MONDAY CLEMSON FOOTBALL NUGGETS
By: Larry Williams & Michael Neal
(Unedited due to time constraints)
WILL SHIPLEY (Michael Neal)
- Said when the injury happened he heard a pop. Said he assumed it was an ACL injury. Said the initial time frame for return was 6-8 weeks depending on injury to his bone.
- Said getting back to 100% has been a slow process. Said getting all of his moves back and being able to go full speed is something that is going to take time.
- On the dropped pass: Said it was very frustrating. Said it was a great play call - knew he was going to be isolated with the Sam LB. Said 99 out of 100 times he makes that catch. Said he expects to make those plays.
- Said the RBs are a very tight-knit group. Said bonding with those guys has been awesome. Said they all play the game a different way, and they complement each other well. Said the ceiling for this young group is very high.
"I'd be scared if I were teams facing us in the future."
- On getting off to a 4-3 start: Said nobody is happy with it. Said their hopes are still high. Said they've got everything they need - just need to make something click.
- Said getting tripped up on multiple plays was really frustrating. Said he made two really good cuts on the outside zone play but just got tripped up. Said loss of footing, field being slick contributed to getting tripped up. Said little details like that are something he needs to critique.
- Said the rhythm just hasn't been there. Said they'll do really well on some plays and one bad play will set them back. Said everyone knows their role, they just have to make sure they do it every play.
"The best players have to play the best."
- On being a vocal leader: Said he's comfortable being a vocal leader. Said he's ready to take that leadership role. Said DJ/Bockhorst do a great job leading the offense. Said he's perfectly fine falling behind the leadership of older guys that step up. Said you know a leader when you see one.
- Was asked if he's gotten any work in the slot at practice. Said he's been strictly at RB right now. Said with guys leaving, taking on bigger RB role has been bigger responsibility.
- Said official diagnosis for injury was a fractured tibia.
BRENT VENABLES (Michael Neal)
- On Barrett Carter: Said he put him in a tough spot to succeed on that play. Said he's a tremendous athlete, and has been great in coverage. Said he has to do a better job of protecting him in that situation.
- More on Carter: Said he's a very versatile guy. Said his versatility has allowed them to start to play him in more of the Isaiah Simmons role.
- Said things started very well in the first 5 drives - got into a good rhythm. Said on the 6th drive before half they made some critical mistakes.
- Said Pitt will expose you for making mistakes, and they did. Big example was a missed signal that led to a big play. Was supposed to be in Cover 2 but missed signal led to man coverage.
- Said right now there's just not as much margin for error for the defense. Said they made some critical mistakes that led to end of half score for Pitt.
- Said they didn't respond when they went down 21-7. Said Pitt is a good, experienced team, and they didn't respond late in the game.
- Said the victory was still in arms reach, but Pitt did a good job of holding them at bay.
- Said at times guys are trying to do too much. Said discipline errors are frustrating for the coaches, and players too. Said at times guys are trying to overcompensate for other guys' jobs.
- Said every week they turn the page. Said they trust the preparation process they have, and will continue to use it week in and week out.
- Said at times of adversity like this, they'll show who they really are. Said this is a great opportunity to teach.
- Said Dabo does a great job of inspiring, and also holding guys accountable. Said he responds really well as a leader, and is a great guy to follow.
- On Florida State: Said they've done a good job eliminating mistakes, primarily turnovers and pre-snap penalties. Said they do a great job up front, have a great running game. Said their backfield is very dynamic, make explosive plays.
- On Tyler Davis and Tre Williams: Said Tyler hadn't practiced in 5 weeks. Said Tyler was determined to come back a couple weeks early. Said they both have been battling to come back. Mentioned them with a guy like Matt Bockhorst. Said those kinds of guys care about the program.
- Said Tre Williams will need surgery after the season. Said he insisted he waits until the season's end to have surgery and wants to play through it.
TONY ELLIOTT (Larry)
-- Said they've got to get back to having fun. Said they didn't make enough plays at Pitt to keep the fun going and get the sideline charged up.
-- Said the WR attrition hasn't been easy on DJ because of all the mixing and matching. For instance, on one of the third-down throws that looked like it was on DJ, Justyn Ross had the wrong depth and was at 13 yards when he should've been 10. Ross is now playing some 9-man, and the resulting communication issues of that move and others has taken DJ and the receivers some time to get used to.
