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Replies: 42
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TNET: Against Syracuse, even the view from the sideline fails to provide clarity
Oct 16, 2021, 7:00 AM
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CU Medallion [18514]
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Thanks David. Good to get a win!
Oct 16, 2021, 7:15 AM
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Campus Hero [13984]
TigerPulse: 100%
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The players should be happy when they win.
Oct 16, 2021, 7:34 AM
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They work hard and spend countless hours all year long preparing to play in these games and winning is the payback. I think it is a good thing that their joyous emotions are on display in the immediate aftermath of a win.
Having said that, I can only imagine that many of the players are just as frustrated as us fans with how this season has been a constant struggle. Especially after most of these guys have been on the previous Clemson teams that steam rolled most of our opponents. I think the players all realize we are not where we need to be as a team but that should not diminish their joy at winning a game.
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Orange Elite [5234]
TigerPulse: 92%
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I agree with this 100% ….
Oct 18, 2021, 7:43 AM
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My dissatisfaction is with the coaching and their inability to, and in some cases stubbornness not to, make adjustments.
Maddening to watch after years of success. And I’m resigned to acknowledge, the coaching quality has been slowly declining over the past 2 years since Jeff Scott left and the sheer talent we already had was masking the decline.
After this season (with likely 2 more losses), coaching changes will have to be made if we want to stay in the upper echelon of college football. You must retain your edge an not be perceived as a “has been” coaching staff and still recruit and now retain (with the portal) the talent required to be an elite contender.
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Head Coach [760]
TigerPulse: 99%
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Re: TNET: Against Syracuse, even the view from the sideline fails to provide clarity
Oct 16, 2021, 7:48 AM
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Nice article.
I wish ALL Tigers would read!
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Dynasty Maker [3506]
TigerPulse: 100%
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I’ve complained enough this season
Oct 16, 2021, 7:56 AM
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It is what it is. It will be what it will be. I’m not going to complain any more. It will be a long off season until August rolls around again. Enjoy the ride. Go Tigers!
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Clemson Icon [26931]
TigerPulse: 100%
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Re: TNET: Against Syracuse, even the view from the sideline fails to provide clarity
Oct 16, 2021, 8:00 AM
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That is an outstanding column. Thanks for writing it.
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Letterman [184]
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Re: TNET: Against Syracuse, even the view from the sideline fails to provide clarity
Oct 16, 2021, 8:22 AM
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David, Thanks for sharing the contrasting perspectives. Well said. I think when you are on the team - coaching or playing - you have a job to do and you keep fighting and when you win your battle you can celebrate. As a fan - there is nothing you can really do. And as a fan - its very very hard to lower your expectations - so it turns into frustrations, anger and blaming. Perfectly natural. Only thing I ask our tnetters - is that we make the attacks less personal. The team are just young men working very hard every day to try and be what they and we expect. And they don't seem to be able to. Coaches on the other hand - selected each of these men, coach them and are supposed to form a high performance team with them. Obviously they have not done this - and there is no indication they will this year.
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Orange Elite [5234]
TigerPulse: 92%
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Yup… agree.***
Oct 18, 2021, 7:55 AM
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Offensive Star [347]
TigerPulse: 100%
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I prefer the view from the sideline
Oct 16, 2021, 8:23 AM
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I’ve had enough of the whiners and complainers. I support this team 100%, win or lose, ugly or pretty. I love those guys.
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110%er [6692]
TigerPulse: 97%
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Re: I prefer the view from the sideline
Oct 16, 2021, 12:53 PM
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I think everyone supports them win or lose, but some are critical of bad play even if they support the team. People can do both. I think that's why they come the board.
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Orange Elite [5234]
TigerPulse: 92%
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We all love those guys… just think they deserve better
Oct 18, 2021, 7:57 AM
[ in reply to I prefer the view from the sideline ] |
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Coaching (player decisions, development, recruiting evaluations, in game adjustments, play calling).
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Letterman [184]
TigerPulse: 93%
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READ THIS. Well Done David - GO Tigers
Oct 16, 2021, 8:27 AM
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Hard to lower our expectations.
Lets support the players and all their hard work and grit to try "win" their battles every plan.
Coaches - don't want to call anyone out as I have no idea what is going on within the program - but this has been brewing for several years and was covered up by best in class talent in DW, TL, TravisE. Without them and with the defenses across the country improving on RPO defense......you have to make changes. This year is for sure a disappointment. Lets not go get this fixed by shaking up the staff and getting some O creativity.
