Ensminger article from 1998 - going into Clemson spring football year 2 of SE's offense

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Two months has been enough time for Clemson offensive coordinator Steve Ensminger to get over the shame he felt when the Tigers offense turned in another poor performance in a bowl game.

But now it’s time to use it as a teaching tool. The spring practice session begins today. “You get over it, but you always look back to the last game,” Ensminger said. “We want to improve on our negatives.” The offensive side of the ball is where the Tigers experienced the most turnover with the departure of six starters. It was also the side of the ball last season that often failed to capitalize on crucial opportunities in big games. Ensminger did defend the offensive unit to the extent that it was able to do a few good things during the 1997 season, his first at Clemson. For example, the Tigers were their most proficient ever passing the ball, compiling a school-record 2,299 yards and completing 60.5 percent (188 of 311) of their attempts thrown. Throwing the ball effectively was an immediate goal that Ensminger wanted to achieve in his first year. The improvement he now wants to see is the Tigers pose more of a threat in their vertical passing game to produce big plays. Only 20 passes, he noted, were completed for 20 or more yards. This will have to be achieved by a new quarterback. Four players will be vying to succeed four-year starter Nealon Greene. Brandon Streeter, a junior, has the initial opportunity at winning the job. He will be challenged by freshmen Woodrow Dantzler, Slade Nagle and Jason Flanders. Of that trio, Dantzler impressed the coaching staff the most during practices last season. “We’re going to give (Brandon) every opportunity, but it will not be handed to him. (The) quarterbacks will be graded every day,” Ensminger said, noting they not only have to set the offense in the right plays, but throw the deep ball. “It’s up in the air. (Brandon) will have the opportunity because he was the back-up. But he will have to prove he can keep the job. I plan on giving them enough rep(etitions) to beat him out. If (Brandon) can hold on, it’s his. If he can’t then it’s somebody else’s.” Another area of interest this spring will be the running game. The Tigers were hampered by injuries, inexperience and lack of blocking execution, particularly at fullback, which saw as many as nine players practice at that position. The coaching staff went as far as using starting tight end Lamont Hall, who has since graduated, to start at fullback three times last season. “I thought we went backwards running the ball,” Ensminger said. “But we’ve got to be able to run the football, be a more physical team and not give up the football.” Ensminger said the goal last season was to maintain Clemson’s reputation for a power running game, which included the fullback taking on linebackers in isolation blocking schemes on spring draws and in the play-action passing game. “There was no consistency there,” Ensminger said. “I think this spring we have to evaluate whether we can be an iso team, or can we be a power team and what our backs do best.” The running backs/fullbacks role was one of those addressed, too, during recruiting as the Tigers signed six players. Also, the offensive line will be under some scrutiny as the Tigers lost five players - four by graduation and Zane Lewis giving up football because of recurring headaches. The projected starting line on the April 4 spring game is likely to be Matt Butler (left tackle), Corey Hulsey (left guard), Jason Gamble (center), Brent Banasiewicz (right guard) and Holland Postell at right tackle. Notes: * The Tigers will practice in pads for the first time on Friday. Saturday will be the team’s first scrimmage. * Three players will see limited practice this spring while recovering from knee injuries: junior WR Justin Watts, freshman DB Aaron Boone and junior LB Howard Bartley. * Sophomore WR Marcus Martin has withdrawn from Clemson for the spring semester for personal reasons. He is expected to be back in school in time for summer practice.

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