Friday May 16, 2008
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,
Good work on the blog. I was wondering if we released a post spring depth chart. Also, who do you expect to comprise the 2 deep on the offensive line, defensive line, and line backing spots? Do you think these units will look the same at the beginning and end of the season barring injuries?
Thank you for publishing the blog. You are a great Clemson man!
Tiger Fan
Tiger fan,
You're too kind. Thanks.
Going into the fall the depth chart on the offensive line would like a little like this:
RT-Hairston So, Walker Fr, Medlin So
LT-Lambert Jr, McKissic Sr, McClain Fr
LG-Smith Fr, Grant Jr, Page Fr
RG-Humphries Jr, Norris Fr, Hutchinson Sr, Freeman Fr
C-Austin Jr, Cloy Fr, Sanders Fr
It could change depending on Cloy's development. If he can start at center I would think Austin could move to guard. Also I look for Norris to continue to push for more reps as the season goes on. I would also look for McClain to move higher on the depth chart as soon as he gets comfortable. Playing as a true freshman is tough for offensive linemen but McClain has a chance.
Heading into the fall I would think the linebacker depth chart would look like this:
MLB- Maye Fr, Vincent Sr, Clay Sr
WLB-Conner Jr, Hunter Fr, Miller Sr, Rollins Fr, Willard Fr
SLB-McDaniel So, Cooper So, Campbell Jr
I am not sure Vincent and/or Clay will be back in the fall so the chart will definitely change there. Miller will get a chance to cross train there. I think Hunter will make his move as he gets more comfortable. Also I put McDaniel at SAM but he will play mostly safety so Cooper and Campbell will get more reps.
Heading into the fall I would think the defensive line depth chart would look like this:
DE-Bowers Fr, Alexander Jr, Traylor Fr, Crittenden Jr
Ban-Sapp Jr, Brown So, Branch Fr, Clear Fr
DT-Jackson Sr, Jenkins So, Chavis So, Moore So
DT-Scott Sr, Cumbie Jr, Murchison Jr, Thompson Fr
I think Bowers will start ahead of Alexander and if Crittenden qualifies he will jump Traylor. I think the depth chart at the Bandit will stay the same. They will have competition at defensive tackle but Scott and Jackson will start there. Jenkins, Cumbie, Murchison, Chavis, Moore and Thompson will give the staff a lot of depth and they could be interchangeable each week.
Mickey,
Just wondering about the QB position. After this season, Willy Korn has 3 years of eligibility left. I believe that Kyle Parker is red-shirting this season? If so, he'll have 4 years left. Brandon Speweik will be a redshirt senior. Please correct me if I'm wrong.
My question is, what are we looking to do from a recruiting standpoint? I know we have a few QBs on the board like Morgan Newton and Ryan Massakowski and also a couple of athletes that played the position like Stephon Gilmore and Logan Thomas. Where is the staff looking to go at this point for the 2009 class? With Korn and Parker being the mobile QBs that they are, do we look to take a Mossakowski or Newton, who are more Pro-style? Thanks for the info.
Wes
Wes,
You are correct on the eligibility for the quarterback position. Gilmore and Thomas are not quarterbacks at the next level. Gilmore will play in the secondary and Thomas will play either wide receiver or tight end.
At this point Mossakowski and Newton are the only two quarterbacks that have Clemson offers. Mossakowski is thought of as the better prospect by some of the national scouts. The Tigers have competition for both and both are national prospects. Don't count out a quarterback getting an offer at Clemson's summer camp.
I know the staff would like to sign a quarterback each year but I would not be surprised if they did not sign one just to sign a quarterback.
Mickey,
Every blog or article I've read from various papers in the Southeast keeps referring to our lack of a credible offensive line. They rank us high but prognosticate that we won't achieve all of our goals due to our poor o-line. Are we that bad? I thought that, although we lack starters, we finally have depth with guys who have a lot of playing time. What's up?
Rick
Rick,
Fans might not want to hear it but the offensive line is being rebuilt a little again this season. Anytime you lose three starters then it takes time to build the continuity. The Tigers have 16 scholarship offensive linemen this year and only lose Jock McKissic so next year this unit should be considered a strength.
I think the talent level has improved along the offensive line but it is more about assignments and experience. Brad Scott does a good job with these guys and I think they will play well. I personally think this year's group will play better than last year's unit.
Mickey,
Which freshmen do you think will play this season? Thanks.
Delta
Delta,
This year Clemson will not have the opportunities like they have had in the past because they have more experience at more positions.
It is way too early to think about but you did not right in to read me dodge the question so here is my best guesses:
QB-Parker (red-shirt), Richt (red-shirt)
RB-Harper (plays), Ellington (plays)
WR-Jones (plays), Brown (red-shirt), Ford (red-shirt)
TE-Allen (plays)
OL-McClain (plays), Freeman (red-shirt), Page (red-shirt), Sanders (red-shirt)
DE-Bowers (plays), Crittenden (plays)
DT-Thomson (red-shirt)
LB-Hunter (plays), Rollins (plays), Willard (red-shirt)
DB-Brewer (red-shirt), Adams (plays), Hall (plays), Lewis (plays), Andrews (plays)
P-Zimmerman (plays)
PK-Benton (red-shirt)
Snapper-Skinner (plays)
Remember, these are just guesses and many of these will change but you asked.
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So, with Parker likely to red-shirt, does that mean he may only play 1 year of college football before going pro in baseball?
Posted by Justwannaread on May 16, 2008 at 11:10 AM EDT #
You are correct Justwannaread....I would not be surprised if Kyle Parker never plays football at Clemson
Posted by natedawgSWU on May 16, 2008 at 01:11 PM EDT #
You beat me to it with Parker. From what I've read about his baseball exploits it wouldn't surprise me if he never saw the football field at Clemson.
Will Ellington only contribute on special teams? I could see Harper playing in short-yardage situations, but have trouble seeing a 4-RB rotation.
Posted by gat1ger on May 16, 2008 at 07:11 PM EDT #
I know the coots are afflicted with it and perhaps you are correct and the rest of the SEC is afflicted as well.
Afflicted with what ?.....you ask.
e-nam-or-e-dia - inflamed with love..
no RX and no none cure.
I do not pull for any team in the southenamoredia conference, regardless of who they are playing.
Posted by dhamm on May 19, 2008 at 12:45 PM EDT #