Bowden To Evaluate QBs Before Naming a Starter |
CLEMSON - Simplifying the offense and deciding on a starting quarterback
remain Tommy Bowden's top priorities as Clemson gets back to work this week. With the specter of last Thursday's 38-6 debacle at the hands of N.C. State still hanging over the fan base, the Tigers try to put it out of their minds and focus on a Duke team that suddenly looks less like a pushover than ever before. Pressed on what changes might be coming, Bowden was his usual cautious self. "I really don't want to tell you exactly what we're doing," he said. "They (Duke) can get your paper, too, so I don't want to say too much. But we are concentrating on some specific things, things we can execute." Part of the change is expected to benefit the offensive line. With the group still trying to forge a cohesiveness already made difficult enough because of injuries, Bowden and his offensive staff are expected to ask less of the unit from an assignment standpoint. Meanwhile, Bowden said he spent the weekend analyzing his quarterback situation, but wants more time to evaluate both starter Willie Simmons and backup Charlie Whitehurst. Whitehurst twice replaced Simmons last Thursday when the junior starter had continuing problems fumbling the ball. "Both have really done pretty well," Bowden said. "But the turnovers are the big thing. They've got to stop, and I'm going to be evaluating that all week." NOTES - Inclimate weather forced the Tigers inside for Monday's workout. Bowden wanted to stay outside despite the rain, but ultimately had no choice. "The hurricane or tornado warning siren went off," Bowden said. "We had to go inside then. It's mandatory." The Tigers were able to work on the punting game before being forced inside. Bowden said he'll make up the rest of the kicking activities today." - Wide receiver Kevin Youngblood has a Grade One shoulder separation, Bowden said, and his status for Saturday's game at Duke won't be known until later in the week. "I really hate to even call it a separation, because Grade One is the least severe of any of them," he said. "Really it will be a matter of pain tolerance. How much pain he can take will likely decide if he plays." - On Monday it was announced the Clemson at North Carolina game on November 9 will be televised by Jefferson Pilot and will kickoff at 12:00 noon.
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