What Clemson's coaches have told us so far - Part 2
By: Paul Strelow
Clemson's players were given a bit of a break after Tuesday's practice.
Before the start of classes Wednesday, there were no rules restricting how much of their time could be devoted to football. That now changes with school occupying a bigger part of the schedule structure.
The Tigers return to the practice fields this afternoon for their second significant scrimmage of camp.
In part 2 of this feature, Tigerillustrated.com weighs in on what we've heard about the defense from the coaching staff thus far:
BRENT VENABLES
On the his impressions of the defense during camp ...
Brent Venables' defense could get back inside of the top 10 this fall. (Ken Ruinard - US Presswire)
"It starts up front. We have more depth there. Guys have made improvement. We look pretty good in shorts. Got to start knocking people back and controlling the line of scrimmage. Running into people play after play after play isn't an easy thing to do. So we'll see where we're at from a longevity standpoint over the course of the next couple of weeks.
TI TRANSLATION: Knock on wood, Clemson's coaches hope to see the defensive front knocking UGA's offense down with the same tenacity currently being exhibited.
Mental and physical fatigue can start setting in as this month and first-game prep drags along, and injuries are always a wild card.
But the Tigers aren't exuding this level of renewed confidence in the defensive line unless they've seen considerable supporting evidence.
Make no mistake, though -- while lots of factors will go into the outcome, how Clemson fares up front against UGA, both offensively and defensively, will dictate the battle.
==========================================================
On Justin Foster's return ...
"Having Foster back -- he's so heavy-handed, so physical. Does all the little things right for you, which is how you win. Supposed to be inside the block, supposed to be outside the block, if he's supposed to pop the A-gap -- you just go down the list. A year ago, we were a little inconsistent that way.
TI TRANSLATION: We say it time and again, but you know who coaches play? Not necessarily the most talented guys. But the ones they trust.
Trust to carry out the schematic assignment. Trust to put up a hard-nosed fight.
Foster is arguably the least dynamic of the four potentially starting defensive linemen. But he's clearly the player the coaches would go into the trenches -- or a Wachovia parking lot -- with, and adding that edge to the defense's dynamic with Foster's unretirement cannot be undervalued.
==========================================================
On freshman defensive back Andrew Mukuba ...
Four-star true freshman defensive back Andrew Mukuba. (Tigerillustrated.com)
"He's very patient. He has great anticipation and instincts. His transitional movement is excellent. He has very good closing speed and makes a lot of plays on the football. Very rarely is he out of position. He has plenty of things he has to get better at. But we're playing him both inside and outside, and very pleased with where he's at -- especially mentally."
TI TRANSLATION: As we've mentioned, the first thing observers will note about Mukuba is that he doesn't look like a safety physically. He's smaller in the upper body, prompting comments that he might actually be built more like a corner.
To which we'd say, that's the evolution of defenses prioritizing safeties who can cover. Four-star safety commitment Sherrod Covil is in the same structural mold, albeit different skill sets.
Hence, though, why we've compared Mukuba to a Marcus Gilchrist or even K'Von Wallace -- both of whom began their Clemson careers dabbling at corner before moving full-time to safety.
Our inclination is to believe there's more opportunity for Mukuba to see the field as an injury contingency at corner than as a safety this season.
And the important part of Venables' critique is that they're encouraged by where the newcomer is mentally.
There are a couple Clemson corners whose trajectories have been slowed by the playbook. Going back to trust factor, Mukuba's processing capacity could be to his benefit in reaching the field sooner than later.
==========================================================
DABO SWINNEY
On Xavier Thomas ...
"He just has a great look in his eye. He's really proud of himself, and what a difference a year makes for that young man. That will serve him well for the rest of his life, what he's been through and what he's overcome.
"You think about going to play football with a 30-pound weight vest on and doing the things you normally do. He's just in a different place from a maturity standpoint."
TI TRANSLATION: NIL is great and all.
Talk, though, about the chance to go out and make some money.
Lot of physical and profile similarities between Thomas and his Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy five-star successor, UGA junior Nolan Smith. Will be interesting to juxtapose their performances this season.
Regardless, let's put it this way: The Thomas we thought we knew early in college might not have displayed the drive and self-discipline to shed 30 pounds to even get to this point.
Whether he lives up to recruiting billing and fan expectation or not, you can understand why Clemson's coaches are so proud in thinking the maturation light has come on.
==========================================================
After Saturday's opening stadium scrimmage ...
"It was probably the best first scrimmage that I've been a part of here for the defense. Just no mistakes. No penalties. Didn't give up big plays. Got stops in the red zone. No drop-off."
Five-star defensive end Xavier Thomas is having his best off-season at Clemson. (Tigerillustrated.com)
TI TRANSLATION: There is a predictable ebb-and-flow in the preseason where one side of the ball wins the day, then the other side responds to prevail the next. Partly because outcomes can, to a degree, be manipulated by play-calling, personnel used and a staff's plan for the day.
This was as vanilla a script as the coaches could roll out. But you see man versus man and allow for talent to prevail.
And that's what has the Tigers rather encouraged through camp. On paper, across the board, this first-string defense is pretty salty and without too tender a vulnerability. Most of the guys on the second unit have played a bunch of ball, too.
Spot the ball.
FROM THE TIGER FAN SHOP: Click HERE for more DEALS on officially-licensed CLEMSON apparel and gear!
