Mark Bradley

By Georgia Fan

July 31, 2008 9:24 AM | Link to this

As a fan, I will take notice of Georgia Tech when they actually beat us. Otherwise, this is nothing more than mindless preseason optimism that we hear every year out of Tech fans. Beat us and you’ll get your respect.

As for the players and coaches, they have always taken Tech seriously and always know they will get Tech’s best shot. I am not at all worried about that.

As for Johnson, to say that he will have more success against Georgia than Gailey isn’t exactly going out on a limb. The only way to go is up. He will get the occasional victory but Georgia will continue to dominate the series as long as Richt is around.

By jcliffdawg

July 31, 2008 9:28 AM | Link to this

Three questions. 1) Shouldn’t this article be buried somehwere in the Tech section? 2) Shouldn’t you have mentioned that GA has a week off to prepare for such a big Johnson and what will be a purring spread offense? 3) How did you and Terrence survive the AJC layoffs and re-assignments? I’ll hang up and listen.

By CRB

July 31, 2008 9:33 AM | Link to this

Mindless preseason optimism?

UGA fans have the monopoly on that.

By Dwgsrule

July 31, 2008 9:33 AM | Link to this

I don’t UGA is looking over Tech. They are our biggest rival. Also as far UGA having trouble against WVU in the sugar bowl. It wasn’t so much the defense as all the turnovers in the first half. The defense held them to 3 points the entire second half after CWM made adjustments.

By DC

July 31, 2008 9:35 AM | Link to this

Mark, too much is being made of the spread offense. It was a gimmick type offense yrs ago when few ran it. yea GA had trouble in the Sugar, but let’s faceit, if you are not in the BCS championship game the rest are just exhibition games-and hard to prepare and get motivated for—for the most part. Now that the spread is everywhere, most DC’s will be preparing for it early and often and will have a case study in defending it. That offense will bite you if you are too agressive and overpursue

By Benjamin

July 31, 2008 9:36 AM | Link to this

I assure you that Coach Richt is not looking past the Nerds. They will take each game as it’s own giant. For now, I assure you that we are not concerned about a game that is 4 months away. Focus is on the first game of the season.

By RAMBLE ON!!!

July 31, 2008 9:36 AM | Link to this

Mark loves getting the redneck nation worked up.

GT won’t get to spoil the Fleabags 27th straight preseason National Championship because they will already have three defeats when Paul Johnson opens up the can of whoop a* and puts another one to make four.

THWG

By Moonlight Mile

July 31, 2008 9:38 AM | Link to this

Tech is one of UGA’s biggest rivals and both teams always play hard. Predicting the game to be close isn’t much of a statement. The game is usually close and UGA is fortunate to have pulled out a couple of the recent ones (Thank you Reggie).

Johnson will definitely be better than Gailey in the long term but the loss of Jon Tenuta probably deserves to be mentioned.

By Greg

July 31, 2008 9:38 AM | Link to this

I agree about the West Virginia comment, but it is worthwhile to note that WVU only scored 10 points after the first 16 minutes of the game(UGA was down 28-0 1 minute into the 2nd quarter and lost 38-35). That doesn’t excuse the 4 TD’s scored early, but it shows that Martinez made some adjustments and he’s got 3 more years under his belt as DC since that game.

Bottom line is Paul Johnson is a very good coach…but Georgia isn’t exactly Army.

By Goldtimer

July 31, 2008 9:39 AM | Link to this

Barks Madly actually writes a favorable article about Tech? Is the world coming to an end? It is about time someone notes that the tide is about to turn in the series. The Fleabags will take notice this year after the Jackets lay 40+ on them this year. Get used to it UGA(g) Tech will own this series. Johnson is on an entire different level than Richt, much like how Richt was on a different level than Gailey. You heard it hear first here, Tech will be the first school in the series to win 10 in a row.

By rerservoirDAWG

July 31, 2008 9:39 AM | Link to this

Wow. Mark Bradley has a feeling that Tech is about to get really good again. That is very informative. I guess he had to throw Tech a bone, pun intended, after he UGA to win the national championship.

By Danny

July 31, 2008 9:40 AM | Link to this

That is our last game of the season…..we have 11 other teams to focus on first!!! We will worry about that when the time comes.

By JB

July 31, 2008 9:40 AM | Link to this

Tech people will even tell you the talent gap has grown bigger. Yes, Tech will improve, but Georgia is a notch or two above where they where 4-5 years ago. Richt is getting better players and he has improved as a head coach. Depth is a major difference. UGA has players who can replace starters if injured and keep fresh during games. Tech’s Defense will be panting by the start of the fourth quarter with hands on knees and Georgia getting first downs on the ground and controlling the clock while Johnson’s offense has to watch helplessly from the sideline. That is a fact. That will not be Delaware or UConn’s defense giving up alot of real estate to tech’s offense.

