Monday July 03, 2006

Monday, July 3rd

Defensive Line Week

We kick off defensive linemen week today with an in-depth look at Clemson defensive line for 2006. Clemson?s scheme plays on the line and off of the line but we have decided to include the bandit position with this group.

The Tigers should be set along the defensive end with as much talent as they have seen in recent years with their starting four. They also have a lot of depth and talent at defensive tackle but the only weakness here is the lack of experienced depth at the defensive end spots.

Gaines Adams is the perfect Bandit in Vic Koenning?s scheme. His 6-5 frame combined with his speed and athleticism make for an offensive coordinator?s nightmare. Adams had a very good junior season that included 56 tackles including 15 tackles for loss and 9.5 sacks. He thought of heading to the NFL a year early but decided to improve his draft status by returning to school. When the Tigers go out and recruit future Bandit?s this is the one they will measure up to. Adams could be a very high pick in the upcoming NFL draft.

Phillip Merling did not start a single game in his freshman season but only 13 players played more snaps last year. Merling is an ultra-talented defensive end that has a higher upside than the guy he replaces, Charles Bennett. Merling plays with a mean streak and goes as hard as any player on campus. This is another player that will have a decision to make about coming out early after his junior season in 2007.

There is no experienced depth behind those two defensive end stars. Antwon Murchison may play some defensive end and Brandon Cannon actually showed some signs late last season. However, in my opinion the two answers for depth at the defensive end spots come from two true freshmen.

Ricky Sapp is as fast and talented Bandit-type prospect as I have ever seen at this stage. He is a perfect fit to be groomed into Adam?s long-term replacement. At 6-5 and 225 pounds we watched Sapp run down backs and wide receivers last season. How many times have you seen a player this size return kickoffs for touchdowns? Hang on and have fun watching this superstar develop in the coming years at Clemson.

Jamie Cumbie is a man-child that is starting to grow into his 6-7 255-pound frame. He is very athletic and could grow himself out of a position later. Cumbie will push Merling this season and will become a big factor in the future of this defense.

Cannon looked like a player against FSU late last season but has been a disappointment so far in his career. Murchison red-shirted last season but he has coaches really excited about his future which could be at defensive end or defensive tackle.

Depth is not the issue at defensive tackle. Including Murchison, the Tigers have six players they can count on at these two spots. Rashaad Jackson is like Merling in that his motor does not stop. Jackson playas as hard as any one and gives the Tigers an athletic pass rusher from an interior defensive linemen. Of the four returning tackles that played last season he played the most snaps with 306. He also had 39 tackles and 8.5 tackles for loss.

Donnell Clark suffered a torn ACL but appears to be rehabbing on schedule. Clark did start six of the seven games before his injury. Clark is another effort type player. He played 191 plays and recorded four tackles for loss a year ago.

Joch McKissic?s only start last season was the bowl game. He did play 249 plays and had 18 tackles including a sack in his true freshman season. He is a perhaps the best looking physical specimen of the group.

Dorrell Scott came on very strong last year. He left camp early and was behind because of it. But the red-shirt freshman rebounded and played 182 snaps in the last nine games last season. He recorded 18 tackles and two sacks in those games. Scott is a big, physical run stopper that can take on double teams.

Etta Etta-Tawo red-shirted but impressed coaches with his ability during that year. He runs well and is a bright player. I think he will be in the mix after having a solid spring.

There is one other change for the Tigers along the defensive line in that they have a new defensive line coach. Chris Rumph comes to Clemson after coaching with Tommy West at Memphis. Rumph is a young and energetic figure that works extremely hard. He is also noted as an outstanding recruiter.

In summary, Clemson will be extremely talented along its defensive front and deep at defensive tackle. One of the few question marks for Coach Rumph in his first season is depth at the defensive end spot and Ron West?s Bandit position. I do think that both freshmen will compete and avoid red-shirts this season.

The Tigers are inexperienced in the secondary this season but we all know that the best pass defense is a great pass rush. I think this defensive front can create pressure without having to send an extra linebacker or safety too often. That kind of pressure generated by the front four can certainly help the young secondary and allow the linebackers to stay involved in coverage as opposed to having to rush the passer.

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