Morgan still poses a threat

CLEMSON -- Of all the matchup problems Georgia Tech presents, the one most damaging to Clemson earlier this season was not part of the Yellow Jackets' unconventional offense, but their conventional defense.

If you watched the Yellow Jackets' victory in Atlanta, you probably recall defensive end Derrick Morgan appearing to be anything but common.

The 6-4, 270-pound wrecking ball sacked Kyle Parker three times in the first half. The junior beat right tackle emeritus Cory Lambert so badly and so often the Tigers swapped Lambert with starting left tackle Chris Hairston at halftime.

If the change had been made earlier in the game, maybe the outcome would have been different as the Tigers scored 27 unanswered points before Georgia Tech rallied.

Clemson offensive coordinator Billy Napier is not surprised Morgan was named the ACC defensive player of the year on Wednesday.

Napier said Morgan is more talented than any South Carolina player that terrorized Parker in the backfield last week, more disruptive than TCU's Jerry Hughes.

"In my opinion Derrick Morgan is the best player we have played all season," Napier said. "He's a dominant player. He's a top-10 NFL draft pick.

"Great motor, great fundamentally, size, quickness, plays well with his hands. Obviously, he is a guy we will have to have a plan for."

Lambert has since been buried on the depth chart as Landon Walker has solidified right tackle along with David Smith -- helping keep Hughes and N.C. State's Willie Young with out a sack.

Walker talked the talk Tuesday saying he had the confidence to handle Morgan one-on-one. Walker said there is "no plan" to help him with Morgan, who has an ACC-best 12.5 sacks.

No plan? Does Parker know about this?

"I think we have played very well at right tackle," head coach Dabo Swinney said. "We didn't play well at all (at South Carolina). But you have to look at the whole picture. Landon (Walker) has really come on and done a nice job. Obviously we have plan A, B, C, D and E if you need it."

The Tigers figure to have to have Plans B, C, D and E on standby after not making an adjustment until halftime in Atlanta.

The Tigers also know Morgan has since not lined up exclusively over right tackle.

Though the Tigers would rather not handicap their offense by creating 2-on-1 blocking situations, surprisingly, Clemson provided little tight end help to Lambert in Week 2.

The problem is keeping tight end Michael Palmer in to block takes away Clemson's surest hands and its top mid-range option in the passing game.

Palmer expects to be called upon, noting even chipping Morgan "isn't fun."

Napier said one of the keys to neutralizing Morgan has nothing to do with one-on-one or two-on-one matchups but rather first-down success, keeping "down and distance" manageable.

Clemson was unable to do that Saturday in Columbia, converting 3 of 13 third downs, eight of which were five yards or greater in distance.

"We want Landon to feel (confident)," Napier said. "At the same time we have to do some things within in the game to deal with (Morgan).

"But ultimately our guys gotta go play."

Reach Travis Sawchik at tsawchik@postandcourier.com and check out his Clemson blog at www.postandcourier.om/blogs/tiger_tracks.