By Bub

July 31, 2008 9:40 AM | Link to this

So many people seem to be falling into the trap that because Tech is running a spread or option offense, they’re all of a sudden going to become dangerous & potentially unstoppable. News flash: Lots of teams in college football run some sort of spread offense, & they don’t win every game (or even a lot of games) just because of that. It takes players, of which Tech has very few. And it takes a defense, which Tech hasn’t shown that they have, especially with Tenuta now gone. Johnson’s playing with the big boys now, & I think he’s going to find the sledding a lot tougher than he has in the past.

By Carter

July 31, 2008 9:42 AM | Link to this

Tech fans are obsessed with beating Georgia 365 days a year…..Georgia fans are 7 days of the year (the week we play them). Who cares about that North Avenue Trade School! They are way down the list.

By Michael in Decatur

July 31, 2008 9:47 AM | Link to this

Navy vs. New Mexico in the 2004 Emerald Bowl in San Francisco. The Navy offense had a 26-play, 94-yard, 14:26 drive that was capped off by a Geoff Blumenfeld 22-yard field goal to make the score 34-19. The 26 plays and 14:26 time of possession were both NCAA records for a single drive.

I can’t say this to my UGA friends, but I might have to sneak into Grant Field to watch this offense. Tracy Ham was a magician for Georgia Southern back in the day. The ACC better watch out.

By Deputy D

July 31, 2008 9:47 AM | Link to this

As a Tech Fan these are the exact thoughts that have been running threw my head every since we hired PJ. If we could upset UGA and take away a national title it would be bliss for all Tech Fans. This would also wash the sour taste of Choke Gailey and Reggie Can’t Ball from the hearts of all Tech fans.

By dawgy

July 31, 2008 9:48 AM | Link to this

First off, Johnson doesn’t run the spread option. He runs a variety of the flexbone. The spread is 90% out of the shotgun. PJ’s offense is grounded in the qb taking snaps from under center. Second, Tech doesn’t have Pat White, Steve Slaton, and Owen Schmidt. This was a pretty lame column.

By I get paid to write this stuff

July 31, 2008 9:48 AM | Link to this

First of all to Goldtimer, time to take your meds. 10 in a row? Nice to see Urine nation getting all fired up about the return of the wishbone. Second, it doesn’t matter what kind of gimmick offense you run when you have second rate players and 1 star recruits. When Paul starts beating Richt in recruiting wars (which will never happen) then I’ll start to take Tech semi-seriously. Until then, they are just another grease spot for the dawgs on the way to a bowl game.

By Georgia Fan

July 31, 2008 9:50 AM | Link to this

Mindless preseason optimism?

UGA fans have the monopoly on that.

Yeah, god forbid we get excited about 17 starters returning from an 11-2 team that finished #2 in the land last year. What are we thinking? I would much rather be in Tech’s shoes with only 7 starters returning from a team that went 7-6.

Oh the mind of a Tech fan. There really is nothing like it. You aren’t going to earn your respect on these here message board Tech fans. It won’t happen in a million years. We’re going to have to see some action.

By Fred G. Sanford

July 31, 2008 9:51 AM | Link to this

The “G” stands for Georgia, you big dummy.

Mark, nice attempt to stir the pot. I, too, respect what Paul Johnson has accomplished in his career, but to sound warnings prior to him fielding a team, or even winning a game for that matter, is utterly ridiculous.

I have the utmost confidence in Mark Richt and his coaching staff. Whatever happens to UGA and GT during the season will have no impact on UGAs preparation for Tech. It’s not like we’ve blown them out every year. Instead, the games are usually close and we do what’s necessary to secure the win. The team will be focused and ready.

You’ve written on what you expect UGA to accomplish this season, but since you’ve fired this warning flare, what are your toughts on how GT will do?

By Bdawg

July 31, 2008 9:52 AM | Link to this

November 29, 2008 = 51-7 Part II

By D.Ellis

July 31, 2008 9:53 AM | Link to this

Actually DWGS rule WV scored a TD in the second half..not jsut a FG. I sgree with MArk’s column. Johnson will make them better no doubt and the series will not be as lop sided as it has been. However you can’t really compare the GT offense to WV offense from 05’ sugar bowl. GT has no where near the athletes running that offense that WV had. Steve Slaton/Pat White/D. Renaud. GT doesn’t have anyone of that calibre…just yet.

However I see GT closing the gap very much so in this series.

But I’m a betting man and I’d put money on the DAWGS 10 out of 10 times.

I like the column Mark-Incorporating both schools to get the Blog going!

Ramble On-Come on now. Redneck nation?

Your right…GT won’t get to spoil the preseason NC for the DAWGS….lately they haven’t spoiled much of anything for anyone….especially the redneck nation. The only thing that has been getting spoiled is that ride home for ther last 7 years.

By RuggerDawg

July 31, 2008 9:55 AM | Link to this

Paul Johnson made a big time career mistake by taking the Georgia Tech job, and the Bulldogs will emphasize that point on November 29th!

