E-Mail Bag: 11/7

by Tiger Source Staff - Sun Nov 06 20:26:17 GMT-04:00 2005

Do you stand by your statement Clemson needs to beat FSU to have a shot at a bowl?

Yes, 3-5 in the conference would not make Clemson very attractive. Clemson travels extremely well and that matters, but a 3-5 finish would likely end all bowl hopes for the Tigers. Its not impossible, but Clemson needs to beat FSU to feel comfortable about making a bowl.

Are you surprised there has not been any verbal commitments since the season started?

Maybe a little, but the staff is not pushing for commitments right now. They would not turn a commitment down in most circumstances, but they are not putting the squeeze on anyone. There are a few players if they decided to push on would go ahead and commit.

Who will start at quarterback versus Florida State?

I would be surprised if Whitehurst does not start. Both quarterbacks will most likely play. Clemson will not announce, who will start at quarterback until the morning of the game. Coach Bowden does not have to release it until the day of the game, and anything he can do to make life more difficult for his Father he will do it. The week off should help Whitehurst, and I just cannot see him missing his last home game at Clemson.

407 yards against Duke! They were averaging 93 yards of offense per game coming in. What happened?

There was a lack of focus in the secondary. Zach Asack did a good job moving around in the pocket, and Clemson had some breakdowns in the secondary. Coach Bowden said there could be some changes coming in the secondary this week. I am not quite sure, who specifically he was referring to. Chris Clemons may see more time back at corner that is one possibility, but Duane Coleman and Haydrian Lewis are not any more ready to play than Sergio Gilliam.

After the scrimmage and exhibition game, thoughts on the men's basketball team?

Very impressed with KC Rivers and James Mays. Rivers is one of the best shooters I have seen at Clemson as a freshman. Mays will be one of the most improved players in the ACC. Mays has developed the ability to take people off the dribble from the perimeter. He is also more comfortable shooting the ball this year, watch for a breakout year. The biggest concern is still point guard. Vernon Hamilton is off to a slow start, and Troy Mathis is not healthy. Mathis appears tentative and slow, and it is clear the knee is still bothering him. Cliff Hammonds is the starting point guard right now, but Mathis or Hamilton needs to step up for this team to reach its full potential.

Are all of the suspensions finished?

Yes