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EARLY
BIRD 2006 COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREVIEW
RELEASED
THANKSGIVING 2005
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CLEMSON
TIGERS |
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OFFENSE
- 7
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------RETURNING
STARTERS------
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DEFENSE
- 7
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KEY
LOSSES |
OFFENSE:
Charlie Whitehurst-QB, Cliff Harrell-FB, Steven
Jackson-FB, Curtis Baham-WR, Bobby Williamson-TE,
Chip Myrick-OG |
DEFENSE:
Charles
Bennett-DE, Cory Groover-NG, Trey Tate-DT, Tye Hill-CB,
Jamaal Fudge-FS |
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Linebacker
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All three of Clemson's
top tacklers in 2005 were LBs, and
all three are back. Look for these
cats to do what they are made for...roam
and tackle.
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Defensive
Back
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The Tigers are
solid across the board. But two huge
cover men will be tough to replace
in Tye Hill and Jamaal Fudge.
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WR
Chansi Stuckey
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LB
Anthony Waters
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* DEPTH CHARTS were only designed as a simplistic
gauge for listing players that departed and players that
received the most playing experience (consistent starters).
NationalChamps.net recognizes the importance of missing
personnel data not listed such as redshirts, transfers,
injuries, incoming recruits, back ups and alternates.
Their coverage will begin with our full 2006 Preseason
Preview due out this coming spring. |
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CLEMSON
2006 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters/Key
Players |
OFFENSE |
QB |
Will
Proctor-Sr |
.. |
FB |
.. |
.. |
RB |
Reggie
Merriweather-Sr |
James
Davis-So |
WR |
Aaron
Kelly-So |
.. |
WR |
Chansi
Stuckey-Sr |
Kelvin
Grant-Sr |
TE |
Thomas
Hunter-Sr |
.. |
OT |
Barry
Richardson-Jr |
.. |
OG |
Roman
Fry-Sr |
.. |
C |
Dustin
Fry-Sr |
.. |
OG |
.. |
.. |
OT |
Marion
Dukes-Sr |
.. |
K |
Jad
Dean-Sr |
.. |
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DEFENSE |
DE |
Phillip
Merling-So |
.. |
NG |
Donnell
Clark-Sr |
Rashaad
Jackson-So |
DT |
Jock
McKissic-So |
Scott
Dorell-So |
DE |
Gaines
Adams-Sr |
.. |
SLB |
Tramaine
Billie-Sr |
.. |
MLB |
Anthony
Waters-Sr |
Antonio
Clay-So |
WLB |
Nick
Watkins-Jr |
.. |
CB |
Sergio
Gilliam-Sr |
.. |
CB |
Duane
Coleman-Sr |
.. |
CAT |
Michael
Hamlin-So |
C.J.
Gaddis-Jr |
FS |
Chris
Clemons-So |
.. |
P |
Cole
Chason-Sr |
.. |
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QUICK
ANALYSIS
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Tommy
Bowden and staff made an important decision in
terms of the team’s future when they decided
to take a more physical approach in 2005 as opposed
to chucking the ball seemingly every down, like
they did with Whitehurst in his earlier campaigns.
Through the process, RBs such as young James Davis
and veteran Reggie Merriweather have made an impact.
Just as well, for the QB now has less pressure
to win games by himself, and QB Will Proctor will
benefit immensely from the transition. Proctor
has needed to throw excessively on a few occasions
and has managed quite well. And with Proctor now
a senior, the offense should continue to make
strides. Helping the process will be a much more
physical OL that returns just about everyone.
The physicality introduced in the trenches by
the coaches was a wise move. If touchdowns won't
be enough, count on leading Groza candidate Jad
Dean to kick some assured points. The defense,
too, has been just as physical. As usual, the
top tacklers are generally LBs in this scheme,
and all three starters return. With continual
improvement, DE Gaines Adams is set to push for
ten sacks and ACC honors next fall. The problems
in the replacement department will come in trying
to fill the shoes of top cover men Tye Hill and
Jamaal Fudge. If the secondary can continue to
find similar quality on the corner, Clemson will
make a push for the Atlantic Division title. Tommy
Bowden has taken heat when failing in this high
expectation mode. If he can stick with the physical
game plan and can get better than average play
from Proctor while the team remains healthy, according
to these early calculations, the Tigers are the
team to beat in their ACC half for ‘06...and
they were picked to finish last by many this past
August. Imagine that!
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2006
SCHEDULE
9-2
Louisiana Tech
9-9 Florida Atlantic
9-23 @ Temple
11-25 South Carolina
Maryland
@ Wake Forest
North Carolina State
@ Florida State
@ Boston College
Georgia Tech
North Carolina
@ Virginia Tech
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