CLEMSON FOOTBALL

Venables concerned about depth

Venables concerned about depth


by - Senior Writer -

CLEMSON – The defensive rotation at Kansas St. in the late 1990’s was easy for Brent Venables Brent Venables
Defensive Coordinator / Linebackers
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–at that time the linebackers coach for the Wildcats – to memorize.

Venables said that the Wildcats had 11 players that played the majority of the snaps, and said Tuesday following Clemson’s final practice of fall camp that the 2012 Clemson Tigers won't be far off of those numbers.

“We have to start with eleven,” Venables said to the media. “We will have 11 to 15 guys, with a couple of swing guys at each position. So it might fluctuate here and there. We will see how guys perform in practice and the games. They might get in the game and they aren’t ready for the moment and not see any more time. That is up to them, not me.”

With the season opener against Auburn looming just 11 days away, Venables said the next 10 days will be critical for his defense.

“We are making progress, but we still have a lot of work to do,” Venables said. “The next 10 days will be critical, and it will be a process all year long. We have to continue to get better and improve at all the little things. It’s a process that requires daily investment, and it’s just not going to happen overnight. But I like the mindset of our guys and the work that they have put in to focus and prepare and take it one day at a time.”

Venables said that he has five players who can take snaps at defensive tackle, but that DeShawn WilliamsDeShawn Williams
So. Defensive Tackle
#99 6-1, 285
Central, SC

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, Grady JarrettGrady Jarrett
So. Defensive Tackle
#50 6-1, 290
Conyers, GA

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and Josh WatsonJosh Watson
RS So. Defensive Tackle
#91 6-4, 285
Wilmington, DE

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will see the majority of the snaps over freshmen D.J. ReaderD.J. Reader
Fr. Defensive Tackle
#48 6-3, 335
Greensboro, NC

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and Carlos WatkinsCarlos Watkins
Fr. Defensive Tackle
#94 6-3, 300
Forest City, NC

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. At defensive end, he said he foresees freshmen Kevin DoddKevin Dodd
Fr. Defensive Tackle
#98 6-5, 280
Greer, SC

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and Martin AikenMartin Aiken
Fr. Defensive End
#53 6-2, 255
Bamberg, SC

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redshirting.

“We have five guys we are going to play. As far as how many snaps each will take, that will be determined,” he said. “But I have three guys that will take the majority and then the two freshmen we are still working on and we will see what they can handle. At defensive end, we have Malliciah [Goodman] and Vic [Beasley] and Corey [Crawford] and Tavaris [Barnes]. “

*Venables said that Travis BlanksTravis Blanks
Fr. Defensive Back
#11 6-1, 190
Tallahassee, FL

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and Robert SmithRobert Smith
So. Safety
#27 5-11, 210
St. George, SC

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can provide depth in the back of the secondary, while it looks like Bashaud BreelandBashaud Breeland
RS So. Cornerback
#17 6-0, 195
Allendale, SC

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and Darius RobinsonDarius Robinson
Jr. Cornerback
#21 5-10, 175
College Park, GA

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have nailed down the starting spots at corner. Venables called Xavier BrewerXavier Brewer
RS Sr. Defensive Back
#9 5-11, 190
Jacksonville, FL

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his “adjuster” and said he will fill in all over the secondary.

*There is still no word on whether defensive back Martin JenkinsMartin Jenkins
Jr. Cornerback
#14 5-10, 180
Roswell, GA

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will redshirt. Venables said there is no timetable on a return to full health for Jenkins.

*Venables said linebacker Tony StewardTony Steward
So. Linebacker
#7 6-1, 235
Hastings, FL

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is still third-team at the WILL, behind Tig Willard and Corico Hawkins and said that a redshirt is still on the table.

“He is running number three,” Venables said. “He has done well, but he is playing behind two seniors that know what they are doing and are very sure of themselves. That [a redshirt] is an option. I don’t know whether he wants to do that or not. We have a little window here to figure those things out. “

*Venables wasn’t very complimentary of the depth behind Robinson and Breeland at corner. He was asked how he felt about the depth, and he was honest.

