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TNET: Gaffes and roster gaps doom Clemson at Duke
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TNET: Gaffes and roster gaps doom Clemson at Duke

1
15

Sep 5, 2023, 10:36 AM

 
Gaffes and roster gaps doom Clemson at Duke

Full Story »


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I think one of the biggest roster gaps we have is at

4
21

Sep 5, 2023, 10:42 AM

Tigernet Reporter.

So, you are reporting on a Clemson Fan website, and you want to kick the team, and especially our new, inexperienced starting QB, when we are down? You should maybe rethink your career options, or have them re-evaluated FOR you.

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Re: I think one of the biggest roster gaps we have is at

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13

Sep 5, 2023, 10:46 AM

What is wrong with you 76er? Are you drunk or on crack? They lost to DUKE!!! DUKE!!!! I am still embarrassed about losing to DUKE in 2004 the week after beating Miami. Omg

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Re: I think one of the biggest roster gaps we have is at

4

Sep 5, 2023, 4:00 PM

I think this reporter hit the proverbial nail directly on the head!!! I also don’t see any changes from our methods! Therefore, we get left in the last century and a cloud of dust!

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Re: I think one of the biggest roster gaps we have is at

5

Sep 5, 2023, 10:47 AM [ in reply to I think one of the biggest roster gaps we have is at ]

Gtfo here clown.

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"Excuse me? I don't go down to your work and tell you how to flip the burger!"


Re: I think one of the biggest roster gaps we have is at***

2

Sep 5, 2023, 11:05 AM



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I don't agree with 76, but this is wrong.

2

Sep 5, 2023, 11:31 AM [ in reply to Re: I think one of the biggest roster gaps we have is at ]

Disagree with some integrity, man.

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Re: I think one of the biggest roster gaps we have is at

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18

Sep 5, 2023, 10:47 AM [ in reply to I think one of the biggest roster gaps we have is at ]

Kick while we are down? Brother- did you watch any of that atrocity last night? Criticism in this article is well warranted and it's well said - if you can't accept the reality that this team is just NOWHERE near the preseason hype/level of expectations of the past decade I dont know what to tell you.

But sure, be a big tough guy online and throw around firing someone from a website you are killing time on anyway lol. Post better content or we will post content FOR YOU

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Re: I think one of the biggest roster gaps we have is at

8

Sep 5, 2023, 10:49 AM [ in reply to I think one of the biggest roster gaps we have is at ]

You're unwillingness to accept the reality of what our program has become is just delaying the recovery process.

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Oh brother***

1

Sep 5, 2023, 10:49 AM [ in reply to I think one of the biggest roster gaps we have is at ]



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Absolutely NOTHING wrong or inaccurate about this article

15

Sep 5, 2023, 10:55 AM [ in reply to I think one of the biggest roster gaps we have is at ]

.

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Re: Absolutely NOTHING wrong or inaccurate about this article

1

Sep 5, 2023, 11:43 AM

I completely disagree. He started by saying the play calling was much better. It was exactly the same.

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Re: Absolutely NOTHING wrong or inaccurate about this article

6

Sep 5, 2023, 12:24 PM [ in reply to Absolutely NOTHING wrong or inaccurate about this article ]

Except Cade sliding prematurely DID NOT cost us the game. That game was lost with or without that play.

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Re: Absolutely NOTHING wrong or inaccurate about this article

5

Sep 5, 2023, 2:14 PM

It cost us our last possible shot. After that there was not enough time to score 2 TDs. You are correct, we had already squandered a bunch of chances that would have made a big difference.

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Re: I think one of the biggest roster gaps we have is at

11

Sep 5, 2023, 11:03 AM [ in reply to I think one of the biggest roster gaps we have is at ]

I thought it was a pretty good analysis.

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Re: I think one of the biggest roster gaps we have is at

1
3

Sep 5, 2023, 11:13 AM [ in reply to I think one of the biggest roster gaps we have is at ]

You know what you don't have to do? Read it.
Go ahead and keep your head in the sand.

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The truth hurts.***

4
2

Sep 5, 2023, 11:23 AM [ in reply to I think one of the biggest roster gaps we have is at ]



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"All those 'Fire Brownell' guys can kiss it." -Joseph Girard III

"Everybody needs to know that Coach Brownell is arguably the best coach to come through Clemson." -PJ Hall


Re: I think one of the biggest roster gaps we have is at

4

Sep 5, 2023, 11:25 AM [ in reply to I think one of the biggest roster gaps we have is at ]

76er you want him to sugarcoat it? I don’t see anything in the article to disagree with. It’s not time to write off the whole season after one game but I didn’t see much to be encouraged about.

