Mark Bradley

By jim w harrison

August 28, 2008 8:59 AM | Link to this

As the jackets start another football season, it may be well to remember that Ga Tech holds a record that most college football teams seem to think is impossible. In the early 1900s, Ga Tech played Cumberland. I know of one family where the wife attended Cumberland and the husband attended Ga Tech. The final score was 220 to 0. I also remember a Tech student say that his father scored 5 touchdowns, but was not the high scorer in the game.

By CT_Jacket

August 28, 2008 9:06 AM | Link to this

I agree. I was never impressed with Tenuta. Blitzing just looks flashy. Whenever Tech faced a pass-oriented team, I knew we were in trouble. The offense just had to max protect and let the receivers find the gaps left by the blitzers.

By Old GT Nut

August 28, 2008 9:06 AM | Link to this

As a long time GT season tix holder, I agree. Tenuta was overhyped. Tenuta’s D was so much like our QB play. Fantastic one moment, disastrous the next.

Tenuta hung the DBs out to dry. Stats prove it. GT pass defense was consistently abysmal. Recent AJC articles even reflect misgivings D players had with Tenuta. Wommack’s D will be much better. 2008 rush D is gonna be STOUT, and pass D is gonna be better than it has been in 7 years.

By EW

August 28, 2008 9:13 AM | Link to this

I agree 100%. As a long time Tech fan, Tenuta’s pass defense was poor. Teams with strong O-lines beat us the majority of the time. If the blitz did not work we gave up too many big plays. Hopefully, a new coach/scheme will result in a more balanced and effective defense.

By Jasper Dawg

August 28, 2008 9:25 AM | Link to this

Looking forward to watching the new system. CPJ is a class act and will bring Tech football back. Hope you win em all except that one in November.

By longtimetechfan

August 28, 2008 9:27 AM | Link to this

new coach,new scheme same old losers….when your satisfied with7-4,8-3,9-2 in the acc your a losing program….we should have joined the sec when we had a chance…the only way now to win a national title is to get a stronger strength of schedule and prove to the country that we can beat top quality teams consistently

By BuzzGT

August 28, 2008 9:32 AM | Link to this

Tenuta’s D resulted in sacks. But, it also resulted in more than it’s share of big back breaking pass plays. It also gave up plenty of long running plays (see Clemson games).

By bob

August 28, 2008 9:34 AM | Link to this

Tech 222 points and did not have a first down. They scored on every play from the line scrimmage. They also scored on other plays (special teams & defense).

By mr.harison/mr.rogers

August 28, 2008 9:35 AM | Link to this

cumberland? and your point is? is cumberland still around and will tech schedule them again so the strength of schedule will get a little better? sounds like cumberland had quite a defense? was tenutooo’s great granddad cumberland’s offensive coordinator? you tech fans are very intelligent about quite a few things….football is not one of them

By JB

August 28, 2008 9:41 AM | Link to this

As a Dawg fan, I hated to see Chan and Tenuta leave. What a combo.Very beatable. PJ will do well.

By seefresnost.

August 28, 2008 9:42 AM | Link to this

enough said, if you can’t beat fresno state, you better get another quarter back , ..stadium, team…fans,…city…..heck the falcons might could beat fresno state…braves would struggle against them in baseball……tech fans continue your quest for an answer…maybe bobby dodd will come back on the clouds and help you nerds out

By dawgdays

August 28, 2008 9:51 AM | Link to this

dawg days of summer almost over…..dawgdays of fall about to begin…you nerds will have to listen to us all season and you can’t avoid it…it will(definitely) be a season that culminates in a national title in football for the….university of georgia…..read and weep for a full four months nerds…maybe tech will face ga. southern in a bowl game if your lucky

By Mark Bradley

August 28, 2008 9:57 AM | Link to this

I remember Tech losing at North Carolina in 2004 in a game the Jackets were supposed to win. I remember asking defensive back James Butler, “What happened on that long pass?” I remember him smiling and saying, “Which one?”

By TechPhi97

August 28, 2008 9:57 AM | Link to this

I was hoping to read some analysis of Wommack’s new defense rather than an opinion piece on a guy that doesn’t coach at Tech any more. While I think the piece is interesting, it would’ve been more interesting two years ago. What about Wommack’s scheme? What is different? How is he going to scheme around the youth in the defensive backfield? Does it make a difference against Jacksonville State? Those are the kinds of things people are interested in from these articles.

