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TNET: Clemson run game struggles: Coach's perspective on what needs to change
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Oct 24, 2025, 7:00 AM
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Game Changer [1810]
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Re: TNET: Clemson run game struggles: Coach's perspective on what needs to change
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Oct 24, 2025, 7:12 AM
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great article, David!
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Clemson Conqueror [11146]
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Re: TNET: Clemson run game struggles: Coach's perspective on what needs to change
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Oct 24, 2025, 8:48 AM
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yes, quite enlightening.
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Campus Hero [13396]
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Re: TNET: Clemson run game struggles: Coach's perspective on what needs to change
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Oct 24, 2025, 7:24 AM
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After 3 years of Dabo’s reputation as a coach being linked to his special vision to hire that turd of an iffensive coordinator, Dabo better get it right with whomever he hires first the 2025 season and beyond.
The only thing that I see that Neff can feasibly do to put pressure in Dabo to stop dwelling in past glory and make the adjustment to today’s CFB environment is to stop offering contract extensions.
Of course Neff won’t fire Dabo after the 2026 or even 2027 seasons even in the event of Mike Norvell-esque performances. But we will be able to afford to fire Dabo after the 2028 season if Dabo does not make the adjustment.
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1st Rounder [634]
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Re: TNET: Clemson run game struggles: Coach's perspective on what needs to change
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Oct 24, 2025, 7:55 AM
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To use an Dabo-esque expression, there’s nothing more meaningless to this season than your successes from 5-6 years ago. Can’t dwell on the past and be forward thinking. But being 116 out of 132 (or whatever the total is) is abysmal. And to only “amass” 35 yards for the ENTIRE GAME against SMU, which should have been inferior competition, is absolutely ridiculous. GR needed to go bye-bye like last year, and I wish he had never come here. Very, very disappointed in his (under)performance. Nobody more so than Dabo, I’m sure. Completely unacceptable numbers for what was once a proud, NFL-caliber position at Clemson. Maybe we can entice that kid from Curry College, running back Montie Quinn, who recently set an NCAA record by rushing for 522 yards and scoring seven touchdowns in a single game(!) to transfer to Clemson next year?? Of course, why would he want to if he knows we’ll abandon the run by halftime and his O-line is under-conditioned, undersized, and gets manhandled by “inferior”competition? Dabo probably wouldn’t even take him even if he did want to come here because he wasn’t “home grown” and barely uses the portal, even if there’s a glaring need. Hate what this program has become sometimes. But I hate what CFB is becoming more and more.
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Game Changer [2063]
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Re: TNET: Clemson run game struggles: Coach's perspective on what needs to change
Oct 24, 2025, 11:20 AM
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SMU is not inferior competition. They have just as much talent as we do.
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Game Changer [1741]
TigerPulse: 94%
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Re: TNET: Clemson run game struggles: Coach's perspective on what needs to change
Oct 25, 2025, 10:05 AM
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Yep, and it took us a wing-and-a-prayer field goal to beat SMU last year in ACC title game.
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1st Rounder [634]
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Re: TNET: Clemson run game struggles: Coach's perspective on what needs to change
Oct 26, 2025, 7:01 AM
[ in reply to Re: TNET: Clemson run game struggles: Coach's perspective on what needs to change ] |
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I know they’re not inferior competition anymore, but Clemson was supposed to be the king of the ACC mountain (and according to most preseason prognosticators, nationally too). We were obviously the inferior team and hardly competitive at this point in the program’s history. Hoping Dabo can turn it around with some wholesale changes to coaches, transfers, schemes, vision, recruiting, and strength and conditioning, just to name a few in the offseason because we know Clemson cannot afford to buy him out at this point. Let’s go Tigers!
