Friday July 06, 2007

Friday E-Mail Bag

Friday E-Mail Bag
Each Friday I publish your comments and answer your questions. To submit a comment or questions please e-mail me at mickeyplyler@hotmail.com.
Mickey,

Dennis

Dennis,

I hate to make excuses but you are exactly right. Last year the Tigers were as talented as any team in the conference but had some bad breaks. I think this team has talent but more question marks than last year. I fully expect to beat FSU at home but I see Goudelock’s points. You are right though because I can’t do it. Catching lightening in a bottle is also a great phrase. That is what a lot of teams have done and I hope it is Clemson’s time. In my opinion you have to win the close ones like Wake Forest and Maryland did last year.

Hello Mickey:

Kirk

Kirk,

Clay has returned and his teammates say he looks great. I have not seen him but I think he is doing great. I hear Billie had a good spring in the classroom but I have not heard how first session summer school went. Second session started Thursday. Billie has a chance thanks to his hard work and the hard work of the staff at Vickery Hall.

Mickey:
With two All-American 60-meter sprinters (Spiller & Ford) on the team, and a solid receiver corps, it seems like Clemson should have a serious deep-pass threat that could be used, not only for big-yardage plays, but also to stretch the secondary thereby enhancing the running game. (I feel Spence failed to do that last year.) Are Spiller and Ford tall enough (and talented enough) to be a deep threat? Does conservative Spence have the mentality to utilize a deep threat (and will he) now that these speedsters have more experience? Can any of our QBs reliably throw deep balls? If somebody could hit Spiller or Ford in-stride, in the secondary, nobody would catch them. Their legs blur like a Roadrunner cartoon when they take off!
RazzMaTazz

RazzMaTazz,
Clemson did have a bunch of big plays last season. Spiller and Ford had big plays but they were only freshmen. I think they will both have bigger plays this season. Neither is tall but being a deep threat is more about being able to adjust to the ball in the air. In my opinion the hardest ball to catch is the deep ball. It is very difficult to be able to adjust to the ball in the air on the deep ball. Rod Gardner was the best at it. He had good speed and was taller but it was his ability to adjust to the ball in the air that was the difference. I would like to see the Tigers throw the deep ball more often. Al Davis used to say that he wanted to throw it deep once a quarter because it helped loosen the defense. I think this year’s quarterbacks will be more able to complete the deep ball.

Mickey,

Phil in Piedmont

Phil,
You are not crazy. Dustin Fry was solid. He was smart and a solid player. I also loved Roman Fry. The offense was not the same without him. I did not think Barry Richardson had a great year though. This group is more athletic but very inexperienced. I think Humphries will be the key. He has ability and played better in the spring. Clemson will really miss Dukes at right tackle. He was solid. I do think that the younger players like Thomas Austin and Landon Walker are future superstars. Once this group jells I think it will be better.

Mickey,
We all know how we are going to really utilize the talent we are going to have next year at running back, but I feel like there is some major talent in the receiving corps that isn't being mentioned. What I really wanted to know is whether or not guys like Rendrick "The Hulk" Taylor and Aaron Kelly are actually going to be used this year, because I feel like last year it was too much about getting the ball to Chansi or getting thrown into the stands. So how do you think they will use these weapons next year?

Phil

Phil,

Kelly had his best spring. Dabo Swinney really bragged on him recently. I think he is about ready to really have a big impact in this offense. Taylor had a great spring last year and got off to a good start last season (Remember the FSU game) but injuries have set him back. I think he is a huge part of the offense. He is a terrific blocker and a great third down receiver. Jacoby Ford is the one that I think will have his breakout season. He looked much more comfortable this spring.

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