Friday Email Bag

by Mickey Plyler - Radio Host - Fri Oct 31 09:14:54 GMT-04:00 2014

Friday Email Bag

Each Friday I publish your comments and answer your questions. To submit a comment or questions please email me at mickeyplyler@hotmail.com.

Hey Mickey,

I’ve been really surprised at what seems to be a general consensus that there is a significant gap between South Carolina and Clemson this year. Don’t get me wrong, I would not be surprised at all if the Tigers win that game this year, but when looking at it objectively I just have a hard time seeing what has occurred in the season up to now that would create this sentiment. With one common opponent so far, and a 27 point difference in favor of South Carolina in that one (I realize there is only so much you can truly read into that), Clemson being gifted the BC win and to a certain extent the Lville win, while USC blew two games in the final minutes that they were in control of. I believe that both teams have significant issues this year, as well as significant areas of strength. In reality, they are both probably somewhere around the quality of a #20-#25 team by the end of the year. I believe it will be a very close game this year, and one of the most competitive ones we’ve seen in a while. Just one man’s thoughts. Thanks!

David

David,

I think South Carolina's 4-4 record is the main reason. Plus the Gamecocks have been awful on defense. Clemson is 6-2 but the offense has not played well in recent weeks. I think if Deshaun WatsonDeshaun Watson
Fr. Quarterback
#4 6-3, 204
Gainesville, GA
View Full Profile is healthy Clemson would be a fairly significant favorite at home. If he is not, then the game would be much closer. But remember there is a lot of football to be played in the month of November and these teams can change their identity between now and the end of the month.

Mickey,

Love your show. Listen to you every morning and have called in a couple of times. I went in the stadium early on Saturday and saw a couple of Gator bowl representatives. I thought the gator bowl tie ins were the Big 10 (or whatever it is called now) and the SEC. My question, is there any chance we could go to the Gator Bowl if we are passed up by better bowls?

Mike

Mike,

The new agreement says over the next six years the Gator Bowl gets the ACC three times and the Big 10 three times. The SEC is a permanent opponent for the next six years. Hope this helps.

Mickey,

No question, the Clemson defense is very good, but considering the competition, how good?   No question, the offense without the super frosh Watson is not so good but how are the defenses the Tigers have faced with Cole StoudtCole Stoudt
Sr. Quarterback
#18 6-4, 231
Dublin, OH
View Full Profile at the helm?    For me, I would reserve judgment on calling the defense great until they are tested by Georgia Tech and South Carolina.   On offense, I would not call the offense bad until a real offensive line shows up because the past couple of games, they were horrible at best.  Certainly there were several reasons the O-line was bad Saturday and certainly Stoudt made some bad decisions Saturday.   I seem to remember 2 or 3 years ago when fans were yelling for Chad KellyChad Kelly
RS Fr. Quarterback
#11 6-2, 210
Buffalo, NY
View Full Profile and Boyd was running for his life because the O-line was so bad and picture how Stoudt might have felt?   Please give us the offensive and defensive rankings of Louisville, Boston College and Syracuse so we can get a better picture of what we have seen the last 3 weeks.   Thanks.

Andy

Andy,

Louisville is ranked 91st in total offense and first in total defense. Boston College is ranked 66th in total offense and ninth in total defense. Syracuse is ranked 87th in total offense and 42nd in total defense.

Mickey,

Is there any reason to believe that DeShaun Watson will not return by the Georgia Tech game? I really think our offense is going to have to score some TDs for us to beat the Yellow Jackets. I know Cole Stoudt is doing his very best under difficult circumstances, but it is clear that he is simply not as mobile as Watson, nor can he make the deep pass.

Kindest Regards,

Kirk

Kirk,

With Dabo its hard to tell with injuries. He is so optimistic. My usual guideline is that if he says 3-4 weeks, it will be 4-5 weeks. I did talk to someone on the medical staff this week and they told me it is too early to tell when he will be back. I still think we will see him at Georgia Tech.

Hi Mickey,

I'm a long time listener and long time Clemson fan. I have been coming to games since I was one year old during the 1981 season and have missed less than ten home games in my life. I truly grew up learning life lessons with Clemson football. I remember as a child when an opposing player went down to injury the entire stadium went quiet. Whether the player ended up getting up and walking off the field or being taken out on a stretcher the crowd always applauded. I remember as a child thinking that this was counter-intuitive to cheer for a great opposing player who may now come back in the game. Wouldn't it be better if the player was out of the game for good? At some point in my childhood it dawned on me that the fans valued humanity over the game. They truly cared about the young men on the field for more than just their performance. This was a life lesson that I try to incorporate in all parts of my life. The value of a person is not in their capabilities but in their existence. We are all wonderfully made.

Last year during the Georgia game this love for these young men was tested. We were introduced to a manipulation of the effectiveness of our offense by means of faking injuries. This is one of the most vile forms of deceit because it does not only cheat the opposing strategy but also future injured players. It removes the reverence that we have for the fallen. Eventually, this must be addressed by rule change but until that time we must remember who we are as people.

As I think back to my childhood I realize that I probably would have learned to value others in other parts of my life but I don't know if it would have been the same. There is a lot of strength in a young child seeing 80,000 people caring for the opposition.There is a lot of strength in a child learning this type of group lesson. When a child grows up in a stadium where 80,000 boo "the practice of faking injuries" will they be able to see that the crowd still values the individual? Or will they see vitriol and hatred for the opposition? I hope that the 80,000 faithful continue to show children in their company the higher path. I hope we can realize that the frustration of a fake injury is not a higher cause than showing love to the players on the field whether they are dressed in orange or not.

Ryan

Ryan,

It would be nice if we knew the extent of an injury. It is hard to tell the intent. I don't boo them but I don't like the attempt to deceive either. This is something that will not go away unless we get a rule change and I don't see that happening.

Mickey,

I have heard the cole had a fracture in his shoulder which is why his play/decision making is off. He does kind of remind me of injured Kyle ParkerKyle Parker
Quarterback (2008 - 2010)
#11 6-1, 200
Jacksonville, FL
View Full Profile .

Have you heard this?

Thanks

Go tigers

Ty,

I think Stoudt is injured. I can see why his physical performance would be down but I am not sure how this affects his decision making.

Mickey, one question and one comment. Can you tell me why Clemson is only on ESPNU and not on other channels? Some of us don’t have that package on our cable.

Comment, I sure do miss Pete Y. and Will M. on the radio. I think Jim Phillips and Pete is worthy of being called the “voice of the tigers” not sure Don M. needs to be called that yet. In my opinion he does not have the excitement that Pete had. Do you know what this change was made?

Thanks for all of your good work.

Jim

Jim,

The ACC TV agreement is with ABC/ESPN and the networks get to pick which games they want. I can't believe that the Tigers have been on ESPNU this many weeks in a row. This will obviously change next Thursday night with the ESPN game.

On the radio front, I think Dan RadakovichDan Radakovich
Director of Athletics
View Full Profile wanted to make a move and wanted a full-time employee as the play-by-play guy. That is my best guess.

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#98 6-2, 310
Thomasville, GA
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Spartanburg, SC
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