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Re: I think one of the biggest roster gaps we have is at

2

Sep 5, 2023, 12:00 PM

Literally everything he is saying is what I've been saying too, with the exception that he didn't being up the O-line. Playcalling was different, what made it feel the same was that the plays just weren't working. Which is a testament to our wide outs and pedestrian O-line. Defense should have looked better as well. No sacks, and they just lacked intensity outside of a few plays by Mkuba.

It was a tough game to watch, and while yes, it might not he time to throw away the whole season, I do still need to consider selling my tickets to FSU that I picked up for my dad's birthday. It's a tough pill to swallow considering those tickets cost over $600 and with the way we played and the way FSU played... thats a hefty price to pay for a game that looks like is setting up for a blowout.

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Re: I think one of the biggest roster gaps we have is at


Sep 5, 2023, 3:15 PM

Ouch my friend, just ouch…$600…..oooof!!

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OL played well good enough to handily win last nite

1

Sep 5, 2023, 5:30 PM [ in reply to Re: I think one of the biggest roster gaps we have is at ]

Watch the replay game in ACC Network when your schedule allows it, and pick out the biggest ??? mark coming into this season (LT position) and watch the LT job for each play, for the entire game.

If you do that, then you’ll see only one case when LT (in this case, T.Leigh) got smoked and gave up a sack. T.Leigh got beat on the P.Mafah fumble at the goal line; this ‘lost’ snap was the biggest contributor to that helmet-on-the-ball fumble. To be sure, both T.Leigh and co-starter C.Sadler had other times when they neither ‘won’ or ‘lost’ on a play. Far more times than not, however, they ‘won’ their play.

From watching live action last night, both guard positions and especially center were exhibits of excellent play. This was the foundation of last night’s excellent running game performance.

Managing the blitz when a side of the OL gets overloaded … i.e., when pressure is certain to give Klubnik a problem … is when CK2 must find the hot route and display a feel for the pocket.

In this ‘feel of the pocket’ factor, CK2 showed enormous improvement vs 2022 season. He really did well in this area. Hot route identification improved, but still needs more work.

In summary, our OL is better than any since the end of the 2019 season. Yes, better than our CFP 2020 team.

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Re: I think one of the biggest roster gaps we have is at

4

Sep 5, 2023, 11:26 AM [ in reply to I think one of the biggest roster gaps we have is at ]

That was really hard to watch last night, I expected duke would put up a fight because of their QB but, I fully expected for us to put them away in the second half?? It was the opposite, duke put us away in the 4th quarter because of one mistake after another. To move the ball like we did in 3rd quarter and not score a point is totally unacceptable. Those fumblers should be forced to walk around all week in practice like they did Ray Ray several years ago with the ball duct taped to his hand to get the message across.

I love Dabo but, his hard headed refusal to use the portal to help improved the team is really getting old. The college football landscape is not 2010 - 2020 anymore times have changed everyone else is using it to get better and if you don't adapt your going to be left behind. Florida State has 10 players just this year from the portal and all 10 had experience as starters at other schools. You may not like it but, if everyone else is using it to get better then why aren't we??

Don't think future recruits were not watching that game last night. All I know is if we keep playing like this these kids are not going to want to come here. Family atmosphere is great to have with the players but, winning is very important and, that is going to keep those 4 or 5 star recruits wanting to come here.

I know its just game one but, didn't see any improvement from what happened the end of last year. We have 2 games to get things right against cream puffs, if not Florida State is going to come to the valley in 3 weeks and its not going to be pretty. After last night I have been having way too many flashbacks of when Jamis Winston and the seminoles came in and destroyed us on prime time national tv. I really hope I'm wrong and we can get this fixed before then!

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Re: I think one of the biggest roster gaps we have is at

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Sep 5, 2023, 1:04 PM

I have been a believer in loyalty to the high schoolers you recruit and develop over 2-3 years. That sends a great, noble message to those kids who want to come here.
I have been against the portal.
Though currently all within the rules, teams that become “instant winners” through the portal are, IMO, almost like cheaters and show that you couldn’t sell that high school kid on your school and culture. Therefore, you settled on the easy and lazy route and went out and got a bunch of guns for hire (See: FSU and Colorado). Use each other for what it’s worth: the schools get wins and the players improve their stock. In he end, no loyalty by either side the same as it would be if that kid did 4-5 years at the same school.
However, several of those same kids out of high school you show loyalty to end up jumping ship and either transferring or go to the NFL early. This, in turn, depletes your roster.
Therefore, and quite unfortunately because it’s a statement on our society as a “me, me, me” first culture, we too have to adapt.
Yes, we at Clemson, HAVE TO use the portal starting yesterday!!! (As much as I don’t like it.)

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Re: I think one of the biggest roster gaps we have is at

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Sep 5, 2023, 3:18 PM

Agreed... the game that Dabo is failing at coaching no longer exists. Dabo said if players started getting paid he would quit. While in the pre-NIL/Portal era Dabo was outstanding, but like things are now he needs to change or keep his word.

