Will Clemson take a step forward or step back in 2012?

by BuckTN on Dec 7, 2011 9:29 AM EST

Clemson will be a preseason top 10-15 team next year because of the return of Sammy, Tahj, Andre, Nuk, and will be on the heels of top ten recruiting class (assuming we snag Bullard). A similar situation played out in 2008 with the return of C. Harper, JD, CJ, Aaron Kelly and we had the 2nd ranked recruiting class according to espn. Along the offensive line in 2008 Clemson had Thomas Austin (senior center) that was flanked on both sides by several soph and freshmen. In 2012 Dalton Freeman will be surrounded by inexperienced 1st year starters. Clemson's rushing totals in 2008 against Ala, WF, GT, BC, FSU,UVA, NEB = 0, 21, 51, 87, 79, 59, 4. Defensively in 2008, Clemson was tenth in points allowed (16.8 pg). I can't imagine they will be that good in 2012. We also start 2012 in the Georgia Dome playing a team from Alabama.

I tend to think Chad Morris will be able to get the ball to play makers more effectively than Rob Spence and Caldwell will have an entire year with the new offensive line players. I believe we'll take some bumps and end with about 8 regular season wins (9 is entirely possibly).

These opinions are not necessarily those of the Proprietors of Shakin' The Southland.

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I think best case is a sidestep.

We’ve got enough talent to finish with the same record.

But no offense goes further than its OL will get it. If we don’t get a S&C coach to whip guys like Region, Davis, or Beasley into shape, we are SOL.

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by DrB on Dec 7, 2011 6:54 PM EST reply actions

DrB, just curious since you mentioned s&c..I ran across this (apparently antiquated) copy of Batson’s strength and conditioning manual.

http://fastandfuriousfootball.com/wp-content/uploads/workouts2/Clemson%20University%20Power%20Program.pdf

If you know, is this the same program they’re doing now?

by Stronghold on Dec 9, 2011 12:55 AM EST up reply actions

That is something we are researching for an article now.

To my knowledge, yes.

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by DrB on Dec 9, 2011 8:53 AM EST up reply actions

I know you're a G. Hatch supporter and for good reason

here’s an article to support your argument…I think repeated 110s are overkill but he’s got the rings to back it up

by BuckTN on Dec 9, 2011 9:08 AM EST up reply actions

Let me know if you want/need any input for that article. I can tell you that the program I posted a link to totally misapplies the concepts that Batson supposedly utilizes. 75% of your max isn’t speed or dynamic work (too heavy), year-round maximal lifting does very little to make players bigger, and because they aren’t carrying enough mass to begin with, very little to make them stronger. It does, however make athletes more likely to get injured. Couple that with the overall very low volume of total work (especially for off season) and you have players who are weaker, more likely to get injured, and lack the requisite work capacity to make it through the rigors of a hard camp and the season. I had seen one supposed program that wasn’t as bad, but it may have been pre-Batson. This, however, is REALLY bad.

by Stronghold on Dec 9, 2011 11:10 AM EST via mobile up reply actions

I'm not DrB and i dont know if this is still being used but, I'll reply anyway

I think this type of strength program has a place in every collegiate program and that place is for freshman. This is a basic strength gaining type routine. Most freshman aren’t strong (by SEC standards) in high school and gaining the necessary strength is required to be competitive in a game or practice. This also allows time to learn to the full snatch, full clean, and the related sub exercises (clean pull, power shrugs, power snatch, snatch pull, etc..). Once a technique is sufficient these exercise should be integrated in (more than just doing one exercise 1 or 2 times per week as in the hand out from ’98).

by BuckTN on Dec 9, 2011 8:11 AM EST reply actions

We're going to take a monster step forward.

And when we are done, the ass of the ACC will be ten inches above their head.

ACC Championship Member Brandon Thompson is the new Jacoby Ford. You better pick him Panthers or you will be doomed to relive the 2010 season over and over again in the Twilight Zone.

Clemson 2011 ACC Champions! Look forward to doing it again next year! :D

by Revshawn on Dec 20, 2011 9:44 PM EST reply actions