Hobbled Harper may sitBy Larry Williams (Contact)
The Post and Courier
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
AP Jamie Harper CLEMSON — Before Saturday, no one at Clemson doubted that freshman tailback Jamie Harper would get on the field against Alabama. The only uncertainty was how much he'd play. Now, Harper's status for the opener is in doubt. He sprained his left ankle in a scrimmage Saturday, and team doctors won't know much until he's able to do some running on it later this week. "It's too early to tell," Harper said Monday. "But I'm going through all the training, coming in early and getting treatment and working through the pain and trying to get back as soon as possible." The No. 9 Tigers are in plenty good shape at running back with senior James Davis and junior C.J. Spiller. But the 230-pound Harper had made such a splash during preseason camp that coaches were fully intent on working him into the game plan against the No. 24 Crimson Tide. His size and power give him the ability to pick up tough yards between the tackles. He's shown some deft moves when bouncing outside to take on linebackers and defensive backs. And coach Tommy Bowden has complimented his knack for pass protection — an area Davis and Spiller haven't exactly excelled at to this point. Bowden said he's not sure if Harper will be ready to go later this week, but he said he's not particularly concerned about his availability for the Tigers' opener. "I mean, I'd like to have him," he said. "But right now he is the third-team tailback." Harper said he's going to do "everything in my power" to be ready for the Aug. 30 opener in Atlanta's Georgia Dome. He walked with a noticeable limp and sat out Monday's two practice sessions. Harper has injured his left ankle before: he fractured it in two places in 10th grade and suffered another break three years earlier. He said team doctors have told him those experiences might aid his recovery this time. He was on crutches Saturday after suffering the injury but quickly discarded them. "It's kind of worse if you baby it, so I just kind of stay on it as much as I can and ice it down and do everything I'm supposed to do," he said. He said team doctors will have a better idea of the injury's severity later this week when he's cleared to run on it. "By Thursday, they'll probably know real well what we're looking forward to," he said. This and that Bowden said the starting offensive line is essentially set: left tackle Chris Hairston, left guard Jamarcus Grant, center Thomas Austin, right guard Barry Humphries, and right tackle Cory Lambert. He said the first-team line has held up well against a "pretty talented" defensive front … The Tigers will have the Alabama game plan in Thursday … Starting defensive end Kevin Alexander said he'll miss a few days because of a cyst on the back of his leg … The Tigers will scrimmage this morning at Memorial Stadium before taking Wednesday off for the start of classes. Reach Larry Williams at lwilliams@postandcourier.com and check out the new Clemson blog at www.charleston.net/blogs/tiger_tracks/>
|
Article tools |
|
Notice about comments: Charleston.net is pleased to offer readers the ability to comment on stories. We expect our readers to engage in lively, yet civil discourse. Charleston.net does not edit user submitted statements and we cannot promise that readers will not occasionally find offensive or inaccurate comments posted in the comments area. Responsibility for the statements posted lies with the person submitting the comment, not charleston.net. If you find a comment that is objectionable, please click "suggest removal" and we will review it for possible removal. Please be reminded, however, that in accordance with our Terms of Use and federal law, we are under no obligation to remove any third party comments posted on our website. Full terms and conditions can be read here. |
Comments
This article has 21 comment(s)
Posted by palmettoruckus on August 19, 2008 at 1:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)
FIRST!
Posted by Clemson1979 on August 19, 2008 at 8:05 a.m. (Suggest removal)
LOL. 1:18 am, you are the winner for sure.
Posted by Rooster07 on August 19, 2008 at 8:28 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Clemson needs to redshirt this guy. With Spiller and Davis still there it would be smart to save him for an extra year, especially since the O-line is in question.
Posted by Chanticleer on August 19, 2008 at 8:37 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Rooster - If they even thought about redshirting him, he would have signed with Illinois. Unlike Spurrier, Bowden doesn't lie to recruits.
If anyone is to redshirt it would be Ellington.
