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2009 First Round Draft Order

2009 First Round Draft Order
12/29/2008
FOR USE AS DESIRED
12/29/08

DETROIT HOLDS FIRST PICK IN 2009 DRAFT

The Detroit Lions will make the first choice of the 2009 National Football League Draft on April 25-26. The order of the 2009 Draft was announced today by the NFL.

The Lions’ choice will be followed by the St. Louis Rams picking second and the Kansas City Chiefs third.

Draft-order ties are resolved by the cumulative record of each team’s opponents. The team with the weaker opponents receives drafting priority.

Within a tied segment, non-playoff clubs are given priority over playoff clubs. Priority of playoff clubs within a tied segment will be based on their advancement in the playoffs, but they will not drop out of their tied segment unless they participate in the Super Bowl. The Super Bowl champion will select 32nd and the runner-up 31st.

Clubs involved in two-club ties will alternate positions from round-to-round. In ties that involve three or more clubs, the club at the top of a tied segment in a given round will move to the bottom of the segment for the next round, while all other clubs in the segment move up one position. This rotation continues throughout the draft.

2009 FIRST ROUND DRAFT ORDER

#
Club
Win
Loss
Tie
Percent
Strength of Schedule
Opponents' Record
1.
Detroit
0
16
0
.000
.559
143-113-0








2.
St. Louis
2
14
0
.125
.533
136-119-1
3.
Kansas City
2
14
0
.125
.537
137-118-1








4.
Seattle
4
12
0
.250
.498
127-128-1
5.
Cleveland
4
12
0
.250
.572
145-108-3








6.
Cincinnati
4
11
1
.281
.553
141-114-1








7.
Oakland
5
11
0
.313
.520
133-123-0
8.
Jacksonville
5
11
0
.313
.537
137-118-1








9.
Green Bay
6
10
0
.375
.504
129-127-0








10.
San Francisco
7
9
0
.438
.447
114-141-1
11.
Buffalo
7
9
0
.438
.453
116-140-0








12.
Denver
8
8
0
.500
.457
117-139-0
13.
Washington
8
8
0
.500
.479
121-132-3
14.
New Orleans
8
8
0
.500
.496
127-129-0
15.
Houston
8
8
0
.500
.518
132-123-1
16.
San Diego *
8
8
0
.500
.516
132-124-0








17.
New York Jets
9
7
0
.563
.471
120-135-1
18.
Chicago
9
7
0
.563
.475
121-134-1
19.
Tampa Bay
9
7
0
.563
.480
123-133-0
20.
Detroit (from Dallas)
9
7
0
.563
.498
126-127-3
21.
Arizona *
9
7
0
.563
.486
124-131-1








22.
Philadelphia *
9
6
1
.594
.514
131-124-1








23.
Minnesota *
10
6
0
.625
.504
129-127-0








24.
New England
11
5
0
.688
.480
123-133-0
25.
Atlanta *
11
5
0
.688
.459
117-138-1
26.
Miami *
11
5
0
.688
.461
118-138-0
27.
Baltimore *
11
5
0
.688
.521
132-121-3








28.
Philadelphia (from Carolina) *
12
4
0
.750
.488
125-131-0
29.
Indianapolis *
12
4
0
.750
.498
127-128-1
30.
New York Giants *
12
4
0
.750
.502
127-126-3
31.
Pittsburgh *
12
4
0
.750
.525
133-120-3








32.
Tennessee *
13
3
0
.813
.459
117-138-1

* Subject to playoffs

MARYLAND’S JORDAN STEFFY AND NEVADA’S LUKE LIPPINCOTT RECEIVE STUDENT HUMANITARIAN AWARDS AT ROADY’S HUMANITARIAN BOW

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MARYLAND’S JORDAN STEFFY AND NEVADA’S LUKE LIPPINCOTT RECEIVE STUDENT HUMANITARIAN AWARDS AT ROADY’S HUMANITARIAN BOWL

The award, recognizing community service excellence for players in the annual WAC, ACC bowl game matchup

BOISE, Idaho -- Maryland quarterback Jordan Steffy and Nevada-Reno running back Luke Lippincott were honored with the World Sports Humanitarian Hall of Fame’s Student Humanitarian Awards, Saturday at the Roady’s Humanitarian Bowl Humanitarian Awards Dinner. The award, recognizing community service excellence for players in the annual WAC, ACC bowl game matchup, is sponsored by the Idaho Sports Medicine Institute.

