Green Gang: Time To Find Our Impact Players
8/13/2010 12:00:00 AM | Return to Play
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| By Stephen Howard, August 13, 2010 - 11:24 a.m. |
To paraphrase an old Mike Tyson quote, "Everyone looks good until they get hit in the jaw."
Iron Mike was exactly right, especially when it comes to football camp. Everyone looks like an All-American in no/low contact drills, which is what we've had to suffer through for the first week of camp. We've basically been baking in 100 degree temperatures, and have been forced to watch our guys play patty cake since Saturday.
But yesterday changed all that, which is why we the Green Gang is so giddy. The Mean Green reported in full pads ready to exchange helmet paint, which is exactly what happened in coach Todd Dodge's newest torture device known as the "W" drill (if you haven't seen the video, do yourself a favor and watch).
To me, the flying grass and jarring hits commenced the true start of fall camp. The time where the men are separated from the boys, and when we begin to find out which players really want to represent the Mean Green in the final year of Fouts Field.
The guys will be decked out in full pads again today, and will face their first test in Saturday morning's scrimmage at Fouts - which begins at 8:30 a.m. and is open to the public.
Some things I will be paying attention to now that the action has picked up:
- 1. Everyone wants to know about the QB battle, and it should heat up now that the pads are cracking. Nathan Tune has probably looked the sharpest early in camp, but we're a long way from Clemson and Derek Thompson is right on his heels. Saturday's scrimmage might be the big impression both of these QBs need to seal the job.
- 2. Can the defense produce more turnovers, especially in the secondary? I want to see our DBs force the issue on Saturday and dictate the play over our talented WR corps. NT ranked 117th in the nation in turnover ratio last year, and that has to change.
- 3. Speaking of that talented WR corps, who wants to step up and start at Clemson? Tyler Stradford has shown blazing speed in no contact drills, and I need to see that continue in full pads. Benny Jones has turned heads and moved the chains, and Riley Dodge has looked strong as well. I haven't even mentioned Willie Taylor, Alex Lott and Jamaal Jackson, who have each had the spotlight.
- 4. Special teams have been less than stellar since coach Dodge's arrival, but have trended in the positive direction since last year. New kicker Zach Olen needs a high(er) pressure situation on Saturday to show off his skills to the Mean Green faithful. Also, I want to see our how our kick coverage units look with starters like Craig Robertson imbedded.