Tigers
Clemson Athletics
Ask Paul Strelow about the Tigers
Paul Strelow has been immersed in state sports since 2000, having covered USC, recruiting, high school football and Carolina Panthers training camp as a writer for the Spartanburg Herald-Journal. He has won numerous state awards for enterprise writing, features and game stories. Reach Strelow at pstrelow@thestate.com.
Most Recently Answered Questions
Questions 16 - 35 of 173 (Page 2 of 9)Submitted by Reid from Columbia, SC
Q: Would the prospects of landing a top 10 recruiting class overshadow a 7-5 or worse record in the decision whether or not to fire Bowden at season's end? Do you believe the offensive line will be gelled enough next year to take the team to next level (assuming the defense remains status quo)?
Answered 10/18/07 16:09:24 by Paul Strelow
A: I wouldn't think administrators make coaching decisions based on the short-term effects of one recruiting class. Simply put, the stakes are too high to keep someone around for a handful of players who may or may not pan out (and have been ranked high by non-coaches). Quite frankly, I think the line will be facing many of the same obstacles next year. They should be OK at tackle, but even if Austin were to move back to guard, the pickings are slim at that spot. I wouldn't be surprised if a redshirt freshmen (Wilson Norris) got a serious look because of zero depth.Submitted by Clemmons fan from myrtle beach
Q: Please give us your take on two rumors floating around South Carolina--First, isit true that Tommy the tater has been arrested for impersonating a college football coach ans second Did all the all you can eat resturants in Clemson close until Buffet Brad leaves town
Answered 10/18/07 16:04:34 by Paul Strelow
A: Sources say there is a low-grade Chinese buffet still open (somehow), but because my wife has banned me from eating there, I decline to comment further.Submitted by Bahamut502 from west springs, sc
Q: Paul, I had to ask: did you see UNC's near come-from-behind win vs. USC coming? I know you were following since Clem was off this week, not improving special teams. Question 2: I don't really follow Clemson that much, mainly cuz Boynton hasn't really been covering them anymore up here, but why can't they do anything productive offensively? Can the staff just not make adjustments?
Answered 10/18/07 16:02:39 by Paul Strelow
A: 1. No I didn't, although I think it was merely a case of a) late-game momentum swinging to the home team and b) what usually happens when one team throws caution to the wind and the other goes into the preventive shell. 2. You could argue they've made too many adjustments. I chalk it up to, among many things, a mediocre OL, prematurely straying away from your offensive identity (there's no reason James Davis should be used as little as he has the last two first-halves), a few bad play-calls and a handful of early passes that either Harper should have made or the receiver should have caught.Submitted by Bill from Greenville
Q: Paul - I enjoyed your article on the midseason report for Clemson. I agree with much of what you wrote. However, I don't understand the following sentance from the article: "The Tigers then knock the Gamecocks out of the SEC title game by prevailing at home in the season finale." Please explain. How does this game impact SEC standings. If it is a mistake, no big deal. I will make several this week. Thanks.
Answered 10/18/07 15:57:16 by Paul Strelow
A: It was a mistake. Meant to say a BCS game but went braindead. Although theoretically Clemson could knock USC out of the SEC title game if somehow the final tiebreaker came into play to determine the Eastern Division champ.Submitted by Anonymous from No location specified
Q: All this talk about special teams being the fault of the 2 losses is disgusting. Did nobody look at the offense in those two games?? No TD's @ GT, two TDs vs VT. Didn't get a first down until late into the 2nd quarter vs. VT, with 3 points at the half!! GT and VT have good defenses, but not that good!! That offense can't move the ball against decent defenses!! Harper threw the ball 68 times and only got 2 td's out of it??!! It's the offense, not ST that is the problem!! Fix the line, fix Spiller, fix Davis, and get Harper back on track...that's what that "grand" coaching staff should be doing!!!
Answered 10/15/07 02:40:39 by Paul Strelow
A: There's certainly enough blame to go around.Submitted by Anonymous from No location specified
Q: Paul,,a source of mine says SI puts baby bowden on hot seat..next issue
Answered 10/15/07 02:39:35 by Paul Strelow
A: They won't be the first and certainly not the last.Submitted by Anonymous from cookeville TN
Q: how can clemson knock S.C. out of the SEC title game since clemson plays in the ACC, last I checked. Also when did they change this years game to clemson, since last years game was in clemson shouldn't it be in Columbia? In reference to your midseason report.
Answered 10/15/07 02:39:03 by Paul Strelow
A: Yes, the game's in Columbia. Believe it or not, I intended to type BCS game, not SEC title game, but went braindead somewhere along the line.Submitted by TOBY YOUNG from ADVANCE NC
Q: CLEMSON COACHING CANIDATES........MICKY ANDREWS/FLA ST...VIC KORNING/CU...ARE MY TOP TWO.BABY BOWDED COULD BE KEEP ON TO HELP IPTAY WITH PARKING PROBLEMS..ANY GOOD COACHES YOU LIKE PAUL??
