Richardson's inconsistency rankles coaches

CLEMSON — Twice in the past week, Brad Scott and Tommy Bowden have directly and indirectly called out senior left tackle Barry Richardson.

A few days after Clemson defeated Florida State on Sept. 3, Scott said Richardson wasn't living up to his billing.

"I want him playing like an All-American," the offensive line coach said then.

This week, Bowden made a point of including Richardson when the Tigers' head coach labeled most of his offensive linemen "soft."

Richardson, a former Wando High standout, does not appear to have played poorly in the No. 20 Tigers' 2-0 start. Yet there's little question he isn't playing at a level some of his coaches — and, no doubt, NFL scouts — want to see.

Richardson's weight fluctuations, his inconsistency at run-blocking and his alleged penchant for playing down to the competition have jeopardized his chances of being a high NFL Draft pick in April, according to draft experts.

"The words 'erratic' and 'inconsistent' are always in the paragraph related to him," said Frank Coyle, a veteran NFL scout who runs Draft Insiders' Digest (www.draftinsiders.com).

"He's a guy that looks like he should be the part, but you're always hesitant to grade him high until he shows he can play 60 minutes against good talent."

When Richardson decided to return to Clemson for his senior season, the primary reason was to become first-round material. Most forecasts had him going late in the second or early in the third after last season.

Mike Detillier, a respected NFL scout who runs the New Orleans-based M&D Draft Report, said Richardson won't be in the first round unless he makes

significant improvement.

"He's going to have to pick up the pace this year, no question about it," he said. "If he doesn't, he's in a lot of trouble as far as being a first-round pick is concerned."

Richardson was not allowed to comment Tuesday because Scott has barred his linemen from speaking to the media this week. Less than a week after saying Richardson played merely "OK" against Florida State, Scott reversed course and said Richardson is playing "pretty dog-gone good."

Scott is shaking things up on the line, giving starting guard Thomas Austin a look at center. Also, redshirt sophomore Cory Lambert has been seeing time at Richardson's spot.

"Barry's a good player," Scott told reporters Tuesday night. "Maybe y'all are not watching the same game I'm watching."

Richardson was showered with accolades over the summer. Playboy named him to its All-America team. Lindy's and Athlon magazines also named him to their first team. College football guru Phil Steele rated him the fifth-best tackle in the country.

After the departure of Dustin Fry, Roman Fry, Nathan Bennett and Marion Dukes, Richardson was going to be the foundation upon which Scott would rebuild his line.

Richardson has started 34 consecutive games since graduating early from Wando and arriving on campus in August of 2004. In 2005, he proved himself by neutralizing North Carolina State defensive end Manny Lawson. Last season, he gave up just two sacks and helped the Tigers finish fifth nationally in rushing offense.

Richardson's 6-7 frame makes him certified pro material at what has become one of the NFL's marquee positions. But how much weight that frame carries creates some doubt about his work ethic and conditioning.

In 2005 and 2006, Richardson worked hard in the offseason to shed weight and improve his run blocking. He lost 25 pounds before his sophomore season and almost 35 before his junior year, but in each case he ended up ballooning past 350 pounds by the end of the season.

Richardson's weight is officially listed at 320, but he's closer to 340. Scott said Richardson "is probably one of the best-conditioned guys we've got."

The NFL folks aren't so sure.

"Is he burning off fat? Why is he putting on fat?" Coyle said. "You're looking for stability there. His size never seems to compute to power."

Said Detillier: "The big question with him is if he can get his weight and conditioning in check."

In the opener against Florida State, Richardson was beaten badly by defensive end Everette Brown on a pass rush. In his own end zone, quarterback Cullen Harper barely avoided a safety by getting rid of the ball before Brown brought him to the ground.

Bowden has expressed frustration with his line this week. He said Austin and right tackle Christian Capote are the only linemen playing with the desired intensity, singling out Richardson by omitting him.

Coyle said the 2008 draft shapes up to be heavy with offensive tackles. Detillier said he would currently rate Richardson behind Michigan's Jake Long, SoCal's Sam Baker, Boston College's Gosder Cherilus and Vanderbilt's Chris Williams.

"I want to see improvement," Coyle said. "I don't see him getting the movement as a drive blocker I want from a kid that size, and I don't believe he's fully tested related to pass-rushing speed. This kid could be all over the map this year."

Reach Larry Williams at lwilliams@postandcourier.com.