By William Qualkinbush.
Preseason camp can easily be divided into two categories. The first two weeks are devoted exclusively to the improvement and development of Clemson. During this time, the team practices against each other so the depth chart can work itself out.
At some point, camp transitions into a second phase, like an extended game week. The opponent becomes a larger part of the process. The entire program splits its attentions at this point between self-improvement and scouting and game preparation.
On Tuesday, Dabo Swinney signaled the split with his Clemson Tigers, saying he would have a good idea about the depth chart for the Georgia game after taking some time to reflect on Wednesday. It will be a time of reflection for the players, as well, as they attend the first day of classes with confidence in themselves as a team based on the progress displayed during the dog days of summer.
“Working against our own guys, we showed each other what we’ve got,” offensive tackle Joe Gore said. “I think we’re all prepared. We’re ready to take the next step to prepare for other teams.”
The groundwork for success is laid in August camp as players jockey for position and leaders emerge. Gore is a prime example of this phenomenon. Swinney says the former defensive lineman has been arguably the best player on the offensive front this summer, a welcome sight for those who saw the co-starter situation at right tackle between Gore and Shaq Anthony after the spring as a sign of weakness.
This interim period between phases allows players to evaluate themselves just as the coaches will do. These evaluations cross the line of scrimmage, as players on either side of the ball were eager to dish out compliments to their counterparts after Tuesday’s practice.
“I feel like our offense is going to be fine,” defensive tackle D.J. Reader said. “They’ve worked really hard this offseason, especially losing what people said was a lot. I thought our offense reloaded, to me. They always look good.
“I know our defense is going to be alright. Coach (Brent Venables) is going to have us prepared, and Coach (Chad) Morris is going to have them prepared.”
The feeling was mutual on offense, where Cole Stoudt has emerged as the leader of the pack. With a few practices under his belt as the unquestioned top option at quarterback, Stoudt says he has learned to both trust and lead his teammates—both physically and vocally—and understands how to execute the whole offense better than he did when camp began.
Even in complimenting the defense, Stoudt says there is still work to be done to better complete the team as a whole.
“We’re not perfect. We’ll never be perfect. No team will ever be perfect,” he said. “But we’ve still got to go out there and make plays and do the little things better than anyone else.”
For a day, the fall semester takes precedence, then the Tigers’ attentions will turn to Athens. The consensus appears to be that the improvements have been acceptable, if incomplete, and that Clemson appears poised to add Georgia to its to-do list later this week.