Tuesday Football Practice Report |
CLEMSON - Clemson's football team makes the next big step in preparation for
the 2001 season today when it takes part in the camp's first live scrimmage. The workout will come during this Wednesday's practice at the Jervey Complex, just one day after the team went full pads for the first time. The scrimmage is the first of two set for this week. Head coach Tommy Bowden will put his team through the paces again Saturday in Death Valley. Wednesday's scrimmage, combined with Tuesday's live hitting drills, will help Bowden get a good look at his freshmen phenoms under pressure for the first time, as well as single out any veterans who may not be up to par. "They're working really hard, and if they'll just continue to work hard we'll be okay," Bowden said. "What we've got to do is weed out the guys who aren't fitting in completely. If you've got an upperclassman who doesn't like contact, we've got to make sure we eliminate him as quickly as possible. "The last thing you want is an upperclassman who won't hit, and we might have one or two of those left. We've got to weed them out before Sept. 1." As the freshmen get acclimated to full pads for the first time on the collegiate level, the attention of the coaching staff at Wednesday's scrimmage will be based on a familiar theme: Who can consistently impress on both sides of the ball. In his two years at Clemson, Bowden has harped on the need for more big-play performers, and thinks this team, at least offensively, finally may be getting to that point. But only long days like Wednesday will tell. "You want hitters on defense and playmakers on offense," Bowden said. "Who will protect the ball? We had a couple of fumbles (Tuesday)...you've got to be able to protect the ball. Do the quarterbacks make good decisions? Who can play tired, and who can play a little hurt? Those type of things." Wednesday's scrimmage will be closed to both fans and media. NOTES - In the first position switch of camp, redshirt freshman quarterback Brian Carr was moved to defensive back. The move was made for several reasons, including the lack of experienced depth returning in the secondary, along with the early impression freshman quarterback Charlie Whitehurst has made during camp. Whitehurst, who most assuredly will be redshirted this fall, likely will enter 2002 as the No. 2 quarterback behind Willie Simmons. - Three players missed Tuesday afternoon's practice due to injury. Offensive lineman Nick Black, who had just returned to the field after an ankle injury, suffered a bruised knee in the morning workout. Running back Bernard Rambert bruised an ankle in the morning practice, while cornerback Kevin Johnson missed both workouts with a hamstring injury. - Freshman tight end Eric Coleman joined the team for the afternoon practice. Coleman, from Fork Union (Va.) Military Academy, had been held out of camp pending the go-ahead from the NCAA Clearinghouse. He received his paperwork Monday, and spent Tuesday morning traveling to Clemson. Staff Report Clemson, SC-Clemson Head Coach Tommy Bowden made his first position move of the fall camp on Tuesday when he moved Brian Carr from quarterback to free safety. Carr red-shirted the 2000 season at quarterback and had started the camp as one of six quarterbacks. "We have a lot of depth at quarterback and moving Brian to the secondary will give him the best chance to help the team," said Bowden. "With Woody, Willie and Matt Schell solid, plus Charlie Whitehurst has looked good early, we have a lot of depth at quarterback. Brian is a good athlete who can help us in the secondary." Carr saw action at quarterback in the spring. He was 3-8 for 17 yards in the Spring Game and was 6-10 for 52 yards in a March 31 scrimmage. He did play two years in the secondary in high school. The Tigers had their first full pads practice Tuesday morning. Bowden was happy with what he saw. "It was a good practice, good tempo. The offense has a lot more experience than the defense so you would expect to see them stand out the first day. " But, I saw some young players work hard on defense. I was impressed with Moe Fountain among the young defensive players. He stood in there against older more experienced offensive linemen. "I was pleased with the team's attitude today. It was hot and humid and with a lot of two-a-days ahead these practices are difficult. " Bowden reported that freshman Eric Coleman joined the team for the afternoon practice. He is a freshman tight end from Charlottesville, VA. Three players missed practice in the afternoon due to injury. Nick Black, who had just recovered from a sprained ankle, suffered a bruised knee in the morning practice and missed the afternoon. Bernard Rambert suffered a bruised ankle in the morning and missed the afternoon workout. Kevin Johnson missed both practices recovering from a hamstring injury. Airese Currie was back at practice for the afternoon work.
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