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Orange Blooded [2507]
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Thoughts on the 2015 freshmen (Long)
Jun 22, 2015, 9:33 AM
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QB: Kelly Bryant is more talented then Tucker plain and simple. He's being groomed as Watson's replacement so I think he'll take a RS, especially if Suchslerr is playing well. No need to waste a RS year when he won't play.
WR: Cain and McCloud are going to give DC's nightmares. You have a WR corp of Williams, Scott, Peake, Hopper, Cain, and Mccloud. Good luck guarding against that. I think this corp is more talented then our 2011-2012 years with Nuk and Sammy
TE: Williams will take a RS as we have too much talent ahead of him. He's the complete package imo though. I wouldn't be surprised to see him push for PT next year.
OL: JF and Hyatt are going to avoid RS and play a lot this year. Both are some of the most technically sounds OTs we've had in over a decade. The way they move their feet and use their hands is outstanding. Joe Gore and Battle better step up or they'll be sitting down.
DL: Bryant, Wilkins, and Huggins are definitely avoiding a RS. Though I think Cervanka is the dark horse I believe he should take a RS just because of the depth at DT we will have (Reader, Watkins, Pagano, Wilkins, Robinson). Ferrell and Davis need to add weight I think but if Ferrell is fully healed from his injury then watch out. That guy has Vic Beasley type speed of the edge.
LB: I really think we RS Chad Smith. We have enough depth with the upper classmen and the RS freshmen we took last cycle.
DB: Fields is not taking a RS and will more then likely take the other CB spot across from Alexander. Van Smith, Chamblers and Tanner Muse will take a RS, all three are good players though.
Looking at this roster we have talent everywhere and seriously can make a run this year. As long as Watson stays healthy no one is stopping our offense, period. We have elite talent at every offensive position and the OL actually looks like it will be above average, hopefully.
The defense will have to grow up though. All of the first string guys are veterans that have played a bit so they will be fine but depth is huge and while the second string guys are just as talented, if not moreso, then the guys in front of them they will have to grow up and learn to play at the college level in terms of speed. I have full confidence in Venables and the defensive staff though.
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Orange Blooded [2227]
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Good post. Offense is in good hands with those players
Jun 22, 2015, 9:44 AM
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in the near future.
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Orange Blooded [4098]
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Re: Good post. Offense is in good hands with those players
Jun 22, 2015, 9:49 AM
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agree.. good post. I sure appreciate this.
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Legend [17220]
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LOL --- #LookingForwardtoFootball. ..... but I have learned
Jun 22, 2015, 9:47 AM
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that the transition from HS to college is always difficult to predict.
The rate of adaptation from learning assignments to the speed & strength of opposition is really unknown. Some can't miss guys miss - like Bellamy. Some guys who are forgotton early in their career are first rounders like Vic Beasley.
As a group of incoming freshmen, it sure does look like there are a lot of guys that could be major contributors before their Clemson career ends. I am hoping one particular guy becomes a special team home run star.
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Orange Blooded [2507]
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Agree completely on that.
Jun 22, 2015, 9:52 AM
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Thankfully except for one or two positions we aren't expecting this freshmen to come in and start. McCloud or Fields well get first looks at PR/KR and Fields is expected to step in at the opposite CB spot from Alexander but that's it really. Every other position has a veteran guy up front so the freshmen can take a couple games to get their feet wet.
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Standout [338]
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We need freshman contributions for depth
Jun 22, 2015, 10:32 AM
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Looking only at the starting 22/26 players, we don't have to have freshmen contribute. There are probably only 2 potential starting spots open for true freshmen, CB and PR, and luckily, we have two freshmen with the potential to step into those roles. Given the learning curve both on and off the field, it's far from a slam dunk that either will fill those roles, but they might.
Where we REALLY need the freshmen is for depth. Gore might lose his starting spot on the OL to a freshman, but a more likely scenario is for a freshman to step up when one of the starting 5 gets hurt. The DL is where we most need contributions from freshmen, both on the edge and in the interior. DE might be where the need is greatest, but interior defensive linemen typically need to be spelled more often. Wilkins may be the most important freshman on the team. At DE, I think the freshman contribution comes from RS frosh, not true, but time will tell on that one.
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Orange Blooded [2507]
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A Tr Fr will have to play behind Dodd at SDE
Jun 22, 2015, 10:41 AM
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It will be either Bryant or Huggins, or both. I consider Huggins a DT but he wants to try and play SDE and the staff probably will let him for a few games.
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All-TigerNet [14233]
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Wilkins will be tried at SDE.***
Jun 23, 2015, 11:52 AM
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Orange Blooded [2507]
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Where have you heard that? Wilkins is a DT all the way
Jun 23, 2015, 12:53 PM
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Huggins wants to play SDE but I think he'll be a DT as well.
