Paging Mr. Watkins

Receptions	Yards	Average	Long	Touchdowns
16	118	7.4	19	0
49	777	15.9	60	8

(credit ESPN)

Lets go back to August 30, 2012, the evening before the Auburn game. At that point the banter and conjecturing was still in full swing. If we had played a name that stat line using the Clemson receivers whose name would you put by the above stats? If it had been me, I would have put Sammy Watkins with the 49 receptions and Martavis Bryant with the 16.

With the two game suspension that would have meant that Watkins would be averaging 12 catches a game and 194 yards per contests.  The Sammy for Heisman campaign would be in full effect!!!

The above stat line represents the accomplishments of Sammy Watkins and DeAndre Hopkins through six games for the Clemson Tigers. How many people had Sammy Watkins having only 16 catches and no receiving touchdowns through 4 games after sitting out the first two games?

Many Clemson people will call it a sophomore jinx. That stems from the plethora of Tiger freshmen that have come out like gangbusters only to fall off the face of the earth during their second year. Having spent time around the program during the previous administration, a lot of that had to do with the time and effort put in by the student-athlete than a jinx of some sort.

Call me ignorant or Pollyanna if you must but I honestly believe there is something different about Sammy Watkins. I sincerely believe he did above and beyond what he expected of himself in preparation for the 2012 season. Sammy’s lack of production can be attributed to several factors that need to be discussed.

Many overestimated the impact of missing the first two games, myself included. You can practice all you want, but game speed is a different beast. I know Coach Swinney said he only spent one week with the scout team but still it is not the same. When Watkins did return he only played one half against Furman. The following week against Florida State, it is hard to expect someone who has played one half of football to do Sammy-like things against one of the best defenses in the country. The following week, he comes down with a virus and is unable to make the trip to Boston College. Last week against Georgia Tech it is hard to expect someone who was as sick as he was be a large factor.

You also have to acknowledge that defensive coordinators are scheming for Sammy. Did you see the Georgia Tech defense last week? Wherever Sammy was the whole Yellow Jacket defense was sure to follow. I think you will continue to see this throughout the season.

The key is getting Sammy back into a rhythm, he has not played two consecutive games where he has played four quarters of football all season. He has to integrate himself into this offense that in 2012 is being led by DeAndre Hopkins and Tajh Boyd. There is certainly a place for Hopkins in this offense and his big play potential will be needed in the second half.

I expect to see Watkins come on during the second half as he plays more football on consecutive weeks. I am eager to see if the staff is able to implement some of the things they learned from visiting Oklahoma State during the offseason in how to isolate Watkins or Hopkins in one-on-one situations. He is too good of an athlete to not get it going at some point.

Don’t give up on Sammy yet. He will come up big for this team before the season concludes.

Breathe in...Breathe Out

            The sting of defeat often lingers longer than the joy of victory. There is still a bitter taste in the mouths of Clemson fans on November 1. I know many are disappointed but lets take some time this week to try to have some perspective and take a look at where this football team is now that it has arrived at its Open Date. I will take some time to evaluate position groups and also look to the future from a personnel perspective.

            I think it is important to reiterate that this Clemson team is ranked 11^th in the most recent BCS standings, which means that this they can work their way back up the rankings and possibly earn a final Top 5 ranking when all the dust settles. This team is a good outing against Wake Forest away from clinching the Atlantic Division title. This program is two good outings away from a 7-1 conference record, three good efforts from a 11-1 regular season. There is still a lot to be excited about and time to look back on the wild and crazy that has been the 2011 football season.

            I have said several times in my writing, how many people would have said, blah, blah, blah on September 2. I will ask on more of these antagonizing questions. How many people on September 2 would have said this team would not lose its first game until the end of October? Uh huh, not many if any out there could have seen the nine game stretch Clemson fans have seen to open the season. Lets be real, if someone said to you on First Friday, “Hey I have magic powers and I can guarantee that Clemson will be 8-1 going into November will you take it?” There is not a soul out there that would have not taken it and run.

            Losing stinks and losing to Georgia Tech stinks even worse. Note, this blog written by a person who grew up in Atlanta and dealt with their, “I would not know a football if it hit me square in the head,” mentality. They won the game, they did what they had to do on the field and there is a chance Clemson could see them again in Charlotte on December 3.