By TechPhi97

August 28, 2008 9:59 AM | Link to this

I was hoping to read some analysis of Wommack’s new defense rather than an opinion piece on a guy that doesn’t coach at Tech any more. While I think the piece is interesting, it would’ve been more interesting two years ago. What about Wommack’s scheme? What is different? How is he going to scheme around the youth in the defensive backfield? Does it make a difference against Jacksonville State? Those are the kinds of things people are interested in from these articles.

By BartBuzz

August 28, 2008 10:00 AM | Link to this

Actually, Tech didn’t score on every play from the line of scrimmage against Cumberland. On a couple of scores it took 2 runs. But they never did make a first down. And I think they even played shortened quarters.

As far as Tenuta goes, I agree with Bradley that he was very overrated. His defense gave up a lot of points against good offenses. I don’t know if tonight’s game will show us anything but the next two games will definitely be a test.

Go Jackets….THWG!

By Regan

August 28, 2008 10:00 AM | Link to this

F*** a BULLDOG oh, wait you can’t because their face is always sucking and licking their own c** and a*.

By Sad Dawg Fans

August 28, 2008 10:05 AM | Link to this

What will be interesting to see is if these Dawg fans that are talking a lot of smack now are gonna be here at the end of the season when UGA fails yet again to get in the National Championship Game. Sorry Dawgs fans no NC for you this year.

By Mark Bradley

August 28, 2008 10:09 AM | Link to this

Far be it from me to tell a Georgia fan — or a fan of any team’s — what to do, but …

I think the Georgia-Georgia Tech series is about to get really interesting again.

By BeachGuy

August 28, 2008 10:11 AM | Link to this

Tech’s DB’s were always getting burned by the big plays. The defense could hold a team most of the game, but there were always 4-5 deep big plays that made the difference.

Remember Virginia Tech at home about 3-4 years ago? Two deep balls to wide open receievers cost GT the game after controlling most of the game.

By LongBeachJacket

August 28, 2008 10:22 AM | Link to this

Mark - Your observations are lucid and on point. Tenuta’s defense turned in masterful performances from time to time…even against pass-oriented teams (Clemson and Cullen Harper last year as I recall), but the overall scheme was most definitely unbalanced and it could be burned…badly…as also happened.

Last year…great against Clemson… abyssmal against BC and VT (as is alluded above).

I agree that a more balanced scheme has upside. Having good players helps too.. D-Line is stacked. There is talent in the back 7, but it is young talent.

Having greater balance will take some pressure off the corners in passing situtaions (allow more safety help).

I look for good things from this unit.

Comments from players so far seem to indicate an optimism re: Coach Wommack and new scheme.

We’re about to find out…

By Doc

August 28, 2008 10:24 AM | Link to this

Tech has actually had some good athletes in the secondary is the past few seasons, but the blitz leaves these guys hanging out to dry. The new schemes should allow these players to be more aggressive because now the safety will be able to help out. The monster D line will be able to stop the run and pressure the quarterback without resorting to the blitz. When Tech does blitz, it will be more effect because it will be unexpected.

By Mark Bradley

August 28, 2008 10:29 AM | Link to this

Fun fact: Tech had nine of its 48 sacks — that’s 18.8 percent of last season’s total — in its opener against Notre Dame. No wonder the Fighting Irish valued Tenuta so highly. I’m just wondering if he’ll be as highly valued at ol’ ND four months from now.

By CPJ Knows Best

August 28, 2008 10:38 AM | Link to this

I agree re: Tenuta and The One Trick Pony. The most frustrating thing about Tech football for the last few years was the undeniable inconsistency. Our D could pretty much have its way with a weak O-line or rookie Q, but when a team with the reverse of either of those (a la BC or VT) came to town, we struggled mightily.

I am most excited about watching a consistent team this year. And one that will get better each week. I am a GT supporter all the way (and tried hard to support the last coaching regime), but my frustrations boiled over after watching poor preparation and lackadaisical coaching game after game (e.g., the Maryland debacle last year and the Georgia debacles every year). With CPJ at the helms, I finally have something to get excited about again!

By George P. Burdell

August 28, 2008 10:42 AM | Link to this

Right on the money with this one Mark. The other frustrating part of Tenuta’s defense ( and really the whole Gailey era) is that we never seemed to make adjustments during the game of material significance. The perfect example last season was Boston College. We blitzed nearly every down and never got enough pressure. Instead of making changes and dropping back an extra DB to help in coverage, we kept blitzing. It was like watching someone pound their head against a wall, which is exactly what I felt like doing myself.

By irishfan

August 28, 2008 10:45 AM | Link to this

One thing to remember, Mark: Tenuta isn’t the defensive coordinator in South Bend, he’s the LB coach/asst. head coach. As such, he won’t have the authority to call blitzes on every play. That being said, his experience/overall knowledge of defenses will undoubtedly help the Irish this season.

