AJC > Sports > Tech > Blog > Archives > 2006 > September > 08 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USWill 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.
Comments
By GT Lee
September 8, 2006 04:55 PM | Link to this
Another great column Matt. You are certainly doing your home work. Please keep it up because this is great.
I don’t need to see a blowout this weekend necessarily, but I would like to see the offense do whatever they need to do to make some improvements. We simply have got to find a way to score more than 10 points a game the next time we play a solid team. I don’t care what the score is on Saturday (as long as Tech wins) as long is it is building towards something better on offense.
The defense was superb on Saturday. Hopefully they can work on getting some of the younger guys some reps this weekend. Pitching a shutout would be nice too.
Go Jackets!
By Mosby
September 8, 2006 05:32 PM | Link to this
Wow, that is an awesome entry. Lots of good information. Thanks for all you do.
By Davey
September 8, 2006 05:38 PM | Link to this
That Nesbitt commitment is big. Now if we cold Everson and Morgan it might as well be the best ever. 11 4 stars are alot!!!!!!!!!BUT even 9 right now is insane. No matter what happens I’ll be happy with this years recruiting class.
One last thing about the recruiting that I really got a beef with. Kyle Jackson one of the most famous of the commits is only a 3 star. He has been nominated to play in the US army all-american bowl. How is that he is a 4 star but good enough to 1 of 16 players in the state to be nominated? Injustice working at it’s best.
By GTthebest
September 8, 2006 05:53 PM | Link to this
Tech fans want to see Chan and Nix take their shackles off this offense and let the players play. We want them to show some confidence in Reggie so he can be the player we all know he can be. To discuss Tech and Chan Gailey further join as at: http://www.bbuzzoff.com
By GTGreg
September 8, 2006 06:32 PM | Link to this
Get that bBuzzoff crap off of here… Aside from that, I agree, Josh Nesbitt’s commit is huge. Welcome Josh, you’ve made an excellent life decision. Go Jackets!
By StraightJacket
September 8, 2006 07:11 PM | Link to this
Matt,
Thought-provoking blog. Good stuff here. Thanks for your insights.
One correction to your QB Quandary: Tech will actually have SEVEN (7) scholarship QB’s next year…. you forgot Auburn Transfer Calvin Booker….
-SJ
By Ramblor
September 8, 2006 08:18 PM | Link to this
Thanks, Matt. Great write-up!
By JacketFanatic
September 8, 2006 09:42 PM | Link to this
Wow! Getting Nesbitt will do wonders for the offense down the road! Coaches Gailey, Nix, Giff Smith and others are doing an awesome job recruiting this year. I hope Jacket fans realize that this would never be happening if Braine had not given Gailey the long-term contract. It’s paying big dividends!
By gatech87
September 8, 2006 09:57 PM | Link to this
Good insightful reporting. Obviously done your homework Matt. Maybe you can be our next Furman Bisher. The others at the AUC seem intent to be SEC/UGAg homers and theat means underhanded Tech reporting…
By GTGreg
September 9, 2006 02:28 PM | Link to this
You’re right StraighJacket, Booker will be on the roster, but it’s my understanding that he will be a walk-on and not receive a scholarship simply by default… I believe it’s CCG’s policy to give walk-ons schollies only after they’ve earned a starting spot.
By Davey
September 9, 2006 06:17 PM | Link to this
THE ANSWER FOR A BLOWOUT IS…………YES! Beating any team by alot after the terrible loss we had last week is always good. Right now the score is 38-6. Next should be about the same result against Troy. Then virginia will be the same story. All eyes will be looking for the VT game.
By Greg
September 10, 2006 02:55 PM | Link to this
GO GAMECOCKS..LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!
By Dawg
September 10, 2006 09:57 PM | Link to this
Hey Greg, got your wish, the Gamecocks are GONE! And by the way, Nesbitt’s a commit because of who’s in Athens. No room there.
By BuLLdawg
September 11, 2006 01:35 AM | Link to this
.
I’ve been glancing at some of the stories about how great On Probation in Football these next two (2) entire Seasons in Football Georgia Tech is doing in recruiting according to Rivals.com.
Now that Tech is 1-1 and UGA 2-0, as UGA has averaged a Number 5 Rivals’ Recruiting Ranking for the least last 5 Recruiting Classes, which with Redshirts then make up our team this season, I have time to study the details of what Rivals actually says about recruiting for Georgia Tech and Georgia (Number 9 USA Today Coaches’ Poll and Number 10 AP Poll for the 5th consecutive season now for Coach Richt (5-0 versus Georgia Tech) compared to what Chandler Gailey has done.
There are 5 Georgia Tech commitments for February which are ranked in the Top 18 at their position in the nation and of those 5, two (2) are ranked in the Top 10 in their state overall, according to Rivals. There is, only 1, ranked in the Top 7 in the nation at their position.
There are 10 Georgia Dawg commitments for February which are ranked in the Top 17 at their position in the nation and of those five (5) are ranked in the Top 10 in their state overall, according to Rivals. These are, all 5, ranked in the Top 7 in the nation at their position.
The USA Today Coaches’ Poll cannot have 4 votes for Georgia Tech in the Top 25 this week (UGA has 997 votes), because by agreement with the BCS, the USA Today Coaches’ Poll cannot consider any team who currently is on Probation in Football. Georgia is Number 9.
The Details according to Rivals.com are that Coach Richt’s Logan Gray 4.45 is the Number 7 Dual-Threat Quarterback in the nation today and that Josh Nesbitt 4.58 is Number 8.
Rivals has Georgia Tech’s 2006 Recruiting Ranking at Number 57, UGA at Number 4. For 2005 Recruiting Rankings according to Rivals.com, Georgia Tech is Number 62 and UGA Number 10. For 2004, Georgia Tech Number 56 and Georgia Number 6. For 2003, Georgia Tech Number 50 and Georgia Number 6. And, for 2002, Georgia Tech Number 63 and Georgia Number 3. Average Georgia Tech Rivals’ Recruiting Ranking over the last 5 Seasons, which with Redshirts make up your team this season is Number 57 for Chandler Gailey and Georgia Number 5 for Coach Richt.
Which is why when you look at CBS Sportsline list of 17 Georgia Tech players in the NFL today, you find 44 UGA BuLLDawgs instead. By the way, Reuben Houston, whom you played against us in our last game, is not one of the 17 in the NFL today – I guess his baggage is too heavy – what with 93 lbs. of drugs he was in the van of with his infant on his lap driving around Georgia Tech’s campus in the slums there taking them to a friend of his he admitted to the AJ-C whom he guaranteed would sell the drugs for them.
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By Shock 'em Shockley
September 11, 2006 12:01 PM | Link to this
Looks like Tech should have offered the GAC QB instead of Nesbitt. Poor showing friday night(32 yards on 17 carries and 6 sacks, ouch baby). against decent competition to compliment a poor decision earlier in the day (committing to a program self-proclaimed to only win 7 games a year).
I wish him well because he seems like a really nice, humble kid, with a good head on his shoulders, but sorry, he’s no Matthew Stafford.