Posted by vmid on August 19, 2008 at 8:38 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Rooster07...are you afraid of the running back weapons that Clemson has? It has been said he will contribute...just another one for you guys to worry about. The O-line will prove itself this year, so no need to worry.
Posted by sbs920 on August 19, 2008 at 9:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Q: How can you tell when little Tammy is telling a lie ?
A: His lips are moving. . .
More Orange Kool-aid Ma. . .
Little tammy doesn't lie? LMAO!
Posted by sbs920 on August 19, 2008 at 9:04 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Q:Where is the he11 did jamie get the "orange clown suit"?
A: Tiggers-R-Us Goodwill Store on campus! LOL!
Yo Bro. . . these orange threads are fine, fo-shizzell !
LOL!
Posted by mcfadden00 on August 19, 2008 at 9:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Jealousy is a futile emotion.
Posted by Rooster07 on August 19, 2008 at 10:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Chant,
Spurrier tells recruits they 'have a chance to play right away.' That of course meaning if they're ready to play and the team needs them right away. He never promises recruits they will step foot on the field as a freshman, unlike Bowden. If you promise that, then you have to fulfill that promise whether or not its in the best interest of the kid or the team....all to just land that recruit.
Posted by fantasy5 on August 19, 2008 at 11:19 a.m. (Suggest removal)
We do what it takes, and apparently it's working!
Posted by Rooster07 on August 19, 2008 at 11:24 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Yeah, forget the kid's best interest, as long as you can get him to sign. At least with Spurrier you know where you stand from day one.
Posted by fantasy5 on August 19, 2008 at 11:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Hey, these kids are going to do what they want, and they'll go where they can get what they want. As the above post said, he would have gone to Ilinois if we had thought about a redshirt, HOWEVER we didn't want to miss on a kid like this. He's probably gone in 3 years anyways, so whats the difference? He may not be ready, but he'll be game ready next year when CJ and James split...
Posted by theballsiam on August 19, 2008 at 11:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)
LOL, Tammy never lies? Okay, that may be true (if you're a retarded inbred from Pickens County).
Posted by sbs920 on August 19, 2008 at 12:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)
yea. . . 3 years?
just like the dancing monkeys, blunder and frightning, still here. . .
after both proclaimed " I'll only be here 3 years "
I'm sure Spiller will look back and say, why did I not go to Florida . . . ? ? ? why. . .?
Posted by Chanticleer on August 19, 2008 at 12:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Spurrier said the coots were ready to contend for the east title last year and we all know that was a lie.
Spurrier said that he would not lose to Clemson again, ummmm lie.
Spurrier told a few kids they were coming to Carolina last year and they ended up at different schools, lie.
Spurrier told King he was being recruited to play the d-line, and where is he now, lie.
Posted by mcfadden00 on August 19, 2008 at 2:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Harper was going to play this year no matter what. It's called developing depth at a position. CJ may or may not be gone next year but even if he stays, we will need an experienced power RB in 09. This is why we'll be grooming Jamie this year to be Spiller or Ellington's counterpart next season.
Posted by Nonsense on August 19, 2008 at 3:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)
If "it's working" where is that illusive ACC championship?
Posted by Larz13 on August 19, 2008 at 4:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Bluesteins must have opened a store in Clemson.
Posted by fjms on August 19, 2008 at 7:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Hey sps920,OL David Harding (6-5 285) of Orlando committed to Duke over USC Tuesday according to his coach. Harding made an unofficial visit to USC last weekend. Harding is an honors student, and Duke's academic appeal was a major reason for his decision. "He said he felt comfortable with the academics and with how coach Cutcliff talked to him," coach Phil Siglar said. Harding had 17 offers and narrowed his decision to Duke, USC and Central Florida.
Posted by youmanyo on August 19, 2008 at 10:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The ship is sinking in Cootville .
Posted by dereksmith on August 20, 2008 at 8:07 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Harper's picture in his "suit" was taken at his high school when signing his committment to Clemson.
Where are pix of carolina signees? Oh yeah, most of those are "mug shots"!