By David

August 28, 2008 10:47 AM | Link to this

Tenuta was an armchair coach’s dream, because he did what most of us said we’d do if we were in charge: blitz all the time and give ‘em hell. Which is why he was so popular with the fans and TV announcers. But it’s also proof positive of why armchair coaches don’t make it to division I college football.

Tenuta’s D was fun to watch but over time proved itself to be Gailey’s true failing. Every year Tech would win one it wasn’t supposed to and lose one it wasn’t supposed to, and usually those losses could be pinned to a defense that bent and broke.

I can’t tell you how happy I was that Tech didn’t hire Tenuta as head coach. Even happier that ND picked him up, sealing their fate for the next three years until they figure out that “fun and exciting” defense doesn’t win games.

By DAWG FOR LIFE

August 28, 2008 10:51 AM | Link to this

Mark Bradley you are completely wrong. The UGA-Tech series is not about to get interesting. It is actually about to get boring when GT tries to use a system that is too old against the speed of our defense. All of the games until Johnson leaves are going to be complete blow outs in UGA’s favor. GT will be lucky if they can win half of their games under this offense. Look what happened to GSU when they took that offense to UGA. Blow out!

By Halberstram

August 28, 2008 10:52 AM | Link to this

Mark, how was the UGA-Tech game not interesting already? I’m a UGA fan, and I know the game is normally not a blowout. Even last year the score was 31-17 but actually much closer than that. Until proven, I don’t think Tech can beat UGA. It’s the same as the Florida game for UGA, UGA is in Tech’s heads and believe they can win no matter what. In Tech’s preview section last Sunday the #1 goal for the season was to beat UGA, what’s it going to say for the season if they lose for the 8th time in a row?

By Mark Bradley

August 28, 2008 10:52 AM | Link to this

I’d never thought of it that way, David, but you’re spot-on. “An armchair coach’s dream.”

Very nice observation.

By bamafan

August 28, 2008 10:57 AM | Link to this

I’m a Bama fan so I’m somewhat neutral in this Tech vs UGA thing but I agree with Mark that the series is about to get a whole lot more interesting. Paul Johnson is a winner and the fact is that its hard to prepare for an offense like what Tech will be running since nobody else really runs that offense. Teams with lesser talent have consistently beaten teams with equal or greater talent over the last several years running the option. Tech may be a little inconsistent early in the season but I think that by the end of the season they will be humming pretty well.

By Hal Todd

August 28, 2008 10:58 AM | Link to this

your memories are much shorter than mine. I remember Clint Castleberry, Mutt Manning, and Eddie Prokop as they beat Notre Dame 7 to zip in 1946. Then there was a loser to Auburn, just before they beat Rose Bowl Georgia.

By GT-Phan

August 28, 2008 10:59 AM | Link to this

I have to agree with what Mark says. For some reason Tenuta was hyped as a good defensive coordinator yet his results were horrible. Stats don’t lie and neither do replays. Sure the blitz was good, but you need a more well-rounded defense to win games. Tenuta was just another let down for Tech orchestrated by a mediocre, content-with-winning-five-games-a-year coach, named Chan Gailey. Even if Tech doesn’t win 5 or 6 games this year, the potential for greatness is superior to the mishandlings of that loser, Chan Gailey.

By BoBo

August 28, 2008 11:04 AM | Link to this

Hey ‘Dawgdays’ - Get off that computer and get back to the drive-thru window!

By Wrecker1

August 28, 2008 11:11 AM | Link to this

There really weren’t any teams that (maybe Va. Tech) year in and year out seemed to have Tenuta’s defense figured out. Even against good lines and good Qb’s on given days TECH would wear them out. The one thing that really frustrated me with Tenuta’s defense (other than his failure to admit blitzing wasn’t working that day) is when the game was on the line, TECH is down say 3-7 points and the D needs to make a stop to give the offense a chance to win or tie invariably the defense would allow about a 5 minute drive that resulted in TECH never getting the ball back or very little time left. Check it out - TECH lost at least 5 games every year and in at least 3 they have a chance to win if the defense gets a stop and they never would. Please some of you Gailey beaters don’t use the line about the D being worn out b/c of TECH’s offense. Very few times did TECH’s opponent have an overwhelming advantage in TOP.

