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YOUR BALANCE
TNET: Caldwell looking to replace four starters on the offensive line
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TNET: Caldwell looking to replace four starters on the offensive line


Jan 19, 2020, 10:10 AM

 
Caldwell looking to replace four starters on the offensive line

Clemson offensive line coach Robbie Caldwell has a tall task in the spring as he begins the process of replacing four veteran starters and a key reserve on the line.
Full Story »


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Re: TNET: Caldwell looking to replace four starters on the offensive line


Jan 19, 2020, 10:24 AM

This is my biggest concern about the 2020 team. Like 2018, the O-line might take several games to hit stride.

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Re: TNET: Caldwell looking to replace four starters on the offensive line


Jan 19, 2020, 10:41 AM

We need to stay very healthy, but luckily we play in the ACC and might have time to gel.

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This is where I wish we would be open to transfers.


Jan 19, 2020, 10:30 AM

Yes, I know this is not Dabo's philosophy but if a young man has high character and would represent the university well I don't understand why we couldn't take a few transfers to fill holes in areas where we could use them. It seems like the OL will be the biggest challenge for us and with Etienne coming back and a need to protect Trevor we really need to have a solid and deep line. Injuries are inevitable also. A transfer, two or three could be a major help.

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Re: This is where I wish we would be open to transfers.


Jan 19, 2020, 10:48 AM

Sounds good on the surface but it would essentially break Dabo's promise to the moms and dads and kids he talks to that put in their time and effort waiting on their time to shine... Plus, moreso than any position, knowing the playbook is the most important.

What incentive would nyles or Jordan had on dline if Dabo had chunked them for a kid that is a one or two year.

Read the other articles that players speak about.
The Clemson experience is more than just weights and football.

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I agree with Dabo's transfer policy for the most part, but


Jan 19, 2020, 7:47 PM

don't really see much difference between a kid being "out recruited" at a position by a freshman coming in, or by a transfer coming in. Better talent should play in either instance. Dabo not taking transfers is more about protecting the culture he has built, IMHO.

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What holes are we needed to fill


Jan 19, 2020, 11:38 AM [ in reply to This is where I wish we would be open to transfers. ]

transfers are transferring because they got buried on the depth chart. Our first 5 will be solid and experienced and a lot of talent is waiting

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Re: This is where I wish we would be open to transfers.


Jan 19, 2020, 1:58 PM [ in reply to This is where I wish we would be open to transfers. ]

With ETN coming back I'm sure he knew what the situation with the O line was going to be but, he is choosing to come back anyway, and it's probably bc he knows more than any of us what the O line can be with what we have and coming back and coming in. One of last year's Freshman O lineman that we haven't heard all that much about, but he had in game snaps last season, is Putnam. I'm hoping he will have a monster season in 2020 after another off season in the weight room, and I think that Putnam will be a bigger stronger Mitch Hyatt. Anyway, I'm sure that ETN knew what he is coming back to in 2020....

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Re: This is where I wish we would be open to transfers.


Jan 19, 2020, 3:00 PM [ in reply to This is where I wish we would be open to transfers. ]

When you say that, it means you don’t trust our recruiting strategy. What happened to “next man up”?

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Re: TNET: Caldwell looking to replace four starters on the offensive line


Jan 19, 2020, 10:40 AM

This is one of the times when our schedule should play to our advantage. Coach Caldwell should have time to get everybody some experience before ND, and then hopefully post-season. We will be thin, but barring injuries, I believe that we will be OK.

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I feel better after reading the article....


Jan 19, 2020, 10:58 AM

Starters this past season had 3265 snaps between them and next years core will have 2051 snaps between then...would have been more if not for Vinson's knee surgery...plus the best incoming OL we've ever signed....

Certainly not best case, but far from what I thought.

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Re: I feel better after reading the article....


Jan 19, 2020, 11:06 AM

Vinson knee surgery was dissapointing. Would have loved to see what a healthy BV would have played. He'd been seasoned by the eoy.

Just like the dline this year, we'll likely role TL out more etc. Change our scheme but it'll be great to see the new guys in the spring. A couple have a good chance to make 2 deep.

Plus we have much more experience at TE. Helps a ton.

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IMO-This is where we have sometimes suffered in last 10 yrs***


Jan 19, 2020, 12:17 PM



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Re: TNET: Caldwell looking to replace four starters on the offensive line


Jan 19, 2020, 12:57 PM

This a huge deal because no blocking equals no scoring. The skill pieces are in place for another championship run if the line comes forward.

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It looks like Rayburn, Boateng, and at least 3 true freshmen


Jan 19, 2020, 1:23 PM

OL will have to grow up fast.

