COLD IS COOL
Clemson got its first up close and personal look at cold-weather football
during Thursday's practice, and for the most part seemed to adjust well
despite temperatures hovering around 20 degrees.
Plenty of long sleeves, pants and handwarmers were evident during the
workout, though afterwards players and coaches alike didn't seem overly
concerned about the elements.
"Our throwing and catching was a little off today, but I think that's more
from being off practice for four days," said head coach Tommy Bowden. "That's
a concern in cold weather, but I don't think what we saw today was because of
the cold."
Freshman wide receiver Airese Currie said he tried using a handwarmer, but it
didn't work. He also doesn't plan to trade in his usual receiving gloves for
something a little warmer.
"I always wear gloves, so I'll keep wearing these," he said. "You can't
really go for anything warmer because they're too big and bulky."
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DB Coach Jack Hines entire workout in shorts.
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Of everyone on the field, defensive backs coach Jack Hines seemed less
affected than anyone.
He went through the entire workout in shorts.
"I always wear shorts," he said. "It was nice (today)."
SMURF TURF
After the initial viewing of the Blue Turf and the inevitable jokes which
followed, many of the Tigers' concerns turned toward playing on the
artificial surface:
Clemson hasn't played on Astroturf since the 1999 Peach Bowl at the Georgia
Dome in Atlanta.
"You have to be a little more aware of it," said guard Greg Walker. "You hear
so many stories about knee injuries that you're thinking about every step you
take. But after the first play, that will all go away. You'll be back into
normal playing mode."
Currie, like most speedsters, likes the turf because he feels it makes him
faster.
He came to that conclusion after Thursday's workout, his first time ever on
the surface. But the revelation came via trial and error.
"You have to pick your feet up when you run, or you stumble all over the
place," he said. "But once I got it down, I liked it."
SHORT WEEK
Clemson's preparation for Louisiana Tech is one day shorter than usual during
bowl week. Instead of four live practices before the day-before walk through,
the Tigers have just three in Boise.
"We had six back (in Clemson), so you try to compensate," Bowden said. "We
did a little bit of kicking today, but we did heavy kicking last Friday
morning, and we'll do heavy kicking (Saturday)."
BE VERY QUIET
Offensive coordinator Brad Scott, his son John and guards Will Merritt and
T.J. Watkins skipped the train trip to go pheasant hunting.
UP NEXT
Both teams formally meet the press Friday at Broncos Stadium during the
Humanitarian Bowl Press Conferences. Louisiana Tech's press conference will
be at 9:15 a.m. local time, with Clemson following at noon.
The Tigers will then practice from 12:30-2:30 p.m.
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