            Back to the task at hand, where is this football team nine games into the season? Throughout the week I am going to take a look at the offensive side of the ball and evaluate the position groups including punter and kicker.

            Here on November 1, the Clemson Tigers rank 5^th in the nation in total offense. Let that simmer on your mind for a minute. The only teams who have been more productive offensively are Georgia Tech, Oklahoma State, Oklahoma and Houston. The Tigers have rolled up 4259 yards of total offense a mere 94 yards from eclipsing last year’s offensive numbers of 4353. This offense could have the opportunity to take the field five more times this season. Anyone doubting the impact first-year offensive coordinator Chad Morris is having on Clemson just falls into the Georgia Tech category of there knowledge of football.

Quarterback grade -A

            Tajh Boyd has been somewhere around spectacular at times this season. Again, lets be honest. Going into the season there was no indication that Boyd would play as well as he has through nine games. He looked less than spectacular in mop up duty against South Carolina and in the bowl game against South Florida. Even in the Spring Game, not many Clemson fans came away feeling overly confident about the quarterback position.

            Now, nine games into the season, it is apparent that Coach Morris had a plan for Tajh. He had specific aspects of his game that he knew he had to improve up during the off-season. It is apparent that Boyd took those things to heart and asserted himself as the leader of this team.

            It was not pretty early on against Troy but moving forward it has been a lot of fun to watch Tajh Boyd lead this offense to eight wins in nine opportunities. He has been efficient with the ball throwing twenty-five touchdowns and only five interceptions. He has come up with some big time throws on key plays throughout the season. He has led this offense on scoring drives when they have had to have points. He has gotten the ball to receivers so that they can make plays in space. That is an often-overlooked aspect of a quarterback’s game.

            Boyd has been efficient running the ball. He is no Cam Newton but has shown the ability to move around the pocket and scramble when called upon. He has done well on called quarterback runs. It has been fun to watch Boyd develop into the quarterback many talked about him being when he signed out of high school.

            As efficient as Tajh has been this season there have been times when you go back when watching film and think, “what did he see”? For the most part he got away with those, “oh my goodness” throws. It did cost him a pick-six against Maryland and a potential touchdown in the red zone against Georgia Tech. You just cannot have those types of mistakes and not have them bite you at some point.

            It is apparent that Tajh predetermines where he is going with the football before the snap of the ball. Two things, I know about pre-snap reads and their importance of speeding up decision-making, also I know when a quarterback is locking into a receiver. At times Tajh has fallen in love with Sammy Watkins athletic ability to make plays than making the proper reads and getting the ball to wide open receivers.

            You saw it Saturday night against Georgia Tech but if you want to make life miserable for Tajh Boyd, blitz. Blitz corners, linebackers, safeties, kitchen sinks, etc. He looked very uncomfortable picking up the Georgia Tech blitz. This is something very important to see how he responds during the last four to five games of the season. I would expect teams to start salivating when they watch the Georgia Tech film and feel confident about how they can affect the Boyd in the pocket. Clemson will face another 3-4 defensive team November 12 when Wake Forest comes to Death Valley. I will be interested to see if they use similar aggressive tactics to try to disrupt Boyd.

            Clemson fans have been treated to much improved quarterback play this season and that credit goes to Coach Morris who has worked to mold Boyd into one of the Top quarterbacks in the ACC. There is still room for improvement for this season and on into the future. Fans have to like what they have seen thus far and be excited about what he can accomplish during the stretch run.

            I want to touch quickly on the two other scholarship quarterbacks on the roster Cole Stoudt and Tony McNeal. We have seen only a little bit of Cole Stoudt in game action. He looks the part of a quarterback and was seen as a possible threat to Tajh when he joined the Clemson program in January. He saw a bulk of time against Boston College when he came into the game with the outcome still in doubt a led Clemson on two scoring drives to put the game away. We have not seen much from Stoudt in the down field passing game but all indications are is that he could be a good one for Clemson down the road.

            Tony McNeal is the other quarterback on scholarship who enrolled back in January. The young man is seen as more athletic than Boyd or Stoudt but is pretty raw when it comes to developing as a passer. I think he is a young man who will flourish over time under Coach Morris’ tutelage. I know it will be the hope of Coach Morris to have McNeal compete with Stoudt for the backup position moving into next spring.

