Clemson Game Notes

As we left the stadium, my brother commented, "Well, that was about as much fun as diarrhea in a hot tub." Exactly. After an absolutely perfect opening drive ending in a TD, the Tigers did absolutely nothing on offense for the next 58 minutes, getting into Cock territory only once more while it still mattered en route to the 29-7 beat-down at the hands of the Gamecocks. Is it talent or is it coaching? That is the question that will be debated for the next 9 months. I don't know the answer. I hope Dabo does, since his job and my future enjoyment depend on it.

While I don't know, I do have some opinions. I think in part it's talent. Even Peyton Manning can't overcome the lack of a running game and good receivers, so maybe we shouldn't be so hard on Kyle. At least, not for the interceptions and lack of production. His attitude is a different story.

The coaching staff is trying to address the offensive talent issue. The commits right now look to go a long way toward doing that if all of them follow through with a signature come February 2. The OL loses only Hairston and I hope we get Davis and Norris back next year. Then we'll see what we've got with Beasley, Beasley, Timothy, and Webster.

We Tiger fans have questioned whether our OL ought to be more effective for many years now. Players change, but coaches stay with the position for at least a few years. Brad Scott has been associated with the OL since 2004, with full responsibility for 5 years and partial (guards and centers) for 2. So maybe a change is needed there. If you agree with that, you should think again. With securing commitments from Bellamy, Bryant, and Watkins, Brad ain't going anywhere.

So maybe we need a new receivers coach, since only our true freshman Hopkins seemed to have the skills to get open. Forget that, too. If Brad's not leaving, neither is Jeff.

So how about a new OC. Possible, but I think Dabo hung his hat on Napier and he's not ready to admit that perhaps it was a little too early to turn the reins over to someone as inexperienced as Napier. I don't even know if he needs to. I do think they need to re-think their overall scheme and learn to fit the scheme to the talent. And they need to learn to work together better. I would love to see Dabo quit signaling in the plays and be a HC, spending his time getting a feel for the game and adjusting strategy, not tactics.

I think it would be good for Dabo to make some changes. But maybe he has not learned enough himself to know what changes to make. Bottom line, I don't think he makes any staff changes on offense. If it doesn't work next year, he'll have to.

I hope the defense next year is as solid as this year. But we lose a lot more. We have some talent and experience behind them, but we are more likely to miss Maxwell, McDaniel, Jenkins, Gilchrist, Chavis, and Wade, than to miss the ones we lose on offense (Dye, Hairston, and Ashe). And we don't know yet what Bowers will do. Likely he is gone, too.

The Carolina game ended a disappointing year. But the Tigers are still headed to a bowl game, which is more important for the extra practice than the actual location and outcome. Now comes the question: who should the QB be for that game? Does Dabo begin to get ready for next year by giving Boyd all the reps during that extra practice and letting him have the reins from here on out? Does he reward Parker's efforts over the past two years by letting him start? If so, how many snaps does Boyd get in practice and the game? Parker hurt his standing in many fans' eyes with by jawing back at Dabo and walking away from him after the interception in the Carolina game. Is that strictly a Parker attitude issue or is it a lack of respect for Dabo? If the latter, is that an issue in general with other players? Dabo is a nice guy and sometimes seems to want everyone to agree that he is and to like him. Can't always do that as HC.

I've asked more questions than I've answered. If I were Dabo, and based on what little I know, here's what I would do. Go with the game plan for the Carolina game regardless of who you're playing the bowl. Give Boyd all the first team reps during practice. Give Parker the start and tell him he's going to play the first quarter and then Boyd is taking over for the rest of the game. Forget this stuff about the one who gives you the best chance to win the game. This bowl game is a reward to the players. The practice is more important than the win. Next year is, too.

Go Tigers!