-- On some of the critiques that have come of Clemson's quarterback development: He said those media voices are paid to say things to create a stir.
"People have always wanted to criticize Clemson, even with the successes we've had because they didn't think we should be there."
Said the opinions that frustrate him most are the uneducated ones. Said he had no words for the opinion that this staff can't develop quarterbacks. Just shook his head.
-- Said this is a resilient group. They have continued to believe and have not splintered. Said they are unified. Said they still have plenty to play for, including a streak of 10-win seasons that they're trying to stretch to 11 years in a row.
-- From watching tape, Elliott said this was one of the better offensive performances as far as assignments and guys being on the same page. Said they had some big holes in the running game; they just didn't make enough plays.
-- Elliott didn't come out and say DJ is still the guy, but that's what it sounds like. Said they want him to continue to be DJ, lead and continue to do the little things right.
Said they're encouraged by Taisun, though. Said they're going to evaluate everything this week and get a plan together for Florida State.
It does sound like they'll continue to get Taisun on the field, though. Remember: Even before the Pitt game they said they were going to expand Taisun's role.
-- More on the three straight passes near the end of the second quarter: He said they're always checking the run-pass balance on first down and they wanted to be aggressive and maybe capitalize on some play-action, but Beaux Collins didn't catch the ball.
On second down, they ran a fork route into the boundary but there was miscommunication and the offensive line slid too far in its protection. Said that play would've gained five yards had it materialized. Said they were trying to stay aggressive.
Last night on his conference call Dabo said they should've run it on third down.
-- Elliott Justyn Ross, Collins and Ajou Ajou are "putting on a show" in practice but it's not carrying over to games. Said they have to learn how to play when the bullets are flying because it's just different.
Said Ross is going to be "unbelievable" in time but he's still getting his feet back under him after missing more than a year.
-- I asked Elliott about the touchdown drive DJ led when he returned from being benched. The tempo was brisk and he seemed to execute more freely. Elliott said they've had conversations about pushing the tempo more for this very reason, but he said you have to find that balance between playing fast and making sure you get into the right play. Said defenses have adjusted to tempo over the years and can now call their base stuff on the fly. Said the touchdown drive came in their two-minute offense, which is just four wides and doesn't incorporate much run game.
-- Said DJ's first interception was supposed to be a throw to the tight end but Pitt brought pressure vs. a 5-man protection. Said DJ made the right decision to throw to Ross down the sideline but just didn't make a good throw.
-- Said they made some changes to the blocking schemes vs. Pitt that produced the desired results. Also changed up some routes to use the middle of the field. Some of those were open but they didn't hit them.
-- On Will Shipley's drop: Said he makes that play nine out of 10 times.
"Bless his heart. He was upset after the game."
Said the lesson is not to let the ball get into your chest, to catch it with your hands.
Said Shipley tripped up on an earlier run and that cost them points too.
-- He was asked how much involvement Dabo Swinney has in the play-calling. He said it's nothing more than situational, flow-of-the-game stuff, such as him asking Swinney if he has two downs on a third-and-10. Also, he'll ask Swinney and the rest of the offensive assistants what they see between possessions.
-- Said Troy Stellato was available last week in an emergency situation. Said he's still learning a lot because he wasn't here during the spring.
-- Hunter Rayburn is still in COVID protocol today. They're hoping to get him back tomorrow or Wednesday.
-- On his message to recruits:
"Don't buy the lie."
"We've got a proven formula, a proven plan."
Said they're going through a rough patch now but they will be something special on the other side of this.
He reminded that in 2010 during a 6-7 season Dabo told everyone they were headed for the most successful decade in school history.
-- Elliott vividly remembers the remarkable turnaround in 2003 when Clemson recovered from a 5-4 start and a 45-17 shellacking at Wake Forest to destroy the rest of the competition (Florida State, Duke, South Carolina, Tennessee) by a combined score of 156-48.
As a receiver on that team he stood up in the locker room at Wake Forest and gave an impassioned speech. Said the lesson this team can take from that 18 years later is that great things can happen when you play for your brothers.
