AJC > Sports > Tech > Blog > Archives > 2006 > September > 08
Friday, September 8, 2006
Will a blowout matter?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I’m not genius, but I’m smart enough to know there are plenty of Tech fans who’d love to see the Yellow Jackets blow out Samford Saturday.
It may happen, it may not, but coach Chan Gailey sure didn’t sound like he’ll play for that. I asked him if a lopsided win would be particularly beneficial to the psyche of this team, and he said, “I think more for outside the team it would than inside the team. Inside the team, we understand that wins are wins and losses are losses. You don’t get to add up the points during the course of the season.”
I took a different approach, and asked if it would be more important to win big with first stringers and a few second teamers or play a lot of guys for sake of experience (and win, of course). He said, “We want to play well, whatever that takes. If it takes the same number to win, that’s what we’ll do.”
Other day-before-the-game thoughts:
*If you’re a Tech fan, you’re loving the fact Greene County QB Josh Nesbitt committed. He actually called Gailey Thursday night. I wonder, though, about fitting he and Steven Threet into the same offense. I don’t mean for a moment that it’s sure to be a problem, but they’re two entirely different types of QB. One’s a dropback guy who can move a little, the other a guy who can move a ton, no less, and probably even more, than Reggie Ball. Yet his passing numbers were nearly insane last season.
For all the talk about a QB transferring away from the other D1 program in the state, the same chatter will start now on The Flats. Every reserve QB is an underclassmen: Bennett, Garner, Manley and Ingram. If they all stay, that’d be six QBs next year. Hey, better to have too many than not enough, but I have a hunch the number won’t be six one way or another.
*There’s no question more players will see action Saturday, including freshman RB Jamaal Evans, in my opinion. It’s hard to know now that practice is closed who exactly is injured, or, for that matter, sick. Gailey did say all starters will start, and he anticipates OT Cord Howard - who missed a ton of summer camp with an injury - playing.
“He has worked some with the second team because we’ve had some guys who’ve been sick,” the coach said. “This week … I think he may get an opportunity to play.”
*Backup OG/OT Jacob Lonowski (shoulder) may be ready as well.
*Don’t be shocked if someone other than Pat Clark returns a punt. Now’s the time. Freshman CB Laurence Marius is just one possibility.
*My two cents say the offense looks considerably different against Samford. Patrick Nix has a better idea what his chaps can and can’t do, the Bulldogs are not nearly as likely to pressure the passer as Notre Dame was, and a simple review of the passing game last week suggests expansion is essential.
Sure, they had only one three-and-out against the Irish (when Calvin’s catch was overturned on third down), and there was extra emphasis on not allowing sacks (two) and not turning the ball over (zero), but this offense is probably not built to play smash-mouth, uber-ball control past a certain point. What college offense is? Even though the Jackets could probably take that tack against Samford and win, it stands to reason that players and coaches need to work on expanding and refining their repertoire as much or more than honing their bread-and-butter stuff.
*On the baseball front, CF Danny Payne, who suffered a season-ending shoulder injury about six weeks before the end of last spring, is likely to be limited in fall workouts, which begin soon. I’m told he’s fine, but he’s the type who might over-do it if not closely monitored. That was a huge loss to the Jackets last season; he might’ve ended up ACC Player of the Year. Jackets need to come up with some pitching, a third baseman and another outfielder. Bet Danny Hall’s got a plan.
*Those of you who predicted that Paul Hewitt’s trio of verbal commitments will be the limit are correct. The Jackets are not seeking to add to the next signing class; three is it. Someone made an interesting point to me the other day, though, when he said it will be curious to see whether PG Maurice Miller signs this fall or waits until the late spring signing period. Why? To see if freshman PG Javaris Crittenton goes pro.
If he stays, this fellow suggested, Miller could change his mind. I have NO information that leads me to think that way, and from talking to Miller a few days ago, I don’t think he’s worried about being a backup for at least one year. He’d probably play plenty anyway, as the team’s only other PG this coming season, senior Mario West, will be gone by the time Miller arrives. The odds on Crit leaving early seem very, very slim, as PGs are not typically well-advised to leave after just one year of college no matter how good. Thaddeus Young on the other hand …
*Looking forward to Ohio State-Texas. I grew up in Columbus, and still follow the Buckeyes. My greatest concern is obvious: nine new starters on defense. They’re very athletic and fast, but very inexperienced.
