No shoes, no problem

Usually I prefer to roll out the transcriptions from Tuesday interviews with both of Clemson’s coordinators.

But while talking at length with DE Da’Quan Bowers and TE Michael Palmer, I pulled a backup Clemson LT and completely whiffed on defensive coordinator Kevin Steele. Didn’t even see him speed-rush by.

So I’m audibling to a few anecdotes and thoughts that are hopefully coherent, as I’m all atwitter during opening night of the NBA season.

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Palmer, this year’s best quote on the team, had some humorous stories from the concussion he suffered Saturday at Miami.

After the game, I had about 65 text messages ranging from “Holy crap, are you alright?” to “C’mon, man, get up,” depending on who it was. Some of my best friends were making fun of me.”

I don’t see any way Palmer plays against Coastal Carolina, but you can tell Palmer wants to, if for no other reason than it’s his senior season and, as he said, “You get 12 opportunities. You think about how really hard you work for 12 times.”

That said, he said he’s really “hate” himself if he got hit in the head and missed the FSU game. Palmer was asked if any family members were trying to talk him out of playing.

“Yeah, my mom’s really big in my ear right now,” he said. “I’m starting to ignore her phone calls.”
He was just kidding, Mrs. Palmer.

Turns out a groggy Palmer was in the locker room, about to have a cut on his left elbow stitched up by team physician Len Reeves, as Clemson proceeded through its game-winning overtime drive.

“The TV was on, and I saw coach Swinney give the signal,” he said. “And I said, c’mon, Jacoby, you have to make this play. Sure enough, he caught it, I gave Dr. Reeves a hug and took off.

“He was chasing after me, yelling after me. I ran out of the tunnel and didn’t have any socks or shoes on.

“The first guy I saw was (fellow tight end) Durell (Barry), and he looked at me like, “What are you doing?” I was just out there running around with everybody, celebrating.

“I might not have completely known what was going on, but I knew I didn’t want to miss that moment with my teammates. That’s something I’ll never forget.

“I did stay away from everyone’s cleats. I did realize I was barefoot and tried to stay away from everyone.”

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The impact of the Atlantic Division race aside, the main reason I don’t think C.J. Spiller can sustain his Heisman Trophy candidacy is I don’t see how he can keep up his all-purpose yardage pace.

Because, it bears repeating, at some point folks are just gonna quit kicking to him. Right?

Of course, I’d have thought they’d have stopped long before now. But apparently Miami’s kickoff specialist didn’t get his coaches’ memo to steer clear of Spiller – which makes the second kicker (Middle Tennessee’s as well) who failed to heed his coach’s mandate.

If the Heisman went to the best player, certainly Spiller would merit being a finalist in New York. But it has developed into an honor bestowed upon the best player on the best team (see Ala RB Mark Ingram, Florida QB Tim Tebow, Texas QB Colt McCoy) unless a Notre Dame player (QB Jimmy Clausen) can be squeezed into the conversation by the old guard.

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If Coastal Carolina’s defense looks familiar this weekend, there’s a reason.

From what I’ve heard, the Chanticleers overhauled their D a year or two ago and copied a lot of the concepts used by former Tigers coordinator Vic Koenning. Except they call their bandit end the “chief” position.

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Funny how Clemson’s receiving corps has come full circle.

Xavier Dye and Terrance Ashe were deemed starters coming out of the preseason. Then Dye’s inconsistency carried over into the opener and he was benched/left the team/returned and gradually had to work his way back through the ranks. Ashe was basically just invisible the first few games.

Well, now Dye and Ashe joined Jacoby Ford as about the only wideouts to see the field vs. Miami. Marquan Jones, 7 snaps. No Jaron Brown or Brandon Clear. And we still haven’t seen the promised relevant Brandon Ford sighting from two weeks ago.

Which probably explains why the blocking from Clemson’s WRs has improved so much. Dye and Ashe have been dependable as both receivers and blockers since the rotation was pared down for the Wake game.

“When you’re sitting here trying to put together a plan, you’re looking at who you really feel like can be productive for you,” offensive coordinator Billy Napier said. “We kind of narrowed down our focus in terms of who was playing and who we felt could be those guys, and structured the plan around those guys.”

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Two other tidbits I found interesting today:

1) Ford said he was overcome with tears almost as soon as he scored the game-winner. And they just kept coming and coming. “I couldn’t stop them,” he said.

2) Several times last week, I wrote the opinion that Miami’s defense and offensive line were nothing special. One out of two isn’t bad, right? Miami’s defense gave me credibility. But I had a few defenders tell me today they were thoroughly impressed with Miami’s line and its ability to hold blocks for longer than 3-4 seconds.

And for you fellow draftniks, remember the name Orlando Franklin, a 6-7, 320-pounder. Franklin was their starting left guard, and while a guard’s a guard in the NFL, some pro folks believe he can be a right tackle. But Clemson’s linemen thought he was downright good.

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You read it here first – Spurs over Celtics in the NBA finals.