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CLEMSON - First impressions of the 2010 Clemson University football team are available today at no cost.
Open to the public and media, the second of 15 spring practices was scheduled for 3:30 p.m. with plenty to see, particularly in areas that coach Dabo Swinney believes critical if Clemson is to improve on a 9-5 record and Atlantic Division championship his first full season.
On review, he said, "we're good enough."
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"Everybody on this team ... they all understand championship caliber," he said. "They have all been Atlantic champions, and they all can take themselves back to that sick feeling they had in that locker room when they came up a minute and something short of being the ACC champion.
"So for us, it's either championship caliber or it's nothing. We've got to have 15 great days of preparation."
With the first practice Sunday, he began what should be a six-month long evaluation of the punters and kickers, all veterans.
Senior Richard Jackson was second to running back C.J. Spiller in scoring last season with 101 points on 41 of 43 extra points and 20 of 31 field goals. Jackson missed five of his final eight field goals, but three were from 44 yards and 52 (two).
Dawson Zimmerman averaged 39.1 yards on 55 punts but tailed off over the final month.
"We've got good people on this roster," Swinney said, "but we've got to be more consistent at punter."
Starting quarterback Kyle Parker should be at practice during a break from baseball. Swinney said backup Tajh Boyd would see most of the work with the first team when Parker is swinging a bat.
No. 3 Michael Wade probably will work with the defense a good bit today as he prepares for a return to safety. And this might be an opportunity to look at walk-ons Donnie McElveen and Taylor Ogle.
"We don't have a lot of information from an evaluation standpoint," Swinney said. "We've got a lot to learn with those guys."
Swinney also wanted to see who would step up at linebacker and where the depth will develop in the secondary.
Middle linebacker Brandon Maye injured a foot before the bowl game and should be nearly recovered.
Byron Maxwell stepped up to starting corner along with Marcus Gilchrist, who moved back to corner after starting 14 games at safety. And Rashard Hall, who intercepted six passes in a nickel and backup role as a freshman, should be at first-team safety with senior all-conference DeAndre McDaniel.
The team is scheduled to practice again Wednesday - an opportunity for a second impression before the semester break. The spring game is April 10.
"We've got some questions," Swinney said, "before you know it, six months will be gone."
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