Friday Email Bag

by Mickey Plyler - Radio Host - Fri Sep 25 09:38:05 GMT-04:00 2015

Friday Email Bag

Each Friday I publish your comments and answer your questions. To submit a comment or questions, please email me at mickeyplyler@hotmail.com.

Mickey,

It is time to begin changing that if we intend to move up to the next level. We need for other teams to be afraid when we walk into their stadiums. That has not happened yet, and it is a crucial element in my opinion to success and to the image of the program. Two good examples from Saturday were Oklahoma and Notre Dame who somehow got it done on the road. Although Dabo has won a few big games away from home, I think he is 16-16 in road games. Time for a change.

Thanks,

Roger

Roger,

The real issue here is beating good teams on the road. This is the hardest thing to do. Dabo has beaten unranked teams on the road. Clemson has won the last eight games on the road where the opponent was not ranked. The Tigers have won the games where they have been favored. I have been to every road game the last four years except two and the crowds at NC State, Duke, Wake Forest, Boston College, Syracuse and Maryland knew what was about to happen to them. This past weekend Tennessee fans thought they we're going to win. Virginia fans never feel they will win. Also, you have to be the better team by a substantial margin to consistently win on the road. Clemson is recruiting at a level now where the Tigers are the better team in most cases. I would think Clemson's road record will improve the next few years.

Mickey,

I love this team and the Louisville game showed they have heart and most importantly, the freshman didn’t fold their tents and go home, which speaks to the leadership. I am not sure I am ready to anoint this team to the playoffs; however, if they have a strong performance against ND, it would be hard to argue against it. At some point the youth will show its ugly head. Maybe it did in Louisville, or maybe it shows in the biggest game in Death Valley; only time will tell. Regardless, this team is developing nicely and I believe their best football is ahead of them. Whatever happens this year, the team will clearly be better for it, as next year will be a bigger challenge with the schedule.

Stuart

Stuart,

I agree that the program just keeps getting better. This staff has recruited well, and it has developed talent. It has also evaluated well. The freshman class is outstanding, and the future looks as bright as ever. It is so hard to win at this level, and there are so many things that can go wrong. However, depth and talent usually overcome a lot of other variables. I think the best is still out there for this team and this program.

Mickey,

Thank you for your great blog about Notre Dame tickets and I totally agree that there will be a ton of Irish fans in The Valley. Notre Dame has not played in South Carolina in decades and their fans from all over the Southeast will be looking for tickets and for any price. It is ashamed every time that we play South Carolina to see so many of their fans in parking spaces that so many Clemson fans would die for and my fear is it will be that way again with Notre Dame fans.

I can still remember the sick feeling I had when we were sitting in the stadium listening to The National Anthem and Tiger Rag as The Tigers ran down THE HILL before the Notre Dame game in 1977 and I can only imagine the emotion that will fill The Valley on October 3. Surely every fan with tickets that cannot attend the game will be able to give a Notre Dame ticket as an early Christmas present and make sure the stocking is orange and not green. If this season is to be historic, it has to include a win against Notre Dame and the Good Lord willing, I will be there and I hope I am joined by thousands and thousands of Tiger fans.

Andy

Andy,

Thanks for the email. The home field advantage at Clemson is huge, but if 15,000 Notre Dame fans are in the building, it is less imposing. I just hope we don't have to see so many opposing fans in the Valley.

Mickey,

HI. I was wondering if you know anything about why Artavis ScottArtavis Scott
So. Wide Receiver
#3 5-10, 191
Oldsmar, FL
View Full Profile was absent in the passing game against Louisville. Also, are there any indications that Mike WilliamsMike Williams
Jr. Wide Receiver
#7 6-4, 213
Vance, SC
View Full Profile will return at all this year, or would he redshirt ?

Thanks,

CoachAlmighty

Coach, Almigty,

Scott was not absent in the passing game. He caught eight passes. But he was not as productive and had only 40 yards receiving. I know Louisville played their safeties higher and didn't want to give up the deep ball. The one deep ball Scott got, he fell and it was intercepted. They think Williams is doing well but at this time it is too early to say if he plays this season or not. I do know the staff will not put him in position to play unless there is no threat of a major neck injury. I think we will know more in mid-October.

Mickey,

I agree with your blog, "We should have done this 20 years ago." I think Louisville will be a great addition. They are strong in football (even though I despise Petrino), baseball, and basketball. On the other hand, the ACC made a poor choice when they decided to add BC, Syracuse and Pitt. Perhaps the ACC could take a Mulligan on that decision.

