Friday Email Bag

by Mickey Plyler - Radio Host - Fri Dec 11 09:32:02 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,

I always enjoy your Friday mailbag and insights into the program we all love. I'm not trying to be the Grinch here, especially with all of the success the football team enjoyed this year. Watson is a superb athlete and quarterback. But I have noticed one thing he does that bothers me. I've noticed that he seems to have more passes blocked/batted by the D-line of opposing teams than I am comfortable with. Especially when those turn into interceptions and along with several near-miss interceptions. Is that just me being hyper-critical? Are there stats that track batted passes per attempt? The one against UNC appeared to hit the D-line guy in the shoulder - it was extremely low. Maybe it's just me. Or maybe it's something Streeter can help him correct going forward. Thanks for any thoughts you share on this and other topics. Go Tigers!

Jason

Jason,

One of the reasons this happens is that some teams don't rush the passer when playing Clemson because they want to keep Watson in the pocket. They may not want to let him escape and get to the next level with his feet. Another reason is they freeze with the play-action fake. Finally, most of the tipped balls are on the quick slants that Clemson loves to throw. I agree it is an issue, but not a huge issue. They way to get the passes from getting blocked is to have passing windows or to throw over them. You can't put too much air under the ball on those slants.

Mickey,

I can't help but think our defense is playing on borrowed time unless they play all 60 minutes of regulation time versus Oklahoma with their very best effort and focus.

Kindest Regards,

Kirk

Kirk,

Time is the key but not borrowed time. My hope is that they will have time to recover their legs and get back the mental and physical edge due to some time to recover.

Mickey,

Hope you and Ryan are enjoying the best season in Clemson history, along with the Clemson nation!!

I watched several national media shows the next day after Clemson's ACC Championship win. I was quickly angered to hear most of the so-called "prognosticators," falling all over themselves praising Oklahoma and Baker Mayfield.

I'm not taking anything away from the Oklahoma team, I believe they deserve to be where they are, but the sentiments of the sportscasters reasons that Oklahoma should be favored over Clemson made me irate!

We go undefeated, beat (3) top ten teams, and win the ACC Championship, and still we get NO respect!! During the entire course of the season, we were on their "upset alert" almost every game. You get to the point that you're sick of it!

My point with this is, Clemson played with a "chip" on it's shoulder the first half of the season, I wish they would get it back!!! I hope they read the clippings, and listen to these idiots and what their saying!

I know Dabo tries to limit their access, but I'm sure it would fire them up as it did me!!

As for the "idiots", their biggest take was how Baker Mayfield didn't play in last year's game. Well, I got news for ya boys, Deshaun Watson didn't either!!

Would love to hear your opinion on this!

GO Tigers!

KO Tiger

KO Tiger,

Vegas thinks Oklahoma should be favored. This is actually good news if you want that chip on the shoulder back. Clemson hasn't been an underdog all year but will get that chance in the Orange Bowl.

Mickey,

You would think with Clemson being the highest rated team; they would get the easiest team to play in the semi-finals. That did not happen. Between Michigan State and Oklahoma, there is no comparison. The stats tell you that. Oklahoma is by far the better team, and they are on a roll. Clemson is about a three-point underdog. Alabama is about a 10 point favorite over Michigan State. I would say that Clemson would also be the favorite against Michigan State. I know there was concern about Dallas being close to Oklahoma, and the Sooners having a home field advantage. However, the highest rated team should have the easiest opponent regardless of where the games are played.

Go Tigers,

Jack

Jack,

I think Clemson got the raw deal on the draw. I would much rather play Michigan State. It is clear to me that the committee didn't want Oklahoma in Dallas. They wanted to avoid a three seed having home field advantage.

Mickey,

I am looking for some information in contacting Dabo via email or someone via email or phone. I have a seven-year-old grandson, Justin Deer, that was conceived a Clemson fan. Last week his dad, another Justin, and I took him to the game in Raleigh against NC State, his first live game. When we left he had his Clemson football under his arm and was convinced he was going to get it signed by any of the Clemson players he could. We arrived at least an hour early and walked the wall behind the players, back and forth, trying to get their attention. I know they are probably not allowed anything like that in pregame, but try and explain that to a die hard 7 year old.

Can you give me any one's email or phone that I could try and get thru to and make this happen. I would dearly love to surprise him so any help appreciated. If you can't thanks for listening and I enjoy your articles.

A 70 year old lifetime Clemson Tiger from Fairfax SC.

Wayne

Wayne,

They host picture day every August, and that is a great time to bring a kid down. They also have a youth day during spring practice and give autographs then. They sign on the field after home games, but it is crowded. You can email the athletic department at clemsontigers.com and there is an autograph request form on their site. Hope this helps.

Mickey,

I heard your radio show Thursday. Could you please give me the details of the recruiting rankings you mentioned on the show? Thanks.

Beth

Beth,

The recruiting class is small in number, but the quality is impressive. Clemson is sixth in star rankings per player according to rivals.com. They publish a Top 100 list and a Top 250 list. Currently, 60 of the top 100 have committed, and only FSU and LSU have more top 100 commitments than Clemson. The Seminoles and LSU have five top 100 commits while Clemson, Ohio State, and Stanford have four. On their Top 250 list, LSU has nine. Clemson, FSU, Ohio State, and Stanford have eight. Alabama and Michigan have seven. On a side note, South Carolina has one.

Mickey,

No need to practice or play the game, as Flipper the Dolphin has spoken - Sooners. If I were to look at the performance of our team over the past three to four games, I might agree with Flipper, but Flipper doesn’t know this team. Dabo says we win and win ugly. What Flipper and the rest of national media don’t know is why and just how banged up our defense has been. The defense simply needs time to heal. The real Clemson defense is the one that stopped ND, crushed Miami and took care of FSU. Combine a fresh defense with our offense, we are a tough out and will surprise the national media, but more importantly, prove Flipper wrong.

Stuart

Stuart,

As if Clemson needed another chip on its shoulder, now we can point towards a fish, errrrrr mammal. I think Dolphins are smart. Heck, they are smarter than some football experts, but I think the game will be decided by other mammals (Sooners and Tigers). Clemson will be fresher, and this rest will make a huge difference.

The Brad Hughes All-State Insurance Agency

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