Thoughts on the QB change
Posted 08:35 a.m., October 11, 2008
I've been wrestling with this ever since Tommy Bowden announced it yesterday afternoon. I’d bet a lot of you folks have been wrestling with it, too.
Most of us can probably agree this is unfortunate for Cullen Harper. Because while Harper is not playing like he was last year, he's not the problem. On a list of problems that seem to be multiplying by the week, he might rank fourth or fifth.
In my opinion, the biggest problems to this point have been play-calling and the offensive line. And from this point forward, you'd better believe that dissension, second-guessing and strife among players and coaches could become major problems as well (if they weren't already).
It could be argued that Bowden is addressing the play-calling and OL issues by inserting Willy Korn, who's unquestionably more mobile in the pocket and capable of picking up yards when pass protection breaks down. Given the injuries up front and the fact that the next three opponents (Georgia Tech, Boston College, Florida State) boast imposing defensive fronts, pass protection figures to be a major weakness for a while.
Maybe offensive coordinator Rob Spence unveils a new package to accentuate Korn's talents. That's sort of what Bowden hinted at during yesterday's teleconference. I'm a bit skeptical of substantial philosophical changes, because Spence has always been a guy who's stuck within his comfort zone on game days, and often to a fault.
I have some questions as to how supportive Spence was of this change. Spence had repeatedly said, and adamantly so, that no quarterback change was even being pondered. And according to what Bowden said yesterday, this was a decision made by the head coach and "supported" by Spence.
In the week that followed the Maryland game, I got the impression that Bowden was getting closer to rolling the dice and going with Korn. It really seemed like something could happen if the offense again sputtered against Wake Forest. And the offense did a lot worse than sputter Thursday night. It choked, wheezed and made Clemson fans cover their eyes for large portions of the game.
Bowden, of course, is under considerable pressure to remain employed at Clemson. Regardless of Terry Don Phillips’ standard protocol for making his evaluations at the end of regular seasons, I get the distinct impression a midseason change is a possibility if this ugliness continues. Thus, it is not a vast stretch to say Bowden is a desperate man who orchestrated a desperate measure yesterday afternoon.
There’s context here, of course. Two years ago, Bowden sided with Spence's call to stick with Will Proctor at quarterback as the Tigers' season spun out of control. All the while, a capable quarterback (Harper) stood on the sidelines. Bowden probably knows he can't afford to at least give his backup a shot this time around.
Harper is not playing nearly as poorly as Proctor did two years ago. That must be understood. Harper is far more talented, and his game and emotional state are not disintegrating as Proctor's did in 2006.
That said, there are certainly some concerns with Harper. His deeper throws seem to float more than they did a year ago. He seems less inclined to tuck it and run to pick up tough yards when tough yards are needed (this could be directly related to his non-throwing shoulder, which might be hurt worse than he or anyone is letting on).
But is Harper playing poorly enough to be benched? I don't think so. It's not as though he had a running game to rely on Thursday night. And it's not as though he's benefited from diverse play-calling that marked the Tigers' high-powered offensive performances last season against Wake Forest, Maryland, and a few others. When Spence finally decided to open up the drop-back, play-action passing game in the second half Thursday night -- resulting in some actual production on offense -- Harper had to wonder why in the world it took so long.
Harper is a sympathetic figure in this whole thing because he's been the good soldier when he had ample reason not to be.
He could've popped off publicly in 2006 when his coaches were making the disastrous mistake of sticking with Proctor.
He could've lashed out at fans in the spring and summer of 2007, when it was simply assumed Korn would surpass him as the starter.
He could've criticized Bowden for fantasizing about a two-quarterback system early last season, when Harper happened to be breaking records by the week.
Harper's had some legitimate beefs during his time at Clemson, but he's bitten his tongue and been a team guy. Even after Thursday night's offensive debacle in Winston-Salem, he put his full support behind Spence when he didn't have to.
"He's got a tough job right now," he said. "He's trying to work in some young offensive linemen, and they're doing a great job. Tonight they protected me pretty well. He's a great offensive coordinator. We've had great offenses here in the past and there's no doubt in my mind we'll get this thing going here."
Philosophically, we can't argue this is the wrong decision because we haven't seen Korn do anything yet beyond mop-up duty. Maybe Korn shines, giving Clemson's offense a whole new dimension. Maybe he falls on his face, failing to make the right reads and the right throws.
Honestly, I have no idea. Some people who watch practice regularly say Korn is a future great who's ready to run the show right now. Other people who watch practice regularly say Clemson fans have another thing coming if they think this kid is the Second Coming.
And I don't think Bowden and Spence have any idea, either. This thing could go either way when the ball is kicked off shortly after noon a week from today against Georgia Tech.
I think everyone can agree it's a difficult situation for Clemson, and an unfortunate situation for Harper. No one likes to see a good kid put in a situation for which he's not fully responsible.
LW
Comments
Posted by coastaltiger21 on October 11 at 9:33 a.m.
