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Friday July 31, 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.

Mick,
Just curious about the number of available scholarships for the Clemson football program. The number of recruits this year is low but the quality of talent seems to be very high. The coaching staff really seems to be gearing up for the 2010 class and knowing what is available for next year, even though it is off in the distance, would really be an interesting bit of FYI for Tiger Fans.
Thanks a lot.

Arvadajohn

Arvajohn,

Clemson has about 80 or 81 on scholarship but will add a few walk-ons for just one year this year. They only have 16 seniors but will be able to sign about 23 or 24 in the spring.

Mickey,
Thanks for what you do for the Clemson Nation. Living in Columbia, I do not get to listen to your show, but do follow your blog on a daily basis. Your Blog gives those of us outside the Upstate a way to keep up with what is going on. The predominant radio programs in Columbia are obviously 95% Gamecock, and it is very interesting that every year it is the same. They are going to have a break-out season and Clemson is belittled and berated. All they have to do is look at the record book. This tells the tale.

The subject of my email is recruiting. First, recruiting seems to have become another sport within itself. At least among the fans, it is another level of competition. There is no clear cut winner or loser if the class ranking is high, then you get a good feeling; if the ranking is low, then the school recruited to its needs. Either way, chicken salad can be made from chicken scraps.

This year seems much different than past years with the bevy of early commitments, offers and activity, rather than the annual circus and dramatics of the last minute decisions and signing day press conferences. There will be some of that I am sure, but there seems to be more recruits wanting the get the distractions and decision behind them. Is this a new trend in recruiting?

Also, I agree with your statements that stars do not mean everything, but the schools that recruit highly ranked prospects consistently finish in the top 10. That being said, there are plenty of five star recruits that do not do well, and many one star or walk-ons that are invaluable.

I am personally guilty of looking to see the list of other schools that have offered a prospect as a barometer of the quality of an athlete. Based on that, Clemson appears to be doing OK. At this point, how would you rate the Clemson 2010 recruiting with the 11 commitments and the prospects they are in a good position with? Dabo is a proven good recruiter and a player’s coach, which should help. At the same time, I would suspect that there are some prospects waiting to see how Dabo and the 2009 season goes. How do you see things shaping up and what are your thoughts?

Thanks again,
JF

JF,
The recent trend is to commit early but still take a few official and unofficial visits. Most of the time the prospect does end up signing with the school he committed to first. Since your e-mail the Tigers have added three more and head into the weekend with 14 commitments. I think I saw where rivals.com has Clemson about 23rd and scout.com has the Tigers 18th. You are also correct when you say players want to see how Dabo does this season but hat is the case at a lot of places including USC. That is why they commitment early but still take other visits. Clemson could have an excellent class in 2010 and 2011 if it wins on the field in 2009.

Mickey,
What's the deal with recruiting?

With a super low number in Feb (12) and a slow start this summer, there is a lot of concern out here. I don't think we can handle back to back small classes.

WEZ is now shiny enough to wow recruits and Dabo and Napier are proven commodities. Harbison seems to be recruiting hard. What about the rest of the staffers. Supposedly, we've had the "best in-state" guy on staff for several years, but I'm not seeing production there.

I know we've always been 2nd fiddle to UGA, but UNC is looming large on the other side. If Davis makes inroads into South Carolina, it could take us some time to recover.

Recruiting is one of the big reasons Dabo got the call. This is the area we expected no dropoff.

PS, I don't really buy the coaching change as an excuse ... ie, Auburn and Tenn seem to be on track with 11 and 12 verbals respectively.

Jerry

Jerry,
I know your e-mail was earlier in the week but this was the thought by many. As it turned out the commitments rolled in this week and there seems to be a little momentum in that area. I think scout.com and rivals.com has the Tigers ranked in the Top 25 but remember signing day is six months away.

Hi Mickey,

It seems like there are a lot of disappointed people out there who didn't get posters today. Is there any chance they'll produce any more? I know you mentioned it is against NCAA regulations to charge for them, but couldn't the poster be a giveaway for people who pledge $20 or whatever to IPTAY? Keep up the good work on the blog!

Thanks,

Patrick

Patrick,
It is against the rules to sell them. Clemson officials have said that another sponsor wants to pay for a reprint then they will produce more. I think we may see a company make that commitment at some time.

Mickey,

I think the "Spiller for Heisman" posters are incredibly premature. He did not put up the kind of numbers that other running backs put up in 2007 or 2008. Even if he has a great year in 2009, the team will have to be far better than 8-4 or 9-3 for him to garner any real attention for the Heisman. I guess the people in the PR department have a lot of time on their hands. Besides, I would rather the team do exceptionally well rather than a single player; although, in this case, the two are probably dependent upon one another.

Kirk

Kirk,
I think even the most optimistic Clemson fan would think Spiller is a long shot. Tim Tebow, Sam Bradford and Colt McCoy are favorites by a wide margin. The Heisman is won on the field now. I like the posters and thought of them as a reward to Spiller for coming back and a gift to the fans for their support. I think Spiller is a fringe candidate but it has created attention.

Hey,
LOVE all your football related blogs, ignore everything else. Just thought you'd like feedback on your audience likes/dislikes.

Could you discuss this? "If the running game is not working, how long do you stick with it? Halftime? 3rd quarter? Is it possible that if you can start completing some throws, it might open up the running game?" Maybe talk to some coaches/ex-coaches about this topic, and it always helps to throw in a Danny Ford quote, I NEVER get tired of reading about him.

NJTiger

NJTiger,
You have to mix in the pass no matter who you are. The passing game benefits from a good running game and vice-versa. I think you take what the defense gives you but imposing your will on the defense by running the football is the most demoralizing thing you can do to a defense. I would never abandon the running game. Also I will get some of the quotes for you on the subject. Thanks for the e-mail.

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), 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, John Reeve, Eileen Woodrum, Ethel Southard, Vinnie Brock, Jean-Pierre Bailey, Kaitlyn L, Delores Weaver, Eric Boessneck, John Bowers, Jimmy Ness, Susan Miller, Joyce Harley, Steve Proveaux, John Petrey, Chalmers Carr, Drayton Melton, Jeffrey Greene, the Hutto family.

Posted by Mickey Plyler @ 12:17 PM EDT

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