Home > Mark Bradley > Archives > 2008 > August > 15 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USJones ‘A’ big part of Tech’s plans
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Give Roddy Jones an “A” for being astute.
After Paul Johnson was hired to coach Georgia Tech, Jones made it a point to watch Navy’s bowl game. He even hopped on the Internet to view clips of Johnson’s offense. And when Tech’s new coaches told Jones they wanted him to play A-back, he didn’t say, “What’s an A-back?” He already knew.
At a time when some Jackets are still struggling with the ABCs of Johnson’s option-based spread, the A-back from Stone Mountain has already immersed himself in nuance. Heck, Jones practically offers a tutorial.
Where do the A-backs (there are two on every snap) position themselves? “Three feet outside the tackle,” Jones said, smiling. How often does an A-back venture in motion? “Ninety-nine percent of the time.” And does an A-back ever receive the ball on a straight handoff from the quarterback? “We don’t have a play like that in our playbook, at least not now.”
Said Jeff Monken, specifically charged with coaching A-backs: “I wouldn’t necessarily say Roddy’s a typical kid. He hurt his hamstring and missed a week of practice, and he still knows the plays better than anyone. He takes tremendous pride in that. He’s something.”
This marks the third time Monken has helped Johnson install his stylized spread, and Tech represents the most radical transition. “They have no background in this offense, no basis,” Monken said. “They did at Navy and Georgia Southern. They at least knew what it meant when we said, ‘Go in tail motion and catch a pitch.’ Right now it’s like teaching a new sport. Because that’s what this is - like playing a different sport.”
At Chamblee High, Jones was a traditional tailback in the I-formation. He ran inside. He didn’t block much. He didn’t catch many passes. Guess what an A-back’s responsibilities are.
Said Jones: “Catching pitches, running pass patterns, blocking safeties and defensive ends.”
The A-backs are slot backs, and they’re interchangeable. (Meaning: No A-positive and A-negative, no A-right and A-left.) They’re the pitch men on option plays, but they’re also lead blockers for the B-back, who’s a hybrid tailback/fullback. And they’re also deep threats in the passing game.
“They’ve got to have a good set of hands, and not every running back is gifted that way,” Monken said. “We’re not just running swing routes. Our guys have to run 40 yards downfield and catch the ball in traffic.”
A redshirt freshman, Jones is quick but not immense. (He’s 5-foot-9, 194 pounds.) He bears a physical resemblance to Jerry Mays, the Ramblin’ Runt of the late ’80s who likewise wore No. 20. But Mays was a tailback, albeit a tiny one. An A-back isn’t going to touch the ball nearly so often.
Monken again: “It’s a rarity when a single slot back gets double-digit carries in a game. He might get eight or nine carries, and he might catch it two or three times.”
You’d think a back accustomed to being more featured might be taken, ahem, aback by this seemingly reduced role. Jones isn’t at all. He loves the offense. He’s already a believer. Of Johnson’s hiring, he said: “I thought, ‘Wow, this guy’s been a winner wherever he’s been - there must be a method to his madness.’ “
Jones doesn’t mind having to block more, and he’s working hard at catching passes. (“You want to be known as sure-handed.”) And he, perhaps alone among Jackets, doesn’t see why there’s such a fuss over Johnson’s offense. It is, after all, still football.
Said Jones, smiling again: “It’s not rocket science.”
Permalink | Comments (40) | Post your comment | Categories: Tech/ACC
Comments
By CarolinaJacket
August 15, 2008 2:38 PM | Link to this
Roddy is the kind of player every coach would love to have. He is eager to learn, plays hard, is a team player, and does what it takes to win. Have a great season, young man.
By buzzwax
August 15, 2008 3:03 PM | Link to this
What I like about this offense is the way we can get two of the best RB’s coming out of HS in 07 on the field at the same time! Between Roddy, Dwyer and Nesbitt that is some serious talent running the ball. Hopefully we get one more to step up at the other A-back position.
By years end and going into 2009 GT’s skill players will be arguably one of the best in the country!! Its a matter of time….
By Smarty Jacket
August 15, 2008 3:17 PM | Link to this
You forgot to mention that Roddy is on the ACC Academic Honor Roll Mark! Same goes for Dykes and 13 additional football players.
