AJC > Sports > Tech > Blog > Archives > 2006 > October > 24 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USPicking up the pieces
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The mood at Georgia Tech Tuesday was what you’d expect, and then some, as players were as sullen or moreso as all season, which is to say more deflated - by far in my opinion - than after losing to Notre Dame.
My theory is the nature of Saturday’s 31-7 loss at Clemson was a lopsided game whereas the Notre Dame game was not.
Add the fact that the run defense — which Tech takes great pride in — was gutted, and the Yellow Jackets’ wonder weapon — Calvin Johnson — was shut out, and it probably doesn’t come as a shock.
Still, the Jackets know that the Miami game matters more than the Clemson game because the Hurricanes are in Tech’s division in the ACC. “We’re aware of that, but our coaches always tell us the next game is important,” said linebacker Philip Wheeler. “We feel the same way the coaches do about it. We’re really excited to kind of redeem ourselves, and to win against Miami to maybe even clinch an ACC title.”
As Gailey said, “[Players] understand this is a division game. Division games are always big because not only do you get a win, you give somebody in your division a loss. That’s what you’re trying to do, win the division so you get to the championship game. That’s why this is big, because it is a division game. It is bigger in the scheme of getting to Jacksonville than last week’s game. Division games take on double importance.”
Miami’s defense is still very good, ranked No. 8 in the nation, in fact (Clemson is No. 4, Virginia Tech No. 6 and Georgia Tech No. 37). The running game’s been very poor, but appears to be improving, and the ‘Canes will get back 12 of the 13 players suspended for that ridiculous brawl on Oct. 14. They can throw some, too.
I think the psychological approach this week is more important than game-planning. Gotta convince players they’re still a good team.
It looks like Avery Roberson will replace Jahi Word-Daniels at cornerback in the starting lineup. Word-Daniels had problems, and so did several teammates, with tackling at Clemson. His knee may be bothering him, too.
Regarding basketball, at the ACC gathering Sunday in Greensboro, N.C., I found several things interesting, including coach Paul Hewitt’s willingness to gush about a player who hasn’t played, forward Mouhammad Faye. Team officials have re-measured players, saying he stands 6-10 1/2 in shoes (like Alade Aminu, by the way), and that Jeremis Smith (among others) also has grown, to 6-7 1/2 in shoes.
Hewitt said Smith’s improved offensively while facing the basket and has added enough quickness to occasionally defend the small forward spot, players are having problems communicating on defense, Lewis Clinch and Anthony Morrow will be the shooting guards, Morrow (back) is slated to return to practice Nov. 5, and he likes the overall versatility of his players.
The Jackets will be bigger, and they’ll play differently. They’re going to get into people’s faces a lot more, and attack on offense. Apparently, they’ve re-tooled their fast break, for example, so that when they don’t get a layup right away rather than pull the ball all the way out to near halfcourt to re-set the offense, the goal will be more to make quick passes and get a shot up quicker.
Piecing tidbits together, here’s your starting lineup: Center - Ra’Sean Dickey; power forward - Smith; small forward - Thaddeus Young; shooting guard - Morrow, or Clinch at the beginning of the season if Morrow’s not ready; and point guard - Javaris Crittenton.
Mario West will play backup PG, and D’Andre Bell will play there some was well.
Aminu and freshman Zack Peacock will see honest action in the frontcourt, but it’s a little less certain if freshman Brad Sheehan (6-11) will fit in the rotation. Hewitt says he needs to bulk up, like Morrow, who claims that after playing last season at around 205 pounds, he’s up around 215 or so. He claims, and Hewitt more or less back it up, that it’s muscle, not chow.
Comments
By GT Loser
October 24, 2006 04:21 PM | Link to this
With a name like Winkeljohn, you must have really got your butt kicked in high school.
I know that I did. Did you have big zits back then too? Mine are gone now, but I still wet the bed.
Tech’s my favorite team!
By Burdell's Brother
October 24, 2006 04:24 PM | Link to this
Last Saturday is over, do not let Clemson beat us twice. This all comes down to coaching and preparation. If we want any shot at a BCS game, they must regroup and refocus. They need to start like we are 0-0 and get after it over the next few weeks. As far as I am concerned, we have gotten this far before, Chan needs to show this is going to be different. If not, www.canchannow.com needs to go up ASAP!
