Friday August 18, 2006
Friday Mail Bag
One quick note-What a great day we have ahead of us. My TV will be hot with the PGA Championship with Lucas Glover leading and Tiger and Phil paired together and the Yankees Red Sox have a double header. This is a great sports day.
Mickey,
First of all, I enjoy the show every afternoon & also the new blog. Reading about your recent analysis of football staffs got me to thinking about all the people that are behind the scenes. While getting my BS & MS I have had the privilege of working as part of the Clemson Football staff on two occasions as an intern in recruiting during 2003 and an intern in football operations in 2005. Both occasions have produced some of the best experiences in my life, as you probably know the hours are really long & the work is sometimes tedious. But the payoff & gratification is AWESOME after a win or after a big recruit signs his letter of intent & you know your everyday tasks played a small part in those results. With that said no game, practice, official visit weekend, or football camp could be possible or successful without the people doing the work behind the scenes. I don’t say this to pat myself on the back but to bring some recognition to Andy Johnston, Donald Hymel, Jill Williams-Wilks & every member of the football staff. It would be interesting to hear your thoughts or stories about these parts of a program. Along with the great coaching staff these people help make the Tigers a success & I look forward to seeing how the ’06 season turns out!
Andy
Andy,
Thanks for the e-mail. I think you made great points about the complete team effort. I will write a blog about the support staff soon. Thanks for the information. Your insight was very interesting.
Mick,
How much does Billie’s injury hurt?
Mike
Mike,
It hurts because Billie was playing his best football. He had an off year last year but really came on this camp. Now Clay has to get a sense of urgency. If he does, I think they will be OK. Clay has to learn to play his assignments better.
Mickey,
On behalf of our students and members of the Class of 1955 I would like to
thank you for the support. Our students and alumni are doing an amazing job
of helping re-establish a unique tradition that is an important part of the
Clemson Experience.
Johnny
Johnny,
Keep up the good work. You guys are awesome.
Hi Mickey,
I really enjoy your show in the afternoon and I listen to Will and those guys in the morning.
This is something that you may have already discussed on your show that I missed. How do you feel the Gamecocks will do in football this season? Looking at the twelve game schedule I believe we will go 6 and 6,maybe 7 and 5. I would really like to see us be more successful than that but realistically I believe that's where we will be. Maybe I will be wrong.
That guy Walt (Don't have a clue how to spell his last name) is such a joy to listen to. He has a vast knowledge about all sports it seems. I like to hear what he has to say every Thursday.
I am glad football season is here, love this time of year!
Thanks for your time and I hope you have a good week.
Andy
Andy,
Thanks for the e-mail. I think USC will go 7-5 or 8-4. They will score more points this year and the schedule is manageable. I thin 8-4 sounds about right.
Mickey,
I'm a big fan of your show and of your blog. I'm also a '94 Clemson grad and season ticket holder. I took my boys, 5 & 7 to fan day, and, while pleased with the turnout, I was a little disappointed with some of the fans, and with the fact that my boys didn't get to meet some of their favorites. I hate to see grown men pushing little kids in order to get autographs for themselves. Don't get me wrong, I was just as excited as my boys to be in the presence of those guys, but when my boys outgrow Fan Day, I'm done. I think it should be more about the kids. My boys were just as excited about standing beside Nick Watkins for 5 seconds as they were the signature on their jersey. I question the motive of some of these adult autograph seekers and wonder if the signatures are put away to sell on Ebay later, if the player pans out.
I wonder what your thoughts on 2 separate days would be - one for IPTAY members and one for the general public. As a monetary supporter of the football program, I just hate the fact that if my boys want a James Davis, CJ Spiller, or Will Proctor encounter / autograph, they can't get it due to the lines. Do I have a valid point or should I just be thankful that this is where our program is?
I would appreciate your input. ---Thanks, Austin
Austin,
I have never understood adults getting autographs. I can understand getting your picture made with someone. I doubt they would ever have 2 fan days.
Mickey, I know it is a few days late but...great recruiting and Spiller and Davis generated the turnout. The amount of people trying to get Davis and Spillers autographs were insane. If you suffer from crowd related panic attacks then you should've stayed at home! I really felt bad for Spiller because the line for his was more like a mob seen. If he can handle that crowd with the grace that he did, then running through Fla State and the communist Gamecocks should be an easy task. I just wonder if in future fan days if the staff could help the players by making the lines a little more organized. I'm not saying things got out of hand because Clemson fans tend to be the best fans in the world but I think Spiller could have used a little more breathing room. Thanks or the best blog on the net and as always, enjoy your show. Thanks, Aaron in Pickens
Aaron,
I felt it was a little stuffy for those guys also. I hope no fans got hurt. I thought the players were great and extremely patient.
Mickey,
I went to Clemson 83-86 and then moved to California where I have been ever since…Coto de Caza, CA
I am taking my wife to Boston for the BC football game and we can’t wait…
I am curious how many Clemson fans are projected to be in Alumni Stadium and what percentage of the total crowd that will be…
Back in my day we went to Chapel Hill, Raleigh, Kentucky, etc and were a lot louder than the home crowd…
I hope that is going to be the case this year at the BC game…
Can’t wait!!!