By GT RIch

August 28, 2008 11:22 AM | Link to this

Past articles have covered Womack’s style of D. Wommack > the DEs line up wider to have a better chance to get to passer. Tenuta > DEs mostly tied up the O-line to allow blitzers to get thru cleanly. Wommack > CBs will turn and run w/ WRs. Tenuta > CBs back-pedalled more often. Wommack > blitz 30%. Tenuta > blitz 85%.

By TJ

August 28, 2008 11:23 AM | Link to this

Mark, I actually agree with you, partially. Tenuta was overrated and blitzed entirely too much. That said, the refernce to the Boise Bowl was a bit out of context as any informed observer would know that NO ONE associated with GT really wanted to be in that bowl given the coaching changes.

By Jason

August 28, 2008 11:30 AM | Link to this

To those of you who are a little down on Tenuta, I’d just like to remind you of how pathetic our defense was before he got there. Ted Roof’s defense couldn’t tackle a sloth. We were extremely lucky to have Friedgen’s offense putting up big points, because we always knew we’d be giving up somewhere around 30 pts a game.

And I agree with a comment from Phi97. Where’s the info on the new defensive coordinator? Mark, you just basically told us in this article that the defense will be better because it won’t blitz as much. But, you didn’t tell us anything about what it will do. You did nothing to convince me that we might have an upgrade. Next time, give us a well thought out case before just throwing out rank speculation.

By Jason

August 28, 2008 11:33 AM | Link to this

To those of you who are a little down on Tenuta, I’d just like to remind you of how pathetic our defense was before he got there. Ted Roof’s defense couldn’t tackle a sloth. We were extremely lucky to have Friedgen’s offense putting up big points, because we always knew we’d be giving up somewhere around 30 pts a game.

And I agree with a comment from Phi97. Where’s the info on the new defensive coordinator? Mark, you just basically told us in this article that the defense will be better because it won’t blitz as much. But, you didn’t tell us anything about what it will do. You did nothing to convince me that we might have an upgrade. Next time, give us a well thought out case before just throwing out rank speculation.

By Paddy

August 28, 2008 11:55 AM | Link to this

Tenuta may be in for a rather rude experience. He will, of course, continue his high percentage of blitz defense. Who he will be doing with begs the question. Bigger, slower players that will come up just short of getting to the QB. Good athletes but just a step slow in disruption and sacks. It may look good to the untrained eye, but an open receiver about on every play. Very few 2nd and long situations that helped Tech under his coaching get the ‘D’ off the field with 3 and out. I can hear it now from the Irish fans; “Boy we looked good on ‘D’ today, couple more years under this scheme and we will be right back on top”. Meanwhile 3 45 yd touchdown passes have just been thrown to an underprotected secondary that has no safety net. I am sad to say I am an Irish fan at heart. Go Dawgs

By Mark Bradley

August 28, 2008 11:56 AM | Link to this

For the record, I had reservations about Tenuta while he was still here. This is what I wrote after the Virginia Tech game last season.

By whyucry?

August 28, 2008 12:09 PM | Link to this

dawgdays, we will definitely have to hear from you this season, hear all the excuses and whining you’ll be doing by mid season. Calling for Richt’s head and blaming Bobo for horrible play calling. Watch what you say big boy, karma is a b***. Crying Dogs=music to my ears.

By MisterT

August 28, 2008 12:18 PM | Link to this

link didn’t work Mark

Is there any way that we can save the trash talk from uga fans on here and repost it after the final regular season game?

By whyucry?

August 28, 2008 12:19 PM | Link to this

Dawg for Life says ,”..Look what happened to GSU when they took that offense to UGA.Your comparing Ga southerns offense with their athletes to Techs new offense with the athletes they have? Try again.

By John

August 28, 2008 12:19 PM | Link to this

Before everyone rushes to the ‘greener grass’ of a new coach, a reality check would help.

While I agree that many a frustrating loss (VT-2004 anyone)were the result of the ‘all risk, all reward’ defensive strategy, I’m not ready to completely throw Tenuta under the bus. There were several games where the very heavy pressure employed by a Tenuta defense either won games or kept Tech in games it didn’t belong in. Specifically, Auburn 2004/2005, Notre Dame 2006 and UGA last year. In addition, the Tech defense was solid against the run, as the DL/LB corps have always been excellent under Tenuta.

The lack of any DB with the ability to tackle 1-1 (until Morgan Burnett showed up last year) turned many the 6-yard hitch into a 40 or 50-yd touchdown.

So while Womaack may indeed prove to be an upgrade, to assume a scheme change when some of the personnel gaps remain is kind of silly.

By Mark Bradley

August 28, 2008 12:22 PM | Link to this

Try the link now, Mister T. (And thanks for noticing.)

