Ask TCI
By: rmacrae@bellsouth.net September 11, 2015

It is time for the latest edition of Ask TCI.  Each week we will take questions on the message board The Rock.

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.

Question:  Beyond the expected (Lawson, Watson, Kearse, Gallman, Williams, Scott, etc), who will be a household name by end of season?

TCI:  The easy answers are McCloud, Cain and Wilkins.  Thompson will also be a name that is known well by Clemson fans if he plays the way he has in preseason.  His play has kept Cain off the two-deep at receiver.

Kendall Joseph should have a big season at linebacker.  He is a big part of the future there.

Question: Beyond the fact that App State has a massive 20 starters returning, what or who should we focus on to prevent that game from going bad?

TCI:  We may sound like coach Swinney on this one, but just like every game it will be about Clemson, not the opponent.  The Tigers are on a different talent level than Appalachian State even though they have a lot of experience.

The Tigers just need to focus, execute their game plan and prevent mental mistakes like turnovers and that game shouldn’t be too close.

Question: Did the coaches get on Cain for letting the long TD pass hit the ground (he was wide open) instead of selling out by making a diving catch?
TCI:  First remember that Deon was a quarterback in high school so it will take him some time to transition to have all the skills at receiver.  They certainly talked with him about that play.  Dabo said following the game that he should have had two touchdowns Saturday and that was one of them.  Cain will be a great one.  We saw him make some incredible catches in camp.

Question – How is Mark Fields’ injury? Will he play this year or redshirt?

TCI – The plan is to play Fields this season.  Dabo mentioned in his Sunday teleconference last week when talkking about the record number of true freshmen that played against Wofford.  We don’t have an answer yet on when he will be cleared from his hand injury but it shouldn’t be much longer.

Questions – If you could have only one of these players start for Clemson this year, who would it be?

Deshaun Watson
Cardale Jones
JT Barrett
Ezekiel Elliot
Derrick Henry
Nick Chubb
Trevone Boykin
Dak Prescott

TCI – That is a great list of outstanding players.  I would stick with Watson.  I think over the next two years he will be as good as any quarterback in the nation.  He may go down as the best quarterback every to play at Clemson and has a legitimate shot at the Heisman in the next two years.

With Watson on the field Clemson has a chance to beat any team in the nation.

Question – What are our chances (% wise) with Gary from NJ? He is impressive.

TCI – Gary is one of the nation’s top defensive linemen without a doubt.  Clemson would love to have him.  Right now we would put Clemson’s chances as less than 50 percent for Gary.  Gary’s mom has been to campus already which helps, plus he have family in the area.  The key will be can they get him on campus for an official visit.

Question – If Guillermo replaces Norton at center, is Norton good enough to replace anyone else on the line as a starter, or will he be riding the pine?

TCI – Norton can also play guard but would not replace Crowder or Mac Lain as starters.  Guillermo beat out Norton last year and will likely do the same at some point this season.

Question – I know DJ Reader’s issue is a personal one, but do you know what it is?

TCI – Yes we know what the issue is, but will not be discussing it on the site because it is a personal issue.

Question -How bad would it be if we were to have one or more LBs go down?

TCI – Clemson definitely has some depth issues at linebacker.  If Goodson or Boulware went down the defense would take a big hit without a doubt.  They are in better shape at SAM/hybrid.

Question – How will the team prepare for Louisville given the short week? How much did they do in camp to work on Louisville specific preparation?

TCI – The team did some work on Louisville a couple of day after camp was complete.  They will practice Sunday, which will be like the normal Monday practice.  Monday’s practice will be the key as it will be like the normal Tuesday practice.  The team will practice early Wednesday before traveling.