2008 Woodie Awards
Bowden promises to actually try in 2008
After most amateurs felt they could win the Atlantic Division last year, Bowden admits he didn't try that much.
By: Creswell Curtis
Issue date: 4/18/08 Section: Sports
The 2008 football season should hold immense promise for the Clemson Tigers. With the return of roughly two-thirds of the starters, the Tigers are a heavy favorite to win the Atlantic division and compete for the ACC championship. The offense will use a vast and balanced array of weapons, complementing the speed and aggressiveness of a stalwart defense. With so much talent on the field, one would think that anyone could coach these players to Clemson's first BCS bowl appearance.
However, Head Coach Tommy Bowden isn't ready to give up the reins just yet.
"I wasn't sure I'd even have to try with this group of kids, but, if it means I keep my job, I promise I'll try."
The Tigers have come extremely close to attaining greatness on many occasions. In the last two years alone, the team has come within one game of winning the division, losing a three-way tie in 2006 that sent Wake Forest (a team the Tigers previously beat 27-17) to the title game, as well as losing to Boston College 20-17 in 2007 in what amounted to a divisional championship game. Football fans were left wondering what was missing in each season that could have propelled Clemson to the next level.
"I've asked for facilities upgrades and the WestZone was built. We needed athletes and we signed the second-ranked class in the country [according to ESPN]. There's nowhere else to point but me."
The 2008 schedule includes some difficult competition, with road matches against Boston College, Florida State and Wake Forest.
While these games will answer whether the Tigers have the ability to assert themselves in the Atlantic Coast Conference, any National Championship aspirations will hinge on our tremendous home schedule. Clemson will face powerhouse programs The Citadel and South Carolina State with the pivotal opportunity to showcase their national prowess over such premiere competition.
The results of these games will directly reflect the national title chances of the Clemson football team. Last season, the Tigers beat Central Michigan 70-14. This thumping of a conference champion - the Chippewas won the MAC in 2006 - could only be taken as a sign of our superior football prowess.
Bowden was quick to assert himself as the best candidate this season for taking the Tigers to the top, as well as to justify his salary.
"What's the issue here is the difference between amateurs and professionals.
There are a lot of Monday-morning quarterbacks out there. Amateurs do what they need to get it right. Professionals do what they have to so they never get it wrong. Anybody can win a game, but the great coaches don't lose 'em."
"The pros are expected to get the job done. Amateurs just try. I reckon trying is the least I can do."
Clemson fans will be able to see the fruits of Bowden's labor come Aug. 30 in Atlanta, Ga. against Alabama.
Talent and hype will only get them so far. Fans will see what trying might do.
However, Head Coach Tommy Bowden isn't ready to give up the reins just yet.
"I wasn't sure I'd even have to try with this group of kids, but, if it means I keep my job, I promise I'll try."
The Tigers have come extremely close to attaining greatness on many occasions. In the last two years alone, the team has come within one game of winning the division, losing a three-way tie in 2006 that sent Wake Forest (a team the Tigers previously beat 27-17) to the title game, as well as losing to Boston College 20-17 in 2007 in what amounted to a divisional championship game. Football fans were left wondering what was missing in each season that could have propelled Clemson to the next level.
"I've asked for facilities upgrades and the WestZone was built. We needed athletes and we signed the second-ranked class in the country [according to ESPN]. There's nowhere else to point but me."
The 2008 schedule includes some difficult competition, with road matches against Boston College, Florida State and Wake Forest.
While these games will answer whether the Tigers have the ability to assert themselves in the Atlantic Coast Conference, any National Championship aspirations will hinge on our tremendous home schedule. Clemson will face powerhouse programs The Citadel and South Carolina State with the pivotal opportunity to showcase their national prowess over such premiere competition.
The results of these games will directly reflect the national title chances of the Clemson football team. Last season, the Tigers beat Central Michigan 70-14. This thumping of a conference champion - the Chippewas won the MAC in 2006 - could only be taken as a sign of our superior football prowess.
Bowden was quick to assert himself as the best candidate this season for taking the Tigers to the top, as well as to justify his salary.
"What's the issue here is the difference between amateurs and professionals.
There are a lot of Monday-morning quarterbacks out there. Amateurs do what they need to get it right. Professionals do what they have to so they never get it wrong. Anybody can win a game, but the great coaches don't lose 'em."
"The pros are expected to get the job done. Amateurs just try. I reckon trying is the least I can do."
Clemson fans will be able to see the fruits of Bowden's labor come Aug. 30 in Atlanta, Ga. against Alabama.
Talent and hype will only get them so far. Fans will see what trying might do.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Patrick
posted 4/21/08 @ 6:04 PM EST
These sports articles for this week are hilarious but this one is by far the best! It could almost be taken seriously.
Matthew Warren
posted 4/28/08 @ 4:54 PM EST
Finally.
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