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Paw Warrior [4751]
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Pitt is going to be a tough one to win!***
Oct 16, 2021, 8:38 AM
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Team Captain [472]
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Re: Pitt is going to be a tough one to win!***
Oct 16, 2021, 9:39 AM
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Extremely tough. I love our defense but don’t see how we hold them under 14 points.
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Orange Beast [6180]
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Re: Pitt is going to be a tough one to win!***
Oct 16, 2021, 10:56 AM
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Pitt has a chance to blowout all the fuses on the scoreboard!
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Recruit [97]
TigerPulse: 93%
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Re: Pitt is going to be a tough one to win!***
Oct 16, 2021, 12:02 PM
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Standout [246]
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Re: TNET: Against Syracuse, even the view from the sideline fails to provide clarity
Oct 16, 2021, 8:44 AM
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Well written and true to the bone…it makes the saying “ win is a win” understandable.
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Game Day Hero [4325]
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Re: TNET: Against Syracuse, even the view from the sideline fails to provide clarity
Oct 16, 2021, 8:53 AM
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Happy for the win and for our players, and hope our offense gets much better.
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Orange Beast [6292]
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Re: TNET: Against Syracuse, even the view from the sideline fails to provide clarity
Oct 16, 2021, 8:52 AM
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Can't blame them for celebrating a win, no matter how ugly. Doesn't mean the coaches, especially, shouldn't know how bad we are playing and that we are only a couple plays away from a well deserved 1-5.
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Orange Blooded [2194]
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Re: TNET: Against Syracuse, even the view from the sideline fails to provide clarity
Oct 16, 2021, 8:58 AM
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Great article David. I think now is the time to stop complaining and accept what is is.
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Clemson Icon [27619]
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Re: TNET: Against Syracuse, even the view from the sideline fails to provide clarity
Oct 16, 2021, 9:11 AM
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I hope that you will mention the clock management issues to the coaches. Most knowledgeable fans know that the other team can’t score if they don’t have the ball. So why hurry up your offense to get a play run when there is only minutes left in a very close game? I will never understand this because this CAN BE resolved with alert coaching!
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Athletic Dir [1123]
TigerPulse: 92%
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Re: TNET: Against Syracuse, even the view from the sideline fails to provide clarity
Oct 16, 2021, 9:37 AM
[ in reply to Re: TNET: Against Syracuse, even the view from the sideline fails to provide clarity ] |
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Accepting what it is is not an option. At least not in my opinion. The fact that we can't do anything to change it is one thing but saying "Aw shucks, we'll get um next year" to me is unacceptable. Noise must be made so that changes will be made. Otherwise we will have TE and the same coaching staff next year with DJ running the same offense and we will have the same results. I'm just not ready to give up on our run yet and I think that's what we will be doing.
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Orange Beast [6180]
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Re: TNET: Against Syracuse, even the view from the sideline fails to provide clarity
Oct 16, 2021, 10:58 AM
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Correct!!! "Wait until next year" begins to smell of Cootism real fast!
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Offensive Star [338]
TigerPulse: 56%
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Re: TNET: Against Syracuse, even the view from the sideline fails to provide clarity
Oct 16, 2021, 9:13 AM
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Again, David Hood nails it. Truth is the coaches well know this team is not capable of blowing out anyone in the ACC - those days are over - for the rest of this year at least. They have tried to make it more simple for the O and rely on the experience on D to hang on. Continuing to loose important pieces on D and still play to the Standard has been tough, but so far they have done what it takes. Barely.
Clemson fans need to be realistic - 8 or 9 wins, a long shot at getting to the championship game, and a second tier bowl game will be a great accomplishment for this team. Then it’s another rebuild.
It is 100% up to Dabo if this journey back to the top of the mountain will be long or longer.
If Dabo will make the changes he must make - we know what they are - so does he - they could return to dominance in 2024. If not, they are going to continue to slide down to where other teams are that used to be consistently great but hey what happened? Think Texas, USC, Nebraska, FSU, Miami, Tennessee, LSU. It happens.
Playing inferior competition week in and week out makes a team soft and tolerant of mediocrity. You can see it in the constant excuses being offered by DS and TE.
