Unhappy Morris goes hoarse yelling at his squad

Chad Kelly is in a battle with Cole Stoudt for the backup job

by David Hood - Senior Writer - Wed Apr 10 19:49:49 GMT-04:00 2013

CLEMSON – For those Clemson fans hoping to see Heisman hopeful and 2012 ACC Player of the Year Tajh Boyd Tajh Boyd
RS Sr. Quarterback
#10 6-1, 225
Hampton, VA
View Full Profile on Saturday, you might get your best glimpse of Boyd during the postgame autograph scrum on the field

Offensive coordinator Chad MorrisChad Morris
Offensive Coordinator / QBs
View Full Profile told the media following Wednesday's practice that Saturday’s Orange and White Game will be more about the younger players, specifically backup quarterbacks Cole StoudtCole Stoudt
Jr. Quarterback
#8 6-5, 205
Dublin, OH
View Full Profile and Chad KellyChad Kelly
So. Quarterback
#11 6-2, 210
Buffalo, NY
View Full Profile . Kelly and Stoudt are in a battle for the backup spot behind Boyd.

Morris said he didn’t know how much Boyd would play, but he didn’t expect it to be a lot.

"You know, we'll talk about all that tomorrow,” Morris said. “We know what Tajh Boyd can do. Everybody knows what Tajh Boyd can do. We're not going to remember whether or not we won the spring game. If he gets in, I'm sure it will be limited."

I asked Morris about the leadership capabilities of both Stoudt and Kelly, and he said that is something the coaches are trying to pry out of each player.

"We've had two scrimmage situations in which Tajh didn't play, and that's great," he said. "We have a chance to see their (Stoudt and Kelly's) leadership. They're both competing, and we've got two really good ones. They both bring something unique to the table."

Morris then said that neither player has grabbed a solid hold on the second spot.

"It's been back and forth," he said. "Cole will take a big lead, and then Chad will catch up. They're battling head to head, and it means something to both of them. I'm excited about both those guys."

Morris was extremely hoarse during our interview session, and he told us he didn’t care if he lost his voice entirely if it meant he was getting his point across to his offense, which struggled during Monday’s scrimmage in Death Valley.

"They won't forget Monday's practice. It's something I'm not going to allow them to do,” Morris said. Some good came out of it. I saw some guys who thought they've arrived that got their heads handed to them. That's what I saw, and it was the best thing I saw.

"They think they've done something, and they've done nothing. They ain't won a game. Their intensity level today was totally different. We weren't very nice to them - none of us were - and they responded. That's what you want to see as a coach. While there was a better intensity level today, they still have a long way to go."

*Wednesday’s practice was our last availability with players and coaches until after Saturday’s game. The team will practice in shorts on Thursday in what basically amounts to a walk-thru before Saturday.