Tech safety Burnett could be biggest threat to Parker
CLEMSON -- Among the new challenges facing redshirt freshman Kyle Parker on Thursday night in Atlanta will be throwing into coverages that include safeties. On Saturday, Middle Tennessee often sold out against the run with man-zero coverage making life easier for Clemson's rookie quarterback.
Though you'll get arguments from Tennessee's Eric Berry, Southern Cal's Taylor Mays and Virginia Tech's Kam Chancellor, Georgia Tech rover Morgan Burnett can make the argument he is the top safety in the country based on production.
Last season he led the Yellow Jackets with 93 tackles -- good for 13th in the ACC -- and tied for the conference lead with seven interceptions. He also defended 15 passes, which was good for third in the conference.
Clemson offensive coordinator Billy Napier said he is confident in Parker's ability to negotiate safeties and diagnose coverages in real time.
Dabo Swinney said in some ways Parker should be more comfortable against the Yellow Jackets' robber packages, which often place a safety nearer the line of scrimmage, since it is a more conventional defense than what the Tigers faced against Middle Tennessee.
Still, Burnett is a better athlete than any player Middle Tennessee could field, and perhaps the biggest threat to Parker.
After all, Burnett did win his battle against the No. 1 overall pick in April's NFL Draft, intercepting a Matt Stafford pass and returning it 35 yards for a touchdown last November.
Rambling and reloading
If Burnett isn't Parker's foremost concern, Georgia Tech defensive end Derrick Morgan is.
Coaches and players often refer to opponents by numbers, since that's how they are identified most rapidly while watching film. No. 91, Morgan's number, kept coming up all afternoon Tuesday.
Despite losing defensive end Michael Johnson and both defensive tackles, Darryl Richard and Vance Walker, to the NFL Draft, Swinney said Tech is just as talented up front.
"I was excited to see they lost three [defensive] linemen to the NFL until I started watching film," Swinney said. "You won't find a better football player than No. 91."
Napier said maintaining manageable down and distances will be key, keeping Morgan from obvious passing-down situations. Morgan was seventh in the ACC last season with seven sacks.
Specialty items
Georgia Tech coach Paul Johnson said he will kick to Clemson. How he will kick -- deep, squib, or short -- remains to be seen.
Swinney said running backs Jamie Harper and Andre Ellington will be deployed in the middle of the return team in case the Yellow Jackets elect to kick short. Swinney will also continue to feature two deep backs to make it difficult to kick away from Clemson's speed threats.
One of those threats, C.J. Spiller, said he might not be fully involved in the return game in the second half Thursday.
After missing the entire second half of the opener with toe and hamstring issues, and being limited in the first half, Spiller said he will have a far greater role from scrimmage Thursday. He also said he may give up some return duties to stay fresh for work from scrimmage. He said he is completely healthy.
Feature-back presentation
Those watching on ESPN Thursday will see perhaps the best two backs in the country in Spiller and Tech's Jonathan Dwyer. Spiller (2,357 yards), a senior, and Dwyer (1,920), a junior, rank first and second in respectively on the ACC's active rushing list.
"I'll be watching him," said Spiller of the ACC's reigning player of the year.
However, Spiller said he will be disciplined and will not try to create hero runs in attempt to match any highlight reel fodder created by Dwyer.
