I hear GaTech men LOVE their women fat and happy

Tiger Fans,

Hope all is well. It's been at least a football season since I've posted anything over here, but I thought I would address the topic and questions that all of you are drooling about during "Dark Territory"....

Is the year that Clemson shows that it's BACK?
Is this the year that "we're this close" actually for once turns in to 'DESTINATION TAMPA'!
Is this the year that Tommy Bowden FINALLY silences the critics? When adversity strikes this Clemson team will they "FINISH THE JOB"?
Can we think about not just ACC Championships, but look to be a TRUE contender to play in the NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP?

From the ROARS that are coming out of CLEMSON nation this is a resounding "YES!"....

But, call me a skeptic.

A little less than two years ago I attended what was one of the loudest games I've ever been to in the Saturday Night showdown against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets. Clemson literally WRECKED the Top 15 Ramblin' Wreck that night. Your boys were clicking on all cyllinders!

And then it started...Herbstreit proclaimed "Clemson might be playing the best football of any team in the country!"...My best friend who is a die-hard Clemson fan who represents the best ideals of Thomas Greene Clemson(I refer to him as the "Kool-Aid" man for his up-beat attitude regarding Clemson athletics) proclaimed it's not IF we'll win in Blacksburg, but by how much! And with that cockiness and satisfaction, it seemed that "Fat and Happy" Clemson was just satisfied with being this "close" as they ended up getting hammered and Blacksburg and then upset by Maryland and South Carolina!

Fast forward to 2007, Clemson coming off a "big" win against a depleted FSU takes this same "4-0"! FAT and HAPPY attitude into Atlanta, GA and gets disposed of "sledgehammer-style" by Tashard Choice and Georgia Tech. Clemson follows that up with a stinker against VT. And then tries to right the ship...

Now, I'll give you guys credit, after GT and VT the team seemed to rebound and carry a blue-collar attitude prior to top-rated Boston College coming to town. And the fans and team gets riled up again! Bracelets printed with "Finish the Job" are made up and given out to the team and the masses! People start believing, Herbstreit's believing! The Kool-Aid man is screaming "OH YEAHHHH! We're JACKSONVILLE bound!"

I think all of you know "the rest of the story".

FAT and HAPPY Clemson was the culprit again, and there definitely seems to be a lack of finishing the drill...err job at Clemson. And you're this "close"...As Tommy Bowden has mentioned oh so many times!

So, here we are in 2008....Kool-Aid Man is telling me that "Clemson will win the ACC", but will probably "find a way" to lose a game. 10-2 seems to be his worst prognosis. Clemson KOOL-AID is flowing to EPIC proportions this offseason as magazines are boldly predicting ACC Championships and Top 5-10 finishes!

From a talent perspective - Quarterback? LOOKING GOOD! Running Backs? Best tandem in the country. Period. Receivers? Solid, with one of the best kept secrets in college football in Jacoby Ford and Aaron Kelly is solid. Offensive Line? A BIG unknown, but we'll see! Defensive Line - NASTY! Linebackers - MEAN! And the Secondary is LEGIT! And even after everything that I've said above, could this be the Clemson team that delivers an ACC Championship for the first time in 17 years?

No.

I'm sorry, but I just think that Clemson is too satisfied and stuck in this "close"/"Fat and Happy" mode to get over the hump. I have a feeling that Clemson will play with a "we deserve this" mentality for the 2008 season. There just seems to be a disconnect with "getting it done" in blue-collar fashion at Clemson under Bowden. Subconsciously, most of the Clemson fanbase knows this and probably would admit it behind closed-quarters - but there is a definitely a problem at the top. My belief is that the only time that Bowden really produces is when there is absolutely dire circumstances.

My advice to Clemson nation is make this the "put-up or shut-up" year. Personally, I don't think Tommy will ever win an ACC championship. But, the majority of Clemson nation seems to be saying that "not even Tommy can screw this up."

Am I wrong? Will Clemson play with a blue-collar attitude in 2008 or will "Fat and Happy" Clemson show up?

I'll try to be there at the game when the upstart Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets take on big-bad Clemson in late October. It could be a rough year for us, but I know we'll carry that blue-collar attitude that Paul Johnson will bring to Georgia Tech from the Naval Academy. To be honest, I think most of us know that GT made the tough choice that Clemson should have made last Winter.

Good luck in 2008!

deleted

Rock Defender [54]

TigerPulse: 90%

Posts: 35

Joined: 11/30/98

Some decent points, but I almost entirely disagree....

May 31, 2008, 10:23 AM

You certainly have a right to be a 'skeptic', but in my opinion there are a couple of BIG blunders you made with your skepticism.

it seemed that "Fat and Happy" Clemson was just satisfied with being this "close"

This is a bizarre statement. I know of no one that at any point adopted a "fat and happy" attitude. Not once in Tommy's tenure has anyone that I know been so satisfied with our accomplishments that we became complacent. Clemson fans and coaches have never stopped wishing for the next level, and we have never been fully satisfied. Our coaches and fan base are such that we will never stop striving for higher heights.

You repeat the "fat and happy" theme over and over again, but I really have no idea where you got this from? It appears that your buddy Kool-Aid has never been complacent, so please explain.

Fast forward to 2007, Clemson coming off a "big" win against a depleted(???) FSU

Simple question here - how was FSU "depleted"? They came into the game as fired up as they ever have been. Their defense was as tough as ever and they brought an unknown offense under the tutelage of a known solid coach Jimbo Fisher. You could see the intensity from both teams from the outset. FSU had all their players and we had all of ours. How were they "depleted"?

Has GT won against FSU since they came in the league?

Clemson follows that up with a stinker against VT.

