Comments on: 10 FSU things http://blogs.thestateonline.net/pstrelow/2009/11/09/10-fsu-things/ Clemson beat writer Paul Strelow blogs about Tiger athletics Sun, 24 Jan 2010 01:16:45 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: grilldoggy http://blogs.thestateonline.net/pstrelow/2009/11/09/10-fsu-things/comment-page-1/#comment-991 grilldoggy Sat, 14 Nov 2009 04:28:32 +0000 http://blogs.thestateonline.net/pstrelow/?p=1503#comment-991 You're right McDaniel is 'bad' as in good. Ponder had no business takin him on. FSU is dead, too late for heroics. You’re right McDaniel is ‘bad’ as in good. Ponder had no business takin him on. FSU is dead, too late for heroics.

]]> By: RazzMaTazz http://blogs.thestateonline.net/pstrelow/2009/11/09/10-fsu-things/comment-page-1/#comment-949 RazzMaTazz Tue, 10 Nov 2009 20:19:09 +0000 http://blogs.thestateonline.net/pstrelow/?p=1503#comment-949 Would I trade a loss to SCar for an ACC title? Heck, if Clemson wins the next two ACC games, I'd like to see Clemson forfeit to the Gamecocks so that Clemson could rest up and prepare for the ACCCG! :-) Paul: Your analyses are excellent. Clemson's coaching (especially the OC's performance) were relatively poor earlier in the year, and warranted scrutiny. (E.g. Napier failed to game-plan for GT's future NFL DE, Morgan, and Napier failed to utilize the TE passing game when the WR passing game wasn't working.) It's pretty clear that Napier has learned from his mistakes and is doing a much better job now, including utilizing the TE passing game much more. Of course there were other contributing factors in Clemson's losses, but it makes me wonder if Clemson might be undefeated or at least Top 10 if Dabo had hired a seasoned OC, like he did in hiring Steele. Oh well. Napier is doing a pretty good job recently so... Go Tigers! Would I trade a loss to SCar for an ACC title? Heck, if Clemson wins the next two ACC games, I’d like to see Clemson forfeit to the Gamecocks so that Clemson could rest up and prepare for the ACCCG! :-)

Paul: Your analyses are excellent.

Clemson’s coaching (especially the OC’s performance) were relatively poor earlier in the year, and warranted scrutiny. (E.g. Napier failed to game-plan for GT’s future NFL DE, Morgan, and Napier failed to utilize the TE passing game when the WR passing game wasn’t working.) It’s pretty clear that Napier has learned from his mistakes and is doing a much better job now, including utilizing the TE passing game much more. Of course there were other contributing factors in Clemson’s losses, but it makes me wonder if Clemson might be undefeated or at least Top 10 if Dabo had hired a seasoned OC, like he did in hiring Steele. Oh well. Napier is doing a pretty good job recently so…

Go Tigers!