Go Jackets!
By GTbee
August 15, 2008 3:52 PM | Link to this
This young man puts the “A” in “CLASS”. When you hear of so much about prima donna, selfish, and academically challenged athletes, it is extremely refreshing to hear from a young man like this. It sounds as if winning is his main motivation, and he’s willing to work hard to transform into the type of player he needs to be for his team to win.
Thanks for writing an article like this. Best of luck for a great season and great career, Roddy!
By dawgy
August 15, 2008 4:00 PM | Link to this
Roddy seems like a nice kid. I always thought Georgia should have offered him. Best of luck 11 weeks out of 12.
By gt45
August 15, 2008 4:11 PM | Link to this
Thanks, dawgy, back at you! I thought Roddy ran in the 4.4’s-is that not quick? Anyway, good luck Roddy! Keep up the team first attitude.
By JimD
August 15, 2008 4:12 PM | Link to this
Nice article, Mark. Always enjoy reading what you have to say. Hope we have lots of players like Roddy Jones!
By Mark Bradley
August 15, 2008 4:12 PM | Link to this
As Jeff Monken points out about Tech’s offense: “We put six skill players on the field on every play.” And that’s true — there’s no fullback and no tight end. It’s a running offense with big-play potential, and that’s exactly the kind of offense I love.
Then again, I’m usually in the minority.
By Chamblee Watcher
August 15, 2008 4:13 PM | Link to this
I watched this young man run for 3 years at Chamblee High School. His mom and dad have done a great job in rasing him. Not only is he a standout on the football field, he’s doing the same thing in the classroom. What a very refreshing story to read. It doesn’t surprise me he’s doing whatever is best for the team. He was the same way in high school. He also helped put Chamblee Football back on the map.
His younger brother Darius, is a Senior at Chamblee High this season and is under the leadership of a new coach. I’m sure he will probably have to learn a new position as well, but he like Roddy will be just fine. They both are great young men, both academically and athletically.
By Mike
August 15, 2008 5:51 PM | Link to this
Buzzwax , thats so funny , I needed a good laugh. Thanks - Best backs in the country HAAAA HA HA HA HA your killing me.
By Mike
August 15, 2008 5:58 PM | Link to this
I ment you are killing me - before one of you upiddy GT people correct me.
By Mark Bradley
August 15, 2008 6:10 PM | Link to this
For what it’s worth, I thoroughly enjoyed speaking with Mr. Jones. I can see why people at both Chamblee and Tech think so highly of him.
By GTornado
August 15, 2008 6:14 PM | Link to this
Mike,
Where’d he say “in the country?”
Roddy and Jon Dwyer were widely considered two of the three best backs in GA in 2007, along with Caleb King.
And Roddy, as the article points out, will be better than his ratings in the end.
By THWG_Dan
August 15, 2008 6:14 PM | Link to this
Mike, he may not be one of the best backs in the country, but he’s the kind of kid we want at Tech. He’s hard working and is bright. There’s no reason to think he won’t be a force. He’ll never be considered the best back in the nation simply because he won’t be getting 20+ carries every game. But mark my words, this kid will be HUGE at Tech.
By LongBeachJacket
August 15, 2008 6:21 PM | Link to this
Mark - Nice article on Roddy Jones.
A lot was said of him when he signed along with Jonathan Dwyer in Feb 07. Dwyer has shown he’s for real. Looking forward to seeing Jones in action.
With respect to all the new system stuff (both sides of the ball), I think we have a chance to be pretty good.
There can be a lot of hand-wringing about the previous coaching regime but, in truth, they left a pretty good foundation of talent in the fold.
The edge may now come from a bit more overall intensity from the coaches and more of a “call plays to win” philosophy. Coach Gailey’s bent toward conservatism held some of his teams back. Also, the annual “let down” game. Seems as though Paul Johnson’s track record indicates otherwise.
Defensive intensity was never an issue under Coach Tenuta but it sounds as though Coach Wommack has a bit more of a “balanced” defensive scheme. This should be interesting to watch. Tenuta’s schemes could be smothering, but were ocassionally susceptible to the deep ball when other teams defended the blitz.
