Tuesday August 22, 2006

Camp Stocks

Since I am poor, I don’t know anything about you mutual funds or the stock market. I think back to Warrick Dunn’s days at FSU when he announced he decided to stay for his senior year when Dunn announced, “I have been poor for 22 years, so I might as well be poor for one more.” I am going on 38 years now.

However, I do know a little about the stock of the Tigers so far through fall camp. I have divided the stock report into three categories (Blue Chips, Risers and Decliners).

Blue Chips-These guys are the big blue, the IBM, the energy stocks. We knew we could count on them short term and long-term.

James Davis-Has done nothing but improve off of his fantastic freshman season. He has been solid in camp and is now a leader.

Chansi Stuckey-Has been better than ever at times. Stuckey is a first-class kid and athlete that can be counted on.

PowerLine-Richardson, Dukes, Bennett, Fry and Fry. This unit is what this football team is all about. They come to work everyday and will be the straw that stirs the drink. This is the backbone of the program.

Thomas Austin-This future star will be everything we thought he would be and more. Austin is another dependable Tiger.

Phillip Merling-He is everything they thought he would be. Merling practices hard and will be a force.

Gaines Adams-He has nothing to prove but proved it anyway. Adams is poised for a big year. Great kid and leader.

The Other PowerLine-Jackson, McKissic, Scott, Clark, Etta-Tawo, Murchison. This is a solid unit that will continue to grow into one of the more dominant units in the ACC. They are in shape and poised for big years.

Anthony Waters-The Judge. He is the rock and the emotional leader of this football team. Waters is everything you could ask of a Mike linebacker.

Jad Dean-He is set to have another fantastic season. Dean is a big part of what could be a special year.

Risers-These guys are better than we expected at this point.
Cullen Harper-Has settled into the number-two slot and now has the coaches’ confidence. If something happened to Proctor they would have no problem with Harper’s role.

C.J. Spiller-It would be hard for anyone to be better than expected when this much was expected. However, Spiller is everything the staff thought he was and more. One source said he is the next Warrick Dunn. Spiller is tougher than expected and has a big burst. He will play a huge role in the offense and special teams. This is a special person.

Demerick Chancellor-This spring he showed that he was ready to compete with the other very talented backs and he has done nothing to disappoint this camp. Chancellor is tougher than expected and has big play capability.

Jacoby Ford-We knew he could fly but we did not know how tough he was or how competitive he was. Ford will be a big part of this offense and special teams. I would not want to kick to either Ford or Spiller.

Rendrick Taylor-He has validated what we saw in the spring. Taylor is a special talent and will be a big part of this scheme. He is a match up problem for defenses.

Aaron Kelly-His stock has soared in the last two weeks. Kelly has a sense of urgency and should build upon a great freshman season.

Tyler Grisham-Grisham is a better athlete than some think and faster than most think. Proctor feels comfortable with Grisham because he knows he will run the correct route and he will catch the football. Grisham has the trust of his teammates.

Michael Palmer-Perhaps the biggest shock of the camp. Palmer catches the ball well and is smart and competitive. He is a tough, hard-nosed player that competes.

Chris Capote-Perhaps the second biggest shock of the camp. Capote had the car accident at the bowl game and has not been the same sense. He has had a great sense of urgency and is now viewed as one of the four best tackles on the team.

Rickey Sapp-I thought Sapp might struggle early because he needed to add size and strength. He still needs to add size and strength but he has not struggled. His speed is every bit what I thought it would be and it enables Sapp to make plays.

Nick Watkins-He came into the camp in the doghouse from an academic standpoint. However, Watkins has regained his starting spot and should have another good year.

Tremaine Billie-Before his injury Billie was having as good of a camp as anyone. He was playing with a purpose for the first time in a while.

Jeremy Campbell-The recruiting services did not make a big deal out of Campbell but the coaches knew they were getting a very intelligent football player.

Ray Ray McElrathbey-His stock has soared because fans have started to realize how special this young man is off of the field.

Crezdon Butler-This freshman looks like some of the great Clemson corners of the past. He will play this season and the future looks bright.

Jimmy Manners-His improvement is his release time has been the news. Everyone knew he could boom it but they were worried about him getting the punt off in time. If the season started today, this is your punter.

Cole Chason-He has also improved and the competition has driven Chason. We think he has worked harder than ever this season.

Stocks Have Dropped
Durrell Barry-We thought he was ready to take off and be a starter but Robinson and Hunter have outworked and out performed Barry. He is just a red-shirt freshman so I think Billy Nappier will have him ready to play soon.

Adrian Kindred-There has been no sense of urgency and quite frankly the staff has recruited better athletes at his position.

Richard Jackson-By no fault of his own Jackson’s stock has temporarily declined. First, we all had such high expectations. Second, he has been hampered with a back injury. It is probably not fair to judge his stock now because I should never judge someone’s potential when they are injured. I think he will bounce back because he is a relentless worker.

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