Steffy and Lippincott were voted by their teammates to receive the honor and were presented with the award by former NFL quarterback Jeff Kemp, who delivered the dinner’s key note address on “greatness” at the Boise Centre on the Grove.

Steffy, a senior from Leola, Pa. (Conestoga Valley HS), was recognized for his Children Deserve a Chance Foundation (www.childrendeserveachance.com), which aids underprivileged and disable youth. The foundation, which Steffy forged while attending high school in Leola, Pa. has raised more than $50,000 in 2008.

Lippincott, a senior from Salinas, Calif. (Palma HS), gives his time to a variety of charities, elementary schools and hospitals in the Reno area. His efforts are the driving force behind the team having already completed 1,800 hours of its 2,000 hour annual community service goal.

In the bowl’s 12-year history, 26 student-athletes have been named to the annual award recognizing excellence in community service.

The annual Roady’s Humanitarian Bowl gets underway at 2:30 p.m. MST, Tues., Dec. 30 at Bronco Stadium on the Boise State University campus. The game is televised live on ESPN.

About The World Sports Humanitarian Hall of Fame

The World Sports Humanitarian Hall of Fame (www.SportsHumanitarian.com), located on the Boise State University campus in Idaho, recognizes individuals and organizations from the world of amateur and professional athletics who, through their humanitarian efforts, distinguish themselves as role models in the community. Over 40 sports-humanitarians have been enshrined in Boise including tennis great Arthur Ashe, Major League Baseball pioneer Jackie Robinson, NFL coaching legend Tom Landry, the NBA's David Robinson, soccer great Pelé and the Harlem Globetrotters.

The Hall was the inspiration behind Boise’s Humanitarian Bowl and its Humanitarian Awards program annually recognizes exceptional community-focused organizations and leaders from Major League Baseball, National Basketball Association, National Football League, National Hockey League, Major League Soccer, NASCAR, NCAA College Football and other organizations. The World Sports Humanitarian Hall of Fame is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and is open weekdays to visitors and humanitarians of all ages.

Roady’s Humanitarian Bowl

Student Humanitarian Award Recipients



2008 Maryland Jordan Steffy (QB), Nevada-Reno Luke Lippincott (RB)

2007 Georgia Tech Tashard Choice (RB), Fresno State Clint Stitser (PK)

2006 Miami Khalil Jones (WR), Nevada-Reno Matt Hines (DT)

2005 Boise State Lee Marks (RB) / Alex Guerrero (DT), Boston College Dan Berglund (LB)

2004 Virginia Davon Robb (OT), Fresno State Jamal Jones (FB)

2003 Georgia Tech Nate Curry (WR), Tulsa James Kilian (QB)

2002 Boise State B.J. Rode (QB), Iowa State Lane Danielson (WR)

2001 Clemson Nick Eason (DT), Louisiana Tech John Simon (RB)

2000 Boise State Matt Strohfus (FB), UTEP Jeff Seeton (OT) / A.J. Sheppard (DB)

1999 Boise State Jeff Udvarhelvi (TE), Louisville Anthony Byrd (OT)

1998 Southern Miss Lee Roberts (QB), Idaho Joel Thomas (RB)

1997 Cincinnati Fred Ward (DT), Utah State London McBride (WR)

Football Reporters Online Teams up with Southwest NY Restaurant For Super Bowl Party and Live Broadcast from NYC’s World Financial Center