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Re: I think one of the biggest roster gaps we have is at

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Sep 5, 2023, 3:34 PM [ in reply to Re: I think one of the biggest roster gaps we have is at ]

Agree HTS. And here’s another thought: Coach Swinney and BOT have spared no expense building a national brand and have watched it grow and experience incredible success. We have given our staff and players EVERY OPPORTUNITY to succeed. If you can attract players with luxury digs and unparalleled facilities with putting greens and slides and ice bath cooling stations and on and on, why would you NOT continue to pursue success and sustain excellence by using a NEW method (the portal) that is being embraced left and right by “lesser” programs and yielding incredible results for them? Why would you short change your TEAM and fan base over something you basically consider unethical? We are losing players INTO the portal but we are unwilling to draw players OUT OF the portal. Can’t keep giving scholarships to less talented players and expect to see success. Please Coach, WAKE UP !!! None of us want to see what you worked so hard to build crumble around your ears but if you don’t get past your pride / ego and embrace what is readily available to help your team succeed, we may all witness it with reluctance and regret. Go Tigers !!!!!! Get with it already!!!!!

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Re: I think one of the biggest roster gaps we have is at


Sep 5, 2023, 10:27 PM [ in reply to Re: I think one of the biggest roster gaps we have is at ]

Duke did not put us away in the fourth. Clemson put us away in the third. When you move the ball inside the 10 yard line not once, not twice but three times and walk away with ZERO points due to fumbles and a missed FG. Clemson put Clemson away in the third.

The defense wasn’t great but they kept us in the game until that second fumble. Until then we had a very good chance of winning while playing like crap.

I hate to say it but we Clemsoned last night.

Here’s to hoping we use the next two weeks to figure some things out and salvage this season.

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Re: I think one of the biggest roster gaps we have is at

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11

Sep 5, 2023, 11:27 AM [ in reply to I think one of the biggest roster gaps we have is at ]

A reporter does his job right (something rare in America today) and you think he’s the problem? How about us embarrassing ourselves on national tv? That seems to be the real problem.

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Uncalled for 76.

3

Sep 5, 2023, 11:30 AM [ in reply to I think one of the biggest roster gaps we have is at ]

I like you as a poster but sometimes you have to be about to handle truths even if they may be unpleasant. It's just a part of life.

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Re: I think one of the biggest roster gaps we have is at

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1

Sep 5, 2023, 11:40 AM [ in reply to I think one of the biggest roster gaps we have is at ]

Nothing has improved. Clemson has a long road ahead... there are zero excuses...Dabo needs to rethink his entire philosophy on coaching... he hasn't embraced the latest tools for recruitment or the best coaches...

He's driving a old car to the new car show and can't compete

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Re: I think one of the biggest roster gaps we have is at


Sep 5, 2023, 11:48 AM [ in reply to I think one of the biggest roster gaps we have is at ]

76er® said:

Tigernet Reporter.

So, you are reporting on a Clemson Fan website, and you want to kick the team, and especially our new, inexperienced starting QB, when we are down? You should maybe rethink your career options, or have them re-evaluated FOR you.


This is staring at the problems straight on. Not

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null


Tiger Net Reporter

5

Sep 5, 2023, 12:33 PM [ in reply to I think one of the biggest roster gaps we have is at ]

Keep writing the truth. Some people on here can’t handle the truth.

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Re: I think one of the biggest roster gaps we have is at


Sep 5, 2023, 1:07 PM [ in reply to I think one of the biggest roster gaps we have is at ]

inexperienced QB.

Not.

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Re: I think one of the biggest roster gaps we have is at


Sep 5, 2023, 3:59 PM [ in reply to I think one of the biggest roster gaps we have is at ]

What?

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They are no longer scholar athletes. With the pay


Sep 5, 2023, 4:10 PM [ in reply to I think one of the biggest roster gaps we have is at ]

Comes appropriate expectations. The coaches also make bank. We’re witnessing a sorry excuse of a semi pro team.

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Painfully true article.***

9

Sep 5, 2023, 10:46 AM



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Re: Painfully true article.***

5

Sep 5, 2023, 10:52 AM

Painful to read but sometimes the truth does hurt.

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The portal must be used. Period. You can't play 18 year olds

14

Sep 5, 2023, 10:50 AM

vs. full-grown 23 year olds and expect to win in today's reality. I know Dabo doesn't like that reality, but it is what it is. Adapt or get left behind.

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Dabo likes to think it is showing loyalty, but check out the

1

Sep 5, 2023, 11:11 AM

loyalty when his players begin to hit the portal as the season goes south, or even just demoted to 2nd team for a week.

