Don’t call it a comeback … yet

Cleaning out the notebook of observations and anecdotes, both regarding football and basketball.

****

As you might have seen by now, Ed McGranahan of the Greenville News quotes S DeAndre McDaniel as saying he plans to return for his senior season.

By absolutely no means am I questioning the credibility of the report. McDaniel said it.

But there is absolutely no reason to believe that McDaniel has reached that decision.

Within the last few weeks, McDaniel has met with coach Dabo Swinney regarding his NFL future, and Swinney told him he would help McDaniel gather as much feedback from pro personnel as possible after the regular season.

The only thing Swinney asked, I’ve heard, is that McDaniel be careful whom he listens to. Because McDaniel already has a ton of outside influences trying to be a part of the decision-making process, and if you remember anything about his background from last week’s story, not all of the people he has grown up with are beyond reproach.

McDaniel’s saying the proper thing. Just like C.J. Spiller did before he went back and forth with his decision. Just like departuree Phillip Merling did. Just like Gaines Adams did before he see-sawed.

****

One player I failed to mention in Monday’s 10 things was junior defensive tackle Jarvis Jenkins.

Stupid and costly personal foul penalty for clubbing an FSU player, and that’s not excusable.

But otherwise, he might have been the most disruptive defender on the field for either side.

FSU left guard Rodney Hudson is a hoss, and there were at least two instances where I saw Jenkins bulldoze Hudson into the backfield. Jenkins was credited with eight tackles, one off the team high – and a rather large amount for an interior lineman when he’s not facing an option offense.

****

Today’s story is on the re-release party of WR Xavier Dye, whose second start to the season has gone much better than the initial go-round.

One anecdote that didn’t make the writing cut was an example from WRs coach Jeff Scott on Dye’s improved attention to detail (warning, it might be difficult to picture).

“On his touchdown catch, that is what we call a climb route. He’s not just going to take off at an angle to the other hash. He actually is going to build (the route).

“One of the finer coaching points is, against man coverage – which we felt were going to get there – he could not just take off because that guy would just run with him at his hip. (So) whenever he got over the ball, he stemmed it back for about two steps, put his foot in the ground and separated.

“As opposed to running straight there, he straightened the guy up, took a pressure step and separated. If you look back on film, that gave him about a 3-foot cushion to make the catch. And those are the little details it takes.

“Those details are the things it takes the younger players in my room a little bit longer to understand. You can teach them and practice them, but until you go out there and it’s third down – they have to be able to carry that over. It’s about focus.”

****

As promised, some hoops observations, most from their exhibition victory against Francis Marion Middle (also saw some of the freshmen in summer league play):

Right now, 6-9 frosh Milton Jennings is exclusively working as a 4 forward. In a year or two, I think he gets a look as a 3 in a big lineup, but right now his value is as the pick-and-pop 4 whom Oliver Purnell has always coveted.

Jennings plays smooth and calculated, but he’s not explosive off the dribble, per se. Neither is 6-6 frosh wing Noel Johnson, for that matter (Johnson will need to tighten his handle). But both already play under control, a rare asset for good prep scorers.

Johnson, IMO, is the most ready to contribute immediately. Funky shot – releases it from on top of his head, basically – but he’s a good shooter. And he’s as much a scorer as a shooter; he has some crafty moves to set up a mid-range game.

Clemson’s early starting lineup: PG Demontez Stitt, SG Tanner Smith, SF David Potter, PF Trevor Booker, C Jerai Grant.
Am very interested in monitoring if and how this lineup takes shape over the course of the year.

Not sure I believe that’s a starting lineup that’s going to send the Tigers to a third-place ACC finish, as predicted by some media voting. That lineup also leaves all four freshmen coming off the bench, and that presents some substitution and rotation dilemmas for Purnell. He doesn’t want more than three freshmen on the floor at once, and you’d have to think in order to balance growing pains with tapping potential, there will eventually be a medium ground where, say, at least two of the freshmen are in starting lineup.

It appears that sophomore swingman Bryan Narcisse has earned a spot in Purnell’s planned rotation for his energy and defense.

It appears that 7-2 center Bobo Baciu, a fan favorite, is low man on the totem pole – perhaps even behind C Karolis Petrukonis.

PG Demontez Stitt looks to have added some strength and bulk in his upper body, especially arms. Whether that helps Stitt improve his ability to finish at the rim is the question.

Devin Booker was limited to 4 minutes vs. Francis Marion because he had sat out about a week to rest a shin injury Clemson hopes doesn’t develop into a stress fracture. He’s more of a power play than Trevor was at this stage, but less refined. Nice turnaround from the left block. But like Trevor at that age, he has to improve his conditioning and consistent intensity level.

The final frosh, Donte Hill, will be a valuable defender as time goes on, too. Don’t have any idea how his shooting will develop, but he’s not quite as raw a scorer as, say, Sam Perry or Cliff Hammonds appeared at this stage in their careers.

This team has plenty of folks who can shoot and make 3s: Potter, Young, Jennings, Johnson, Smith, even T. Booker. But the big question, in the absence of K.C. Rivers and Terrence Oglesby, is whether anyone can get an open look or shoot a decent percentage against athletic defenders.

Its greatest weakness – passing and ball movement. Not sure that anyone’s a creater, much less a closer. Once again, it’s gonna be difficult for Trevor Booker to get the ball if the people on the perimeter aren’t adept at setting up and recognizing entry pass opportunities.

Its greatest asset – versatility and defense range. Lots of interchangeable parts, Purnell can mix and match lineups to match up with the opponent, and I’d expect to even see a lot of Stitt and 5-9 Young playing in the same backcourt.