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Campus Hero [13139]
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Insightful***
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Oct 24, 2025, 7:24 AM
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Rock Defender [57]
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Re: TNET: Clemson run game struggles: Coach's perspective on what needs to change
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Oct 24, 2025, 7:29 AM
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I agree with the coach. I'm by no means a defensive coordinator or offensive coordinator, but even I can predict our offensive play calls. Our pre snap motions are not fooling anyone and a lot of the time is truly meaningless. Looking back at the offensive play calling and pre snap motions when we was a championship contender you can see a blaring difference. We were put ting pressure on opposing defenses with our offense and our defense was asserting dominance on the opposing offense. We are now playing not to lose instead of playing to win. It's a mindset and our mindset has drifted away from what it was. We don't go out to dominate other teams anymore we go out to play not to lose. "we just a handful of plays away" from beating less talented teams when we use to be "we want bama". It's mindset
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Game Changer [2063]
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Re: TNET: Clemson run game struggles: Coach's perspective on what needs to change
Oct 24, 2025, 11:19 AM
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It's not mindset. It's talent.
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1st Rounder [686]
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Re: TNET: Clemson run game struggles: Coach's perspective on what needs to change
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Oct 24, 2025, 6:04 PM
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It’s not talent, it’s coaching. “Some” of the players we recruited (and other schools as well) don’t work out. But to have a MASS amount of 4-5star guys who are a bust is statistically improbable. What we have and HAVE HAD is coaching issues. As Metallica would say, it’s sad but true.
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Game Changer [2063]
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Re: TNET: Clemson run game struggles: Coach's perspective on what needs to change
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Oct 24, 2025, 6:06 PM
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No it's talent. A good chunk of the roster simply does not have the speed and athleticism necessary.
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1st Rounder [634]
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Re: TNET: Clemson run game struggles: Coach's perspective on what needs to change
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Oct 26, 2025, 7:04 AM
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It’s both, actually. Poor coaching leads to poor development, which leads to inferior talent. You’re both right. But it starts with coaching and development.
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Legend [7035]
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It may be an out of the box thought, but
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Oct 24, 2025, 7:39 AM
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my first suggestion would be to have an actual RB play the RB position, it’s disgraceful how Davidson has been used this year. I hope we don’t see him starring at another school next year because we continued to give the ball to a converted Senior WR, when the season was already beyond lost.
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1st Rounder [634]
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Re: It may be an out of the box thought, but
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Oct 24, 2025, 8:00 AM
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Not out of the box at all, actually; very logical and reasonable expectation. Dabo’s hubris is one thing majorly holding back this team.
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1st Rounder [604]
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Re: It may be an out of the box thought, but
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Oct 24, 2025, 8:27 AM
[ in reply to It may be an out of the box thought, but ] |
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Thank you! 🙏 Adam Randall is slow and completely useless at RB! Those other guys in the RB room must be furious! It can’t be experience as to why he is the starter. He’s a WR…
If they are able to keep both Davidson and EZE after this gross display of favoritism, I’ll be shocked.
If Randall was good, I would understand. He is slow and misses holes. His blocking isn’t so amazing either.
You can maybe see why the team looks so unhappy and disinterested. Seniority and favoritism has no place in major sports!
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110%er [3844]
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"Adam Randall has been very good"
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Oct 24, 2025, 8:51 AM
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No he hasn't. That was the one thing Hood got wrong. Nine times out of ten when his wife is saying, "Etienne would've scored," it's Randall carrying the ball. I must've heard 100 times how much the kid weighs. Ok, he weighs a lot. Doesn't seem to make him harder to tackle. Give the ball to a real rb. Good grief.
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1st Rounder [604]
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Re: "Adam Randall has been very good"
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Oct 24, 2025, 8:55 AM
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These guys are a victim of favoritism and seniority. It’s as plain and simple as that.
A coach that will play a bad RB over a much more talented RB, or RBs, isnt a coach that is going to change a thing this off season.
Criminal negligence is what’s happening here.
Message was edited by: OrangeHoodie®
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Tiger Cub [18]
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Re: "Adam Randall has been very good"
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Oct 24, 2025, 9:37 AM
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Same with Cole turner over Tristian smith…
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Offensive Star [342]
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Re: It may be an out of the box thought, but
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Jul 30, 2017, 11:03 AM
[ in reply to Re: It may be an out of the box thought, but ] |
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Randall is good at missing holes and weighs 20 pounds more than he should. It makes him slow and unproductive. Adams is much better at seeing the hole and getting through it. He may not have break away speed but he runs for yardage every play. He has looked good when he gets multiple touches.
