CLEMSON ? Kicker Jad Dean is trying to get his groove back.
Clemson coach Tommy Bowden said this week he is close to opening the competition between Dean and former walk-on Stephen Furr. Dean, a self-described perfectionist, has been inconsistent this spring and tends to live off his last kick.
?I think it?s mental right now,? Dean said. ?I?ve got the ability to make, in my mind, any kick they give me a chance. Right now, I?ve got to get some confidence back.?
Because Clemson?s offense struggled last season, Dean was a valuable asset. He made 12 of 15 field goals, including all eight inside 40 yards.
It did not help Dean this week that he was mocked for posing in Clemson?s new uniforms. Dean said some fans, both at Clemson and other schools, posted on Internet message boards making fun of how he looked.
Clemson has since changed the photos on its Web site.
?Everybody?s got their own opinion,? Dean said. ?You name it, they were saying it. I?ve just got to stay away from it now.?
Gaddis adjusts. ?Cat? safety C.J. Gaddis appears to finally be settled at a position.
?You?ve heard me talk about him before,? Bowden said. ?He?s finally starting to play like we talked about.?
Gaddis was initially reluctant to move from quarterback to defensive back after the 2003 season. He had also expressed an interest playing wide receiver.
?I?m excited about myself,? Gaddis said. ?I?m more bought into it than ever before. That?s probably a big thing behind a difference in my play.?
The future? Future Clemson tailback James Davis attended practice Friday as part the program?s weekend high school coaches? clinic. About 300 high school coaches attended.
Multiple duties. Offensive lineman Roman Fry will settle on a position after spring practice. Chip Myrick missed this week with an undisclosed injury, so Fry shifted from center and has been playing left guard.
?He might be one of the best two guards,? Bowden said. ?(Center) Dustin Fry is doing pretty good right now, and that allows us a little flexibility to move him over. We need to find out if (backup center) Clint LaTray can play or not.?
Extra points. Freshman wide receiver Aaron Kelly made a diving 25-yard catch. ?He made the best catch maybe this spring of everybody, but he hasn?t done it very much,? Bowden said. ... Clemson scrimmages this morning at Memorial Stadium. The session is closed to the public. ... Wide receiver Curtis Baham sat out with a sprained ankle. ... Bowden hopes basketball player Olu Babalola?s injured ankle will be healed Monday to test his catching abilities as a tight end.
? Jon Solomon