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All-TigerNet [14233]
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Re: Where have you heard that? Wilkins is a DT all the way
Jun 23, 2015, 1:03 PM
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Ryan Bartow. The coaches are going to try him there. He's a freak athlete for his size. Moves better than most.
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CU Guru [1476]
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Re: Where have you heard that? Wilkins is a DT all the way
Jun 23, 2015, 2:12 PM
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That is absolute genius.
Wilkins is cat like quick and you're not moving him easy. He could really set the edge at SDE. We need a baller at that position.
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CU Guru [1330]
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Legend [15501]
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Re: Thoughts on the 2015 freshmen (Long)
Jun 22, 2015, 9:53 AM
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Nice! I think we are very solid now and into the future. I do not worry about the freshmen we have coming in. They are like the juniors we used to have on our teams. We have quality players and quality depth at almost all positions. This should be a fun season to watch us return to the dominance we had so often under DF.
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Orange Blooded [2111]
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Re: Thoughts on the 2015 freshmen (Long)
Jun 22, 2015, 9:58 AM
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I still see something in Tucker Israel. I know most think he is too short, or they would rather just see Bryant be the heir to Watson. I just can't for the life of me say who is going to RS and who isn't based on 1 spring game. I like both of them personally but I just see too many people writing off Tucker and I just can't do that yet.
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Orange Blooded [2507]
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The problem is that his limitations are pretty apparant
Jun 22, 2015, 10:10 AM
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He came from a pass happy offense so of the two of them he's further along in that aspect moreso then Bryant. However in our offense we have to have a QB that can run and use the read option, or at least be a threat to do either. He was never asked to do that in HS and he looks uncomfortable with it. Bryant is everything we need in a QB for our system. I see Isreal being a great and solid backup here but I don't think he'll ever start unless we have a slew of injuries. With Cooper coming in next year I think either Bryant or Isreal will transfer sooner or later and I think it'll be Isreal.
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CU Guru [1476]
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Tucker can sling it...
Jun 23, 2015, 12:25 PM
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For some reason I get the feeling he is just one of those 'Gamer' types where he underwhelms you with his size and practice, but someone goes down in a critical spot and he comes in and just lights it up through the air. He will absolutely win some games for us with his arm alone at some point in his career.
You don't break all of Timmy Tebow's high school records by accident.
And you don't have to be as tall as Logan Thomas to be good at QB.
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Orange Blooded [2111]
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Re: The problem is that his limitations are pretty apparant
Jun 23, 2015, 12:46 PM
[ in reply to The problem is that his limitations are pretty apparant ] |
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They may have not run the read option but Israel is smart with running to. 1314 career rushing yards 5.9 ypc 18 rtd
Not bad for a "non-running" QB
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Legend [15492]
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Re: Thoughts on the 2015 freshmen (Long)
Jun 22, 2015, 2:36 PM
[ in reply to Re: Thoughts on the 2015 freshmen (Long) ] |
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> I still see something in Tucker Israel. I know most > think he is too short, or they would rather just see > Bryant be the heir to Watson. I just can't for the > life of me say who is going to RS and who isn't based > on 1 spring game. I like both of them personally but > I just see too many people writing off Tucker and I > just can't do that yet.
I have to agree with you friend. A lot of people wrote of Grady Jarrett because of his size. I can't see how Tucker Israel became the all time career passing and passing touchdown leader out of Florida by accident. In career passing (15,034) he beat out the next closest guy by 3449 yards. In career passing td's (162) he beat out the next closest guy by 36 td's. You can't achieve that level of success without knowing how to seriously dance away from defenders in the backfield.
No, I agree with you. I think that's why Dabo wanted him. I believe that much like Drew Brees, and Russell Wilson size don't matter.
Go Tigers
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Legend [15501]
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Re: Thoughts on the 2015 freshmen (Long)
Jun 23, 2015, 11:38 AM
[ in reply to Re: Thoughts on the 2015 freshmen (Long) ] |
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I also remember Cole Stoudt being anointed as the coming of a great QB before the season started last year, and how did that end up. Granted he played good in the bowl game, but he certainly wasn't the guy who "gave us the best chance to win" during the season. I hope Watson can stay healthy this year. He is awesome, but I see great talent in both KB and TI. I also will admit that Scheussler looked good in the Spring. Great news is we seem to have some real quality depth at the position.
