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TNET: Final Grades: Down year for Clemson receivers slowed offense
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TNET: Final Grades: Down year for Clemson receivers slowed offense


Jan 4, 2022, 8:00 AM

 
Final Grades: Down year for Clemson receivers slowed offense

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Re: TNET: Final Grades: Down year for Clemson receivers slowed offense


Jan 4, 2022, 8:15 AM

With injuries and without a slot receiver and speed outside, this was sadly predictable. Speed kills and we don't have unless our signees do.

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Tell 'em u7c coot. No one knows losing better than you.


Jan 4, 2022, 8:21 AM

.

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Re: TNET: Final Grades: Down year for Clemson receivers slowed offense


Jan 4, 2022, 9:02 AM [ in reply to Re: TNET: Final Grades: Down year for Clemson receivers slowed offense ]

Adam Randall is another tall 6'3 type of WR, but he runs a 4.4

Antonio Williams is the speed, route running, slot threat that we are missing.

I had high hopes for Troy Stellato as a slot WR. Hopefully he makes a gigantic leap this offseason.

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Re: TNET: Final Grades: Down year for Clemson receivers slowed offense


Jan 4, 2022, 11:34 AM

The two new incoming look good. Randal reports next week were Williams’s reports in Summer. Early enrollees have a huge advantage over the Summer enrollees. Stellato was a Summer enrollee and will be just fine having a developmental season under his belt and being able to go through offseason workouts and his first Spring.

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Re: TNET: Final Grades: Down year for Clemson receivers slowed offense


Jan 11, 2022, 4:29 PM [ in reply to Re: TNET: Final Grades: Down year for Clemson receivers slowed offense ]

Hopefully Randall is blazing like Williams who is a tall dude at Bama. They can be tall and blazing. That's even better.

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Re: TNET: Final Grades: Down year for Clemson receivers slowed offense


Jan 4, 2022, 11:13 AM [ in reply to Re: TNET: Final Grades: Down year for Clemson receivers slowed offense ]

Stupid to blame wide receivers for underthrows, overthrows, too hard, too long and on the wrong side...not to mention having to catch the football when your quarterback has been staring to you for 6 seconds...lets put the onus on everyone except the guilty!

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This is a joke


Jan 4, 2022, 11:34 AM [ in reply to Re: TNET: Final Grades: Down year for Clemson receivers slowed offense ]

biggest problem with all these guys is they WERE NOT consistently on the field.

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Only real positives were the Collins duo


Jan 4, 2022, 11:42 AM [ in reply to Re: TNET: Final Grades: Down year for Clemson receivers slowed offense ]

they were raw in many areas but gained valuable experience and showed real potential

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Re: TNET: Final Grades: Ar Clemson receivers still elite?


Jan 4, 2022, 8:25 AM

We have lost the mantel of WRU. Anyone who watched this year's Rose Bowl, has to admit Ohio State now produces the best talent at WR.

Can we get it back? Yes, but it will take 3 (or more) things.

First, a change in coaching philosophy. I feel that too much of the Clemson passing game is predicated on read and react route running. We don't appear to scheme designed patterns, and allow for the QB to go through progressions.

That brings us to number two. Better protection. Far too often, our QB's have had almost immediate pressure, forcing bad decisions, errant throws, and scrambles or sacks.

Three. Better QB play. DJ regressed from 2020 to 2021 (yes, Captain Obvious), but we also learned how big the talent gap between Deshaun & Trevor, to DJ really is. Pre-snap reads, ball placement, and throwing guys open (on time) is missing

I think we have plenty of talent in the Receivers room, but the work needs to improve to utilize that talent.

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Re: TNET: Final Grades: Ar Clemson receivers still elite?


Jan 4, 2022, 9:01 AM

The problem isn't the talent, it's the limited diversity at the position. Bama, LSU, and Ohio State all had smaller, fast WRs that are great route runners. Those guys can complement each other well. They have the speed to beat you vertically. They have the speed to be threats in the screen game. They have the quickness to win in underneath routes. They have the quickness to get in and out of breaks against man coverage in short yardage situations.