By king

July 31, 2008 9:56 AM | Link to this

goldtimer is an idiot! tech will never beat the dawgs 10 in a row

By SwinfordDawg

July 31, 2008 9:57 AM | Link to this

Thank you goldtimer and ramble on for making my morning. I love to see tech fans claiming incoherent victories over UGA in advance. It is wonderful to see how much the annual raping actually gets to you. Its ok. Soon you will just accept the fact that your just a another Western Carolina or Central Michigan on Georgia’s schedule. If i were you i wouldn’t get to worked up over it.

By king

July 31, 2008 9:58 AM | Link to this

goldtimer is an idiot! tech will never beat the dawgs 10 in a row

By Gadawg

July 31, 2008 10:00 AM | Link to this

I think PJ will do a Petrino before the end of the Year! HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!! What’s the latest on Hamilton? is he still in JAIL?

By Matt

July 31, 2008 10:03 AM | Link to this

hahahahahaha thats great! GT beating UGA..I needed that laugh this morning! YOU guys at the AJC always know how to create a good chuckle in the morning!

By razordawg

July 31, 2008 10:05 AM | Link to this

I agree tech will be better under johnson..but thats 2+ years away after some heavy recruiting. dawgs roll tech this year… can you say 50+?

By Paddy

July 31, 2008 10:06 AM | Link to this

Mark, good piece. Got things stirred up a little. Don’t believe UGA will have much trouble w/ Tech for a year or so. But the ACC better not let their guard down. Johnson’s teams could really run up some big scores and they will have an upset victory this season. Just whom will it be? Let the fun begin…..

By jim

July 31, 2008 10:07 AM | Link to this

tech fan here, is bradley off his rocker, we are years away from competing against UGA in most sports especially the big one like football basketball and baseball

By JB

July 31, 2008 10:07 AM | Link to this

Ask 100 football experts around the country TODAY about Georgia Vs. TECH. They would tell you look out, Beamer is a pretty good coach. NO, you fool, Georgia Tech. They would say, you’re kidding, right ?

By Maddog

July 31, 2008 10:13 AM | Link to this

Goldtimer, Tech beats UGA 10 yeras in a row? LOL!! You may want to browse through other sections of the ajc.com. There’s a great article about a new drug for alzheimer’s. Sounds promising. You may want to join one of the beta groups.

By DLR

July 31, 2008 10:13 AM | Link to this

While beating our SEC rivals is key to our season’s success, continuing to own GT and watching them wallow in frustration and mediocrity is also critical to UGA’s ongoing Top 10 outlook. This allows us to dominate in-state recruiting in such an extreme way that Tech’s instate fan base is woeful, their talent level consistently unsatisfactory, and their graduates having to hyper focus on the big dawg in the state that continues to kick sand in their face. Hence, UGA is able to essentially model our recruiting after a school like LSU that is the only school in their state, unlike states like Alabama, FL, SC, ect, that must split their respective pies. All of this is a major reason Richt chose UGA for his head coaching career. Beating Tech may not currently match the feeling of beating FL, but beating Tech regularly is one thing that allows victories over FL to happen.

By Mark

July 31, 2008 10:13 AM | Link to this

Besides 1990, when has Tech been really good?

By CarolinaJacket

July 31, 2008 10:15 AM | Link to this

I agree with JB in his/her observation that UGA’s depth will show in the 4th quarter. It usually does. Tech has to get more good players. Also,in addition to this, UGA’s week off before the game gives them even more of an advantage. It’s going to be rough this year.

By UGASlobberknocker

July 31, 2008 10:19 AM | Link to this

I needed a good laugh, thanks Mark.

It looks to me that Tech is going to have a hard time maintaining its “2 wins a decade ” pace that has been going on for about 40 yrs..my prediction, they will beat Ga the same year that beautiful women start matriculating there..in other words…NEVER.

By Butts Wagner

July 31, 2008 10:19 AM | Link to this

second rate players and 1 star recruits

Oh yes, those horrible 1 star recruits GT has all over the team……

By idiots

July 31, 2008 10:22 AM | Link to this

3 of the last 4 games against Georgia have come down to the last play of the game. Georgia is lucky to win all of those games. In fact, Tech was ranked higher going into those games 2 out of the 4. This series isn’t as one-sided as it looks on paper. But as a Tech fan, I realize it’s our job to get on Georgia’s level because they have an elite program right now and it looks to be pretty stable for several years. I’m hoping Johnson could dominate the ACC first, and the wins against Georgia will come.

By DawginLex

July 31, 2008 10:26 AM | Link to this

Goldtimer and Ramble on are off their meds again. Predicting a beatdown from either side is stupid which pretty much speaks for these two posters. It’s kinda like the gator fans saying that they will win the UGA game by 40 points. UGA/UF has always been close since 2002 and will be again this year. To think otherwise is stupid.

Look at the recent scores idiots. Other than the 51-7 embarrassment in 2002, UGA/Tech has been competitive. UGA has better players overall and the game is in Athens. The spread will be seen in other games in 2008 prior to Tech. It will not be something to be in awe of. Tech will win again, just not in 2008.

Anyone who gets on here and spouts about a beatdown by Tech or a 10 game winning streak is equivalent to the Walmart clerk I encountered. The items were $45.28 and I handed her a fifty dollar bill. She handed me $45.28 and I told her she was giving me the wrong amount of change. She ARGUED WITH ME AND REFUSED TO TAKE THE MONEY BACK. The manager intervened.

