Boyd confident in offensive line

by Nikki Hood - Staff Writer - Mon Aug 20 09:18:38 GMT-04:00 2012

CLEMSON- Clemson nation may have concerns about the 2012 Clemson offensive line, but quarterback Tajh Boyd Tajh Boyd
RS Jr. Quarterback
#10 6-1, 225
Hampton, VA
View Full Profile is confident in his protectors.

The Tigers scrimmaged for the final time in Death Valley Saturday afternoon, and all eyes were on the offensive line as the Clemson coaching staff prepares to name the starting five early this week.

Boyd said that Saturday was by far the best scrimmage of fall camp, and that improvement on the offensive line set the tone for the fastest tempo since spring practice.

“The offensive line made major strides,” Boyd said after Saturday’s scrimmage. “Major improvements. I’m excited about those guys. The coaches have been challenging those guys all fall and all they have done is come to work. Those guys have given everything they’ve got and I’m really comfortable with them.

“Today, I felt like the tempo moved as fast as we have in a while. It might have been the fastest that we’ve been all of fall camp. We are just starting to get more comfortable and we are executing really well. We have to keep working. Those guys were really pushing it today.”

According to Boyd, offensive line coach Robbie CaldwellRobbie Caldwell
Assistant Coach / Offensive Line
View Full Profile is pushing his players to learn each position on the line.

“As much as those guys rotate and move around, I feel like they can play any position on the offensive line,” he said. “If not that day, then give them two days and they’ll be just fine. Coach Caldwell has done a great job with those guys, pushing them and just working them. This was probably the best scrimmage that we’ve had all camp. I’m so encouraged.”

As a result of cross-training, Boyd said he feels comfortable with whatever starting five his coaches send out on the field against Auburn.

“To an extent, I feel like a lot of those guys are ready to compete whenever,” he said. “I feel like that’s the biggest thing with this team- it’s all about competition defensively and offensively. These guys are pushing one another and getting the best out of each other. Whoever the coaches make the decision to go with, I am going to be comfortable with because I know they will come to work. We just have to count on those guys.”

One of the surprises of fall camp has been the emergence of left guard David BeasleyDavid Beasley
RS So. Offensive Guard
#68 6-4, 315
Columbus, GA
View Full Profile , and Boyd said that Beasley has worked hard in camp to earn a chance to play in the opener.

“He is emerging as a really good player,” he said. “It took time to learn the offense and learn how everything goes down. I was just surprised at how much he really wanted to play. At the end of the day, it’s not really up to the coaches. It’s up to us as players if we want to come and play or not. Beasley has really been competing. Coach told us early on that if you want to play then you will play, if not you will sit, and all he has done is work. I’m really proud of that guy and I’m excited for him. He has worked his butt off. If he is out there with the first group on September 1st, I will be really excited for him.”

Boyd said that the Chick-fil-A Kickoff game is right around the corner, and it’s time for the Tigers to get out of camp mode and into game mode.

“Two weeks is coming fast,” he said. “I don’t really look at the time too much, but coach mentioned yesterday that two weeks from tomorrow is game day. Now we are getting out of the mode of camp and now it’s time to get ready for Auburn- watch game film and own what we are doing. I know the coaches are going to make decisions about who is redshirting and who’s not. Once we get those things out of the way, it’s go time. I’m excited about it and to get to work and compete.”