Tiger Source Chat with Trey Manning Transcript

by Trey Manning - Correspondent - Wed Nov 10 12:07:49 GMT-04:00 2004

Question: Any new word on CJ Byrd? Did the Miami win influence him any? Did it help out with other recruits? M. Davis, Jamison, etc.?

Answer: Thanks For everyone coming in. No, new word on Byrd, but expect to have an update soon. A win over Miami always helps with a player like Byrd. It helped out with several players. TJ Williams, Jamie Robinson, Jonathon Hannah, Demerick Chancellor, Antonio Clay, to name a few. Not sure how hard Clemson is still recruiting Jamison b/c of qualifying issues

Question: Which players do we lose to the NFL Draft this season?

Answer: Troy Williamson is the one I would worry about leaving early

Question: Many see CJ Byrd coming down to Clemson and UGA in the end. If you had to pick one, today, who do you feel he would commit to?

Answer: It is very close, but things keep going Clemson way. Hopefully, Merriweather can bring in Byrd

Question: It looks as if Clemson is dominating USC in recruiting this year. Is this indeed the case?

Answer: Very early. Holtz has closed strong each year. A win on November 20 would only add to Clemson's advantage. Also, in-state this year it appears only one player the Tigers offered will not at least give them an official visit

Question: Chucky Cheese Amato seems to be taking some heat this year...Hearing any good scoop about an investigation in Raleigh?

Answer: No scoop on an investigation, but there may not be a team more deserving to spend the holidays at home doing community service

Question: Ok then...which CLEMSON players do you expect to lose to the NFL Draft.

Answer: Justin Miller most likely will be the only underclassmen to leave early as it stands now. Whitehurst will look to come back. I see Currie and Leroy Hill being the only other two selected in the draft

Question: No word yet on Clemson/USC gametime? ;)

Answer: nope, expect ESPN to pick up on one of their affiliates, JP would a tragedy in my eyes

Question: What would the most realistic group of linebackers be, in your opinion, our of this class for the Tigers?

Answer: Josh Miller, Ryan Stamper, Eric Houston, but I feel the Tigers have a better shot with Antonio Clay than most sites do.

Question: Any chance of an all Palmetto Peach Bowl? Any chance at all?

Answer: No. I don't see that happening. Not a big fan of rematches. SC IMO will be in the Independence Bowl

Question: How was that publix sub today

Answer: not sure I follow

Question: Are you sure we are still in it with Clay? Another service has an update on him today saying that we did not make the cut.

Answer: The national sites have been misleading people with this kid all along. Ever since July has had Clemson in his top five. He has a great relationship with Coach West and Coach Blackwell. He looks up to Leroy Hill as a role model. His high school coach thinks very fondly of Clemson b/c what they have done for Leroy. Everytime I talked to him he is extremely excited about Clemson, and says how much it reminds him of home.

Question: If it hurt us last year with the questions swirling around Bowdens job, will the talk about Holtz (and his own "I'm tired" comments) help us this year

Answer: Depends how they approach. Players know Holtz is not gonna be there forever. Wins over a top ten team, and dedication towards facilities helps Clemson more this year

Question: Have some team leaders emerged on this team over the past few weeks?

Answer: It would appear so. Eric Coleman and Airese Currie deserve a lot of credit, but I think this team has stayed together as a whole and is really benefitting from that

Question: Any more predictions? lol

Answer: Tiger faithful sells out Wallace Wade on Saturday

Question: Is Ben Hall going to have another pass thrown to him this year??

Answer: Good question, he continues to work very hard. Last two games, he was asked to stay in and block more because of superior defensive line. Not sure that will be the case in the last two games.

Question: Where does Clay sign? On the Miami Rivals board, there is an article that said he has made a decision.

Answer: I haven't spoken with him since his visit to Miami this weekend. His coach is not going to let him miss practice to be on Countdown in the midst of playoff run I don't think. Hopefully we will have more details on Clay tonight

Question: mickey, how was florida?

Answer: This is Trey, MP's chat will be tomorrow

Question: how bad is Coleman's knee hurt?

Answer: Not sure, hopefully the press conference will tell us more tomorrow. He is a true warrior, and will give his team everything he has I know that. At least now, Merriweather has proven to be a go to back

Question: i passed you today. I was coming from publix, looked like you were going there

Answer: You must be referring to Mickey

Question: If we win our last two what are you hearing as far as bowl games?

Answer: Good chance Tigers wind up in Charlotte

Question: mp - any idea how the OL graded out?

Answer: Not sure

Question: Compare Justin Miller's Freshman year with Ko Simpson's.

Answer: Somewhat comparable. Simpson came in the Spring to USC, Miller didn't report til August his freshman. Simpson was #1 on the DC coming into the fall, plus Simpson is doing it as safety versus as a corner for miller. Simpson has been extremely impressive this year. He is the biggest difference I see on SC's defense this year

Question: What do you think of the Tiger's improvement of late...and what do you attribute it to?

Answer: Heart and dedication. This team never gave up. The defense is leading the charge. To come back and hold Miami to minus seven yards rushing in the second half was remarkable. Potential has now become product.

