AJC > Sports > Tech > Blog > Archives > 2006 > September > 29 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USFirst time in Blacksburg
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
It’s still September, and I haven’t been covering Georgia Tech long, but I bet there hasn’t been a game like the Virginia Tech contest in a while. The winner, after all, will be the only undefeated team left in the Coastal Division.
With six more ACC games to follow, it’s not like a Georgia Tech win would punch a ticket to Jacksonville. But it’d be one whale of a leg up as the only other team in the division I think might, and I stress might, have a shot at winning that side of the ACC besides the two Techs is Miami. That figures to make the homecoming game against the Hurricanes extra large, too, even if Virginia Tech wins tomorrow.
Otherwise, a few cerebral disturbances …
— If Calvin Johnson doesn’t play, I owe somebody something. I haven’t figured out what, but I bet whatever it is he plays unless he has an accident in the next 23 hours. He was a game-time decision nine days ago, and we saw how that went. It’s almost like Chan Gailey’s superstitious here, figuring it worked so well last time why not do it again? It’s not like Calvin needs practice, yet he practiced, although I’m not sure if he was limited or not as regular season practices are closed. Still, if he’s so beat up, if that thigh is so bad, would he practice? Does he really need to practice given his knowledge of how important he is balanced again the possibility practice could aggravate injury? That doesn’t seem like a tough balancing act to me. If it was really iffy, wouldn’t you give him every kind of physical rest you could? Remove as many possibilities of him aggravating the injury as possible? He practiced. He’s playing.
— Don’t plan on Jacksonville DL Jacoby Monroe being part of the Georgia Tech signing class in February. He’s not de-committing, per se, but while nobody’s saying it, I will: the Jackets aren’t recruiting him anymore, even though he committed in July. They practically can’t (more on that later). It was a surprise when he committed to Tech almost out of the blue, anyway, catching even some Tech staffers off-guard I think. He first committed to Florida. His academic issues are multi-layered. Solving one problem, like say core curriculum, would be one thing. But he has core, GPA and SAT/ACT issues, and in some cases the gaps between where he is and where he needs to be are too big to cover in the time he has left. Besides all this, since Tech has fewer slots for incoming freshmen because of NCAA sanctions, they have less luxury to hold a spot for a kid they can’t count on qualifying. Do that, and another talented kid (keep Derrick Morgan of Pa. foremost in mind as Tech sure is) decides to go elsewhere, and then Monroe doesn’t make it and suddenly you end up short one very high-quality D-lineman in the next signing class. That’d be a problem. It’s unfortunate, but Tech has less leeway than other years in this situation in terms of holding a spot for the kid (academic requirements don’t change in any years, but the program sometimes will honor a commitment from an academically-challenged kid longer if they have a signing class of, say, 25 or 26; Tech’s going to sign 16-18 this time around).
— Somewhat quietly, Jahi Word-Daniels moved into the starting CB spot last week, replacing Pat Clark. And Word-Daniels has played well all season. He’s tied for the ACC lead with seven pass breakups, and has a pick. If his knee holds up, he looks pretty good opposite Kenny Scott. Opponents are steering away from Scott to a great degree. “[Defensive coordinator] Jon Tenuta realizes that,” Gailey said. “[Opponents] just can’t lineup and say there’s one-on-one on both sides. We try to scheme so we take some pressure off [Word-Daniels] from time to time.”
Looking forward to tomorrow. I’ve been to Blacksburg twice, but not for a football game.
Comments
By Tracy
September 29, 2006 04:26 PM | Link to this
I have to agree on a few of your points. I actually talked to CJ this week and there was no hint of him not playing. I say he does. They may just be saying this to throw off VT, who knows? This is definitely one of the biggest games I can remember concerning the ACC race. If we win, we clearly have a leg up on the rest of the division. If we lose, we’re still in it but VT will have to lose twice. Probably a long shot considering the state of the rest of the division.
