I don't see commitment to the run as the issue. Our problems in 2007 and 2008 were that we could not block. If you cannot block, then you cannot run. Our offensive line was horrible. They were physically weak, lacked technique and were not very tough. Frankly, I see a flaw in the conclusion that we lacked a commitment to the run. Think about the statistics you noted. In 2007, against GT, we had 34 yards on 32 carries, 8 yards on 23 carries against VT, and 47 yards on 23 rushes against BC. You also pointed out similar statistics against WF, Alabama, GT, and FSU. In the meantime, you used 340 yards rushing on 50 carries against NC State as evidence of commitment to the run.

We stopped running the ball against GT, VT, etc. because it did not work! Stating that we carried the ball 50 times against an inferior opponent in NC State does not demonstrate evidence of commitment to the run, but simply doing what is working. The good teams you mentioned were committed to stopping the run. In the games you mentioned, we averaged only 1.28 yards per carry. Against NC State, we averaged 6.8 yards per carry. If you tell me that we averaged only 1.28 yards per carry against NC State early in the game, but stuck to the run until we accumulated 340 yards, then I could accept the argument. However, I know that is not true. In the 31-14 win against SC we averaged 3.91 yards per carry. Again, the reason we did not "stick with the run" in the games you mentioned was because we were not getting the job done. Our inability to block forced us to abandon the run, but not a lack of commitment, per se.

Here is a letter I have drafted for John Swofford:

May 8, 2009
John Swofford
Dear Mr. Swofford:
I’m writing with concerns over the second migration of the ACC baseball tournament away from Fenway Park in Boston. As a fan who travels, this is very disheartening. I have been to two football games at Boston College, and I was looking forward to traveling to Boston for the conference baseball tournament.

When the tournament was moved away from Boston in 2009 before the economy took a downturn, I changed my plans to make another trip to the northeast in 2010. I’m concerned about this decision for three reasons.

First, it is my thought that key tournaments like this should be rotated across geographical areas that represent our membership in the conference. Boston College, although a fairly new member in the conference and not known for its baseball tradition, should have every opportunity to host the Atlantic Coast Conference in baseball. BC is much improved in the Atlantic Division, and through your leadership, we continue to overlook them.

Second, the opportunity for our kids to play in a park like Fenway is unprecedented. Many of the players will never make it to the major league, and for them to play at Fenway is incredible. Because of the ludicrous scholarship rules in the NCAA where baseball is only allowed to offer 11.7 scholarships, many of our student athletes are forced to pay their own way. Not only would such a postseason location reward the families and athletes intrinsically, it would also serve as a recruiting tool for the schools in the conference in the years to come.

Finally, I want to dispute the reasoning for pulling the tournament from Boston to Greensboro. Please look at the attendance and success of the schools in the area. Although Greensboro may be central to UNC, Duke, NCSU, and Wake Forest, only one of those schools is consistently successful in college baseball. In addition, none of the aforementioned schools are known for showing up for college baseball games. I will admit that I’m an alumnus of Clemson University, which you could probably figure based on my prior statement concerning fan travel. Because of that, I could potentially understand if the tournament moved from Boston to Atlanta, Greenville or Jacksonville. As of the current standings, the conference has ranked teams in Florida State, Clemson, Georgia Tech, UNC, and UVA. How is Greensboro central or fairly located to those teams? How about a conference tournament in Charlotte, Greenville or Atlanta?

I respectfully submit my displeasure in the decision to move the 2010 ACC Baseball Tournament from Fenway to Greensboro. Although a graduate of Chapel Hill, I know that you don’t intentionally create unfair and consistent advantages for the triad. However, I would ask that you seriously look across the entire conference in the future when making decisions that affect the fans, the players, and the potential recruits of our great conference.

Me and a friend were talking about Clemson vs USC and he eventually said that the Gamecocks had a better NFL draft record. I was wondering if that were correct or not. I did some looking around on the internet but was never able to find anything. Maybe you can help me settle the debate with my friend. Thanks for your time. Hope all is well since Ryan's last surgery.

What happened to Tony Morrell? I do not see him on Gamecock Central anymore! Do you think the NC State game is the most important game in Spurrier's tenure?

Good Morning! I hope you are doing well and I enjoy your show whenever I get to hear it.
Most of all, I have always enjoyed your insight into Clemson athletics.

I am wondering if could email me the article about Dabo that came out right after he took over last season.

It talked about him growing up in Alabama and cleaning gutters while at UA and a lot of other inspiring things about him.

I have a Gamecock friend that met Dabo last Friday. My friend is helping w/ the electrical installation of a new pool at Dabo's house and met Dabo and his wife.

He cannot stop talking about the guy! I told my friend about the article, but I can’t seem to find it. Please send to me you can.

I hope Ryan continues to improve each day!

Thanks again for the blog. Please keep up the great work.

I really enjoyed the blog on talent and leadership. I am curious if this book is on your radar,

Talent Is Overrated: What Really Separates World-Class Performers from Everybody Else
by Geoff Colvin.

I thought it was really good. Colvin argues and documents that talent is important but just as important is how you practice, how you analyze the results of your progress and learn from your mistakes that enables you to achieve greatness.

I thought it was an impressive read.

Cheers,

I went to the Greenville IPTAY meeting last night and thoroughly enjoyed hearing from coach Sweeney and coach Purnell. Don Munson and Billy D were enthused as well.

However, what I didn't see was President Barker and AD Terry Don Phillips. Since IPTAY drastically reduced their meetings this year due to the economy, I see no reason why two of the most important administrators (athletically speaking) could not have been there. Barker had a brief pre-recorded speech and there was no mention of the AD.

Until they show up at meetings for athletics like the IPTAY tour provides, I'll agree with you that certain people are not "all in".