Monday July 14, 2008

Ryan Update / Clemson Offensive Line

Ryan Update 7-14
I hope everyone enjoyed their weekend and hope all of the good news about Ryan helps on a Monday.

Ryan had a great weekend. We had two huge pieces of news come from the past few days. First, Ryan has started to talk more clearly and he is saying several words in a row. He started late last week when he mouthed words and then whispered. This weekend he began to talk more and louder. He annunciates better in the mornings but it is easy to understand most of the things he is saying even later in the day.

Ryan has recognized almost everyone and when asked he can say family members names like Mom, Stef, Dad, Mick, Lou, Marm, Anna, Julia, Isabella and Big Mick. He has said friends' names like Brooke, Zack, Kim, Tyler, Mrs. Hall and many others. When asked what his dog's name is he says Daisy. When asked his favorite baseball team he says Yankees. He can say his favorite football team is Clemson.

This weekend he began to carry on conversations. My friend Bill Harder called and on the speakerphone after Bill said, "Hey Ryan how are you? Ryan responded, "Wassup man?" Bill asked can you say "Go Tigers?" and Ryan clearly responded.

When his mom left to go home to take a shower on Sunday she said, "Ryan, I am going home to take a shower and I will be back this afternoon." Ryan immediately said, "I love you!"

Ryan recognizes his I-pod and when asked what it was used for he said, "music." Kelly played a song for him and asked, "Who sings this song?" Ryan replied, "Red Hot Chili Peppers."

Sunday morning out of the clear blue sky, Ryan said loudly, "WATER!" Kelly asked, "Ryan, are you thirsty?" He said with conviction, "YES!" Last night we asked him if he hurt or is he comfortable and he said, "hurt." He then told us that he hurt in his shoulder and wrists.

Being able to communicate will really help with therapy because they will be able to do so much more and they will be able to be more productive.

The other piece of great news came this morning. Kelly asked Ryan if he can move his right leg and he did. This has been the only part of the body that has been inactive for the most part until today. She asked him to bend his right leg, wiggle his toes and rotate his right foot and Ryan responded well each time.

He has a busy day today. Ryan is getting Botox injections in his right wrist and maybe his legs. This will relax his right wrist and they will cast it to help prevent damage. He has been cupping his wrist for the past few weeks and they want to straighten it with a cast. Also he will have more swallow test today. He has done well with swallowing and has had pudding and apple sauce. If he does well today then he can graduate to mashed potatoes and other soft foods.

We are amazed by Ryan's progress. God has been so merciful and gracious to us during this time and your prayers are a major part of that. Please know that think about everyone that has prayed for Ryan and we are grateful beyond words.

Clemson Offensive Line
This morning starts offensive line week for us on the radio show and blog. Today let's look at one of the few question marks on the offense for the Tigers in 2008.

The talent and experience levels are so high for the Tigers in 2008 in every offensive category with the exception of the offensive line but I get the feeling the staff is excited about this group. Experience is not a positive but I am not sure the talent level will be a tremendous drop off.

Clemson loses Barry Richardson and Chris Capote at tackle and Chris McDuffie at guard. Richardson did not have a great senior season. Capote played above his head but the Tigers have upgraded in talent at right tackle. McDuffie had a solid year at guard.

Don't get me wrong, you don't want to replace three starters on the offensive line and you don't want to have to play so many young people in this group and with all due respect to the graduating seniors from last year but it's not like they are having to replace Art Shell, Gene Upshaw and Anthony Munoz.

The major concern then lies on inexperience. Thomas Austin is the most dependable and experienced returner. He has played both guard and center and should be able to play either this fall. Brad Scott wants to get his five best players on the field and that might be a tricky situation. Austin, Mason Cloy and Barry Humphries can all play center or guard so Scott does have some versatility here.

Clemson will play some combination of Austin, Cloy, Humphries, David Smith, Wilson Norris and Jamarcus Grant at the center and two guard spots. Austin is the best player in the group but he is also the most versatile therefore he is not the key in terms of who plays where. Smith is the most talented athlete in the bunch and he only lacks experience. In my opinion, Smith has as much upside as any offensive lineman currently on campus. I think he will be a very good player for a very long time in Tigertown. Cloy is an Austin clone. He has the same work ethic and is dependable. He is not as athletic as Smith but Cloy is a bright and dedicated football player. Humphries is the strongest and most experienced of the group. He may have an edge heading into camp because of his experience. Norris is a powerful run blocker who plays with a nasty streak but he may be a year away. Grant is next in terms of experience but he has not played enough for that to be a big factor. He does some things very well but like the others he still has issues to overcome. Bobby Hutchinson has some experience and is another guy who can play guard or center. At this time I would look for both freshmen guards, Dalton Freeman and Kenneth Page, to red-shirt this season.

The Tigers are talented but inexperienced at tackle as well. Chris Hairston started in the Peach Bowl and held his own. The staff feels this is an upgrade in terms of ability. Corey Lambert is a tremendous athlete who leads going into camp at left tackle. Lambert has the ability and has gotten more ready to play this season than any before. Landon Walker red-shirted last season and he improved his body in order to have a better chance at playing this season. Antoine McClain may avoid a red-shirt season this year but it is difficult to depend on true freshmen here. However, McClain might be the most talented of the tackles. Jamal Medlin is a player that could play guard or tackle but I would be surprised if Jock McKissic stays on the offensive line this entire season.

Every program has question marks and this unit is a serious concern for the Tigers in 2008. However, the talent continues to be upgraded here and this unit has more talent than experience. By mid-season I would trust Brad Scott to have this group playing as well or better than the unit from 2007 played. This is a group that features some very high character, hard-working kids. I will take talent over experience every day of the week especially in this case because I know this group will work hard to overcome the lack of experience.

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