Yes GT should not worry about Monroe anymore. We need to make sure we fill all the scholarship slots considering we are limited this year. We need to have the best players possible and not hold out for someone who may be dead weight.
I like Word-Daniels. Clark was less than impressive the last few games. Looks like the defense is squaring up nicely. This is going to be a big game tomorrow. I can’t wait! Go Jackets!!
By GREG
September 29, 2006 05:49 PM | Link to this
TECH WILL LAY THERE 1ST LOGS IN BLACKSBURG!!!!LOL!!!!
By South GA Jacket
September 29, 2006 09:28 PM | Link to this
Matt-I would like to commend the job you have done so far in covering our football team. You have provided more detailed insight to the program than any beat writer we have had since I began reading the paper in 1986. Keep it up and tell your boss you need a raise!
As for the game, it should be a good one. I am looking forward to the Jackets playing well and hope to be in position for the “W” in the 4th quarter.
By GREG
September 29, 2006 11:07 PM | Link to this
Matt, you took your smart pills today. Good points. One more point. If we can’t beat the Hokies, lets make them KNOW that they met a good and very physical GT defense.
By Charles
September 30, 2006 07:06 PM | Link to this
Georgia Tech > 11 Turkeys + 4 Zebras + ABC
By refssuck
September 30, 2006 07:13 PM | Link to this
What a game we played. We won despite laying against a good VT team that got every call from a very biased ref crew. Our defense played super and the ofense well enough to prove we deserve to be in the top ten. I hope these refs get reported to the league for such crappy calls. This game was nowhere as close as the score will show. No matter ehat the refs did to you guys….they could not take the game away from you. Great game….let’s keep it up and play the whole eason out. Ptrick…great play calling, John….you get the game ball for a great scheme…. way to go guys and you know UGAG plays it normal patsy…. so way to go guys….sting’em
By Not Disappointed
September 30, 2006 07:13 PM | Link to this
Great Win Jackets!!!! Beamer ball????
Great Win!
By gregsucksugag
September 30, 2006 07:18 PM | Link to this
Greg… looks like you have the log to suck now doesn’t it Greg. Go cheer for the UGAG team that never plays anyone before their 7th game of the year….. go Jackets… Greg what do you have to say now you anal retaintive sphincter muscle!
By mountain_jim
September 30, 2006 07:36 PM | Link to this
I agree about the refs. They gave VT at least one first down they did not make, then would not overrule on replay.
They gave VT a touchdown they obviously did not make, and would not overrule on replay.
They gave them interference calls where noone occurred, they would not call them for the holds on every play in the 4th.
Most obvious attempt to influence a game by an officiating crew I’ve seen in awhile.
Tech out-coached and out-played VT in this one.
Go Tech - Great Win!
By Cuz
September 30, 2006 07:47 PM | Link to this
Way to go Bugs. A quality win and a turning of the tables on the Hokies. As a member of the FANS OF CHAN, I could not be happier for you and for our man CHAN, the greatest football mind since Pepper Rodgers. But face it, without the FANS OF CHAN, you would have suffered another humiliating loss today. When all of you wearing the white and gold wanted to run off CHAN, my organization stepped up and demanded that CHAN be named Head Coach for life. Without the FANS OF CHAN, you would be looking at another bowl on a blue field. Because of the FANS OF CHAN, you will get a bowl game below the Mason Dixon line this year.
You can thank us now.
By mountain_jim
September 30, 2006 07:52 PM | Link to this
I just remembered, the refs also took away a GT first down, forcing a punt, on another obviously cheating bad spot.
Some one needs to investigate that crew.
By Davey
October 1, 2006 01:07 AM | Link to this
Terrible officiating…….also cuz go home you mutt! How about you guys try beating a team by more then a TD and one that has a winning record.
By Cuz
October 1, 2006 02:24 AM | Link to this
Sticks and stones may break my bones but bugs will never hurt me. Man you should be thanking your lucky stars that me and a bunch of bloggers saved CHAN’S rear last year, you ungrateful insect.
