Thursday July 16, 2009

Football Questions-Volume II

Football Questions-Volume II
Today I wanted to continue to look at some of the questions concerning Clemson football 2009. Last week I featured 24 questions to be covered before opening day. One was, “How will C.J. Spiller respond without James Davis?”

I think Spiller will thrive in his new role as the Tiger’s feature back. Two years ago I am not sure that was the case. Spiller burst upon the scene as a freshman and dazzled fans with his brilliance. However, his sophomore season was not a step forward. Spiller was not focused and it showed. After his sophomore season there was questions as to which way Spiller’s career was headed.

The last two off-seasons has been a key to the rise in the expectations for Spiller. He came back bigger and stronger as a junior and he dedicated himself to become a better overall football player. Spiller improved his approach and became a better runner between the tackles as he became more physical. He also became a little better without the ball in his hands.

This past off-season he made one of the biggest decisions of his life when he decided to come back to school for his senior campaign. This will be his chance to prove to NFL scouts that he is not a one-trick pony and he can become a more well-rounded back.

Without Davis to split carries, Spiller becomes the program’s top back and number-one offensive threat. That kind of attention will mean defensive coordinators will spend more time focusing on stopping this breakaway threat.

But I think Spiller will excel in his new role. He is perhaps the best breakaway threat in school history and it makes sense that the more opportunities for bigger plays. If Spiller had big plays averaging 10-12 carries per game, it would make sense that more touches mean more opportunities for more big plays. I always tell people sitting around me they can’t go to the bathroom when Spiller is in the game because the next carry may be the next in line of his collection for the highlight film.

I also think we will continue to see Spiller’s role expand. After Dabo took over last year, Spiller had more carries, more receptions and even got involved with the trick plays with his touchdown pass at Virginia.

Spiller’s ability to run more physical between the tackles means he can play more downs as a senior. The Spiller we saw as a sophomore always looked to cut everything outside and was not a threat between the tackles.

Another aspect of Spiller’s senior season will be the development of Jamie Harper and Andre Ellington.

Harper looked like he was poised to make a major splash as a true freshman last season before he hurt his ankle in an August scrimmage. He looked strong and showed terrific feet on a big body. I thought he outplayed Spiller and Davis in his first two weeks but the injury set him back for his entire freshman campaign. He was never the same and conditioning became a factor.

Reports tell us Harper is in excellent shape again and healthy again. If he is ready then you could see Harper give the Tigers a big back with terrific speed in the same mold as former Clemson great Kenny Flowers. Some on the staff feel Harper is a future NFL back.

Perhaps the biggest surprise of the fall camp last year was the physical presence of Ellington. We all knew he had good speed and was shifty enough to make defenders miss. We knew he could catch the football well out of the backfield. What we did not know was Ellington showed up to camp bigger and stronger than expected. Plus he runs hard for a smaller back. Actually I was impressed Ellington showcased a physical presence.

Can Harper and Ellington Become the New Thunder and Lightning?
Harper is the “Thunder” who is a little like James Davis while Ellington reminds us a little of C.J. Spiller’s “Lightning” style.

In Davis and Spiller, the staff had one of the best running back combinations in school history, so Harper and Ellington will have big shoes to fill.

My original thought is that they will have a hard time putting up the career numbers of Davis and Spiller. Davis had over 3,800 yards rushing in his career. Spiller rushed for 938 yards as a freshman and has over 2,300 yards rushing through three seasons. So far Harper has 133 rushing yards. Therefore Thunder and Lightning Part II has not gotten off to the kind of start the original duo compiled.

However, Harper has a huge upside. Some think he has a bigger upside than Davis. Ellington and Harper might have a better offensive line to run behind in their time here than Davis and Spiller enjoyed.

I really like Harper and Ellington but with respect to history, I think they will have a hard time reaching the numbers put up by Davis and Spiller.

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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 list 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:
Finn Brookover, Mrs. Kathleen Bowers, Larry in Naples, FL, RTG-Pawsitive Tiger, Mary-Louise Pawlowski (John's daughter), 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, Amy Murphey, Jack Huffman, Nancy Winkler, Dr. Nancy Strom Morgan, John Reeve, Eileen Woodrum, Ethel Southard, Vinnie Brock, Jean-Pierre Bailey, Kaitlyn L, William Perry, Delores Weaver, Eric Boessneck, John Bowers, Jimmy Ness, Susan Miller, Joyce Harley, Steve Proveaux, John Petrey, the Byrd family, the Dixon family, Chalmers Carr.