By Sam
October 24, 2006 04:35 PM | Link to this
Matt- Thanks for the blogs- I love the detail. I was surprised to read Hewitt’s comments regarding Faye as well, but I saw him on Saturday and he can play. What was the general vibe regarding the team in G-boro? Fourth place sounds optomistic but attainable, your thoughts?
By Pitbull
October 24, 2006 04:41 PM | Link to this
Who are you kidding Burdell’s Brother? What this all comes down to is no coaching and a lot of Preparation H so the Tech players can walk upright the next morning.
Bobby Dodd turned over in his grave Saturday night and got more yardage than GT.
By Burdell's Brother
October 24, 2006 04:51 PM | Link to this
Pitbull-
After this Saturday their will beo only one team that has a chance to call the real “OB” home.
Go Jakets
By John Stampe
October 24, 2006 04:54 PM | Link to this
Winklejohn was a stud in high school. He is a from the heart of the college football world … Columbus, Ohio. He dished out the butt kickings. And zits weren’t an issue.
By GT Loser
October 24, 2006 05:19 PM | Link to this
Hey John Stampe, I know for a fact that Winkeljohn - you spelled his name wrong to be such a good friend - was your OSU college roommate and you shared a bed togeather during the 4 most memorable years of either of your lives.
He still calls out your name in the middle of the night while he is asleep. It is quite annoying, but I just turn over and pull up the covers. It is not that I am jealous or anything, you b***.
By Pitbull
October 24, 2006 05:21 PM | Link to this
Chan kind looks like he is farting in that picture of him bending over on the Tech page.
No wonder those guys behind him look so unhappy.
By Willie D
October 24, 2006 05:44 PM | Link to this
Lets not dwell on the Clemson LOSS. Its over. What the coaches and team should do is to treat the Clemson experience in a POSITIVE WAY. Remember HOW GOOD Clemson is, and adjust their goals accordingly. They were the best team we have played thus far, and will probably play all year.
We know now just how tough we have to be to compete with a team like this, Our tackling has got to get much better. Our OL blocking has got to get much better. Our guys need to think about this when theyre in the weight room, when theyre running sprints, when they`re going thru their drills. The Clemson game can be the best teacher and motivator we can have, so let it be a positive!!! GO JACKETS!!!
By Luvthejackets
October 24, 2006 05:46 PM | Link to this
I have a cousin thats mentally retarded and I’m pretty sure he has a higher IQ than pitbull. I think they go to the same summer camp together.
By Luvthejackets
October 24, 2006 05:51 PM | Link to this
I think GT Loser and pitbull ride that short bus to Athens. You guys can’t find your own blog?
By mtraininjax
October 24, 2006 06:43 PM | Link to this
Luv - UGAg is ranked by the skin of Richt’s 2 million contract in 1 poll and unranked in the other. They are going to get pounded so hard this weekend, line -14, that most of the morons are staying home, AFRAID, of coming to Jax. Pathetic. I plan on wearing my Tech gear to the game, just so they have someone to pick on as the Gators beat the holiness out of them and send them on to Auburn.
Regarding Chan, this is where he seperates himself from the previous 7 win seasons. Motivation for this game should be there. We will see.
By The Man
October 24, 2006 06:44 PM | Link to this
LUVTHEJACKETS LIKES MEN!!!!!!!!!!!
By Davey
October 24, 2006 06:59 PM | Link to this
Hey THE MAN how many wins does UGA have against a team with a winning record. Better watch out for Tucky after your pounding of UF.
As for Faye thats incredible that he has achieved growing powers. Maybe by the end of the year he can get up to 7-0!
By charles
October 24, 2006 08:37 PM | Link to this
Keep your heads up fellas.
By The Man's Daddy
October 24, 2006 09:37 PM | Link to this
Fellas, I apol’gize for my bastard offspring, The Man. He is mad at the world. His pecka is like a small Gulf shrimp - his wife left him when she saw it and ran off with the 14-year old paper boy. My son, The Man, is working 3rd shift at the chicken processing plant outside Gainesville. Gawd, the li’l SOB does some stange things with the chicken gizzards… Don’t mind him none - he was voted Class Ignoramus in 7th grade dclass at Blue Ridge Gramma’ School.
The Man’s Daddy
By Pitbull
October 24, 2006 10:32 PM | Link to this
I’m sorry. I thought Picking Up The Pieces was about Tech cheerleaders.
