AJC > Sports > Tech > Blog > Archives > 2006 > October > 11
Wednesday, October 11, 2006
Still puzzled by the two-point play
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Georgia Tech picked up a nice verbal commitment today from OT Clyde Yandell, a player who’s kind of coming on fast and late.
The St. Augustine player has been on defense most of his career, but switched to full-time offensive line for the first time this season so there wasn’t as much preseason hype about him as some others.
Tech has 15 verbals now, and is likely to sign 18 players in February, more if a player or two transfers or leaves the program. Don’t think the Jackets will go after any more offensive linemen, as they have three in Yandell, Claytor and Gilbert. Coaches are definitely going hard after a D-lineman, led by Derrick Morgan, the kid from Pennsylvania. Also, Jason Peters of Baton Rouge.
Don’t believe anything you read or hear about how Reggie Ball (leg) might not have played this week if the Jackets had a game. It’s bunk. He’d have played, and will play for certain next week at Clemson.
Hoopsters start practice Saturday, when they’ll go twice. Practice is expected to be closed. Women start, too, on Saturday with a pair. Then, they’re headed after a Sunday practice to North Georgia for some “team-building,” whatever that is. And, of course, more practice. Tech’s got a mid-term break coming up that enables the Lady Jackets to spend a coupla days away.
Wonder how Travis Bell’s confidence is these days?
Anybody else still puzzled by Chan Gailey’s explanation Saturday about going for two? I was there, and still don’t quite get it, Dick Vermeil’s chart or not. Bottom line, the touchdown made it a four-point game. Yes, with a one-pointer, it’s still a one-score game if Maryland scores a touchdown to take the lead. But then, assuming Maryland kicks after a score (for a 30-27 lead), Tech can merely tie with a field goal. If they had kicked the one, and made it, Tech would’ve been in position to win (31-30) with a field goal assuming Maryland kicked a one-pointer after the presumed touchdown. Or, following the failed two-pointer, two Maryland field goals after that point would’ve given the Terps a win (29-27) if Tech didn’t also score again. With a one-pointer, two Maryland field goals would’ve resulted in a tie.
Say what you want about the defensive stand at the end, and you should say plenty, plenty, plenty, but the play that gets forgotten came on the previous Maryland possession, when Tech held on fourth down and Kenny Scott got his first interception. If Maryland converts there, and goes on to kick a field goal, the Terps would’ve been kicking for a win on that last fourth down rather than being stuck in goal-to-go with no choice but to pass.
I understand the fake field goal inasmuch as coaches saw something on film. Looking at replay, if Durant Brooks didn’t get caught up on a rusher, he’s wide open with green in front of him (he’s more of an athlete than you might think). What I don’t get is trying the fake when in pretty makeable range (40-yarder, although Bell missed a 31 later), and especially since it was fourth and a yard or less. What do I know?