Question: With things seemingly turned around should we expect to see any staff changes this year?

Answer: Still possibly one or two, I could see happening. There are still a couple of guys who have no impact whatsoever on recruiting, and to me that is not fair to the other coaches on the staff

Question: Where do we stand with Jaime Robinson?

Answer: Dead heat with FSU. FSU signed a good class of corners last year, so Noles may back off late in this one.

Question: How good is Duke? Are they unlucky and good? or are they just not very good?

Answer: They are an inspired football team under Ted Roof that is just not very good

Question: If you could pick one prospect out of the upcoming class who many think we may not get, or is not even on the radar, but very well could, who would it be?

Answer: Antonio Clay

Question: Mickey, what will it take for Bowden and Co. to put together a "complete" season? Is it lack of preseason prep., coaching, recruiting, or a combination of all mentioned?

Answer: Improved O-line play from the start of the year. To put together a complete season you also need a little luck. OU was lucky two Saturdays in a row. With parity today, the separation between most schools is minute

Question: What's your Clemson/USC prediction?

Answer: They will play on November 20 at 7:45 on ESPN

Question: Don;t you think Gause and Thompson are overrated at DE?

Answer: I would agree with that. Simply not produced as many thought. I felt they had no right to call out USC fans when they had just given up 43 points at home

Question: Ginger or Mary Ann?

Answer: Ginger

Question: Is the person so concerned with Mickey's lunch a stalker?

Answer: Be nice

Question: is mickey still growing his beard?

Answer: I hope so it worked last week, I haven't seen him since he got back from Miami. If it means winning a National title, I think it is excusable for Mickey to look like Tom Hanks in Cast Away

Question: What is Jad Dean's outer range? Can he hit a 60 yarder?

Answer: I saw him come about one yard short from 75 yards last spring with a little win. I think he definitely has 60 in him

Question: besides injuries, what has been the deal with Stuckey? has not done a lot since the wake game

Answer: Experience. He will be a phenomenal talent when all is said and done. As Whitehurst grows more accustomed to him, he will see more numbers. He has been open, Charlie has had a tendency to lock onto Currie. The receivers are still very talented.

Question: How is Chadrick Gray doing this year? Any word on his favorites?

Answer: Last time, he was favoring FSU

Question: Does Clemson sign a quarterback this year?

Answer: yes, an athletic one. Jonathon Crompton would be the only drop back passer, I would see them signing, It is still unclear whether or not he will open back up his process however

Question: How about Hester running for cover after Browning lit him up.

Answer: I think we found out who is the nation's best return man Saturday night. Miller put his team in a position to win. Hester was blanketed on punt returns. Clemson's punt coverage has been outstanding this season.

Question: How about the Steelers?

Answer: I said Big Ben was the best QB in CFB last season, it would appear to be certain now that he was

Question: You would think we'd be able to sign a big time LB with the numbers that Leroy has put up and Termite before him. Does that not help?

Answer: Clemson's tradition at LB always helps, but the staff has just had some unfortunate misses in the last couple of recruiting classes. Also, Courtney Vincent was a steal. Vincent could be a starter by the time next fall rolls around. Coach Blackwell is extremely excited about his potential. Has been a monster on scout team.

Question: mickey, will christian capote ever see the field at cu?

Answer: He has to be better than the people in front of him. With the commitments on hand now, the spring could be critical for his playing time

Question: do you think the Miami players were affected by Kerry's loss on Tuesday?

Answer: LOL

Question: aside from injuries, what has been holding Chansi Stuckey back? technique? routes? not physical enough?

Answer: Experience more than anything. I definitely do not think being physical is a problem for him. Did you see the block he put on a 275 pound O-lineman from Wake Forest. He will be a great player, just struggling to find some consistency right now

Question: Should Leroy Hill have made the short list for the Butkus Award?

Answer: ABSOLUTELY. How does a player who only played in one of the first four games make it, but Leroy doesn't make it. From a national standpoint, he maybe the most underappreciated player in the country. Ask opposing coaches what they think of him.

Question: How firm is Taylor and Grant? Winning in Miami has to help.

Answer: Both will be there in the end

Question: so how do your Gators stack up against USC this weekend?

Answer: Chris Leak is a tough matchup for anyone, however SC should be able to run the ball against a terrible run defense

Question: How is Brandon Cannon doing?

Answer: Ok. He needs to understand a sense of urgency starting in the spring. The staff will not wait on him to develop. They will find someone who will be productive.

Question: mickey, who do you see us signing at rb in feb.?

Answer: It is tough to say right now. The win Saturday was big in helping them get back in with James Davis. They are right in the mix with Mike Davis and Montario Hardesty as well

Question: Any word on a Jan arrival for Lambert, McKissic?

Answer: McKissic apparently has made it, still no word on Lambert

Question: What bowl does South Carolina end up in right now?

Answer: Peach or Independence, today I would say Independence. SEC needs two BCS teams for them to make the Peach Bowl IMO

Question: What bowl does South Carolina end up in right now?

Answer: Peach or Independence, today I would say Independence. SEC needs two BCS teams for them to make the Peach Bowl IMO