By: Paul Strelow
Clemson's players were given a bit of a break after Tuesday's practice.
Before the start of classes Wednesday, there were no rules restricting how much of their time could be devoted to football. That now changes with school occupying a bigger part of the schedule structure.
The Tigers return to the practice fields this afternoon for their second significant scrimmage of camp.
In part 2 of this feature, Tigerillustrated.com weighs in on what we've heard about the defense from the coaching staff thus far:
BRENT VENABLES
On the his impressions of the defense during camp ...
Brent Venables' defense could get back inside of the top 10 this fall. (Ken Ruinard - US Presswire)
"It starts up front. We have more depth there. Guys have made improvement. We look pretty good in shorts. Got to start knocking people back and controlling the line of scrimmage. Running into people play after play after play isn't an easy thing to do. So we'll see where we're at from a longevity standpoint over the course of the next couple of weeks.
TI TRANSLATION: Knock on wood, Clemson's coaches hope to see the defensive front knocking UGA's offense down with the same tenacity currently being exhibited.
Mental and physical fatigue can start setting in as this month and first-game prep drags along, and injuries are always a wild card.
But the Tigers aren't exuding this level of renewed confidence in the defensive line unless they've seen considerable supporting evidence.
Make no mistake, though -- while lots of factors will go into the outcome, how Clemson fares up front against UGA, both offensively and defensively, will dictate the battle.
==========================================================
On Justin Foster's return ...
"Having Foster back -- he's so heavy-handed, so physical. Does all the little things right for you, which is how you win. Supposed to be inside the block, supposed to be outside the block, if he's supposed to pop the A-gap -- you just go down the list. A year ago, we were a little inconsistent that way.
TI TRANSLATION: We say it time and again, but you know who coaches play? Not necessarily the most talented guys. But the ones they trust.
Trust to carry out the schematic assignment. Trust to put up a hard-nosed fight.
Foster is arguably the least dynamic of the four potentially starting defensive linemen. But he's clearly the player the coaches would go into the trenches -- or a Wachovia parking lot -- with, and adding that edge to the defense's dynamic with Foster's unretirement cannot be undervalued.
==========================================================
On freshman defensive back Andrew Mukuba ...
Four-star true freshman defensive back Andrew Mukuba. (Tigerillustrated.com)
"He's very patient. He has great anticipation and instincts. His transitional movement is excellent. He has very good closing speed and makes a lot of plays on the football. Very rarely is he out of position. He has plenty of things he has to get better at. But we're playing him both inside and outside, and very pleased with where he's at -- especially mentally."
TI TRANSLATION: As we've mentioned, the first thing observers will note about Mukuba is that he doesn't look like a safety physically. He's smaller in the upper body, prompting comments that he might actually be built more like a corner.
To which we'd say, that's the evolution of defenses prioritizing safeties who can cover. Four-star safety commitment Sherrod Covil is in the same structural mold, albeit different skill sets.
Hence, though, why we've compared Mukuba to a Marcus Gilchrist or even K'Von Wallace -- both of whom began their Clemson careers dabbling at corner before moving full-time to safety.
Our inclination is to believe there's more opportunity for Mukuba to see the field as an injury contingency at corner than as a safety this season.
And the important part of Venables' critique is that they're encouraged by where the newcomer is mentally.
There are a couple Clemson corners whose trajectories have been slowed by the playbook. Going back to trust factor, Mukuba's processing capacity could be to his benefit in reaching the field sooner than later.
==========================================================
DABO SWINNEY
On Xavier Thomas ...
"He just has a great look in his eye. He's really proud of himself, and what a difference a year makes for that young man. That will serve him well for the rest of his life, what he's been through and what he's overcome.
"You think about going to play football with a 30-pound weight vest on and doing the things you normally do. He's just in a different place from a maturity standpoint."
TI TRANSLATION: NIL is great and all.
Talk, though, about the chance to go out and make some money.
Lot of physical and profile similarities between Thomas and his Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy five-star successor, UGA junior Nolan Smith. Will be interesting to juxtapose their performances this season.
Regardless, let's put it this way: The Thomas we thought we knew early in college might not have displayed the drive and self-discipline to shed 30 pounds to even get to this point.
Whether he lives up to recruiting billing and fan expectation or not, you can understand why Clemson's coaches are so proud in thinking the maturation light has come on.
==========================================================
After Saturday's opening stadium scrimmage ...
"It was probably the best first scrimmage that I've been a part of here for the defense. Just no mistakes. No penalties. Didn't give up big plays. Got stops in the red zone. No drop-off."
Five-star defensive end Xavier Thomas is having his best off-season at Clemson. (Tigerillustrated.com)
TI TRANSLATION: There is a predictable ebb-and-flow in the preseason where one side of the ball wins the day, then the other side responds to prevail the next. Partly because outcomes can, to a degree, be manipulated by play-calling, personnel used and a staff's plan for the day.
This was as vanilla a script as the coaches could roll out. But you see man versus man and allow for talent to prevail.
And that's what has the Tigers rather encouraged through camp. On paper, across the board, this first-string defense is pretty salty and without too tender a vulnerability. Most of the guys on the second unit have played a bunch of ball, too.
Spot the ball.
FROM THE TIGER FAN SHOP: Click HERE for more DEALS on officially-licensed CLEMSON apparel and gear!
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