Saturday Insider Notes
By: Larry Williams & Paul Strelow
All eyes logically remain focused on Clemson's defensive coordinator promotions, while familiarity with new offensive coordinator Brandon Streeter predictably eliminates some of the mystery or intrigue around that change.
Yet one prevalent theme in scrutiny of the Tigers' offensive direction this season was a theory of perhaps the absence of schematic solutions tied to the inexperience of the staff beyond former coordinator Tony Elliott.
Elevating Kyle Richardson's voice in the equation as now a full-time staffer at tight ends coach may well provide some pop into the passing game dynamics.
But we're not so sure that the addition of former Jacksonville State head coach John Grass won't wind up as a substantially underrated move in the public eye.
Newly-hired Clemson analyst and former Jacksonville State head coach John Grass. (Tigerillustrated.com)
Yes, Grass came with a relational connection to Dabo Swinney, and that has shown to color the opinions of some fans for understandable reason.
Before news came out about Grass' addition last week, we reached out to a trusted contact whose son had played for him at Jacksonville State and has strong familiarity with both programs.
"Great guy," our source said. "A lot like Dabo. Very genuine and loyal to his coaches and players. Was an outstanding offensive coordinator, but I don’t think he likes doing the 'you have to be a (jerk) at times” head coaching stuff.' Truly a good man."
Our hunch is that Grass will valuably add to the catalog of answers available in the offensive meeting room. -- PAUL STRELOW
By his own admission, Tony Elliott was far from perfect as a play-caller in his final 12 games as the Clemson offensive coordinator.
But it still feels far from fair to pin all or even most of the blame on him for the dramatic offensive malaise in 2021.
Just because the running backs performed well this season doesn't mean C.J. Spiller wasn't still learning on the job in his first year as a position coach. Elliott was officially in charge of the tight ends, but even during the season he still spent quite a bit of time helping Spiller get adjusted to all the nuances of coaching running backs (the position Elliott was in charge of for a decade).
As we have more distance from a truly trying season for everyone on the offensive side, the perfect storm of problems all striking at once is recognized as more the culprit than the guy who's now running his own show in Charlottesville.
To us, the five-game surge of production -- 30 points or more each time out, after six games of sub-20 points in regulation against FBS teams -- was built on the offensive line's upward progression.
DJ Uiagalelei and the receivers have been inconsistent throughout the season. The offensive line was much better in November as a result of continuity in the starting five, and it was no coincidence that the playbook started expanding with some creative incremental wrinkles over that stretch.
Which is to say: There's a new guy calling the plays, but the creativity and productivity under Brandon Streeter in the bowl game will hinge on the performance of the five guys up front. -- LARRY WILLIAMS
Tigerillustrated.com will have more from Clemson's on-campus bowl workouts this afternoon.
From THE TIGER FAN SHOP: Happy Holidays! More marked down officially-licensed Clemson apparel and gear! Visit The Tiger Fan Shop HERE!
By: Larry Williams & Paul Strelow
All eyes logically remain focused on Clemson's defensive coordinator promotions, while familiarity with new offensive coordinator Brandon Streeter predictably eliminates some of the mystery or intrigue around that change.
Yet one prevalent theme in scrutiny of the Tigers' offensive direction this season was a theory of perhaps the absence of schematic solutions tied to the inexperience of the staff beyond former coordinator Tony Elliott.
Elevating Kyle Richardson's voice in the equation as now a full-time staffer at tight ends coach may well provide some pop into the passing game dynamics.
But we're not so sure that the addition of former Jacksonville State head coach John Grass won't wind up as a substantially underrated move in the public eye.
Newly-hired Clemson analyst and former Jacksonville State head coach John Grass. (Tigerillustrated.com)
Yes, Grass came with a relational connection to Dabo Swinney, and that has shown to color the opinions of some fans for understandable reason.
Before news came out about Grass' addition last week, we reached out to a trusted contact whose son had played for him at Jacksonville State and has strong familiarity with both programs.
"Great guy," our source said. "A lot like Dabo. Very genuine and loyal to his coaches and players. Was an outstanding offensive coordinator, but I don’t think he likes doing the 'you have to be a (jerk) at times” head coaching stuff.' Truly a good man."
Our hunch is that Grass will valuably add to the catalog of answers available in the offensive meeting room. -- PAUL STRELOW
By his own admission, Tony Elliott was far from perfect as a play-caller in his final 12 games as the Clemson offensive coordinator.
But it still feels far from fair to pin all or even most of the blame on him for the dramatic offensive malaise in 2021.
Just because the running backs performed well this season doesn't mean C.J. Spiller wasn't still learning on the job in his first year as a position coach. Elliott was officially in charge of the tight ends, but even during the season he still spent quite a bit of time helping Spiller get adjusted to all the nuances of coaching running backs (the position Elliott was in charge of for a decade).
As we have more distance from a truly trying season for everyone on the offensive side, the perfect storm of problems all striking at once is recognized as more the culprit than the guy who's now running his own show in Charlottesville.
To us, the five-game surge of production -- 30 points or more each time out, after six games of sub-20 points in regulation against FBS teams -- was built on the offensive line's upward progression.
DJ Uiagalelei and the receivers have been inconsistent throughout the season. The offensive line was much better in November as a result of continuity in the starting five, and it was no coincidence that the playbook started expanding with some creative incremental wrinkles over that stretch.
Which is to say: There's a new guy calling the plays, but the creativity and productivity under Brandon Streeter in the bowl game will hinge on the performance of the five guys up front. -- LARRY WILLIAMS
Tigerillustrated.com will have more from Clemson's on-campus bowl workouts this afternoon.
From THE TIGER FAN SHOP: Happy Holidays! More marked down officially-licensed Clemson apparel and gear! Visit The Tiger Fan Shop HERE!