Must be Ramble on’s daughter. THEY LIVE !!!!!

By Jeffrey

July 31, 2008 10:26 AM | Link to this

Yes, we did struggle against West Virginia and their spread offense. But, they also had a couple of players named Pat White and Steve Slaton who were pretty darn good. And Tech has…wait, who is their QB and RB this year? Point is, whether their offense is “purring” like you say or not, you still need the athletes to execute it, and Tech doesn’t.

By Mark Bradley

July 31, 2008 10:27 AM | Link to this

D. Ellis: I’ve picked Tech to go 7-5. Thanks for asking.

By ED

July 31, 2008 10:29 AM | Link to this

Top 10 reasons tech will win:

1.tech students have to take calculus! 2.It’s a great new offense with no proven players 3.In 2007 the coach beat army and temple and notre dame and duke by 3!!!! 4.tech players have to take calculus 5.tech worries more about UGA than tech 6.tech players take calculus 7.UGA is too excited about returning 17 from an 11-2 #2 team 8.that calculus thing… 9.UGA is a redneck school and we like to call it UGA(y), cute huh! 10.Dumb UGA players don take CALCULUS!!!

By Maddog

July 31, 2008 10:29 AM | Link to this

idiots, if 7 wins in a row is not as one-sided as it appears, then tell some of your kindred morons to stop mentioning the 8 in a row you hung on us way back in the 1950s.

By DawgFan24

July 31, 2008 10:31 AM | Link to this

LMAO!! We have an off week before Tech!

Nice try Mark, but I dont think the Dawgs will be upset by the Gnats in Athens.

I guess the Tech fans deserve to have a little glimmer of hope every once in awhile, even if it is in the form of a brain fart.

By Notre Don't

July 31, 2008 10:33 AM | Link to this

Ummmmmmm … no.

By Spike

July 31, 2008 10:33 AM | Link to this

Mark, pretty weak column. Nerds, BRING IT ON!!

By Ramblin'Wreck

July 31, 2008 10:36 AM | Link to this

I agree with you Georgia fan. UGA never underestimates Tech. As much as it pains me to say, Richt is an outstanding coach and has really taken UGA to a new level. His boys are always prepared and Richt and his staff see to it. For all the trash talking that goes on, Tech and UGA love to hate each other. The rivalry is clearly tipped to UGA’s favor right now, but that’s what makes it a great rivalry. Hopefully this will be the year we end the drought against UGA. Whether it’s this year or not, the time is coming. You can try to say it’s not a rivalry because Tech has to win one for it to be a rivalry if you want to, but UF owned UGA for decades and you guys still call it a rivalry. Think of Tech in that same position. Sure as night, we’re gunning for you and I hope that UGA isn’t worried. That’s where we want you. Relaxed and laid back just enough for us to pop you in the mouth and bring some pride back to the Golden Flats.

By Fred G. Sanford

July 31, 2008 10:36 AM | Link to this

The “G” stands for Georgia, you big dummy!

Ed, beautiful, just beautiful. LMAO. You should write for Letterman. I have to go now….need to work on my calculus.

By GT610

July 31, 2008 10:38 AM | Link to this

Tech will be OK this year, but I don’t know if they can beat UGA. Although, GT players always seem to play really hard against UGA. Now that Gailey is gone we may more aggressive and surprise a few people. You never know.

By the way, you could never compare GT to Western Carolina, I mean UGA only beat Vandy by 3 or 4 last year. Good observation though (sarcastic).

By Ted

July 31, 2008 10:38 AM | Link to this

FYI, Paul Johnson runs the triple option, ala Nebraska under Osbourne, and not the spread option. They are completely different as one uses multiple recievers to spread the field while the other uses wing backs and at sometimes multiple tightends. While it is a gimmick offense like the spread, the comparison to WV doesn’t hold much water

By B. Kowalchuck

July 31, 2008 10:39 AM | Link to this

I like how every idiot all of a sudden knows exactly what PJ is going to do on offense. And how it won’t work. I mean if Billy Joe Walmart fan from Georgia says it won’t work then we should just pack it in.

And I also like how there is no talent at GT. Way to be dumber than a sack of doorknobs.

By D.Ellis

July 31, 2008 10:40 AM | Link to this

Mark-I didn’t ask about Tech’s record but thanks for the shout out!

In the mean time I ithnk Tech will pull an upset some where in there. Out of your 7 wins you predict for Tch do you see an upset?

By GTwes

July 31, 2008 10:44 AM | Link to this

Come on tech fans lets dont start taking Bradleys articles seriously now…we never do. We all know uga is going to be very good this year and I love to hear them talk about this offense not working against them lets see they lost to sorry SC,who runs the ball and Tenn. who ran down their throats and oh yeah lets dont forget about a team who runs a little option Vandy who were 2 minutes from beating them again. We are to uga what they are to FLA, for now. Lets earn our respect back on the field like they are desperately trying to do against FLA.Let them keep doubting us… I actually like it. Besides dawg fans need to be worrying about the 1 reason they wont win the national title………..Fatt Stafford , looks a little pudgy ,tons of ability, dumb as a rock, he will lose games for uga this year. He may beat us but we dont count ..right?