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All-American [588]
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Rival Killer [2913]
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Redshirt [93]
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Re: It may be an out of the box thought, but
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Oct 24, 2025, 1:37 PM
[ in reply to It may be an out of the box thought, but ] |
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The thing is we could have the best running back in America but it wouldn’t matter if we never hand him the ball
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Clemson Conqueror [11190]
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I think what we are seeing is that our staffs true coaching
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Oct 24, 2025, 7:48 AM
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abilities are being exposed. Can no longer just out talent the opponent. They really appear to have no idea!
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1st Rounder [634]
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Re: I think what we are seeing is that our staffs true coaching
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Oct 24, 2025, 8:02 AM
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Clueless former players make good graduate assistants, not immediate position coaches. They need to prove themselves at these lower levels first before rising through the ranks to EVENTUALLY become assistants, position coaches, and then head coaches. Dabo turned everything upside down to “do it his way.” We are now seeing his house of cards crumbling.
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Orange Beast [6545]
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Re: I think what we are seeing is that our staffs true coaching
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Oct 24, 2025, 8:36 AM
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Yepp...been saying that since Spiller came aboard. Dabo got the big head and thought he could just use the plug and play system with anyone once Clemson established its brand after those Natty's. But once that championship personnel gets depleted, you better find the right guys to put in their place, not a bunch of alumni with 0 coaching experience.
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All-TigerNet [5885]
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Re: I think what we are seeing is that our staffs true coaching
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Oct 24, 2025, 8:45 AM
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As much as I question Spiller as a coach, I do think Dabo is between a rock and a hard place with CJ. If you think about it... Spiller coming back for his senior year in 2009, might have saved Dabo's job between the wins he got in 2008 and 2009.
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Game Changer [1719]
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Re: I think what we are seeing is that our staffs true coaching
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Oct 24, 2025, 9:41 AM
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Dabo is in a very tough spot... a very tough spot that he put himself in.
That conversation could be fairly reasonable. "CJ, man I love you like family. But we tried this for 5 seasons and it isn't working."
If CJ doesn't understand that, he shouldn't have wanted to coach in the first place.
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National Champion [7903]
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Re: I think what we are seeing is that our staffs true coaching
Oct 27, 2025, 7:40 AM
[ in reply to I think what we are seeing is that our staffs true coaching ] |
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Hire an experienced RB coach - former players, friends and family are just dragging us further .. Dabo needs an experienced staff, put an end to the gravy train of nadas ..
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MVP [529]
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Re: TNET: Clemson run game struggles: Coach's perspective on what needs to change
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Oct 24, 2025, 8:09 AM
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I read that and all I saw was Bring Back Chad Morris!
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National Champion [7191]
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Re: TNET: Clemson run game struggles: Coach's perspective on what needs to change
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Oct 24, 2025, 8:55 AM
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No, it doesn't say that by itself will fix the problems.
A Chad Morris type offense is good and I like it - and wish we could run it again.
But what the article says with respect to air raid type offenses is that if you're going to run it, you'd better have a strong run game so you don't become one-dimensional.
What's worse is if you don't have a run game and then have a QB who can't quickly find the open receiver and get the ball out in a hurry, opposing defenses will load the box and cause havoc with sacks, picks and errant passes. And you defense will get worn out because they can't find time to rest. Sound familiar?
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Hall of Famer [8864]
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Re: TNET: Clemson run game struggles: Coach's perspective on what needs to change
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Oct 24, 2025, 10:57 AM
[ in reply to Re: TNET: Clemson run game struggles: Coach's perspective on what needs to change ] |
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No it doesn't.!!! Chad Morris never had any success after leaving Clemson and was about to be run out of town when he left. I really wish people would forget his name. The game passed him by long ago.
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Starter [289]
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Re: TNET: Clemson run game struggles: Coach's perspective on what needs to change
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Oct 24, 2025, 11:03 AM
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Question: would you rather have the Chad Morris offense or the one we have now?
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Orange Blooded [2585]
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Re: TNET: Clemson run game struggles: Coach's perspective on what needs to change
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Oct 24, 2025, 8:18 AM
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Great article!
