AJC > Sports > Tech > Blog > Archives > 2006 > November > 28
Tuesday, November 28, 2006
Jackets focused on the future
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
If there are any residual effects from Tech’s loss to Georgia, they weren’t evident today when coach Gailey and a few players were available to the media.
That game didn’t come up much, although Joe Anoai said a win in Jacksonville would mean more than a win in Athens. And it would. As somebody said, they don’t hand out rings for beating Georgia. They hand out rings for winning the ACC.
Having thought about it for a few days, I no longer subscribe to the theory Tech will be down going into this game, and Wake sky-high. I think both teams are coming off very emotional games. Tech’s been playing erratically, on offense at least, and just getting by for weeks (I’m not counting the Duke game).
Maybe the game at Georgia flushed something out of the system. Reggie Ball does have a bit of a track record for bouncing back from his worst games by playing much better. I just have a hunch he won’t be as uptight for this game as he was last Saturday.
Wake is a very well-coached team, with several very good players, including kicker-punter Sam Swank. That guy’s been a difference maker. They’re a very good example of the principle that you don’t always have to have the biggest and fastest players so long as you’re well-coached, play within your systems, and play very, very hard. Gailey said something to that effect.
It’ll come down to turnovers, I bet, and I have a hunch Calvin Johnson’s going to have a big game. It would sure help if Tech doesn’t give up any defensive or special teams touchdowns. The defense has played very well for a very long time, particularly at not giving up touchdowns.
More football later this week.
As for hoops, Thaddeus Young’s not going to start tonight, and probably won’t play. He has tendonitis on the outside of his left knee (not patellar), which he twisted last Monday in Maui. He’s practiced and everything, but it’s still bothering him. It needs rest. That’s about the only proven long-time cure, although some treatments can ease discomfort. The Jackets will open with three guards, Mario West taking Young’s place. Mohammed Faye will play more tonight, Dickey and Peacock (probably more together than in any game so far), too. Wouldn’t be shocked to see either D’Andre Bell or Alade Aminu get some time as well.
