Tuesday July 08, 2008

Ryan Update / ACC Tight Ends

Ryan Update 7-08
Ryan had a long day of rehab today and was more alert this morning. Yesterday he was not as productive during his rehab because he did not sleep well the night before. His doctor says he has to get a good night of rest each night in order to have enough energy to complete the daily activities. They are still working on the combination of his medicines in order for Ryan to be the most productive. They want him to be active so they give him brain stimulating drugs but they want him to rest so they give him medicine that will bring him back down. Currently the doctors are just trying to get the right combination to get the most out of each side of the equation.

Today could be a good day for Ryan because they may remove his trach. Yesterday they gave him some apple sauce with purple dye to see if he was swallowing it or if he was aspirating. They would have been able to suction the apple sauce from his lungs through his trach if he had not been able to swallow but that was not necessary.

When he gets his trach out, Ryan may be able to begin getting some mouth feedings. Some doctors say their patients respond even better to rehab when they are able to eat instead of getting tube feedings.

Yesterday was the first day I was not able to see Ryan. Since he moved to Charlotte and I had to work in Clemson, I was not able to be there. However, I am leaving this morning to go back to Charlotte and I will be able to do my radio show from Charlotte so there will not be a day when I don't get a chance to see him now. The doctors like the family to be there through rehab because we are going to have to do a lot of this when we get Ryan home.

Again, Thursday will be a big day because they will give us a projected discharge date for Ryan. This will give us time to make arrangements and have a better idea of what he will need when he gets home. When he arrives home Ryan will still need to go to outpatient rehab a few days a week.

I had a chance to go by the scene of the accident again today and I talked to one of the EMS first responders who rescued Ryan. In considering both, I feel extremely blessed that Ryan is alive and doing as well as he is. It could have been so much worse.

Kelly, Stefanie and I just want to say thanks for all of your support. Your prayers and you're your love has been the difference. We will never be able to repay you all but would love to start as soon as we can get this behind us. Thanks again.

ACC Tight Ends
1. NC State
StarterAnthony Hill was the best tight end in the ACC before he tore his ACL and the Pack are hoping he can return to his initial form.
DepthGeorge Bryan was a highly recruited athlete that shined in the spring. He gives State another great one if Hill cannot go.
The FutureState dipped into Charlotte for Mario Carter, one of the best in-state athletes at his position.

2. Boston College
StarterRyan Purvis might be the best tight end in the ACC this season. He caught 54 balls for 553 yards and four touchdowns last season.
DepthLars Anderson is the back-up coming into the season. He red-shirted last season but impressed the staff.
The FutureThe Eagles had to sign a couple of good ones at this position and they really like highly regarded Chris Pantale.

3. Maryland
StarterDan Gronkowski is an excellent blocker and one of the most experienced tight ends in the ACC.
DepthTommy Gault is a 260-pound blocker that should have the inside track on the second tight end spot but younger tight ends will get a chance.
The FutureDevonte Campbell should continue Maryland's long line of talented tight ends. He was one of the top tight ends in the country a year ago.

4. Clemson
Starter-Michael Palmer is the best overall tight end but Clemson will play as many as five tight ends this season. Palmer excels as a blocker and a receiver
Depth-Brian Linthicum played well as a true freshman and is a terrific receiver. Akeem Robinson is more of the blocking tight end and Durrell Barry would like to live up to his expectations.
The Future-Dwayne Allen was one of the nation's top tight end prospects a year ago and the Clemson staff was happy to steal him away from Georgia. Allen has unbelievable hands.

5. Florida State
StarterCaz Piurowski is the next in line of guys that will try to get this position back to FSU standards. The Noles like this 6-7, 275-pounder.
DepthJonathan Hannah committed to Virginia Tech but signed with South Carolina. He eventually ended up in Tallahassee but has not been able to contribute yet. Will he be as good as advertized?
The FutureOne of the keys to FSU's class was Ja'Barris Little. They think he may be what Brandon Warren was projected to be.

6. Virginia Tech
StarterGreg Boone is the largest tight end in the ACC and his 290-pound frame is hard to handle.
DepthSam Wheeler plays a lot in Tech's scheme. He is the more productive receiver in the line-up.
The FutureAndrew Lanier is another South Carolina native and a typical Virginia Tech, hard-nosed talented tight end.

7. Miami
StarterChris Zellner is a name Clemson fans should be familiar with as he came down to the Tigers and Canes a few years ago. He is a solid.
DepthRichard Gordon and Dedrick Epps give Miami solid depth at this position but this is a drop off from many years in Miami.
The FutureMiami has issues here because they only have three scholarship tight ends and all three are upper classmen. Last year they did not sign a tight end.

8. Virginia
StarterThe Cavs have to replace Tom Santi but John Phillips is experienced and has talent.
DepthJoe Torchia comes in at the second tight end but he will have to fight off two red-shirt freshmen.
The FutureVirginia signed three tight ends last year and like all three but Colter Phillips and Rod Wheeler were more highly recruited.

9. North Carolina
StarterNorth Carolina uses an H-back a lot and Zack Pianalto started nine games as a true freshman last year.
DepthVince Jacobs is a tall drink of water that still needs to get stronger but he has a big upside. Richard Quinn is more experienced.
The FutureChristian Wilson was a linebacker prospect according to some schools but the Heels like him as an H-Back.

10. Wake Forest
StarterWake will miss their top two tight ends from a year ago and Tereshinski will really be missed but Ben Wooster should take over here.
DepthCameron Ford is a former high school quarterback that has grown into a tight end. He is more of a pass receiver.
The FutureWake signed two tight ends last year and red-shirted two from a year ago. Andrew Parker was the highest ranked coming out of high school.
11. Duke
StarterThe Blue Devils lost their starter here from last season but Brandon King is listed as the top guy com
ing into the season. King has a couple of starts in his career.
DepthBrett Huffman is bigger than King and should see action here as will Danny Parker.
The FutureOne of the top players in Cutcliffe's first class at Duke is Kenny Anunike.

12. Georgia Tech-Georgia Tech has switched offensive schemes under Paul Johnson and they will not use tight ends.

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