I agree with a lot of what you wrote. Cullen is not the only one to blame for our abysmal offensive performance nor the 3-3 record so far this season. The offensive line (is Thomas Austin the only starter not to be injured) as well as questionable play calling have played a large part.
Having said that, what has Cullen done to win a football game? Sure, he hasn't done anything to directly lose a ballgame, but what plays has he made to put us in position to win?
He has been throwing an interception a game, can not hit any deep balls (i.e. Thursday night) and simply is not making plays when it matters (4th down against Maryland...reach the ball out), especially with his feet.
Cullen has been a great teammate, a fine representation of a Clemson student athlete and an overall good guy....but wait, doesn't that sound like Tommy Bowden's coaching career at Clemson - a guy who produces everywhere except on the field, where it matters most.
Ultimately, the offense does need a spark, something different to re-energize everyone. We will see if Willy Korn can provide that. I will point to what Carolina did with Syvelle Newton a few years ago behind a makeshift offensive line, essentially salvaging a season. A pair of good legs can make a world of difference.
BUT....this does just seem like a desperate attempt by Tommy to save a sinking ship, one that is already near the bottom.
Regardless of how Korn performs, Tommy's coaching career at Clemson is over, whether that happens next week or at the end of the season.
Bowden's legacy has been cemented. Ten years and no championship, title game appearance or ten win season.
We basically have a lame duck coach on our hands now, which worries me even more about how the players will come out and perform. The ACC season is essentially down the drain and all of the goals and expectations have followed.
I don't want to see this team quit. I just hope we have the pride to come out and play hard when there is seemingly less to play for every week.
The change at quarterback is fine but we need changes at many other places to get this program back in the right direction, and it starts on the sidelines and in the box.
Posted by JBknows on October 11 at 12:10 p.m.
Desperation is a stinky cologne.
Posted by huj on October 11 at 3:02 p.m.
I feel very bad for Harper, as he's only a victim of Bowden's damage-control move to save his job. Harper, like you said Larry, isn't the top problem and everyone knows it; the ill-coached OL and poor playcalling are the top problems and Bowden's neck is in the noose because of it.
What's tragic to no end for me is that any shot of an NFL career for Harper is now off the table completely because of this political move. JMO, but Bowden has proven to me he is a cancerous snake in the grass who will throw any and all players under the bus (Proctor, Dean?) to save himself and that's why he must be fired ASAP (not the end of the season). He has zero loyalty to his players and I think they all know it. The way he's handling this and his smugness and/or arrogance in his interviews are black eyes to the university and he must be let go now to stop the hemorrhaging.
I realize that sounds harsh but this situation IMO is bringing out the real Tommy Bowden.
Posted by tgrfan2 on October 11 at 4:54 p.m.
Oh well, if Korn doesn't work out/gets hurt there is always Parker. Sorry about that, Jack!
Posted by ryan on October 12 at 8:19 a.m.
Rejoice fellow Clemson fans, for Oklahoma, LSU, Mizzou, Vandy, and Auburn all lost yesterday....
/end sarcasm
Posted by tigerama on October 12 at 10:07 a.m.
Korn would have made the sneak against Maryland and most likely would have at least thrown the ball to Kelly when he was wide open against WF for a sure game winning TD. Leadership starts at the QB.
Second, Bowden will be forced to replace Spence with Sweeny this week or be demoted to some athletic department adm. This will start the post season coaching search early which is best. Let Bobby Johnson know early that he is at the top of the board before someone else gets him. Bowden will not coach CU in 2009. We have to make moves to salvage recruiting.
Posted by JBknows on October 12 at 12:37 p.m.
Bobby Johnson the top choice? What about Will Muschamps?
Posted by coastaltiger21 on October 12 at 1:34 p.m.
Muschamp would certainly be a welcome change in demeanor and attitude. Boy, he calls for attention and is active on the sideline. My only worry is that he hasn't had any head coaching experience....The qualities I would like to see in the next hire would be, in no particular order:
1) An aggressive attitude and philosophy (we need a change from everything that has been the staple over the past 10 years)
2) Familiarity with the Southeast, that is crucial in recruiting and reforming bonds at high schools. We have recruited well and need to maintain that as best as possible over a coaching change.
3) Previous head coaching experience. I want to see someone who has done it, knows how to do it, preferably for more than a year or two (I.E Tommy at Tulane)
We will see....
Posted by ohyea on October 12 at 10:03 p.m.
What about a coach that brings a system to Clemson aka Rich Rod versus searching the US for an available OC? Bring back the smash mouth football we use to own with a 2000's twist. Let it be a coach that hires coaches to run his system rather than a CEO type like Tubberville/Bowden x 2.
I want someone who is in control and doesn't have to plead and bargain with an OC to come to Clemson. Someone who attracts new talent who wants to learn under him rather than dictate they have complete control over the play calling. I want a coach that doesn't have to confide in his OC to request a QB change but rather does it because, hey he is the boss and everyone understands it.
I want a coach that is respected because of the system he deploys...
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