Dean
Dean,
I think Clemson will; have at least 8,000 in Boston. Their stadium only holds about 45,000.
Mickey, love your blog! One of the best things about TigerNet.
We've been sitting in Section H Row W for over 30 years -- 33 to be exact and I was wondering with all the West End Zone construction, etc. if any enhancements have been made or are planned to the sound system?
The new screen on the Hill is better but I was disappointed last year with the sound system. Sometimes you just can't hear or is just doesn't sound good. Especially when you compare it to the sound of the Braves and Turner Field in Atlanta.
It seems like speakers in the West End Zone would help.
Thanks for your response. Feel free to put this in your Friday e-mail blog.
Go Tigers!!!!!!!!
Frits
Frits,
I usually do not notice but I have heard people complain. I would e-mail Terry Don Phillips if I were you. I think he would like to hear your concerns.
Hey bud,
Hope you are doing well. Had a couple questions for ya.
Number one; By the first game, if you had to say 1 way or the other. Does Sapp and Cumbie make 2nd team in your mind?
Ok, next question.....I miss those days of the dominate DT at Clemson(Buckner, McGlocton, Perry etc...) I think the key to our Defense this year will be the tackles. How good can they be? I worry about that some. Your thoughts?
Thanks,
WP
WP,
I think Sapp and Cumbie play in the first game but I am not sure they will be second team by then. Scott, Jackson, McKissic, Clark, Etta-Tawo and Murchison are as talented a group of defensive tackles as Clemson has had in a few years.
Mickey, All the Georgia games you have been to, did you ever sit in the actual stands? or in the press box? Buddy I have been to only 2 games and will never go back, those people are just plain crazy drunks. Enjoying the show via the internet. T.Gentry
T.,
I enjoyed Athens. It is my favorite road trip. I have never had too much of a problem in Athens and I have never sat in the press box.
Mick,
Just a response to your blog about as to why such a crowd Sunday. I think it is because there is so much energy around this team this year. For a coach that has received so much criticism, fans are beginning to realize he has the Tigers on the verge of something special. I took my family to fan day for the first time this year. I always intended to in the past, but this year felt different, and I had to have my family there. The players were very classy, often picking my 6 year old daughter, and sitting her on the table to sign her shirt. James Davis impressed me with his attitude; he not only seemed willing to sign autographs, and take pictures, but to truly enjoy it. Bottom line is something special is in the air at Death Valley, and the fans, players, and coaches all feel it.
Thanks,
Jeff
Jeff,
Thanks for the input. That is great to hear about the players’ attitude. I think Bowden ahs recruited some great people.
Hey Mickey,I enjoy your blog. I took my son and daughter yesterday and we enjoyed the day.My 5 yr old got all the autographs he wanted, plus a t-shirt so he was happy. My 18-month-old daughter could have cared less, but if that TIGER got any closer she was going to scream her lungs out.On the crowds. It’s ashamed that my 5 yr old has to battle grown men and women out to make a buck. I saw multiple adults carrying 5-10 helmets and balls. I'm sure Ebay will be loaded with Davis/Bowden/ etc autographs. The more star power, the more autograph seekersOn the players. I think Clemson/Bowden should be proud the way the players acted toward my son. Thanks to those guys for taking time to spend a few minutes with my son. He enjoyed the autographs and REALLY enjoyed the photo time.Thanks Mickey, Todd
Todd,
Thanks for the info. I wish the kids could jump to the front of the lines like the express pass at Disney World. I wish it were illegal to sell autographs. I am glad the players showed class.
Mickey, I just finished reading your blog entry titled COACHES CARE and want to comment on coaches who care about their players.
Last year my son started playing Pop Warner football, and had the greatest experience with the head coach. His coach loved each one of the kids, and it showed. He was patient with the kids who were less talented and took into account different skill levels when it came to his standards. He learned all the players names in his first week. He worried about kids who were hurt or injured, letting the assistant take over coaching to check on the individual player. The parents loved the guy too. Consequently, the team went 9-0 without giving up a single point all season.
This year, my son has moved up to a coach who loves the team, but couldn't care less about the individual players. He doesn't know the players names and doesn't really seem to care, except for a few stars. He will line up a first year player against an experienced guy who outweighs him by 25 lbs., then chastise the first year player for not keeping the block, asking him if he wants to quit.
The approach has been quite different and I believe the results will show on the field. While both coaches care about the team, only one seems interested in the players.
I believe Tommy Bowden Wants what is best for the team AND the individual players. It is a fine line to walk, and I am sure that Tommy will always put the team first over individual needs, but it is important to have a coach that is transparent in his compassion for his players. I am glad to hear that Tommy cares.
Thanks,
Tigersense
Tigersense,
Thanks for the e-mail. I can tell in five minutes of a little league coach is there for the right reasons. I know Bowden and his staff have the players’ best interest.
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