As Clemson reloads on defense going into this season, we have some large questions marks that obviously have been discussed quite a bit in this forum. There has been one common denominator for Brent Venables defense over the last 3 years, that really has been his signature. Whether it was his stifling #1 defense last year, or even his makeshift defense of 2012... they all demonstrating success at getting off the field with their opportunities.
Brent Venables first defense was young in 2012, and ended up 64th in Total Defense, which appears less than successful. But if you remember, and look at our Opponents 3rd down Conversion success, it was 34%, good enough for 24th in the Nation that season! So important for your defense to force 3rd downs, and have success at stopping the opponents from converting, which we did not do well under DCs Steele and Koenning.
2013 improved Total Defense to 24th in the nation in Venables second season. The key stat I bring up of Opponents 3rd down conversion dropped to 30.81%, good for 5th in the nation!
Last year obviously was the pinnacle, #1 in Total Defense and #1 in Opponent 3rd down conversion (27.41%!!!).
We are not going to be #1 in Total Defense, so we are obviously not going to be as good. But if Venables and the defense maintain their common denominator of getting off the field and giving the ball back to Deshaun Watson for scoring opportunities, we should be a good defense. I think if we can average 34% or under, things will be alright. During our games with Wofford and Appalachian State, it will be interesting to key in on how well our defense gets off the field.
Just my two cents...
Brent Venables first defense was young in 2012, and ended up 64th in Total Defense, which appears less than successful. But if you remember, and look at our Opponents 3rd down Conversion success, it was 34%, good enough for 24th in the Nation that season! So important for your defense to force 3rd downs, and have success at stopping the opponents from converting, which we did not do well under DCs Steele and Koenning.
2013 improved Total Defense to 24th in the nation in Venables second season. The key stat I bring up of Opponents 3rd down conversion dropped to 30.81%, good for 5th in the nation!
Last year obviously was the pinnacle, #1 in Total Defense and #1 in Opponent 3rd down conversion (27.41%!!!).
We are not going to be #1 in Total Defense, so we are obviously not going to be as good. But if Venables and the defense maintain their common denominator of getting off the field and giving the ball back to Deshaun Watson for scoring opportunities, we should be a good defense. I think if we can average 34% or under, things will be alright. During our games with Wofford and Appalachian State, it will be interesting to key in on how well our defense gets off the field.
Just my two cents...
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