Friday August 22, 2008

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,
Going out of town Friday and might not see it so what was the big news from the University? Hopefully nothing bad. Tell Ryan we are pulling for him!

Go Tigers,
Carl

Carl,
Clemson has moved up to 22nd on the US News and World Report list of top public institutions. They were 27th but moved up five spots. Sorry, but I could say anything until they released the list today.

Mickey,
I hope Ryan is settled in well at home. I am sure it is quite nice to have him home.

Kirk

Kirk,

Thanks for the kind words. McClain is a real talent but it is terribly difficult for true freshman to make a big impact on the offensive line. It is possible but extremely rare. McClain still is a little lost when it comes to assignments but that is to be expected. Also, Corey Lambert has been very good in camp. I think McClain will see some snaps this season but I cannot see him starting unless there is an injury to Hairston or Lambert.

Mickey,

Rick

Rick,

It is time to make a statement. But I don’t think Clemson has been mediocre and I don’t think the Tigers will be mediocre anytime in the near future. I think they will win the ACC this season but if they don’t all is not lost. I think Clemson should be among the favorites to win the conference in 09 and beyond.

Montgomery is a little different. He tells a lot of schools he likes them. I think he will take all of his visits but I also think he will change his mind a few times between now and when he makes his decision.

Mickey,

Jim

Jim,
The staff is really high on Thompson. He is very strong and is difficult to move out of the way. I see Thompson as a terrific run stopper. However, Clemson is still three deep at tackle even with Jackson sidelined. Scott, Jenkins, Cumbie, Chavis, McKissic and Murchison give the Tigers talent and depth at tackle. Thompson will be a very good player but I think he will red-shirt this season.

Mickey,
Are we really as good as some of the experts think? I heard you talk about the College Football News.com rankings and it got me fired up. But I find it hard to believe that we are as good as they are saying. Hope I am wrong.

Jimmy

Jimmy,
I think this is a special season. I agree with collegefootballnews.com with respect to most of their rankings. Clemson is loaded at running back, wide receiver, defensive line, defensive back and quarterback. The staff has done a very good job of evaluating in cases like Cullen Harper, Aaron Kelly, Tyler Grisham, Michael Palmer, Brian Linthicum, Kevin Alexander, Dorell Scott, Rashaad Jackson, Brandon Maye, Kavel Conner and Chris Clemens.

They did a great job recruiting on players like James Davis, C.J. Spiller, Jacoby Ford, Jamie Harper, Ricky Sapp, Da’Quan Bowers and Michael Hamlin.

The weight staff has done a great job of development as well. So what we have in 2008 is a very talented group of Tigers.

This is the first time Clemson has been favored to win the division or conference since Bowden has taken over and I would be surprised if they did not win it this season.

Mick,

Tony

Tony,
The staff has a decent idea but situations can change. At this point my best guess would look like this:

Plays: Harper, Ellington, Jones, Allen, McClain, Bowers, Hunter, Hall, Skinner, Zimmerman
Red-shirts: Parker, Richt, Brown, Ford, Sanders, Freeman, Page, Thompson, Rollins, Willard, Andrews, Lewis, Adams, Brewer, Benton

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