]]> By: pstrelow http://blogs.thestateonline.net/pstrelow/2009/11/09/10-fsu-things/comment-page-1/#comment-947 pstrelow Tue, 10 Nov 2009 02:52:22 +0000 http://blogs.thestateonline.net/pstrelow/?p=1503#comment-947 Seahawks 92: It's overall record vs. ACC opponents, not just the record within the Atlantic Division. So the UVa. game counts. Now, record w/in the Atlantic is the No. 2 tiebreaker in a multi-team tie (after head-to-head record), so that record could mean something in other years (or if Clemson and BC both lose at least two more, at which point the Atlantic coaches should just all meet at a hub Waffle House and have a coin flip, the ol' prep football way). J. Grant -- don't see a discernable difference in his abilities, although who's to say a leading role won't lead him to play with greater confidence. Bobo -- don't think he'll be any more or less a factor than last season, barring injuries to others. D. Booker -- only had 4 minutes to go by, but from what I saw of him in a summer league game, he is as I'd heard he'd be -- more physical than Trevor, less refined. Like Trevor as a frosh, his defensive recognition is rather lacking, which isn't unexpected for a newcomer in OP's system. But he also needs to ratchet up the intensity with which he plays (another thing Trevor had to do, too). Much more reliant on a back-to-the-basket game offensively (or at least he should be). Has a nice fadeaway turnaround when on the left block. I'd have him starting by midseason. Seahawks 92:
It’s overall record vs. ACC opponents, not just the record within the Atlantic Division. So the UVa. game counts.
Now, record w/in the Atlantic is the No. 2 tiebreaker in a multi-team tie (after head-to-head record), so that record could mean something in other years (or if Clemson and BC both lose at least two more, at which point the Atlantic coaches should just all meet at a hub Waffle House and have a coin flip, the ol’ prep football way).
J. Grant — don’t see a discernable difference in his abilities, although who’s to say a leading role won’t lead him to play with greater confidence.
Bobo — don’t think he’ll be any more or less a factor than last season, barring injuries to others.
D. Booker — only had 4 minutes to go by, but from what I saw of him in a summer league game, he is as I’d heard he’d be — more physical than Trevor, less refined. Like Trevor as a frosh, his defensive recognition is rather lacking, which isn’t unexpected for a newcomer in OP’s system. But he also needs to ratchet up the intensity with which he plays (another thing Trevor had to do, too). Much more reliant on a back-to-the-basket game offensively (or at least he should be). Has a nice fadeaway turnaround when on the left block. I’d have him starting by midseason.

]]> By: baileyln http://blogs.thestateonline.net/pstrelow/2009/11/09/10-fsu-things/comment-page-1/#comment-946 baileyln Mon, 09 Nov 2009 23:57:10 +0000 http://blogs.thestateonline.net/pstrelow/?p=1503#comment-946 Question: Which would you rather have - 2 more ACC wins and a trip to Tampa OR a win over USC? Answer: To quote Radio from the movie "Radio" when the waitress asked him which pie he wanted a slice from - BOTH! Question: Which would you rather have – 2 more ACC wins and a trip to Tampa OR a win over USC?

Answer: To quote Radio from the movie “Radio” when the waitress asked him which pie he wanted a slice from – BOTH!

]]> By: Greg http://blogs.thestateonline.net/pstrelow/2009/11/09/10-fsu-things/comment-page-1/#comment-945 Greg Mon, 09 Nov 2009 22:23:07 +0000 http://blogs.thestateonline.net/pstrelow/?p=1503#comment-945 Paul: Don't get baited by us posters. You don't need to defend anything. Your published pieces stand alone, for good or ill we can take 'em or leave 'em. Personally, I think you're not biased enough towards the Tigers. But that probably means you're doing your job. ;-) Paul: Don’t get baited by us posters. You don’t need to defend anything. Your published pieces stand alone, for good or ill we can take ‘em or leave ‘em. Personally, I think you’re not biased enough towards the Tigers. But that probably means you’re doing your job. ;-)

]]> By: Kirk http://blogs.thestateonline.net/pstrelow/2009/11/09/10-fsu-things/comment-page-1/#comment-944 Kirk Mon, 09 Nov 2009 22:16:40 +0000 http://blogs.thestateonline.net/pstrelow/?p=1503#comment-944 I walk into this debate a novice, an out-of-stater, someone who is following Clemson football for only his second year since his daughter is a sophomore. But I know about rivalries. I graduated from UCLA which has its own USC rivalry (I gave my approval to my daughter going out of state to college by telling her that in choosing Clemson "we could both hate USC".) But I would take a loss to USC (Los Angeles) any day of the week if the Bruins were assured of playing in the Rose Bowl. Same in this case: a chance to appear in the Orange Bowl with its huge tv audience and big payday far surpasses beating a non-conference in state rival. It is all about the Tigers winning the ACC. I walk into this debate a novice, an out-of-stater, someone who is following Clemson football for only his second year since his daughter is a sophomore. But I know about rivalries. I graduated from UCLA which has its own USC rivalry (I gave my approval to my daughter going out of state to college by telling her that in choosing Clemson “we could both hate USC”.) But I would take a loss to USC (Los Angeles) any day of the week if the Bruins were assured of playing in the Rose Bowl. Same in this case: a chance to appear in the Orange Bowl with its huge tv audience and big payday far surpasses beating a non-conference in state rival. It is all about the Tigers winning the ACC.

