Re: TNET: Clemson defense remains hungry following effort at FSU

OneJedi®

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They arent wrong. The defense left too much on the table.

Oct 6, 2024, 9:31 AM

Goodwins defenses look great as far as the eye test. The stats don’t look great. Since the day he took over it’s been a slide backwards. We’re ranked in the triple digits this year in team defense. It’s not an easy fix at this point. One factor is lack of personnel. We lack competitive depth at DL and lack two true starting DE. TJ Parker is a beast. The other side is a hot mess. Having PWoods play DL helped some last night. But, the pressure didn’t get home. The coverage didn’t hold up. Partly to blame is scheme. Partly to blame is bad calls/fits.

The offense wasn’t much better. We can’t finish in the red zone once again. We had many trips that resulted in multiple blocked fg or fg. Unacceptable. The playcalling went vanilla in the second half and it showed. Dabo was playing not to lose. We can’t do that. We have to play to win. Foot on the gas and neck.

All these issues stem from nepotism hires for major coaching positions. Thomas Austin is still affecting the line play. They revert to his teachings at times. I saw Dabo with the play call sheet too many times in the second half and seemed to be over riding Riley again. That has to stop. Luke and Riley are the only legit coordinators and position coaches we have outside Reed. Clean the cupboard of friends kids, coaches sons, and former players not ready for the role they are in and hire the best money can buy. That’s what got us to the top of the mountain.

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When looking beneath the surface here with respect to DBs … especially CBs … the experience factor is down. I believe that this low level of experience in the defensive backfield accounts for the biggest part of the defense’s vulnerabilities.

CB - J.Lukus has not played much in his career thus far, which is typically overlooked when he is categorized as being experienced. He’s a starter, yet blows his assignments too much for an experienced player. These busts are, IMO, are not because he’s no good, but rather be ause he’s inexperienced.
S.Lewis was a true FR last year. He’s had some PT, which helps. As far as innate talent, he is not anything extraordinary (IMO).
Ashton Hampton seems to have learned / understood the CBs responsibilities & assignments, but he’s too inexperienced as a true FR this year to count on as a star in 2024.
A.Terrell is our only star at CB.

Safety - Mickens is our closest thing to a star. He’s very good. Venables is knowledgeable and tough, but limited with respect to talent. K.Barnes is good in that he knows where to go (like a more experienced version of CB Ashton Hampton), but to be honest here Barnes isn’t especially fast. Our other safeties may turn out to be better players in future years, but are not distinctive as of 2024.

^^^^ is how an overall defense’s performance can end up being weaker, despite having very good DL and LBs.

TNET: Clemson defense remains hungry following effort at FSU

Glad to see they know they have to get better. Keep

Teams that desire to be great are never satisfied and want to work to better