AJC > Sports > Tech > Blog > Archives > 2007 > August > 05 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USTech’s Jamal jammin’; Peek’s not
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
HELLO BLOGMEISTERS!
Just thought I ‘d greet you the way Tenuta is emoting today. He’s back on his game, loud and rowdy — which is good. But TE Colin Peek is still not practicing. That’s not.
Tenuta had good things to say to CB Jahi Word-Daniel, who appears to me to be moving more comfortably in tight spaces than I remember last year. Jahi’s knee must be feeling swell. I’ll have to ask him soon. He looks bigger, too, but in a good way, like my man A.J. Smith.
Watching the DBs in one-on-one drills against WRs, there is a clear drop-off between CBs and Ss, as should be expected. There appear to be two exceptions, one that I noticed first yesterday and again today, and another that just jumped out at me.
Jamal Lewis, a former CB of course and still a candidate (I think) to play nickel back, covers like a CB, which is to say he drops his hips better when it comes time to change direction and he has a better sense than the other safeties of when to cushion and when to close.
The other exception? Hint: He’s a true freshman, and he’s wearing Reggie Ball’s old number.
Yeah, North Clayton’s Morgan Burnett. He had two nice matches against Fr. WR D.J. Donley. Won them both. Tenuta was dead silent each time. I think when a true freshman is impressive like that, especially more than once, he doesn’t want the kid getting a big head. Where he complimented Word-Daniels earlier, he’s very spare in his compliments for younger players. Plus, I think he wants to see it over and over and over and over.
Fellow Fr. Mario Butler, a CB, not as far along in the very early going.
The lads are in shoulder pads today for the first time, just barely missing a hardy rain shower that came through right before practice. That cooled the temperature, but now the humidity is heinous because the air isn’t moving a lick. No real hitting yet, 1:10 into practice.
There has been a sighting, but not by me, of Chamblee OL Omoregie Uzzi, a target of Tech and Georgia among others. I’ll look for him later.
Two most impressive freshmen walk-ons so far: Cartersville WR Robert (R.B) Clyburn, a 6-4 kid who reminds my of Brian Finneran with his body movements. Kicker Scott Blair, who has crushed most of his kickoffs the past two days. I mean well into or through the end zone. Then again, he wanked a couple back-to-back yesterday.
I’ll ask more about Peek later, but he’s been lifting weights, doing sit-ups, etc., over here on the side. I suspect no shoulder, back or abdominal injury based on what he’s been doing, and may — I stress may — detect an ever-so-slight limp. No notable wraps on his legs, though. Perhaps a strained ligament in the lower leg?
Comments
By jeff
August 5, 2007 6:03 PM | Link to this
Obviously the balance of ACC football has shifted to where it rightfully belongs: Charlottesville, Virginia, home of the Fightin’ Cavaliers. Oh sure, occasionally Florida State or Miami slips in the backdoor for a championship, but when all is said and done, the dominant ACC school is the University of Virginia. But that doesn’t mean Georgia Tech fans should discontinue support of their sad program; rather, the suggestion here is that they prepare themselves for the worst, and be surprised by good play.
By K-Dogg
August 5, 2007 6:34 PM | Link to this
jeff, I think I speak for everyone when I say, “Huh?”
By K-Dogg
August 5, 2007 6:36 PM | Link to this
Colin told me he tweaked his leg and the coaches were sitting him out as a precautionary measure…he said if it was up to him, he’d be out there. I don’t think the injury is anything major, but I agree with how the coaches are handling it.
By a tech guy
August 5, 2007 6:43 PM | Link to this
so who was “lowering the boom” i think brad jefferson out of the FR would be one that i would want to know how he looked, thanks.
By buzzman
August 5, 2007 6:54 PM | Link to this
Another nice write-up. Thanks, Mr. Winkeljohn.
How did the offense look today?
By gtland03
August 5, 2007 6:54 PM | Link to this
So are you trying to say that Jamal lewis to CB and morgan burnette is fighting to win the S job?
By ME
August 5, 2007 7:16 PM | Link to this
Matt W. Thank you for the updates. Nice to see realtime information without all of the phony comments. Do you see any difference in how the offense is lining up? I.E., more spread than last year?
By Mr T
August 5, 2007 7:23 PM | Link to this
I appreciate your insight and reporting Matt.
By harry
August 5, 2007 7:26 PM | Link to this
Jeff…1990, all i have to say
By old 'n gold
August 5, 2007 7:37 PM | Link to this
Well said Harry, well said. Jeff, Marques Hagans was your last hope, and thats not saying much.
By JustMe
August 5, 2007 7:41 PM | Link to this
Thanks Matt W. for the insights. How are the CBs coming along? That is the one position that I am afraid of for the season….
