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.
Mickey,
I would like to get your take on incoming freshmen. I don’t know if it is a trend or the athletes are simply that much better now, but there seems to be a good number of freshman that are getting more playing time. Of course that comes with need, but seeing more freshmen impact players than I can remember. Some need to grow, so they redshirt. If a coach can sell playing time early, stand a much better chance to get a high profile recruit. Is this more of a trend we can expect to continue?
Stuart
Stuart,
The trend is for more true freshmen to play. They are physically more ready due to better high school weight rooms and development. The schemes in high school are getting better also. The passing leagues help develop skill players better in high school too. So, yes there are more freshmen playing.
The first thing that always is a factor though is need. For example,
Garrett Williams 
Garrett Williams
Tight End
6-4, 215
Orlando, FL
ESPN: 
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may be ready to play this year but depth at tight end is not an issue. I think one of the two quarterbacks may win the back up job in the spring. I can see Cain and McCloud playing next year because depth is an issue at wide receiver. The four offensive linemen are here already and there is a need for depth there. There are snaps to be had on the defensive line, so players like Albert Higgins and
Christian Wilkins 
Christian Wilkins
Defensive Tackle
6-4, 290
Suffield, CT
ESPN:
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will get a long look.
Chad Smith 
Chad Smith
Outside Linebacker
6-4, 215
Sterling, VA
ESPN:
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has good cover skills and can fit in early even though depth is not a huge concern at linebacker.
Van Smith 
Van Smith
Defensive Back
6-0, 170
Charlotte, NC
ESPN:
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may get a long look at safety because there is an opportunity there. If the Tigers add
Mark Fields 
Mark Fields
Cornerback
5-10, 185
Charlotte,
ESPN:
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there could be an opportunity at cornerback as well.
Mickey,
Why are we not seriously focusing on the coach when it comes to basketball woes. All this program needs is a Rick Barnes type coach to get things moving in the right direction. He overcame all the excuses that people mention that are holding this program back.
Thanks
John
John,
Dan Radakovich
Dan Radakovich
Director of Athletics
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just gave
Brad Brownell
Brad Brownell
Head Coach
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a contract extension following last season. Brownell is not going anywhere anytime soon. Any talk of coaching changes at Clemson are just talk. Clemson couldn't afford to fire Brownell right now even if it wanted to.
Mickey,
Long time listener. Enjoy your show. Recruiting question, does
Tanner Muse 
Tanner Muse
Linebacker
6-4, 205
Belmont, NC
ESPN: 
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not remind you of Bill Davis when he was at Clemson. I see a lot of similarities including body type, defensive position and baseball, both above average baseball skills as outfielders. Muse could play SS or OLB just as "Billy D" did, thought "Billy D" played OLB in the pros after years of SS at Clemson. By the way visited with "Billy D" this football season and he could still suit it up. The VP is lucky to have him watching over him. By the way, to us old timers Bill Davis is the original "Billy D".
Thanks
Greg
Greg,
What a great email. I love the comparison. Big-body safety with potential to grow into a linebacker. Baseball ability as well. I love it. Billy Davis is one of my favorite players in Clemson history. What a great representative of the program. If Muse is close to Davis then Clemson will be even better on defense.
Mickey,
My observation about
Chad Morris
Chad Morris
Offensive Coordinator / QBs
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during the season was that he was a bit too stubborn about "doing what we do" rather than tailoring the office to the skill set of the back-up QB. I realize that 3 weeks of practice and a new QB coach changes the dynamics of preparing for the bowl game, but I was hopeful that Elliott and Scott would make adjustments that reflected what they knew about Cole Stoudt's abilities. Apparently that is exactly what they did!
Kindest Regards,
Kirk
Kirk,
I think Morris' system was not a fit for Cole Stoudt. I think they wanted to take shots down field too often for Stoudt's ability. I love the fact that under Elliott, Stoudt did what he can do and nothing more. Great email.
Mickey,
Since the new season is eight months away I’ll ask a somewhat silly question but one that bugs me every time I think about it. What has happened with the paw being used as the O in the name Clemson? I’ll bet 90% of the shirts and hats I see now just spell out Clemson and that’s it or there is a paw under the name. The pictures I see on websights show the coaches, players and even the recruits wearing shirts that are like this. A few years ago I was camping on Lake Hartwell and I rode into town to look around and buy some Clemson stuff to take back to Georgia with me, but the store I went in didn’t have anything with Clemson spelled with a paw where the O is. Have the big companies like Nike, Adidas and Under Armour declared that this is how it will be from now on? I know this isn’t a big deal but I’m just curious. It really irritates me.
Thanks,
Brad
Brad,
Clemson has its official font and logos but I am not sure what the current one looks like. The font in the endzones have changed in recent years but I am not sure if the apparel stuff is Clemson's call or the major manufacturers. Sorry wish I could help.
Mickey,
What's wrong with Tajh Boyd? You see all these NFL teams looking for quarterbacks… you see the Bills really needing one now… You see Rex Ryan go there as head coach and so maybe their may be a light in the tunnel for old TB. I just don’t get it… If anyone knows how to get the ball to Sammy & CJ he can… He was never even given a chance at the Jets… Looked like to me when he was given a preseason game he did quite well… I think he was given a bad shake.. I think he deserves a chance… You would think someone would be in the coaches or GM’s ear at the Bills Camp… I just don’t get it … did I miss something…. He definitely has more character than most… maybe you can enlighten me or at least get someone to drop his name in the right place… I feel bad for him…
Thanks Nick class of 81 (Only missed 3 home games since 1977 Freshman year and was in Tiger band)
Nick,
I am a big Tajh Boyd fan but the NFL is a different animal. Boyd is not the kind of quarterback that many teams the NFL is looking for. He struggles in making progressions in the passing game. His accuracy on the intermediate passing game is also questionable. The pool of available spots for quarterbacks in the NFL is very small. Rex Ryan had Boyd last year and cut him.
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