Friday April 06, 2007

Friday E-Mail Bag

Friday E-Mail Bag
Each Friday I publish your comments and answer your questions. To submit a comment or questions please e-mail me at mickeyplyler@hotmail.com.

Mickey,
I was just curious as to what Etta Etta-Tawo status was after the heart troubles he experienced this past season. Thank you.
Chris

Chris,
As you know he has an enlarged heart. It is my understanding that the complications from that condition will not allow him to play football again. I think he is still in school and doing well.

Mick
Who is going to be the next head football coach at Clemson?
Watson

Watson,
It’s elementary isn’t it? Just kidding. Sorry for the joke at your expense. The best case scenario would be for Bowden to last another 10 years in Clemson and turn it over to a young assistant like Dabo Swinney, David Blackwell or Billy Napier. Those guys should be ready by then.

By the tone of the e-mail I take it you mean sooner than 10 years. I don’t think anyone really knows that answer. I would say Terry Don Phillips has a good list in his mind if Bowden retired, left for another job or he got rid of him. I have no idea who that may be.

I do know that Bowden has bigger plans for Dabo Swinney. In fact, Swinney would have been the offensive coordinator if Rob Spence would have gone to Minnesota.

Bill Parcells is now available, right?

Mickey
Did I hear an Olympic sport coach at Clemson is gone? If so, any idea who it is?
Gene
Class of 81

Gene,
You have some good sources. I hear they have removed a head coach in an Olympic sport but they have not announced it yet. I am not sure what they are waiting on but I won’t say which sport it is until they announce it. I would think they would have to say something soon. Just to ease your mind, it is not a sport anyone really cares about. In fact, in my nine years of radio and one year if this blog no one has ever asked the first question about this sport. Jack Leggett, Larry Penley, Trevor Adair, Bob Pollack and the more popular coaches are fine. Please understand that my sources asked me not to say who it is until they announce it but yes there has been an Olympic sport head coach that has been let go.

Can Lucas Glover win The Masters? What other Tiger players have a chance in the future?
Sammy

Sammy,
I think Lucas can eventually win one. I know he has a chance this year and hopefully he will continue to get more comfortable being in this position. I think he can definitely contend and eventually win a major.

I think all of the current guys on the tour that are former Tigers have a chance. If Jonathan Byrd could ever get healthy I think he has the composure needed. Coach Penley and Coach Byrd have high praises for Sam Saunders and Kyle Stanley from this year’s team.

Mickey,
I am a Gamecock and want to know your thoughts on our team next season. I know you like Coach Spurrier and we had a great recruiting class. Can we win the SEC soon? 10-2 next year?
Billy

Billy,
The talent level has improved with this last class. I think they really helped themselves at defensive end, defensive tackle and wide receiver.

Next year the running backs should be the strength of your offense. I think Mitchell will have another solid year under center. The wide outs will miss Rice but they have enough talent there to consider it a solid unit. The tight ends are average. In my opinion, your offense will go as far as your offensive line takes it. If they develop this offense could be good.

I think you will be much improved along your defensive line. Brinkley was special at Mike last year and he will be a terror. Your secondary will be about what it has been in recent years.

I think Succop is a very good kicker and I think your return game will improve.

However, your schedule is brutal. You have to go on the road to Georgia, LSU, Tennessee and Arkansas. You also have a road game at North Carolina and who knows how that will turn out. Your home game with Florida is difficult and I know you beat Clemson last year but that should be another close one.

As to winning the SEC next year, I don’t think it will happen. I am not sure it will happen anytime soon. You are right when you say I like Spurrier and this is not a slap at him or USC. Instead it is a compliment to USC. I think you cannot lose more than two games in the SEC and make it to the title game. Every year you play Florida, Georgia and Tennessee. Your West opponent is Arkansas and you rotate with Alabama, Auburn, LSU and the tough SEC West. If you won the East then you have to beat one of the West teams maybe for a second time. I just think USC can improve but that SEC title stuff is difficult. There is a reason Kentucky, Vanderbilt, Ole Miss, Mississippi State, South Carolina and Arkansas have not won the title since they went to a championship game.

Can my Panthers move up to get Gaines Adams in the draft? I would love to see him and Julius Peppers on the field at the same time.
Mitchell

Mitchell,
I think the Panthers have bigger issues. I also think Adams will be gone at the fourth, fifth or sixth pick. Tampa Bay and Washington have a need there. The Redskins spent a ton of money on a defensive coordinator and now he needs players.

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