If you read the message boards (and if you don’t, good for you), Tiger nation is ticked off. Most of Orangeville could have lived with the bad loss to Alabama after they watched the Tide dismantle everyone else on their way to the top ten. But losing to Maryland, at home, being an 11 point favorite, blowing an eleven point lead, and looking like they could score a hundred in the first quarter of the game – that has proven to be too much.
Tommy again finds himself on the hot seat – a familiar spot. Every year Clemson has talent everywhere, and every year no conference title. True, the ACC is still in their grasp, but trips to Wake, FSU, and BC loom in the future. Not to mention a very interesting game against Georgia Tech. So the question remains: is it time for Tommy to go? I say that it is, and Clemson should look in their not too distant past for his replacement.
Let’s be honest - Clemson football needs to go back to its roots. It’s time for Tiger Town to bring back the coach that knew about having a power running game. It’s time to bring in the coach that knew about hard nosed defense and orange jerseys that were too short to tuck in your pants. It’s time to bring in the coach that believed in option football and having a quarterback that could take a hit. It’s time to bring in the coach that wears a hat on the sidelines and looks like he just finished the night shift at the mill. It’s time to bring in a coach that knows how to take Clemson to New Year’s Day bowls, win the ACC, and spit while he calls plays.
So dig him out of retirement, give him an orange hat, and let him call dive option until he’s hoarse. That’s right, it’s time to bring back Ken Hatfield.
Grumble all you want Tiger folk, Clemson hasn’t won the ACC since he left. And I can assure you Davis and Spiller would get the ball every play. Good thing Clemson ran him out of town.
I wonder what Charlie Pell is up to these days?
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
You know what's a tough play to stop?
9:00 am – Wake up for second round Ryder Cup action. Cink and Campbell look a bit shaky.
9:30 – Breakfast is contemplated.
10:00 – I think Jimenez misses playing with Sergio.
11:00 – Restate my weekly predictions that Florida State is good, Carolina will blow out Wofford, Auburn will barely score a point against LSU, and Georgia may still have a hangover after last week.
11:30 – Wonder where Lou got his medical degree.
12:00 p.m. – Breakfast remains a pipe dream.
12:30 – For a bad football team, N.C. State sure is on TV a lot.
12:45 – I highly recommend the Piggly Wiggly Deli pork chop – but only if you have the teeth of a mountain lion.
1:00 – Receive first phone call about a ride to the game. Naturally, the time that I’m planning on leaving doesn’t suit. No matter what time you say you’re going to a game, it’s always too late or too early.
2:00 – When does Mississippi State come back on the schedule?
3:00 – I hate it when Ron Morris is right. East Carolina is a bit overrated.
3:30 – Georgia Tech will give Clemson all they want.
3:45 – The Americans are starting to look very American in this Ryder Cup.
4:00 – Florida is good. Tebow is good. Maybe they’ll all get the flu when Carolina has to play them.
4:15 – North Carolina has a huge football team.
4:30 – Despite the fact that I have bought 78 tubes of Chapstick in the past year, I can not find any.
5:00 – Tell all who will listen about my predictions for the night games. I sure know a lot about football.
5:15 – Depart for game. Make a pit stop for Chapstick. I’m officially addicted.
5:30 – Drive by Barnes and Noble where they are handing out Wofford tickets to use as bookmarks.
5:45 – Arrive at game. Someone is parked in my spot. I inquire to the management about how that happened, only to get “Yeah that will happen around here.” I wonder what a cab ride would cost to the game?
6:00 – Take part in the first fourteen person tailgate to not have a TV. Ryder Cup, Florida, North Carolina – I might as well be on the moon.
6:30 – Observe a man on a bicycle start his own personal Game-cocks cheer as he rides through the parking lot.
7:00 – Why is Carolina now late coming out for 2001?
7:10 – Gamecocks are still average at quarterback.
7:20 - Man is quite pleased with himself for his Smelley stinks pun.
7:30 – Seventeen jillion dollars in stadium upgrades and I still can’t get a score from any other game. Why can’t there just be a scroll ticker going constantly?
7:35 – We’re going to lose to Wofford.
7:45 – I listen to a man explain to an 8 year old child what a fair catch is. Don’t they cover this stuff in school?
8:00 – There’s that option again.
8:10 – Pre halftime discussion revolves around how to get from West Club to South Lower. My simple directions fall on deaf ears.
8:20 – Look, I love America as much as the next guy, and fine if you want to do a salute to America halftime, but can we dig up some new props? The flags are so old that they have 48 stars on them.
8:40 – The most important defensive stop of the season occurs in the first part of the second half.
8:45 – The same man explains to the same child what a PSL is.
