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Friday September 07, 2007

Friday E-Mail Bag

Each Friday we publish your comments and questions. To submit a comment or question please e-mail me at mickeyplyler@hotmail.com.

Hello Mickey:

I hate to quibble with you about your rather detailed evaluation of the Clemson-FSU game, but it seems to me that "Fewer than two turnovers" should actually be changed to a goal of zero turnovers! We were very fortunate that Spiller's fumble did not result in a score because an opponent with a more experienced offensive line would probably have put some points on the board.

Best,

Kirk

Kirk,

The Worksheet is not a rigid piece of literature instead I see it as a fluid part of the analysis. I just looked at what winning teams do in terms of stats and tried to set a few of them out on paper. If a team rushes for 300 yards in a game then the passing numbers may go down that week that is why I say each worksheet is fluid. Obviously the goal is to have zero turnovers but it is more realistic to expect some mistakes. The offensive line played OK at times but also made a few mistakes. I thought the Tigers moved the ball well for most of the game Monday.

Hey Mickey:

Enjoy your radio show and your blog. Keep up the good work.

I noticed in your blog today you noted that two offensive goals were missed against FSU: fewer than 150 yards rushing and less than 4.0 yards per carry.

The official statistics are somewhat misleading with respect to those numbers. The punt snap that resulted in the safety was counted as -38 yards rushing. If you look at what the offense did, the total rushing yards equaled 170 and the yards per carry average was 4.04.

As a result, I think you can say that the offense met your goals (though perhaps the team overall did not?).

I look forward to listening on my way into work tomorrow.

-Steve

Steve,

I agree but that section of the worksheet I don’t leave to interpretation. I just put the numbers out there and let you interpret them. I thought Clemson ran the ball very well against Florida State. Actually the only negatives I saw in the running game were a couple of fumbles and the penalties on the offensive line in the second half.

Mickey:

The game we played against FSU really appeared to be a tale of two halves. My finger nails took a beating in the second half!

You said in your Blog today, "I also think the game plan changed when Austin and Pilgrim went down. I am not sure you could have a right side of the offensive line of Bobby Hutchinson and Chris Capote and expect to move the ball consistently."

Do you really think missing Austin and Pilgrim explains the offensive lapses in the second half? I recall Barry R. missing a block near the end zone when he was called for a face mask. Frankly, on our last series, I wish we had let C.J. run right against an FSU defense that was aligned to stop us from running to our left. C.J. showed he could outrun them to the corner, especially the way they were stacked to stop us running to the left.

Kirk

Kirk,

After watching the film I am not sure FSU dominated Clemson in the second half. The score was 24-3 with 2:20 to go in the third quarter so FSU did not dominate the first 13 minutes of the period and they did not score the last 11 minutes of the fourth quarter. Field position and momentum rolled up on the Tigers for a five minutes period but besides that Clemson played well in the second half. The defense gave up a total of three drives where FSU had the ball more than four plays and the offense stopped itself with penalties in the second half. Any team in America would suffer when they put in the third team guard.

Mickey,
I was wondering who and when do the game times get scheduled. I feel that not only Clemson, but every home team plays better during night games. The Clemson team and atmosphere that showed up for the FSU game last night and the Georgia Tech game last year (Both Night Games) were a much better team than the Clemson team and atmosphere that showed up for the Boston College game (2005) and the Maryland game last year (Both noon games). I really feel the reason LSU has become a power house recently is because they play many home games or high profiled games at night when the atmosphere is better. Can Clemson schedule interconference or high profiled home games at night ALL the time so the real Clemson team and Clemson Atmosphere show up for the game? Let’s let the nation know the REAL Death Valley is in Clemson, SC not in the Bayou!

Meade

Meade,
Television sets the time on games they pick up for a broadcast. They have up until 10 days prior to the game to decide if they will televise the game. If a game is not televised the home school sets the time of the game. A few years ago Clemson lost a bunch of games in a row at night but they have been on a roll lately. James Davis has much more productivity during night games. I like the night games better especially in September.

Hey Mickey,
I'm starting to have a slight problem with Rob Spence. We saw a lot of stuff last night - multiple tight end sets, lots of motion, end-arounds, trick formations, bubble screens and the like, but what we really did not see was much of a vertical passing game, or even play-action. Spence can be as cerebral as he wants, but there are some fundamental parts to an offense that he just seems stoically against. I might be wrong entirely, but watching the play-calls get so conservative in the second half fuels my notion.

Sure everyone's harping about how Cullen Harper is an upgrade over Proctor (Harper played fine except for that botched snap), but it didn't look like the OC thought so. We can go on about how it really isn't required given the quality of our backfield, but if the playbook and/or play-calling isn't more flexible, we might end up being in the same position as last year.

Just wondering about your thoughts on this.
Cheers
-Apoorva

Apoorva,
There are only so many looks you can take into a game. I liked the Stallion formation and it proved to be successful. Clemson runs a lot of formations so that makes it more difficult for the opponent. I thought Clemson threw the ball down field five or six times but only completed one pass that was thrown downfield. FSU is talented on defense and Harper did not make mistakes. Let’s give the offense a few more weeks to see where they go from here. Injuries and penalties hurt the offense in the second half but I don’t totally disagree with you.

Mickey,
What a night! One thought, Can you please get Philpot and Rhymer to quit asking the question: Have we closed the talent gap with FSU. We just beat FSU for the THIRD straight year. No flukes and the margins should have been larger! I think we have closed the Gap!!!! DEATH VALLEY was amazing! It sure is easier being bleary eyed at work with a smile on my face. GO Tigers!!!
Billy

Billy,

One of the first questions in the press conference Tommy after the game was asked, “Do you think you have closed the gap on FSU?” The gap now is reversed and has been so for the last few years. If FSU is still ahead of Clemson then I hope they stay ahead for the next 50 years.

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Posted by Mickey Plyler @ 10:48 AM EDT [ Comments [1] ]