            Both Stoudt and McNeal will get more reps and opportunities this week when the Tigers take to the practice field. These young men will get a chance to get coached up and showcase their progress during the off week. As we have seen, Stoudt is only one play away from being the number one guy.

            There is reason to be excited about this group. To see how far they have come in nine months has to make Clemson fans excited about the future at this position. Their continued development and maturation will be key to future success for this program on the offensive side of the ball.

Buzz Kill.....

            Clemson’s eight game win streak is now over but all is not lost. As disappointed as I am with yesterday’s performance and outcome, this team is 8-1 and is one win against Wake Forest from securing a trip to Charlotte. I did not see any of the game until the game was well in hand for the Yellow Jackets due to a family wedding in Delaware. I could have it worse, my in-laws got ten inches of snow and were looking at the real possibility of going back to a house with no power this morning so maybe losing a football game is not so bad.

            Bump that, I would rather be in the dark unable to type this than have lost to Georgia Tech but you have to give the Jackets a tip of the cap. They weathered the early onslaught, made adjustments, got momentum and never looked back. The Clemson defense forced two consecutive three and outs to start the game. The offense came out and could only muster a field goal in the first half. Georgia Tech did not take long to make the adjustment up front they needed to make and never looked back.

            Georgia Tech took advantage of Clemson’s glaring deficiencies at linebacker. You remember what I said about Tech making defenses, read, get off blocks and tackle? Well Clemson showed that it was not up to the task of playing fundamental defense and got lit up. I also said it would not take much for the once struggling Georgia Tech offense to find some confidence to get on a roll. Simply put, Georgia Tech took it to Clemson and Clemson failed to respond.

            From an offensive perspective, Clemson missed Andre Ellington. I was excited to see what DJ Howard could do when it was announced he would start last Thursday. Not to say Howard cannot and will not be a productive back for the Tigers, he just does not have the intangibles and ball security of Andre Ellington. As talented as Mike Bellamy is, the youngster does not have the trust of the coaching staff to be left out there in key moments.

            The Georgia Tech defense known for being vanilla as a wafer came to life last night. Yellow Jacket defensive coordinator Al Groh dialed a blitz package that would have made Nick Saban smile last night. Once again, Clemson did not have an answer from an execution stand point. Once you are down 24-3, any defensive coordinator can cut it loose from a play calling perspective when they know you have to throw the ball and that is what Georgia Tech did.

            You can lose the turnover battle against a team like Maryland and still have a chance. You simply cannot turn the ball over four times, once in the red zone and expect to win against a team of Georgia Tech’s caliber. Running backs cannot fumble and sadly you throw enough passes when the defense knows you have to throw and you are likely to get one or two picked off, it is not a recipe for success.

            All was not lost last night. Sammy Watkins had another big night. The true freshman continues to shine. The young man from Naples, FL had ten catches for 159 yards and a touchdown catch. He was the lone bright spot on a night that Clemson would suffer its first loss of the year.

            Do not let the national pundits tell you anything about Clemson pulling a Clemson. It just was not the case, Georgia Tech dictated tempo and won the battle along the line of scrimmage throughout the ball game and that was the difference. As much as the idea of going undefeated was dancing in my head, I think you have to appreciate just how difficult it is to do.

            The season is not over for the 2011 Clemson Football team, with Wake Forest’s lost to North Carolina on Saturday, the matchup on November 12 will be for the Atlantic Division Championship. Simply, Clemson defeats Wake Forest and you can book your hotel rooms for Charlotte. The key thing to remember is that all of this team’s goals are still in front of it. Win the Division, Win the State Championship and Win the Conference.

            On a negative note, it was reported that the house where quarterback Tajh Boyd lives was egged last night following the game. It has been reported that his family has filed a complaint with the Clemson Police Department. Whoever was involved with this regardless of it were merely Halloween shenanigans or the incident was targeted as a response to the outcome of the game, they should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. That type of behavior is juvenile and I dare say when the party or parties involved are caught they are likely going to wish they had not been involved with such a sophomoric act.

            Clemson heads into the off week and it could not come at a better time. This team is physically and mentally worn out, I strongly believe that time away from the field and each other will do this team a lot of good. I would imagine the team will practice two to three times this week. They will be off for the weekend, which will allow most of them to go home and get away from Clemson. I know that was a hurt locker room last night but I strongly believe that you will see a healthier and rejuvenated team take the field on November 12 Senior Day and the final home game for the 2011 season.