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Re: The portal must be used. Period. You can't play 18 year olds

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Sep 5, 2023, 11:13 AM [ in reply to The portal must be used. Period. You can't play 18 year olds ]

It doesn't even have to be a team full of transfers, which I don't think anyone wants. But when there are obvious needs (WR, interior OL, LB depth), our soft spots can be addressed immediately with just a handful of players.

It comes down to Jimmy and Joes, not X's and O's...

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Re: The portal must be used. Period. You can't play 18 year olds


Sep 5, 2023, 2:59 PM [ in reply to The portal must be used. Period. You can't play 18 year olds ]

You mean Duke was playing guys that should be in the NFL!

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Re: The portal must be used. Period. You can't play 18 year olds


Sep 5, 2023, 3:39 PM

We got beat by a bunch of guys won WON'T be in the NFL...

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Re: The portal must be used. Period. You can't play 18 year olds

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Sep 5, 2023, 3:20 PM [ in reply to The portal must be used. Period. You can't play 18 year olds ]

We are being left behind.... by Duke no less...smh


vs. full-grown 23 year olds and expect to win in today's reality. I know Dabo doesn't like that reality, but it is what it is. Adapt or get left behind.




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I'm actually less concerned about the lack of sacks

13

Sep 5, 2023, 10:53 AM

I think a lot of the issues with the sacks/pressure last night is we were playing soft coverage on the inside receivers. When we got pressure there was always someone wide open because we were still 10+ yards off the receiver. It was almost like we were terrified of getting beat deep off the ball and we were willing to give them 6-8 yards at will. This meant anytime we got pressure Leonard had a relatively easy throw to avoid it.

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Re: I'm actually less concerned about the lack of sacks

2

Sep 5, 2023, 10:58 AM

Welcome to TigerNet! Great post! I gave you and award as a welcome!

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DE recruiting as been abysmal for years up until this year.

4

Sep 5, 2023, 11:35 AM [ in reply to I'm actually less concerned about the lack of sacks ]

Every time we tried to bring it up we would get gaslit from the pumper gang.

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Re: TNET: Gaffes and roster gaps doom Clemson at Duke

11

Sep 5, 2023, 10:53 AM

I just had this same conversation with my Dand and cousin. Refusing to use the portal has left us holding our hats. The game has evolved and Dabo has refused to evolve with it. Colorado, USCal, Louisville, FSU, and a bevy of other teams have made their teams legitimately better and contenders using the portal. Except for maybe Louisville. It remains to be seen who they really are as Tech is rebuilding.

The largest takeaway for me was the offense changed very little. The scheme was the same with a couple new wrinkles mixed in. This tells me Dabo has too much input into play calling.

The lack of elite (or even average) wide receiver play is killing us. We need to recruit some studs through the portal who have proven they can be a weapon.

I am as frustrated with Clemson football as I have ever been. I foresee 3-4 losses unless we get the ship headed the right direction.

Defensive coordinator is a glaring issue. We have arguably the best defense on paper through Dabo’s tenure. The “promote from within” experiment needs to end immediately. Go hire a d coordinator who consistently fields top 5 defenses.

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Re: TNET: Gaffes and roster gaps doom Clemson at Duke

6

Sep 5, 2023, 11:12 AM

Defensive coordinator is a glaring issue. We have arguably the best defense on paper through Dabo’s tenure. The “promote from within” experiment needs to end immediately. Go hire a d coordinator who consistently fields top 5 defenses.

This x1000. Clemson can be disappointed but not surprised by Cade looking like a player in his first road regular season start (and, largely, he improved as the game progressed). Clemson can shake its head at the turnovers being a not-likely-to-be-repeated fluke. Heck, as Clemson fans we can laugh until we cry about the kicking kerfuffle.

But no mercy should be given on the defensive side of the ball. The group is stacked. Loaded to the gills. And- under Goodwin- is coached to play passive, bend but don't break defense. Sadly, they both bent and broke, to the tune of 28 points. Not good enough.

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Re: TNET: Gaffes and roster gaps doom Clemson at Duke

2

Sep 5, 2023, 11:31 AM [ in reply to Re: TNET: Gaffes and roster gaps doom Clemson at Duke ]

Agree jedi. Ryan and/or @dhood. Could one of you explain the Dan mullen interview with Dabo concerning the offense question posed about being rileys offense.

I didn't catch it and can't seem to find it. But essentially Dabo said he (riley) was brought in to learn the Clemson playbook and run it. If so, why even make a change. I was under the impression that riley was brought in to revamp an old outdated scheme.

We took one shot to Jake down the seam that was almost intercepted. Zero 50/50 shots.

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Re: TNET: Gaffes and roster gaps doom Clemson at Duke

1

Sep 5, 2023, 3:01 PM [ in reply to Re: TNET: Gaffes and roster gaps doom Clemson at Duke ]

Please tell me how using the portal will bring you talent that was not good enough to play at some other school!

