2007 OL Preview
By: Roy Philpott
Reading many national publications this offseason would lead you to believe the Tigers are breaking in five new starters on the offensive line, with all five being freshmen or sophomores.
The reality is nothing could be further from the truth.
Believe it or not, four seniors are currently penciled in as starters entering fall practice, and one of those starters is a preseason All-American in Barry Richardson.
Yes there are justified concerns, particularly at center and right tackle. And yes, many of this year's starters have primarily served as backups the last two seasons, but there is plenty of experience returning in 2007 and an influx of youth with outstanding potential.
Here's a look at Clemson's offensive line headed into August:
LEFT TACKLE: BARRY RICHARDSON, CHRIS HAIRSTON
The Tigers are solid at left tackle with likely first-round draft pick Barry Richardson returning for his senior season. It must be noted however that Richardson, a preseason All-American, must be more consistent Clemson to improve its offensive line play this year. Redshirt freshman Chris Hairston has yet to see the field but has good size at 6-6, 310 pounds. The soft-spoken Richardson must also be depended on for leadership, even though he's admitted he's more of a leader by example than anything else.
“I always want to prove myself," Richardson told CUTigers in a recent interview. "I always want to give it all. I don’t want to be that person who goes into his last year and people think I sandbagged the whole time. I’m going to go out there and play hard."
LEFT GUARD: CHRIS MCDUFFIE, BOBBY HUTCHINSON
When senior Roman Fry tore his ACL halfway through the 2006 season, Clemson's offensive line was never quite the same. While it was bad for last season, it was good for Chris McDuffie to gain valuable experience before stepping into a fulltime starting position this year. McDuffie, now a senior, has the size and ability to get the job done. However his backup, Bobby Hutchinson is largely unproven.
CENTER: BARRY HUMPHRIES, BEN RAMSEY
The center position is considered by many to be the largest question mark headed into the start of fall practice. Barry Humphries steps in for Dustin Fry, who was drafted in the sixth round by the St. Louis Rams in April. Humphries had a strong spring but still must prove himself this season. His backup, walk-on Ben Ramsey, beat out Hutchinson as Humphries' backup and has drawn high praise from the coaching staff. Thomas Austin could provide additional depth here if needed.
RIGHT GUARD: BRANDON PILGRIM, THOMAS AUSTIN
Senior Brandon Pilgrim has been with the program since 2003, but should be in a battle for playing time this year with redshirt sophomore Thomas Austin. Austin is viewed as one of the most talented linemen on the roster and he could overtake Pilgrim or be moved to another position to secure additional playing time. The Tigers should be fine here with an experienced veteran as the starter and a star in the making as his backup.
RIGHT TACKLE: CHRIS CAPOTE, CORY LAMBERT, LANDON WALKER
Senior Chris Capote steps into a starting role this season but will be challenged by several younger players. Capote, who stands in at 6-4, 295 pounds has 6-6, 300 pound Cory Lambert right behind him, while 6-7, 280 pound freshman Landon Walker will also compete for playing time. Right tackle is the biggest question mark entering fall practice. Capote has been a career second and third teamer and there is little experience behind him.
SUMMARY: I'm in the minority with what I'm getting ready to write, but I'll write it anyway. This year's offensive line has the potential to be better than last year's line featuring seniors Dustin Fry, Roman Fry, Nathan Bennett and Marion Dukes.
Sure, there was experienced talent returning last season, but it is important to remember this coaching staff has recruited at a high level now for the past three years. The younger players coming in have more talent than the veterans ahead of them on the depth chart.
Nowhere is that evident more than the offensive line.
Thomas Austin is a future high round draft pick in the making. Barry Richardson, we know with certainty, is already a high-round draft pick next year. Barry Humphries, while still unproven, has the potential to be a good one as well. Chris McDuffie now has a handful of games of experience as a starter and should be fine. Younger players such as Landon Walker and Chris Hairston will be brought along slowly but have both size and talent.
Right tackle is still a question entering fall practice, but this unit has plenty of potential. It also helps Clemson will return two of the nation's top running backs in C.J. Spiller and James Davis.
While it may take a few games for this unit to reach its full potential, keep in mind the Tigers like to use multiple tight end sets. That means players like Akeem Robinson, Michael Palmer and Durrell Barry, all big bodies, can help out in max-protect situations.
Reading many national publications this offseason would lead you to believe the Tigers are breaking in five new starters on the offensive line, with all five being freshmen or sophomores.The reality is nothing could be further from the truth.