For Immediate Release
Annrose Fumai-Chachkes
Director of Marketing Operations
Football Reporters Online
571-251-0798
Snapshot@footballreportersonline.com
www.footballreportersonline.com
Football Reporters Online Teams up with Southwest NY Restaurant For Super Bowl Party and Live Broadcast from NYC’s World Financial Center
Listen at www.Blogtalkradio.com/Football-Reporters
Hicksville, NY-December 12th 2008: Today Football Reporters Online (FRO) Announces their Live Super Bowl XLIII (43) Broadcast. The Staff of FRO will be Live on the Air from SouthWest NY, Located at 225 Liberty Street in the “#2” World Financial Center building from 3pm to 6pm on Sunday February 1st. This is a first for FRO and our Radio Host Website Blogtalk radio, as no single broadcaster has ever attempted a 3 hour show in any format, much less an on-location show. “We continue to be a sports media company of firsts,” says FRO’s Managing Partner, Dr. Bill Chachkes. “In 2007 we worked with Sports Business Simulations to bring fans of the NFL Draft the “First Ever” streaming Audio and Video of the Draft (13 Hours across two days) SBS’s CEO and FRO’s blogging partner Zennie Abraham will be a contributor to the show via remote live from Tampa, which is the site of this years’ contest.
Also visiting with us live from Tampa will be FRO’s Scouting Director and Contributor to the Black Athlete Sports Network Michael Ingram, and Giants Insider.com’s Ken Palmer (whether the NY Giants are playing or not).
Joining Dr. Chachkes from the “Front Window” of the restaurant as Co-Hosts will be: noted author Wil Mara, who is currently writing a series of Books for St. Martins Press set in the back offices and Locker rooms of the NFL, and John ”JK” Kelly, Jon “Wags” Wagner, and Ralph Garcia, who are all senior contributing writers. Mr. Kelly Covers the NY Dragons of The AFL and The Giants for WFUV Fordham University Radio, Mr. Wagner is also a contributor to CAA Zone.com, and Mr. Garcia covers The ACC, SEC, and The NFL’s AFC and NFC south divisions for FRO, as well as High School football In Nashville Tn. for various local outlets. Producing the show as she does for each “Live on Location” effort will be the talented Slavica Milosevska, who also doubles as FRO’s Senior investigative writer/reporter.
“Those who take the opportunity to join us in person won’t just enjoy the best Southwestern cuisine on the east coast, they will be treated to the “best football radio show they ever heard” said Dr. Chachkes. There will be plenty of giveaways just for showing up, including 3 copies of the “Gridiron Guide to the NFL Draft.” our new Annual Draft Publication. There will also be a Trivia contest (NFL Style) and a live “Ask the Experts” segment for those joining us in person. For the latest updates between now and Super Sunday, check the front page of our website:
www.footballreportersonline.com

THE BLACK ATHLETE SPORTS NETWORK'S ALL – HBC – UNIVERSE TEAM

THE BLACK ATHLETE SPORTS NETWORK'S ALL – HBC – UNIVERSE TEAM
By Michael – Louis Ingram
Black Athlete Sports Network/ Football Reporters Online
 
As we head into bowl season in college football and the NFL playoffs loom over the horizon, it's time to take a step back and recognize former and current players in a unique tribute.
For the past six months, I have been working on this compilation of talent for two specific reasons. One, when you refer to historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) on the gridiron, the first thought most lay people conjure up is that of Grambling State University.
The contributions by its great Hall of Fame coach and teacher, Eddie Robinson, are second to none; which brings us to the second reason: so that, respectfully, the world can know the HBCU universe does not rotate around the Black and Gold sun of Grambling State.
Every HBCU has long radiated its own special light, and their input into professional football's "Good Book of Bad" has so many "John Henrys" singing their names, it puts the Declaration of Independence to shame.
Now we know All – Star teams are always lightning rods for conversation; who was badder than whom and "How could you leave off this guy?" are about as expected as eight in the box on third and short.
But (with a lot of help from some friends and colleagues) we came up with not just a first, second and third team.
Because the dearth of talent coming from Black schools is so firmly etched in the fabric of pro football, we are unveiling the creation of 11 full All – Star teams; offense, defense and special teams complete with an all – Universe bench (taxi squad) which will ultimately bring you to those who we feel are the best of the very best – for an even dozen full squads in all.
My BASN colleagues, Editor – in – Chief, Tony McClean, my fellow Sports MCs Chris "Professor K" Murray and Wendell "MC Good Foot" Simpson and Finley "Doc" Pinkard, Big Play Football's main man Lloyd Vance, Staff Writer and host of Blog Talk Radio's hit talk show, "The Batchelor Pad" L.A. Batchelor, Dr. Bill Chachkes of footballreportersonline.com and some very special guests will chime in as they will also throw their two cents into the pot!
We will also roundtable on some of these picks and their worthiness in terms of consideration for the Pro Football Hall of Fame – in America and as well as our neighbor to the north and the Canadian Football Hall of Fame, located in Hamilton, Ontario.
 