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Re: TNET: Gaffes and roster gaps doom Clemson at Duke

2

Sep 5, 2023, 3:45 PM

Dude, the better teams aren't bringing in talent from the bench of the other schools. They are bringing in starters with experience who are filling gaps and are better players than what is on the current roster. Did you not watch games this weekend where many calls started with, "nice tackle, or nice catch, or nice throw from the transfer coming from X school."

Geez, pay attention...


Message was edited by: slwcu79®


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Totally agree


Sep 5, 2023, 6:32 PM [ in reply to Re: TNET: Gaffes and roster gaps doom Clemson at Duke ]

Promoting from within is like fishing in a fish tank. The available “catches” are severely limited … we need to go for a great big Tiger Shark to run the D.

I’m sure Wes is a great guy and even learned a lot in his first year, but IMO Clemson is too big a program for significant positions to be conducting on-the-job training.

We need highly experienced top-level coaches in the coordinator’s roles.

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Great analysis. And yes, some on here won't be able to take

4

Sep 5, 2023, 11:09 AM

it. Be prepared to be called a coot. We have some people that use that as a go to line for anything.

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Re: Great analysis. And yes, some on here won't be able to take


Sep 5, 2023, 11:24 AM

The article is fair. He's pointing out what many on the board have been saying.

Like it our not 5 to 10 transfers is the standard in college football today. No way a high school kid can do what a transfer can, one that put out up big numbers at a small school.

Unfortunately its too late.

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Re: TNET: Gaffes and roster gaps doom Clemson at Duke

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4

Sep 5, 2023, 11:19 AM

Best and most true article I’ve read on TNet in a long time. I love Dabo as a man, but his stubbornness has us in a pickle that I don’t see us getting out of unless he can find some open mindedness in the very near future. Randall was nowhere to be found. The OLine looks very similar to the last few years, and the play calling looked like Dabo has had, and still his hands in the play calling which is not what we need. This coaching staff needs a complete re haul. Grisham, Austin, and Goodwin need to go immediately. Thanks for your article! Time for us to wake up and realize we’re A LONG WAY in the wrong direction from where we were in 2020

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Re: TNET: Gaffes and roster gaps doom Clemson at Duke

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6

Sep 5, 2023, 11:20 AM

Thank you for your critical, but honest, analysis, Ryan. We need more of it around these parts.

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Re: TNET: Gaffes and roster gaps doom Clemson at Duke

3

Sep 5, 2023, 11:20 AM

Do we really think the transfer portal is the main concern here? I can see that being an issue when we run into the top 15 type teams, but are we really saying there’s a talent issue against the Dukes of the college football world? In past years if we had an off game against lesser talent, we still would bully them physically.

I can’t pinpoint what, but these issues run way deeper than WR. Our WR room isn’t what it was, but are we really as bad as all the talk? There’s schools with far less talent than we have that are moving the ball through the air much more easily.

The DJ years, everybody on offense looked tight. All the Riley offense talk, all the OL talk, all the breath of fresh air talk, I was expecting these guys to come out loose. Say what you want about Cade and how he operates in the pocket, or his decision making, but that kid came in a ball of confidence and energy. Watch his drive against GT last year vs opening this game. You could have told me DJ had slimmed down and stayed out of the sun. Their sphincters are so tight you could use them to survive in a vacuum.

My gut says this is trickling down from the top. When it was 7-6 I told me wife we were going to lose the game. Dabo always got a certain look and energy in the games we lost. He had that after the first offensive and defensive series this game. I think the more this program has struggled, the more stressed he has gotten, and the more he has micromanaged, especially with a bunch of inexperienced coaches. I’m not saying he has to go, but he has got to get out of his own way.

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Re: TNET: Gaffes and roster gaps doom Clemson at Duke


Sep 5, 2023, 3:51 PM

Yes, WR is a problem and has been for the last couple of years. But, you are absolutely right in that there are many other systemic issues holding us back. Unfortunately, it isn't just a couple of easy fixes here and there although the staff continues to try and lead you to believe that.

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Our problems run much deeper than the transfer portal.

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1

Sep 5, 2023, 4:07 PM [ in reply to Re: TNET: Gaffes and roster gaps doom Clemson at Duke ]

Yes we need to use the portal to address talent deficiencies at certain positions, but that shouldn’t be needed to beat Duke. Our “home grown” talent should be more than enough to beat most teams on our schedule. Just the other day, one analyst said that we have top 5 talent nationally.

Which brings us to our biggest problem, which is coaching. We simply don’t have the coaching needed to develop talent and game plan so that those players are prepared and able to succeed. We haven’t had proper coaching in place for several years now.

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"All those 'Fire Brownell' guys can kiss it." -Joseph Girard III

"Everybody needs to know that Coach Brownell is arguably the best coach to come through Clemson." -PJ Hall


Re: Our problems run much deeper than the transfer portal.