Kindest Regards,

Kirk

Kirk,

The Louisville game was a real treat. The trip was one of the best I have experienced. I would love to trade Boston College, Pittsburgh and Syracuse in for South Florida, Central Florida and Memphis. Orlando, Tampa, and Memphis would be better trips.

Hi Mickey,

I always enjoy your show!

Your Notre Dame blog was excellent!

Here's my story on what happened the last time the Irish arrived. They were the worst fans I've ever seen at Death Valley, and I've been coming to games for over 40 years.

I was there the last time Notre Dame came to town, and it was ugly! I'll never forget all the drunken Irish fans dancing in the streets--our streets--after the game. And the language was worse than the dancing!

I hope our great fans will not look at making a few hundred dollars as a good exchange for allowing 20,000 Notre Dame fans to attend.

I also hope you will not force your friends around your seats to endure hours of misery with the Notre Dame boosters club beside them.

The same is true for parking lot passes. I saw that the last time, also. Some lots looked like South Bend, and that was a daytime game.

PLEASE, PLEASE don't open the Valley to a Notre Dame reunion party!

If you must sell your tickets, use TigerNet and ask a few "are you a Tiger questions."

If people give you grief about trying to get close to StubHub prices, ignore that. Quite frankly, that's why many Tiger fans sell on StubHub---they get tired of being labeled disloyal on TigerNet.

Mickey, why do our fans think a fellow fan should sell them something at well below market rates?

If you don't like the price, don't buy from them! By heaping abuse, you just push them to StubHub and end up with the opponent's fans sitting right beside you and others filling the stadium.

Tiger Stan

Tiger Stan,

I remember that game well. There were a lot of Notre Dame fans there, but I hope we can limit them this time. This is a great opportunity for our program to put on a great show.

Mickey,

Do you have any idea of the status of the missing part of Howard's Rock? Is Clemson trying to get the piece back? It seems the administration would be eager to get any and all of the missing part of the rock back. It would be nice if the piece or pieces could be attached back to the remaining part of the rock. Any and all information would be most appreciated.

Thanks,

Jack

Jack,

I have not heard. I also am not sure if they want to piece it back together or eve if it can be done. I just haven't heard anything on the subject. Sorry. Maybe a reader can add something to help.

Mickey

I am very curious if you know if Anthony King, a tight end for Clemson in 1977-79 played any pro ball after graduation.

I was in a class with him at Clemson and have always wondered about this..

He had a tiger rag signed by all of the players for me for my little sister.

Thanks

Cindy

Cindy,

Anthony did not play professionally after Clemson. His son was a top recruit a few years ago, but he went to Georgia.

Mickey:

Enjoy reading your articles on TigerNet. Like all fans, I am still exhausted and relieved after the win in Louisville.

Coming into the season special teams were a question mark. After three games it is the one area that does not look like it is improving.

What can the coaches do to get special teams back on the right track?

Thanks!

Bob

Bob,

One thing is not getting our guys tackled on the kick-off coverage team. On the touchdown, a Louisville blocker picked up CJ Fuller and tackled him. This opened a huge hole. I am not sure how the officials could miss this one.

Mickey,

As expected, the game at Louisville was a barn burner, and this looks to be a tremendous rivalry down the road. Several things jump out as I try to calm down after the game.

There were several horrible calls by the officials but the Clemson kickoff coverage was worse. With the studs that we have all over the field on defense, there have got to be better players to put on the coverage team.

The O-line was outstanding. Wayne GallmanWayne Gallman
RS So. Running Back
#9 6-1, 210
Loganville, GA
View Full Profile is for real. Ray-Ray and Deon have got to get more touches. Greg HuegelGreg Huegel
Fr. Punter / Kicker
#92 5-11, 180
Blythewood, SC
View Full Profile was great on field goals. We will have a punt blocked soon because there is a reason Danny FordDanny Ford
Former Head Coach
View Full Profile always a stop watch in hand on every kick. Ben BoulwareBen Boulware
Jr. Outside Linebacker
#10 6-0, 241
Anderson, SC
View Full Profile is a football player. The luck of the Irish will run out against Georgia Tech but the game in The Valley is still a huge game now that we escaped at Louisville. Winning is fun but let's make it easier.

Andy

Andy,

The coverage was not great, but the official have to call holding and blocks in the back when they happen. I am also worried about the punt team. I agree Ray Ray and Cain need to touch the ball more. They played most of the second half in crunch time. I hope Huegel can continue to make these huge kicks.

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