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Friday April 17, 2009

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 agree with what you wrote about the 2 quarterback system – especially the part about not scripting it. The coaches need to get a feel for the game and play the guy who gives you the best chance to score against that defense on that day. The previous coaching staff was very good at pre-game planning and preparing the players to run what was planned but if the opposing team does something new or limits the game plan they were not good at adjusting and re-evaluating during the game.

Not only did we see this with the single quarterback system but we also saw it with running backs. No matter what the situation they would rotate series with Spiller and Davis rather than evaluating who’s better for the situation. And I am still mad about pulling out Reggie Merriweather a few years ago against USC when he provided such a spark and took us down the field at the end of the game. You could feel the energy level from the O-line and fans drop when he got replaced and then the offense bogged down.

I would also like to see us play our quarterbacks more aggressively which can carry over to the rest of the team. It seemed that both Proctor and Harper went from being aggressive early on to being too careful and avoiding contact wherever possible. Our last two home losses against Maryland would probably be wins if the quarterback had made an aggressive play at the end of the game when we were in striking distance. Ga Tech needs a two quarterback system because they play their QB’s so aggressively and it worked for them last year.

Let’s hope the new coaches can do a better job of coaching on game day. Keep playing the starting QB the whole game if he is playing well. If not, try the other guy. If that guy doesn’t play any better go back to the first one. We have seen this work before - the light never came on for Brandon Streeter until he got yanked and watched from the sidelines for a while. When they put him back in he played great.

I think the fans are ready for these coaches to use their best judgment and try whatever they think is best to make this team successful. We’d like to see all of these QB’s have a chance to succeed and it’s up to the coaches to decide when they should get that opportunity.
Dime

Dime,
Thanks for making me throw up this morning. You had to mention the Maryland disasters. Anyway, I agree with your points. The only one people can question is the best judgment part. Many think a one-quarterback system is more efficient and is using their best judgment. On this one, you and I will disagree with the opposing view. Also, if you have Vince Young then a second teamer should not see the field. A two quarterback system is only an option if the competition between the two is close.

Wow, Mickey. Didn't know my e-mailbag question from last week would start a firestorm of discussion! Swinney's mentioned it in an interview, Larry Williams mentioned it, and there's a thread over at TI about it.

Anyway, another thought regarding the dual-QB situation. As I pointed out last week there have been a few examples of dual-QB systems that work. Leake/Tebow and Tyrod/Glennon. However one big difference between those two situations and what Clemson would be doing this year, if it came to that, is in the aforementioned two scenarios one QB was the veteran leader (Leake, Glennon) while the other was the new kid on the block (Tebow, Tyrod). Kinda like a mentor/protégé thing. Clemson's situation would be different in that neither Korn nor Parker would be considered veteran mentors; both would be protégés. Their styles appear to be different, sure. But both are essentially the same in the (in)experience category so there wouldn't be one leading and grooming the other.

However, that shouldn't be a reason to not go with a dual-QB situation if, come September, it's a dead heat between Korn and Parker. I still say throw them both in the fire and see which one can make separation in the gameday environment if it comes down to that. But I was just pointing out a difference in Clemson's possible scenario versus that of Florida in '06 and Virginia Tech the past two years. Besides, Clemson needs to start doing things very differently anyway, and this would be very different given Clemson's traditional on-field strategies. Traditions are good but can sometimes only get you so far. Sometimes you have to modernize in order to take the next step.

Thoughts?

Marc

Marc,
Good points. I think it is only fair to play the best players no matter what class they are and that goes for all positions. It would not have been fair to Tebow if Leake was only one year ahead of him and he did not get to play as a result of that. I agree on your point about throwing each to the fire. The best player might emerge in practice but we don’t keep score in practice. I want the guy who is going to perform well in the games but maybe that changes from game-to-game.

Mickey,

Any chance we see the option this season to utilize Korn's running ability and Spiller's speed on the outside? What about a full-house backfield with Spiller, Harper, and Diehl?

Thanks,
James

James,
We saw the offense run some option on the goalline in some scrimmages. I love the option and think it can be utilized by the staff. However, I would think they would run only enough option t keep the defenses honest and make them prepare for it. The only time we saw three running backs in the backfield this spring was with the two fullbacks in the game (Diehl and Taylor) like what the Green Bay Packers often run in short yardage situations.