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Re: TNET: Caldwell looking to replace four starters on the offensive line


Jan 19, 2020, 1:35 PM

Try some new people at OL that were previously designated as DL.

Most of these kids played both in High School.

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I think the OL has has been weak link more than anywhere


Jan 19, 2020, 2:15 PM

Else before Dabo became HC. They are usually being pushed around more than not when we are playing better teams. I don’t know if the answer is a different position coach or what.

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NO FARMERS NO FOOD


Re: I think the OL has has been weak link more than anywhere


Jan 19, 2020, 2:21 PM

Give Robby the talent on the O line that the big name schools were always getting, and Robby can be as good of a O line coach as there is in the country. It all starts and ends with top talent, especially on the O line!!!

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Re: I think the OL has has been weak link more than anywhere


Jan 20, 2020, 9:03 AM

I agree - allorange ... and - now we are bringing in those elite recruits!! -<img border=">

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If people were as good as their obituary - and products were as good as advertised - this would truly be a wonderful world !!


Re: I think the OL has has been weak link more than anywhere


Jan 20, 2020, 3:38 PM

Exactly, by the 3d or 4th game, our Offense and defense should be clicking, that's my opinion anyway!!!

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Re: I think the OL has has been weak link more than anywhere


Feb 24, 2020, 12:45 AM

Yep - think both will be in full-on go mode by then !! -<img border=">

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If people were as good as their obituary - and products were as good as advertised - this would truly be a wonderful world !!


Re: I think the OL has has been weak link more than anywhere


Jan 19, 2020, 3:09 PM [ in reply to I think the OL has has been weak link more than anywhere ]


Else before Dabo became HC. They are usually being pushed around more than not when we are playing better teams. I don’t know if the answer is a different position coach or what.




I'm not a professional OL coach. I'm not an anything coach. Played HS ball like most. Played lower-level 1AA as a DL. But I'll offer an opinion, maybe not popular, for consideration.

I think one issue is recruiting. CU is at an inflection point from being a regional recruiter to a national one. So the talent pool is now getting bigger... bigger pool = more "better" kids that are a fit for our culture that we compete for and get. Better raw materials will eventually get you a better product, all things being equal.

CRC is an experienced OL coach and was considered and upgrade when we got him. He is still a good coach. We have all ACC lines and linemen all the time... and the OL has been good enough to get us to what 4 natties in a row? So, IMHO it's not him.

Now comes the unpopular part.... I think that our issues when even matched with better teams is 1. Scheme and 2. A by product of getting what you prioritize.

1. Shotgun one-back is most advantageous for the passing game. Least advantageous for the run. Run plays develop slow by definition if you have to shotgun it to a QB who then hands it off to a RB who can't start attacking the LOS until the QB has the ball in his hands and makes a move to handoff. Then on top of that once the RB gets the ball he has to run 4 yards just to get to the LOS... meanwhile all this time your OL has to hold holes open. The only exception to this is to direct snap to a back moving at the snap (a la old single wing). Not something that is commonly done in modern football.

1a. RPO calls make things even worse for the OL. RPO gives flexibility post snap but retards violence of execution for the RB and the OL. OL can't aggessivly pursue blocks downfield and can never be sure that TLaw isn't going to pull it and be looking to throw. So the OL always has it in their heads that they might have to control their guy even longer than the already long time that they have to for a normal run. Which brings me to opinon #2.

2. We never prioritize a run game so our OL never has to develop an internal identity as people movers. OL balls get bigger with every 4yrd rush. You have to keep them growing with more runs.

What do you think the staff prioritzes... moving people.. or protecting TLaw??? CRC is at the bottom of the totem pole. CDS and CTE run the show. In practice or a game... Outside RPO called (again) I aggressively get into my guy...will i get in more trouble if I don't move him off the LOS or if he slips off of me and hits TLaw after he pulls it out and drops back with it? I say protecting TLaw is likely a priority and our team is coached that way, so the OL play accordingly... you get what you prioritze!

We need to get out of the 100% shotgun, RPO scheme and get under center and have some plays where our RB runs downhill and hits quick. TLaw can still drop back and throw a Play action pass, trust me. Sometimes a DL flat out will over match our OL...well then you have to help them out. We somehow refuse to do that.

