AJC > Sports > Tech > Blog > Archives > 2007 > September
September 2007
Leslie, Munroe commit to Tech
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
A big recruiting weekend for Georgia Tech football got even better on Sunday when the Yellow Jackets received commitments from Fresno, Calif., safety Brandon Leslie and Miami linebacker Malcolm Munroe.
Leslie, who attends Edison High School, and Munroe, who attends Coral Reef High, were part of a large group of prospects who attended Tech’s 13-3 victory over then-No. 13 Clemson.
One of the biggest names in that group, Thomasville High defensive tackle Brandon Thompson, and his parents said the visit went well but he has not made a commitment.
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One down, plenty more to go
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Wow. This is my fourth season covering Georgia Tech football, and I’ve never seen the defense any more fired up than it was today against No. 13 Clemson. Philip Wheeler and Jahi Word-Daniels and Anthony Barnes were throwing their bodies at ballcarriers time after time.
This is the defense I expected to see from these guys. The 13-3 victory over the Tigers was quite an accomplishment.
But can they keep it up? That’s the challenge, because this must-win game was just the first of six in ACC play if the Yellow Jackets are to retain their Coastal Division title and play for the ACC championship.
Tech won’t get there unless something can restore the confidence Taylor Bennett seems to have lost. Bennett was really struggling out there (and getting little help at times from some of his receivers).
A great victory for Tech, an amazing performance on special teams, especially by D.J. Donley and a gutsy, gutsy effort by Tashard Choice. But defense, special teams and a talented and charismatic tailback can’t do it all. There has to be at least some passing game. If that appears, this could still be a special team.
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Getting busy on The Flats
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Big weekend at Georgia Tech, and not just for the current football team. Lots of recruits coming to the Clemson game.
First, a look back at something I wrote earlier this week - a story about QB Taylor Bennett.
I saw a blog response somewhere, can’t remember if it was the AJC or not, where a writer moaned that if it had taken this long for OC John Bond to start working on Bennett’s footwork, the world is lost.
Get real! These guys, and every team/QB in the nation work on footwork from the get-go. The point is that Bennett’s footwork is still particularly problematic. They’ve worked on it since Bond arrived, and before that as well. The point is it’s still not what it needs to be, and it’s a consistent problem.
This didn’t fit in the story, but it was interesting that Bond noted that the clock in Bennett’s head may be a bit scrambled already because he faces so much blitzing in practice.
“It’s footwork for him, and in his defense, when you go up against the pressure that we go up against every day in practice … you would be a robot if the clock in your mind didn’t speed up,” Bond said.
Now, what about asking defensive coordinator Jon Tenuta to slow the blitzes down? Forget that.
“Oh, no. He’s not going to do that, and I wouldn’t ask him to do that,” Bond said. [Bennett’s] got to slow down the clock in his brain. When he does that, that’s when he’s at his best.”
Yeah, like the first few days of August practice, when Bennett was dead-on with almost every pass - before anybody put pads on.
Moving on …
Huge combination of players making official and unofficial visits to Tech, including (but not limited to) Thomasville defensive tackle Brandon Thompson (a tremendous player), Fresno safety Brandon Leslie, Miami linebacker Malcolm Munroe, Chamblee offensive lineman Omoregie Uzzi, and Columbia, S.C., offensive lineman Kenneth Page.
Also, a lot of players who’ve already committed will be at the game, including defensive backs Jon Lockhart and Kamaron Riley, running back Richard Watson, wide receiver Chris Jackson, linebackers T.J. Pridemore and Steven Sylvester, offensive lineman Nick McRae and safety/quarterback Cooper Taylor.
I think Buford defensive tackle Omar Hunter, who has committed to Notre Dame, will be at Tech as well. Washington County linebacker Brandon Watts, a junior, is going to be there too.
Speaking of recruiting, tough loss this week for the hoopsters, as forward Sylven Landsberg opted for Virginia. The Jackets are still in the running for Chicago shooting guard Iman Shumpert, one of the best in the nation at his position.
As for the game, I’m about out of ideas. If Tech can’t run the ball pretty darned well, though, I don’t like the Jackets’ chances. I think, though, that they’ll run better this week, especially if Choice stays healthy. Is Bennett going to improve in the passing game? Will his teammates improve in the passing game?
They’d better.
Tech wins, but oddly, 21-20.
Matt
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Someone needs to take charge
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Our coverage of UGA recently included back-to-back columns, one by Jeff Schultz, one by Terence Moore, saying the Bulldogs wouldn’t amount to much unless their coach started raising his voice and kicking some butts (Schultz) or a player started raising his voice and kicking some butts (Moore). Then Georgia went out and beat Alabama, and I don’t know if anyone’s saying that anymore.
I wonder if their theory is more true about Georgia Tech.
This is a team that ought to be better. It’s a team that makes you shake your head and wonder, from the slow starts on defense to the failures in the passing game to the inability to run the ball consistently the past two weeks.