By whyucryjr.?

August 28, 2008 12:25 PM | Link to this

hey nerdy…wake up from your train making session get you a chilidawg with your tech cheerleader friend or shall i say buy one from her…tell her what time jsu gets to town so she can take the net off her head and suit up to cheer on your insects…will see you in athens ranked # 1 in the country still, but even if we’re 0-11 in november we know we’ll win one game this year as usual….tech-ga. series interesting…only from the standpt. of guessing how many the dawgs will beat you nerds by…have a nice year tech losers…try joining the ranks of teams that play most of their games on saturdays

By stinGTime

August 28, 2008 12:26 PM | Link to this

Happy New Year!

Time for toe meet leather and the Johnson Express running thru the gamecocks!

ps: I’ll be pulling for the other gamecocks in about three weeks.

psps: Who is Tenuta?

By Big Black Dawg

August 28, 2008 12:27 PM | Link to this

Bark Madly,

When did you get that dead gerbil removed from you lip? It was the only thing you had going for your writing is plain ameateurish.

Big Black Dawg

By THWG

August 28, 2008 12:36 PM | Link to this

Not sure if it has been clarified yet, but the GT-Cumberland score was actually 222-0. The story behind it is that the year before, Cumberland had come in and beaten us 22-0 in baseball, but had done so using professional players. This angered John Heisman, the coach of both programs at the time, that by the next year, he was furious with Cumberland, so he decided to lay the smack down on them in football, beating them by 200 more points than had been scored in baseball the year prior.

By Mark Bradley

August 28, 2008 12:44 PM | Link to this

A prediction: Tech will not score 222 points tonight. It will, however, gain 222 yards rushing.

By whyucry?

August 28, 2008 12:44 PM | Link to this

jr. I’m sorry, I didn’t understand a word of that nonsense you just wrote. Come back with something that shows a little intelligence other than 5th grade name calling. The nerd thing is old. In fact, you showed your lack of brain matter by not being able to come up with an original name. Keep talking though, it will make the pie taste a whole lot sweeter. And also, 2 questions, why are you on a tech blog that’s about a former DC when you clearly have no knowledge of the topic and why are you so angry? Can you post something with some substance or do you not have the ability like most dawg fans. Name calling is an obvious sign of immaturity and lack of information about ,what could be, a good argument between rivals. However I see which road you and your fellow fans always take. Good luck this year and I look forward to Nov.

By GT Brill

August 28, 2008 12:56 PM | Link to this

Getting WAY off point, but tonight will be my 38th year going to Tech games. Anybody remember Eddie McAshen, Mike Oven, Brent Cunningham and Renso “Rock” Purdoni ? GO JACKETS !!!

By 4-ever Tech Fan

August 28, 2008 1:04 PM | Link to this

I agree that Jon Tenuta (JT) was overrated. He was not only the defensive coordinator, but also the DB coach. How could someone that is such a great DC (as so many “experts” claimed JT to be) have such a horrible DB scheme/unit. Don’t forget about some other embarassing losses under Tenuta: being blown out by a Duke team that hadn’t won a game in 2 seasons; 39-3 blowout loss to Clemson at home ; being blown out by a 6-6 Utah team in the bowl game prior to last season.

There’s talent in the defensive backfield; however, nobody sees it b/c they only see what JT was doing to it by stranding them on so many ‘islands’. With the proposed/expected strength within the D-line it’s easy to believe the DBs will surprise, and be a force this season. And the LB’s are pretty atheletic too (hint: #12 Anthony Barnes)

All everyone talks about is PJ’s offense, and whether or not it’s going to work at this level. Time will tell, but yes is the answer.

For this season though, if the D-line stays healthy, and does what it appears capable of doing, then Tech may win more than a couple games in which the offense puts 17 or fewer points on the board.

For the people who are wondering about Dave Wommack’s D, search Tony Barnhardt’s archives this year … he has some good ones regarding DM’s past defensive teams (he’s been a DC for 27 years).

By MJ

August 28, 2008 1:19 PM | Link to this

Tenuta wasn’t all bad. His defense showed up and won games more often than they broke and got ran over. Tying into the Gailey mentality, that kind of gameplan will only take you to a mediocre season. Tenuta was the right guy at the time to get us through 7 years of “meh…” performances. But a new sun is rising on the Flats this evening, and consequently Tenuta no longer fits into what Johnson is trying to do here. He would be counter productive at best, for reasons Mark has already pointed out.

The option in one word is adaptation, in that the play can change on any given play to attack a defense. Which is the complete opposite of what Tenuta brought to the table every single play of every single game of each year he was here. For this reason alone, watching a Tech game will be like night and day compared to last season.

