Tigers Still Searching for Go-To Guy |
CLEMSON - Push is coming to shove at Clemson, and so far the it's the
defensive line being bullied. After back-to-back days of praising the defense as a whole, head coach Tommy Bowden was able to find some individual performances to his liking Friday, such as the continued good play of linebacker Rodney Thomas. But during live goal line scrimmaging, Clemson's big, experienced offensive line had its way with the interior of the Tigers' defense. "We need to be a lot more physical up front with our interior people," Bowden said. "The offensive line really manhandled them today." One other area of concern continues to be the wide receivers. Though deep and talented as a unit, no individual has emerged as the next go-to guy, a la Rod Gardner in each of the past two seasons. "We haven't found Rod Gardner yet," Bowden said. "Nobody's surfaced and separated, which I hoped would happen. We haven't found him yet, and he's the only wideout to make a play the last two years. So that's not good." Freshman Roscoe Crosby missed his first practice of the season Friday, nursing a thigh bruise. He is expected to participate in Saturday's full-scale scrimmage at Death Valley. Senior linebacker Chad Carson, also nursing a thigh bruise, will not scrimmage Saturday. Two other players came off the field early Friday. Senior Will Merritt was bothered by a stomach flu, which resulted in several vomiting incidents. Fellow senior Kyle Young was carted off after suffering severe cramping during after-practice conditioning. Saturday's scrimmage is closed to the public and media. NOTES - Bowden said senior quarterback Woody Dantzler continues to look good throwing the football, improving daily on giving his receivers "runnable balls." "I've asked both those guys (Dantzler and backup Willie Simmons) to be more productive with accurate throws...," Bowden said. "Too many of them are down there, up there, or out there where a guy has to dive to catch them. Woody's gotten better than that from last year, and Willie's a little behind in that regard." - Junior linebacker David Ellis left the team Thursday. The junior from Bishopville High School in Lamar was a two-time letterman for the Tigers, and had moved from linebacker to defensive end during spring practice. Bowden gave no reason for Ellis' departure. - Despite some reports to the contrary, Bowden said he has yet to hear anything about the eligibility status of freshman running back Micheaux Hollingsworth. Hollingsworth, from Hoke Co. (N.C.) High School, was forced to retake his SAT after Clemson challenged his qualifying score. He has retaken the test and reportedly received a score above the NCAA minimum standard, but so far there has been no word on his status. "We should know something soon," Bowden said.
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