By blackprix

July 31, 2008 10:45 AM | Link to this

Tech finally hired a ‘real coach’ in coach Johnson. He’s in the mold of Ross and O’Leary - the guys who have been very successful at Tech and particularly against GA!

Coach Johnson is going to be very productive at Tech and not just against the dawgs. Watch out, Tech positive future lies with a very good coach, teacher, disciplinarian, leaders and motivator in Coach Johnson.

I wouldn’t be surprised at all if this year’s GT team gives the dawgs all they can handle!

By JB

July 31, 2008 10:47 AM | Link to this

Take notice of a perinial mediocre team, running a new offense that they don’t have the players to run? Uh, OK.

HBTD!!!

By B

July 31, 2008 10:47 AM | Link to this

Weak column is right. Admittedly, this is a slow news time since the Braves are tanking and football hasn’t started. Still, it’s a massive stretch to say that because LSU was poised to go to the SEC title game and was beaten in their regular season finale by an Arkansas team with two top 10 drafted RBs (McFadden and Felix Jones), that UGA will find itself similarly positioned against Tech this year. What does an AJC sports columnist do the other 23.5 hours in a day?

By Maddog

July 31, 2008 10:50 AM | Link to this

What offense does GT actually run? If you read the posts above you’ll see they run (1) the spread, (2) the option, (3) the flexbone, (4) the wishbone, and (5) the triple option. I know GT fans like to trash talk about how much smarter their athletes are than UGA’s, but it would take a Mensa group to run these varied schemes during a game. If there’s this much confusion on the team then I really don’t think GTs opponents have much to fear this year.

By hunterj6

July 31, 2008 10:51 AM | Link to this

Mark, have you ever heard the words “too soon?” Like after telling a really bad joke?…

However; I have nothing to do today so, I will bite…If and when the “Johnson O” starts clicking and I hope it does, then the Dawgs will get credit for a victory over a formidable opponet in the Bumble-Jackets. Thus, propelling them forward in the BCS rankings as opposed to dropping them like last year.

Now, go find out who is going to be the number 2 tailback this year and why. That would be a much better article…

By The bandwagon

July 31, 2008 10:56 AM | Link to this

Hurry everyone! JUMP ON QUICK! We have so many 2nd rate bandwagon fans right now that it is absurd! Lets just go ahead and pat ourselves on the back for our NC we are guaranteed this season! Too bad this bandwagon is going to be as empty as Knowshon’s head by Oct. 25th, when we have lost twice, and are about to go down to jacksonville after LSU put it in our butts (for our SECOND loss of the year). But hurry! JUMP ON QUICK! There is plenty of chew and spam for everyone to feast upon on the bandwagon, and meth is aplenty! Lets all get on here and pretend like ugay football stopped after Dooley, and then started again when CMR the pastor got here. Who is Donnan? And how can Golf coach a football team?

Please keep filling up these bandwagons, b/c then the crash and burn is going to be that much sweeter when ugay CHOKES.

CHOKE CHOKE CHOKE. You all see it coming, with that schedule, ugay has NO CHANCE. Give me a break losers. You can be as delusional as you want, but a NC is out of the question. Lets just go ahead and all pile on the bandwagon for ‘09. GT’s chances this year- probably not great. Its usually a close game however, and ugay is always more nervous about it than they say. But the tides will turn, they always do. CPJ knows that a ugay win means job security, and he hates inbred mutts as much as the next guy.

Mark Bradley- you are still a huge douche and ugay homer.

By AreUKiddingMe

July 31, 2008 11:04 AM | Link to this

So averaging 8.5 wins a season is a great coach? I would call that average myself. If you look at Navy’s schedule who did they play that was that good? When they did play a good team they got spanked. When this guy actually wins in the ACC I may take notice. Even if he can accomplish that it will be at least 2-3 years. The ACC is still weak and the Dawgs will continue to roll the mediocre Jackets until Mark Richt decides to hang it up. The Triple Option went away for a reason. It is dated and good defenses will shut that garbage down.

By Maddog

July 31, 2008 11:07 AM | Link to this

Bandwagon, your eloquence with the written word is unparalleled. Based on your mastery of the English language you must be one of those self annointed “intellectually superior” GT students or grads.

Not much substance in your post other than mentioning the UGA coaches. So tell me, what was your coaching situation like before and after Bobby Ross departed? Please don’t go all the way back to Boddy Dodd. Also, don’t bring up George O’Liary because he didn’t consider himself a coach. I believe his resume had him being Secretary of State, U.N. Ambassador, double naught spy or something like that.

