Tuesday August 19, 2008

Clemson Offensive Storylines

Offensive Camp Notes
Yesterday was the final two-a-day practices for the Tigers and they hit the stadium for the final scrimmage of the pre-season camp today. Because they have tomorrow off and classes begin tomorrow, today is considered the final day of pre-season camp. On Thursday the Tigers will begin preparation for Alabama.

Let’s take a look at the offensive storylines coming out of camp:

Quarterback
Cullen Harper is the first quarterback that Rob Spence has had as a returning starter since he arrived at Clemson and expectations are through the roof for the ACC pre-season player of the year. Harper has not disappointed and is poised for a big senior season.

Willy Korn has only solidified his grasp of the number two spot despite the talent of Kyle Parker. Korn should get a bunch of snaps in today’s scrimmage and I look for even better numbers from him. Much of his time has been spent with the second team offensive line so he has been pressured a bunch in camp.

The staff would like to red-shirt both freshmen quarterbacks. Parker has a rocket arm and has impressed coaches.

Running Backs
The story lines here are two fold. First, both All-ACC candidates reported to camp in excellent condition. James Davis and C.J. Spiller had little to prove in camp and have not seen a lot of action so as to limit their risk of injury. When they have seen action, both have been exactly what they have been…incredible.

The best news of the camp at running back is the emergence of both freshmen backs. In fact, Jamie Harper may be the story of camp so far. His physical presence gives this unit another dimension. The staff now feels he is better than they first though when they recruited him and it is easy to see why he was so highly regarded in high school. One long time observer of Clemson football told me that Harper is the best looking freshman back he has seen in years at Clemson.

Andre Ellington has been another major surprise. He is a tough back with good balance and acceleration. Some think Ellington and Harper have an opportunity to be as good or better than the combination of Davis and Spiller in a year or two.

Wide Receiver
There are a few interesting storylines at wide out so far in camp. First, Jacoby Ford is healthy and poised for a huge season. In my opinion, Ford is one of the most important pieces to Clemson’s offensive puzzle. It was extensive rehab but Ford looks like he did before the injury.

The senior wide outs have produced good camps. Aaron Kelly and Tyler Grisham have provided leadership and passed on the work ethic to the younger receivers in camp.

The freshmen have also turned heads. Marquan Jones is a future star in this offense. He is very smooth and makes things appear easy, Jones will play this season.

Maybe the biggest surprise of the camp at wide out is Jaron Brown. The true freshman has showcased excellent ball skills. There have been times where Brown has made the spectacular catch against a very good secondary.

Another storyline is the development of the younger wide outs. Xavier Dye was banged up early but he can see his role increase. Terrence Ashe, Nelson Faerber and Brandon Clear will also have roles this season.

Even though his is currently listed as a running back, it appears Rendrick Taylor will red-shirt this season and return next year to play wide out or running back.

Tight Ends
Two storylines emerged at tight ends during this camp. First is the improvement of the returners. Michael palmer continues to become more of a complete tight end. Brian Linthicum improved his strength and is much more ready to step up. Chad Diehl’s presence adds toughness to the tight ends/H-backs/fullbacks.

The other major news here is the fact that Dwayne Allen is everything the staff thought he would be and more. Allen has terrific hands and has shown some toughness and desire to compete. He looks like he has more tools than the other tight ends had at this stage in his career.

Offensive Line
Brad Scott has a very good idea of how is line will look in the first game of the year thanks to two surprises on the offensive front.

Jamarcus Grant and Barry Humphries had to fight off maybe more talented freshmen but experience and maturity appear to have won out at both guard spots. I thought both were underdogs to mason Cloy and David Smith heading into camp. Smith was injured and missed about a week and Cloy has played well but not well enough to take a starting spot from the upper classmen.

Thomas Austin has been entrenched at center as he has become the undeniable leader of the offensive line.

Camp started with Chris Hairston at right tackle and Corey Lambert looking over his shoulder at Antoine McClain and Landon Walker. As it turned out, Hairston moved to left tackle and has been very good and Lambert is playing the best football of his life at right tackle.

I would no longer consider the offensive line as a weakness. I still have questions about depth and there may be eventually lineup changes but this group is no longer a weakness.

Perhaps the biggest surprise of the unit is true freshman Matt Sanders. The Florida native has shown toughness and a mean streak. Sanders impressed the staff and has bright future at Clemson.

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