AJC > Sports > Tech > Blog > Archives > 2006 > November > 06
Monday, November 6, 2006
Late scattershooting
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Sorry to chime in late, Techsters. I didn’t realize I was on point today until it was too late to hit the magical 4 p.m. post time.
Scattershooting …
*The Yellow Jackets were at least two touchdowns better than N.C. State, but when you give up a kickoff return (aargh! again?), and a interception return for touchdowns on the road, you’re usually going to be in trouble. That’s two defensive touchdowns allowed in the past two games, yet two wins. You’re living right when that happens.
*Calvin Johnson is sick — there’s breaking news for you — and he’s gotta go pro after this season. I understand he and his parents want that degree from Tech, and that’s admirable. But it won’t be prudent for anybody if he doesn’t strike while the iron is hot.
And I’m not sure it can get any hotter. Quarterbacks (see Brady Quinn) tend to be the preferred commodity as No. 1 picks unless there’s an over-whelming choice at another position. But when a potential game-changing WR (of which there are at least a couple in nearly every draft) is sitting there with absolutely every tool (speed, size, hands, work ethic), and — this is critical — you have NO reason to worry that the guy’s also going to be a knucklehead in the locker room like so many of the truly great NFL WRS, he’s gotta be your guy. Wouldn’t it be sad, though, if Calvin ended up with the Raiders?
*Tashard Choice doesn’t look spectacular in doing it, but he’s like a train that almost never stops rolling.
*There’s no question who the center will be for the Tech basketball team, folks, despite some chit-chat about that. It’s Ra’Sean Dickey, and there is no competition.
A very good offensive player (better than even many ardent Tech fans might realize), and a good rebounder, he’s got to get better at post defense. As for the minutes behind him, that will flesh itself out. Aminu’s got a shot, Faye could fill in depending on matchups (he’s not going to guard any true centers, at least not for long, because he’s light).
Zach Peacock? Forget it. He’s a power forward, swing guy. No way he can man-up in the pivot, at least not yet, if ever. Brad Sheehan? Too light and raw this year. A potential red-shirt.
*Back to football, and recruiting, after the addition of DE Derrick Morgan. This from Rivals.com analyst Jeremy Crabtree: “When we updated our team rankings on Thursday, Georgia Tech was already ranked as the No. 15 team in the country. And that was before the addition of Derrick Morgan. Morgan is the top-ranked player in Pennsylvania and one of the nation’s top 100 players in the nation. You add him to the list, it could push Tech toward the top 10.”
Later.
