Friday Email Bag

by Mickey Plyler - Radio Host - Fri May 20 09:46:43 GMT-04:00 2016

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,

While watching the clips of the record breaking overtime performance of Steph Curry, I was reminding of CJ Spiller's time at Clemson. When you watch the clips of Curry shooting 3's, his teammates would throw up their hands for a "3" just after the shot left the hand the same way that Clemson's offensive linemen would signal a touchdown as soon as CJ broke free because they knew nobody would catch him. It seems to me the only missing piece of the puzzle on offense is that true speed that a Spiller or Watkins had.

We know that Wayne Gallman is the starter at running back and rightly so because if he stays healthy, he will certainly reach the 1200-1500 yard mark and we know how productive the receivers are but what about break-away speed?

I know that times in the 40 are sometimes misleading but can you dig up any numbers to compare our current backs and receivers, including freshmen coming in, with times that say Spiller or Watkins had? In looking at recruiting bios for players, I was always excited when a kid finished in the top of their state track meet, especially if they were from Florida and there is one thing that will always be true, speed kills.

Thanks.

Andy

Andy,

Great topic. I don't trust hand held forty times by prospects' high school coaches. Perhaps a better measure of speed are the electronic times at these combines and events held by rivals, Nike and Under Armour. Also, the state track meets are a great way to judge true speed.

Spiller and Watkins were elite speed. I think Feaster has that kind of top end speed too.

Speed is important but published forty speeds are misleading. Austin Bryant and Christian Wilkins have great quickness. Dexter Lawrence runs like a 250-pounder. Gallman doesn't have elite speed, but he rushed for more yards in one season than any player in school history. Hunter Renfrow doesn't have elite speed, but he comes out of his cuts well enough to score three touchdowns in the playoffs last year. Speed is measurable, but Clemson is a better football team now even though Spiller and Watkins are gone.

Mickey,

I love everything Clemson football, but I also love everything Clemson, including the history. Your column a few weeks ago about naming streets after the "hero's" at Clemson was great!

With the baseball team doing well and golf having a great season, I was thinking about the best coaches and teams regardless of sport. Penley has got to be up there with Ford, Wilhelm and Leggett as far as a winning coach that made Clemson and their names synonymous. I would love to read a column where you talk about the best of the best, regardless of era and sport that make this little town in the hills special.

Thanks for what you do!

87Tiger

87Tiger,

I have done some of this in the past and will do more in the future. I love talking and writing about the great figures that made this place special. I told Sam Blackman the other day that he needs to write a book on Bill Wilhelm because there are hundreds of great stories out there on him. I try to learn as much as I can from as many of these greats as I can. I spent some time this week with Billy Ware, who played and coached here at Clemson and came away with some great stories. Perhaps I can share some more of these in the near future. Thanks for the kind words and ideas.

The Brad Hughes All-State Insurance Agency

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