----
AUGUST CAMP: Saturday Nuggets II
By: Larry Williams & Paul Strelow
The Biggest Question We Have On Clemson's Defense Heading Into Game Week
First off, we probably need to clarify that the term "question" in this instance does not mean "concern."
The concern part applies on the offensive side of the ball as a new brain trust opens the season trying to generate confidence in the passing game.
On defense, they're stocked with so much proven and unproven talent that the most captivating thing is simply watching how it all melds together in competitive situations.
In that vein, the area that most intrigues us at this point in time is Mike Reed's room. For whatever reason, the longtime Clemson assistant opted against revealing any insight on the pecking order during a recent visit with the media.
Highly-regarded cornerback Toriano Pride has met and exceeded early expectations this off-season. (Getty)
Odds seem to favor Sheridan Jones and Nate Wiggins as the starting corners. And it's certainly going to be fun to watch the fruits of Wiggins' offseason transformation on display.
But beyond that is where you could argue things get really interesting.
Yeah, Toriano Pride and Jeadyn Lukus have created a sensation in part because they're shiny, attractive new toys that Reed wants to get on the field.
But Fred Davis is still here. As is Malcolm Greene. It is hard for us to get away from the feeling that both of these guys, healthy and motivated, are going to have something to say about the rotation moving forward.
And if you're in their shoes, you're motivated not only by the perception that two freshmen are legitimately contending to take away your snaps, but also the fact that a sophomore (Wiggins) has swooped in and become the object of everyone's fancy.
Davis and Greene have combined for 42 career games of college experience. They got off on the wrong foot mentally last year, and injuries didn't help. By all accounts, they're fully focused now and in position to deliver their best selves to this season.
There's been a lot of talk about competition at quarterback making the position better this season. That logic extends through much of this team -- particularly on defense, and particularly at corner as Reed hones his rotations. -- LARRY WILLIAMS
Yeah, I need to qualify the "biggest question" label as well.
Clemson is going to have a good defensive line. There are plenty of reasons and past supporting evidence for it to have garnered such offseason hype.
My biggest question is simply whether they will be as potent as advertised.
Again, Myles Murphy could be an NFL first-rounder. He should be if he has the season he's capable of. But his game needs to go to another level to justify it, and he's still got to show it.
K.J. Henry played the best ball of his long career the final three games last season. From what we've heard, he is the one end who has given the tackles fits this camp. So has he indeed taken his game to another level, or was the season-closing stretch just a momentous stretch against bad offenses?
Without Xavier Thomas, Justin Mascoll becomes the next man up at defensive end, and Kevin Swint's going to log backup snaps too.
It's the money year for veteran Clemson defensive tackle Ruke Orhorhoro who is coming off his best off-season to date. (AP)
The situation at defensive tackle is more reliable. Ruke Orhorhoro has drawn rave reviews during camp. Tyler Davis hasn't generated much noise, but we're giving benefit of the doubt he's the same disruptive force.
So even if Bryan Bresee demonstrates that he needs more time to recover from his knee surgery to be the player he was, Clemson should have plenty of cover.
Yet especially with the dynamics at defensive end, we want to see if they can really impose their will. -- PAUL STRELOW
Up to 70% OFF (CLEARANCE) on officially-licensed CLEMSON gear at The Tiger Fan Shop HERE!
AUGUST CAMP: Saturday Nuggets II
By: Larry Williams & Paul Strelow
The Biggest Question We Have On Clemson's Defense Heading Into Game Week
First off, we probably need to clarify that the term "question" in this instance does not mean "concern."
The concern part applies on the offensive side of the ball as a new brain trust opens the season trying to generate confidence in the passing game.
On defense, they're stocked with so much proven and unproven talent that the most captivating thing is simply watching how it all melds together in competitive situations.
In that vein, the area that most intrigues us at this point in time is Mike Reed's room. For whatever reason, the longtime Clemson assistant opted against revealing any insight on the pecking order during a recent visit with the media.
Highly-regarded cornerback Toriano Pride has met and exceeded early expectations this off-season. (Getty)
Odds seem to favor Sheridan Jones and Nate Wiggins as the starting corners. And it's certainly going to be fun to watch the fruits of Wiggins' offseason transformation on display.
But beyond that is where you could argue things get really interesting.
Yeah, Toriano Pride and Jeadyn Lukus have created a sensation in part because they're shiny, attractive new toys that Reed wants to get on the field.
But Fred Davis is still here. As is Malcolm Greene. It is hard for us to get away from the feeling that both of these guys, healthy and motivated, are going to have something to say about the rotation moving forward.
And if you're in their shoes, you're motivated not only by the perception that two freshmen are legitimately contending to take away your snaps, but also the fact that a sophomore (Wiggins) has swooped in and become the object of everyone's fancy.
Davis and Greene have combined for 42 career games of college experience. They got off on the wrong foot mentally last year, and injuries didn't help. By all accounts, they're fully focused now and in position to deliver their best selves to this season.
There's been a lot of talk about competition at quarterback making the position better this season. That logic extends through much of this team -- particularly on defense, and particularly at corner as Reed hones his rotations. -- LARRY WILLIAMS
Yeah, I need to qualify the "biggest question" label as well.
Clemson is going to have a good defensive line. There are plenty of reasons and past supporting evidence for it to have garnered such offseason hype.
My biggest question is simply whether they will be as potent as advertised.
Again, Myles Murphy could be an NFL first-rounder. He should be if he has the season he's capable of. But his game needs to go to another level to justify it, and he's still got to show it.
K.J. Henry played the best ball of his long career the final three games last season. From what we've heard, he is the one end who has given the tackles fits this camp. So has he indeed taken his game to another level, or was the season-closing stretch just a momentous stretch against bad offenses?
Without Xavier Thomas, Justin Mascoll becomes the next man up at defensive end, and Kevin Swint's going to log backup snaps too.
It's the money year for veteran Clemson defensive tackle Ruke Orhorhoro who is coming off his best off-season to date. (AP)
The situation at defensive tackle is more reliable. Ruke Orhorhoro has drawn rave reviews during camp. Tyler Davis hasn't generated much noise, but we're giving benefit of the doubt he's the same disruptive force.
So even if Bryan Bresee demonstrates that he needs more time to recover from his knee surgery to be the player he was, Clemson should have plenty of cover.
Yet especially with the dynamics at defensive end, we want to see if they can really impose their will. -- PAUL STRELOW
Up to 70% OFF (CLEARANCE) on officially-licensed CLEMSON gear at The Tiger Fan Shop HERE!