Mark Richt pointed out in Jeff’s column that he has to be himself, that if he tries to turn into something he isn’t his players will see him as fake. I think that’s true, and I don’t think Chan Gailey can all of the sudden become a hard-cussing, give-‘em-hell kind of guy.
But maybe a couple of Tech players need to get that way, and soon. I know Tashard Choice has a lot of fire in him and the willingness to speak his mind to whoever he thinks ought to hear it. I wonder who else on this team will speak up and have the credibility to get teammates’ attention.
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Now, for the good news
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
It’s Wednesday, Hump Day, and I feel like writing something cheerful, because heaven knows I haven’t gotten to do that very much lately. Covering a team on a two-game losing streak usually means writing about why it’s on a two-game losing streak, and that is, pretty much by definition, bad news. For Tuesday’s newspaper I wrote about Tech’s offense on third down. For Thursday’s paper Matt Winkeljohn will cover Tech’s struggles at quarterback. For Friday, Matt will tackle the defense, or the lack of defense.
So let’s spend a little time here talking about what’s going right for Georgia Tech’s football team.
My list starts with Durant Brooks, who has been sensational, even better than he was last season. His average is up a yard per punt, to 46.5, and more than half his kicks have gotten inside the 20, and opponents have “negative” return yardage. One reason Tech’s scoring defense has been so successful is that Brooks has made opponents go a long way to get points.
Tied for second on my list are Darrell Robertson and Vance Walker, the Mr. Outside and Mr. Inside of the defensive line. Sometimes it seems they’re making all the big plays.
Fourth is Travis Bell, who is 10 for 11 on field goals and has kicked a career-best 51-yarder. I’m sure a lot of Tech fans shuddered last week when they read his prediction the Yellow Jackets would dominate the rest of their opponents, but at least Bell lived up to his part of that prediction.
That’s my list. Do you agree? Would you add somebody? Subtract? Let’s try to keep the discussion upbeat today. We can return to criticizing everybody and everything tomorrow.
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When ball’s in the air, bad things happening
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I’ll be brief today.
If Tech was granted one wish, and could make a big improvement in one area of its football team, it would have to be third downs, right? They’re ranked next-to-last in the nation, as Mike Knobler wrote today, and that’s deadly.
Chan Gailey certainly did nothing to disagree earlier today, and I’ll have some more numbers in the notebook later today to reflect how bad it’s been for the Jackets. Bottom line, they’re in way, way, way, way too many third-and-long situations. That means they’re getting stuffed on too many first- and second-down runs, or failing to complete many first- and second-down passes.
I’m going to try to scare up numbers as far as how they’ve done on first- and second-down runs and passes, but that’s a lot easier to do with the way the NFL (or rather some statistic-keeping companies) looks after such stats, but I’ll try.
Tech is converting just 20.8 percent of its third downs. By contrast, Saturday’s opponent, Clemson, leads the ACC with a rate more than twice as good — 42 percent.
More relevant, Clemson’s third-down defense is in the middle of the pack, ranked No. 9 in the ACC, allowing 38.2 percent. Then again, Virginia is No. 8, at 36.9 percent, and the Cavs held Tech to 3 of 15 last Saturday.
Many of these numbers have to be taken with a grain of salt because they include all games, which is kind of scary for Tech because that means the stats against terrible Notre Dame and Samford games count and the Jackets are still dreadful.
Third downs = passes.
Tech is N0. 11 in passing yardage at 166 per game, and No. 11 is passer efficiency rating (100.1). Again, they didn’t have to throw much against ND and Samford (when Taylor Bennett completed 8 of 9), but regardlessof that the numbers are very, very bad.
Clemson is No. 3 in pass defense, allowing just 169.8 per game, and No. 1 in passer efficiency defense (92.9).
On paper, this does not bode well.
On the flip side, while Tech is in the middle of the pack or just below it in pass defense and passer efficiency defense (thanks to the bloated numbers BC put up in the passing game against the Jackets), Clemson — noted for the way it runs the ball — leads the ACC in passer efficiency with a whopping 69.7 completion percentage, 13 touchdown passes and ZERO interceptions thrown.
Tech has thrown one touchdown pass, and intercepted one pass.
If these numbers hold to form Saturday, yech. If Tech can reverse the direction, it will help a lot to say the least.
By the way, my son’s team is 1-2, even if some of you don’t care. We’ve given up one touchdown in each game, yet lost twice, including 6-0 last week. Our quarterback is coming back from a viral infection, but probably won’t play until next week, and he may slowly work back in at QB. He’s quick, tough, OK thrower, and a heat-seeking missile on defense. We haven’t decided if my boy will stay at QB, move to another position, or just play defense as the returning player has a lot to catch up on after missing five weeks.
We can compete with anybody in the league, but we’ve got to spruce up the offense regardless of who QBs. I started to go into our problems, but one of those stinking Saints coaches might be reading this. Buzz off if you are! More next week.
