Thursday December 13, 2007

Should I Stay or Should I Go?

Should I Stay or Should I Go?
As many readers of this blog have come to know, I love James Davis. I think he is the best football player at Clemson and might be the best back in the history of the program. I love his leadership. I love his running style. I love his work ethic. I love the fact that not once have we heard anything about James Davis ever getting in trouble.

But no one is perfect and there is one thing I don’t like about Davis and it deals with his recent comments about his future at Clemson and the bowl game. The Atlanta native said his future here at Clemson may depend on the bowl game and his role.

First, I understand any running back that wants to carry the football. Also it needs to be pointed out that Davis is a very unselfish player and the same guy that helped get his main competition, C.J. Spiller, here to Clemson. Davis has been a team player and that has not changed.

I just don’t think a player should question the coaching staff in the media. Plain and simple I think players play and coaches coach. I don’t think it right for coaches to criticize players in the media or players to question coaches in the media. The team is bigger than that and the team comes first. No one gains when family business is aired in the media.

In defense of Davis, I think many of us are frustrated. I personally do not understand the running back rotation. I think Davis is the better running back and I don’t understand the fact that he is on the sidelines as often as Davis has been. I also don’t understand Davis not being in the game on crucial short-yardage situations. Spiller is the long distance threat but Davis is better in short-yardage situations. Lastly, I don’t understand throwing the ball on goal line situations as often as Clemson did this past year.

Those are three issues I have and think it is OK for the print media, the electronic media, bloggers and fans to question game plans and play calling. It is not OK for players to do that in the media. Former players? Yes. Current players? No. If Davis has suggestions or disappointments with his coaches then it is perfectly OK for him to air those grievances with the staff but it needs to be in private.

As a fan, I sit in the stands and wonder out loud why Davis does not play more. I ask why he does not carry the ball 25 times a game. But the perception is not the reality. I was shocked to find out that Davis actually will have more carries this season than he did last year if he has 13 or more carries in the bowl game. This shocking to me because last year he seemed like a much bigger part of the offense.

Davis had 203 carries as a sophomore and 191 so far this season. He actually has doubled his receptions from last year from six to 12. With his combined touches he had 209 last year and 203 so far this season with one game to go. Therefore, Davis will have more carries and more touches this season compared to last. Shocking because it does not feel that way.

I don’t think it is fair to just judge the numbers so let’s look at all of the factors. First Clemson had a better offensive line last year and featured four new starters this season.

Also the coaching staff spent the entire off-season answering questions about the passing game and the lack of a balanced attack. Much of this season was spent using Cullen Harper more in the passing game and the offense did appear much more balanced. There are only so many snaps in a game and every time you throw a pass it takes a potential carry away from a running back. Every time you run you take away a potential opportunity from a quarterback and wide receiver’s stats.

One of my biggest problems with the latest exchange with the media is the idea of the game plan against Auburn might affect Davis’ future in Tigertown. That is flawed thinking. I would think this offensive staff would try to exploit the weakness of the opponent’s defense and Auburn has a terrific front seven. If Rob Spence and his staff feel like Davis is the best option then he should be the primary weapon. However, if the staff feels Auburn’s strength may limit Davis’ effectiveness then they should look in another direction.

I personally don’t think Davis is wrong for looking into the NFL and inquiring about his draft status. He should consider all of his options and should make a decision that best suits him and his family. I will always be a James Davis fan no matter if he stays for his senior season or if he leaves for the NFL in January. I just hope he makes the best decision based on all of the information he gets and not just the game plan against Auburn.

Davis will one day be inducted into the Clemson Athletic Hall of Fame. He may become the school’s all-time leading rusher. He is my favorite football player right now and my lasting memory of Davis will not be clouded but my short-term disagreement of his latest statements. Like the late urban philosopher Tupac Shakur said, “I ain’t mad at ya. I ain’t got nothing but love for ya.”

Editor’s Note: Yesterday I wrote that I would provide the case for and against Ricky Sapp moving to linebacker. I will take a hypothetical look at each situation next week but I just felt more moved to concentrate on the Davis issue today because it was more pressing and more time sensitive.

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