            Continue to keep your heads held high. Enjoy a weekend away from football. Though, I am excited to watch the LSU-Alabama game next Saturday night. The dream is still alive and we still have a lot to be excited about!!

Another Day at the Office…..

           Joe Sherman could not have known the prophetic and transcendent power his words would have on future generations of Tigers when he wrote his essay “Something in these Hills”. I felt that intimate closeness as I entered the upstate of South Carolina last Saturday. I knew I was “home” when the reddest of rednecks started chatting football with me, speaking in barely intelligible southern English about how the NFL was going to come looking at Coach Morris. Maybe it was the view of the Blue Ridge Mountains when you turn onto Fants Grove Road off of Highway 187 heading into Clemson.

            Maybe it has to do with the fact that I live 521 miles from the place I have lived longer than another place in my life? Could it have been the anticipation of seeing old friends and reconnecting with people I had not seen in awhile? Or was it the cool crisp fall weather that had cloaked the area prompting the early signs of fall color? It must have been the chance to see the 7-0 Clemson Tigers take on the North Carolina Tar Heels.

 I know most people who did not grow up in the south or have not known me for years have a hard time grasping my love and devotion for my alma mater. It came to a fever pitch the Friday before the Auburn game, when I was brought to tears that I would not be able to travel to Clemson for the Auburn game. At the time I was in need of surgery and was feeling as miserable as I had ever felt but I wanted to be in the one place that could make me forget about everything else….Clemson.

            There is always a rush of emotion as I enter the gates at Memorial Stadium, as I walk underneath the stands towards section E. I enter the portal, my heart starts to almost palpitate, I can here the angels beginning to sing, I can see the light leading me towards the Promised Land better known as “Death Valley.” Again, I know there are some who think I am crazy and I probably am but there is no place like home and that is what I felt Saturday as I finally got to see my Tigers play in person at in the friendly confines of Clemson, SC.

            It was one of those days where I tried to soak it all in. From the pregame festivities, to watching the Tigers run down the hill, the opening kickoff, half time and the post game singing of the alma mater. What a tremendous day to be alive in Clemson, SC.

            In the midst of all these emotions was a football game. A game that I was unsure of the outcome heading into the contest. Much had been written and talked about regarding the talent along the North Carolina defensive front seven. I had watched the undermanned 2010 edition of the Tar Heels dominate Clemson in Chapel Hill. I knew and I think the Tar Heel football staff knew they were facing a different animal last Saturday.

            It was not all that pretty early on but in typical 2011 Clemson fashion, these guys hung in there. You have to give North Carolina credit, they did a lot of different things especially on defense in an attempt to disrupt the Clemson offense. They played zone and dropped their corners off our receivers, they blitzed, UNC played zero coverage (no safety help, everyone is man to man because you are blitzing the everyone and the kitchen sink), they played quarters (zone defense with defensive backs responsible for ¼ of the field) but nothing worked. The fun part of Saturday is that Coach Morris and the offense had an answer for everything the Tar Heels tried to do and executed.

            This was not an issue of the stars aligning, it was an issue of being well coached and well prepared for a multitude of situations. It was a thing of beauty to watch. Tajh Boyd threw five touchdown passes to five different receivers in three quarters of play. Wide Receiver DeAndre Hopkins had 151 yards of receiving and a touchdown catch.

            The defense was not to be outdone on Saturday. The starters gave up 17 points before third and fourth team guys came at the start of the fourth quarter and gave up two touchdowns. It was good to see guys who we may need down the stretch or in the future get their feet wet for an entire quarter of football.  I would be remiss if I did not give a shout out to fifth year senior Kourtnei Brown who scored two touchdowns Saturday, one via interception and the other by fumble recovery. The first time since 1958 a Clemson defensive player had scored multiple touchdowns in a game.

            All was not rosy from the game on Saturday. Clemson’s man based defense continues to be susceptible to the deep ball. Tar Heel quarterback Bryn Renner was able to complete two long touchdown passes against single coverage on Saturday. Clemson continues to miss kickoff specialist Spencer Benton who was lost to a broken collarbone in the Virginia Tech. The short kickoffs coupled with shoddy coverage leads to good field position for the opposition. It goes to say there is never a perfect game and there are always things to improve on.

