i rewatched the Clemson game and came away more optimistic about our offense and a little more nuanced about our defense ... First of all Clemson is a very good, a very fast football team. Their WRs are fast and have good hands. The recruiting for Clemson for skill players is top notch. Watson is a very good QB. He was missing some long balls in the first half and starting connecting in the 2nd half. Some takeaways:
- Our DBs got beat quite often in this game. Often Clemson WRs had a step or two on them... As I said though these WRs are fast and have good hands. they also have a couple of big receivers and they use they well.. My take is we have a good secondary but the Clemson team is a good passing team with a pro level talent at QB and WR.
- Jeff Smith had a much better game than what I thought. When he had the time to throw he was fairly accurate for short and medium length throws and had some zip on the ball. His long throws, when he had time (which as rare) hare less accurate. When he rolled out and threw on the run, he seldom connected and was not accurate but he was often being chased for this life...I do not think his accuracy was his issue but more a question of the protection afford him. He did not run much, with by plays called for him on an option. His option reads were good as it is clear Clemson was trying to limit his runs and the DEs were playing the option well. Looking for a send time, given the time and protection he had he was throwing good balls. He often threw the ball away when he was under pressure and I think this was well done... in summary, when you consider the pressure he was under and the time he had I think this was a very good performance for a first start. he is better passer than what i thought. he needs more time and protection and receivers who do not drop balls.
- Play Willis and Gowens more and Rouse less. Willis hits his holes quickly and has some speed. Gowens seems to have talent and is a good change in rhythm to Willis. Rouse has had some great runs and catches but he does not have the speed, and as importantly, he does not block well either on passing downs or running downs.
- Our Oline did not have a good day. Our Oline could not contain the Clemson front line. Pass Blocking was particularly challenged. Smith had very little time to throw long on most of his passes. He was able to stay in the pocket maybe 3 times not much more...Harris was very disappointing. He often seems out of sync and slow... on a major 3rd down, he was late in coming across and actually bumped into Willis slowing him down and was instrumental in the failure of the play. this line needs more time, training and talent. Our offense will improve only at the rhythm of the improvement of the Oline. the Clemson defense is good so against a defense less talented we will see more points and ball movement.
- Playcalling was not that bad. Given the limits of the Oline, the play calling was not bad. The run game is very simple and repetitive but given the experience of the Oline this might be warranted. We tried to pass fairly often but percentage complete was low due to lack of protection and dropped balled. Even the number of passing attempts were lower than those called due to scrambling. It is difficult to evaluate the playcalling given the performance of the Oline and it ramifications..
- The team will get better. Smith will be a good QB with more experience. The Oline is young and, as the more recent recruits start playing, the experience will bring better performance. Next year they will have a year of development and coaching.
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