****************************************
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By: Larry Williams & Michael Neal
(Unedited due to time constraints)
WILL SHIPLEY (Michael Neal)
- Said when the injury happened he heard a pop. Said he assumed it was an ACL injury. Said the initial time frame for return was 6-8 weeks depending on injury to his bone.
- Said getting back to 100% has been a slow process. Said getting all of his moves back and being able to go full speed is something that is going to take time.
- On the dropped pass: Said it was very frustrating. Said it was a great play call - knew he was going to be isolated with the Sam LB. Said 99 out of 100 times he makes that catch. Said he expects to make those plays.
- Said the RBs are a very tight-knit group. Said bonding with those guys has been awesome. Said they all play the game a different way, and they complement each other well. Said the ceiling for this young group is very high.
"I'd be scared if I were teams facing us in the future."
- On getting off to a 4-3 start: Said nobody is happy with it. Said their hopes are still high. Said they've got everything they need - just need to make something click.
- Said getting tripped up on multiple plays was really frustrating. Said he made two really good cuts on the outside zone play but just got tripped up. Said loss of footing, field being slick contributed to getting tripped up. Said little details like that are something he needs to critique.
- Said the rhythm just hasn't been there. Said they'll do really well on some plays and one bad play will set them back. Said everyone knows their role, they just have to make sure they do it every play.
"The best players have to play the best."
- On being a vocal leader: Said he's comfortable being a vocal leader. Said he's ready to take that leadership role. Said DJ/Bockhorst do a great job leading the offense. Said he's perfectly fine falling behind the leadership of older guys that step up. Said you know a leader when you see one.
- Was asked if he's gotten any work in the slot at practice. Said he's been strictly at RB right now. Said with guys leaving, taking on bigger RB role has been bigger responsibility.
- Said official diagnosis for injury was a fractured tibia.
BRENT VENABLES (Michael Neal)
- On Barrett Carter: Said he put him in a tough spot to succeed on that play. Said he's a tremendous athlete, and has been great in coverage. Said he has to do a better job of protecting him in that situation.
- More on Carter: Said he's a very versatile guy. Said his versatility has allowed them to start to play him in more of the Isaiah Simmons role.
- Said things started very well in the first 5 drives - got into a good rhythm. Said on the 6th drive before half they made some critical mistakes.
- Said Pitt will expose you for making mistakes, and they did. Big example was a missed signal that led to a big play. Was supposed to be in Cover 2 but missed signal led to man coverage.
- Said right now there's just not as much margin for error for the defense. Said they made some critical mistakes that led to end of half score for Pitt.
- Said they didn't respond when they went down 21-7. Said Pitt is a good, experienced team, and they didn't respond late in the game.
- Said the victory was still in arms reach, but Pitt did a good job of holding them at bay.
- Said at times guys are trying to do too much. Said discipline errors are frustrating for the coaches, and players too. Said at times guys are trying to overcompensate for other guys' jobs.
- Said every week they turn the page. Said they trust the preparation process they have, and will continue to use it week in and week out.
- Said at times of adversity like this, they'll show who they really are. Said this is a great opportunity to teach.
- Said Dabo does a great job of inspiring, and also holding guys accountable. Said he responds really well as a leader, and is a great guy to follow.
- On Florida State: Said they've done a good job eliminating mistakes, primarily turnovers and pre-snap penalties. Said they do a great job up front, have a great running game. Said their backfield is very dynamic, make explosive plays.
- On Tyler Davis and Tre Williams: Said Tyler hadn't practiced in 5 weeks. Said Tyler was determined to come back a couple weeks early. Said they both have been battling to come back. Mentioned them with a guy like Matt Bockhorst. Said those kinds of guys care about the program.
- Said Tre Williams will need surgery after the season. Said he insisted he waits until the season's end to have surgery and wants to play through it.
TONY ELLIOTT (Larry)
-- Said they've got to get back to having fun. Said they didn't make enough plays at Pitt to keep the fun going and get the sideline charged up.
-- Said the WR attrition hasn't been easy on DJ because of all the mixing and matching. For instance, on one of the third-down throws that looked like it was on DJ, Justyn Ross had the wrong depth and was at 13 yards when he should've been 10. Ross is now playing some 9-man, and the resulting communication issues of that move and others has taken DJ and the receivers some time to get used to.