Sep 5, 2023, 6:18 PM

Top 5 talent he referenced was the blue chip index. Problem is a young 4 star may not play as well as a 22 year old 3 star. It’s one measure of talent.

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The truth hurts.

1

Sep 5, 2023, 11:29 AM

That's all I am going to say.

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Where are the playmakers?

2

Sep 5, 2023, 11:33 AM

Keep on expecting to see them because it's what I've grown accustomed to, but I'm starting to think I should accept that this team just isn't that good. The players might want to ponder on that one a little themselves.

Some of the quotes coming out of camp certainly seem misplaced: "we're going against the best this in the nation;" "we're the best that in the nation;" "our goal is to win a national championship." It's kind of like guys think that when they put on that tiger uniform, they're transformed into an elite player/team because of all the success that's come before them. Yes, Trevor Lawrence, Travis Etienne, Tee Higgins et al. were great, but you aren't them.

Fair points on WR in the article. Just seems like the talent isn't there. Cornell Powell might have been the best receiver on this team, or Germone Hopper, or Jaron Brown. Those guys were depth pieces when they played.

If this team wants to accomplish anything, maybe they should stop thinking they're more talented than other teams, and work with a little more urgency to get better.

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Best article youve written, Ryan***

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1

Sep 5, 2023, 11:33 AM



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Re: Best article youve written, Ryan***

5

Sep 5, 2023, 12:19 PM

Thank you! I wish it was a more happy one.

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Re: Best article youve written, Ryan***


Sep 5, 2023, 2:50 PM

Guessing you didn't want to call out many players by name, but did it appear to you that Jeremiah Trotter Jr's play was definitely not up to par? Seems like he wasn't trying very hard. Reminded me of Myles Murphy towards the end of last season when he didn't play up to his potential once he realized he was going to be a first-rounder regardless.

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We all do***


Sep 5, 2023, 3:22 PM [ in reply to Re: Best article youve written, Ryan*** ]



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Re: TNET: Gaffes and roster gaps doom Clemson at Duke


Sep 5, 2023, 11:35 AM

Clemson should not be back in top 25 until they can beat FSU

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Why no mention of the Abysmal Tackling and Busts


Sep 5, 2023, 11:37 AM

For 2-3 years the Tiger D still repeatedly gets BURNED by the Screen Pass!!!

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Re: TNET: Gaffes and roster gaps doom Clemson at Duke


Sep 5, 2023, 11:36 AM

I really wonder about the mental state of this team, particularly on offense.

3 of our last 4 games have featured absolutely inexplicable turnovers and game-changing mistakes, to the point that this now has become our identity. They get down inside the red zone and have a false start, sack, missed chip shot FG, fumbled handoff, and fumble. Against UT and SCar we have enough production to win the game, but can't finish drives and turn the ball over in critical spots.

This will be a tough trend for the coaches to overcome. We've got a tune-up game and a (hopefully) other tune-up before FSU; hope they can get it turned around!

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Re: TNET: Gaffes and roster gaps doom Clemson at Duke

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1

Sep 5, 2023, 11:48 AM

Finally....someone in the Tiger network media that's not going to kiss the youth pastor's @$$...Dabo needs to move on.

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"We the people are the rightful masters of both Congress and the courts, not to overthrow the Constitution but to overthrow the men who pervert the Constitution." - Abraham Lincoln


Re: TNET: Gaffes and roster gaps doom Clemson at Duke


Sep 5, 2023, 11:53 AM

Ryan, out of the three portal receivers that you mentioned, which one(s) do you feel Clemson had a shot of landing? Where all three of them legal looking entries into the portal? I am thinking the one that went to Va Tech May have been a possibility for Clemson. How long were the other two in the portal before naming a school?

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Re: TNET: Gaffes and roster gaps doom Clemson at Duke

4

Sep 5, 2023, 11:56 AM

It was a tough game to watch but I needed some doses of reality pills last night.

The reality is that I didn't see good player development at key positions (looking first at you WR room). Williams cannot be our #1 guy, he's our slot. No separation from our outside WRs. Inexplicable drops. Ineffective WR blocks on our screens. We have an OC known for explosive plays and the only explosive play we had was a run. It's the same thing we've seen for the past 3 years. And when your opponent knows this, we are one dimensional. This was a reality that a lot refused to acknowledge, to the point where we ran DJU out of town. HE HAD NO WR HELP.

The reality is that our gameplan refuses to utilize TEs catching the ball. Briningstool is 6'6" and was nowhere to be found. Have him lined up on a LB and he has the catch every time.

The reality is that Special Teams continue to be a sore thumb. Two blocked field goals is unacceptable. Williams fielding a return within the 5 yard line was questionable. Punting yards were below average. I will not throw shade on a freshman kicker but it's hard not to when coaches have been hyping this kid up all offseason.

