Swinney says Clemson has "great" situation at quarterback
CLEMSON - Clemson's coaching staff have either accepted that discussion surrounding their quarterbacks isn't going away anytime soon, or have simply decided to embrace the situation with a more lighthearted approach.
Facts SATURDAY
SaturdayNo. 22 Clemson at No. 1 Florida State8 p.m., ABC, 93.3 FM
Either way, head coach Dabo Swinney and offensive coordinator Chad Morris have been more playful this week when faced with the inevitable inquiries regarding future playing time for senior starter Cole Stoudt and freshman Deshaun Watson.
The usually glib Swinney had previously gone on the defensive for Stoudt after the team's win against South Carolina State, calling it 'a shame' that he was peppered with questions about the flashy Watson rather than Stoudt, who had earned the starting job in the offseason.
Swinney still passionately maintained Tuesday that Stoudt remains his starter, and will be into the foreseeable future, while also giving plenty of props to the wunderkind in wait, acknowledging Watson's undeniable skills and mature mentality.
'It's not a controversy,' Swinney said. 'It's a great situation is what it is. I think we're very blessed at quarterback at Clemson. People want to make their own decisions and conclusions and that's what fans do. And that's OK. I don't have a problem with that at all. I'm actually glad that we're having the conversation because, first of all, that tells you that you've got a really special freshman. But just because you see the freshman playing well, now nobody wants to give the other guy any credit.
'We have to evaluate everything. Our starter has played great in two games. That's all we've got, two games. (Stoudt) is the starter and he earned the job. You don't just make people starters because of potential. Fans just see a glimpse of something.'
To say Stoudt has played 'great' in two games is an exaggeration even from the over-the-top Swinney, who has never been shy in handing out praise. Stoudt was the main conductor of an offense that gained just 15 yards and one first down while being shut out in the second half in a loss at Georgia. Of course, he got little help from his teammates while consistently poor field position and an ultra-conservative approach by Morris didn't help.
Stoudt put up impressive numbers against overmatched South Carolina State as the Tigers evened their record at 1-1, but Watson's performance over fewer snaps was even better. Stoudt played 67 snaps at Georgia and 50 against S.C. State while Watson's duration lasted 12 and 24 snaps.
For the season, Stoudt is 38 of 60 passing for 446 yards with one touchdown and one interception while Watson is 10 of 13 for 213 yards with four touchdowns and zero interceptions. Watson is far superior with his feet and there's been a heightened level of pizzazz with how he handles his business.
'Everybody loves the backup quarterback, it doesn't matter who it is, and that's just part of the position,' Morris said. 'We're excited about this. I'm fired up about it. It means we have some darn good things ahead of us. If it goes just like it is right now, this is the way we'll be talking about this all year long. Just like this.'
When a reporter mentioned he was going to change the topic after Morris had fielded multiple questions about his quarterbacks, he joked adamantly, 'Please don't change it.'
Morris laughed as he recalled his earliest point of reference regarding a perceived quarterback controversy in hearing his parents discuss a dilemma during his boyhood days in Texas. Cowboys fans of the late 1970s debated whether it was time for newly acquired Danny White to take over for declining legend Roger Staubach, and Morris' parents would talk about it around the home. Times have changed the forums for such discourse, but the message hasn't.
'That's the talk of the radio, Internet, the fans, and that's OK,' Morris said. 'That's a great problem for us to have. I'm extremely excited about this issue because it means we've got two really good guys.'
'Everything's about the quarterbacks,' Swinney summed up. 'That's the way it is.'
Swinney says Clemson has 'great' situation at quarterback
<p>CLEMSON - Clemson's coaching staff have either accepted that discussion surrounding their quarterbacks isn't going away anytime soon, or have simply decided to embrace the situation with a more lighthearted approach.</p><p>Either way, head coach Dabo Swinney and offensive coordinator Chad Morris have been more playful this week when faced with the inevitable inquiries regarding future playing time for senior starter Cole Stoudt and freshman Deshaun Watson.</p><p>The usually glib Swinney had previously gone on the defensive for Stoudt after the team's win against South Carolina State, calling it 'a shame' that he was peppered with questions about the flashy Watson rather than Stoudt, who had earned the starting job in the offseason.</p><p>Swinney still passionately maintained Tuesday that Stoudt remains his starter, and will be into the foreseeable future, while also giving plenty of props to the wunderkind in wait, acknowledging Watson's undeniable skills and mature mentality.</p><p>'It's not a controversy,' Swinney said. 'It's a great situation is what it is. I think we're very blessed at quarterback at Clemson. People want to make their own decisions and conclusions and that's what fans do. And that's OK. I don't have a problem with that at all. I'm actually glad that we're having the conversation because, first of all, that tells you that you've got a really special freshman. But just because you see the freshman playing well, now nobody wants to give the other guy any credit.</p><p>'We have to evaluate everything. Our starter has played great in two games. That's all we've got, two games. (Stoudt) is the starter and he earned the job. You don't just make people starters because of potential. Fans just see a glimpse of something.'</p><p>To say Stoudt has played 'great' in two games is an exaggeration even from the over-the-top Swinney, who has never been shy in handing out praise. Stoudt was the main conductor of an offense that gained just 15 yards and one first down while being shut out in the second half in a loss at Georgia. Of course, he got little help from his teammates while consistently poor field position and an ultra-conservative approach by Morris didn't help.</p><p>Stoudt put up impressive numbers against overmatched South Carolina State as the Tigers evened their record at 1-1, but Watson's performance over fewer snaps was even better. Stoudt played 67 snaps at Georgia and 50 against S.C. State while Watson's duration lasted 12 and 24 snaps.</p><p>For the season, Stoudt is 38 of 60 passing for 446 yards with one touchdown and one interception while Watson is 10 of 13 for 213 yards with four touchdowns and zero interceptions. Watson is far superior with his feet and there's been a heightened level of pizzazz with how he handles his business. </p><p>'Everybody loves the backup quarterback, it doesn't matter who it is, and that's just part of the position,' Morris said. 'We're excited about this. I'm fired up about it. It means we have some darn good things ahead of us. If it goes just like it is right now, this is the way we'll be talking about this all year long. Just like this.'</p><p>When a reporter mentioned he was going to change the topic after Morris had fielded multiple questions about his quarterbacks, he joked adamantly, 'Please don't change it.'</p><p>Morris laughed as he recalled his earliest point of reference regarding a perceived quarterback controversy in hearing his parents discuss a dilemma during his boyhood days in Texas. Cowboys fans of the late 1970s debated whether it was time for newly acquired Danny White to take over for declining legend Roger Staubach, and Morris' parents would talk about it around the home. Times have changed the forums for such discourse, but the message hasn't.</p><p>'That's the talk of the radio, Internet, the fans, and that's OK,' Morris said. 'That's a great problem for us to have. I'm extremely excited about this issue because it means we've got two really good guys.'</p><p>'Everything's about the quarterbacks,' Swinney summed up. 'That's the way it is.'</p>
Copyright 2014 GoUpstate.com - All rights reserved. Restricted use only.
Post a Comment for "Swinney says Clemson has "great" situation at quarterback"