-- On some of the critiques that have come of Clemson's quarterback development: He said those media voices are paid to say things to create a stir.
"People have always wanted to criticize Clemson, even with the successes we've had because they didn't think we should be there."
Said the opinions that frustrate him most are the uneducated ones. Said he had no words for the opinion that this staff can't develop quarterbacks. Just shook his head.
-- Said this is a resilient group. They have continued to believe and have not splintered. Said they are unified. Said they still have plenty to play for, including a streak of 10-win seasons that they're trying to stretch to 11 years in a row.
-- From watching tape, Elliott said this was one of the better offensive performances as far as assignments and guys being on the same page. Said they had some big holes in the running game; they just didn't make enough plays.
-- Elliott didn't come out and say DJ is still the guy, but that's what it sounds like. Said they want him to continue to be DJ, lead and continue to do the little things right.
Said they're encouraged by Taisun, though. Said they're going to evaluate everything this week and get a plan together for Florida State.
It does sound like they'll continue to get Taisun on the field, though. Remember: Even before the Pitt game they said they were going to expand Taisun's role.
-- More on the three straight passes near the end of the second quarter: He said they're always checking the run-pass balance on first down and they wanted to be aggressive and maybe capitalize on some play-action, but Beaux Collins didn't catch the ball.
On second down, they ran a fork route into the boundary but there was miscommunication and the offensive line slid too far in its protection. Said that play would've gained five yards had it materialized. Said they were trying to stay aggressive.
Last night on his conference call Dabo said they should've run it on third down.
-- Elliott Justyn Ross, Collins and Ajou Ajou are "putting on a show" in practice but it's not carrying over to games. Said they have to learn how to play when the bullets are flying because it's just different.
Said Ross is going to be "unbelievable" in time but he's still getting his feet back under him after missing more than a year.
-- I asked Elliott about the touchdown drive DJ led when he returned from being benched. The tempo was brisk and he seemed to execute more freely. Elliott said they've had conversations about pushing the tempo more for this very reason, but he said you have to find that balance between playing fast and making sure you get into the right play. Said defenses have adjusted to tempo over the years and can now call their base stuff on the fly. Said the touchdown drive came in their two-minute offense, which is just four wides and doesn't incorporate much run game.
-- Said DJ's first interception was supposed to be a throw to the tight end but Pitt brought pressure vs. a 5-man protection. Said DJ made the right decision to throw to Ross down the sideline but just didn't make a good throw.
-- Said they made some changes to the blocking schemes vs. Pitt that produced the desired results. Also changed up some routes to use the middle of the field. Some of those were open but they didn't hit them.
-- On Will Shipley's drop: Said he makes that play nine out of 10 times.
"Bless his heart. He was upset after the game."
Said the lesson is not to let the ball get into your chest, to catch it with your hands.
Said Shipley tripped up on an earlier run and that cost them points too.
-- He was asked how much involvement Dabo Swinney has in the play-calling. He said it's nothing more than situational, flow-of-the-game stuff, such as him asking Swinney if he has two downs on a third-and-10. Also, he'll ask Swinney and the rest of the offensive assistants what they see between possessions.
-- Said Troy Stellato was available last week in an emergency situation. Said he's still learning a lot because he wasn't here during the spring.
-- Hunter Rayburn is still in COVID protocol today. They're hoping to get him back tomorrow or Wednesday.
-- On his message to recruits:
"Don't buy the lie."
"We've got a proven formula, a proven plan."
Said they're going through a rough patch now but they will be something special on the other side of this.
He reminded that in 2010 during a 6-7 season Dabo told everyone they were headed for the most successful decade in school history.
-- Elliott vividly remembers the remarkable turnaround in 2003 when Clemson recovered from a 5-4 start and a 45-17 shellacking at Wake Forest to destroy the rest of the competition (Florida State, Duke, South Carolina, Tennessee) by a combined score of 156-48.
As a receiver on that team he stood up in the locker room at Wake Forest and gave an impassioned speech. Said the lesson this team can take from that 18 years later is that great things can happen when you play for your brothers.
****************************************
**** ATTENTION SUBSCRIBERS: You can now read the premium message boards at Gamecockcentral.com, Warchant.com, UGASports.com and other sites in the Rivals.com network. Click HERE to get access to their premium message boards!