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Re: I think the OL has has been weak link more than anywhere


Jan 19, 2020, 6:58 PM

If we just had an oline maybe ETN could gain some yardage

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Re: I think the OL has has been weak link more than anywhere


Jan 20, 2020, 8:58 AM [ in reply to Re: I think the OL has has been weak link more than anywhere ]

How silly is it to complain about one of the very best offenses in the country. TLaw was off in the championship game or Clemson scores more and Etienne rushed for 1,600 yards with his backup getting over 600.
That's just incredible to be whining about that. Just incredible. Sounds like a spoiled child. Clemson finally lost a game after 29 in a row and a huge win over Alabama in the previous championship. 2 out of 4 national titles and somebody is complaining about the offense. Wow.

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Re: I think the OL has has been weak link more than anywhere


Jan 20, 2020, 11:05 AM [ in reply to Re: I think the OL has has been weak link more than anywhere ]

Very good post/reply, though I get the feeling you would be in favor of a switch to a Pro-set-too much time & study required

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Re: TNET: Caldwell looking to replace four starters on the offensive line


Jan 19, 2020, 2:17 PM

From what everybody has said in this entire thread, not one person other than myself has mentioned 4.78* 2019 true freshman William Putnam. Has there been something not so good about him that I haven't heard about bc, it is a O lineman like Putnam that made me smile big time when he signed with us bc I saw in him a bigger stronger Mitch Hyatt with a nasty big ugly attitude, and he had snaps as true freshman in I think it was 11 games this past season???

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Re: TNET: Caldwell looking to replace four starters on the offensive line


Jan 19, 2020, 2:43 PM

Putnam did more than fine this year, if you ask me.

I'm a FL guy so I've kinda followed him especially after he cropped up on the Wrestling scene.

His footwork improved over high school and over time this season (eliminated false steps, narrowed stance slightly so as to not be out of a power position on first step). His pass pro has improved, specifically his punch. He was able to get away with hand fighting and giving up ground while riding guys outside as a HS RT, but can't do that as a D1 college interior OL. He was shaky early, not letting DL by him or really being out muscled, but rather backing up into the QB. He then developed a consistent punch and developed a better anchor to protect the depth of the pocket. Improved over the season He also now knows the playbook. In a pre-natty interview he said that all his maxes went up, he's lost bodyfat and gained muscle.

He still needs to improve his second level blocking. Tends to overrun LB's trying to kill them. Simple fix with off-season drill work and film study on how LBs will flow to the ball. Get after them fast for where they will be, yet breakdown and settle before making contact. I would say similar when pulling and sealing as a lead blocker. Needs to stay lower and be ready for contact at the corner. He's able to get out in front and lead the play so this is by far a minor thing to fix.

He's an underclassman interior OL not a 6'6" tackle. He's not going to get a lot of press or notice.

I too liked his HS film. In fact, if you want to see what really got him noticed initially...go watch his 9th grade (Varsity) and 10th Grade film. Nasty player. Cade Mays nasty. He appeared to dial back a bit 11th and 12th years. Maybe he got too many flags.

If Vinson would not have been injured, Putnam may have red shirted. (Can't know that for sure). But with BV out, that pretty much sealed the deal. We have Cade Stewart, Blake Vinson, Hunter Rayburn and Putnam vying for the OC and RG positions. I think Putnam gets a football put in his hands to cross-train at OC during the spring.

IT's going to be interesting how it shakes out...especially after Rayburn has had a year in power-hour... and putnam didn't get that, but got a years worth of game prep and game reps. Big time competition coming in the Spring.

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Re: TNET: Caldwell looking to replace four starters on the offensive line


Jan 19, 2020, 4:45 PM

I think that he will get very much better and will be a nasty hard load to deal with for DL opponents starting this season, and a lot of his improvement will bc he is a very smart kid with athletic skills and ability. Thanks Slycat, I was wondering why his name wasn't being brought up, just saying!!!

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Re: TNET: Caldwell looking to replace four starters on the offensive line


Jan 19, 2020, 8:34 PM


I think that he will get very much better and will be a nasty hard load to deal with for DL opponents starting this season, and a lot of his improvement will bc he is a very smart kid with athletic skills and ability. Thanks Slycat, I was wondering why his name wasn't being brought up, just saying!!!




I don't think I answered your question about why nooone has mentioned him. Rather, I offered my opinion. He's just not getting mentioned...because he didn't start. CU gives great deference to seniority AND they do a good job of keeping Freshmen (for the most part) out of the limelight if they can. It just makes sense. Frosh don't need the added pressure AND they don't need to get a big head.

Him and Vinson will battle it out for the starting spot. Up to those two who earns the nod. However I believe that Bockhorst and Putnam would make for a nasty 2/3 of an interior OL at some point. Bockhorst is a mauler. Putnam can be at this level. Has had some flashes on film. We just need to call the run plays and challenge them to road grade. I think they will step up.