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Commissioner [908]
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Freshman need to settle in quickly, but could be great***
Jun 22, 2015, 10:31 AM
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Head Coach [762]
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Re: Thoughts on the 2015 freshmen (Long)
Jun 22, 2015, 10:44 AM
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Ferrell is 255 now
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Orange Blooded [2507]
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Then as long as his knee is fully healed he'll play
Jun 22, 2015, 10:55 AM
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We need a back up behind Lawson at WDE and i don't think Yeargin has enough weight yet
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All-American [566]
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Re: Thoughts on the 2015 freshmen (Long)
Jun 22, 2015, 11:17 AM
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I agree with most of your assessment. The offense is deep and talented and for once, the OL looks to be solid and in above average shape...that will be huge for us. I agree with the common mantra, "if DW4 stays healthy" we will be unstoppable plain and simple. Too much talent around him to deny it.
What I don't get is everyone's unfaithfulness in the defense. Sure we lost a lot, but I think we have a better option at safety than Smith, a just as adequate, healthier rotation at LB and a DL oozing with potential in Lawson, Reader, Watkins, Dodd, Register, Yeargin, Pagano, Huggins, Bryant and Wilkins. Not to mention we have the best DC in CFB in Venables. I'm not pumping here but IMO we can be just as capable as last season. The only thing I think we are missing is that edge rusher in Beasley, but due to Venables scheme, and use of the blitz and a capable secondary I think we can make up for that. I definitely see a lot of potential there.
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Oculus Spirit [93604]
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I don't think it's possible to be #1 two YIAR but...
Jun 22, 2015, 11:39 AM
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there's no way all that talent returning and the additions to our defense is going to drop far out of the top ten.
A secondary like ours covers a multitude of sin.
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Orange Blooded [2507]
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I think we'll be a top 20-25 D this year
Jun 23, 2015, 11:47 AM
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Even the best secondary is going to have a problem covering WRs for 5 of more seconds. If we can get a pretty good pass rush then we'll be in business.
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Orange Blooded [2507]
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Oh I agree the potential of the defense is huge
Jun 22, 2015, 11:44 AM
[ in reply to Re: Thoughts on the 2015 freshmen (Long) ] |
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However right now a lot of that potential is young players. In terms of star power we might have the most talented D we've had in years but you never know how long it will take a young guy to get used tot he speed of the game. I'd say the first 14 players on our defense (11 starters and 3 backups) are very solid and veanbles has complete confidence in them. It's the rest that we have to wait and see.
If they gel quickly then the drop off will not be as huge as some people think. WE won't be No.1 but we have the talent and potential to bet op 25 easily. Combine that with a top 10 offense and no one on ours schedule can beat us.
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All-TigerNet [11161]
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Summary: WE TOO DEEP!
Jun 22, 2015, 2:37 PM
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GO TIGERS!
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All-TigerNet [14233]
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Good break down but Ferrell is saying he's at 255 lbs.
Jun 23, 2015, 11:51 AM
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If his knee looks good he probably avoids a RS as well.
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Orange Blooded [2507]
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Tha's great news! He'll play WDE and Bryant will be a SDE
Jun 23, 2015, 12:55 PM
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Both of those guys were highly rated but suffered injuries their senior year so many of the fan base isn't talking about them as much as we should. Both were top 15 DEs and will be pushing the guys in front of them. Yeargin needs to add weight and Register needs to learn how to play DE but both of them are talented as well. Our DE depth is going to go from paper then to ocean deep very soon.
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CU Guru [1330]
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Re: Good break down but Ferrell is saying he's at 255 lbs.
Jun 23, 2015, 1:55 PM
[ in reply to Good break down but Ferrell is saying he's at 255 lbs. ] |
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Clelin Ferrell at 6'5, 255 is a scary thought. He has the frame to end up as a 6'5, 275 lb defensive end with freakish athleticism - a potential first round pick. Obviously his technique will need some work, but his ability to add weight was my biggest question about him and it's fair to say he's answered that.
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Head Coach [785]
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Re: Thoughts on the 2015 freshmen (Long)
Jun 23, 2015, 1:14 PM
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Can't forget about Thompson at wide receiver. I think he's gonna surprise some people
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All-TigerNet [14233]
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We're so deep
Jun 23, 2015, 1:15 PM
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we forget about 4* guys.
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All-TigerNet [12505]
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That's what Chad Kelly's girlfriend said
Jun 23, 2015, 1:20 PM
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wait... wut?
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Orange Blooded [2507]
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Yeah I forgot about Bell as well at WR. But he's a RS
Jun 23, 2015, 2:04 PM
[ in reply to Re: Thoughts on the 2015 freshmen (Long) ] |
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Still every player in our WR corp is a former 4-5 star. That's an insane amount of talent.
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Replies: 33
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