Tommy is the Bowden to watch this season

By Jim Morris  |   Thursday, June 29, 2006  |  Comments( 11 )

Clemson Tigers
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Since the mid to late 80's Bobby Bowden has reloaded more ammunition in his Seminole rifle than Ted Nugent on an elk hunt. When other schools across the nation are laying the foundation for a rebuilding project, Papa Bowden and the Florida State Seminoles reload. To reload and not rebuild is why the Seminole are perennially considered to be one of the nation's best. Whether it's coaching, recruiting in a talent filled state or a combination of both, Florida State reloads as well as any school in the country. With a rebuilding project completed in South Carolina and the return of seventeen starters it seems one of Papa Bowden's boys is in position to reload his Clemson Tigers squad in 2006.

Entering his eigth season in Clemson, Tommy has his Tigers poised to improve on an 8-4 record from a year ago and compete for the ACC's Atlantic Division Title. Despite dropping four games last season, the road from a Top 20 to a Top 5 finish for Clemson was only 14 heartbreaking points away. In their first defeat of the 2005 season, the Tigers fell to Miami 36-30 in triple overtime. Tired and distraught from that emotional loss, Clemson fought with Boston College a week later before finally falling to the Eagles 16-13 in overtime. A loss to Wake Forest and Georgia Tech by a combined total of 5 points in October proved to be the catalyst for a four game win streak that ended the 2005 season. That streak included convincing wins over Florida State, in-state rival South Carolina and Colorado in the Champ's Sports Bowl.

For Tommy and Clemson the first bullet to be loaded will be at the quarterback position. Dependable and sturdy Charlie Whitehurst has completed what seemed like 10 years of eligibility and is on to the NFL. Now it's up to Will Proctor, a 6'2", 205 pound senior from Winter Park, Florida to fill the role as the Tiger signalcaller. A mobile quarterback who has also seen action at wide receiver for the Tigers, Proctor should add to what is an offense full of weaponry. Proctor does have some experience as he filled in for Whitehurst and guided Clemson to a win over Duke last season. Up front, Proctor will have the security of all five linemen returning. At running back, it could be the ACC's best with tailback James Davis, who played last season as a true freshman racking up 879 yards and 9 touchdowns. Alex Pearson, also a sophomore, will line up at fullback but with his 255 pound frame, the former linebacker will be used an extra blocker. At wide receiver Bowden's Tigers return two sophomores in Aaron Kelly and Rendrick Taylor as well as senior Chansi Stuckey.

Defensively, the Tigers could be one of the ACC's best units. Another dominant season by defensive end Gaines Adams and middle linebacker Anthony Waters could take some pressure off an inexperienced secondary that has to replace both cornerback positions.

With five sophomores topping the depth chart on offense, eight on defense and an incoming class filled with talent, Tommy and the 2006 Clemson Tigers have reloaded and are ready to hunt. The hunt gets under way early with back to back games against Florida State and Boston College in Weeks Two and Three. A fast start in September and Tommy will be the Bowden to watch in November.

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