The reality is that the basics were not a point of emphasis last offseason. Blocked field goals, QB/RB exchange fumble, lack of defensive play recognition to name a few.

The reality is that our defensive is too talented to look subpar last night. Playing too conservative and not trusting our corners to press is hampering us. Zone defense was a joke last night. Our vaunted D-line barely had any penetration last night, let alone a sack (TJ Dudley's future is bright though). I am used to our defensive play recognition being so great that there were articles that people said that we were "stealing signals" lol. Now we are not recognizing plays and reacting slow.

The reality is that we instead gameplan around our roster holes instead of addressing it in the portal and recruiting. This was exploited by our opponents for the past couple years (WR, DB, OL).

I really hope that this humble loss hits every single person on this team (AND COACHES) souls and respond like the Tigers I know. I have faith that we will clean this up but some people (players and coaches) need to look in the mirror and have honest conversations with themselves. The best was always the standard and it seems we've strayed away from this.

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Re: TNET: Gaffes and roster gaps doom Clemson at Duke

1

Sep 5, 2023, 11:58 AM

The outcome last evening really brings the major question right to the forefront at the beginning of the season. Does Clemson want to be a team that develops players where there is a joyful locker room or just Clemson one to be fighting for the top spot?

The proof and the evidence pretty obvious. Teams go to the portal can rise quickly but if your deficiency is addressed with the classic approach of recruiting and developing the rise will be much slower unless your recruiting class is unbelievable. Clemson is not Alabama and Clemson is not Georgia so while we will get high quality players we are not going get the sort of numbers of 4-5 stars that those schools get so we really have to look elsewhere if we want to rebound quickly.

Coach Swinney is very inflexible on the portal and he likes the idea of a comfortable workplace with a bunch of good guys who slowly develop. There’s nothing wrong with that but you have to recognize you are competing against teams that have a different approach. If you don’t mind losing with some frequency then the Swinney approach will work. It did previously but that was before the portal era began.

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Re: TNET: Gaffes and roster gaps doom Clemson at Duke

1

Sep 5, 2023, 12:22 PM

Spot on. Everyone in the nation sees it, and Dabo is just ignorant towards it. He said they looked in the portal but just didn't land anyone, well that says a lot if you ask me. We have more kids leaving through the portal than your average school, and we keep making it up with freshman talent. It feels like the excuse the last 2 years was "its a young team". It will keep being a young team when your juniors and soft mores transferring out are replaced by freshmen that weren't a part of the original recruiting plan.

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Re: TNET: Gaffes and roster gaps doom Clemson at Duke

1

Sep 5, 2023, 12:22 PM

I already vented last night but will just say that this is probably the worst coached team (in all 3 areas) that I can remember us putting on the field - blocking, tackling, catching, holding onto the ball, covering, you name it. On the offense I did hear a national show this morning where they questioned why we hired Riley if we were not going to let him run his offense and just keep our old offense...
On the bright side, I think the special teams gaffs and defense are fixable and the run game is solid (in 20 or 21 personnel at least) but I really don't know if we have any WR's that scare anyone or not.
I don't think any of us really like the concept of the portal and we're going to like it even less come Sept 23rd unless things change rapidly BUT we damn-well better learn to use it as our talent level continues to drop below our former competitors. Other than beating a Brian Kelly outmanned ND team for the 2020 ACC title, the last truly big game we have won was Ohio State in 2019!
We have to and SHOULD continue to recruit our butts off - we have a great product to sell BUT you also lose people, have people that miss, etc. and you just have to fill holes in todays world or else you fall in them! Is 3-4 in our last 7 games really what our new standard is??
I sure hope not - looking for a BIG difference in 3 weeks!

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Re: TNET: Gaffes and roster gaps doom Clemson at Duke

2

Sep 5, 2023, 2:54 PM

Sorry but gaffs had nothing to do with it. This loss is on the same coaching staff that lost us the South Carolina game.

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Re: TNET: Gaffes and roster gaps doom Clemson at Duke

2

Sep 5, 2023, 3:07 PM

The problem is Dabo... Last year the problem was Dabo... Dabo is an excellent CEO and when he makes good hires and gets out of the way Clemson excels... when he becomes part of the offensive play calling that is a problem. When he hires several inexperienced position coaches because they are buddies... that is a problem. (Maybe he gets away with one) When he promotes someone with NO coaching experience to DC.. that is a problem. Refusing to use the portal to fill gaps in the O-line and WR positions is a problem... Being that he has done all of the above...Dabo is the problem.