By Who cares

August 28, 2008 1:31 PM | Link to this

Why all this talk of the Cumberland game? Who really cares? Their team was made up of bums off the street and cheerleaders (they didn’t field a team). Let just get ready for tonight.

What you said was pretty spot on about Tenuta. His defense pretty much summed up the CG era at Tech: Moments of brilliance, followed by sheer stupidity. I believe that a little less blitzing could help us out a decent amount. But I will always be a supporter of him, and it was tough to see him go. And I hate Notre Dame

By reality check

August 28, 2008 2:45 PM | Link to this

Quite the hatchett job on Tenuta. Maybe I missed it, but I don’t see any appreciation for someone who served Tech faithfully and well. Too bad it is all based on uninformed subjective opinion when there is objective evidence to the contrary.

The last time Dave Wommack was a defensive coordinator his Arkansas defensive juggernaut ranked 10th in the SEC with 25.9 points and 418.5 yards per game.

Tech’s defensive stats were down a little last year compared to the rest of Tenuta’s career at Tech, but it was still a lot better than Wommack’s. Tech was 5th in the conference in scoring at 21.6 (actually Tenuta’s worst year at Tech) points per game and 4th in yards at 333.

Tech fans need to respect the empirical before bashing one of their own based on subjective trash from a “journalist”

By Huh?

August 28, 2008 3:14 PM | Link to this

Reality Check- there are a lot of people on here defending Tenuta. Did you actually read any posts? The post right above yours supports him. A lot of people said they liked him, but it was time for a change. Yes, his defense was great when it could get pressure on the qb. But when it couldn’t, we got rocked. I agree, people shouldn’t bad mouth him, he did a good job and was faithful to GT. But not everyone is trying to pi*s on his reputation on here, just a few morons.

By GT Brill

August 28, 2008 3:24 PM | Link to this

Funniest article I sees today was about the Chinky man from Star Trek admitting he;s a queerbo, and is getting ‘Married” to his lover of over 20 years, lol..My man and I had our nuptuals at least ten years ago, in NC Some states are more progressive than others. Bruno wore tux and tails, I had white gold and chiffon with a cordial veil, a site to behold. Couldnt wear all white, as I free lanceda bit in college, tee.

By Montgomery Barker

August 28, 2008 3:31 PM | Link to this

KIRK HERBSTREIT ON ESPN ALWAYS PROMOTED JON TENUTA WHEN HE DID TECH GAMES, SAYING TENUTA WAS SUCH A GREAT DEFENSIVE MIND. ONLY BECAUSE THEY WERE AT OHIO STATE WHEN KIRK WAS A BACKUP QB AND TENUTA COACHED DEFENSE. TECH ALWAYS LOST 5 TO 7 GAMES EVERY SEASON BECAUSE OF THE SHAKY DEFENSE!

By Paddy N Gaybo

August 28, 2008 3:32 PM | Link to this

You go, girlfriend, dont forget the Nambla meeting Saturday for all UGA-Techsters, expecting a rally of over a thousand..Be there, dont be square, tre chic. Banquet too

By CW

August 28, 2008 3:34 PM | Link to this

Hey, before everybody decides that JT was the dregs of the coaching world, let’s remember that his defensive schemes confused the hell out of a number teams. I completely agree that his schemes were also exposed by some teams that figured it out, but his defense won or kept Tech close in any number of ballgames during a period of offensive ineptitude that would make it hard for Pittsburgh’s Steel Curtain to be successful. I’ll be interested to see if Coach Womack’s D can live up to expectations this year, but I still think he has some big shoes to fill.

By Mark Bradley

August 28, 2008 4:03 PM | Link to this

I’ll concede that there were times — particularly against Georgia and Wake Forest in 2006 — where Tenuta’s defense was all Tech had going for it. But I also believe his system had far too many games when Plan A wasn’t working and there was no Plan B.

Kind of like Jim Mora’s tenure as Falcons coach, come to think of it.

By The Truth

August 28, 2008 4:14 PM | Link to this

Are y’all yechies crazy? Without Tenuta Yech finishes below .500 six out of seven of the last seasons. Now you have a guy who directed the worse defense in the SEC in 04 or 05 and you call it an upgrade? LOL!!!

By Dogs#1=sec down this year?

August 28, 2008 4:27 PM | Link to this

you guys do realize that rc is always trying to jab Tech fans. He always brings that one word into blogs.

