[caption id="attachment_157" align="alignleft" width="253" caption="Photo by Richard Shiro"]
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For Clemson, the defense was a major disappointment last year. The defensive line was the strength of last year's defense but may be the biggest weakness of this year's team. In order for the D-line to excel, someone will have to step up and carry the load.
This year, Clemson returns only one starter on the defensive line, Malliciah Goodman. Gone are star players Andre Branch and Brandon Thompson along with the dependable Rennie Moore. Of the top 8 players on the D- line depth chart, 7 are underclassmen and lack much quality experience. Will Goodman step up and pressure opposing quarterbacks?
Goodman will have to accelerate his performance in order to be a convincing opposition. Last season Goodman was as durable as any other player, starting all 14 games for the Tigers. Though he was on the field a lot, Goodman's numbers weren't very impressive. He had only 2 sacks and 4 tackles for loss. He hopes to be more consistent and a presence throughout each games entirety.
“My focus is on being more consistent,” Goodman said. “Last year, I’d have a couple of good plays and then one off, a couple of good plays and one off. So I need to become more consistent with my technique and my effort.”
Goodman has what it takes to be successful as he was a highly rated prospect out of high school. He has the confidence with a goal of 10 sacks for the 2012 season. If he reaches that goal, he will be tied for 6th in single season sacks in Clemson history. If he comes
close to 10, Clemson's defense should do well, but if he has numbers similar to last season, opposing quarterbacks will pick the Tigers defense apart.
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