Clemson rolls out with all 6'4 WRs and expects them to complement each other in the same way. But, they obviously can't. All of our WRs were great at vertical routes and 50/50 balls. We didn't have a threat in the screen game. We didn't have a threat in the slot. We didn't have that guy that could create instant separation on short yardage throws. Every defense we played prevented the deep ball by playing two high safeties the entire game. They forced us to either run the ball (which we couldn't at first) or beat is in underneath routes against man coverage (but we couldn't).

I am so glad we'll have more diversity moving forward. Spector, Stellato, Will Taylor, and Antonio Williams gives this offense something it didn't have this year. Hopefully one or two of them can have monster years.

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all 3 slot guys were basically hurt/out sick the entire year


Jan 4, 2022, 9:12 AM

I agree that we have to have that type and believe the coaches think so too. Just weren't available this year. Also think the big receivers play a critical role in our blocking for the running game, slot game, and YAC. I think this has been vastly ignored as a major problem this year. Again, points to injury and youth but also disappointed in the "veteran" guys when they were healthy and on the field from that perspective. The PFF #s prove that out.

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Re: all 3 slot guys were basically hurt/out sick the entire year


Jan 4, 2022, 9:35 AM

Antonio Williams this year and Nathaniel Joseph (if we can keep him) next year are demonstrating a willingness to adapt. It won't really help DJ that much. But fortunately, we'll have a two headed monster at RB next year. I have to believe that Pace and Shipley take pressure off DJ. And we return everyone on our offensive line. I have to believe that they will be better too.

Now, if only we can stay healthy.

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Re: TNET: Final Grades: Ar Clemson receivers still elite?


Jan 4, 2022, 12:35 PM [ in reply to Re: TNET: Final Grades: Ar Clemson receivers still elite? ]

Hopefully Spector, Stellato, Will Taylor, and Antonio Williams will give us four things that we didn't have this year.

1. Spector
2. Stellato
3. Taylor
4, Williams

LOL

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Re: TNET: Final WR grades: OH State over-rated WRs


Jan 4, 2022, 11:02 AM [ in reply to Re: TNET: Final Grades: Ar Clemson receivers still elite? ]

Surely OH State has fine WRs to go along with their outstanding overall team talent.

But to suggest that OH State is the new standard for collegiate WR excellence ... especially based on their Rose Bowl performance ... is off the mark.

Utah was down by their top 3 CBs against OH State, Utah had a 2nd string RB starting as a CB in the Rose Bowl.

Sorry, but nearly ANY college program's passing game would put up video game stats against Utah's Rose Bowl DB lineup.

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Re: TNET: Final WR grades: OH State over-rated WRs


Jan 4, 2022, 11:35 AM

Not just the rose Bowl because they OSU were missing 2? Top WR. Yes, jerks for quitting on their teammates imo. However in the last 2 years OSU and Bama have taken that mantle. It's the whole year and really not even close.

We will certainly get it back but the posts above were very well laid out.

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Re: TNET: Final WR grades: OH State over-rated WRs


Jan 4, 2022, 1:21 PM [ in reply to Re: TNET: Final WR grades: OH State over-rated WRs ]

Ohio State also played the game without 2 of their top 3 receivers. I wouldn't grant them to title of WRU yet simply because it's something you need to earn over several years IMO, but they've had a very impressive group of receivers over the past 2-3 years.

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Re: TNET: Final WR grades: OH State over-rated WRs***


Jan 15, 2022, 9:36 AM [ in reply to Re: TNET: Final WR grades: OH State over-rated WRs ]



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Re: TNET: Final WR grades: OH State over-rated WRs


Jan 15, 2022, 9:39 AM [ in reply to Re: TNET: Final WR grades: OH State over-rated WRs ]

What about the rest of year , i guess the other games the defenders were 2nd and 3rd string too . I guess CJ stroud isnt as good as DJ either.

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Re: TNET: Final WR grades: OH State over-rated WRs


Jan 4, 2022, 11:02 AM [ in reply to Re: TNET: Final Grades: Ar Clemson receivers still elite? ]

Surely OH State has fine WRs to go along with their outstanding overall team talent.

But to suggest that OH State is the new standard for collegiate WR excellence ... especially based on their Rose Bowl performance ... is off the mark.