Mickey,
How will Boyd's skill set fit into things in the fall? Does he have the potential to be more dynamic from an athletic standpoint?

Duane

Duane,
It was hard to see what kind of athlete Boyd was this past year because he played his entire season with a torn ACL so he was relegated to being a pocket passer. I think he has a lot of tools but it will be an adjustment for him. I doubt he will be a major factor this fall but you never know.

Mickey,

Enjoyed the article about the two-quarterback system, Korn/Parker. One other possible criticism for a two-quarterback system is the perception that the coaching staff cannot make up their minds.

I was wondering what do you see in Korn's mechanics? Some folks on the sports threads that watched the spring game seem to think he has some issues when he throws. They are concerned he is still recovering from his shoulder injury(ies). Any thoughts?

By the way, don't beat yourself up about coaching skills. PlayStation is a nice test of one's coaching skills - just ask any armchair QB on Monday!

Kirk

Kirk,
Korn’s shoulder injury is still a factor. He had surgery in December. Because of the pain before the surgery, he was making concessions in his throwing motion to ease his physical pain. He told me every time he threw a pass it felt like an ice pick was being jammed into the back of his shoulder. The surgery has helped but it the bad habits have been hard to break. He holds the ball in a different spot. His “backswing” is too long. His footwork is also different. There is still concern over the recovery but he will work hard to improve his release between now and August.

Mickey,
Great blog today on "scholarship data". It is amazing how much popularity the sport of college baseball has gained in the last ten years, yet the only changes that have been made to the sport have, for the most part, been negative.

The problem seems to be that the decision makers don't care about baseball or it's student athletes. Many of the rules actually hurt coaches and teams that run honest programs.

Ron Polk (who is one of baseball's coaching legends) has been very vocal about the need to improve the sport, and it has been supported by many baseball coaches around the country, including Jack. Polk has even been quoted as saying "The NCAA is the enemy of college baseball".

Below is a link to a long letter Ron Polk wrote a couple years ago when several new rules were introduced. It explains an awful lot about the "state" of college baseball.

http://mississippistate.scout.com/2/681418.html

Andrew

Andrew,
Thanks for the link. I thoroughly enjoyed Ron Polk’s words. I will encourage all baseball fans to read it. Thanks again.

Hi Mickey,

I live out of state so I don't have access to SC television, radio or newspapers. Please let us know what is going on with Coach Trevor Adair.
Thank you.

Kirk

Kirk,
I hope you have found me to be open in answering your e-mails on almost every occasion. However, due to the family issues of a dear friend involved, please accept my apologies for not going into great detail on this question. I can tell you that Trevor and his family appreciate us respecting their privacy on this issue. I hope all of this will be cleared up as soon as possible and pray for their family as they deal with this. Thanks.

The Brad Hughes All-State Insurance Agency

Prayer List
We have started a prayer list on the blog. Here are the guidelines:
*If you are offended by prayer or prayer lists then I apologize in advance. The blog is free and the prayer list will be on the bottom of the page so you don’t have to read it.
*If you would like to add someone to the list please e-mail me at mickeyplyler@hotmail.com
*If you want the reason for the prayer to be added to the name please specify in your e-mails.
*Please let me know when it is appropriate to take the person off of the prayer list

Those who need our prayers include:
Finn Brookover, Mrs. Kathleen Bowers, Larry in Naples, FL, RTG-Pawsitive Tiger, Mary-Louise Pawlowski (John's daughter), Sandy Wright, Jo Ann Bachman, Frank Taylor, Kenneth Bryant, Pruitt Martin, Got igers and his family, David Rowland, Leonard Gillespie and his family, Jim S, Christine Hepfer, Daniel Rosborough, Amy Murphey, Jack Huffman, Nancy Winkler, Dr. Nancy Strom Morgan, Edward Putman, John Reeve, Eileen Woodrum, Ethel Southard, Vinnie Brock, Jean-Pierre Bailey, Kaitlyn L.

Posted by Mickey Plyler @ 11:36 AM EDT