]]> By: pstrelow http://blogs.thestateonline.net/pstrelow/2009/11/09/10-fsu-things/comment-page-1/#comment-943 pstrelow Mon, 09 Nov 2009 20:39:24 +0000 http://blogs.thestateonline.net/pstrelow/?p=1503#comment-943 Loyal, I'd LOVE to know what you plucked from that TCU follow that suggested I rushed to judgment AGAINST Swinney. I primarily stand accused of not taking a firm stand one way or another, both after Clemson's wins and losses. At the risk of consuming the reply category, here's the entire aforementioned column. If you think that's saying Swinney can't or won't do it, well, then I will have to just respectfully disagree with your view of the context. **** CLEMSON – Prior to Saturday, the last time Clemson faced a higher-ranked nonconference opponent in the regular season was 2003, when No. 11 Georgia christened the year with a thorough 30-0 clubbing. In the sullen aftermath, a fan passing our staff photographer requested he not make the Tigers look too bad in the next day’s paper. Um, how? Same theme applied yesterday, today and for what figures to be Clemson’s slogan through 2009: Till proven otherwise. “I really like the mentality of our team, and I think we’ve done a lot in changing the mentality,” coach Dabo Swinney said Sunday. “Now we just have to teach them how to win.” In and of itself, the Tigers’ 14-10 loss Saturday to No. 14 TCU was nothing to be ashamed of. Foremost, it supplied another reason why USC athletic director Eric Hyman dials his last football hire whenever Steve Spurrier hangs it up. Plenty of folks, myself included, predicted Clemson would have a 2-2 record at this juncture. Yet there was consensus sentiment the opening four games of Swinney’s first full season were supposed to tell us a lot about the Tigers’ direction – which, to be fair, might be flawed rush to judgment because of the small sample size. But at a minimum, what we’ve seen so far has to be frustrating for Clemson’s fan base because in terms of football philosophy, it got what it asked for in Swinney: the antithesis to former coach Tommy Bowden and his staff’s way of doing things. Dynamic offensive players C.J. Spiller and Jacoby Ford are being relied on to the opposite extreme, with 56.7 percent of the offensive yardage having funneled through them. The passing game takes an abundance of shots downfield; there has been no shortage of attempts to establish a power running game and toughness mind-set; and the defense has stuck to a swashbuckling, risk-taking methodology. Still, the outcomes have followed the same formulaic pattern. Offense struggles, particularly in the red zone. Defense largely does its part, but nonetheless surrenders the deciding fourth-quarter score. Then the Tigers shoot themselves in the foot during their frantic rally attempt. Clemson has lost eight in a row to top-25 opponents, including three under Swinney’s watch. Eight of their last 10 losses have come by a touchdown or less, four of five on Swinney’s dime. To their contrasting ends, as much as Bowden irritated message board posters with explanations of being one play away or (insert high-profile coach) has endured the same problem, Swinney opened his Sunday teleconference with reporters by proactively but tactfully calling out Clemson’s most glaring weakness. “This is a team that really believes they can win,” Swinney said. “I think they expect to win. Now they have to learn how to win. We have to teach them how to win. That’s playing with a little more poise, a little better technique, finishing on the plays that are there.” “As I look at this team, I just believe in what we’re doing. We’re better, we’re tougher, we’re more physical, we’re a closer team. We can’t lose confidence because I really believe we’re doing the right things.” Swinney went on to suggest that while Clemson isn’t a national title contender yet, it can certainly be an ACC contender, especially in the Atlantic Division. Everything we’ve witnessed from Florida State, N.C. State, Wake Forest, Boston College and this week’s road opponent, Maryland (1-3, 0-0), validates the notion. “We could have played Central Michigan (last) week or could have played Idaho (last) week, but I’m glad we played TCU. I’m glad we’re sitting here today sick having lost a tough game to TCU because I believe it’s going to pay off for us.” Swinney meant the entire team, but the reference is applicable to he and his staff as well. Lots of new coaches seek to change a culture of losing. Swinney’s challenge is subtly different; Clemson just hasn’t won enough, especially against the caliber of opponents believed of comparable measure. It’s one thing to impart the Tigers’ desired philosophies. It’s another to elicit the level of performance in which Clemson does more than simply accrue another near-miss. The Tigers’ season will ultimately be judged on whether they win the division and reach the ACC title game, so rendering a verdict on Swinney and staff is arguably premature. The first four games have served as a refresher on what Clemson has lacked to get there – as well as a reminder of the here-we-go-again environment that has contributed to the cycle. Swinney made light of the Tigers’ recurring run-ins with rain storms, but the joke was apropros. “Sure am glad the sun came out today,” Swinney said. “Was not sure if we’d ever see it again.” Loyal,
