Clemson’s Kelly an unworthy scapegoat

By Marc Hudgens  |   Sunday, June 15, 2008  |  Comments( 4 )

Clemson Tigers
Got something to say?

Log In above and share your thoughts on this topic with other fans!

Clemson wide receiver Aaron Kelly has become a convenient scapegoat this offseason for the team's struggles in 2007.

“Kelly's inability to hang onto the ball cost Clemson an ACC Atlantic Division title and a potential shot at its first BCS invitation,” wrote Rivals national writer Steve Megargee. “The misplay tarnished an otherwise brilliant season in which Kelly caught 88 passes for 1,081 yards, three yards shy of the school record set by Rod Gardner in 1999.”

Before that, ESPN’s Ivan Maisel wrote, “He also dropped a pass on Boston College's 1-yard line in the final minute of the game that decided the Atlantic Division race.”

Back it up a second.

True, the rising senior did in fact drop a catchable Cullen Harper pass during the last drive of the Boston College game in 2007. Trailing the Eagls by three, Clemson was in striking distance at BC's 45-yard line with about minute to go. A touchdown would clearly have sealed the Tigers’ first Atlantic Division title and subsequent berth in the ACC championship game.

But to read these and other similar columns, one would think it was all Kelly’s fault, as if to imply that everything else was copacetic. For instance, Clemson racked up just 47 rushing yards on 31 carries against BC. Another example was Cullen Harper absorbing three sacks thanks to a weak offensive line that cost the Tigers 37 yards of field position. Nowhere in Megargee’s piece are those great stats mentioned as possible culprits.

And let’s not forget the sheer production of Clemson’s opening drive of the third quarter, when the Tigers got all the way to a first-and-goal situation on the Boston College 2, only to resort to a field goal after a 3-yard loss on a third-and-goal play.

Kelly didn’t blow it for Clemson; rather, the entire team -- from the players to the coaches -- did. The Marietta, Ga., native is just a convenient scapegoat.
Got something to say?

Log In above and share your thoughts on this topic with other fans! (4)

About Marc Hudgens

Marc Hudgens has been with RealFootball365 since 2007, covering college football, specifically Clemson and Oregon. He also writes for SouthernPigskin.com covering the ACC. He enjoys the acidic wit of Hunter S. Thompson, is a freelance graphic designer and has written several screenplays. He ...
read more
Article Tools Share!   |  RSS  |  Bleacher Report About Bleacher Report