Tuesday April 24, 2007

Depth Chart Observations; 2008; Baseball

Depth Chart News
Friday Tommy Bowden released the post-spring depth chart. I thought there were few surprises but some were:

*Jamal Medlin listed as a tackle. I think he be a guy that could move inside in the future.

*Ben Ramsey is the second-team center and Bobby Hutchinson is a second-team guard.

*Brandon Pilgrim is still ahead of Thomas Austin at right guard.

*Akeem Robinson is ahead of Durrell Barry at one tight end.

*Michael Hamlin and DeAndre McDaniel listed as co-starters at CAT.

*Richard Jackson as a back up at both punter and place-kicker.

Depth Chart Notes
Here are some interesting items I noticed from the depth chart:

*The offense has only five seniors of the 33 players listed and four are offensive linemen.

*LaDonte Harris is the only non-offensive line senior on offense.

*Only four of the 26 players listed on defense are seniors.
Clemson could start as many as seven seniors this season and as few as three. I think Barry Richardson, Chris McDuffie and Nick Watkins are all but assured to start in their senior campaigns. Chris Capote, Brandon Pilgrim and Kwam Williams are in position battles to start. Tramaine Billie has his status unsettled heading into the summer. Chris Russell and LaDonte Harris are not expected to start this season.

By that rationale I think 2008 could be the most talented team Clemson has had in some time. Depending on who are officially starters for 2007, the Tigers could return as many as 20 starters including the punter and placekicker in 2008.

Below is an extremely early look at what the depth chart could look like in 2008:

Clemson Football 2008

QB-Korn So, Harper Sr, Reese Sr, Wade Fr, Parker Fr, Richt Fr

RB-Davis Sr, Spiller Jr, McElrathbey Jr

FB/H-Back-Pearson Sr, Diehl Fr

WR- Ford Jr, Grisham Sr, Jones Fr

WR-Taylor Sr, Jones So, Clear Fr

WR Kelly Sr, Dye So, Ogren So

TE-Barry Jr, Palmer Jr, Robinson Sr, Linthicum So, Delillo Fr

LT-Hairston So, Lambert Jr

RT-Walker So, Smith Fr

LG-Grant Jr, Medlin So

RG-Austin Jr, Norris Fr

C-Humphries Jr, Cloy Fr, Hutchinson Sr

DE-Merling Sr, Cumbie Jr, Moore Fr, Traylor Fr, Bowers Fr

Ban-Sapp Jr, Brown So, Branch Fr, Clear Fr

DT-Jackson Sr, McKissic Sr, Chavis So

DT-Scott Sr, Murchison Jr, Jenkins So, Gabriel Jr

MLB-Clay Sr, Vincent Sr, Alexander Jr, Maye Fr

WLB-Conner Jr, Miller Sr

SLB-Campbell Jr, Hunter So

CB-Butler Jr, Maxwell So, Sensabaugh Fr

CB-Chancellor Jr, Gilchrist So, Lewis Sr

CAT-Hamlin Sr, McDaniel So, Chambers Jr

FS-Clemens Sr, Cooper So, Gaither So

P-Maners Sr, Jackson So

PK-Buchholz Sr, Jackson So

Snapper-Skinner Fr

Schemes
I have had some conversations recently about changes the fans may see in 2007 on the football field from the Tigers. I think we will see James Davis and C.J. Spiller in the game at the same time more often and I think we will see them get the ball more often and in different ways. Jacoby Ford is another player that will see the ball more and he will also get it in different ways. I think we will see a lot of reverse motion from Ford and he will get the ball on the reverse a lot and they will fake it to Ford on the reverse often. This will help hold the backside pursuit a second or two longer. I think the offensive line play and the quarterback play will progress as the season goes on so they will be more than adequate by mid-season. If that is the case, look for the Tigers to throw the ball downfield more as the season progresses.

Defensively, every staff in the country would love to pressure the quarterback without bringing extra attackers. I do think this can happen with this defensive line but the secondary will be improved and should be able to handle the pressure. I would also look for some more man-to-man coverage this season. Last year the secondary played zone almost every snap but I think you could see a mix of coverages this coming campaign.

Wow!
Alabama had over 92,000 attend their spring game in Tuscaloosa Saturday. This was the Tide fans’ first glimpse of Nick Saban on the sidelines and they are hungry in Bama. 92,000! Unbelievable.

Baseball
I am an optimist and still have not given up on this baseball team yet but like I said a few weeks ago the offense is a major concern. It is difficult to remain in the top ten each year and youth and injuries have hurt this year’s team. But in the future, I would like to see some more 6-3 and 6-4 215-pounders in the lineup. The Tigers scored seven runs in four games last week. Clemson is 11th in the ACC in doubles, tied for 7th in the league in home runs and 10th in the league in runs scored.

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