By Gdawg

July 31, 2008 11:08 AM | Link to this

I have to agree with you on this Mark. After beating Tech for so many years, we don’t really notice them anymore, there not that much of a factor. Many Georgia fans now don’t really consider them our rival, now its Florida or Auburn. Well I am here to say that Tech is our biggest rival and we shouldn’t just mark them down as a W every year. Tech will get us someday, just like Vandy did and Kentucky did, you can only beat a team for so many years in a row before they finally beat you. I always tell everyone(and they look at me like I’m crazy), that if Georgia could only win one game every year that it would be Tech. When Tech starts beating you, you realize how much you hate those guys. Many people joke that a Georgia coach has never lost to Tech 4 years in a row because they get fired after the 3rd year. All I am saying is watch out for Tech this year because they are under the radar and nothing would please them more greatly then to maybe take a national championship form us. Go Dawgs!

By UGAly

July 31, 2008 11:10 AM | Link to this

Laughable

By sprtdog

July 31, 2008 11:11 AM | Link to this

I didn’t know colleges could trade players like NFL teams. The truth is Paul Johnson is going to need time to recruit the type of players he needs for his offense. Those players are not going to be found lying under rocks between now and late November. Josh Nesbitt has terrific potential as a quarterback in a passing offense but I don’t believe he has the experience to run the option in college against defenses like Va Tech, Boston College, Clemson, FSU and UGA. I know beating UGA is the number one priority at Ga Tech this year just like it was for Dog fans in Mark Richt’s first season in 2001. The key sticking point in this year’s UGA/GT game is not can UGA stop the option. Can the Jackets stop an a Bulldog offense that average 38 points a game in the final six games last year. Those points came against Florida, Auburn and Georgia Tech defenses. The UGA offense with a stable of young and talented lineman, an experience Caleb King and a fleet or receivers will be much improved also their 12th game. As for the 2006 Sugar Bowl, UGA did not come ready to play as Mark Richt admitted for the 08 Sugar Bowl. I know Georgia Tech fans do not miss Chan Gailey. They made a huge mistake in firing him. The Jacket program he inherited in 2002 was abysmal and he did a terrific job getting the top players in this state like Calvin Johnson, Nesbitt, Dwyer and Kyle Jackson to sign with Georgia Tech and not UGA, AU, Clemson and the likes. He won the Coastal Division in 2006 and would have been a strong contender in 2008. Georgia Tech under Gailey’s offensive system (Bennett and Nesbitt at QB and Dwyer at TB) would be a preseason favorite given all the holes Va Tech has to fill this season. Paul Johnson is an outstanding coach but I believe the Jackets need patience to allow him to build the program his way. If Jacket fans do not give him the time, it will be some time before GT can get back as an ACC contender and a contender to beat their in-state rival.

By PROUDTECHFAN

July 31, 2008 11:13 AM | Link to this

you Georgia fans are so sensitive…God forbid someone in this state pick against you… and if you read the article Mark didnt pick you guys to lose to us, he simply said to take notice. with all the hype surrounding the UGA program this year, i suspect CMR and co. will be more than ready for Tech this year just like every year.. but with that game being 4 months away who knows whats gonna happen between now and then.. after taking into account injuries, emotional lets downs from prior loses, and the mental state of both teams.. who really knows, dont get your panties in a bunch over a silly article… i think we will struggle early but eventually get it together down the road, and for the record, a bit of realism on my part doesnt think Tech wins in Athens this year but its not totally outrageous to enter that game with some sense of optimism… Mark is only stating the fact that if this offense is clicking it can be very hard to stop… But i know Georgia will be ready and I also know this game means more to the Tech program and to the coaching staff than in years past.

GO JACKETS!!!

By son_sir

July 31, 2008 11:13 AM | Link to this

Speculation about a game months away isn’t in the best interest of GT and the majority of UGA fans are seemingly supremely confident on the matter to make it a non-issue in their camp.

As a GT fan, I’ll start thinking about it around, say, Nov. 23rd.

I do see this rivalry becoming much more interesting in the future, but there’s a lot of whistle stops and progression to make in the meantime.

There does seem to be major steps in attitude changes at GT and that is a great 1st ingredient. Doubt this new GT offense if you must. If the execution is there (and you can mark it down), it will give you fits. If it’s not, it could be pretty miserable. I have no doubt the execution will arrive. It’s just a matter of when.

Go Jackets and THWG !

By george

July 31, 2008 11:14 AM | Link to this

For once Bradley got it right!! The only thing he did not get right is that the jackets WILL upset the pups but the pups will already be out of the national championship and SEC championship race. It will be the puppies 3rd loss of the year and then the entire world will get to once again listen to the dawg nation b*** and whine why they should play for the national championship with 3 losses this year because they had such a hard schedule.

By george

July 31, 2008 11:16 AM | Link to this

For once Bradley got it right!! The only thing he did not get right is that the jackets WILL upset the pups but the pups will already be out of the national championship and SEC championship race. It will be the puppies 3rd loss of the year and then the entire world will get to once again listen to the dawg nation b*** and whine why they should play for the national championship with 3 losses this year because they had such a hard schedule.

