Tuesday August 15, 2006

Leggett’s Contract; Baseball Stadium, Golf Complex; Defensive Battles; PGA Championship; Tom Winkopp; Non-Clemson Sports Takes

Leggett’s Contract
I have not seen the financial package or the buyout details of Jack Leggett’s new contract but unless there is something strange about the figures then I applaud both sides.

Contract negotiations are about leverage and that is what made this case so interesting. Leggett had leverage because of his success both on the field and in the community. This is one of the most popular figures at Clemson and he knew it. Had Terry Don Phillips lost Jack Leggett he would have had to answer a lot of tough questions.

Phillips had leverage because he knew the Clemson job was one of the best in the country and he knew Leggett wanted to be here. In the end, both sides got what they wanted and thank goodness it is now behind them.

I have always said that renewing coaches’ contracts is like buying insurance. You don’t want to pay the premiums but it is less expensive than having to pay in case of an accident. Athletic directors don’t want to have to give long-term contracts with raises but they really don’t want to have to go out and go through a coaching search in the media. Few things hurt your program more than getting turned down in the media by potential candidates. Also, the new coaches usually gets more years and money than the last guy just made so it is more expensive anyway.

I am happy that my family and I get to see Leggett jump in that huddle in the pre-game for at least five more years. I am more excited that I get to see an energetic man who is passionate about Clemson baseball. Had Leggett left Clemson they may have been able to find a qualified coach, but they would not have been able to find anyone that loved Clemson baseball anymore than Jack.

Baseball Stadium, Golf Complex
Speaking of baseball, sources had indicated that architects are already working on plans to add on to Doug Kingsmore Stadium. Plans may include adding more permanent seats down the left field line and adding left field bleachers. Plans are to make the complex even closer to minor league AAA standards.

Also there are plans to continue to add to the golf program’s facilities. The short game area is currently under construction but future plans may include a practice hole and a beautiful clubhouse-type facility high above the practice area on the dyke that would overlook the lake on one side and the practice area on the other.

Defensive Battles
Yesterday, I took a look at the offensive battles still going on in practice. Below is my prediction on the defensive battles:

DL-All spots are still up for grabs. At this time, it appears Scott and Jackson have made the most noise. However, McKissic, Clark, Etta-Tawo and Murchison have also been impressive. Prediction-The six players will rotate frequently but Scott and Jackson hang on for a starting spot early.

LB-Waters is set at Mike. Watkins started out third string at WILL because of his academic issues from the spring. Billie and Clay have been locked in a battle at SAM. Prediction-Waters has big year. Watkins climbs past Nelson and Miller but Miller makes move later in the year. Billie gets more snaps early but Clay comes on strong and gets plenty of snaps. The young linebackers like Conner, Vincent, Alexander and Campbell get ready to compete in the spring.

DB-Coleman and Gaddis have the edge at corner. Hamlin is solid at CAT. Clemens is slightly ahead of Russell at free safety. Prediction-The depth is a major strength at corner so I think Koenning can find three corners between Coleman, Gaddis, Lewis, Gilliam, McElrathbey, Chancellor and Butler. Maxwell red-shirts but is ready to compete in the spring. Clemens holds off Russell at free but the competition remains throughout the season.

Special Teams-Dean is set as the place-kicker. Dean and Jackson (when he returns from a back injury) are battling for kickoff duty. Chason, Maners and Jackson are in a fight for the punting job. Stuckey, Ford, Spiller are locked in the punt returners battle and Ford, Spiller, Grisham and Kelly are fighting for the jobs as kick off returners. Prediction-Dean wins the kick off job. Chason holds off the others as the punter unless he does not perform well early and Bowden can pull the trigger this year. Ford will begin the season as the punt returner. Spiller and Ford will handle the kick off returns.

PGA Championship
With the year’s final major starting Thursday, the PGA Championship has an even bigger meaning to former Tiger Lucas Glover. He tees off at 8:00 am off of number one on Thursday and 1:05 off of number 10 on Friday at Medinah outside of Chicago. Glover is paired with Robert Allenby and Trevor Immelman. The Greenville native is 14th in Ryder Cup points and needs at least a top 8 finish to make the team. If no one jumps him and the next four guys ahead of him do not finish in the top ten, an eighth place finish would get Glover a spot on the team. In my opinion, a sixth place finish or better would assure Glover a spot no matter who else played well. There is still a chance that USA captain Tom Lehmen could pick Glover but that is not very likely.

Tom Winkopp
If you have not been by The Park at Valley Walk do yourself a favor and check it out before the season. You can click on the link on this page but the pictures don’t do it justice. This is the finest parking situation in Clemson and my family and I cannot wait to tailgate there this year. Please support our title sponsor for the blog and visit their informative site.

Non-Clemson Sports Takes
*This is a great weekend in sports with the PGA Championship, Red-Sox-Yankees five game series, high school football begins, NFL exhibitions and Clemson football scrimmage. Is it Friday yet?

*Junior Seau went out with a bang. Did you see one of the strangest retirement press conferences of all-time?

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