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Re: TNET: Gaffes and roster gaps doom Clemson at Duke

2

Sep 5, 2023, 3:32 PM

Last night was the worst that I have seen Clemson play in 15 years. It was as if we resorted back to 2008. While Duke is a good team, they should have not even been within 10 pts of Clemson at any time. If we do not fix our problems we will end up 8-4 or 7-5 at the end of the season. One day Dabo is going to have to swallow his pride and start looking at the Portal. Teams are getting better from the Portal. I wish people would stop defending Dabo and start looking at the problems. Last night even Duke had numerous Portal players on their team. Experience beats inexperience any day. Well another year where the College Playoffs look like a dream instead of reality. All summer long we get cheerleader reports from Dabo and the staff about how this is looking good, this is looking good, and this person is way ahead of this person and yet the first game looked like we regressed instantly. Its hard to defend a team that is full of 4 and 5 stars and yet we got manhandled by 3 stars and walk-ons....


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Re: TNET: Gaffes and roster gaps doom Clemson at Duke


Sep 5, 2023, 3:39 PM

We do seem to have issues in the development of wide receivers at this point in time. It’s not talent, it’s development. Or training or motivation or something that’s not coming out of our receivers’ coaching. IMO of course

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Re: TNET: Gaffes and roster gaps doom Clemson at Duke

1

Sep 5, 2023, 3:44 PM

This loss says so much about where the Clemson program really is. Duke is clearly on the rise, but this outcome shows that a fair percentage of the hype about Clemson's prospects for the season is magical thinking. Suddenly games against teams with good personnel start to look like climbing Mount Everest. Notre Dame, FSU, South Carolina. The pre-season hype reflects the last drops momentum that remain from the Swinney Golden Years.

In the absence of a quick turnaround, we will begin to see more top recruits having us in their top 8, but not their top 4. We would be heading back into the pack, which is where Clemson was when I was on the faculty---a really good player here and there, but too little team effectiveness to get near the summit.

I think about all the "go to the SEC" talk, and wonder how well we will do against the NC State's and Virginia Tech's and Pitt's of the ACC.

Momentum is hard to create, and when things decline, it lives on for a while before it runs out. We are far closer to "run out" than we want to think. Paul Finebaum (not my favorite person) unfortunately is closer to the truth than are those who feel this was just one bad game. The consequences of loss of aura will be severe and very noticeable if the ship is not righted very quickly.

You just have to wonder what our best players are thinking, as the portal will always be there beckoning, and what the 4 and 5 stars in high school who are debating between Clemson and a bunch of schools on the come are taking away from last night's telecast.

All in all, not a pretty picture.

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Re: TNET: Gaffes and roster gaps doom Clemson at Duke


Sep 5, 2023, 3:57 PM

Excellent article. Well thought out. Well written.

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Re: TNET: Gaffes and roster gaps doom Clemson at Duke


Sep 5, 2023, 5:42 PM

Good analysis. Do you think the WRs were all recruiting misses? Is Cade a miss as well? I’m astounded we could miss on all of these.

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Re: TNET: Gaffes and roster gaps doom Clemson at Duke


Sep 5, 2023, 6:13 PM

I don't think they are all misses. But I agree with everyone on this board that Dabo needs to change his mind about the portal and about play calling. He's a great CEO, but not a great in game manager. Does he not believe in the art of delegation?

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Re: TNET: Gaffes and roster gaps doom Clemson at Duke


Sep 5, 2023, 6:14 PM

Thanks Ryan. I believe you nailed it.

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Re: TNET: Gaffes and roster gaps doom Clemson at Duke


Sep 5, 2023, 6:28 PM

I would like to see us use the portal, but how would that have been possible in 2023? We were stressing being over 85 scholarships until August.
Again, I’m all for the portal, but not at the expense of changing the culture to one that runs players off (that’s the only way we could have gone to the portal this year).

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Re: TNET: Gaffes and roster gaps doom Clemson at Duke


Sep 5, 2023, 8:38 PM

Excellent article Ryan.

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Re: TNET: Gaffes and roster gaps doom Clemson at Duke

1

Sep 6, 2023, 11:12 AM

True Article. I, like all of you, was sick to my stomach watching this performance Monday night. I think the results can be summed up in one word - HUBRIS. We are watching the results of stiff necked pride played out in decisions that were once a benefit. Now those ideals that once brought luster now bring humiliation. If you continue to do what you have always done, you will you will eventually get what you always got. The shortest route to true humility is , unfortunately, humiliation. That is how I felt Monday night. I feel bad for our athletes and our fans. I also feel bad for Dabo. That is a hard place to be in. You want to make the right call and sometimes changing your mind is the hardest part. One ray of hope for me was the play of the middle of the O line! They were moving some folks. I wish we would have just stayed the course and run the ball. Could be a long season but I would rather have a long season cheering Clemson that any other team!! Go Tigers!!

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Re: TNET: Gaffes and roster gaps doom Clemson at Duke


Sep 6, 2023, 12:59 PM

DJ is gone and we got the OC we wanted. Who you gonna blame now?

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