            The Tigers are now 8-0 heading into a Saturday night primetime game against Georgia Tech in Atlanta. I do not care that Georgia Tech has lost two in a row, I do not care if their offensive production has taken a hit the last three games, it is Georgia Tech and the games between these two schools have a way of being too close for comfort.  2003 was the last time Clemson defeated the Yellow Jackets at Bobby Dodd Stadium so any delusions of grandeur that the Tigers roll into the ATL and steamroll Georgia Tech is ludicrous.

            Offensively this Georgia Tech team set the world on fire to start the season rolling up staggering numbers. The Jackets rolled up 700-plus yards of offense on Kansas. While they have not come close to that type of production in conference games, the explosiveness is in place to where a defensive guy fails to do his job, they are playing the fight song.  Georgia Tech has good pieces, Tevin Washington their signal caller is capable of getting the ball to his playmakers on the perimeter. Tech has Stephen Hill a tall receiver who is capable of making plays in the pass game. Orwin Smith who plays a slot back position is a big time playmaker on the ground and through the air.

            Georgia Tech makes defenses play football the old fashion way. They do a lot of things to get you out of position or to lull you to sleep and it only takes one guy sleep walking for them to put six on the board quickly. Georgia Tech forces a defense to read, get off blocks, tackle, play with good pursuit and leverage. In today’s age of the spread you see teams utilize more hybrid type athletes to play certain positions to try to maximize speed on the field. What happens against the Yellow Jackets is the guy who has great speed, athleticism, can get sideline to sideline has to play down in the box with linemen and running backs leaning on them and you are asking them to process a lot of information each play, it can get dicey to say the least.

            Clemson is going to have to do an exceptional job of playing assignment football. You will hear the term “playing with your eyes” a lot this week. Whatever a defensive player’s key is they have to lock in on that assignment and nothing else or the Yellow Jacket band is going to be playing the fight song a lot of Saturday night.  In order for Clemson to be successful they are going to have to win the battle up front. It is simple as that. If Clemson gets pushed around, is not disciplined or fails to tackle, they will be in for a long evening.

            Clemson is going to find a motivated, desperate football team similar to the team they found in College Park, MD two weeks ago. Georgia Tech is an offensive football team that has lost its swagger in recent weeks. I assure you, it only takes a few plays for the Yellow Jackets to find their groove and get it going.

            On the defensive side of the ball, the Yellow Jackets are improving. The transition to the 3-4 defense is not something that takes hold over night. As they get the right personnel and more comfortable with the scheme they have improved their on field performance.  This is a Georgia Tech secondary that will go to great lengths to prevent big plays in the pass game. This has left them susceptible to give up yards on the ground at times but this is a blue-collar group who will force you to matriculate the ball down the field.

            The kicking game is going to be huge this week. I have talked about some of Clemson’s issues in the kickoff game. Clemson punter Dawson Zimmerman seems prime for getting a punt block given how slow he is on his drop. The Jackets also struggle in various facets of the kicking game and there may be some opportunities for Clemson to take advantage. If I am Clemson and Georgia Tech is lined up to punt. I am playing my base defense I am sure I am identifying where guys are on the field. Tech Coach Paul Johnson is not afraid to call a fake from any point on the field.

            This is a game where Clemson has a personnel advantage at a lot of positions but unfortunately the game will not be played on paper. The Yellow Jackets present problems offensively, defensively and special teams. Can Clemson be physical on defense, play assignment football and tackle? Expect Georgia Tech to go deep early and often given our struggles against the deep pass. Can Georgia Tech take Clemson’s vertical passing game away? If they do can Tajh get the ball where it needs to be without turning the ball over? Will we see the run game get going after struggling against North Carolina? I am hearing that Andre Ellington will be limited this week, it may be an opportunity for Mike Bellamy or DJ Howard to step up if Ellington is limited.

            Interesting fact in recent history in Georgia Tech-Clemson match ups, close games have been won by the Yellow Jackets, the blowouts have been won by Clemson, we will see if that trend holds on Saturday. Tajh Boyd has to continue to play well, the offensive line that has improved during the course of the season have to play well against the odd front of Georgia Tech. Everyone should expect a four quarter battle in Atlanta, where if Clemson is not on their game, they will suffer their first defeat of the season.