubnik. It’s also concerning that DJ “regressed” under our current OCs teaching/coaching. If we don’t have a threat of run from the QB position we can’t be successful at all. Not at Clemson.

Ihopehedo

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This is a good summary

Jan 2, 2022, 1:20 PM [ in reply to That’s a tall task….. ]

And as others commented, it is a tall order.

I agree #1 is a big challenge, but I don’t think insurmountable. I don’t think we must have 4 playmaking receivers. When we’ve had one or two playmaking receivers, and two more steady receivers, our offense has clicked. Having a quick, speedy playmaker WR who creates separation in the slot - Artavis Scott, Renfrow, Ray Ray, Amari, seems to be what REALLY makes our offense go. I think it is vital we address that deficiency through development and recruiting. I am hoping Antonio Williams is that answer. His reviews at Under Armor practices are off the charts. His stock is rising with each practice. The expert evaluations say he has a gift for creating separation downfield. We need that. I’m not sure he will be a steady contributor next year early on. As far as Taylor and Stellato, perhaps they can develop into 3rd down possession receivers like Hunter? Hunter has elite short area quickness. That is how he routinely got open on possession downs, and why he has taken the NFL by storm. That is very different than speed. Artavis had that SAQ too. Neither had elite speed but both were great in our offense. The Collins kids are coming along. I think they can be better than solid receivers. If Ngata or EJ can get healthy and become a 50:50 and back shoulder threat (Mike Williams style), this WR group could be very good again. Hopefully Randall comes in and makes a splash too. I think we need to recruit Sammy style, or I call it the “Peter Warrick style” receiver. These are what Bama gets so successfully. They can separate deep (elite speed) and also have short area quickness. These are the WR’s where you hold your breath every time they touch it because they can take it to the house. I know these are hard to come by in recruiting. We have not had many. Besides Sammy, Deon Cain had the skill set but never quite put it all together.

I think there’s a lot of talent set to be in our WR room. We just have to get healthy and get the right pieces in the right places.

Another major element that will help greatly with WR play lies in the QB room. WR separation comes with DJ or Cade having the skill (and protection) to work the safeties with their eyes, work progressions, and throw open their receivers, and throw catchable balls with rhythm and tempo. Deshaun was sooo good at the rhythm and tempo part. His instincts and improvisational skills were off the charts. Saban about had a coronary in the championship game when Deshaun would tuck it an run. Our offense needs a mobile QB that can improvise and make plays with their legs. We were not very good at the protection, eyes, legs, rhythm, or tempo part this season. That must all improve. The WR’s will look a lot better when those OL and QB elements improve. It all goes together.

The Oline and QB (two #1’s - who else has that?) talent will be there. I think we will be much improved (ACC champs) next season and back in the playoff in 2023. I don’t know if DJ will be our starter but I expect to see him 20-25 lbs lighter and much improved. Kid is a worker. He’ll get better.

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The offense is gonna be back next year

That’s a tall task…..