The only thing that stank was giving up two special teams TDs. We also gave a tipped INT for a TD, and GIVING VT 21 points is something that no one wants to do against that defense. Nonetheless, we pushed back in a big way, and actually came back, missed a crucial TD as Spiller stepped out of the rear of the endzone, and we made a game of it before VT scored on a 50-yard drive late. A lot of teams would have quit after the way that game started. We didn't. We worked our a$$es off. That's not a "fat and happy".

I think all of you know "the rest of the story' (against BC). FAT and HAPPY Clemson was the culprit again, and there definitely seems to be a lack of finishing the drill

Uum, we led almost that entire game before ONE defensive breakdown gave BC the lead late. Even after that, we didn't quit, we moved the ball to midfield and called the perfect play to win the game. The play was executed perfectly and it (The ACC Title game) was right there for the taking. A very uncommon drop by our best receiver is what is actually the "rest of the story" against BC. It had NOTHING to do with being "fat and happy".

this offseason as magazines are boldly predicting ACC Championships and Top 5-10 finishes!

I believe I heard there were one or two pubs that picked us around 10, but 5-10? really? Who was that?

And then later, in your prognosis of our roster, you said our linebackers were... "MEAN!"?? I'm honestly not sure how far "mean" gets you, but in reality LB is one of our biggest issues on our roster right now. Just for kicks and giggles, did you even look at our players when you called them "mean"? Where did you come up with the word "mean", and how does that help from a talent perspective?

could this be the Clemson team that delivers an ACC Championship for the first time in 17 years? No. I'm sorry, but I just think that Clemson is too satisfied and stuck in this "close"/"Fat and Happy" mode to get over the hump.

Again with the bizarre "satisfied" and "fat and happy" comments. Again, where do get that? NOBODY in the Clemson camp is satisfied. No one is content with where we have been. Why don't you ask around a little bit? Post that question on our board, and see what answers you get back.

I have a feeling that Clemson will play with a "we deserve this" mentality for the 2008 season.

Yet again, BIZARRE. NOBODY thinks we deserve anything.

There just seems to be a disconnect with "getting it done" in blue-collar fashion at Clemson under Bowden. Subconsciously, most of the Clemson fanbase knows this and probably would admit it behind closed-quarters

I totally disagree and like "fat and happy" I think you'd find a vast disagreement if you actually asked around a little bit. Our team and coaches have never once altered from wanting to "get it done". for the last three years, we have missed the ACCCG by one game, and to say that one game was due to not wanting it is simply ludicrous.

I'm not sure how a person admit something stored in their "subconscious", but again, please ask around a little before making these types of silly comments. I doubt you will find any folks who will admit behind "closed quarters" or anywhere that they believe our team is "fat and happy" and content with where we've been.

there is a definitely a problem at the top. My belief is that the only time that Bowden really produces is when there is absolutely dire circumstances.

I don't see it that way. I think we have a very good staff in place, and to a man they all stand behind their leader. Rarely do you hear any of them speak without crediting Bowden for his leadership and work ethic.

A couple interesting points here too are - we have really only begun recruiting with the big dogs the last three years. Previous to that we were getting beat in recruiting by teams like Maryland and Georgia Tech. When we played those teams they actually had a better assortment of talent on the field, and that is just now starting to wash away.

Since 2000, Clemson and Bowden are ranked as the 22nd best program in America. In the last 3 years we are 25th in wins. In the 'since 2000' span, Clemson has passed GT who is now 25th and dropping. In the 'last 3 years' span (wins), GT is 37th and dropping.

Take a look at recruiting in the last 3 years,and then compare to the 3 years prior to that. Then look at the same for teams like GT and Maryland.

Clemson, entirely to Bowden's credit, is CLEARLY on the rise.

My advice to Clemson nation is make this the "put-up or shut-up" year.

Um, that is so cliche-ish it's not really worth addressing.

But, the majority of Clemson nation seems to be saying that "not even Tommy can screw this up."

I don't think Tommy can give up any tipped INTs or dropped game-winning passes, so to that point I agree. Furthermore, see my "on the rise" and assistant coaches admiration comments above. In other words, your blaming of Tommy does not add up.

To be honest, I think most of us know that GT made the tough choice that Clemson should have made last Winter.

This is the most ludicrous statement you made in your entire post. Number one, I don't think you'll find a "most of us" mentality. Just ask the question and you will see a vast majority supporting this staff.

Secondly, to suggest we should have fired a guy who is loved by his assistants and most players, who has us as the 22nd best program in America since 2000, who had us finish in the top 25 last year, and who has us growing in recruiting by leaps and bounds, is absolutely ludicrous.

See you in The Valley, where I personally think we will run up the score on you.

flag link

military_tech

thumb_down

thumb_up

Is this THE year?

"I think most of us know that GT made the tough choice..."

Fair critique

Especially from the Indelible Inked-in participant

Nice post. The answer to your question is maybe.

you been to Lane Packing Co.?***

Yes, we as fans will "put up or shut up"

Oh yeah, and if we had made that "tough choice" I doubt we

I look at it differently . . .

Well, one thing is certain. Expectations are really high. I

You make a great point and this is my only fear this season.

Post needs to be on locker room wall and you're right,

OK now it is MY turn....

Re: Is this THE year?

Not sure if a blue collar attitude is the issue, I have had

You are entitled to your incorrect opinion.***

Some decent points, but I almost entirely disagree....

Good point about FSU..............

Good point about FSU..............

I think Johnson is a good coach, but......................

Good move for Clemson by Ga Tech.......

DC for ND now***

Great hire by Weiss, glad he's gone also!***********

Re: Is this THE year?

TigerBoard POTD