Posted by Chili

In case you haven’t heard, Stephen Garcia did Stephen Garcia shit as Stephen Garcia is wont to do, and now he’s suspended indefinitely. Which, in Gamecock speak, means for, oh… a series or two. Good thing Sakerlina has that eight strikes and you’re out rule.

Posted by Chili

This is fantastic. I miss football. From Solid Verbal.

Posted by Chili

The installation of Chad Morris’s new offensive system entered a new phase this week with the Tigers starting up their spring practice sessions that will end with the spring game in Death Valley on April 9.

As expected, Tajh Boyd will have some immense pressure hoisted upon him to run the new offense. Swinney is anxious to see how he reacts.

“That’s one of the things I’m really anxious to see, can he assert himself as the leader of the offensive side?” Coach Swinney stated. “He’s done all the right things to this point. I think he’s picked it up well, but we have to go see him do it on the field.”

Boyd has taken the intitiative to try and assert himself as a leader on offense and has been preparing for the fast-paced new look by dropping 20 pounds.

Also of note, Andre Ellington is being held out of spring practice, but has been doing some running on the sidelines and will continue to be around practice in some fashion. The Post & Courier has a write-up on the former Berkley star’s return.

We also learn that Nuke Hopkins will not miss a practice due to basketball. In fact, Coach Swinney stated that he will not be traveling with Coach Brad Brownell’s team to the ACC Tournament, but instead will be practicing with the football teams.

On the other side of the ball, early reports from Dabo Swinney are that there is a serious void in the defense, left by such outgoing defensive stars as DeAndre McDaniel and DaQuan Bowers.

ODDS AND ENDS

Here’s a link to the official ClemsonTigers.com video wrap-up of the second day of practice.

Heather Dinich takes a look at Clemson’s schedule next year.

Posted by Sam

This past weekend through the beginning of the week, the NFL held their Annual Meat Market, I mean rookie Combine.  Seven former Clemson players were invited and here is how they fared in their individual drills, how they officially measured, and the NFL’s instant analysis for each player (if you want to see all the results from the Combine and how they compare to how Clemson’s players finished, click here):

(AL = Arm Length, HS = Hand Size)

DE Da’Quan Bowers

Measurements – 6’3, 280 lbs, AL = 33 1/8^th in, HS = 10 1/4^th in

Drill Results:

Due to a minor knee surgery, Du’Quan only participated in the Bench Press at the Combine, he finished with 22 reps.

Overview:

Bowers has the ability to become a franchise NFL defensive end with the potential to dominate against the run and pass. Appears capable of playing DE in different front alignments or inside at defensive tackle in pass rushing situations. Really came into his own as a pass rusher this fall terrorizing ACC opponents to the tune of 16 sacks. Can beat offensive lineman with his athleticism or power. A complete player against the run who can hold up at the point of attack or chase down plays from the backside. One of this year’s truly elite prospects, Bowers should be vying for the No. 1 spot in April.

Strengths:

Bowers is an extremely impressive blend of height, bulk and athleticism for a bigger defensive end. Is very versatile. Gets to the quarterback with a nice combination of initial burst and power and closes in a hurry. Can anchor at the point of attack, use his strength and hands to get off blocks and jolt ball carriers with his short area explosion.

Weaknesses:

Is an athletic big-man but doesn’t possess ideal top-end speed. Needs to do a better job of consistently playing low. Technique, awareness and motor have steadily developed but must continue to do so. Has dealt with some minor injuries during college career.

CB Marcus Gilchrist

Measurements – 5’10, 195 lbs, AL = 31 3/8^th in, HS = 8 ½ in

Drill Results:

• 40 yd Dash – 4.51 sec
• Bench Press – 26 reps (2^nd for DBs)
• Vertical Jump – 38.5 inches (T-2nd for DBs)
• Broad Jump – 9’11
• 3 Cone Drill – 6.81 sec

Continue Reading “CLEMSON COMBINE RESULTS” »

Posted by Block-C Staff

Here is the next in a Round-table series of questions about Clemson football’s previous season (if you missed the previous posts, here is Part I, Part II, Part III, Part IV, and Part V).  We hope you enjoy:

OK, now that we have knocked out everything about last season and answered a couple of questions about next season, what is your Super-Duper Early Prediction for 2011?

2011 Clemson Football Schedule

09/03/11 – vs. Troy
09/10/11 – vs. Wofford
09/17/11 – vs. Auburn
09/24/11 – vs. Florida State
10/01/11 – at Virginia Tech
10/08/11 – vs. Boston College
10/15/11 – at Maryland
10/22/11 – vs. North Carolina
10/29/11 – at Georgia Tech
11/05/11 – Open
11/12/11 – vs. Wake Forest
11/19/11 – at NC State
11/26/11 – at South Carolina

Willy Mac: Lets be realistic about 2011. The Tigers need to get back on track next year as Dabo continues to build his own regime and shake off the Tommy Bowden shadow. 7-5 is completely doable and for all purposes should be expected next year. Nothing more and nothing less should be considered. Some games I’ve considered for definite losses next year are FSU, VT, probably GT as they’re hungry, and Sakerlina. In true Clemson fashion, we’ll probably get to the bowl game but flop with the practice/holiday lay over. Oh well, at least we’ve got six or seven months to fool ourselves into thinking that Clemson is better than they really are.

Sambo: W, W, W, L, L, W, W, W, L, W, W*, L and what does that spell?  8-4!  I put an * beside the NC State game because I would bet on Clemson winning if Russell Wilson is playing along side Kyle Parker in the Colorado Rockie farm system somewhere, but if Wilson is back, then mark me down for a 7-5 season.  Otherwise, I’m going to say Clemson beats an Auburn team that loses virtually every single player from their National Championship team (and their favorite toilet paper filled trees, too soon?), but then drops two straight to start the season 0-2 in ACC play, which sounds depressing when you think about it.  Otherwise, losses to GT and the Cocks wraps up a typical Clemson season, aka 8-4 overall and 5-3 in conference.  Sigh.

Chili: I think having the Auburn game directly follow two cupcakes could be a problem. I’m not sure the offense will be ready by then, but hell we looked better against the champs last year than we did against anyone else, so who knows how we’ll react. I’ll chalk Auburn up as a loss right now. I see the FSU game as an L, and possibly the UNC game though who knows what will happen with them and NCAA sanctions between now and then. Away games, I see us dropping VT and Sakerlina. #TRUTHBOMBS