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Clemson Icon [25970]
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Coach validates what we have been saying about RB recruiting for years.
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Oct 24, 2025, 8:18 AM
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Imagine that.
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Orange Beast [6545]
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Re: TNET: Clemson run game struggles: Coach's perspective on what needs to change
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Oct 24, 2025, 8:34 AM
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Well when 2 of your biggest weaknesses are the OL and DL, that's a perfect recipe for disaster for any football team, no matter what type of skill players you have. You suck in the trenches, you done.
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1st Rounder [604]
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Re: TNET: Clemson run game struggles: Coach's perspective on what needs to change
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Oct 24, 2025, 8:52 AM
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Great read David! Keep hitting it hard!
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All-American [588]
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Re: TNET: Clemson run game struggles: Coach's perspective on what needs to change
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Oct 24, 2025, 9:18 AM
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100% With The Offense Coach... Championships R Won By Running And Championship Defenses Have To Practice Against The Run Everyday..Therefore Get Better...This Ain't Clemson Today Nor For 4 Years Now...Just Look @ Ohio State 2025🌞
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Tiger Cub [18]
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Re: TNET: Clemson run game struggles: Coach's perspective on what needs to change
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Oct 24, 2025, 9:31 AM
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Please please tell Dabo and company this.. especially what this does to your defense.. and also what no run plays in practice does to your defense….. I’ve been saying this for years now as well
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Playmaker [353]
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Re: TNET: Clemson run game struggles: Coach's perspective on what needs to change
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Oct 24, 2025, 9:44 AM
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I tell you what else we need. A running back coach who can RECRUIT AND COACH!
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Clemson Conqueror [11908]
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Re: TNET: Clemson run game struggles: Coach's perspective on what needs to change
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Oct 24, 2025, 9:45 AM
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wasn't it supposed to the "dirt raid"?
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Orange Blooded [2141]
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Yes and in 2022 TCU had 2600 yds rushing and a leading rusher ..
Oct 26, 2025, 11:58 AM
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with over 1300 yds & 17 TDs; TCU had a bluechip ratio of 16% when they defeated 13-0(59%bcr)UM in the semis & got blown out by (77%bcr)UGA in the final-
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Standout [207]
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Re: TNET: Clemson run game struggles: Coach's perspective on what needs to change
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Oct 24, 2025, 9:51 AM
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The offensive coaches have to get back to the mindset brought out in this article. Like it or not, Clemson needs a Transfer Portal Coordinator to get the best talent money can buy.
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Hall of Famer [8864]
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Re: TNET: Clemson run game struggles: Coach's perspective on what needs to change
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Oct 24, 2025, 11:00 AM
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We have had a Portal Coordinator for years. Dabo evidently had the electricity and wifi to the Portal dude's office disconnected.
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Playmaker [355]
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Re: TNET: Clemson run game struggles: Coach's perspective on what needs to change
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Oct 24, 2025, 10:09 AM
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Should have went in the portal to get a great running back to begin with. This is where we are now thanks to Dabo and his stubborn self.
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National Champion [7290]
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I'll be the first to admit I don't know much about football.
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Oct 24, 2025, 10:18 AM
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But it seems to me that when your OL kinda stinks, and your WR is struggling to be your RB, you find a RB to be your RB and hope the OL can create at least a modicum of daylight for him so that your QB who is struggling to be your QB isn't forced to be the hero every third down.
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Ring of Honor [23123]
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Adam Randall
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Oct 24, 2025, 6:32 PM
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The position switch happened late in his career. And earlier in his college career, Clemson was locked in with Shipley and Mafah.
Randall has played with toughness in his last year at Clemson and worked hard to learn the position. Against Try, GaT, and SYR, Randall was at his best with 322 yards and 6.2 ypc.
Against LSU, UNC, BC and SMU, his carries have dropped, and he's struggled for 3.36 ypc on just 33 total carries.
Like many others beating this dead horse, my takeaway is Randall has provided quiet leadership but has a low ceiling based on inexperience, lack of quick twitch/change of direction, lack of RB vision (again inexperience), and limited blocking.