Not a single coach has the integrity to admit “We aren’t playing to the standard now and it’s my responsibility.” That says it all.
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Dynasty Maker [3135]
TigerPulse: 100%
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Re: TNET: Against Syracuse, even the view from the sideline fails to provide clarity
Oct 16, 2021, 9:23 AM
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I am happy to win. A win is a win. I don’t want to take anything from our guys. They work hard to win.
The fan point of view comes in when you project the issues of this offense to the rest of the season and future seasons. Tony’s play calling issues and game-planing issues did not start this year. Remember hearing over the last few years- oh Tony is just keeping it vanilla so we don’t show our hand. Nope that is not vanilla. That is the offensive scheme. The oline- has it ever not been an issue. Maybe 1 year out of 10 the skill guys did not have to overcome the issues with the line. Caldwell does not develop these guys plain and simple.
The concern is that how in the world is the offense this historically bad and not just in comparison to bad Clemson offenses. Someone posted a tweet of the teams that failed to reach a certain mark in the CFP era and Clemson was one of the 5. This concern equates to how many more losses will this team have. Mu concern is that it could be 2 maybe 3 with this offense.
This team with this talent playing the competition we are should NEVER have an offense that is below top 60. My goodness if we were even slightly below average instead of god awful, we may still be in the CFP conversation with our defense.
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All-American [576]
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Re: TNET: Against Syracuse, even the view from the sideline fails to provide clarity
Oct 16, 2021, 9:34 AM
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That's fine. Accept mediocrity. The best is but a target. I can say this.. These coaches are not doing their job and they had 2 weeks to prepare for that team regardless of the injuries. No more excuses.
I will not be watching next week. I still pull for the team but it's not in the least encouraging.
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Recruit [97]
TigerPulse: 93%
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Re: TNET: Against Syracuse, even the view from the sideline fails to provide clarity
Oct 16, 2021, 11:57 AM
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Standout [234]
TigerPulse: 100%
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Orange Blooded [2243]
TigerPulse: 100%
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Great article David!
Oct 16, 2021, 9:35 AM
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The constant bitching and moaning from some of our fans plays right into the hands of our enemies. They would like nothing better than for us to become irrelevant. The best way for that to be accomplished is for our fans to “kill the golden goose”. Dabo and company got us to the pinnacle of college football. Let’s support them as they deal with this down year. Remember that perception is reality and our strength is our loyal fan base. Let’s keep it that way.
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All-Conference [433]
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Re: Great article David!
Oct 16, 2021, 11:45 AM
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No one is doubting Dabo. Most are doubting Tony because the offense has dropped off the last 2 years since Jeff Scott left. Why shouldnt we be upset? Clemson was picked by many to play in the National Championship this year and instead we will be lucky to make the Duke's Mayo Bowl. It is a slap to reality to be upset but its going to continue as long as Clemson continues to play so sloppy on offense. Get ready for more!
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All-Pro [752]
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Re: TNET: Against Syracuse, even the view from the sideline fails to provide clarity
Oct 16, 2021, 10:31 AM
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So, it's time to understand that this is a really bad offense, I agree wholeheartedly. This reality of course begs the question "Why are we a really bad offense?" How could that much talent be that bad on the field? Behind closed doors our coach MUST be asking himself that.
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All-Conference [433]
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Re: TNET: Against Syracuse, even the view from the sideline fails to provide clarity
Oct 16, 2021, 11:41 AM
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The one thing that botheres me is the incosistency of the offense. Also, I did not like when the camera showed the Clemson sideline, where Tajh and some other assistant was back there joking and laughing it up. What is there to laugh about? Do your jobs and get this offense rolling or we will continue to be the joke of the College Football landscape this year. Prove everyone wrong!
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Trainer [35]
TigerPulse: 100%
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Re: TNET: Against Syracuse, even the view from the sideline fails to provide clarity
Oct 16, 2021, 11:48 AM
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Look, I love my Tigers. I will support them through the good, the bad and the ugly. But this is starting to feel like a parent who is in denial about their child's disability. DJ is a great young man, but it should be clear by now (especially after a bye week) that this is who he is this year. (The name "Cardale Jones", NFL-version, keeps coming to mind.) He could get better over time, like a pitcher who lost the strike zone and then found it again, but it's now time to make a change at QB. Why? Because Taisun P. deserves an opportunity, and it's the right thing for the other players and the team culture. You can't keep the mantra that every player, without exception, must earned his spot, yet continue to start DJ. You can't make the argument that you're playing the QB that gives you the best chance to win if you never give TP a shot at starting. If he somehow ends up playing worse than the statistically worst starting QB in the ACC, then OK, put DJ back in. Until then, do the right thing. Just my opinion.