By Cuz
October 1, 2006 02:31 AM | Link to this
It is called sarcasm, humor with an edge. Life is too short to be taken seriously. Laugh every now and then. I did when I read your post Davey. Go Bugs, win that ACC. There I said it, win the ACC.
Bugs is sarcasm, I would truly like you guys to win the ACC, then fall apart in Athens, we both might get one out of two. Good luck till we say you at Thanksgiving.
By Greg
October 1, 2006 06:36 AM | Link to this
I’VE TO GIVE TECHIES ALOT OF PROPS!!!!GOOD GAME GUYS!!!!
By Dirkel
October 1, 2006 02:21 PM | Link to this
An inspiring victory over VT. When Tech is good they are very good. They won despite terrible officiating. Whatever VT was paying the officials, it wasn’t enough. It was a good example of wasting money by being too cheap. However, I wish someone would couch Reggie - when you have your opponent demoralized and disoriented - that is not the time to start mouthing off at them. It seemed as if that had a lot to do with them later finding thier game.
By Davey
October 1, 2006 03:41 PM | Link to this
Cuz I am really interested on how you think your dawgs will do this weekend. Tenn seems to be pretty good. Also GREG thanks for the props. Atleast you show some class after tech does something good.
ps cuz i knew you were joking and WE will see you guys this thanksgiving and this may be the year…..unless Joe T really shows up.
By Cuz
October 1, 2006 07:59 PM | Link to this
Davey, I think that the Jackets are on the verge of having an awesome year. I think the only thing that can stop them is themselves. I think you are going to the championship when you arrive in Athens and at that time you may be ranked higher than the Dawgs. Then we will have our usual bloodfest decieded by a point or two at the end. The Dawgs have somehow been able to come out on top lately. It cannot last forever. Of course I go into every game thinking the Dawgs will win, I wear rose colored glasses when I pull for my team.
The TN game possesses several problems. They have an established QB. They are playing good defence, and like everyone else, they have a major chip on their shoulder. I hope they want it so bad they screw it up like we seem to do in Jax.
Good luck the rest of the season. Looks like CHAN aint a bad head coach after all.
I went to Georgia, I even graduated from Georgia, but unlike some of my peers, I am a college football fan. Who else in the ACC would I pull for. Just don’t expect me to be pulling for you at Thanksgiving.
Believe it or not Davey, on my blog, I have a friend named Gator the Dog Catcher. We have fun back and forth just like this. I would back him in a bar fight even if he is a Gator.
College football. There is nothing greater. Free agency ruined the NFL. College ball is the true sport.
By BuLLdawg
October 2, 2006 04:08 AM | Link to this
Just who pray tell Tech Fans, is the Top-Ranked America’s Cupcake Conference Team?
Trick question, I know.
Because just as last year, the ACC does not have one.
Last season, in the Final AP Poll, the ACC had exactly 1 Top 16 Team; compared to The SEC with 5 of the Top 14 by DIRECT COMPARISON; and this year YET AGAIN, the ACC has now zero (0) -0- teams ranked in the Top 14, while The SEC by DIRECT COMPARSION has 5 again.
The vols are not a football team, and have not been in 7 consecutive seasons now.
Joe T injured, playing Freshmen Quarterbacks instead – what are the facts ?
123 passes thrown, the same number as our cupcake opponents so far.
4 interceptions thrown by UGA (3 Stafford 1 Cox), our opponents ? 3.
29 Penalties, our Opponents ? Fewer again, only 27 – cupcakes that they’ve been.
48 percent Pass Completion Matt; 60 percent Joe Cox. Excuse for this?
75 Passes Flung Matt Stafford; 28 Joe Cox Passes.
1 TD Pass Matt Stafford; 2 Joe Cox in one-third the passes. Excuses?
Leading Receiver Martrez Milner.
Now, what was it you said about Martrez Milner ? I forget…(right.)
Only Tony Taylor, Paul Oliver (last plays last 2 games) and Johnson Interceptions.