I am a wrestling fan. Putnam being a Wrestler and a military kid (moved around a lot) tells me all I need to know about his mental makeup. It just remains to be seen if he can stay healthy and perform. Blake Vinson is a dedicated Tiger who gets his own vote in this, Lol! Do not count him out. Competition! Makes everyone better.

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Re: TNET: Caldwell looking to replace four starters on the offensive line


Jan 20, 2020, 7:27 AM

Some great insight from "Slycat"

Clemson has been developing depth at all positions from the time Dabo installed his philosophies.

If I'm not mistaken, he told Venables that he "would" substitute freely early in games. Now BV is a disciple of that theory.

As far as the OL. We do have the luxury having better talent than everyone in the ACC, and most of the rest of the country. Yes, we also have the advantage of playing an ACC schedule.

What I would like to see, especially with ETN coming back, is a series of packages in 12 personnel. Yes, with Trevor under center. Jaelyn Lay has the size to be an OT, and Braden Galloway is not afraid to block. They both have skills as receivers, and should be used for this in 11 personnel only.

Imagine the possibilities of play action from under center, once we get to the playoff?

The best is yet to come.

Can't wait. Spot the #### ball.

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Re: One of things that needs to simmer this off season


Jan 19, 2020, 7:34 PM

is on the defense. LSU gained nearly 700 yards of offense on Clemson. now the question will be how will the defense respond in 2020. My guess will be the new offensive line will take a whipping in practice everyday until they are ready to play. I'm also guessing ETN will run next year with his hair on fire and Trevor will play with a confidence unmatched by anyone. The 2020 team now has a real chip on their shoulder.

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Re: TNET: Caldwell looking to replace four starters on the offensive line


Jan 19, 2020, 7:48 PM

Caldwell will have to earn his dinner next year like Venables did this year.

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Re: TNET: Caldwell looking to replace four starters on the offensive line


Jan 19, 2020, 8:20 PM

TigerRam81 said:

Caldwell will have to earn his dinner next year like Venables did this year.




I think you are right, re: Caldwell and Venables (who, IMO, did more with less for the most part).

Elliot didn't earn his dinner this year. The problem is that Caldwell works for Elliot. We are a pass first, RPO offense...wich relies on QB and WR talent to out-athlete the opponent. So that's the blocking that you get. Protect TLaw. Primary. Move people.. not so important. Not emphasized. Not demanded. That impacts attitude, aggressiveness and yes, technique. CRC played in the '70s and has coached since then, he can get the job done and coach the best techniques to do what is asked.

IMO... CTE needs to make some scheme changes and more importantly needs to throw down and declare (internally) to the offense that he is committed to the run and then practice like it. Load the box with the defense and then demand the OL, TEs and RB (no dancing around hit the hole) play man-ball. And then, show confidence and demand performance during the games.

He needs to do this, IMO, to take some pressure off of TLaw. TLaw had mechanical issues and was throwing high early in the season... THen those same came back during the post-season. Dude, take some of the pressure off him. Stop th RPO, Run the ball, play action... allow him to throw on the run where he is the most natural. If TLaw and the WR are on... sure throw the jump balls on the edges.. but if your players need help, then change to help them.

I also think that we have a large stable of quality RB returning... why not go some two-back offense? Just a little?

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Re: TNET: Caldwell looking to replace four starters on the offensive line


Jan 19, 2020, 10:07 PM

That’s it, I’m calling Dabo. We’ve got to opt out of this season until we get some more cline guys in here or change what has gotten us to how many nattys and playoffs now? I forget. Dang. I was looking forward to watching our guys play. Oh well, straight to basketball in August.

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Re: TNET: Caldwell looking to replace four starters on the offensive line


Jan 20, 2020, 12:09 AM

Tigerluvr said:

That’s it, I’m calling Dabo. We’ve got to opt out of this season until we get some more cline guys in here or change what has gotten us to how many nattys and playoffs now? I forget. Dang. I was looking forward to watching our guys play. Oh well, straight to basketball in August.


;

Ok call him. IF you can get past the fact that your are a nut case, you can have a convo with him on his OC experience.

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I'm not concerned.


Jan 20, 2020, 3:55 PM

Robbie has turned out good-great O Lines with less talent for years now.

Our recruiting has steadily improved over the past 10 years. So there is plenty of talent, and the schedule will allow for growth.

I'm confidant with Jackson returning (in possibly the most important position), the amount of snaps the backups got last year (it was A LOT....more than any other back up group in the country) and cross training that's been built into our system the last few years, we're going to be just fine.


Next man up!

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