The receiving end

Before the season, Clemson's receivers took exception to the notion that they were a question mark.

After four games, it might be a compliment to say they're merely a question mark.

Yeah, it's early. Still plenty of time for this bunch to do something ... anything.

But even to the most optimistic observer, it hasn't looked good so far. The leading receiver is DeAndre Hopkins, whose six catches are behind tight end Dwayne Allen (11 catches) and running backs Jamie Harper and Andre Ellington (9 and 8 catches, respectively).

The ACC publishes receiving stats, but it only goes as far as the 10th-best receiver. Right now, Maryland's Torrey Smith is 10th with 3.4 per game.

Hopkins is waaaaay back at 1.5 per game.

All this talk about productivity -- or lack thereof -- from the receiving position left me thinking:

When's the last time the contributions from receivers were this low at Clemson through four games?

The receivers have combined for 25 of Clemson's 55 receptions overall for a 45.4-percentage of total receptions.

If those numbers sound exceptionally low, it's because they are.

After extensive research -- and no, I didn't have anything better to do on a Wednesday night -- here are the results dating to 1999.

Year/WR/Total/%
2010/25/55/45.4
2009/33/55/60
2008/62/83/74.6
2007/57/83/68.6
2006/53/69/76.8
2005/56/84/66.6
2004/58/70/82.8
2003/78/89/87.6
2002/49/82/59.7
2001/66/84/78.5
2000/38/61/62.2
1999/80/94/85.1

The furthest back I could go was 1999 because of available research materials. But it's pretty telling that the two lowest years in terms of receptions over that 12-season stretch are this season (25 catches) and last season (33 catches).

Through four games last year, Jacoby Ford was the leading receiver with 20 catches. The other receivers had 13 catches combined.

From 1999 to 2008, the Tigers' leading receiver through four games never had fewer than 13 catches.

Here's a look at Clemson's leading receiver through four games each year:

2010: Hopkins 6
2009: Ford 20
2008: Ford/Kelly 18
2007: Kelly 22
2006: Stuckey 21
2005: Kelly 17
2004: Currie 23
2003: Currie 26
2002: Youngblood 20
2001: Hamilton 23
2000: Gardner 13
1999: Gardner 33

The first thought that occurred during this research was: Man could the Tigers use a Derrick Hamilton, Kevin Youngblood or Aaron Kelly. Just someone who can go up and get the ball and do something with it.

The second thought that occurred was: Wow, Kelvin Grant was more productive than I remembered. He had 16 catches through the first four games of 2004 and seven catches through the first four games of 2005. Never thought I'd be saying this, but Grant could actually be a commodity on this receiving corps.

Who are the best right now? I'll take Jaron Brown, Hopkins and Marquan Jones.

Really like Brown's explosiveness. Really like Hopkins' fearlessness. Jones gets the edge over Bryce McNeal because he seems more comfortable.

The most positive thing that can be said about these receivers is there's some upside there.

On to some Thursday links before I head to The Reserve on Lake Keowee and hit the links for Brad Brownell's golf tournament.

(Word has it Brownell is a 5-handicap. Who knew?)

Clemson's receivers should have ample opportunities to shine over the next two weeks. First they get North Carolina's young cornerbacks. Then they face Maryland, which has allowed 974 yards and three touchdowns through the air over the past three weeks.

The QB situation at Boston College still appears uncertain.

The Eagles, by the way, are averaging 87.5 rushing yards per game. Yikes!

Stud RB Lamar Miller got clanged up in Miami's win at Clemson.

Here's an AP story on the ACC's bevy of good quarterbacks.

Of the last 38 quarterbacks to hear their name called at the NFL Draft, none have hailed from the Atlantic Coast Conference.

Texas A&M has had more than that.

Heck, West Texas A&M has had more than that.

Times are changing, it seems, in the ACC - which may have more depth at quarterback than ever before, or at least since the advent of the 12-team league.

So far, the ACC leads the nation with 102 touchdown throws, and if that trend holds it'll mark the first time in this megaconference era that the league has set the pace when it comes to finding end zones through the air. The Big 12 has seen its quarterbacks throw for 96 touchdowns so far, the Big 10 has thrown for 93, and the Southeastern Conference has connected on 91 TD throws.

In Tallahassee, Greg Reid is always good for a juicy quote.

One of Miami’s greatest strengths is its receiving corps, led by Leonard Hankerson and Travis Benjamin, but Reid said on Wednesday that he’s “not afraid” of the Hurricanes’ talented receiving tandem. Reid said he hopes Miami QB Jacory Harris throws the deep ball and tests the Seminoles’ secondary.

In fact, Reid said he has been “bored” lately and is ready for a test.

“I think I’m ready for the deep ball, I think I’m ready for all the deep routes – me and [Florida State CB Xavier Rhodes],” Reid said. “You get kind of bored out there, you get kind of tired breaking on short stuff. And sometimes you want deep balls and that’s what we’re waiting on.”

Hey, Mr. Reid. Oklahoma's receivers called. They want to know if you'd like your jock strap returned via regular mail or Fed-Ex.

That's it for now. Time to dust off the golf swing and send some balls to the lumberyard.



LW