By Davey
October 24, 2006 11:23 PM | Link to this
Good one Pitbull! Wait tech is ranked higher then ugay……..atleast you made fun of something that has nothing to do with the football team. Here let me try. So when is Odell’s court hearing? Remember he’s not in Athens anymore Coach Richt can’t have someone watch him every moment and to pay off a cop for any mishaps. Now I feel so much better. But what make me most happy is when I look into that ole’ newspaper and look at those rankings. Good luck against UF…..luck won’t change anything anyways you guys are going to get the Bob Barker treatment this sat.
By Surfrider
October 25, 2006 12:22 AM | Link to this
Tech’s real team unfortunately may have showed up at Clemson. We were getting excited about playing close an over-ranked ND team, beating two lesser 1-A teams and beating a Vickless VT. Clemson was the real deal. The best team I’ve seen in the south so far on that night. Until Gailey wakes up and realizes we need a passing attack with a QB that can hit the open man and read defenses then it will be iffy each week. At the same time the defensive scheme has covered up average talent for a long time, let’s hope it keeps doing that until we get better in recruiting. A loss to Miami, NCST and GA. for a 7-5 record is not out of the question unless we pick it back up and beat the Canes. It’s typical Gailey ball.
By T-Bone
October 25, 2006 07:13 AM | Link to this
I didn’t realize until yesterday that BC is actually in the driver’s seat to win the other division. If they win out, they have the tie-breaker over Clemson. I would much rather play BC than Clemson again. But first we gotta beat the U.
By stinGTime
October 25, 2006 07:55 AM | Link to this
is smurfrider a long faced guy??? Chances are that coach does know he could use a passing qb that could/would feed CJ…and that would be=?
I like the GTNE80 pick of the week…(that guy sure know his football!) Tech over U
By B. J. Jackson
October 25, 2006 08:02 AM | Link to this
For the record, Calvin Johnson was not “SHUT OUT”. Reggie could not and did not throw the ball to him for showboating. Reggie needs to learn to be a “Team Player”. If you throw the ball in CJ’s direction he is sure to catch it. He’s the spiderman.
Oh, did anyone see the OCTOBER 23, 2006 article in SPORTS ILLUSTRATED on Calvin Johnson “Hands Down”. And I quoute, “The nation’s best receiver; without question, a remarkable blend of size, speed and athleticism who has everything but an outrageous TD celebration”.
WE LOVE YOU CALVIN
Fans at Atlanta Public Schools.
By Luvthejackets
October 25, 2006 08:15 AM | Link to this
Surfrider, Why not try to support Tech? You are hoping for a 7-5 season. How can you say we only have average talent on D. Because of one bad game? That is a p** poor talent evaluation! This team will be 10-3, 9-4 at worst.
By ACC Basketblog
October 25, 2006 08:55 AM | Link to this
We’re tracking this story on the ACC Basketblog. Get over there!!
www.accbasketblog.blogspot.com
By WisconsinJacket
October 25, 2006 09:03 AM | Link to this
I am disappointed that the team seems to be “down”. Get mad!!! Get mad that you got your butts kicked. Get mad enough that you destroy the convicts from Miami. Look at it as redemption and then pull for Clemson to win their division so you can meet them in the Championship Game!!!!! Forget about all the mind games, just get mad as hell!!!!
By GT Loser
October 25, 2006 10:15 AM | Link to this
Calvin Johnson used to ride the short bus with me to school. Reggie Ball wanted to but he would fall down before he could get in the door and the bus would pull away.
How many people are members of the Chan Gaily Fan Club? Everyone who wouldn’t trade Chan for another coach post your vote.
By ben
October 25, 2006 12:23 PM | Link to this
I flew to Clemson from Texas only to be disappointed again. Maybe the ex-AD was right. Hope for 8 wins, settle for 7. Clemson once again demonstrated what we have to re-learn every year. We don’t have the talent of the the football factories.
By KneeJerk
October 25, 2006 01:30 PM | Link to this
I believe in Chan. Why are people slamming Chan and not so much Tenuta after the Clemson debacle? Seems as if the defense plays a game like they played against Clemson about once a year. Reminds me of the UNC game 2 years ago.
By DC TECH FAN
October 25, 2006 02:56 PM | Link to this
I agree with Wisconsin Jacket. The Tech players should get mad as hell. I was mad when I left Clemson after the game and I am still mad. Come on Tech, take it out on Miami!!