Friday April 24, 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.
Mickey,
You use Monday's blog to pray for victory for the Women's rowing team, then when they go out and do it, you don't say ANYTHING? I am confused. I say, "Way to go, Ladies!" I want to www.theacc.com and read the article about the victory. Clemson got 5 on the all-ACC team. Won ACC Crew of the Year ¬- Clemson Varsity 8+, and ACC Coach of the Year for Coach Richard Ruggieri.
Also, please note the following two pieces of important information:
"Clemson's 14th-ranked Varsity 8+ finished first behind No. 11 Virginia with a time of 6:38.40, marking the first time in the history of the conference championship that Virginia did not win the Varsity 8+ race. The Tigers' victory was also just the fifth time a non-Virginia crew won an event at the championship regatta."
"Clemson's Varsity 4+ became just the fourth non-Virginia crew to win an event at the conference regatta when the Tigers defeated the Cavaliers with a time of 7:43.10 in the first race of the morning."
So, in the history of the event, Virginia has lost five (5) events at the ACC Championship. Clemson won 2 of them on Monday.
If all of that isn't worth a mention, I am not sure what is.
Congrats to the 209 ACC champion Clemson Women's Rowing.
Stephen
Stephen,
Thanks for the e-mail. I wrote the story on Monday and your e-mail was on Wednesday. That day we found out about William Perry’s illness Tuesday night and decided to write a blog encouraging people to e-mail him best wishes. We did write a section on Thursday about the ACC title for the rowing team. On my radio show we had the head coach of the rowing team on for about 25 minutes. We also have been promoting the ACC champs rowing t-shirts on the air. I feel comfortable that between the radio show and the blog, we have done more rowing than any other media outlet.
Hi Mickey,
As pleased as I was to find out CJ Spiller would return for his senior season, I agree that his chances of going to New York, much less winning the Heisman, are not very likely. He would absolutely need a break-out season. His career statistics are underwhelming because he shared duties with Davis and we had an idiot for an offensive coordinator. He would need at least 1,400 yards rushing in 2009 to make the trip to New York because he will be largely judged as a running back. The other factors, receiving and return yards, would be icing on the cake, but only if he has strong rushing yards in 2009.
I hope Ryan is continuing to do well.
Kirk
Kirk,
Thanks for the kind words about Ryan. Spiller’s Heisman candidacy is a long shot but that is not the main reason he came back. I also hear people say he has not as productive as some would like but I remind folks that he should break the ACC record for career all-purpose yards. I think the 2009 season will be a big one for Spiller.
Hey Mickey,
I enjoy your show every morning on my way in to work. I was glad to see the Clemson Rowing Team win the ACC Championship. I don't know the first thing about this sport but I do know this is a dedicated group of people. I cross the lake every weekday morning and these folks are out there practicing no matter what. Extreme cold, rain whatever mother nature dishes out they are there. Most times I am thinking the last place I would want to be is on the lake in these conditions.
I hope you and Lee have a great week.
Andrew
Andrew,
I thought Lee and I were the only ones to get up at 5:00 every day but it sounds like the rowing team and you are up at that time too. What a great accomplishment for the program. Rich Ruggieri is the head coach of the rowing team and he says Clemson has so many advantages now with the lake and the facilities that this could turn into a national championship contender soon.
Mickey,
I've seen Spiller get run down once....and that was by Jacoby Ford last season on a kick return. I can't recall which game it was, but Ford wound up catching up to Spiller.
They are so fast it's incredible. I want to see both of them challenge defenses vertically a little more. What about you?
Billy
Billy,
While I love the idea of big plays from these guys, I want to caution all fans about the deep passing game. Like you, I agree that Clemson needs to stretch the defense and attempt to throw the ball deep. But speed is only one component of a deep pass. The line has to protect longer. The quarterback has to have the arm strength to put it deep with accuracy as well. But the hardest part is for the receiver. Speed is important but adjusting to the ball in the air and anticipating its arrival point is also important. Rod Gardner was not a speedster but he was Clemson’s best deep threat of the last 20 years because he had a knack for it. He could adjust to the ball in the air. Gardner knew how to use his body and knew how to high point the ball. Throwing the deep ball accomplishes a lot even if is incomplete but boy it would be nice to complete more deep balls.
Mickey,
I read Monday's blog and found the comment "When you have years like this, I guess you look forward to next year." I am just thankful Clemson doesn't experience the football futility common to our Columbia rivals with their mantra "wait til next year".
With that comment, I want to ask you what is your overall impression of this year’s edition of the Clemson Tigers football team? I know there have been some comments and opinion posted on the site, but I am curious what someone with your connections really thinks about the fall season?
Bigatiger
Bigatiger,
I am an optimist so keep that in mind. However, I think we will see an improved team in 2009. I am impressed with the new staff and their sense of urgency. I also like the toughness we have seen this spring. From a personnel standpoint, I would look for solid play at quarterback, running back, tight end and the offensive line. The only question mark I have on the offensive side of the ball is at wide receiver. On defense, the front four and the secondary look deep and talented. I would have some concerns at linebacker at this point. We never know about the kicking game until the fall. The schedule is difficult and that is a concern. There is a lot of work to be done but I feel good about the potential of this team.
Mickey,
I watched the Alabama spring game this weekend with over 90,000 in attendance and wished we could accomplish this at Clemson. I think next year Dabo should change the spring game from Easter weekend and make it a night game under the lights. I think players and fans would be pumped to come to a night spring game since we rarely get night games these days. I also noticed Bama had the band for the game Saturday. Anyway just wondered if you bring the idea up to Dabo for next year thanks.
Rod
Rod,
I will mention it to the football operations guys. A night spring game is an interesting concept and one that I have not thought of but I think it is worth looking into. I lot of things could help. However, I am not sure if Clemson could ever fill the stadium for a spring game. Winning would be the best catalyst for more support for the spring game. Tiger fans broke the record for attendance this year and I think we can continue to see a growth here.
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), Sandy Wright, 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, Edward Putman, John Reeve, Eileen Woodrum, Ethel Southard, Vinnie Brock, Jean-Pierre Bailey, Kaitlyn L, William Perry.
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