If there is any 1 area UGA must improve this week vs. vols, it is interceptions.
When you have only 2 fumble recoveries 3 interceptions, cannot afford mistakes.
TOTAL YARDS:
.ALL PURPOSE.
.1.Thomas Brown 77 yards a game.
.2.Kregg Lumpkin 61 yards a game.
.3.Danny Ware 60 yards a game.
.4.Mikey Henderson 60 yards a game.
.5.Martrez Milner.
.6.Demiko Goodman.
.7.Kenneth Harris.
.8.Asher Allen.
.9.A.J. Bryant.
.10.Brannan Southerland.
.11.Mohamed Massaquoi. NOT PLAYED ALL 5 GAMES.
Hey, I have a question for the blog ?
Has Matt Stafford played all 5 games?
Geez Louise, what a question.
How can you follow the Georgia Bulldogs, go online, post in public that you have an opinion on Matt Stafford, and in the middle of your dissenting opinion, stop, and ask me if Matt Stafford has even played in all 5 games?
Tell me that one ?
Tony Taylor is the Leading Tackler on The Bulldogs.
Quentin Moses Leads Team in Quarterback Hurries with 12.
Jeff Owens has EIGHT (8) Quarterback Hurries, WOW.
Pass Break-Ups Tra Battle Leads Team with Charles Johnson just 1 behind WOW.
Forced Fumbles Tony Taylor, Tra Battle, Danny Verdun-Wheeler, Paul Oliver, Ramarcus Brown, and there is that Jeff Owens kid again.
Blocked Kicks Dale Dixson and Prince Miller.
Scoring Safety Charles Johnson don’t give me this TEAM crap.
Scoring Touchdown CJ Byrd
Sacks Leader Charles Johnson with 3.5
Charles Johnson is The Man.
http://www.georgiadogs.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=40677&SPID=3571&DBOEMID=8800&ATCLID=592441
Georgia Bulldogs are the Number 90 NCAA Passing Offense of 119 teams.
Georgia Bulldogs are the Number 89 NCAA Total Offense of 119 teams.
Matt Stafford is Number 99 of 100 NCAA Passing Efficiency Rating Quarterbacks.
Junkyard Dawg Defense is the Number 1 NCAA Scoring Defense in the Nation.
http://web1.ncaa.org/d1mfb/2006/Internet/ranking_summary/2006000000257.HTML
We are also Number 5 in Punt Returns, Number 5 in Pass Defense, Number 5 Tackles for a Loss by our Defense and the Number 6 NCAA Total Defense in the Nation.
Tennessee beat Air Force by 1 point, and they also beat Marshall and Memphis – oh, great.
Oh, yeah, and they lost to Florida. I forgot; that’s what makes them so great.
Tennessee is Number 65 in Rushing Offense in the NCAA, which is actually worse than UGA.
Tennessee is a one-dimensional fling the ball around the field football team.
Tennessee’s Defense is pitiful and its Special Teams are even worse than that.
The 1 thing they do is to throw the football.
Now, let me see ?
How is UGA in this match-up ?
Hmmm. Let me think.
After Phat Fil plays us, he blubbers into Alabama, South Carolina, LSU and Arkansas in consecutive weeks after us, having already lost 1. Not a good omen.
Now, just how many of those games with 1 Loss Under His Considerable Belt already does Phat Fil expect to lose ?
.Florida.
.Georgia.
.Alabama.
.South Carolina.
.LSU.
.Arkansas.
I do not think that Phat Fil’s team matches up well with ANY of these SIX (6) teams, with him having only a fling the football around the field only football team.
But, what the hell do I know ?
If I looked at the only thing Phat Fil does, fling the football all over the field this year, and nothing else; I would not think he could win any of these six (6) again this year.
Let’s see now : Not Ranked 3 of the last 6 years in the Final AP Poll.
Dreadful Special Teams, Dreadful Defense, No Rushing Offense – just fling the ball every play…
Hmmm.
Hey Phat Fil ?
Got your Résumé up-to-date dough boy ?
