By Will Vandervort.

Unlike offensive coordinator Chad Morris, Clemson defensive coordinator Brent Venables seems to be pleased with where his defense is after two weeks of camp.

“It has been a good two weeks,” he said following the first of two practices on Monday. “It has been very competitive and physical. We have challenged them mentally, emotionally and put them in some live work.

“We have seen some guys make good decisions, play with technique and good effort. I’ll say it has been a good two weeks.”

The Tigers’ defense did not do anything in last Saturday’s final stadium scrimmage to discourage Venables in any way. The defense forced three interceptions, got a couple of sacks and a few more tackles for loss. Most of that came with guys like Grady Jarrett, Stephone Anthony and Vic Beasley spending much of the afternoon on the sideline.

The defense has also been opportunistic. It had two pick-sixes from Jadar Johnson and Tony Steward on Saturday, the second and third times in this camp the defense intercepted a pass and returned it for a touchdown.

“We are ready to play,” defensive tackle Grady Jarrett said. “We have gotten to the point where we know what we are going to get out of each other. We are ready to get on the field and play somebody.”

Clemson, ranked No. 16 in the Associated Press’ preseason top 25, will play No. 12 Georgia in 11 days when they visit Sanford Stadium in Athens, Ga., on Aug. 30.

“It has been two weeks where guys have absorbed a heavy load from both an install standpoint and from a physical standpoint and I like the way they have gone out and competed,” Venables said. “It is never going to be perfect, but our guys have displayed toughness, being physical and have made improvement.”

Venables says they are still looking for the little things and more precision in the details as they try to iron out some of the position battles that they have at free safety and the second cornerback position. But even with those battles going on, Venables believes his unit is in really good shape.

“I think guys from a two-deep standpoint have earned our trust,” he said. “Now we have to divide up enough reps percentage wise going into that first game. That’s what we will continue to work on and evaluate.”

And if that’s the only problem the defense has when the Tigers close up camp this afternoon, then it is a good one to have.