So you thought Clemson played fast last season, right? If offensive coordinator Chad Morris has his way, last year's prolific bunch may look a bit stagnate compared this this falls offense.
Clemson began four consecutive days of two-a-days Friday morning with the emphasis on being faster than ever and never letting up. The coaches planned on pushing the players more than any time previously. And the good news for all interested in the Tigers is that the staff, which is also picking up its tempo to complement what they are asking of the players, believes the club can handle it.
"This has been going on like this for the last couple of days," Morris said. "We are not giving these guys an inch to breath out there. It is time to take that next step and take it to the next level. That is on us (coaches). We have to push the tempo. I can't ask for this to be a fast-pace tempo team and I'm back there walking around slow. I have to go fast, too."
The coaches believe by increasing their intensity and how they go about their day it will rub off more on the players.
A few other relevant notes from Death Valley: The young offensive line has impressed the staff, but so has backup quarterback Chad Kelly. The true freshman is mature, is always studying film, and carries himself like he already owns the starting job but without disrespect to starter Tajh Boyd. Morris also talked about Kelly on Friday.
"Chad Kelly really had his best day, today." Morris said. "There is a great drive and a great competition going on at that position right now. They are making each other better"
Of course, Morris was talking more directly about the battle for the backup spot to Boyd. There, Kelly is taking on Cole Stoudt and Morgan Roberts for the job.
Joyner Leading FSU's Adjustment
Daily inclement weather has forced Florida State to change some of its plans for this month, as coach Jimbo Fisher recently opted to move some practices to very early in the morning.
FSU had a few 5:30 a.m. workouts this past week, and each time they avoided the downpours that had become a daily thing in the heat and humidity of Tallahassee.
Junior safety Lamarcus Joyner didn't care. He wanted to get onto the field and practice, no matter when the coaches had it scheduled. It's who Joyner is.
"He is always awake and he wants to play," Fisher said. "He had great energy. He is always like that though. Whatever practice there is, about six, eight, 10 guys on your team that are always those Energizer Bunny type of guys. Nothing ever seems to tire them and he's definitely one of them."
Saga Continues For Miami's Henderson
The strange trek of Miami offensive lineman Seantrel Henderson continued over the last week. Henderson was suspended for a game last season and missed three others because of an injury. He was also suspended during spring practice and hasn't worked out yet this month because coach Al Golden says he believes the junior offensive tackle has a concussion.
And the latest, Henderson was cited last week for his involvement in a car accident. He was cited for driving on an expired driver's license, disobeying a traffic sign, and driving without a license unknowingly, the Miami Herald reported.
Henderson, who is 6-foot-8, 340 pounds and was one of the most highly rated offensive linemen in years, better be careful because 6-6, 314-pound true freshman Ereck Flowers is primed to take his job at right tackle.
Flowers has drawn rave reviews by coaches for already knowing the system, for his physical play and for handling everything with maturity.
"I don't have any apprehension at all starting any true freshman that deserves to be the starter," offensive coordinator Jedd Fisch told the Miami Herald. "Ereck is doing great. I'm really impressed with him. He's running with the ones every day. There is no hesitancy. You wouldn't think he's a freshman the way he's playing."
