Friday, March 30, 2012

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

How about a 'spring game' against Georgia?

Here's an interesting idea: Instead of an intrasquad scrimmage for Clemson's spring football game, how about using it as a chance to mix it up with another top football program?

Here's Dabo Swinney's bold idea, as told to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution:

College football teams have the option of a spring game against themselves or another team. If you play another team, it must be both an out-of-conference team but also one within a reasonable driving distance. The coaches will agree upon the rules of the scrimmage in advance.

The NCAA would have to sign off on this plan, of course, but I think this would be very popular.

Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Clemson whips out the 'Pistol'

Orange and White has another good spring practice report, this one focusing on a new wrinkle possibly coming to Clemson's offense -- the "Pistol":

For the uninitiated, the “Pistol” formation is a variation on the shotgun offense made famous by Nevada and coach Chris Ault. Where shotgun offenses put the quarterback five to six yards behind the line of scrimmage, the Pistol places him four yards behind the line, with a tailback placed directly behind him, as opposed to beside him, as in the shotgun.

Let's load that sucker up and squeeze off a few next fall.

Catching up with spring football

Here are a couple of items about Clemson's spring football practice that don't involve "I'm pleased with the effort" and "the kids are working hard" coachspeak platitudes.

Orange and White examines unanswered questions about Clemson's offense and defense.

• Who are Clemson's 20 most valuable players?

• And finally, here's another good column on how conference realignment is screwing the fans out of high-profile matchups.

Thursday, March 22, 2012

More on how conference realignment is ruining your life

Orange and White has a follow-up piece to Wednesday's story about how the Clemson-Georgia series set for 2013-2014 could be going bye-bye forever.

Bottom line: With Syracuse and Pitt aiming to join the Atlantic Coast Conference in 2013 instead of 2014, future Tigers-Bulldogs games either won't ever happen or will be very rare, because major programs like Clemson must play seven home games a year to generate sufficient revenue to stay in business.

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

ACC expansion endangers Clemson-UGA series

The Orange and White has a good story on what the addition of Pitt and Syracuse will do to Clemson's football schedule -- make playing teams like Georgia harder to do on a regular basis.

Spring practice update: What we've learned so far

Orange and White takes a look at how Clemson's offense and defense have progressed so far during spring practice.

• Coming this spring to Tigertown: The CJ Spiller Football and Life Skills Camp.

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

'Football Scientist' sees bright future for Tigers

"Football Scientist" K.C. Joyner sees good things ahead for Clemson based on his in-depth statistical analysis, which, unfortunately, is behind a paywall.

But ESPN's Heather Dinich summarizes the good doctor's findings.

More spring practice: Changes up front, Venables sees progress

Clemson's spring practice continues, which means there are sports writers, much like mother robins, are  looking to stuff the chirping, gaping maw of the Internet with nice, wiggly stories:

• So far this spring, Clemson is trying some new combinations on the offensive line.

• New defensive coordinator Brent Venables sees "good progress." That beats bad progress any day of the week.

Monday, March 12, 2012

Clemson's offensive coaches travel far, wide

The Clemson offensive coaching staff has been hitting the road hard during the offseason, according to this Orange and White story. They've visited Oklahoma State and Nevada in order to learn some new offensive wrinkles.

• Spring practice update: The youngsters are working hard!

Wednesday, March 07, 2012

Obligatory spring practice update No. 1

Spring football practice begins today at Clemson. I kind of hate it (fall practice, too), because nothing of note is ever reported unless somebody gets hurt or quits the team, so the daily updates are just a flood of upbeat coach-speak. Anyway, here goes:

Dabo Swinney is optimistic about spring practice.

Alternately, Dabo Swinney is ready for spring practice.

There is a bit of real news: Running back Mike Bellamy, who was suspended from the team prior to the ACC title game in December, will participate in spring practice.

Look for a lot more posts like this over the next month. I'll go ahead and apologize in advance.

Tuesday, March 06, 2012

Spring practice preview

Clemson's spring football practice begins on Wednesday, and there is really only one motivator:

70-33.

That was the score of the Tigers' Orange Bowl loss to West Virginia.

Let's hope everybody works hard and gets better, and practices the things they need to practice!

There will be 15 practice sessions leading up to the spring game, which is set for April 14 at 4 p.m. at Memorial Stadium.

Friday, March 02, 2012

Redshirts ready to step up

With Clemson's spring practice set to begin on March 7, Orange and White takes a look at 14 redshirt freshmen who could make big contributions this fall.

For example, tight end Eric MacLain could start immediately considering that All-American tight end Dwayne Allen is going pro.

Much more at the link, so do read the story.