8:55 – Maddux and Baker look like they have a little wiggle to them.
9:05 – Ayers has lost his mind. Three pass plays – three and out. Did he watch the first half?
9:15 - Literally no one around me is paying any attention to the game. Most people might as well be at a grade school dance recital during the parts that don’t involve their relatives.
9:30 – I finally exhale as Carolina scores to make it 23 – 13. Why do I come to these things?
10:00 – Try to make a mad dash out of the parking lot. Someone gets out of my car to mix a liquor drink from my trunk. I’m buying a smaller car.
10:30 – Get home to watch the last two minutes of LSU-Auburn and UGA-ASU. I sure am smart.
10:45 – Why is there no Pac-10 game on TV? How am I supposed to sleep?
11:00 – How much is that UAB pay-per-view?
9:30 – Breakfast is contemplated.
10:00 – I think Jimenez misses playing with Sergio.
11:00 – Restate my weekly predictions that Florida State is good, Carolina will blow out Wofford, Auburn will barely score a point against LSU, and Georgia may still have a hangover after last week.
11:30 – Wonder where Lou got his medical degree.
12:00 p.m. – Breakfast remains a pipe dream.
12:30 – For a bad football team, N.C. State sure is on TV a lot.
12:45 – I highly recommend the Piggly Wiggly Deli pork chop – but only if you have the teeth of a mountain lion.
1:00 – Receive first phone call about a ride to the game. Naturally, the time that I’m planning on leaving doesn’t suit. No matter what time you say you’re going to a game, it’s always too late or too early.
2:00 – When does Mississippi State come back on the schedule?
3:00 – I hate it when Ron Morris is right. East Carolina is a bit overrated.
3:30 – Georgia Tech will give Clemson all they want.
3:45 – The Americans are starting to look very American in this Ryder Cup.
4:00 – Florida is good. Tebow is good. Maybe they’ll all get the flu when Carolina has to play them.
4:15 – North Carolina has a huge football team.
4:30 – Despite the fact that I have bought 78 tubes of Chapstick in the past year, I can not find any.
5:00 – Tell all who will listen about my predictions for the night games. I sure know a lot about football.
5:15 – Depart for game. Make a pit stop for Chapstick. I’m officially addicted.
5:30 – Drive by Barnes and Noble where they are handing out Wofford tickets to use as bookmarks.
5:45 – Arrive at game. Someone is parked in my spot. I inquire to the management about how that happened, only to get “Yeah that will happen around here.” I wonder what a cab ride would cost to the game?
6:00 – Take part in the first fourteen person tailgate to not have a TV. Ryder Cup, Florida, North Carolina – I might as well be on the moon.
6:30 – Observe a man on a bicycle start his own personal Game-cocks cheer as he rides through the parking lot.
7:00 – Why is Carolina now late coming out for 2001?
7:10 – Gamecocks are still average at quarterback.
7:20 - Man is quite pleased with himself for his Smelley stinks pun.
7:30 – Seventeen jillion dollars in stadium upgrades and I still can’t get a score from any other game. Why can’t there just be a scroll ticker going constantly?
7:35 – We’re going to lose to Wofford.
7:45 – I listen to a man explain to an 8 year old child what a fair catch is. Don’t they cover this stuff in school?
8:00 – There’s that option again.
8:10 – Pre halftime discussion revolves around how to get from West Club to South Lower. My simple directions fall on deaf ears.
8:20 – Look, I love America as much as the next guy, and fine if you want to do a salute to America halftime, but can we dig up some new props? The flags are so old that they have 48 stars on them.
8:40 – The most important defensive stop of the season occurs in the first part of the second half.
8:45 – The same man explains to the same child what a PSL is.
8:55 – Maddux and Baker look like they have a little wiggle to them.
9:05 – Ayers has lost his mind. Three pass plays – three and out. Did he watch the first half?
9:15 - Literally no one around me is paying any attention to the game. Most people might as well be at a grade school dance recital during the parts that don’t involve their relatives.
9:30 – I finally exhale as Carolina scores to make it 23 – 13. Why do I come to these things?
10:00 – Try to make a mad dash out of the parking lot. Someone gets out of my car to mix a liquor drink from my trunk. I’m buying a smaller car.
10:30 – Get home to watch the last two minutes of LSU-Auburn and UGA-ASU. I sure am smart.
10:45 – Why is there no Pac-10 game on TV? How am I supposed to sleep?
11:00 – How much is that UAB pay-per-view?