So why is Randall playing RB? It has to be seniority and respect from the coaches. Perhaps Dabo sees Randall as a future GA/coaching candidate.
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Game Changer [2063]
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Re: Adam Randall
Oct 24, 2025, 11:14 AM
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It's not seniority.
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Varsity [117]
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Re: Adam Randall
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Oct 24, 2025, 12:05 PM
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It most certainly is.
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Game Changer [2063]
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Re: Adam Randall
Oct 24, 2025, 1:25 PM
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No, it's not.
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Rival Killer [2913]
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He is a good blocker. Unlike our offensive line right now.***
Oct 24, 2025, 11:30 AM
[ in reply to Adam Randall ] |
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1st Rounder [634]
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Re: Adam Randall
Oct 26, 2025, 7:14 AM
[ in reply to Adam Randall ] |
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Hard to believe he was once a 5 star WR. What were those scouts seeing?? 🙄
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Orange Blooded [2141]
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Hold up..a 5 star I think not but a legit top 100-150 4 star ****
Oct 26, 2025, 12:07 PM
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Hall of Famer [8864]
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Re: TNET: Clemson run game struggles: Coach's perspective on what needs to change
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Oct 24, 2025, 10:37 AM
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Glad to hear someone say it out loud. Good article, David, and spot on. This coach is parroting what some of us have been saying for 5 years. Time to throw the baby out with the bath water and get a new baby!
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Rock Defender [51]
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Re: TNET: Clemson run game struggles: Coach's perspective on what needs to change
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Oct 24, 2025, 11:22 AM
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Great article. I think it’s a catch 22 with Dabo. I respect how much he cares about his integrity and doing good for other people, but strong faith goes hand in hand with a stubbornly closed mind. I don’t think you can be the kind of person who holds tightly onto tradition in one area and be comfortable thinking outside the box in the other. Great dude, but he’s probably better suited towards a religious role of some kind than an athletic coach at this level of play. I don’t think people intend to pay him millions of dollars to be a Sunday school teacher at a public university.
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Clemson Icon [24736]
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Short Version: Garrett Riley is a bad OC***
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Oct 24, 2025, 11:59 AM
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Varsity [115]
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Re: TNET: Clemson run game struggles: Coach's perspective on what needs to change
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Oct 24, 2025, 11:51 AM
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Start with the basics: "TEACH THEM HOW TO BLOCK FOR MORE THAN 1 SECOND THEN QUITTING"!!!
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Commissioner [1269]
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Re: TNET: Clemson run game struggles: Coach's perspective on what needs to change
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Oct 24, 2025, 12:37 PM
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Will said and isn't that coach you spoke with availableb???? Agreed, you have to want to run and we do not. Perhaps our OL is not as bad as it looks but just does not or has not learned to run block. Our banks often run the wrong place and thats coaching. Not surprising with CJ coaching since he had the speed to run where he wanted. Then for all yes we need better backs period!
As for the defense yes I'm sure they look like world beatets in practice stopping our guys!
However missing from this article was any evidence of a commitment to change so I don't expect any improvement.
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Walk-On [74]
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Re: TNET: Clemson run game struggles: Coach's perspective on what needs to change
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Oct 24, 2025, 7:59 PM
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I just wish we could try running outside of the guards once in a while. Like maybe a pitch. And maybe some misdirection, or a designed cutback play. You know … all the plays that our opponents have so much success against us with.
Just a thought …
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Walk-On [74]
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Re: TNET: Clemson run game struggles: Coach's perspective on what needs to change
Oct 24, 2025, 7:59 PM
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I just wish we could try running outside of the guards once in a while. Like maybe a pitch. And maybe some misdirection, or a designed cutback play. You know … all the plays that our opponents have so much success against us with.
Just a thought …
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Orange Blooded [2141]
TigerPulse: 89%
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Morris & Malzahn are known for their power spread offenses****
Oct 26, 2025, 11:33 AM
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Top TigerNet [30999]
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Re: TNET: Clemson run game struggles: Coach's perspective on what needs to change
Oct 26, 2025, 12:13 PM
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Also, our Air Raid passing attack is very predictable and easy to defend as well. Even if we could run the ball.
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