With our outstanding talent on the D-Line, we should be able to get a good push up there without blitzing 70-80% of the time. Therefore, when we do blitz (with less predictability) we are likely to catch the opponents O-line at a disadvantage and wreck some serious havoc. …Let’s hope so….
Also, the corners shouldn’t be on an island as much. BC game last year still brings back “nightmares”. And we’ll be facing some good QBs this year, starting with Perrilloux and including Harper, Glennon/Taylor, and Stafford.
It’s all only speculation until the actual results are in but I would like to think Paul Johnson and staff bring back some of the intensity that O’Leary had, but with a bit more of a personable demeanor. Coach O’Leary won but wasn’t very personable. A Head Coach has to have a bit of a feel and forgiveness for the media and (sometimes) overbearing fans and alumni to be maximally effective. Hope Coach Johnson has the mix right. Indications are that he does.
Whatever happens, it should be an interesting year.
GO JACKETS!!!!
By MisterT
August 15, 2008 6:28 PM | Link to this
Hey Mike,
I think you intended to say “meant.” I know how you like to be corrected.
Ment: Menge\, v. i. [imp. Mente, Meinte; p. p. Ment, Meint.] [See Mingle.] To mix. [Obs.] —Spenser. Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
By Mark Bradley
August 15, 2008 6:41 PM | Link to this
Thanks, LongBeachJacket. And yours, if I may say so, was a most incisive post.
By jimbodad
August 15, 2008 8:03 PM | Link to this
I look forward to seeing Roddy on the field this year. He seems to be a special young man in every respect but we have a bunch of these special young men on our team. It’s easy to see why after having met many of their parents! Good luck to our Jackets this year. I think CPJ is going to do great things with this young team before the season is over!
Go Jackets!
By GT_Class of '91
August 15, 2008 9:51 PM | Link to this
Dear Mark,
Thanks for the positive GT coverage.
Your college football articles over the past 7 years have generally annoyed me and other Tech fans.
They’ve generally been pro UGA and skeptical/critical about Tech football.
Obviously, retrospectively, you had good insight, and were correct. Georgia Tech’s leadership has been poor, and Georgia’s good.
I hope your recent projections of Coach PJs tenure being a successful one are accurate.
And gosh darn it, I hope we beat Georgia soon, and give you some really great stuff to write about!
GT_’91
P.S. I’m not sure who’s idea it was to run threads after articles, but The AJC hit one out of the park with that idea! I look for your responses to posts as much as I read articles.
By Not Disappointed
August 15, 2008 9:57 PM | Link to this
Sounds like some exciting times at Teck! Go Jackets.
By For Those About To Rock
August 15, 2008 10:30 PM | Link to this
I believe Roddy came through the Tucker Lions youth program as so many other college players have done. He was in a great atmosphere as a young guy and was well coached throught out the youth leagues. Do your research, see who all has come from that program as far back as the 1970’s and it is very impressive, what an outstanding feeder program for so many different high schools and without question, the BEST youth football program in the COUNTRY!!!!
By Mark Bradley
August 16, 2008 1:19 AM | Link to this
I’m not sure whose idea the comments were, either. And there are times when I’m not sure it was such a great idea. But nice responses like yours, Class of ‘91, make up for those. Many thanks.
By surfrider
August 16, 2008 2:09 AM | Link to this
Good blog. The great thing about this offense is that now instead of the second and third string TB/Fb’s and Wr’s not seeing that much action likely, now will be put into action and that opens up the potential for Tech. At the same time TE’s like Barrick can be moved to OL if needed and Fb ‘s can move to A’backs if needed. Wr’s can play slot or wr possibly and even QB’s can find a role if they are down the depth chart. I hope it works and think we can definitely improve our scoring ability. Now if the Defensive line is a good as appears and the Defense holds it own then we could surprise some people. So now we have Playboy rating us 25 and Sports Illustrated rating us last in ACC, now we have a range of predictions of which nobody seems to know. WE have an excellent chance to exceed expectations.
By helluva
August 16, 2008 7:31 AM | Link to this
I swore off ever buying an AJC. The Tech articles were almost always terrible.
If I start subscribing to the AJC, any chance the good articles will continue?
By JustMyOpinion!
August 16, 2008 8:43 AM | Link to this
You can not win in the ACC consistently running a glorified wishbone!
