Morris thinks Watkins to break out soon

by David Hood - Senior Writer - Mon Oct 15 15:20:40 GMT-04:00 2012

CLEMSON – Clemson’s offense is operating at a high level midway through the season, but many people wonder just how much better Chad Morris Chad Morris
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Clemson is 11th in the nation in scoring offense (41.3 ppg), 32nd in rushing offense (201.17 ypg), 11th in passing offense (324.7 ypg) and 13th in total offense at 525.8 yards per game.

However, Watkins has missed three of Clemson’s six games, and many fans are left wondering when Watkins will have the kind of performance they are used to seeing.

Offensive coordinator Chad Morris said Monday he thinks it won’t be long before Watkins has a breakout performance, but said he won’t force the issue as defenses continue to key on Watkins.

“He’s got to become more a part of the offense, and he will,” Morris said. “It’s not that we’re not calling plays to go to him, it’s just not there right now.”

Watkins has played in three games – really 2 ½ if you count the Furman game – and has 16 catches for 118 yards and eight rushes for 99 yards and a touchdown. He has also thrown one pass for a touchdown.

Morris said he thinks Watkins will step up when the offense needs him the most.

“I really think that what you’re going to see, Sammy Watkins is going to start and peak at the right time,” Morris said. “I think you’re going to see, just when we need him most, when this offense is going to need him the most. I think that’s when you’re going to see him.”

Morris said Watkins didn’t feel well the Friday before the Florida St. game and thinks it affected his performance that Saturday. Watkins missed the game against Boston College and lost eight pounds dealing with the abdominal virus, and Morris said the training staff spent the off week getting Watkins back into game shape.

“Sammy’s a guy that right now, he hasn’t gotten into the mix of the season,” he said. “He hasn’t gotten into the flow of the season, therefore he’s not in game shape,” Morris said. “Sammy is not quite at that in-shape level that he needs to be at, or was.”

On the offensive line

“I think there’s been some improvement. Kind of going into fall camp, the inconsistency at left guard…there just hasn’t been the consistency that we need.”

On the right tackle spot

“We just haven’t had the consistency there that we need. One week, against Florida State, Giff Timothy was one of our better offensive linemen, played very well. Then, we go up to Boston College, and he doesn’t play very well at all. The competition behind him is not where it needs to be.”

On what he sees out of Virginia Tech

“They’re playing a lot more man coverage than they did last year. Even though they played a lot of man against us, at times, but you’re seeing a lot of that right now. They have done that most of the year. I would anticipate that they’re not going to change for us.”