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Monday, September 24, 2007
Tech struggling to define itself
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
So Tech’s got a long list of injured players. That’s a potential problem.
But it’s not the primary problem that has led the Yellow Jackets to losses in their first two ACC games. Actually, there’s not just one problem; there are several.
In no order …
This team does not impose its personality upon opponents, does not assert itself in critical situations against worthy competition. Tech does not seize the moment — at least not often enough.
Now, part of this problem is that Tech’s personality remains loosely defined. The Jackets’ stated identity — as Chan Gailey said before the B.C. game — is to run, run, run the ball on offense, and get after you with pressure on defense.
Tech’s still running alright, but misses Tashard Choice (hamstring) no matter how talented Jonathan Dwyer may be, nor how bright his future is. The Jackets are not hammering away with the run.
The passing game has been poor, to be kind. That has a whole lot to do with why the Jackets are dead last in the ACC in third-down conversion rate. Worse, if you look behind the numbers (and Mike Knobler will in an upcoming story), Gailey was right after the Virginia game when he said Tech keeps facing third-and-long. Wait until Mike trots out the numbers. I found them staggering. Here’s an example, Tech has faced a mere four combined third-and-1 or third-and-2 situations!
That’s just one per game! That means there are pretty bad problems on first and second downs, too, to leave such a shortage of third-and-shorts.
So is the bigger problem execution or play-calling on the early downs? I can’t answer that at this point, but surely both have had a hand in the situation.
Bottom line, while it’s easy to pin passing problems on the quarterback, I think there are systemic shortcomings. That said, Taylor Bennett hasn’t been a difference maker. He hasn’t been terrible, but neither has he played any better than average if that well. He’s been more of a caretaker than a playmaker, and that’s not good enough unless you keep running for a zillion yards a game, as Tech did in the first two but hasn’t since.
The defense has problems covering receivers: wide receivers, tight ends, whomever. Tech’s not covering very well in general. Some have been more effective than others in the secondary (Jamal Lewis, Jahi Word-Daniels, when he’s played), but in general coverage is poor.
And like the offense, the defense is not taking command of situations. They’re not dictating; they’re being dictated to. The Jackets were much better defensively after the first two possessions at Virginia, but those possessions — both touchdowns — were dreadful. Adjustments are great. But those first two possessions counted, too. There are no warmup plays once the game starts.
Darrell Robertson is playing very, very well. Lewis is having a fine season. Is anyone else on defense playing beyond expectation, or in the case of some of Tech’s more heralded players, up to pre-set standards?
I’m hard pressed to think of anyone. Philip Wheeler has been good, but not on par with preseason All-America expectations. Where has Michael Johnson gone? Is he hurt? What about this D-line that had all this experience coming back, and was expected to dominate? It’s not. Period. As a corps, the linebackers have been very average or thereabouts in the first two games. No better than that. The blitz packages have not been as effective as Tech needs them to be, I don’t think.
Back to offense, are the four returning starters on the line playing up to their capabilities? I think not. Moving everybody around may not help, and the right tackle spot remains a turnstile. No excuses, though. The O-line has not been superb. And James Johnson, admittedly slowed by injury, has just four catches. The leading returning receiver has four catches in four games?
Durant Brooks and Travis Bell have been very good. Kickoff coverage is much better this year than last, and punt coverage has been outstanding. The punt returns, other than the very costly fumble Saturday, have been a bright spot. Tech’s getting some pop out of the kickoff return unit, too.
But beyond Brooks, Bell and Robertson, who is playing well enough to make a difference? Please send me your suggestions.
When you don’t have but a handful of difference-makers, and two of three are the punter and the kicker, it’s no wonder you’re having a hard time asserting yourself, or establishing a personality.
Matt
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