Friday July 18, 2008

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.

Mick,
I know today is you e-mail bag day on your blog but I was hoping you would give a Ryan update as a part of it so I figured I would e-mail in and make sure that was the case. So, Mickey my question is, "How is Ryan?"

Thanks,
Josh

Josh,
Ryan is doing great. Thanks for asking. I think Wednesday and Thursday were two of the best days of my life. Ryan is progressing at a rate that is even amazing his doctors, nurses and therapists. He is eating all three meals each day. He can tell us that he has to go to the bathroom. He has better use of his hands and has even taken steps with assistance from his therapists.

Yesterday is a day I will never forget. Late in the afternoon, I asked Ryan could he sing? He said, "Not right now." So I ask the chorus from "Ring of Fire" and asked him who sang that song and Ryan replied, "Johnny Cash."

Then I sang the first two lines to the Johnny Cash song, "Folsom Prison Blues." I sang I hear that train a comin. It's roaring around the bend." I was shocked when Ryan said, "I ain't seen this sunshine since I don't know when." I busted out laughing with joy.

I don't want to misled you and have you think that Ryan sings it on time. It took Cash about five seconds for the line and it takes Ryan about 15 seconds but it is so incredible to hear him.

We continued. I started with the Outkast song "Ms. Jackson". I sang, "Never meant to make your daughter cry. I apologize a thousand times. I'm sorry Ms. Jackson." When I stopped Ryan said, "Ouuu. I am for real." The ouuu part really cracked me up. But his voice went really high when he said "real." I was rolling.

We went into songs by Soulja Boy, Lil John, AC/DC and others. Maybe the best part of when I asked him to sing the song they sing during the 7th inning stretch at Yankee games to which Ryan sang, "God Bless America."

We ended on two Clemson notes. I hummed the Rage Defense song that goes dunna dunna, dunna dunna, dun nah nah and Ryan right on cue said, "DEFENSE." After words Ryan would chime in and helped me sing the Clemson Alma Mater.

I hope this explains why the past two days may have been the best two days of my life.

Josh, thanks for asking and have a great weekend.

Hi Mickey,

Kirk

Kirk,
I think there are only two really good offensive lines in the ACC and those belong to Maryland and Virginia Tech. Everyone else has some question marks. Clemson is better than the rest of the league at the other spots so this will help the offensive line. I do think the Tigers will play better as the year goes on and brad Scott is one of the most respected offensive line coaches in the country. This offensive line will be better than last year's by mid-season.

Hi Mickey,

Foster

Foster,
Great point. Clemson's offensive line is not a strength but really only one opponent they play this season will have a much better front. On top of that, Clemson's defensive line will be able to control the line of scrimmage against most of the offensive lines of this league. I think this line will do enough to allow Davis, Spiller, Harper, Ford, Kelly and company to do their damage.

Mickey,

Hugh

Hugh,
The staff has done a great job of creating interest from some of the best prospects in the country. They also have expanded the recruiting territories geographically. One last factor is the staff can afford to go after those type of prospects and be patient because of the solid base of early commitments. Mossakowski is not coming to Clemson but I think they will get official visits out of each of the others you mentioned. Of that group I think Clemson has a better chance at Kendall Kelly at this point.

Clemson got these prospects interested by working them early and creating excitement around the program. The Tigers staff has generated a ton of interest and the positive publicity of the past few classes is a major reason. All of the parts are in place at this point.

The world is smaller now and television and the internet help kids acquire information about the schools they may not have had access to. I would agree with you that something big has a chance to happen here in the next few seasons.

Hey Mick,
A buddy of mine told me the top RB in the country, Bryce Brown out of Kansas, wants to officially visit Clemson...If he comes away impressed and wants to commit then you have to take him no matter how many RB's you already have committed...If the coaching staff only wants 2 RB's for this class do they take the offer away from lesser of the 3 or do they take all three...Thanks for the time.

Luke

Bryce Brown might be the top running back in America so any staff in the country would take him not matter what. Brown is an oversign. They would not turn Brown down no matter what. The other numbers at running back would work out. However, I would be surprised if Brown did not sign with Miami.

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