By richtfan

July 31, 2008 11:16 AM | Link to this

what actual evidence do you have that Tech is back? Back to where? winning 7 games per year?

they had the #2 pick in the draft on their team in calvin johnson and still couldn’t beat uga.

until their defense proves it can stop a balanced offensive attack or a spread attack, I will not be a believer.

By george

July 31, 2008 11:16 AM | Link to this

For once Bradley got it right!! The only thing he did not get right is that the jackets WILL upset the pups but the pups will already be out of the national championship and SEC championship race. It will be the puppies 3rd loss of the year and then the entire world will get to once again listen to the dawg nation b*** and whine why they should play for the national championship with 3 losses this year because they had such a hard schedule.

By mike

July 31, 2008 11:17 AM | Link to this

UGA needs to drop GT from the schedule. This is a no win situation for UGA. GT brings down our strength of schedule. When we beat GT, its no biggie, everyone expects it. If UGA slips up and the nerds win, were the laughing stock of the world. If we dropped GT, it would KILL GT. They would have nothing to live for. They would have to add 1,000 in Cheetah bucks to that rinky dink jacket packet they try to sell.

By B. Kowalchuck

July 31, 2008 11:19 AM | Link to this

these blogs continue to produce the absolute worst trash talking I have ever seen

every week i scan these things filled with arguably the biggest collection of idiots on earth

By Rock Dawg

July 31, 2008 11:20 AM | Link to this

CMR knows how important the Tech game is. Losing to Tech 3 years in a row got Jim Donnan fired just as much as his losing to UF and UT! Losing to Tech just didn’t hurt us in the SEC, but it was MORE THAN PAINFUL!!

Bradley’s column the day we lost the first of three games is haunting - “GA is Tech’s biggest game EVERY YEAR, but it’s only UGA’s biggest game if they lost the year before”!

HATE combined with good coaching makes a dangerous game for either side. Tech will be back sooner than later and I HATE THAT!!!

By Spike

July 31, 2008 11:21 AM | Link to this

Bandwagon… Try some decaf.

By B. Kowalchuck

July 31, 2008 11:23 AM | Link to this

these blogs continue to produce the absolute worst trash talking I have ever seen

every week i scan these things filled with arguably the biggest collection of idiots on earth

By mountain fan

July 31, 2008 11:28 AM | Link to this

Love it when dog fans think they actually had a chance vs WV. Dogs did not come back…WV let up!

By Maddog

July 31, 2008 11:29 AM | Link to this

George, please depress the post button just once. Your comments just aren’t interesting enough to read 3 or 4 times.

By GT_Wreck

July 31, 2008 11:29 AM | Link to this

sprtdog - well said. it all comes down to this: We’re rivals. UGA has owned the rivalry in recent years, but it will change. I doubt it will be this year, but soon. I wouldn’t say firing Gaily was a mistake. Gaily lost control of his team. He stuck with Reggie Ball when Ball was clearly overmatched. Gaily was a great recruiter, just not a good coach. If not for Coach Tenuta, Gaily wouldn’t have fielded any good teams. The offense under Gaily was horrible and the defense simply bailed him out.

As far as Coach Johnson, he’s got all the time in the world as long he shows improvement. He gets a pass this year, regardless of how bad it gets. 2-3 year down the road, he better be winning either ACC Championships and/or the UGA game. Preferably both.

Now, to those Tech fans who try to say that Tech’s players are smarter than other team’s players: Give me a break. Most of the players major in some lame degree. It’s not like these guys are in any engineering field. And please don’t tell me that you honestly think that Tech’s requirements are as high for athletes as they are for regular students. Reggie Ball did not earn his way into Tech by academics. Tech would let in any old idiot too if he wanted to play ball here…don’t kid yourself. It’s time for Tech to stop making excuses and man up. We either win the game or we lose the game. Regardless of how you all of you talent evaluators feel about Tech’s talent, we have smart coach who will use our lesser players to beat UGA. And you better believe I’ll be on here telling you so.

MARK MY WORDS UGA - WHEN we beat you, whether this year or in the future, I’ll remind you arrogant pricks that you feel we have such inferior talent. That just makes it even sweeter when you beat you.

By Spike

July 31, 2008 11:31 AM | Link to this

Bandwagon… Try some decaf.

By TROTTINGHOMETUDD

July 31, 2008 11:33 AM | Link to this

Mark,

Kissing GT’s azz won’t save your job.

By Truth

July 31, 2008 11:34 AM | Link to this

Truth: UGAY SUCKS!!! OVERRATED AND DEFINATELY WILL CHOKE THIS SEASON… YOU WILL END UP IN THE CHICK-FIL-A BOWL!!!

YOU BETTER FEAR GT BECAUSE THEY ARE GOING TO BRING THE STORM… I DONT CARE IF THEY LOSE EVERY OTHER GAME AS LONG AS THEY BEAT THE WORTHLESS, TRAILER PARK TRASH, CONS, OF ATHENS!!!

GO GT!!!

By Matt

July 31, 2008 11:37 AM | Link to this

Reality Check for ACC fans and GT!