Utah was down by their top 3 CBs against OH State, Utah had a 2nd string RB starting as a CB in the Rose Bowl.

Sorry, but nearly ANY college program's passing game would put up video game stats against Utah's DB lineup in the Rose Bowl.

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Re: TNET: Final Grades: Ar Clemson receivers still elite?


Jan 4, 2022, 11:17 AM [ in reply to Re: TNET: Final Grades: Ar Clemson receivers still elite? ]

Look at the ACC...let say that our Quarterback had an average rating in the ACC...we would have been undefeated and going to the dance and might have scored 3 TD's against the dogs...With the QB that we are accustomed to, we'd have been at the head of the class...maybe Venables got tired of pulling Dabos' butt out of the fire!

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Re: TNET: Final Grades: Ar Clemson receivers still elite?


Jan 4, 2022, 1:25 PM

Who would that average QB have thrown the ball to with all the injuries we had at receiver? I agree that DJU is responsible for a lot of our offensive issues this season, but he's far from being the only reason. To act like the poor blocking in the Georgia game that led to a lack of a running game and poor protection in the passing game didn't impact that game is crazy. To act like the injuries at receiver didn't impact our overall offensive play and not to mention any chemistry between DJU and his receivers is also crazy IMO. He seemed to develop pretty good chemistry with Collins late in the season which he really never had a chance to do with any other receiver because none could stay on the field consistently.

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Re: TNET: Final Grades: Ar Clemson receivers still elite?


Jan 4, 2022, 7:06 PM [ in reply to Re: TNET: Final Grades: Ar Clemson receivers still elite? ]

Your Point 3 is needed the most and will make the biggest difference. The ability to consistently throw with accuracy, understand the offense, move in the pocket and not stare down the first receiver, etc.

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Re: TNET: Final Grades: Ar Clemson receivers still elite?


Jan 11, 2022, 4:30 PM [ in reply to Re: TNET: Final Grades: Ar Clemson receivers still elite? ]

Bama too.

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Re: TNET: Final Grades: Down year for Clemson receivers slowed offense


Jan 4, 2022, 8:27 AM

The high drop rate was a result of DJ not throwing a perfect spiral every time. It's on him, not our WRs. We were great around him, he was just bad.

Or, at least that's what most people on this message board have led me to believe.

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And the throws dropped that were on the money?


Jan 4, 2022, 9:22 AM

Listening to most of the yahoo’s here about the why’s is an act of ignorance.

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Re: TNET: Final Grades: Down year for Clemson receivers slowed offense


Jan 4, 2022, 9:31 AM [ in reply to Re: TNET: Final Grades: Down year for Clemson receivers slowed offense ]

While it doesn't explain anything, DJ does throw one hell of an ugly spiral. Even that *TD* pass to Shipley that he dropped was a duck. Maybe it's the finger, who knows

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Re: TNET: Final Grades: Down year for Clemson receivers slowed offense


Jan 4, 2022, 11:23 AM

Ever seen DJ warm up? He overthrows on a simple pitch & catch exercise.

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F. They were the worst unit. From Blocking to drops, to


Jan 4, 2022, 8:54 AM

route running, to not fighting for the ball at times, to not winning 50/50 balls. We had better receiver prod/receivers when we were an option team 30-40 years ago. Injuries played a big role. Compounded by youth. QB and OL play early didn't help but this team would have been immensely better with leadership and production we are accustomed to seeing from this unit. There are some talented guys there and more joining them so hoping we stay injury free and see great improvement needed next year. I think we will.

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Re: TNET: Final Grades: Down year for Clemson receivers slowed offense


Jan 4, 2022, 9:29 AM

2 takes:

1) I was surprised and disappointed to see that Ross was our leading receiver. I don't remember him doing anything all season--that just shows how bad our WR were

2) Anyone else tired of reading in the offseason about how all of our young WR are gaining experience and are going to step up next year? Been seeing this since 2018.

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Re: TNET: Final Grades: Down year for Clemson receivers slowed offense


Jan 4, 2022, 10:35 AM

Besides Ross, we have struck out on most of our WR recruits the past 3 years. Sad that Ross had the health issues he could have been an all-timer. Hoping some of the new WR's are ballers.

