Friday November 02, 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,

C

C,

Thanks. I don’t think they are biased against Clemson. If you watch ACC games you see ESPN announcers making fun of them. They are a joke. Incompetency personified. It is frustrating but little can be done about it. I don’t mind if an official misses a call. I know that has always happen and will continue to happen. They have a difficult job. But here is my list of complaints:
1. Long conference among officials on obvious calls or procedures.
2. Long delays in the replay system.
3. Obvious wrong calls by replay officials.

Mickey,
Okay, you convinced me—my son and I are driving to Durham on Saturday from Richmond. Thanks for the nudge.

Sammy

Sammy,

Thanks. I hope you and your son enjoy the trip. I think you guys are only about 2 or 2.5 hours from Durham. Be safe and Go Tigers!

Hey Mick,
How about a history lesson on the 1991 season (the last yr we won the ACC) sometime? Why did we play our last game of the season that yr in Tokyo? Was the game televised? Any interesting facts about that game? What was the deal with ties back then and why did/ or what is it that caused them to do a way with it? When was it done away with?

Thanks.
John

John,
Good e-mail. Duke sold their home game to Tokyo that year. It was meant to be like a bowl trip for the coaches, players and a few fans. The idea was to bring American football to another part of the world. The game was televised and obviously the time difference was a factor. The only things I remember from the game was Richard Moncrief had a good game and both teams flew over on the same charter. The Tigers played in Tokyo against Wake Forest in 1982 under similar circumstances. Clemson was on probation and agreed to the trip because of the bowl game aspect then. I remember the Tigers struggled more than day against Wake than they did against Duke in 1991. Both games wrapped up ACC titles.

Mickey,
Besides the players already committed, who do you think we have the best chance with? Maybe you could list great chance, some, or little.

Thanks, Troy

Troy,

I think Clemson is in the top two for Jamie Harper, Mike Cruz, R.J. Mattes, Dalton Freeman, Kenneth Page, Brandon Thompson, Spencer Adams, Averin Collier and Marcus Jemison. I think you could say the Tigers will sign six or maybe even seven of that group.

Mickey,

P.S. - If the ACC head office were to get flooded with phone calls, emails, letters, etc. about these horrible calls, would the fans have some power to make changes? There must be something that can be done?

Ian,

I made a huge deal about it on my radio show this week. Replay is broken. The replay judges are retired officials who are locals. They obviously have an interest in the home team. The home team usually gets the break with the replay. Spiller’s touchdown and Lattimore’s non-touchdown were awful calls by the replay judge. Either they are incompetent or they are biased. Either way the mistakes are inexcusable.

I don’t think it would help to call the ACC. In fact, Bowden has given up even sending in tapes to the office. The system is broken and the personnel is awful.

Mickey,
Agree with you 100% about not worrying about losing to Duke. Duke is not as good a team as Central Michigan. I expect to go up there on Saturday and score 50+. It is time to step up these last 4 games and do what you are capable of. Losing Ford is big, but I do believe all 4 games can be won without him. I just hope we don’t see any weak game plans like we saw at the end of last year. I hope we continue to attack the other team’s defense, and our defense remains as solid as they have been so far. I would like to see pressure on the QB, especially in the last 3 games. 10-2 is out there and is doable. I hope the team approaches it to win them all, 1 at a time.
Here’s to the Tigers being on a Mission.
Bill

Bill,

I agree on the Duke deal. Just go up there and take care of business. I think Ford’s injury will hurt and I do not see the Tigers running the table. I think pressuring the passer will be huge in the last four games of this season.

Mickey
First, how can James Davis just NOW be your favorite Tiger???? He's been that for me since he got here and ran all over Texas A&M for over 100 yards in his first game. He is a team player who wants the team to win and is a true leader. I was pumped when I heard his guarantee last week my only concern was whether or not he'd get the carries. Thankfully he got them and then some. He made Ray Rice look like an also ran because Mr. Rice, Mr. Heisman Hype, couldn't lead his team (AT HOME) to a win over that same Maryland team. I would like to know how all of the sudden Maryland became this banged up team (probably true but I digress) when all I have heard the last two weeks is how they are jelling, how they are going to make a run at the Atlantic Division title etc etc and then Clemson steamrolls them and they are an injury riddled team.....makes no sense to me. This is the same team who beat Rutgers at Rutgers and beat a GT team we couldn't score one TD against, they are a solid team and this was a good win. Thanks for mentioning those ABYSMAL officiating calls on the non td for CJ and the MAJOR GIFT for Lattimore (good gracious what a crock!!!). As for JD's subsequent TD run it was on 3rd down not 4th. MD was called for being offside and even though the TD was taken away the offside call made it essentially a do over. Thankfully JD made sure that play didn't make it to the buffoons in the ACC booth. My goodness I am glad the ACC couldn't use those calls to take yet another game away from us like they did last year against BC!!!

Steve

Steve,

I agree that James Davis is a great one and he deserves my consideration as my favorite Tiger ever but there is great competition here. Steve Fuller, Jerry Butler, Jeff Davis, Terry Kinard, Andy Headen, Terry Allen, Rodney Williams, Joe Bostic, Anthony Simmons, Keith Adams, Leroy Hill, Justin Miller, Tony Elliott, David Goudelock, Kyle Young, Will Merritt, Brian Dawkins, Levon Kirkland, John Phillips, Hank Phillips, Matt Riggs, Jim Riggs, Danny Pearman, Nelson Welch, Lawson Holland, Raymond Priester, Carl Martin, Ray Brown, Dexter Davis…..do I have to go on?

I will say that going into last week James Davis was second but now became number-one. Sorry Judge.

Mickey,

Thanks again,
Jim

I think 3-9 ought to be good enough for a nice Cotton Bowl or Fiesta Bowl for the Irish.

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