Answered 10/09/07 00:41:04 by Paul Strelow
A: You're the man, Toby. Actually, there aren't any coaching candidates I would feel sure could take Clemson to "the next level" fans believe they should be at. There are some I think could, but has Bowden done a poor enough job to warrant taking that chance?Submitted by Dr.House from No location specified
Q: Paul, after this weekend I must say that Clemson has got a chance to pull it together. Regardless of what these fare weather fans want to say about Coach Bowden, I feel he did everything he could do Saturday to design a game plan to win the game in the second half. Yes, James Davis needs to become the primary RB if the Clemson offense has a chance to mend. I have the prescription that may just turn Clemson around, and that would be for Clemson to return to basics, back to the drawing board offensively and special teams as well. The prescription is basically this, fans support the team no matter what, and for the Coaches, let's see what might happen if Clemson was to dress out in the 1989 uniforms for the rest of the year, hey it worked for Washington against USC, it gave those players a since of pride to play harder for there coach, the fans, and themselves. Your thoughts.
Answered 10/09/07 00:38:32 by Paul Strelow
A: Well, I'm not so sure retro jerseys would have the desired effect on kids with little perspective or interest in history. But the voice of calm and reason is definitely in the minority these days. To a degree, "back to the fundamentals" may be the prescription -- I would argue Clemson has out-thought itself offensively the last two games.Submitted by NMTIGERFAN from Albuquerque, NM
Q: So. Here we are again. I have not spoke in sometime, but i can no longer keep my mouth shut. It is time for Bowden to go or right the ship. Should he be gone, if the Tigers do not win the rest of the season? The only teams are USC and BC. I think it is time for a change. If special teams are the problem, fix it with more practice time. Everyone knew the O-line was suspect, but you have to give Davis and Spiller the ball more than 18 times combined. Hats off to the defense. Right now the Tigers are only getting 10% on the field. Special teams are the other 90%. Bye-bye Baby-Bowden.
Answered 10/07/07 18:45:51 by Paul Strelow
A: Where did this Baby Bowden trend come from? I say wait until the end of the season before deciding whether a change needs to be made. Where I do agree is Davis has to be a more prominent part of the game plan. This offense has no identity.Submitted by TOBY YOUNG from ADVANCE NC
Q: OK PAUL..the fallout is here.9 years of Babybowden and this is what we get.Now Clemson wants more money form us to see high school ball.I have never seen a worse clemson team then this past saterday.Its not death vally,,its silly vally.To the gamecock fans i say good luck.At lest you guys are getting your moneys worth..Paul its time for babybowden to stand and say..IM NOT SMARTER THAN A FITH GRADER.
Answered 10/07/07 18:44:00 by Paul Strelow
A: Nope, not smarter than a fith grader.Submitted by Charleston,SC from No location specified
Q: Is this Tommy Bowden's last season because many of us in the Lowcountry sure hope so?Oscar N Vick III,Clemson 1967 and 1970
Answered 10/07/07 18:43:08 by Paul Strelow
A: There's a lot of football left to be played. As previous years should have displayed, how a team ends its season has much more impact on a coaches' future than the beginning.Submitted by toby young from Advance N.C.
Q: Why did,nt Tommy play Willy at GT?He might have added some punch.Thunder and Lighting looked like a warm day at the beach.The recivers were in a fog and socer boy could not it the side of a barn.Is this the start of the Tigers decline with have come used too under Tommy..
Answered 10/04/07 19:45:25 by Paul Strelow
A: Why should he have played Korn? He has little game experience period, much less against a frenetic blitz like that. If Spiller and Grisham make two catches and Buchholz -- who remains by far their best kicker, and I'd have stuck with him, too -- we wouldn't be having this exchange. It amazes me how fans take everything to the extreme.Submitted by JR from N. Charleston SC
Q: Afternoon Paul, I just want to say that I was very stund at the way Clemson played as a team Saturday. I am very angry with the way the Offensive line performed, and I feel bad for Spiller sence he was pretty much handled the same way GreenBay handled Berry Sanders years ago, held to zero yards, ouch!! The other upsetting part of this mess is the field goal kicker, 1 out of 6. If you do the math 18pts plus the one he made 3, we would have had 21pts. 21-13 should have been the score, but that wasn't the case. My question is are we watching the same song and dance number out of Clemson that we have seen over the years, or was GT really that good, considering that they really haven't played anyone, other than happless NoterDame, uhm, like I said nobody. What do you think, and are we playing for respect now. Thanks. One more thing, though we lost, I'm still a 100% TIGER FAN, LET's GO BEAT Va TECH!!!