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Re: TNET: Final Grades: Down year for Clemson receivers slowed offense


Jan 4, 2022, 10:50 AM

Well that pretty much says it all - when your best receiver barely makes a C- that tells you all you need to know. Hopefully some folks will cut out the WRU tag they have been using for some unknown reason until we can back it up! Work to be done.

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You could really just call it a down CAREER for the


Jan 4, 2022, 10:53 AM

Ladson / Ngata combo. Injuries and whatever, they just have not been able to live up to the standards set by many of their predecessors at "WRU".

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Re: You could really just call it a down CAREER for the


Jan 4, 2022, 1:31 PM

The injuries suck because both guys showed a lot of potential IMO. I know Ladson had a few drops when he was healthy last season but I was excited for his potential based on his ability to get open. Ngata has made some big catches including this season but he's had 2 straight seasons of nagging injuries. Ladson is obviously gone now but hopefully Ngata can put together a healthy year next season and ball out.

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Re: TNET: Final Grades: Down year for Clemson receivers slowed offense


Jan 4, 2022, 1:18 PM

I haven't look to see the eligibility status on our receivers, but all that can come back, they really should bc NFL scouts don't have a lot of positives to report to their owners and HCs of our receiving core this past season, and that goes for Ross also bc, he didn't show out like he did before the neck surgery. He just didn't have a very good year after surgery, and the year that he did have may send him to the 4th, 5th round of the draft.

Here is Ross's stats after surgery in 2021 season,

REC YDS AVG TD LNG ATT YDS AVG TD LNG FUM LST
46 514 11.2 3 36 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0

Here is Ross's stats prior to surgery, 2019, and 2018 season stats. Ross had neck surgery in the spring of 2020, and he missed all of the 2020 season in recovery. He had the same number receptions in his freshman season, as he did this season, with his freshman season showing he was a better player than his last season after surgery, And that is exactly way he should come back and prove himself in 2022.

2019
66 865 13.1 8 59 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0

2018
46 1,000 21.7 9 74 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0

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Re: TNET: Final Grades: Down year for Clemson receivers slowed offense


Jan 4, 2022, 1:34 PM

Though Ross would likely go higher after another year, he would be gambling more than most. He'll get drafted even if it is in the 4th or 5th round. Signing bonus and making the team will make him more money than many of us will in a lifetime.

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Re: TNET: Final Grades: Down year for Clemson receivers slowed offense


Jan 4, 2022, 10:48 PM

Ross may be better on an NFL practice squad in 2022 with NFL coaching and QB's. Hope he can recuperate to and beyond his pre-injury levels. He was special in 2018.

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Re: TNET: Final Grades: Down year for Clemson receivers slowed offense


Jan 11, 2022, 4:26 PM [ in reply to Re: TNET: Final Grades: Down year for Clemson receivers slowed offense ]

I hope so for him - its a gamble either way in his position right now. Such a shame based on how he started - I hope he can be his old self again wherever he lands.

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Re: TNET: Final Grades: Down year for Clemson receivers slowed offense


Jan 11, 2022, 4:32 PM [ in reply to Re: TNET: Final Grades: Down year for Clemson receivers slowed offense ]

Maybe he would go the same in a year wit DJ sucking again? Might as well come out and get going on that rookie contract.

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Re: TNET: Final Grades: Down year for Clemson receivers slowed offense


Jan 4, 2022, 1:35 PM [ in reply to Re: TNET: Final Grades: Down year for Clemson receivers slowed offense ]

Ross could probably improve his draft position by coming back, but keep in mind he was most likely hoping to leave at the end of the 2020 season so staying another year would put him 2 years behind where he wanted to be without any guarantee of improving his position. He does at least have his first 2 seasons here to show scouts what he can do so if he does well in the combine he should still land in a pretty decent position in the draft IMO.

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Thank you!


Jan 4, 2022, 2:52 PM

Appreciate all the comments. More "Final Grades" coming soon!

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Good article. Interesting to see receiving & blocking grades


Jan 13, 2022, 2:41 PM

WR blocking has degraded ever since Morris left. It was a point of emphasis for him. The great teams have great receiver-blocking. Many of our screens and swings go nowhere because the receivers don't block well. Watch how well Bama's WR block.

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