Believe it or not, four seniors are currently penciled in as starters entering fall practice, and one of those starters is a preseason All-American in Barry Richardson.
Yes there are justified concerns, particularly at center and right tackle. And yes, many of this year's starters have primarily served as backups the last two seasons, but there is plenty of experience returning in 2007 and an influx of youth with outstanding potential.
Here's a look at Clemson's offensive line headed into August:
LEFT TACKLE: BARRY RICHARDSON, CHRIS HAIRSTON
The Tigers are solid at left tackle with likely first-round draft pick Barry Richardson returning for his senior season. It must be noted however that Richardson, a preseason All-American, must be more consistent Clemson to improve its offensive line play this year. Redshirt freshman Chris Hairston has yet to see the field but has good size at 6-6, 310 pounds. The soft-spoken Richardson must also be depended on for leadership, even though he's admitted he's more of a leader by example than anything else.
“I always want to prove myself," Richardson told CUTigers in a recent interview. "I always want to give it all. I don’t want to be that person who goes into his last year and people think I sandbagged the whole time. I’m going to go out there and play hard."
LEFT GUARD: CHRIS MCDUFFIE, BOBBY HUTCHINSON
When senior Roman Fry tore his ACL halfway through the 2006 season, Clemson's offensive line was never quite the same. While it was bad for last season, it was good for Chris McDuffie to gain valuable experience before stepping into a fulltime starting position this year. McDuffie, now a senior, has the size and ability to get the job done. However his backup, Bobby Hutchinson is largely unproven.
CENTER: BARRY HUMPHRIES, BEN RAMSEY
The center position is considered by many to be the largest question mark headed into the start of fall practice. Barry Humphries steps in for Dustin Fry, who was drafted in the sixth round by the St. Louis Rams in April. Humphries had a strong spring but still must prove himself this season. His backup, walk-on Ben Ramsey, beat out Hutchinson as Humphries' backup and has drawn high praise from the coaching staff. Thomas Austin could provide additional depth here if needed.
RIGHT GUARD: BRANDON PILGRIM, THOMAS AUSTIN
Senior Brandon Pilgrim has been with the program since 2003, but should be in a battle for playing time this year with redshirt sophomore Thomas Austin. Austin is viewed as one of the most talented linemen on the roster and he could overtake Pilgrim or be moved to another position to secure additional playing time. The Tigers should be fine here with an experienced veteran as the starter and a star in the making as his backup.
RIGHT TACKLE: CHRIS CAPOTE, CORY LAMBERT, LANDON WALKER
Senior Chris Capote steps into a starting role this season but will be challenged by several younger players. Capote, who stands in at 6-4, 295 pounds has 6-6, 300 pound Cory Lambert right behind him, while 6-7, 280 pound freshman Landon Walker will also compete for playing time. Right tackle is the biggest question mark entering fall practice. Capote has been a career second and third teamer and there is little experience behind him.
SUMMARY: I'm in the minority with what I'm getting ready to write, but I'll write it anyway. This year's offensive line has the potential to be better than last year's line featuring seniors Dustin Fry, Roman Fry, Nathan Bennett and Marion Dukes.
Sure, there was experienced talent returning last season, but it is important to remember this coaching staff has recruited at a high level now for the past three years. The younger players coming in have more talent than the veterans ahead of them on the depth chart.
Nowhere is that evident more than the offensive line.
Thomas Austin is a future high round draft pick in the making. Barry Richardson, we know with certainty, is already a high-round draft pick next year. Barry Humphries, while still unproven, has the potential to be a good one as well. Chris McDuffie now has a handful of games of experience as a starter and should be fine. Younger players such as Landon Walker and Chris Hairston will be brought along slowly but have both size and talent.
Right tackle is still a question entering fall practice, but this unit has plenty of potential. It also helps Clemson will return two of the nation's top running backs in C.J. Spiller and James Davis.
While it may take a few games for this unit to reach its full potential, keep in mind the Tigers like to use multiple tight end sets. That means players like Akeem Robinson, Michael Palmer and Durrell Barry, all big bodies, can help out in max-protect situations.
posted by Roy Philpott @ 3:08 PM
1 Comments
Links to this post
1 Comments:
Offensive line? James Davis and CJ Spiller aren't on the offensive line. I'm sure no one wants to discuss anything but topics concerning our star tailbacks.
Post a Comment
Links to this post:
Create a Link
<< Home