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Trainer [35]
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Re: TNET: Against Syracuse, even the view from the sideline fails to provide clarity
Oct 16, 2021, 12:25 PM
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Just to tag onto my previous post... DJ is not the only issue with the offense, but he is the focal point, as is any QB. The OL is improving, and the running backs are really producing. Clearly, EVERYONE is giving maximum effort, including DJ, so that's not the problem. Yes, the receivers are dropping some balls, but when you're never sure of where the ball-placement is going to be (a foot from the ground or 10 feet above it), it's hard to be your best and not on-edge. The offense is still vanilla because it is not capable of executing anything more complex right now. Finally, what are future recruit prospects going to think about coming to Clemson if they don't think they'll have a fair shot at starting, even if the starter is playing poorly every week for half a season? For that matter, what must Taisun be thinking deep down inside? If he can't get a shot to start in this situation, then he never will, right? Other than being a great teammate, what possible motivation could he have for staying at Clemson? Evan Spencer Rattler has been benched this year!
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Walk-On [133]
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Re: TNET: Against Syracuse, even the view from the sideline fails to provide clarity
Oct 16, 2021, 12:51 PM
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Nice article and perspective.....I get it. However it is a little difficult for me to agree with the dancing and jubilation after a performance like that. Yes, it is just a game but this is not 8u Pop Warner football where everyone gets snacks and a trophy after the game. If I were a player in that locker room I don’t think I would feel like celebrating after all the mistakes made during that game. We barely beat a bad Syracuse team. Not much to celebrate about.
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CU Medallion [19364]
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Great Summary David
Oct 16, 2021, 1:24 PM
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An average team beat a bad team last night. But seriously no reason not to celebrate winning and being young! Go Tigers!
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Trainer [35]
TigerPulse: 100%
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Re: TNET: Against Syracuse, even the view from the sideline fails to provide clarity
Oct 16, 2021, 4:48 PM
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Hey, I just learned from a friend that DJ's parents are divorcing and that DJ flew back home last week to be with his mom and brother. I'm embarrassed that I did not know this. I know that he would not offer this family heartache as a factor in his struggles this year, but it certainly would have changed my perspective in my posts, had I known. I want to send out my prayers and concerns for DJ and his entire family during these very difficult days. We love you, DJ!
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Walk-On [138]
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Against Syracuse, clarity isnt forthcoming to fans
Oct 16, 2021, 5:35 PM
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A good perspective from the sideline. I don't think there's any fan that would be particularly angry that players are rejoicing in winning the game even want it wasn't their own effort but the competition failing.
Where it's become tiresome and irritating is the postgame coaches blowing smoke in the faces of the fans. We can clearly see they're not making any hard decisions like setting DJ down because he's going through both performance and psychological challenges.
And we know the coaches are intelligent enough to understand that a mediocre performance from a quarterback is going to bring down the whole OL. Clemson was right in the same position in 2018 with Kelly Bryant. Mister three-and-out was not very inspiring to that offense of line so we had plenty of games where the fans were wondering if Clemson was going to win the game or not. And in the final game of the year Clemson didn't win because the quarterback proved out that he was mediocre on the big stage outside of the ACC.
Here in 2021 is even worse than 2018 because there are better options available to the coaches but they're satisfied with the mediocrity of the current quarterback. And this is all on Dabo not making that hard choice. And we know this is true because the team has had a week off and we've seen no improvement on that field in performance in the key role of quarterback. We did see Improvement in the running game but we all saw veteran receivers unable to fulfill their roles because the quarterback is not clicking with them and whether it's his throws or their confidence in his throws they are meeting the same issues we've seen all season.
We all know the best throw in that Syracuse game was thrown by Spiers because there was confidence in his throw and and his receivers ability to catch that ball. That is the attitude and the relationship that Tajh Boyd DeShaun Watson and Trevor Lawrence had with their receivers and we are not seeing it with DJ. It's time for Dabo to give him a break and let the boy go deal with his family issues and come back when he's gotten those issues addressed where they don't affect his performance on the field. We all know that there's always going to be pressures in life and Dabo is not serving this young man well forcing him to struggle on that field every week.
