Tuesday August 11, 2009

Girdle Gate; ACC; Scrimmage; Freshmen Update

Girdle Gate
In the first 40 years of my life I escaped having to use the term “Girdle Gate,” but yesterday that all changed.

I went to the first 30 minutes of practice yesterday but was on the road for most of the day after that and had to follow the controversy from my phone. A lot of us are still trying to discover some specifics of the incident. Who turned Clemson in? What was compliance’s role? What was the ACC’s role?

Bylaw 17.9.2.3 (d) of the NCAA football handbook states, “During the first two days of the acclimatization period, helmets shall be the only piece of protective equipment student-athletes may wear. During the third and fourth days of the acclimatization period, helmets and shoulder pads shall be the only pieces of protective equipment student-athletes may wear. During the final day of the five-day period and on any days thereafter, student-athletes may practice in full pads.”

I am no lawyer but a few questions came to my mind. First, aren’t mouthpieces protective equipment? How about the under the shoulder pad piece of equipment some wear? Isn’t a knee brace or an ankle brace protective equipment?

The concept behind Bylaw 17.9.2.3 (d) is sound. They are trying to get an acclimatization period. The problem with rules is enforcement. The more rules you make, the more rules you have to interpret and enforce.

I doubt the people who built the Watergate Hotel ever thought so many scandals would borrow their name in description. I would have never thought “Girdle Gate” would have ever been a part of my very limited vocabulary. The only sad part of such a controversy is that it was over so quickly. The great ones sometimes burn out too fast.

Scrimmage
The Tigers hit the practice fields this morning with their first scrimmage. They started a little after 9:00 AM in the stadium with several storylines to follow.

There is no bigger storyline that the quarterback race. Today is perhaps the biggest so far in the position battle to date. This is the first scrimmage where both Kyle Parker and Willy Korn are healthy so this is the first full battle between the two.

The Tigers will scrimmage at least two more times before the season opener against Middle Tennessee and Dabo has frequently stated that both should play against the Blue Raiders. However, today should be a big part of the story in this developing battle.

I would not look for anything earth shattering to come out of the scrimmage for a couple of reasons. First, the completion will continue and this is only round one. Also, the media is not allowed in the scrimmage and the information will come only from the coaches and players and not first-hand accounts by anyone not affiliated with the program.

Around the ACC
I noticed this is a big week at NC State. They will get a medical update on their superstar linebacker, Nate Irving. The playmaker was injured in an automobile accident in the off-season and the information has been vague to this date. The NC State media will get a much clearer picture this week on when Irving could be expected back which is huge considering how important he is to their scheme. State opens with South Carolina on Thursday, September 3 and hosts Clemson on November 14.

At Georgia Tech, nagging injuries to superstars like Jonathan Dwyer made first week news. He has a hip flexor but should be OK for the opener. Also the Jackets have spent a bunch of time this week on improving their passing game.

The Freshmen
We have been limited in what we have been able to watch but a couple of freshmen have caught my eye in my two trips to practice in week one.

Tajh Boyd clearly has a lot of tools to work with. He looks like he is poised in the pocket and throws the ball downfield well. I am impressed with his deep ball and his accuracy on the balls where he has top put more air under the ball.

Jonathan Meeks is a freshman that caught my eye. First, physically he looks like a linebacker. He has a great frame and his is ready to play physically. I thought he moved pretty well for his size also. Meeks looks like he will be a contributor on special teams and may get a look on the two deep.

Obviously J.K. Jay and Malliciah Goodman caught everyone’s attention this spring. I think Jay’s injury and surgery is a big deal. I thought he would have been a factor this season.

Goodman is a physical freak. As he grows into his body, Goodman has the kind of upside seen in NFL-type defensive ends.

Roderick McDowell and Bryce McNeal could use some weight room time. Both are skilled but both could benefit from a red-shirt year if the Tigers have that luxury.

I have not had time to get a peak at the three freshmen linebackers. I will make an effort to get some returns on their first few practices from some sources in the coming days.

I have heard great things about Brandon Thomas at tackle though. The staff feels like he has tremendous upside and long-term potential and the hope is he will be a factor after red-shirting this season. I saw Thomas several times in high school and love his athleticism and feet.

Some of the red-shirt freshmen have put themselves in position for some major playing time this season. At quarterback Kyle Parker is obviously part of the plan this year. At running back Andre Ellington is poised to hit the ground running in his freshman season. Both red-short freshmen wide outs (Brown, Ford) had good first weeks. Dwayne Allen at tight end is a special talent so look for him to make a big splash this season. Dalton Freeman continues to gain the confidence of the staff at center.

On defense, Tig Willard and Spencer Adams may have the biggest upside and long-term impact after red-shirting last season.

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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), 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, John Reeve, Eileen Woodrum, Ethel Southard, Vinnie Brock, Jean-Pierre Bailey, Kaitlyn L, Delores Weaver, Eric Boessneck, John Bowers, Jimmy Ness, Susan Miller, Joyce Harley, Steve Proveaux, John Petrey, Chalmers Carr, Drayton Melton, Jeffrey Greene, the Hutto family, Sherl Drawdy.