“Not very good. Not very good,” Venables said. “There are some guys that will have their opportunity sooner rather than later to show what they can do.”

*To help with depth issues, defensive back Garry Peters has been moved from his former position at safety to corner.

“He has done a nice job,” Venables said. “He is picking things up well.”

Peters recorded an interception in the corner of the end zone during last Saturday’s scrimmage while covering Sammy Watkins.

*He said that linebacker Stephone AnthonyStephone Anthony
So. Linebacker
#12 6-3, 235
Polkton, NC

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has progressed this fall.

“I think he has progressed well,” he said. “He has a chance to be a very good player. We are still fine-tuning him. He loves to compete and has all of the intangibles.”

*Clemson Head Coach Dabo Swinney is giving the Tigers the day off Wednesday since classes at Clemson officially begin. The Tigers will resume practice on Thursday, which will begin the team’s regular practice schedule for “Game Week” the rest of the year.

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Subject (Replies: 43) Author
spacer Front Page Story: Venables concerned about depth
Crump®
spacer it is going to be a long season guys ---
nick0104
spacer Re: it is going to be a long season guys ---
owensdj
spacer ^^^^^This^^^^^***
TigerHawk76®
spacer Re: it is going to be a long season guys ---
allorangeallthetime52®
spacer Re: it is going to be a long season guys ---
deroberts
spacer Re: it is going to be a long season guys ---
TigerHawk76®
spacer Re: it is going to be a long season guys ---
brad12
spacer Re: it is going to be a long season guys ---
allorangeallthetime52®
spacer Uhhh.....
Prime T. Tiger
spacer Re: it is going to be a long season guys ---
Bryanttiger®
spacer Did you read the entire thing if so you would know that he
rhettm
spacer I'd say thin at DT too
PenthouseTiger
spacer Re: Front Page Story: Venables concerned about depth
PawsFan
spacer Re: Front Page Story: Venables concerned about depth
gr82h8floridast8
spacer Agreed; and am I the only one that notices a sly, almost
Smiling Tiger®
spacer Re: Agreed; and am I the only one that notices a sly, almost
gr82h8floridast8
spacer Re: Agreed; and am I the only one that notices a sly, almost
allorangeallthetime52®
spacer Jenkins' status for '12-'13 is a HUGE concern.
SammyDub
spacer I disagree
Prime T. Tiger
spacer Re: I disagree
deleted
spacer Players I feel comfortable getting a lot of time:
Drobins
spacer Re: Players I feel comfortable getting a lot of time:
SammyDub
spacer Agreed. A few were hopefuls I guess
Drobins
spacer WV had a guy 225 lbs at DE and he was a 1st round pick***
Bryanttiger®
spacer WV played a weird scheme
PenthouseTiger
spacer He's the morph to a 3-4. Venables isn't showing his hand.
SOLOS®
spacer The biggest risk is rest for a defense that
hufferbilly
spacer Agreed. I actually don't think we can RS Aiken
Drobins
spacer Re: Players I feel comfortable getting a lot of time:
allorangeallthetime52®
spacer From your list
PenthouseTiger
spacer At least Venables is straight up about what he sees. That...
SolidOrange007
spacer Re: At least Venables is straight up about what he sees. That...
cobalt107
spacer Re: Front Page Story: Venables concerned about depth
wrench®
spacer Re: Front Page Story: Venables concerned about depth
allorangeallthetime52®
spacer Re: Front Page Story: Venables concerned about depth
76clemson
spacer Re: Front Page Story: Venables concerned about depth
brad12
spacer Re: Front Page Story: Venables concerned about depth
allorangeallthetime52®
spacer Deer Coach Venables
BentZero
spacer How much of ALL this coachspeak is really 100% real?
cu1981fans
spacer I agree; seems like he's lighting a fire under some A$$es***
andylayne®
spacer Agree. Much of the coachspeak is motivational.***
Razzmatazz
spacer Re: Front Page Story: Venables concerned about depth
Dugatiger®
spacer We also tend to forget about the talent level he coached @
Ridgeland Booster®