By reckme
August 5, 2007 8:20 PM | Link to this
Jeff- I’d take Chan Gailey any day over Al Groh…..and that ain’t saying much. Your coach is the worst coach in the ACC right now and your team isn’t much better. You’ve never won a national title and your last good team lost to OUR Techsters in 1990. Go start something on someone else’s blog. Maybe you can talk trash at Virginia Commonwealth or Charlottesville Community College.
By 4NCsAndCounting
August 5, 2007 8:25 PM | Link to this
I was at the Sat practice and I’ll tell you this is a much different offense from the passing game perspective. Lots of TE, FB, H-back throws and many new routes (and yes, over the middle). Booker looks improved from the spring scrimmages. More relaxed, focused, etc.
We’re all fooling ourselves if we expect Taylor to be the 2nd coming here folks, but should be a solid QB and much improved from the last 4 years. Booker provides some piece of mind for when TB struggles. And then there’s Josh Nesbitt. Pretty exciting stuff.
By GTarmchairQB
August 5, 2007 8:32 PM | Link to this
Thanks for reporting Matt.
Would like some commentary about how the QB’s faired every report though —-it’s just by far, far, and away the most important factor between success and failure this year (and every year).
Even if they don’t throw to receivers; tell us who you think might have thrown the best…. if they did.
Armchair Out!
By TigerPaw
August 5, 2007 9:01 PM | Link to this
I am glad the B-teamers are looking good. Give these Tech fans something to cheer about. Come Sept-Nov, there will be a few fans disappointed. I say “a few” because you don’t have “a lot” of fans. Enjoy it!
By GTGreg
August 5, 2007 10:16 PM | Link to this
Thanks for the info Matt!
Tigerpaw’s bright orange overalls are too tight and are restricting the blood flow to his brain. That’s why he’s talking smack to Tech fans after his team got dusted by Kentucky in the goober bowl.
By Ron
August 5, 2007 10:44 PM | Link to this
A Snob talking trash?? LMAO…That’s like the Jamacian Bobsled Team talking trash.
By jabster
August 5, 2007 11:03 PM | Link to this
41 to 38, doo-dah, doo-dah, 41 to 38, oh the doo da day…
Yes, the Charlottesville jinx is in effect…for now. We beat the Kenan curse, we can beat the Charlottesville jinx.
While always allowing for an upset, and always keeping in mind to play each game one at the time, we have bigger fish to fry (VT, the Miami Tropical Depressions, BC, Auburn With A Lake) than the Hoos.
By statelinejacket
August 6, 2007 12:20 AM | Link to this
R.B.Clyburn could be the best receiver…….scholarshipped or not at…….in Tech’s 07 class. Watch for him folks.
By Tiger Paw
August 6, 2007 7:02 AM | Link to this
By the way, what’s going on with the Tickle Pile controversy? Has anybody gotten to the “bottom” of it.
By GT08
August 6, 2007 8:46 AM | Link to this
GTarmchairQB
I was at practice Sat. and Sunday and I’ll give my opinion on the QB situation. TB looked great on Sat. and good again on Sunday. One thing I noticed is how much he talked to his team and really looked like a leader out there with the starters and the younger guys. I was really impressed with Booker on Sunday as well. He was making some great passes and looked like the clear #2 to me. Nesbitt looked good on Sat. but pretty rough on Sunday. Still a great player…but clearly a freshman. He’ll be great but has some learning ahead of him.
These are just my opinions, and I am certainly no expert…just a Tech student who enjoys watching his team. I would love to hear what Matt has to say, but I would guess it would be pretty similar to what is above.
Go Jackets!!
By jabster
August 6, 2007 9:32 AM | Link to this
Mutt Paw:
I got your tickle pile right here: http://i12.tinypic.com/4vskpl5.jpg
By Tiger paws
August 6, 2007 11:46 AM | Link to this
Jabster,
Your continue to bring up Matt Stafford when talking about Tickle Piles but honestly that is weak. Nobody actually believes Matt is a homo but most believe Georgia Tech fans are almost all homosexual!!!!
By yellowblood
August 6, 2007 6:08 PM | Link to this
Jeff: We occasionally respond to the ridiculous but never to the absurd.
By yellowblood
August 6, 2007 6:13 PM | Link to this
Tiger Paw: Did you get blocked from the Gamecock website ? Question: Is it really fair that your coach was selected as one of the 5 worst Div I coaches this year ?
By james
August 6, 2007 8:22 PM | Link to this
Glad to hear Uzzi was at practice.
I’m also glad to hear Clyburn is starting strong.