What saved most of the season in 2018 was Venables defense, and that's the only thing keeping Clemson in the positive this year. If it wasn't for that Clemson would be 1 and 5 right now. And with the Pitt game next week if they score 21 points before the 4th quarter I don't see Clemson offense having enough strength to Rally.
We all know the whole talking points that Dabo Swinney has drummed into the fan base since 2014 and one of those is being ALL IN. Right now we're not seeing an all-in from the coaches because they keep on blowing this #### smoke at us. We have excellent recruits and an excellent all-around player strengthening program as well as the practice of playing as many players in real games. So the excuses that 14 scholarship players weren't in the game yesterday is totally disingenuous. The next man up has always work for Clemson in the past and there's no reason it shouldn't be working this year. And we have seen that work on the defensive side of the ball. What it does is that points to the offensive side and the hard decisions not being made over there.
Play calling being dumbed down doesn't help of course. It's a crutch for leadership failure. And it makes the OL an easy target for even an average opponents OC; Making most every game far too predictable a struggle during the game.
Syracuse slashed thru the Defense for 165 yards... why couldn't the Tigers slash thru their defense? The acceptable mediocrity of our current coaching mentality dumbing down to protect a replaceable QB.
I want those players and coaches to be celebrating after victories... but I'd like it to be because they did go ALL IN and beat the other team honestly. These backing into a win games are not something any coach, player or fan should lije or come to expect in any season. Because it smacks of the mediocrity of excuses. Our Tigers are better than this, and our head coach needs to be honest with everyone rather than accepting mediocrity.
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Scout Team [169]
TigerPulse: 98%
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Re: Against Syracuse, clarity isnt forthcoming to fans
Oct 17, 2021, 8:07 PM
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Carolina Tiger: I'm in sync with your comments. It seems there is no dealing with the elephant(s) in the room. When DJ5 was the only player in the GA game post game presser; wearing a three-piece suit, loaded down with jewelry, a fedora and doing personal grooming during the interview, I thought to myself 'this is not who Clemson is'.
Three weeks later he took to social media to declare "we are going to burst open". C'mon.
And here were are 6 weeks later, waiting on next man up. Give us a QB, if only for a complete offensive series. It is as if there are no 'next man ups". But there are!
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Athletic Dir [1142]
TigerPulse: 100%
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Re: TNET: Against Syracuse, even the view from the sideline fails to provide clarity
Oct 16, 2021, 7:30 PM
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I enjoyed reading your perspective. Most of us in fan world are reasonable. We expect the players to celebrate a win, no matter how it comes. Winning in NCAAF is not easy. How many schools would love to be where Clemson is under Dabo's 13 years? But, speaking for what frustrates me the most, and I think I speak for many, is what appears to be stubborn pride to admit the offense is bad, and changes should be coming. I get the point that winning coaches have their ways and personalities. But at times Sweeney's blushful positivity just doesn't cut it. I want to hear reality! I want to hear changes are coming! I want to hear all positions are up for grabs, especially the QB! I want to hear why we throw on 2nd and short and not run! Or first and goal and throw three straight passes! With Trevor and DeShawn, yes. But not this team. I wanna hear why we don't try another QB at times when DJ is obviously struggling. Our punter throws what may have been the best pass of the night and Dabo can only say it was DJ's best outing. Man!! I'm biting my tongue right now. I can live with winning like we do. Just let me know you're in the real universe and you're doing all you can, including holding coaches accountable and changing QB's at times. It may not be the solution but it sure would sooth my understanding to have it verified.
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Scout Team [169]
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Re: TNET: Against Syracuse, even the view from the sideline fails to provide clarity
Oct 17, 2021, 7:48 PM
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Most observant and appreciated. Good perspective for both sides, as noted.
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Standout [345]
TigerPulse: 100%
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Re: TNET: Against Syracuse, even the view from the sideline fails to provide clarity
Oct 18, 2021, 3:43 PM
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Vegas is crazy...if I was a betting man..I would
sell my house, car, truck and lawn mower and put
it all on the spread. Tony Elliott doesn’t have a clue.
Saban changes OC’s as often as he changes his
drawers. Dabo owes at least that much to the fans.
It is time. After this weekend you will agree with
me a lot more.
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Replies: 42
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