By McBuzz4ever
August 16, 2008 11:30 AM | Link to this
Mark-great article on Roddy.
To me, he is the epitome of what a football student athlete should be. As a coach, you gotta love having a kid like this on your team. Maybe I’m too polyanna, but attitude goes a long way with me…..and it sounds as if this kid has it. Having read your article, I will pay more attention to his development in the days ahead. Can’t wait for the season to get started.
By Mark Bradley
August 16, 2008 1:03 PM | Link to this
I have to admit I was surprised that Playboy put Tech in the Top 25. I was more surprised that Sports Illustrated ranked the Jackets 80th in Division I-A and picked them to go 3-9. To go 3-9 means beating Jacksonville State, Gardner-Webb and Duke — and nobody else. (And SI had Duke ranked 79th.)
I can’t imagine the Jackets winning fewer than five games, and I’m on record as saying they’ll win seven.
By Brian D.
August 16, 2008 3:00 PM | Link to this
As an avid Georgia Southern fan you will know that CPJ has had to always work with decreased talent or find talent in hidden places. With him at GT and student athletes like this young man, GT is on it’s way to a bowl game in the next two years. I am excited for GT football and I think CPJ and his coaches and athletes will generate ALOT of interest in this offense.
By CarolinaJacket
August 16, 2008 4:04 PM | Link to this
The preseason polls are for losers. One bad game, injury or other factor will quickly send you down. Remember howtough a schedule UGA has, SEC Games, playing those crosstown rivals LT..Loser Tech. Dont forgets I am offering rides to UGA games this season, and there are only two spots left. Wrong sit..
By McBuzz4ever
August 16, 2008 4:09 PM | Link to this
Carolina sounds like a hypocrite, as for Georgia Southern, I wouldnt brag about that here, Mandingo U.
By CarolinaJacket
August 16, 2008 4:23 PM | Link to this
CarolinaJacket did not write that post. Its the same old crap. Some jerk uses your name and spews his venum. Seems that there is nothing that can be done about it.
By Brian D
August 16, 2008 4:48 PM | Link to this
Zeb, Dawg, Casey Tiffany, Jacket..Leave this site alone, and spew your NAMBLA, WRAMBLER, and other sh.. elsewhere. This is for UGA and GT fans only..straight too.
By RoddyFan
August 29, 2008 1:13 PM | Link to this
I taught Roddy at Chamblee High, and his attitude is amazing! He is almost too good to be true, but he is the real deal…intelligent, grateful, funny, and committed. Thanks for the great article.
By RoddyFan
August 29, 2008 1:16 PM | Link to this
I taught Roddy at Chamblee High, and his attitude is amazing! He is almost too good to be true, but he is the real deal…intelligent, grateful, funny, and committed. Thanks for the great article.
By Post from the future
December 1, 2008 2:17 PM | Link to this
Roddy will rush for 214 yards in November, leading Georgia Tech over Georgia for the first time in 7 years.
By buzzwax
December 1, 2008 2:22 PM | Link to this
Hey Mike,
Eat Crow and die……..THWG!!!
45-42!!!!!
The missing link A back, Lucas Cox - Blocking Machine!!!!!!
By Old Gold
December 1, 2008 2:34 PM | Link to this
I bet I yelled “Roddy Jones you’re a son of a gun..,” or something similar somewhere upwards of a dozen times as I sat damp to the bone in Athens Saturday afternoon. Not taking in my US Govt. (VA) certified worn out knees into account the whole time as I jumped up and down like a kid on Christmas, and boy did I pay for it later that night. But man was it worth it. Here’s a stat for you: The Bulldogs of UGA are 0-2 lifetime when I am inside Sanford Stadium (08 vs. Alabama*, and 08 vs. Tech). I might buy season tickets. It’s great to be a Yellow Jacket, THWG!
*the wife’s a Bama fan from birth.
By Old Gold
December 1, 2008 2:58 PM | Link to this
p.s. “Old Gold,” and my talk of bad knees, I just realized, made me look like I’m 85 years old. Just for the record, not that it matters for anything buy my pride, I’m 26.
By James
December 1, 2008 4:38 PM | Link to this
Great game Roddy. Awesome amount of yardage!
By James
December 1, 2008 4:41 PM | Link to this
Great game Roddy. Awesome amount of yardage!