Bowden puts off decision between Streeter and Dantzler

by Tommy Hood - Correspondent - Tue Oct 26 18:05:53 GMT-04:00 1999

CLEMSON, SC -- Local talk shows don't worry Clemson coach Tommy Bowden. Neither do letters or e-mails.

He's heard that people are wondering out loud if he gave the Florida State game to his father Bobby Bowden by kicking a field goal instead of going for it on fourth down late in the game. He's not threatened by people talking.

Even the phone doesn't bother him most of the time. He figures, though, in the next couple of weeks he'll get a call that he's not looking forward to.

It will be either Woody Dantzler's or Brandon Streeter's mother on the other end. He knows it's coming. He's just putting it off as long as he can.

"I've got maybe four or five more days I can relax," he said.

It all depends on what happens Saturday against Wake Forest. Bowden could be faced with a real quarterback dilemma.

Brandon Streeter, out with a broken collarbone since the North Carolina game on Oct. 2, is throwing a football again. He started throwing a Nerf ball on Oct. 20. Now it looks like he's got a shot at playing against Wake Forest.

The problem is that Woody Dantzler has played well since Streeter went out. Bowden will make a decision and then wait for the phone call.

"I might not happen this week, but then mom will call," he said. "I can put off the call until next Thursday.

If I do that I'll have four or five more days I can relax."

Dantzler has a variety of ailments: a sore elbow, a bruised knee and a twisted ankle. Having Streeter around just in case Dantzler doesn't heal would be a luxury for Bowden. He said he won't know for sure until Saturday morning if Streeter will be able to play.

He probably wouldn't say anything if he did know. The possibility of either Streeter or Dantzler playing gives Wake Forest's defense another wrinkle to prepare for.

"They have to prepare for two guys," he said. "One runs a lot better. Brandon was a lot more accurate. The other one has better running skills. You can tell from our last two game plans that there's a lot more movement with Woody there. We now know that they both posses leadership skills."

Streeter, if he doesn't play another down this year, will set a Clemson record for passing accuracy. Before he was injured he moved Clemson's offense effectively. Putting Dantzler at quarterback didn't bring the offense to a halt. He rushed for 183 yards against Maryland and 86 yards against Florida State.

Bowden has a dilemma, if Streeter returns, in part due to loyalty. "Put yourself in that role. You're a fifth year senior and you get no more at-bats," said Bowden. "Would you want to have that happen to you?"

Bowden knows what Streeter's mother thinks. He's just waiting for the phone to ring.