I’d LOVE to know what you plucked from that TCU follow that suggested I rushed to judgment AGAINST Swinney. I primarily stand accused of not taking a firm stand one way or another, both after Clemson’s wins and losses.
At the risk of consuming the reply category, here’s the entire aforementioned column.
If you think that’s saying Swinney can’t or won’t do it, well, then I will have to just respectfully disagree with your view of the context.
****
CLEMSON – Prior to Saturday, the last time Clemson faced a higher-ranked nonconference opponent in the regular season was 2003, when No. 11 Georgia christened the year with a thorough 30-0 clubbing.
In the sullen aftermath, a fan passing our staff photographer requested he not make the Tigers look too bad in the next day’s paper.
Um, how?
Same theme applied yesterday, today and for what figures to be Clemson’s slogan through 2009: Till proven otherwise.
“I really like the mentality of our team, and I think we’ve done a lot in changing the mentality,” coach Dabo Swinney said Sunday. “Now we just have to teach them how to win.”
In and of itself, the Tigers’ 14-10 loss Saturday to No. 14 TCU was nothing to be ashamed of. Foremost, it supplied another reason why USC athletic director Eric Hyman dials his last football hire whenever Steve Spurrier hangs it up.
Plenty of folks, myself included, predicted Clemson would have a 2-2 record at this juncture.
Yet there was consensus sentiment the opening four games of Swinney’s first full season were supposed to tell us a lot about the Tigers’ direction – which, to be fair, might be flawed rush to judgment because of the small sample size.
But at a minimum, what we’ve seen so far has to be frustrating for Clemson’s fan base because in terms of football philosophy, it got what it asked for in Swinney: the antithesis to former coach Tommy Bowden and his staff’s way of doing things.
Dynamic offensive players C.J. Spiller and Jacoby Ford are being relied on to the opposite extreme, with 56.7 percent of the offensive yardage having funneled through them. The passing game takes an abundance of shots downfield; there has been no shortage of attempts to establish a power running game and toughness mind-set; and the defense has stuck to a swashbuckling, risk-taking methodology.
Still, the outcomes have followed the same formulaic pattern.
Offense struggles, particularly in the red zone. Defense largely does its part, but nonetheless surrenders the deciding fourth-quarter score. Then the Tigers shoot themselves in the foot during their frantic rally attempt.
Clemson has lost eight in a row to top-25 opponents, including three under Swinney’s watch. Eight of their last 10 losses have come by a touchdown or less, four of five on Swinney’s dime.
To their contrasting ends, as much as Bowden irritated message board posters with explanations of being one play away or (insert high-profile coach) has endured the same problem, Swinney opened his Sunday teleconference with reporters by proactively but tactfully calling out Clemson’s most glaring weakness.
“This is a team that really believes they can win,” Swinney said. “I think they expect to win. Now they have to learn how to win. We have to teach them how to win. That’s playing with a little more poise, a little better technique, finishing on the plays that are there.”
“As I look at this team, I just believe in what we’re doing. We’re better, we’re tougher, we’re more physical, we’re a closer team. We can’t lose confidence because I really believe we’re doing the right things.”
Swinney went on to suggest that while Clemson isn’t a national title contender yet, it can certainly be an ACC contender, especially in the Atlantic Division. Everything we’ve witnessed from Florida State, N.C. State, Wake Forest, Boston College and this week’s road opponent, Maryland (1-3, 0-0), validates the notion.
“We could have played Central Michigan (last) week or could have played Idaho (last) week, but I’m glad we played TCU. I’m glad we’re sitting here today sick having lost a tough game to TCU because I believe it’s going to pay off for us.”
Swinney meant the entire team, but the reference is applicable to he and his staff as well.
Lots of new coaches seek to change a culture of losing.
Swinney’s challenge is subtly different; Clemson just hasn’t won enough, especially against the caliber of opponents believed of comparable measure.
It’s one thing to impart the Tigers’ desired philosophies.
It’s another to elicit the level of performance in which Clemson does more than simply accrue another near-miss.
The Tigers’ season will ultimately be judged on whether they win the division and reach the ACC title game, so rendering a verdict on Swinney and staff is arguably premature.
The first four games have served as a refresher on what Clemson has lacked to get there – as well as a reminder of the here-we-go-again environment that has contributed to the cycle.
Swinney made light of the Tigers’ recurring run-ins with rain storms, but the joke was apropros.
“Sure am glad the sun came out today,” Swinney said. “Was not sure if we’d ever see it again.”

