Tuesday January 13, 2009

Clemson Offense 2008 vs. 2009

Clemson Offense 2008 vs. 2009
I have seen some criticism of Dabo with the naming of Billy Napier as offensive coordinator and I understand some fans concerns because of the inexperience at the position but I think it is too soon to get too critical here. Both are bright minds and will gain valuable experience. Below is a quick review of the offense each game under Napier and Swinney:

Georgia Tech
The story of the offense in the Georgia Tech game from an offensive standpoint was six turnovers. The Tigers were held to 17 points and only 12 first downs by a very good defense but turnovers were the difference. It is difficult to turn it over six times against anyone and still win. Clemson had only 51 yards rushing on 24 carries and was 19 of 32 for 198 yards through the air. This was Willy Korn’s first start but he was injured early in the contest and did not return. All things considered, I am willing to give the offense a pass in this one. The staff went through a tumultuous week and instability and injuries and turnovers could damage any gameplan.

Boston College
At Boston College came out and established a 17-0 halftime lead then had to come from behind to win 27-21. Clemson had a week off but was facing another top notch defense. They still turned it over four times but had 339 total yards including 252 through the air on 21 of 33 passing. The Tigers had 31 rushes for 87 yards.

Florida State
In Tallahassee, the Tigers jumped out to a 10-0 lead and the offense had one of the best games of the season against a highly touted defense. This loss came because the Clemson defense got dominated. The offense had 22 first downs and 237 yards through the air. Sacks hurt the running game numbers and limited the total to just 79 yards on 36 carries. Again turnovers were an issue as Clemson turned it over twice. Only Florida, Georgia Tech and Miami scored more points against the Noles this season.

Duke
For the first time under Swinney and Napier, Clemson played a defense that was not ranked in the top 25 and they responded with 466 yards and 31 points. The Tigers were balanced on offense with 326 yards passing and 140 yards on the ground. The 24 first downs were a nice key and this was an effort that did not include a turnover.

Virginia
Clemson was able to win a close, low-scoring field position battle on a cold field in Charlottesville. The offense was not a thing of beauty but the Tigers jumped out to a 10-0 lead and played conservative from that point. Virginia held Clemson to 13 points and 192 total yards. James Davis was a factor with 18 carries for 65 yards but Virginia was determined to not let C.J. Spiller beat them. The Tigers turned it over only once and won the turnover battle 4-1 in this road win.

South Carolina
The Tigers had their most impressive offensive performance under the new staff with 31 points and 184 yards rushing against a highly rated South Carolina defense. Clemson had 383 yards including great balance with 199 through the air. The Tigers controlled the line of scrimmage and dominated USC physically. Clemson used the fullback and h-back as a lead blocker in an attempt to jump start the running game but the commitment to the run was seen more in the USC game than any other under the new staff.

Nebraska
The bowl loss looked a lot like the rest of the season as the offensive line struggled to create any kind of running game or protect the passer. As a result the quarterback made bad decisions. Clemson had only four yards rushing after the sack yardage. The offense only accounted for 210 yards of total offense.

Summary
I am much less concerned about the scheme, game plans and play calling and more concerned about personnel. Steve Spurrier was an offensive genius when he had an offensive line in Gainesville but does not look the part when his line struggles in Columbia. Alabama dominated people this season until Andre Smith missed the Sugar Bowl and their offense looked bad when they gave up nine sacks to Utah.

So here is what I want to see in 2009 that we did not see in 2008 on offense:

1. Toughness-I don’t want to see the quarterback slide in front of the first down markers. I don’t want to see the Tigers struggle in short-yardage situations. I want to see tough players playing tough.

2. Balance-When Clemson cannot run the football the offense struggles. I want to get back to a balanced attack.

3. Ball security-Turnovers killed the offense in 2008. I want to see this team protect the football and give the defense a chance to shut down opponents.

4. Good decision making-I want a smart offense. I want to see the right progressions by the quarterback. I want to see receivers run routes past the chains. I want to see sound decision making.

5. No excuses-I got so tired of the quarterback and his pressers last season. I want to see accountability and responsibility without throwing anyone else under the bus.

6. Leadership-When adversity strikes I want to see leaders emerge.

These goals don’t say anything about the spread or the I-formation even though I would like to see the I more. I personally liked the game plan against South Carolina but these goals have little to do with play calling. When you play fundamentally sound up front and block the right people then play calling is less of an issue. When you block people you can run the ball. When you can run the ball it creates opportunities in the play action passing game. When this happens balance occurs. When balance occurs offenses can get into rhythms. This leads to true confidence and success.

So I don’t believe that schemes are that important for this new staff on offense. Player development is more important. Toughness is more important. Leadership is more important. Accountability is more important. When those things come together, you and I can call offensive plays. Dabo and Napier’s success or failure on offense will be determined this spring practice and fall practice and not with a play call against Maryland. Developing an identity on offense is more important than any other issue this offensive staff faces this off-season.

The Brad Hughes All-State Insurance Agency

Prayer List
We have started a prayer list on the blog. Here are the guidelines:
*If you are offended by prayer or prayer lists then I apologize in advance. The blog is free and the prayer lost will be on the bottom of the page so you don’t have to read it.
*If you would like to add someone to the list please e-mail me at mickeyplyler@hotmail.com
*If you want the reason for the prayer to be added to the name please specify in your e-mails.
*Please let me know when it is appropriate to take the person off of the prayer list

Those who need our prayers include:
Corey, Bob and Finn Brookover-Corey is pregnant with Finn and her water broke in mid November even though her due date was not until March. She is doing well but has been on bed rest at Greenville Memorial since November. She is now at 30 weeks and baby Finn is doing well.

Mrs. Kathleen Bowers

Larry in Naples, FL. Larry is currently being kept sedated in ICU and has acute pancreatitis. Larry is going to be transferred this week to Shands in Gainesville, FL for surgery on his pancreas. The doctors are saying that there is a 40% mortality rate with this surgery and if successful, there will still be a very long recovery. Larry is a great guy and a wonderful husband/father. Larry is 32 years old.

RTG-Pawsitive Tiger

Kaitlyn L-4 year old girl in TN who has seizures and a brain lesion that may be a slow-growing tumor. She will likely have a biopsy in February.

Mary-Louise Pawlowski (John's daughter)

Sandy Wright

Jo Ann Bachman

Frank Taylor

Kenneth Bryant

Pruitt Martin

Got igers and his family

David Rowland

Leonard Gillespie and his family

Jim S

Christine Hepfer

Daniel Rosborough-4-year old Inman, SC who will have a kidney transplant 1/14/09 in Charleston

Special Prayer Request from Peggy Lesley at Brookwood Church .

I am starting a signing for my son's best friend who has cancer (Hodgkin's Lymphoma). He is 11 years old and is not doing well at all. He was diagnosed with this cancer 2 weeks ago and the tumor is next to his jugular vein and entwined in it...has moved his wind pipe over a inch making it hard for him to breathe. The tumor is the size of a large eggplant and is sitting right above his heart. This little boy needs all the prayer he can get. I would like you to sign this and pass it on to as many people as you can. Once we get to a thousand people can you please send this back to me at: 1volsgirl@bellsouth.net. When I get the 1000 people that have signed it...I am going to print this up for my sons best friend and show him how many people care and how many people are praying for him to get better. If you have a heart at all, you will all do this for me. I love this child as though he is my own and we really need all the prayers!

Thank you,
Peggy