.
What do Morton Anderson and Reggie Bush have in common ?
Reggie Bush is Overrated and STILL has -0- NFL Touchdowns.
Reggie Bush, in his Heisman Trophy Season, played against 13 teams whose Average Total Defense was the Number 82 Total Defense all season long.
I said before he was drafted that he would
(1) NOT be the 1st Pick
(2) Would NEVER be a great Running Back in the NFL
Southern California has 36 players on NFL rosters.
http://cbs.sportsline.com/collegefootball/alumni-tracker/school/4852
(Nice game Matt Leinart 3 possessions, 1 punt, 1 fumble by you, and 1 interception.)
The Georgia Bulldogs have 45 Players on NFL Rosters today, including the Reigning Super Bowl MVP Hines Ward, who used to be our Quarterback, Receiver and Running Back - and, probably our Best Blocker Too - something Reggie Bush will never master.
http://cbs.sportsline.com/collegefootball/alumni-tracker/school/5813
Morton Anderson has scored in 334 Consecutive NFL Football Games, and Reggie Bush -0-
.
By Josh
October 2, 2006 07:44 AM | Link to this
BuLLS**t,
Play a team that actually has an offense. After that, feel free to come back here. The buffs already showed the nation what sorry defensive backs y’all have.
Thanks.
By BuLLdawg the Douchekit
October 2, 2006 08:42 AM | Link to this
HAHAHAHAHAH!!!!
Tech wins, and BullDAwg spends his entire afternoon writing his lame a* post.
Jesus man, get a life. Go outside. Get laid…just do something besides your tired act.
How bout them dawgs? Undefeated…Top 10…. I really think they are a top team in the country…..hahah….hahahahahaah…..hahahahahahahahahahaahahaha….HAHAAHAHAHAHAHAH!!!!!!!
Man, I laughed so hard I almost couldn’t breathe…
Oh crap, here is goes again….UGA top 10….hahaha…HAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHA….HAHAHAHAHAHAHA……….HAHAHHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!!!!!!
Go dogs….HAHAHAHA.
Oh yeah, Tech will make the mutts their bitc#.
By Hokiengeorjaw
October 2, 2006 10:53 AM | Link to this
Congrats to the Jackets. I was in Blacksburg for the game. Props to the Class act Jacket Fans. Good Luck the rest of the season.
By Greg
October 2, 2006 03:21 PM | Link to this
TECH COULD FINALLY PLAY GEORGIA BEING RANKED IN THE TOP 25!!!!!PLEASE DONT SCREW IT UP,YOU STILL HAVE SOME ACC BEASTS STIL TO PLAY!!!LOL!!!PS: 5-0 WITHOUT HAVING A QB!!!!PLEASE WATCH THE TENN GAME SAT NIGHT!!!!
By DawgForLife
October 3, 2006 02:24 PM | Link to this
Congrats to the bees for stinging VT’s azz up and down the field. I spent most of the games cursing ref’s specially in late second half. But lets get one thing straight, we all play some cupcake teams. Yes UGA plays their for basically the 4 out of 5 games. You play ND, then samford, and troy. We play WestKentucky then SC, then UAB and Colorado, after that we go into the meat of the SEC, can’t help some of our SEC teams are weak, I mean yall do play NC state and UNC, and DUKE for crying out loud. So lets not start about the schedule part, your schedule is ranked higher now because you play more tougher teams to date, but ours will come about after the SEC side of the schedule. A schedule that p its us against the 4 of the top 10 Defenses in the country. I hope you kick AZZ and win in the ACC because I pull for tech against anybody accept my almamater, can’t do that..ya know? I hope we meet in november with us undefeated you all onl y having lost to ND, which by the way I th i nk u’d kick their azzes if you played them right now. BUT dont get to over confident, coming into sanford and winning isnt going to be a cake walk guys. I hope you realize that. Because I realize UGA is NOT goign to walk over Tech this year by no means Go DAWGS!!! GO JACKETS!!