]]> By: Loyal_Tiger http://blogs.thestateonline.net/pstrelow/2009/11/09/10-fsu-things/comment-page-1/#comment-942 Loyal_Tiger Mon, 09 Nov 2009 19:51:05 +0000 http://blogs.thestateonline.net/pstrelow/?p=1503#comment-942 It's kinda funny the comment about item 2 above because I remember a certain writer for The State writing about "Is the Tiger Season Still Salvageable" even before the Maryland loss. How funny you should now mention that we should let the season play out before making preemptive decisions like that. Hypocrite. It’s kinda funny the comment about item 2 above because I remember a certain writer for The State writing about “Is the Tiger Season Still Salvageable” even before the Maryland loss. How funny you should now mention that we should let the season play out before making preemptive decisions like that. Hypocrite.

]]> By: Greg http://blogs.thestateonline.net/pstrelow/2009/11/09/10-fsu-things/comment-page-1/#comment-941 Greg Mon, 09 Nov 2009 19:03:05 +0000 http://blogs.thestateonline.net/pstrelow/?p=1503#comment-941 Of the 3 teams remaining on Clemson's regular season schedule, USC is the worst. That said, an ACC championship is far more important than beating USC. Like all Clemson fans, I expect both. :-) And you're right... McDaniel is indeed a bad mutha. I would be very surprised if he didn't bolt for the NFL considering his situation and, more importantly, his likely draft position. But the difference between being the 20th guy picked (2011 draft) and the 50th guy picked (2010 draft) will buy a lot of beachfront property in Florida. Of the 3 teams remaining on Clemson’s regular season schedule, USC is the worst. That said, an ACC championship is far more important than beating USC. Like all Clemson fans, I expect both. :-)

And you’re right… McDaniel is indeed a bad mutha. I would be very surprised if he didn’t bolt for the NFL considering his situation and, more importantly, his likely draft position. But the difference between being the 20th guy picked (2011 draft) and the 50th guy picked (2010 draft) will buy a lot of beachfront property in Florida.

]]> By: John http://blogs.thestateonline.net/pstrelow/2009/11/09/10-fsu-things/comment-page-1/#comment-940 John Mon, 09 Nov 2009 17:23:42 +0000 http://blogs.thestateonline.net/pstrelow/?p=1503#comment-940 I was thinking the same thing over the weekend. If Clemson beats NC State and UVA, to win the division and reach its first ACC Championship game, then the South Carolina game is just icing on the cake. I don't want to say that I don't care if they beat SC or not (because I do), but if you offered me that trade straight up, Id take it. We've been waiting 19 years for this! I was thinking the same thing over the weekend. If Clemson beats NC State and UVA, to win the division and reach its first ACC Championship game, then the South Carolina game is just icing on the cake.

I don’t want to say that I don’t care if they beat SC or not (because I do), but if you offered me that trade straight up, Id take it. We’ve been waiting 19 years for this!

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