THE BENCH:
The HBC – Universe bench is a 66 man – squad that was compiled of players who have played in every known professional sports league: NFL, CFL, the old American Football League, the Arena Football League, the United States Football League (USFL), the All – American Football Conference (AAFC), and NFL Europe (nee the World League of American Football).
A six – man "taxi squad" for each of the 11 teams with two significant selections, a bench coach and Honorary HBC – Universe member was chosen.
QBS: JOE "747" ADAMS, FLORIDA A&M; MATTHEW REED, GRAMBLING STATE; BRUCE EUGENE, GRAMBLING STATE; JOHNNIE WALTON, ELIZABETH CITY STATE; PARNELL DICKINSON, MISSISSIPPI VALLEY STATE; DAVE WEBSTER, PRAIRIE VIEW A&M;
(Super Scout's notes: Webster led Prairie View to the Black College Championship in 1958; Walton was a solid starter during his career in the USFL; Eugene's strong arm was matched and surpassed by his stronger intellect, as his 41 out of 42 on the ballyhooed Wunderlich test should have had him under center playing in the NFL if they were as consistent about what is required to play the position as their bullshit about who can't play the position)
RBS: PERRY HARRINGTON, JACKSON STATE; MIKE COLLIER, MORGAN STATE; HENRY DYER, GRAMBLING STATE; CLEO MILLER, ARKANSAS – PINE BLUFF; DERRICK NED; GRAMBLING STATE
(Super Scout's notes: Although Harrington never made significant waves in the NFL, he will always be remembered as the man who broke the great Walter Payton's rushing record at Jackson State)  
TE: CHAD FANN, FLORIDA A&M; THORTON CHANDLER, FLORIDA A&M; GREG LATTA, MORGAN STATE; MORRIS STROUD, CLARK ATLANTA; ALVIN REED, PRAIRIE VIEW A&M; CHARLEY FERGUSON, TENNESSEE STATE
(Super Scout's notes: Until the selection of seven foot lineman Richard Sligh by the Oakland Raiders, Stroud, at 6'10" was the tallest position player in the old AFL)
WRS: CHARLIE BROWN, SOUTH CAROLINA STATE; COREY BRADFORD, JACKSON STATE.;  DWIGHT SCALES, GRAMBLING STATE; SCOTTY ANDERSON, GRAMBLING STATE; NATE SINGLETON, GRAMBLING STATE
(Brown was a two – time Pro bowl receiver with Washington; Bradford was part of the expansion roster of the Houston Texans)
LINEMEN: QASIM MITCHELL, NORTH CAROLINA A&T; MIKE ST.CLAIR, GRAMBLING STATE; LAWRENCE TERO "MR.T", PRAIRIE VIEW A&M; BOOKER REESE, BETHUNE – COOKMAN; BENNIE ANDERSON, TENNESSEE STATE; KWAME KILPATRICK, FLORIDA A&M; DEXTER NOTTAGE, FLORIDA A&M; ELVIS FRANKS, MORGAN STATE; CHARTRIC DARBY, SOUTH CAROLINA STATE; FRANK MOLDEN, JACKSON STATE; BOB BROWN, ARKANSAS PINE – BLUFF; ELEX PRICE, ALCORN STATE; ROBERT "BIG BIRD" SMITH, GRAMBLING STATE; MARQUES DOUGLAS, HOWARD; CLETIDUS HUNT, KENTUCKY STATE; ROBERT MATHIS, ALABAMA A&M; ANTHONY COOK, SOUTH CAROLINA STATE; CLEVELAND ELAM, TENNESSEE STATE; CHARLES PHILYAW, TEXAS SOUTHERN; RUBEN STUDDARD, ARKANSAS PINE – BLUFF; MANNY SISTRUNK, ARKANSAS PINE - BLUFF
(A little mix of fame and infamy with the additions of Tero, Studdard and Kilpatrick; you decide what belongs to whom)
 