By Real GT Brill

August 28, 2008 4:27 PM | Link to this

Not too shabby, fake GT Brill @3:24. I see you were in advanced UGA english courses as there were a couple of attempts at punctuation. I award a solid “B” for content though,so you win both a “Donnan Of a New Era” bumper sticker and a “Pulpwood Smith” for Heisman beer koozie.

Remember the Good Word !

By Atlanta Native

August 28, 2008 4:34 PM | Link to this

What does a Defensive Coordinator do when he does not have the talent on the field to play an ooponent straight up?

He blitzes every play in hopes of throwing the opponent off of their game.

That was the Tech defensive strategy for how many years?

By Mark Bradley

August 28, 2008 4:35 PM | Link to this

Topic for discussion: If you’re a defensive coordinator, which is tougher: Winning in the ACC with Tech’s personnel, or winning in the SEC with Arkansas’ talent?

I’ll say the latter. I think the ACC is ripe for the picking by a smart coach. (Just look at what Jim Grobe has done at Wake.) I think Paul Johnson and this staff have a real chance to do something big in the conference.

By HomeDawg

August 28, 2008 5:00 PM | Link to this

…if Johnson was a smart coach.

By BUSHWACKER

August 28, 2008 5:54 PM | Link to this

Regardless if you are right or wrong about what kind of coach he is, we do know one thing for sure YOU ARE GUTLESS,how many times did you print that when the man was still in town?

By GaSou93

August 28, 2008 6:48 PM | Link to this

DawgforLife wrote: “Look what happened to GSU when they took that offense to UGA.”

Well, moron, in 2004 when little ole’ GSU came up to Athens running the offense Tech is now running, we hung 28 points on the vaunted UGA defense. No other team scored that many against UGA that year. So, take into account that Tech will have slightly better, and MORE, athletes than we had at GSU at the time, you better expect things to get interesting fast. And you won’t put up 48 points against Tech’s defense very often like you did that day against GSU.

By heygasou93

August 28, 2008 10:20 PM | Link to this

if gsu scored 28 against ga. just think how many they would score against tech……probably 222 to 0…. tech nerds (and its not original i know….but obviously its still true since you nerds still get your buttons pushed with the nickname) keep talking about the cumberland game back when taft or roosevelt or maybe even abe lincoln was president….was that the game that was held on the land where cumberland mall was built a century later?….this isn’t a football blog…more like a barney blog as in the dinosaur…you techies need to stick with messing up the roads around atlanta with your moronic drawings you call engineering….get an auburn man in there to teach you fairies how to draw….being an auburn fan allows you to watch the sec every week not some pre-school conference like cumberland

By hey auburn fan

August 28, 2008 10:25 PM | Link to this

maybe the ncaa should rename the acc…atlantic…cumberland….co-eds…..kina fits doesn’t it….nerds

By killa bee

August 28, 2008 11:35 PM | Link to this

to all doggie fans, there is no way uga gets to a bcs bowl this year. come november, half your team will have been arrested by then. and come on, y u wanna call us nerds? everyone knows that uga alumni refers to tech alumni by one name only………BOSS!!!

By killa bee

August 28, 2008 11:37 PM | Link to this

to all doggie fans, there is no way uga gets to a bcs bowl this year. come november, half your team will have been arrested by then. and come on, y u wanna call us nerds? everyone knows that uga alumni refers to tech alumni by one name only………BOSS!!!

By wramblin wrack

August 29, 2008 12:51 AM | Link to this

no disrespect to GSU athletes, but GT has far superior athletes to run this offense against UGA, so let’s stop comparing the GSU / Johnson offense to the GT/ Johnson offense. Nesbitt, Jones, and Dwyer were some of the top recruits in the entire country out of high school. Sit back and try to sleep before November and remember to clean out that dog bowl every now and then. This rivalry is about to get very intense and don’t think just b/c you’re ranked preseason #1 that you can roll over us. Won’t happen. You may win this year but it will be very interesting. And when STafford and his spooning partners leave Athens, LOOK OUT for the SWARM!

By killa bee

August 29, 2008 1:40 AM | Link to this

to my man wramblin wrack…….thanks for lettin all those bandwagon fans know “preseason” #1 means nothin. da killa bees gonna pee on the hedges in november. and uga will be in the peach bowl. btw, will UGA VII be as ugly as UGA VI?

By NC mountain Tech fan

August 29, 2008 10:38 AM | Link to this

…did not miss JT last night.

By Bo

August 29, 2008 1:55 PM | Link to this

Great job Mark. Agree with you and David on the arm chair QB, etc.. Looking forward to the season and a new moon arising. Keep up the info!

