Tuesday August 18, 2009

The Starting Quarterback

The Starting Quarterback
The decision to start Kyle Parker at quarterback has dominated the news and messages board over the 24 hours and rightfully so.

This was not unexpected. The timing may have surprised some but the decision was not. The beat writers have written about the decision coming but I did not know it was going to be yesterday. Parker took control of the job in the spring and Korn worked hard in the summer but he could not over take him in the first two weeks.

The timing of the decision was somewhat of a surprise but the staff hinted at this late last week. I can understand the idea of wanting to get the continuity and timing down with the first team backs and receivers.

There were a few curious items to come from the announcement though. Dabo says Korn will play in every game because he deserved to play. He also said that there was enough of a separation to warrant the action of naming Parker as the starter. He also said that this is not a permanent deal and the best player will play and this could change as the season goes on.

Some may take those statements as contradictory but I am going to take Dabo at his word. I believe he thinks there was enough separation to name a starter. I also believe they think Korn will play. And I do think things could change as the season goes on. All of those statements can be true so I am not taking this as just “coach speak.”

I got an e-mail from a listener that I expect as someone who is not a Clemson fan and it said gave me a hard time about “your boy Korn” not starting. He wanted to know what I thought about Korn being a bust and pointed out how wrong I was about Korn. I am not as the Korn defender but that’s OK.

I have not responded yet but will sometime today. I do think a lot of Willy Korn and his father, Dr. Larry Korn.

I do feel bad for him because I don’t think the previous staff was not fair to him with that first spring when they told him he would have a chance to win the starting job. He was told if he graduated early and went through the spring then he would have a fair shot and that was not the case. He always worked with the second-team guys and walk-ons while Cullen Harper worked with Aaron Kelly, Tyler Grisham and Jacoby Ford. Korn played mostly in a mop up role but looked good when he was healthy and led the team to touchdowns on most of the drive he played in his first two seasons.

I know it sounds like I am making excuses for Korn but FACTS need to be pointed out here. I follow major league baseball closely and the two major injuries that pitchers suffer deal with elbows and shoulders. Pitchers have elbow problems and it is now big deal. They can even have Tommy John surgery and come back even stronger than ever. Many pitchers that have elbows surgery go on to sign very lucrative deals and long, prosperous careers. However, shoulder issues are another issue in baseball. MLB teams shy away from shoulder problems. The shoulder joint is a much more complicated issue than the elbow. Few ever sign bigger deals after shoulder surgery.

Remember Korn has broken his collar bone and had two shoulder surgeries. As a junior, Cullen Harper set the school record for touchdown passes with 27. He had a shoulder surgery before the bowl game going of his junior season and was never the same.

Some have successful rotator cuff surgeries but time and healing is the key. The labrum is a complicated part of the shoulder to operate on as well and some never recover from labrum surgery.

I know people who coached him at Byrnes and they will tell you he is still not the same passer he was then because of the injuries. Korn says he is healthy but he has said that before and later admitted he was not telling the truth because he did not want to make excuses. He told me the back of his shoulder felt like someone was jabbing an ice pick in it last fall so he compensated in his throwing motion.

Before his injury, I had two Clemson assistant coaches that told me they though Korn was the kind of player that could lead this program to the BCS. I conclude injuries detoured that scenario.

As you know, he has worked hard to regain his arm strength but some still have doubts as to whether it is as strong as it once was.

It could have also been the case that Parker just might have been better than Korn if both healthy their entire careers. Sometimes people come in and beat out the competition. Maybe Parker would have been the starter no matter what.

I know injuries have affected Korn. I don’t know if he will ever fully recover or if he already has. I don’t know how much he will play? I don’t know if he will transfer if he doesn’t play.

What I do know is that Willy Korn is a special kid with a great deal of character and integrity. He has handled everything thrown at him with class and dignity. He has not text messaged ESPN with any derogatory comments blaming others. Korn has earned his teammates trust.

I know that most people who post derogatory comments about Korn or Parker, really don’t know those kids. I think we are lucky to have both of them.

I also think whoever emerges as the starter at the end of the 2009 season better strap it on in the spring because Tajh Boyd will be coming after the starting position in March of 2010.

I also know if all Clemson ever did was recruit a bunch of kids like Willy Korn and Kyle Parker then the football program would be just fine.

Finally, I know both players have their supporters on the internet and on the radio. However, I think most of us just want what is best for the football program and want the guy that gives the team the best chance to be successful. Personally, I don’t care if they move Da’Quan Bowers to quarterback if that gives the team the best chance to be successful. I could be wrong but I think most Tiger fans feel the same way.

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, Sherl Drawdy, Caleb Kennedy.