Time for the latest edition of Ask TCI. Each week we will take questions on the message board The Rock. We will take questions up until midnight on Tuesday.
Each weekend we will run our Ask TCI feature with answers to some of the questions asked by the Clemson Insiders. Make sure to get your questions in next week.
With the staff high on Battle and having only recently decided two other line positions, will there be more players rotated on the offensive line this year compared to last? Last year only 6-7 lineman played the vast majority of the snaps. More players rotating in could set the stage for an experienced and deep offensive line in 2013.
As you know there were a number of position battles in camp and this spring. From what we have heard you can expect more offensive linemen to play this season, especially over the next two to three weeks. Once they have a few games to evaluate and determine the top seven or eight that can be counted on in live action you may see the rotations slow down. Morris prefers to play “his guys” most of the time, but this year those guys are not clear.
You are correct that playing more of these young players will be good for the future. We mentioned in our Insider Report last week that the injury to Timothy may turn out to be a good thing in the long run as it gave others some playing time with the ones and forced the staff to look at different options.
If Shaq Lawson is 275 now, is he gonna be moved to DT next year? It seems next year with all the commits the DL will be solid.
No, Shaq will stay at defensive end. If you saw out thread on him a few weeks ago he talked about how he wanted to lose a little weight. He is a very, very talented athlete. He could have helped the Tigers in 2012. In the long run the prep school experience may be a benefit to Shaq and to the Tigers. We have seen that help a number of players in the past.
Also keep in mind that there could always be some academic casualties to some of the players at that position currently committed.
As William Perry was successful doing, he was usually good for a couple of yards. Nkemdiche plays some offense. I don’t know if DaQuan played any offense, but, when it comes to some of these huge guys we have, why don’t we use them for short-yardage situations–especially if they have at least a little backgound in doing so?
We would not be shocked at all to see Clemson use Nkemdiche in short yardage in the future. As for Bowers he did not carry the ball at Clemson but did some in high school where he even returned kicks early in his career.
Has it been decided who will be the home team and who will be the away team this Saturday?
Boy this question has gone back and forth over the past week. We had several sources at Clemson tell us earlier this week Clemson was the home team. Then in the last 48 hours we confirmed that Auburn is the home team. So it is the Tigers from the SEC that is the home team.
Also how do you project the safety rotation to work? Will Brewer get most of the snaps at one with Meeks/Hall rotating at the other or any other combinations?
Great question. As we reported on Thursday Brewer and Meeks will get the start. Hall will rotate in behind Brewer. Xavier will also play elsewhere at times according to Dabo. We expect to see all three get significant snaps. Also Robert Smith will be the No. 4 corner and see more and more playing time as the season goes along. The staff has been very pleased with Smith’s progress.
How has Daniel Rodriguez been doing? Has he been gelling with the team? Is there a chance that we will see him produce some on this field this season?
Dabo spoke about Daniel last night. He talked about how Daniel is a leader all day long out on the practice field and in the meeting rooms. He really pushes his teammates to focus on the details. He is like a big cheerleader out there at times.
Daniel will play some special teams Saturday night. In fact you will likely see him on the first play of the game. As for playing receiver he will likely see a little time there against Furman and Ball State. His future with Clemson is on special teams and as a team leader.
If you could pick an Offensive and Defensive MVP heading into the 1st week of play who would you pick based on what you have seen?
Another great question. For offense we would have to go with Nuk Hopkins. He is playing at an All-American level right now from everything we have heard in the spring and at camp.
For defense we would go with Stephon Anthony. He has adjusted to the move to MIKE and is the leader of the defense. Expect to see Anthony all over the field Saturday night.
Is the FSU hype for this season worth worrying about? Do you think they will be as legit as all the other media seems to deem them? I know that they have had killer recruiting classes, but I don’t think Jimbo has what it takes to get them there, and quite frankly hope he never does.
Well some of the hype is certainly not understandable. The Noles will be a very good team and a huge challenge for Clemson on the road. Now some on ESPN and other outlets have picked Florida State to win the national championship. We certainly don’t think that will happen.
Florida State has an outstanding defense, one of the best in the nation. On offense however there are some serious question marks. That starts with quarterback with E.J. Manuel. E.J. should not be mentioned for the Heisman over Tajh. Neither should Logan Thomas which is really laughable.
Who is the “Sleeper” that’s gonna shock us(in a good way) Saturday night?
We can’t give you just one. We expect Adam Humphries to have an outstanding game in Sammy’s absence. It is hard to call Jaron Brown a sleeper, but he certainly doesn’t get the hype of many of the other receivers. This is a contract year so to speak for Brown and we expect him to have a huge senior year. Another sleeper would be Rod McDowell. He has played very well the past few weeks. Expect the staff to try to give Andre more rest than he got last season as they try to keep him healthy for the entire season.