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Friday December 19, 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.

Hello Mickey,

Nice article on Coach Purnell. I really hope our AD continues to support him, so that he does not decide to leave at some point. I really think the Tigers could win the ACC tournament with Coach Purnell.

Give my best to Ryan.

Kirk

Kirk,
As Purnell becomes more successful each year at Clemson, you can count on more schools and bigger names to inquire about him more often. Clemson has to be proactive in its attempt to keep him happy. I think the university, athletic department, community and fans need to start putting Clemson basketball as a bigger priority. We need to make Clemson basketball an event and give Purnell every reason in the world to turn down the bigger names when they start calling.

Mickey,

Good job with the blog...I have enjoyed your discussions of the offensive and defensive recruits that we are after, but was wondering if you could give us a report on the red shirt freshman and how they are progressing. We obviously have needs at receiver, linebacker, safety, and offensive line, but we recruited players at all of those positions last year who did not play this year. We may or may not get Kendall Kelly, Jarvis Jones, Loston, or Massie, but we already have players like Jonathon Williard, Jaron Brown, Spencer Adams, and Dalton Freeman on campus ready to go. It seems that we will get an influx of new talent on the field next year regardless of who we sign this year.

Most importantly, I hope you, Ryan, and your family have a merry Christmas and happy holiday season.

Tiger Fan

Tiger Fan,
Because of the staff turnover and the coaching change, I have not inquired as much about the red-shirt freshmen this year. However, I have heard very good things about Kyle Parker, Andre Ellington, Jaron Brown, Dwayne Allen, Dalton Freeman, Matt Sanders, Jonathan Willard, Carlton Lewis and Rashard Hall.

Parker has a terrific arm and is a competitor who will compete for the starting quarterback position in the spring.

If Spiller goes pro, Ellington will be one of the top two backs next season. He should be able to provide the scat back ability that the offense will look for with Spiller’s departure.

Jaron Brown has really been impressive in his red-shirt season. He is a big receiver that has good body control and excellent hands. Some think he will become one of the top three or four receivers in the rotation next season.

Dwayne Allen could have played this year but he benefitted from his red-shirt season. Allen will compete immediately in the spring for playing time. I would think he will be a part of the offense from game one next season.

Dalton Freeman and Matt Sanders needed to red-shirt but both have a chance to grab a spot on the two-deep this spring. Sanders plays with a nasty streak and might be able to start at center in the spring which would allow Thomas Austin to stay at guard.

Jonathan Willard is a tough middle linebacker that has been one of the surprises of the red-shirts. He is much more flexible and athletic than some first thought. He will get a chance to make a move into the two-deep in the spring.

Both Carlton Lewis and Rashard Hall have gotten some good reviews from their red-shirt season. Lewis moved to linebacker in the fall. It will be interesting to see what the new staff will do with the hybrid safety/linebacker type bodies like DeAndre McDaniel, Carlton Lewis, Scotty Cooper, Daniel Andrews, etc.

Hi Mick,

A few questions about the current football coaching staff. One-do you think Coach Swinney will consider Coach Blackwell or Coach West for the d.c. job? I don't know much about Coach West, but it seems like Coach Blackwell has paid his dues, and has done good work with the linebackers he's coached at Clemson. Two; Do you think he will retain Coach Powell? Before Coach Powell took over, special teams were a sore spot for the Tigers. Every time; The Tigers lined up to punt or kick off , I would hold my breath. Now it seems that the special teams are doing an excellent job. Three; Do you think Coach Swinney will give Jeff Davis a bigger role in coaching? I know he made some comments; that led me to believe, he'd like a bigger role. I believe he would be an inspiration to the players and could help instill; that team before individual concept, that Coach Swinney is preaching.

Thanks Mick, and as usual I enjoy your work and the great stuff on Tigernet.

Steve

Steve,
I think Dabo is looking to hire an experienced coordinator like John Chavis.

I am not sure about Andre Powell. I would agree that the special teams have been better and I can see him staying but I am not sure what Dabo has in mind with the running backs coach at this time.

I have inquired about Jeff Davis but have not gotten an answer. I am interested to see what the football administrators will look like when the staff is finalized.

Mick,

I know it is too early but any idea what position the linebacker commitments will play? How will they fit in the deep chart? Any chance for immediate help at linebacker?

Lou

Lou,
The new defensive coordinator will put in a new scheme and I have no idea what he will be looking for in his linebackers.

In the old system, I think Willard would play MIKE, Andrews would play WILL and Rollins would play SAM. I am not sure Fields will qualify but if he does he may be a MIKE. Christian might begin his career at WILL but that is not certain at this point. I am not sure where Hawkins will begin his career.

Ask me again after the new coordinator is named and we may have a better idea heading into the spring.

The Brad Hughes All-State Insurance Agency

Posted by Mickey Plyler @ 10:43 AM EST