Friday Email Bag


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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,

Could you please explain why we are playing on Thursday and Friday nights? When is Alabama playing on a weekday night? What about Oklahoma, Iowa, Ohio State, Michigan, or heaven forbid Notre Dame? I know ESPN and their money dictate some of this, but there is no excuse for Clemson not to use some of our fiscal muscle to say no. In South Carolina, we are football crazy. We watch middle schoolers on Wednesday, JV's on Thursday, our Dorman Cavaliers on Friday, our Tigers on Saturday and the Panthers on Sunday.

2015 was a great football year in our house. Dorman played for the state championship, Clemson played for the National Championship and the Panthers are playing in the Super Bowl.

I guess the Tigers will be the odds maker favorites in every game except maybe at FSU and we certainly have the talent and staff to win that one. Should be another great year!!

CU87

CU87,

The reason is that the ACC is still clueless when it comes to football. The ACC has two top five teams next year in Clemson and Florida State and two Heisman candidates in Deshawn Watson and Dalvin Cook. There is no way these two programs and two players should play a Friday night football game. Total garbage. The ACC dropped the ball. There are four elite teams in the country in football in Alabama, Ohio State, Clemson and Florida State. Elite teams don't play on Friday nights. That is where the MAC or Sun Belt play. If the ACC has to play Friday nights, let Syracuse and Pittsburgh or Boston College play each other. ELITE FOOTBALL PROGRAMS DON'T PLAY ON FRIDAYS!

Mickey,

After looking at the 2016 football schedule, I just don't see a way for the Tigers to make it to the playoff without an undefeated record. The ACC had a losing record again in the bowls. So, we have to fight that image. I also don't see FSU and Clemson both being chosen for the playoff even if the losing team loses by a point or two but otherwise has no other losses.

Kindest Regards,

Kirk

Kirk,

I think it depends on so many other factors. Clemson will start very high. Alabama got in this year because of the "Eye Test". If Clemson plays well and looks great through most of the season and looks like a top four team, it could lose a game and still make it in.

Mickey,

I noticed and was surprised Kearse didn't get recognized at the banquet. Where the coaches disappointed with the way he played the 2nd half of the season? From a fans perspective, I certainly thought he played poorly. And even wondered if he was given maximum effort, but I'm not in the room or on the field to know the whole story. What's your opinion? I wonder also if the coaches are upset that more of these underclassmen didn't want to come back and give winning a NC another shot.

What are your thoughts?

Allen

Allen,

No one will admit it but I think Kearse did not play well in the second half of the season. It was clear and maybe the banquet was a reflection of this.

Hi Mickey – I have read a great deal since the NC game and as with many fans believe that our program is getting the respect we knew we deserved all year. There were countless posts here at TNet certainly to that effect. What I find interesting is that respect from outside the program has come only AFTER playing (and losing to) Alabama. That is frustrating for me because I don't wish our team to be defined by any other, rather, I want the program to have respect for what it is -- regardless of who stands on the other side of the line of scrimmage. Yes, we were ranked number 1 by the committee and some have argued that that equals respect – but we know that is only a part of the story. Were that not the case, the talking heads would have been singing a different tune leading up to the game. What surprises me is that the media were so surprised -- there was no room for doubt, only certainty about the role of the (#1 ranked) 'upstart' Tigers. Our team has done nothing but step up in big games since 2012 regardless of the opponent – all the evidence was there. No surprise to us fans certainly. But I suppose the spin machine creates its own believers.

I believe the recent additional respect will pay off on the recruiting trail and may give us an advantage in early season rankings – which, if ultimately irrelevant still garner the program valuable exposure and attention. Otherwise – who needs it. The disrespect fueled our fan base and I believe the team as well – without that, we will have to learn to play for excellence for the sake of excellence itself. Perhaps this is the next evolution of our program.

I would appreciate your thoughts on the nature and role of RESPECT in our program.

Thanks for your notes and blog.

I'm Yours, Haynous

Haynous,

Clemson continues to change perceptions. This year was another step. This is a process and this season helped change more opinions. The more Clemson does this, the more the perception will change. Watch the respect they get next season. It will be different.

