Friday Email Bag

by Mickey Plyler - Radio Host - Fri Oct 06 10:56:29 GMT-04:00 2017

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.

Hey Mickey!

I like thinking about "today" and "tomorrow" On offense I see The Tigers rotating ALOT of players including O-line. All good. But on defense I am concerned.

We have BEST d-line in college football. But as good as they are, every team needs depth. At DT, I see Robinson, Huggins, even Pickney getting meaningful snaps, but I do not see the same at D-End. Seems Bryant and Ferrell are on the field for every snap. Worried they gonna tire late in year and as both may leave after this season, we could be extremely inexperienced next year. Yeargin is a loss but seems coaches do not have confidence in Register, Rudolph and where is kid I have really high hopes Xavier Kelly?

Lots of depth at safety but at corner I thought we started season thin, and now injuries have left us really thin. What is status of Marcus Edmond? Tyreyvon Mullen? We need both of them back asap.

Last question. 2018 we could have (6) QBs on roster. If and when Trevor Lawrence enrolls in January, I expect both Hunter Johnson and Chase Brice to transfer. Love to keep them, but in fairness to them, they are simply too talented, can start most any other school. I think Dabo will grant them transfers to any school not in ACC or not on future schedules.

Even with depth concerns, and special teams concerns (another topic for another day) I see (3) destinations for the Tigers this season, Charlotte, Pasadena and last stop Atlanta, Georgia !

Your thoughts and GO TIGERS !!

Bill

Bill,

The injury to Richard Yeargin hurt depth at defensive end. The staff trusts Yeargin. The coaches have confidence in those that earn that trust. Register, Kelly, and Foster have to earn that trust. They liked Rudolph before he got hurt, so that is another injury that hurt the depth. They want to bring these guys along but it's not fair to ask them to do things they can’t do yet.

Edmond is out again this week. His foot has not healed as fast as they would have liked. Mullen could have played against Virginia Tech, but they were very careful with his concussion. Fields played great in Blacksburg. Carter is solid. Terrell is a star in the making. And Wallace can play corner if needed.

I think it is fair to speculate that one or more quarterbacks will transfer at some point, but who that is and when that happens is a complete mystery. Dabo doesn’t know the answer to that question. Brandon Streeter doesn’t know. Heck, the players themselves don’t know. Let’s wait and see how this thing plays out before we speculate about a kid’s future.

This team played very well in September, but it is a long season. I think it’s too early to say playoffs at this point. Clemson and Alabama have played better than anyone so far and look the part, but we are only five games in and there is a lot of football to be played.

Thanks for your email. I enjoyed your topics.

Mickey:

I absolutely love your insight into our beloved Tigers. I have been a Clemson Tigers since 1959 when my dad took me to a Clemson game. Must admit it was under duress. I was a Gamecock as a kid. My blood runs orange and has since that day long ago fall day.

I hear people talk about enjoying the ride that we are experiencing now because it will will not last forever. My question is why not? It seems Alabama has done an outstanding job of sustaining excellence over my lifetime. They have had a few down times, but they always return to be the dominate team in college football. What I now see at Clemson is a seismic shift. We are one the very few elite and dominate college football teams. We have a tremendous head coach, supper assistants, committed administration, unmatched facilities and a fan base like no other. Even if Dabo leaves at some point we should be able to hire another outstanding coach from within or outside our program. I believe little old Clemson is going to be among football royalty for a long, long time.

Thanks, Mickey. God's blessings. b

What Alabama has done is amazing, but I also remember some losing seasons in Tuscaloosa. The main thing there is that they won’t allow it. They demand more. I think Clemson is getting that way. When Clemson’s board of trustees invested, this program changed. I also think the taste of success has shown the leadership what is possible. It is still a small school in a small state, but Dabo has shown us what is possible.

Mickey,

I think we should win the remainder of the our games or at least favored to do so. I believe DC’s will use the BC tape and try to emulate their defensive scheme because it worked for 3 quarters. If it wasn’t for our depth, I am not sure we would have won that game. What BC did presented issues for Elliott and Scott. Tony said he was frustrated after the game, which is a bit concerning. Chad was the master of creativity and we are still using many of his concepts today. In order to stay ahead of the evolving defenses, Tony and Jeff need to get a bit more creative. They are proven with preparing their players, keeping them focused and getting maximum effort. Unfortunately, defenses catch up to offensives, so the offense has to stay one step ahead. I know they are calling plays to fit the personnel, but are they creating new wrinkles to keep defenses off balance versus taking what they give us? What we have works today and most likely will get us to the playoff and possibly another Natty opportunity, but you have to think DC’s are going to figure out how to stop us. My hope is Tony and Jeff can stay ahead and not count on depth.

Stuart

Stuart,

Boston College was a desperate team and changed their entire scheme as a result. Most teams won’t change their scheme. Many will add some wrinkles, but usually, teams are who they are.

I would disagree on Chad. I can remember several times where he abandoned the run. I thought the trick play in Columbia was being too creative. Clemson’s offense has been better under Elliott and Scott than it was under Chad. Clemson is 34-2 under these coordinators. I totally trust Elliott and Scott. Their half-time adjustments are much better than any staff I remember. These are two of the brightest minds in college football.

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