LBS: LOUIS GREEN, ALCORN STATE; SIMON SHANKS, TENNESSEE STATE; MARCUS WINN, ALABAMA STATE,; LES BARLEY, WINSTON – SALEM STATE; ROBERT TAYLOR, GRAMBLING STATE
DBS: FAKHIR BROWN, GRAMBLING STATE; GENE ATKINS, FLORIDA A&M; TONY STARGELL, TENNESSEE STATE; OLIVER CELESTIN, TEXAS SOUTHERN; RUFUS BESS, SOUTH CAROLINA STATE; GREG WESLEY, ARKANSAS PINE – BLUFF; DWAINE CARPENTER, NORTH CAROLINA A&T;ANTOINE BETHEA, HOWARD; MEDGAR EVERS, ALCORN STATE; TIM WATSON, HOWARD UNIVERSITY; TONY STARGELL, TENNESSEE STATE
(In addition to everything else in his brief but distinguished life, Evers excelled on the gridiron and ran track as a Brave)
STS: MIKE COLLIER, MORGAN STATE; CALVIN MUHAMMAD, TEXAS SOUTHERN; DARIAN BARNES, HAMPTON; ALPHONSE DOTSON, GRAMBLING STATE
BENCH COACHES: ERNEST JONES, ALCORN STATE; GEORGE RAGSDALE, NORTH CAROLINA A&T
HONORARY HBC – UNIVERSE CONTRIBUTOR: P/PK GENE MINGO*
*(I specifically wanted to honor Mingo because he was the first Black specialist to excel in football. In 1960, Mingo led the AFL in scoring his rookie season for the Denver Broncos, and as a placekicker/halfback and punt returner was a one – man scoring machine, leading the league in points scored in 1962.
Born in Ohio, Mingo's opting for military service may have taken college out of the equation, but not his desire to excel.)   
The Countdown      
 
For the teams, I went with a 26 – man roster, for offense, defense, specials and the head coach, applying the same variables as the bench, with extra consideration for league awards and longevity.
 
ELEVENTH TEAM
HEAD COACH – JAMES CARSON, JACKSON STATE
OFFENSE
QB - CONNELL MAYNOR, NORTH CAROLINA A&T
OL – DAMION COOK, BETHUNE – COOKMAN;
OL - COURTNEY VAN BUREN, ARKANSAS PINE – BLUFF;
OL – DWAYNE WHITE, ALCORN STATE;
OL - LAWRENCE SMITH, TENNESSEE STATE;
OL - JOHN BROWN, N. CAROLINA COLLEGE
TE – ALVIN REED, PRAIRIE VIEW A&M
WR – ALFRED JENKINS, MORRIS BROWN
WR – AL DENSON, FLORIDA A&M
RB – RONNIE COLEMAN, ALABAMA A&M
RB – LEWIS TILLMAN, JACKSON STATE
 
DEFENSE
DL – EZZRET ANDERSON, KENTUCKY STATE
DL – PEPPI ZELLNER, FORT VALLEY STATE
DL – JIM OSBORNE, SOUTHERN
DL – LAWRENCE PILLERS, ALCORN STATE
LB – MARLO PERRY, JACKSON STATE
LB – ISSAC KEYS, MOREHOUSE
LB – GUY PRATHER, GRAMBLING STATE
DB – FRANK WALKER, TUSKEGEE
DB – JAMES HUNTER, GRAMBLING STATE
DB – ISSAIC HOLT, ALCORN STATE
DB – NICK FERGUSON, MORRIS BROWN
 
