Friday March 13, 2009

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.

Dude,
You sound terrible. I feel for you. The flu stinks. Get the shot man! Get the shot!

Jon

Jon,
I have been sick all week. I missed work on Monday for only about the fourth or fifth day ever. I did not write blogs on Monday or Thursday due to feeling bad. I have had the flu before but nothing like this. I will get the flu shot next year for sure. I guess it is probably too late this flu season.

Mickey,
Can you make me feel any better about this basketball team and our chances in the NCAA tournament? How can we turn this thing around? Help!!!!!

Danny

Danny,
This team has always had a few issues but every team does. However, new issues have come up. First is effort. This team is not playing hard and that is inexcusable. It’s the ACC tournament. There is no reason not to play hard. No excuse for a lack of effort.

A second issue is the half-court defense. Time and time again this team gives up way too many easy baskets. They made Georgia Tech look like a great offense yesterday.

Another issue is the rising number of mental mistakes. Earlier in the season Clemson was known as a smart basketball team that limited the number of mental errors. Lately, this team continues to make stupid mistakes.

Turnovers and empty trips down court hurt as well. I think a lot of this starts at the point guard spot. Stitt has struggled with bad decisions.

I think this team can flip on the switch but energy, enthusiasm, mental toughness and efficiency have to get better before next Thursday or Friday.

The next time Clemson plays with the effort they played with yesterday will be the last time they play this season.

Hi Mickey,

Kirk

Kirk,
Clemson is not recruiting a point guard for the next class but is still recruiting point guards for future classes. I agree with your assessment. Stitt turns it over too often. He will not enter the ball in the post. His outside shooting and free throws look flat. His decision making is a concern. Young has issues based upon his height. He is a better outside shooter but does not penetrate as well as Stitt. Until the point guard plays better, this team might struggle.

Mick,
Who will replace David Blackwell?

Thanks,
Carl

Carl,

I have heard two candidates at this early stage. Dan Brooks is the long time defensive line coach at Tennessee. He has put out defensive linemen like Albert Haynesworth and John Henderson. He has ties to Woody McCorvey, Kevin Steele, Danny Pearman and is highly thought of with some high school coaches in the area. I also heard Ron West’s name brought up this morning. Coach West is in Tulsa but could be a candidate to return home.

I think we may known something before the Tigers hit the practice field again which is a week from Monday. Other names may emerge but I think Brooks and West will be among the top candidates at this time.

Mickey,

Drew

Drew,

I would not pick too many Cinderellas. Go with the Big East this year. Those teams are battle tested. Also loom for injuries. Keep an eye on Ty Lawson’s injury before you pick UNC to win it all. Besides that…..I don’t know. Your brackets are probably better than mine.

Mickey,
I went to practice twice this week. Talk me out of think J.K. Jay will be a superstar. He looked better than any lineman I saw. Also Jaron Brown and Andre Ellington looked special. These freshmen and red-short freshmen have me excited.

Go Tigers!
Dabo Fan

Dabo Fan,
My only caution on all three would be a word of warning about this just being spring practice. However, the staff has tried to talk about positions being open and creating intensity. Jay looks like he has a very bright future but offensive linemen have a lot to learn as freshmen. I think he looks like a great prospect who could start for three seasons. Brown and Ellington have a better chance to play earlier because they have red-shirted and they play positions where is it easier to compete as freshmen.

The Brad Hughes All-State Insurance Agency

Prayer List
We have started a prayer list on the blog. Here are the guidelines:
*If you are offended by prayer or prayer lists then I apologize in advance. The blog is free and the prayer list will be on the bottom of the page so you don’t have to read it.
*If you would like to add someone to the list please e-mail me at mickeyplyler@hotmail.com
*If you want the reason for the prayer to be added to the name please specify in your e-mails.
*Please let me know when it is appropriate to take the person off of the prayer list

Those who need our prayers include:
Finn Brookover, Mrs. Kathleen Bowers, Larry in Naples, FL, RTG-Pawsitive Tiger, Mary-Louise Pawlowski (John's daughter), Sandy Wright, Jo Ann Bachman, Frank Taylor, Kenneth Bryant, Pruitt Martin, Got igers and his family, David Rowland, Leonard Gillespie and his family, Jim S, Christine Hepfer, Daniel Rosborough, Amy Murphey, Jack Huffman, Nancy Winkler, Dr. Nancy Strom Morgan, Ronnie Queen, Edward Putman, John Reeve, Eileen Woodrum, Ethel Southard, Anna Rawl, Vinnie Brock, Jean-Pierre Bailey, Kaitlyn L, Fariba Kamalabadi, Jamaloddin Khanjani, Afif Naemi, Saeid Rezaie, Mahvash Sabet, Behrouz Tavakkoli, Vahid Tizfahm,Vincent Lee.