By Mark Bradley

August 29, 2008 4:18 PM | Link to this

Thanks, Bo. David deserves all the credit for that observation, though. I just glommed onto it.

By NotaAtlantafan

August 29, 2008 6:06 PM | Link to this

Badley again shows his knowledge of football…none. Go get a job you know something about.

By Navigator

August 29, 2008 9:56 PM | Link to this

Are you a Democrat Bradley? You make selected statistics, but failed to mention the one that may be the most important. Take any defense or even defensive coordinator and ask them to play 2/3 of every big game and ask them their expectations of winning those games. His defense was one of the reason Tech won as many games as they did. More times than not, his strategy was to cover up the weaknesses of having to few great athletes. I’m defending a man I really don’t like, but I also don’t exaggerate his short comings without also pointing out his strengths. Why don’t you wait about 5 years before you say Tech has an upgrade in coordinators.

By peach bowl

August 29, 2008 11:56 PM | Link to this

we can’t be invited to the peach bowl…it has been renamed the bluberry bowl and the committee has invited cumberland to play the insects from the trade school…they are even painting the field blue so tech will really feel at home

By to peach bowl

August 30, 2008 8:59 AM | Link to this

they should paint the field pink then tech will really feel at home….make fun of uga all you want fairies from the buckhead..but watch us stay # 1 all year and win a national title..something you gayboys haven’t done since john heisman was at nerdsville

By Ted Striker

August 30, 2008 11:39 AM | Link to this

Tenuta was Jonny One-Note but here’s the flip side. The defense excelled at that one thing.

Does a lack of proficiency in other areas automatically mean he was overrated? Not necessarily. In collegiate and pro coaching, the key to extending your checkout time is doing at least one thing very well.

Vince Dooley? Three yards, cloud of dust. Bill Walsh? Horizontal passing. Buddy Ryan? 46 Defense. Steve Spurrier? Fun N’ Gun. (Jimmy Johnson & Bill Belichick? Hair gel & video tape, respectively)

Tenuta was the biggest coaching star on Tech’s not so grand stage. At Notre Dame, he may not fare nearly as well. But, who knows till time passes and we look back a year or two or three from now?

Apart from having a bigger stage, South Bend has something else Tech doesn’t — incredible facilities and outstanding athletic talent up and down the roster — because they can successfully recruit from coast to coast.

We may see Tenuta shift how he calls games. I don’t anticipate you’ll see the Notre Dame defense live and die by the blitz like Tech’s did during the Tenuta tenure.

I’m speculating but here’s my rationale. Blitzing isn’t so much a defensive “system” for every down as it is something good coordinators do at opportune times to disrupt an offense. If you’re playing a superior offense (to your defense) you have to hope for a lot of disrupting).

Bottom line: Tenuta has better, faster, stronger personnel in South Bend. We may see a different coach.

Good article, Mark. I’ll hang up and let folks flame you while I listen.

By GM

August 31, 2008 8:15 AM | Link to this

I love the comment about ND having better talent than Tech up and down the roster. Did you not see ND play last year? They were horrible, and didn’t Tech whip them?

By JamBee

September 1, 2008 7:42 PM | Link to this

Not sure I understand all this Tenuta bashing. The reason Tech’s records have been mediocre the last few years is that the offense could not even average 20 points a game. Gailey had a poorly devised offensive scheme and he put Reggie in charge at quarterback. It was not the fault of the defense.

By mobility

September 2, 2008 12:22 AM | Link to this

Mark. I lived in Atlanta for years, when I went to GaTech. I never liked your columns. Your writing style was (and is) horrendous. You use inflated words to convey simple concepts. Very pretentious. The content of your coverage is unsophisticated. It’s luck you live in Altanta; you’d get eaten alive in a real sports market, like New York.

By Ted Striker

September 2, 2008 1:06 AM | Link to this

‘GM’ (from 8/31/08 8:15 am) — It’s not sporting to shoot fish in a barrel. (So, I won’t.) However, you flopped & splashed around for my attention — so it seems fair to sprinkle a little bit of shushfood into your aquarium.

Notre Dame was a consensus #2 in recruiting rankings by Rivals and Scout this most recent signing period. Tech was ranked #49 & #37, respectively. During the four-year signing period 2005-2008, Fighting Irish classes averaged thirty-two (32) positions higher with Rivals compared to Tech. Notre Dame recruiting rankings averaged twenty-six (26) positions higher with Scout during the same period.

I don’t worship at the Cult of Recruiting Services but there’s middle ground between drinking their Kool-Aid and sipping from that big ole cup-o-stoopid you’re holding.