Do you really think you have a chance against UGA this year. Now I know you think you have a chance every year, but we all know how it has ended for the past decade. If GT goes 6 and 6 and squeeks into a bowl, CONSIDER IT A WIN WIN SEASON! Right now the ACC is maybe the 4th best conference in the country) I have them 5th behind the Big East. I think WVU, South Florida, Louisville could beat the best ACC teams out there.

GT is too slow, too young, too in-experienced, and too new to the running system. Georgia Southern mastered the system and it took them years to get it right.

I wish you the best of luck in the ACC and hope the state of Georgia gets represented well, but your not close to competing in the top 25 much less with the best team in the SEC.

And btw bandwagon, sounds like you fell off the bandwagon and bumped your head. Cause your not thinking right! I know there is alot of hatred built up over the years, but they make pills for people like you!

By ex Jacket

July 31, 2008 11:37 AM | Link to this

Bradley,

Attention UGA fans: if it weren’t for a bogus interference call in the end zone on 3rd and 10 with a minute to play, you wouldn’t have beaten us last year.(called on the wrong player I might add) And I find it funny that we are no longer considered a rival because of the winning streak, but somehow that same logic has not applied over the last 15 years in your series with Florida. I’m not going to spout off at the mouth like other Tech fans about how we’re going to own you this year, cause I respect your team and coach. Not to mention there is loads of uncertainty around our team and new coaching squad. But don’t act like this series has not been competitive just because you’ve owned us of late- look at the scores for crying out loud.

Bradley’s attempt to say something positive about Tech is simply a thinly veiled way of saying that this series is no longer important to UGA fans. And in doing so he is continuing on with his pathetic homerism he has shown over the last month. So I say keep spewing that sunshine pump fire house hype machine up there in Athens. I think that win over Hawaii, while impressive, is getting a little blown out of proportion since they should be Division II.

By PTC DAWG

July 31, 2008 11:38 AM | Link to this

Gailey had GT closer to the ACC Title than Johnson does now. Gailey had GT there 2 years ago. I doubt Johnson will ever play for the ACC Title.

Navy had a great drive vs New Mexico. That’s a good one GT fans. Thanks for the laugh.

A little info for GT fans regarding the so called overrated Richt Coached UGA team, since we hired CMR, we have outscored GT 195-90. You’ve been more than doubled, and it will continue for a while.

I will concede, that someday, GT will beat UGA again, and the GT fans will have a great time. It may even put GT into a bowl EAST of the Mississippi. We’ll probably be headed to a Bowl in Florida in a down year like this, so contrary to popular belief, UGA fans will be just fine.

By Truth

July 31, 2008 11:40 AM | Link to this

Truth: Matt is GAY… and takes EXTENZE pills for his problem

By GT_Wreck

July 31, 2008 11:43 AM | Link to this

I love it when UGA pretends that they we still a rival to UF before they slipped up and won one. Now all of the sudden, UF is a big rivalry? Much in the same light, Tech is a rival to UGA. Even in UGA wins 25 in a row, this game will always matter to both sides.

To the fans that say UGA should drop the game, you clearly are the bandwagon fans. You obviously don’t know the tradition surrounding the game and you’re showing your ignorance. And let’s not pretend that UGA would actually fill their out of conference schedule with legit teams…if you don’t put Tech there, you’ll put Gardner Webb or some other D-II cream puff which would hurt your strength of schedule even more…be realistic.

By Mike T.

July 31, 2008 11:44 AM | Link to this

By mountain fan

July 31, 2008 11:28 AM | Link to this

Love it when dog fans think they actually had a chance vs WV. Dogs did not come back…WV let up!

Yep their good at letting up,just like they let up against Pitt last year.

By Fred G. Sanford

July 31, 2008 11:44 AM | Link to this

The “G” stands for Georgia, you big dummy!

GT_Wreck, good post, except that thing about us being pricks.

Anyway, I agree that GT will win again. I don’t know when that will be but it will probably be sooner rather than later. I also agree that Coach Johnson is the kind to pull out a few wins each year with lesser talent. I say lesser talent not as an insult. I just don’t believe GT presently has the horses needed to regularly beat UGA.

What I found most refreshing with your post is to hear at least ONE Tech fan acknowledge that their athletes are no smarter than those at any other D1 college. I think some of the more rabid Tech fans use this as an excuse. “We can’t recruit the same kids because of our academics”. Give me a break.

Good luck with your season (except when you play UGA) and keep posting.

By T

July 31, 2008 11:46 AM | Link to this

Georgia will not be playing for a championship, SEC or MNC… mark my words, no more than 9 wins for Georgia, double digit loss to the Gators, and I agree with you, if Tech stays healthy, I will take Johnson over Richt any day… Tech beats Georgia, if they stay healthy

By ED

July 31, 2008 11:48 AM | Link to this

Kowalchuck…mirrior mirror…Kowalchuck

Just wanted to make the introduction.

“Billy Joe Walmart fan from Georgia “

that was funny because Georgia fans are poor, slow and have to shop at Walmart! I get it!!!!

signed:

Bobby Jim Target fan from Georgia (a better class of Dawg)