SPECIALS
PK/P – CARLOS LEECH, SOUTHERN
KR – CARLOS PENNYWELL, GRAMBLING STATE
PR – WALLACE FRANCIS, ARKANSAS – PINE BLUFF
ST- CHRIS BURKETT, JACKSON STATE
 
Next Time: We roll with Teams #10 and #9; and if you think there's some great talent out here already, wait until we continue up the ladder to Number One!
 
michaelingram@blackathlete.com
mike@footballreportersonline.com
Lions Raiola Unapologetic to Rude Fans

December 9, 2008

By Slavica Milosevska-Senior Investigative Reporter-Football Reporters Online

The Detroit Lions have been the butt of most jokes these days. Fans may have gone too far in expressing their annoyance with the team by making personal insults. When is enough, enough? Dominic Raiola drew that line when he responded to fans' verbal abuse by making lewd hand gestures in Sunday's game where the Lions, now 0-13, lost to the Minnesota Vikings 20-16. "I'm just so frustrated. I'm tired of being a doormat. For people to just talk to us how they want to talk to us, I'm just not gonna put up with that anymore," asserted Raiola.

When asked if apologetic about the foul gesture on Monday, there was no regret. "I wish everybody out there came into the film room and watched the film, watched the effort put out there. And, yeah, everybody makes mistakes, everybody messes up - and I'm talking for everybody right now - and, yeah, they're paying customers. But we're trying to put some wins on the board and give them something to cheer about. And I don't know what to say, other than what I said yesterday." Raiola also stated, “I don't take one thing back."

The Lions may be the first team of all time to lose all 16 games. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are currently the only team to have lost every game in a season; however, this was in 1976 when there were only 14 games. On Sunday, the Lions were in the same position as in 2001, 0-12 facing the Vikings at home, but that year they had their first victory of the season in game 13.

Raiola believes he is targeted by fans because since he has been on the team as of 2001, the Lions stats have worsened. “I’m just tired of hearing it coming at just me,” expressed Raiola. “It’s coming at me because I’ve been here for years. I’ve been through the losing. Me, Jeff and whoever else are the head of the losing.”

Raiola may be fined for his actions. According to NFL spokesman Randall Liu, the league will look into the situation. Other NFL players have been fined for similar behavior.

This year Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker James Farrior was fined $7,500 for making an obscene gesture to Cleveland Brown fans when they celebrated a teammate's injury. St. Louis Rams lineman Richie Incognito made an offensive gesture to a television cameraman during practice also in 2008. San Fransisco kicker Joe Nedney was also fined $7,500 for making obscene gestures in 2007. Micheal Vick was fined for flicking off fans in 2006, and in his last season, he was fined $10,000 by the NFL then donated $10,000 for lewd gestures to the fans.

NFL MVP Watch

12/09/08
NFL MVP Watch
By Michael Porpora for Football Reporters Online

The NFL season thus far has been a roller coaster ride with inconsistent play around the league. As a result of this inconsistent play and no clear cut player emerging as an elite player among the rest, I believe that if the season were to end today, the Giants offensive line should be named, as a collective unit, MVP of the NFL.