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
They might not be terrible
First off, let me say that I am not an optimist about anything, especially Carolina. I am quick to criticize fans for running around spouting high expectations every year. And I am always the first to be critical of the football team. So for me to say they’re not terrible is quite a statement. Dare I even suggest that I have a little bit of hope for these guys. Here’s why:
For one, they did just about everything to improve themselves that I suggested last week, with the exception of one thing: they insist on running the damn zone play. Junior was back in the box, Daddy called most of the game, and they tried to play a little Beamer Ball (which can be really tough to do when you can’t run it). Despite the mere seven points, there was some progress. The offensive line did a good job with protection, Smelley looked like he had a clue, and Moe Brown showed up.
Defensively, they held two Heismann candidates to pedestrian numbers and they played with a lot of effort. More importantly, the team looked like they have grown a bit of a backbone. With three and half minutes left (after the offense misfired on fourth and two), Georgia got the ball needing one first down. They didn’t get it. For me, that was evidence of a team that had not thrown in the towel. That’s a good sign. (It will be interesting to see if any other team holds Moreno under 80 yards.)
I gleaned more reasons to be encouraged from Spurrier’s press conference today. For one, he mentioned that they might stop running “that little base play” (code for zone play) and start running it at people. That is wonderful news. Second, he had little complaints about the effort of his football team. Still not the smartest bunch, but they are flying around. Third, Meredith is moving to guard and King will go to tackle (you have no idea how good that news is).
Fourth, someone else will get a look at running back. I have nothing against Mike Davis, but he is hardly a dynamic back. Let some of these young guys that have a little burst get in there. The problem with Davis is that he makes no one miss and he is not that fast. When Carolina does block a play correctly, Davis barrels ahead for four or five yards instead of nine or ten. Go back and look at the first three games on tape. Throw out the zone plays (I know I keep harping on this, but you have no idea how bad they are at blocking it). Look at the sprint draws and isolation plays. There are decent holes there. It is time to get a back that can hit them with a burst and make a guy miss. Instant running game.
But we shall see. If the offense scores in bunches the next couple weeks, get excited. This season may not be over.
For one, they did just about everything to improve themselves that I suggested last week, with the exception of one thing: they insist on running the damn zone play. Junior was back in the box, Daddy called most of the game, and they tried to play a little Beamer Ball (which can be really tough to do when you can’t run it). Despite the mere seven points, there was some progress. The offensive line did a good job with protection, Smelley looked like he had a clue, and Moe Brown showed up.
Defensively, they held two Heismann candidates to pedestrian numbers and they played with a lot of effort. More importantly, the team looked like they have grown a bit of a backbone. With three and half minutes left (after the offense misfired on fourth and two), Georgia got the ball needing one first down. They didn’t get it. For me, that was evidence of a team that had not thrown in the towel. That’s a good sign. (It will be interesting to see if any other team holds Moreno under 80 yards.)
I gleaned more reasons to be encouraged from Spurrier’s press conference today. For one, he mentioned that they might stop running “that little base play” (code for zone play) and start running it at people. That is wonderful news. Second, he had little complaints about the effort of his football team. Still not the smartest bunch, but they are flying around. Third, Meredith is moving to guard and King will go to tackle (you have no idea how good that news is).
Fourth, someone else will get a look at running back. I have nothing against Mike Davis, but he is hardly a dynamic back. Let some of these young guys that have a little burst get in there. The problem with Davis is that he makes no one miss and he is not that fast. When Carolina does block a play correctly, Davis barrels ahead for four or five yards instead of nine or ten. Go back and look at the first three games on tape. Throw out the zone plays (I know I keep harping on this, but you have no idea how bad they are at blocking it). Look at the sprint draws and isolation plays. There are decent holes there. It is time to get a back that can hit them with a burst and make a guy miss. Instant running game.
But we shall see. If the offense scores in bunches the next couple weeks, get excited. This season may not be over.
Monday, September 15, 2008
Is Clemson any good?
And I mean that as a serious question. Before the season started, I would have bet even money that the Tigers would walk away with the ACC crown. Now, I’m not sure that they can even win their own division. True enough, they have won two in a row after Alabama made them look like a JV team. But, after three games, it is clear to see that this team has some problems.
Clemson’s mere 27 points against N.C. State is like a neon sign that this offense isn’t quite the sleek scoring machine that everyone thought it would be. Three games have revealed their biggest weakness on offense – up front. Most Tiger fans have complained that Thunder and Lightening don’t get the ball enough. After watching them Saturday, I’m not sure that is the solution. These guys are not exactly stellar blockers at the moment. Against a good defense, just handing the ball off to the backs may not provide enough offense.
On the other side of the ball, Clemson is struggling to stop people. Even if you throw out the Alabama game as a fluke, Clemson gave up 400 yards of offense to the Citadel, and almost 300 to the worst offense in Division I football (the Gamecocks being number 2). And before Tiger fans point out that Citadel was throwing the ball because they were playing from behind, note that the Cadets had 200 yards of passing at halftime.
