Tuesday August 14, 2007

Seat Equity; OL Moves; ACC Defensive Backs

Seat Equity Plan
Next week the athletic depart and IPTAY will unveil their new seat equity plan that will go into effect in 2008. I have seen the plan and like most things about it and would change very little. Later this week, I will give some details and try to give the readers a heads up on the major points.

This was a hard process for the athletic department but it had to be done as Clemson is the last of the southern powers to implement their new seating plans. I can also tell you this is not a re-seating of Death Valley because you will be given a chance to remain in your current seats. Also only affect 37% of ticket buyers this time (I will explain later.) I think some will not like it but I believe a majority of Clemson people understand that this is what is has come to. Your Orange and White will have more details and the athletic department’s website will have the complete story up next week. I just wanted to give you some advance notice and I will get more in detail most likely in Thursday’s blog.

Offensive Line Moves
I totally get the moves announced yesterday. Here is what it accomplishes:

1. It establishes Thomas Austin as a starter for the first time in his career.
2. It gets your two best guards on the field at the same time.
3. It lights a fire under Chris McDuffie.
4. It increases Chris Hairston’s sense of urgency.
5. It lights a fire under Chris Capote and Corey Lambert.
6. It rewards the hard work and good play of Barry Richardson and Barry Humphries.

Also, Brad Scott said that these moves might not be permanent. I think this staff is dedicated to getting their best athletes on the field and this unit is no different. Do I think this move will work? I am not sure. Do I understand it? Absolutely. Do I trust Brad Scott with this group? I think he might be the best position coach on the field and would trust any move he makes.

ACC Defensive Backs
1. Miami- The Canes are as good as anybody in America in their secondary. Kenny Phillips is the best free safety in America. He will be a first round draft pick in April’s NFL draft. Randy Phillips and Glenn Sharpe are two of the best corners in the country as well. Levon Ponder is a fourth NFL-type talent. Anthony Reddick is a fifth defensive back that some NFL scouts will watch closely this season.

2. Florida State- What Kenny Phillips is to free safeties Myron Rolle is to strong safeties. Rolle is a complete player that offensive coordinators have to game plan against. Roger Williams is a very good free safety. The Noles have about four or five top notch corners like Tony Carter, Jamie Robinson, JR Bryant, Dionte Allen, Ochunko Jenije and Brandon Paul.

3. Clemson-See Monday’s blog for complete analysis.

4. Virginia Tech- The Hokies lose Aaron Rouse but it seems every year they come up with another NFL-type defensive back. This year Victor Harris and Brandon Flowers return as one of the top corner combinations in the country. Flowers is the higher rated of the two but both are good ones. DJ Parker returns at safety to solidify this outstanding group of defensive backs.

5. Boston College-DeJuan Tribble is one of the top corners in the ACC but I think Jamie Silva is the key to this group. It seems the safety is always in the right place at the right time. The Eagles have two All-Conference candidates in this unit.

6. Georgia Tech-The Yellow Jackets have to replace Kenny Scott but they have three returning starters including a terrific safety combo of Jamal Lewis and Djay Jones. Avery Roberson returns at one corner and the staff liked Jahl Word-Daniels coming out of the spring. This is an experienced and talented group of defensive backs.

7. NC State-Like Georgia Tech, NC State has to replace one of its top defensive backs from last year but still return a lot of experience. Garland Heath is gone but Miguel Scott, Jimmie Sutton, DaJuan Morgan, JC Neal and Levin Neal played a bunch last season. This unit should be considered a strength of the Wolfpack defense in 2007.

8. Maryland-Isiah Gardner transferred in from Notre Dame and he should be a high draft pick in the NFL draft next April. The Terps have Chris Varner returning as well but they have a new secondary coach in Kevin Lempa.

9. Wake Forest-Alphonso Smith was a hit as a freshman but tailed off some last season. He is still the best cover guy on this squad. Patrick Ghee’s little brother, Brandon Ghee, will compete for time at one corner also. Kevin Patterson is the most experienced safety they have coming back. This group will miss three starters from its Orange Bowl team.

10. Virginia-The Cavs are loaded in their front seven and this group is also very talented. Chris Cook is the best pro prospect in the secondary but they also return both safeties in Nate Lyles and Bryon Glaspy. Mike Brown and Vic Hall will battle for the one vacated opening at cornerback. I think this unit rounds out one of the top defenses in the ACC.

11. North Carolina-I think I may have learned my lesson when looking at the Tar Heels. I keep seeing these highly rated players that hardly ever turn out to be as good as advertised. This might be unfair to Trimane Goddard or Jermaine Strong but I will have to see it first before overrating this group again.

12. Duke-The Blue Devils allowed almost 34 points per game last year and it might get worse this season. Both safeties return but I am not sure that is a good thing. There is a big talent level drop in this group and about 10 teams in the ACC.

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