Mickey,

Ok, maybe I was premature in the demise of the men's basketball program at Clemson as the team is finally making some shots and that equates to playing better and winning. Hopefully, the better play will continue and the shots will keep falling.

As far as the football schedule for this year and which games will be toughest, I cannot argue that from a mile high view, Florida State looks to be best team on the schedule but I truly hope that nobody thinks the Auburn game is not an unbelievably huge game. Auburn is always among the toughest places for any opponent to go to and their coaches, players and fans will see the game with Clemson as their shot at getting back to where they want to be. No question Auburn has great talent, offensively they will be chomping at the bit to face a Clemson team with 8 new starters on defense, and please do not think Kevin Steele does not know how to still coach defense. The theme all during the 2015 season was to believe the current game was the most important and facing an Auburn team looking for redemption and respect is 100% in making that game the most important of the year.

Andy

Andy,

I don't know of anyone who saw this basketball team in December that thought they could play like this in January. A lot of people were wrong.

Auburn will be jacked, and they have some very good players. But they also have too many holes to beat Clemson. Their program is in bad shape in my opinion. I don't think this one will be close. Clemson will win by double digits.

Mickey,

I don't know about you, but I am getting sick and tired of busted coverages. This has plagued Clemson all year long. Alabama sends two receiver to the same sideline right next to each other, and Clemson sends one defender. Where is the coaching in this situation? Shouldn't the CB have called time out. Or even better, shouldn't the coaching staff have called time out. Because neither happen, Alabama is given a gift touchdown. I know McKensie Alexander was out of the game at the time. However, there needs to be some plan in place to divert these over matched situations. Also, nobody covered 88 for Alabama all night long. He scores two TD and sets up another on a long pass. I have not seen anything on Tigernet from Brent Venables about the game or how his lack of pass defense cost Clemson the national championship. I guess he is too embarrassed.

As you know, the special teams for Clemson were not so special this year. I won't get into all the problems. However, I will get into the one that bothers me the most and that one is allowing the other team to return kickoffs to mid-field. This was a consistent problem all year long. Now, a lot of times the defense would hold the opponent, and they would have to punt. Now here is the problem with that scenario. After the punt, Clemson is taking over inside its own ten yard line. Go back and look at the number of times Clemson started inside its own ten. It is amazing the number of times this has happen.

Jack

Jack,

Most teams only show one guy in twins formation but rotate guys and disguise the coverage. Send too many and they come back to the other side. Clemson's issue often was not alignment. They busted coverage after the snap. The scheme was sound, but players made bad reads and didn't play their keys. Venables talked after the game. He was interviewed. He has also been on the road recruiting. The special teams were an issue. You had one player who consistently lost containment and did not turn the returner back inside. He played with a poor technique and lost containment.

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Prayer List

The prayer list is a medium for our community to recognize those that are in need. If you would like to add someone to the list, please email me at mickeyplyler@hotmail.com. Please let me know when it is appropriate to remove a person off the list.

