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Friday August 29, 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.

Mickey,

I trust that Ryan is continuing to improve at home with his family.

I hope we are not overlooking this freshman WR for Alabama. You might recall how badly a certain freshman WR from Georgia Tech burned us in Death Valley a few years ago.

Kirk

Kirk,
Thanks. Ryan stood on his own for 28 seconds yesterday so his progress continues to be remarkable. When his balance continues to improve then he will walk on his own.

Julio Jones is a talent. He is a future NFL star. I am not sure he will make the immediate impact that Johnson made but he is a dangerous player that Clemson has game planned for.

Mickey,
Do you know what happened in each year when Clemson was ranked in top 10 preseason and where we ended up at the end of the year? Can you furnish the records?
Thanks
Cufan

Cufan,
In 1960, Clemson came in ranked number nine and finished 6-4 and unranked. In 1984, Clemson was pre-season number four and finished 8-4 and unranked. In 1987, the Tigers started ninth and went 10-2 to finish12th in the AP Poll. In 1988, Clemson came into the season ranked fourth and went 10-2 to finish 9th in the final AP Poll. In 1990, the Tigers started 10th and went 10-2 to finish 9th in the final poll. In 1991, Clemson started eighth and went 9-2-1 to finish 18 in the AP Poll.

Mickey,

Tommy Bowden has assembled a talented staff and recruited very well. The Tigers seem to have answered most of the preseason questions. This week, you will evaluate both teams personal match ups and discuss the keys to the game. One variable that is overlooked is coaching decision making ability. With all of the other pieces in place, I wanted to ask you to compare the coaching decision making ability of Tommy Bowden and Nick Saban as an important part of this Saturdays game. Incidentally, I hope that you believe Tommy has the edge this Saturday.

Bigatiger

Bigatiger,
Saban is a terrific coach but he is better at LSU with players than the Dolphins without players. I still think personnel is the key. Sometimes coaching decisions work and sometimes they don’t. But they tend to be better decisions when you have better players.

Hi Mickey,
First of all, you and your family have been in our prayers and will continue to be. I’m sure you know, but God truly is good, even through the storms.

I was wondering something about the Offensive line this year. Have we actually heard any of the coaches make reference to their progress and/or potential versus the low expectations many have had going into Spring camp? In short, have the coaches said they’re better than first expected, or is everything we hear and read about them merely speculation based on bits and pieces of information coming from Spring and Summer camps?

Thanks, and keep up the great work. Can’t go a day without my Tigernet fix!

RU4God2

RU4God2,
Thanks for the prayers for Ryan. Privately, the staff feels better about the offensive line than they have let on. It is still a concern but it is less of a concern that it was going into fall camp.

Mickey,

Let me start by first apologizing for contacting you earlier. I have followed closely Ryan’s progress for the last several weeks and I cannot help but think that the 2 biggest reasons for his recovery are, number one the graciousness of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and number two, the wonderful, upbeat and positive attitudes that you have surrounded him with. I applaud and am so proud each time that I hear either yourself or a listener call in and give glory back to God on air and cannot help but believe that in some small way someone who is listening for sports talk has just been introduced to their salvation. I thank you for living your faith.

Thank You,
Jeff

Jeff,
Ryan’s recovery is totally in God’s hands but it is also Ryan’s attitude. He is the most positive kid I have ever met. He never has a bad day and tells me that he feels lucky to be alive. His attitude is even more remarkable than his recovery. You are right though in that attitude is everything but it is his attitude not mine. I am not sure how anyone goes through a single day without the comfort that God can give us. His Grace is the answer. Thanks again.

Mickey,

Today's blog actually made me laugh out loud. I couldn't agree more. We as a society have got to the point where we are way too sensitive. There wasn't any racism or anything offensive in the joke (except maybe to the parties involved because of past offenses like you stated). I thought the comments were funny. I work with a Tennessee fan and we were talking how we both laughed at the joke and the attention it was getting is ridiculous. When I talk to Alabama fans down here in Pensacola, I will definitely bring it up and repeat the joke. That is my right as a fan. Have a wonderful day and I can't wait until Saturday and the following Saturday for my first Clemson game.

CTR1(SW) Jonathan

Jonathan,

Our military guys totally understand how stupid we are when we place too much emphasis on stuff that really doesn’t matter. I am also so glad to hear that you will be here for the game. If you have time, please take part in all of the Military Appreciation Day activities. Hope your trip is fantastic and thanks for your service.

Mickey,
Any chance our staff has downplayed our O-line's capabilities in hopes of "surprising" Alabama a little bit? I would think Alabama's plan is to really attack with their defensive front and various blitzes, throwing a lot of different looks at our young line. If they are successful and confuse our boys then it won't matter what our skill players can do, they won't get the chance and it will be a long day for Tiger fans. On the other hand, if we are better up-front than what we've been hearing and we can handle Bama's defensive schemes, we should be successful.

It seems a lot of fans out there who see us walking over 'Bama are assuming the o-line will function sufficiently. I'm hoping they are right. However, more recent Clemson football history tells us we can assume nothing about our line no matter how talented or experienced they are. What say you?

Bobby

Bobby,
I would agree with your assessment. The line of scrimmage is a huge key. Bama will give Clemson a lot of different looks and the key will be the mental grasp and the physical challenge. Bama plays close football games so I don’t see a blow out. Last year they played 10 games that were decided by a touchdown or less. I expect another close one Saturday.

Mickey,

Glad to hear that Ryan is doing so well. We're keeping him in our prayers and thoughts until he is fully recovered.

I have a recruiting question. With Mossakowski and Newton both committed to Kentucky, who are the quarterbacks the Tigers are going after for the 09 class? Is there still a chance Mossakowski or Newton might still sign with the Tigers? I know we have a pretty good stable right now, but Parker and the MLB draft worry me a little.

Also, what chance would you give Craig Loston actually signing with Clemson?

Thanks

Chaz

Chaz,

I don’t see Mossakowski or Newton changing their minds. I also don’t see the Tigers signing a quarterback in this class unless someone comes on the scene late. It does mean they will have to sign a top notch signal caller in the next class.

At this time, I think Clemson is no longer in the lead for Loston. I think it is an uphill battle for his signature.

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Posted by Mickey Plyler @ 09:39 AM EDT