Answered 10/04/07 19:42:43 by Paul Strelow
A: Georgia Tech wasn't that good, for starters, although it wasn't a good game to get their pulse -- they went conservative offensively because they could; Clemson never scored to force them out of it. What is the same old Clemson song and dance? They have talent in some areas (RB, starting WRs, a few good defenders) but deficiences at others (O-line, LB) and their schemes match up differently to various clubs. Their problem is that when their special teams go bad, it always costs them.Submitted by James from Jacksonville, FL
Q: What a absolute debacle of a football game in Atlanta, with too many areas of concern to name here. With the no show of the offense is there any way we can expect Clemson to move the ball against VTech? Is this going to be like last season's meltdown or do you see enough leadership in players and Bowden to prevent a downward spiral the rest of the year?
Answered 10/04/07 19:38:20 by Paul Strelow
A: Sure they can. Even with a mediocre O-line, they would have moved the ball on offense if: 1) there weren't nine dropped passes, and 2) they would have stuck with James Davis more. Can't say they won't have another meltdown because every time there's a loss, the fans meltdown, and players are subject to the public's vibe. I do think there is better leadership this year, but that isn't saying much -- w/o Anthony Waters last year, there wasn't anyone with the voice or the credibility to rally around.Submitted by Jerry from Montgomery, Al.
Q: Who were Clemsons last three starting QB's.
Answered 10/04/07 19:34:18 by Paul Strelow
A: Will Proctor, Charlie Whitehurst, Willie Simmons.Submitted by CUTig from Cola
Q: Paul, thanks for the info. I am no expert, and agree he is an upgrade at QB, and am pulling for him hard. But, it seemed in the LM game that Harper was keying on one receiver rather than surveying the field. Did you agree?
Answered 09/22/07 14:12:40 by Paul Strelow
A: There were times he did that, but more often than not Harper has been far more efficient at reading defenses than his predecessor. In the Furman game last week, Tyler Grisham was the second read on his TD catch. Keep in mind that in college offenses, QBs don't have the number of reads pro QBs do.Submitted by James from Jacksonville, Fl
Q: Paul what is your take on the Korn situation. Harper has played well so far but since we aren't redshirting Korn shouldn't he play more? And what about next year? Can we really get that level of recruit and expect him to only play his last two years without redshirting? It seems to me its just a highly unfortunate situation for harper because he couldn't beat proctor last season.
Answered 09/22/07 13:47:35 by Paul Strelow
A: I would hardly term it unfortunate; so far, it's worked out as the best-case scenario for Clemson. I think what's lost here is this is a problem that every GOOD program has, and now that the Tigers are getting high-end recruits, it will learn to massage. Florida is loaded with QB recruits w/ Korn's resume, and their freshmen are already playing too, I believe, even w/ Tebow being just a sophomore. Yet there is no mistaking it is a delicate situation. If they would have played Korn more or taken away first-team snaps for him, they would really be creating a controversy while disturbing Harper's current level of confidence and sense of security. I've maintained all along that as tenuous as Bowden's job security is this beyond this season, they have to try to win now. And you had to skip Korn's redshirt to have someone capable of winning if Harper was hurt/ineffective. Then, as a coaching staff, you deal with next year IF and when that time comes.Submitted by Anonymous from VA
Q: With the way Clemson is playing, in your best estimate, what is the % that: 1. Clemson will win the division title? 2. Clemson will win the ACC title? 3. Clemson will beat VT? 4. Clemson will beat GT? 5. Clemson will beat USC? Please explain your reasons on the above questions. Thank you.
Answered 09/13/07 15:46:38 by Paul Strelow
A: 1. 30-35 percent right now. BC may be the team to beat because of their schedule, and until Clemson proves it can avoid a large slump over the course of a season, I just can't elevate them higher yet. 2. 10-15 percent. See the last statement. 3. 65 percent. Tyrod Taylor will be dangerous, but the Clemson game will be his first road start, and here's betting the Tigers will be lathered to enact revenge. 4. 35 percent. Conversely, GT will approach the Clemson game with at least the same fervor, probably more so. The one thing in Clemson's favor is Spence's misdirection offense matches up well with a blitzing, aggressive D. 5. 45 percent. Clemson has more talent, USC has the better coach. USC slightly favored b/c of home-field advantage.Submitted by tgrfan2 from Swansea, SC
Q: I read where TB said he will continue to pass with a substantial lead unlike last year. With eight minutes to go in the first half, JD and CJ made first downs rushing and then I believe we attempted to pass three times resulting in a fourth down and the blocked punt. The TV crew talked about how we had FSU on their heels and that JD and CJ were wearing them out before that punt. Do you think that much passing in that situation was carrying the passing game to the extreme?
Answered 09/13/07 15:42:37 by Paul Strelow
A: No, because I don't think the O-line was wearing FSU out by any stretch of the imagination -- it was Clemson's RBs mostly making something out of nothing. And for all the criticism about coordinator Rob Spence being conservative, the Tigers were actually trying to be aggressive, so I don't find fault in that.