Those who need our prayers include: Jo Ann Bachman, Kenneth Bryant, Pruitt Martin, Got Igers and his family, David Rowland, Leonard, Gillespie and his family, Jim S., Daniel Rosborough, the Huffman family, Nancy Winkler, John Reeve, Vinnie Brock, Kaitlyn L., Susan Miller, Joyce Harley, Steve Proveaux, Jeffrey Greene, the Hutto family, Sherl Drawdy, Caleb Kennedy, Teresa O'Connor, Matt Jacobs, Perrin Seigler, Candee Massee, Lindsey Jordan, Sam Catoe, Tyler Felch, the Nicolopulos family, "the Jacksonville, FL guys," Kim Sims, the Coyle family, Ryleigh Tedder, Steve Lee, Kelly Trakas, Jimmy Moore, the Thomas V. family, Emary Claire Young, Kitty Bowers, Julie Locke, the Scheider family, Lauren Kittles' family, Frank Gentry, Stacey McKeown, Dale Childs, Larry Lentz, Jr., Carl Sharperson, Scott Hannon, William Perry, Tyler Swaney, Lillian, Mark Feit, David Frame, the family of Matthew M. Watson, the Dowis family, Alan Putnam, the Olivers, Lee Tate, Ronnie Abrams, Eddie Greene, the Jackson family, Bill Vader, Jim Taylor, Tina DeWitt, Rock Horne, Bobby Wayne Thomas, Emma and Danielle Carothers, Robert Ditty, Mr. and Mrs. Murray Smith, Millie Heatley, Lynn Martin and family, Michael Pinson, Jake David family, Angie Crowley, Ira,Poly Wells, Dr. Muriel Bishop, Jack Cunningham, Emily Jefford Meister, Zachary Stoller, Aaron Clackum, Pat James, Cortney Moore, William Moore, Angelia and Savannah Anderson, William Ross, Scott Johns, Frank Carroll, Brandon Thompson, Alvin Sammons, Georgine McAlhaney, Glen Davis, Mike Price, Aaron Knight, Danielle Johnston and family, Nicholas Abrams, Lana Kuykendall, Gary, Gary G., William Huggins, Jim Bennett, Chantz Fowler, Ethel McElveen, Michele Gurganus, William Gentry, Lewis Usher and Tanya Sanders, Shon Cooper, Nick Collins, Amanda Peake, Chip Turner, Nick Collins, Allen Steen, the Sturkey family, the Lance family, Nick Chrisley's family, Allison Williams, Lt. Kyle Walker, Summer and Joel Johnson, Nicole O'Donnell, James O. Johnson, Joy Pruett and family, Bill Schmidt, Jack Bailey, Gardner Family, Charles Turner, Kathy Bartholomew, Ray Sanders, David and Robin Blocker, J.R. Ray, Kenneth Kowe, Lauren Sielicki, Jenna Phipps, Mark Lawrence, Jonathan and Jacki Sullins, Peter Laboy, Kat and Carlisle Jones, Elizabeth Galloway and family, Anita McDonald, Willard Harryman, Liz Surratt, Molly Senn, Jackie Shearer, Richard Sellers, Tim Drisdelle, Dawson Bourne, Susan and Mike Brown, Julie Goodman Marshall, Willard and Dorothy Harryman, Justin Jernigan, Jack Cunningham, Mia Daughtery, Tee Senn, Skylar, Joseph Thomas, Mrs. Nelis, Jeanne Thompson, Sean Rowell, George Parker, Levon Kirkland and family, Catherine Sewell, Randy Davenport, David Vaughn, Keith Dalton, B.T., Bill Hilbig, Rita Elrod Hammond and family, Jim McKeller, Tony Alewine, Sharon Storck, Dick Baird, Richard Bagnal, Dustin and Brittany Peurifoy, Jan Allan, Josh Cox, Gregg and Sylvia Lewis, Travis Hamrick, Kaki Harmon, Jammie McKellar and babies, Karen Edwards, Jackson Lindsey, Cathy Hutson Gregg, Kristin Heckman, Jennifer Johnson, Jay Johnson, Lyndsie Johnson, Emily Davis, Hayes Davis, Judy Towe, Johnny Towe, Ken Brown, Elaine Brown, Rhonda Thompson, Tim Davis, Jacob Greinke, Jack Finley, Richard and Clara Crawford, Zach and Griffin Johnson, Israel, Frankie Allen, Bobby Allen, the Wessinger family, the Parsons family, Todd Price and family, Rosemary A Flynn, Dr. Mickey Shealy family, Mr. Gillespie, Bobbi Nicholson, Dr. Matt Stower, Tyler Kemmerlin, Parks Hutto, Patrick DeStefano, Robert Summerville, Michelle Richey, Julie Moore, Ashley Fitch, Drew Moore, Allison Williams, Nicholas Wickiser, Lena Wright, Elizabeth Bruner, Bobbi Simpson, Hammond Family, Elaine G. Duvall, Addison Grace, Bennie Cunningham, Kevin Orcutt, Alan Finley, Keith Wells, Steve Byrd, Jessica Hernandez, Wayne Mullins, Rita Alexander, Tony Osterman, family and friends of Gary Cooper, Tonya Gibson, Mary Carmen Harman, Derk Denton,Tim Vacek, Mike Vacek, Jerry Brown, Phil Compton, Alma Jean Sullivan, Lindsey Motley and our great country and the men and women in uniform that protect and serve it every day, plus their families.

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