As a cohesive unit, the Giants offensive line is the most dominant in football and has led them to the best record in the NFC. They have clinched the NFC East title which is arguably the toughest division in football, with three games still remaining on their schedule. With the leading rushing attack in the NFL averaging over 154 yards per game on the ground, they could be considered the best we’ve seen in quite some time. They are also averaging 4.9 yards per carry and have 20 attempts of 20 yards or more, which are both tops in the league. One of the most unbelievable games of the year for the Giants has to be the game against the Ravens in which they ran for over 200 yards. The most amazing part of that statistic is that the Ravens hadn’t allowed as much as a 100 yard rusher in over 20 games let alone 200 yards on the ground. With the unpredictable play that we’ve seen thus far, the one constant has surely been the Giants offensive line, who has given Eli Manning a great deal of time to throw in the pocket and a three headed running attack that ranks first in the league. The leading candidates for this years MVP has to be Kurt Warner and Drew Brees. They are undoubtedly having great years statistically but the Arizona Cardinals are playing in the weakest division in football and have had some hiccups along the way, one of which was a lackluster performance against the New York Giants. Additionally, the New Orleans Saints will most likely miss the playoffs and it seems a bit unrealistic to hand over the MVP award to a player on an underachieving team that should be in the playoffs but just couldn’t muster up enough wins.
The offensive line of the New York Giants have been together for almost 5 consecutive years and began to hit their stride late last season and have never looked back. The Giants are the best team in football with the best offensive line, and a not too shabby defense as well. To me the Super Bowl once again must go through New York.

Failed expectations and a lack of team energy lead Bowden to resign at Clemson

Failed expectations and a lack of team energy lead Bowden to resign at Clemson
By John Kelly-Senior Contributing Writer-Football Reporters Online

If all of America were to read Tommy Bowden’s eulogy following his resignation it probably would say “Bowden a man who could recruit the athletic studs to exceed expectations but could never seem to fire them up to fulfill them”. In the middle of his tenth season after being routed by Alabama and back-to-back conference losses to Maryland and Wake Forest Bowden decided to step down.
In an earlier Clemson article I wrote in July I stated that if the tigers failed to win the ACC Title then Tommy Bowden’s seat could combust into flames.
Clemson went from ACC favorite and National title dark horse to a team in turmoil within 6 games. Receivers coach Dabo Swinney will be taking the headset for the remaining games.
I was a possible believer along with the great Brent Musberger on the first Saturday that Clemson could be a dark horse National title candidate. The question all people are asking how did it get so ugly so quickly for the Clemson Tigers after most people penciled them in as the ACC favorite?
Well the definite calling card had to be the Alabama game in which the Tigers were thumped 34-10 and lacked any cohesiveness on the sideline. I know that Alabama team is now current ranked 2nd in the nation and no one expected them to rise so quickly but, it was that game alone that told the nation that Tommy Bowden and the Tigers were on separate wavelengths.
The most disappointing part of their opening game was not on the scoreboard but the mood of the players throughout all four quarters. They seemed in shock and had their heads down the whole game like an emotionally broken mutt. Coaches were yelling at them and they were jabbering back.
Even when C.J. Spiller took the opening kickoff of the second half 98-yards to pay dirt it seemed like the Clemson sideline was energized but never fully enthused.
Bowden departs Clemson with a 72-45 record including 43-32 ACC. He also made 8 bowl appearances and received ACC Coaching of the Year honors in 1999 and 2003.
To make matters worse after Wake Forest Bowden benched Cullen Harper and named high touted Quarterback Willy Korn starter, this was the last straw for Tiger fans.
C.J. Spiller claimed he liked Bowden but never felt that he truly motivated his teammates game in and game out. In the end Spiller pointed out that the players in the end they were not buying into his system. Spiller was also displeased that Bowden refused to utilize his talented backfield every other play and got away from running the football with the success that both Davis and Spiller had on the field in previous seasons.
"He was yelling at us to be leaders and it wasn't working. He did all he could to motivate us but guys weren't buying into what he was saying. And he said a lot of the same things over and over again” said Running Back C.J. Spiller. "He let the offensive coordinator [Rob Spence run the show and we got away from me and James Davis. I think part of the problem was when he benched Cullen” Spiller said.
It seemed like his team was the class of the ACC at certain points while looking like underachievers at other points.
His exit marks 10 years of a Jekyll and Hyde team that seemed to be on the cusp of being an elite team but never seemed to take the next step. With recruits decommitting and James Davis, and C.J. Spiller playing on Sunday’s next year it is going to be a tall order for the new Clemson head man to get the team rolling in the right direction again.
 

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