Meanwhile, Wake has looked pretty good in its two games. Riley Skinner is the best quarterback in the conference. The Wake defense, however, has not shown itself deserving of some of its preseason hype.
Quietly lurking in the weeds are the Florida State Seminoles. You probably have written off their two lopsided wins over Western Carolina and Chattanooga. You shouldn’t. The Noles held both teams to around 150 yards of offense while scoring points by the bucket load. The low profile Noles get their chance to make a statement against the Deacs this Saturday. Perhaps the elder Bowden has gotten his team back on track. From the looks of it, this division is now a three horse race.
Oh, and with the Terps win against Cal, how interesting is Clemson’s game with the Terrapins? This cake walk schedule Clemson had is now starting to reveal some booby traps.
Clemson’s mere 27 points against N.C. State is like a neon sign that this offense isn’t quite the sleek scoring machine that everyone thought it would be. Three games have revealed their biggest weakness on offense – up front. Most Tiger fans have complained that Thunder and Lightening don’t get the ball enough. After watching them Saturday, I’m not sure that is the solution. These guys are not exactly stellar blockers at the moment. Against a good defense, just handing the ball off to the backs may not provide enough offense.
On the other side of the ball, Clemson is struggling to stop people. Even if you throw out the Alabama game as a fluke, Clemson gave up 400 yards of offense to the Citadel, and almost 300 to the worst offense in Division I football (the Gamecocks being number 2). And before Tiger fans point out that Citadel was throwing the ball because they were playing from behind, note that the Cadets had 200 yards of passing at halftime.
Meanwhile, Wake has looked pretty good in its two games. Riley Skinner is the best quarterback in the conference. The Wake defense, however, has not shown itself deserving of some of its preseason hype.
Quietly lurking in the weeds are the Florida State Seminoles. You probably have written off their two lopsided wins over Western Carolina and Chattanooga. You shouldn’t. The Noles held both teams to around 150 yards of offense while scoring points by the bucket load. The low profile Noles get their chance to make a statement against the Deacs this Saturday. Perhaps the elder Bowden has gotten his team back on track. From the looks of it, this division is now a three horse race.
Oh, and with the Terps win against Cal, how interesting is Clemson’s game with the Terrapins? This cake walk schedule Clemson had is now starting to reveal some booby traps.
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
They did it. Now shut up.
Well they did it, and now no one can complain about it for four years. “They” being the U.S. basketball team, and “it” being win the gold medal in the Olympics. Their performance was dominant under the direction of Coack K. And now NBA haters will have to bite their tongue when they launch into a criticism of the league.
Crushing the NBA has become fashionable for most sports fans. Calling it “unwatchable” and “boring” is now the thing to say so fans can sound like they know something about basketball. In not winning the gold medal in the 2004 Athens games, the NBA gave these folks even more ammo. Now those people will have to tone down their criticism as America’s team accomplished their mission in China.
Except for a brief scare in the gold medal game against Spain (the current world champion), Team USA blasted the international competition game in, game out. And they did primarily with defense. How about that? A bunch of NBA guys playing lights out defense. Further, they did it with guys like Kobe, Carmello, and Lebron playing team offense. The NBA may be a one-on-one league, but the Redeem Team showed us that these guys still understand team basketball.
So, for the next four years, the NBA may still be unwatchable and boring, but it will be gold medal unwatchable and boring, and all the poor mouthers will have one less thing to complain about. Oh, and by the way poor mouthers: I hope you are just as harsh on the United States Ryder Cup team when Europe hands it to them yet again. The Redeem Team could show those guys a thing or two about what it means to represent your country in a team sport.
Crushing the NBA has become fashionable for most sports fans. Calling it “unwatchable” and “boring” is now the thing to say so fans can sound like they know something about basketball. In not winning the gold medal in the 2004 Athens games, the NBA gave these folks even more ammo. Now those people will have to tone down their criticism as America’s team accomplished their mission in China.
Except for a brief scare in the gold medal game against Spain (the current world champion), Team USA blasted the international competition game in, game out. And they did primarily with defense. How about that? A bunch of NBA guys playing lights out defense. Further, they did it with guys like Kobe, Carmello, and Lebron playing team offense. The NBA may be a one-on-one league, but the Redeem Team showed us that these guys still understand team basketball.
So, for the next four years, the NBA may still be unwatchable and boring, but it will be gold medal unwatchable and boring, and all the poor mouthers will have one less thing to complain about. Oh, and by the way poor mouthers: I hope you are just as harsh on the United States Ryder Cup team when Europe hands it to them yet again. The Redeem Team could show those guys a thing or two about what it means to represent your country in a team sport.
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