Matt
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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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Forget bad karma; blame lies elsewhere
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Gotta hurry to have any shot at making my flight, but some thoughts:
Tech didn’t get manhandled this week, like last. The Yellow Jackets just couldn’t account for Virginia RB Cedric Peerman or the Cavs’ TEs often enough, and the passing game was close to terrible after the first six throws. That’s an oversimplification, but the best I have right now. I thought there were several throws there for Taylor Bennett to make, and he didn’t make many. His touchdown pass was a beauty, but what else?
I don’t think today’s loss has anything to do with the history here. Tech didn’t freak out; the Jackets just made enough bad plays, and not enough good ones.
I suspect a significant part of Tech’s problems in the passing game relates to the new practice of receivers making reads on most routes, and adjusting those routes. I don’t think the receivers — especially with James Johnson, the elder statesman, out a lot today — were on the same page often enough, making the right reads, or the reads Bennett was expecting.
Chris Long is a bear. Period. First- or second-round pick next spring.
Cedric Peerman ain’t bad, either.
I might have kicked the field goal on fourth-and-6. Tough call, though.
I don’t know if all the moving around of offensive linemen helps much, even if Dwyer did run for that touchdown behind the double-tackle set.
Tech’s up against it. Clemson’s not bad, in case nobody noticed.
Why not cover those tight ends a little more tightly? You know they’re coming, right?
Later,
Matt
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Another blowout; not!
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Boy, I blew it big time here last Friday by predicting a comfortable Tech win. My mistakes: thinking Tech would be ready to play emotionally and schematically only to be dead wrong on both those counts; and under-estimating not only Matt Ryan, but B.C. at large.
Tech 24, Virginia 22.
Hopefully, I’m closer to respectable this week. I think Tech is clearly a better team, but despite what players and coaches might say, their confidence has to be dentable if not dented. If this game starts out poorly, it will be interesting to see how it unfolds from there.
I’m surprised Tashard Choice is well enough to start. Don’t wanna ruin him for several more weeks. I’m not going to be surprised if his stay is brief. Then again, I won’t be surprised if he goes the whole way (with breaks on the way, of course).
Anyway, if forced to predict another lopside and a surprise of sorts as well, I’d guess that the Tech passing game this week will be better than it’s been so far. I’m not a big believer in the Virginia pass defense, and I think Taylor Bennett and Co. are ready to figure it out.
Matt
Nothing’s official except officials calls
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
So I’m sitting here mulling over the stupidity of a comment on yesterday’s blog that presupposes that the AJC is aware of some report that Chan Gailey/Tech filed with the ACC over officiating in last Saturday’s BC game, but we’re covering it up.
First, we’re not aware of anything unusual.
Second, my understanding — and I’ll seek to verify this later today — is that every team files a report for lack of another word right now after every game with regard to officiating. I believe that happens at the NFL level as well.
Whether Tech, or any school, has any real recourse depends on two things: your definition of recourse, and the call(s) in question.
As for recourse, I can’t think of a call ever being reversed, or a game resumed from a certain point where a call was blown. Ever.
Might officials be reprimanded? Yes. That happens from time to time. The officials who blew that onsides kick last year in the Oklahoma game (was it Washington they played? Cal? Definitely a PAC 10 team) were disciplined. If memory serves, they had to sit out a game or something to that effect. There are other examples every year.
Blowing judgment calls (pass interference, holding, etc.) is never going to get anybody reprimanded. But mis-interpreting or mis-applying rules can get you in trouble.
I’ll ask coach Gailey about it after practice today. I don’t know how candid he’ll be, as coaches are always leery of drawing fines for criticizing officials, but we’ll see.
Enough already about the BC game.
While I’ve got your attention, if I’ve got your attention, what’s your policy on panhandlers? A few hours ago a guy approached me when I was out running errands. He was pitiful looking, as usual, and very polite. Humble and shamed. I’m better than 50-50 to help in situations like that. If a guy, or gal, starts rambling 100 mph about some medical story, or getting thrown in jail on a bogus charge, or in any way generally ramming a story down my throat, forget it. If somebody just rams a cup or hat in my face, and then starts grumbling, forget it.
Another point on yesterday’s blog, JustMe, if you think Virginia DE Chris Long alone makes this game a big physical issue for Tech, you’re nuts, and you’re missing my point. My point is that Tech has the physical talent to beat Virginia, period. Do they have the mental stock to overcome a hostile environment, the horrible history the Jackets have in Charlottesville, the humility of — and/or possible drop in confidence caused by -the BC loss?
I think those questions are more important than whether they have answers when it comes to manpower and talent for Long, or the Cavaliers in general.
Today’s notebook, which will include further mention of Big Boi performing at halftime of the Virginia Tech game (that’s already on our web site — should be interesting. Check it out later.
Matt
Jackets better have heads on straight
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Today, how about we chat about what we’ve learned about Tech and what we’re about to learn — or what I think we’ve learned and what we’re about to learn.
Against B.C., we learned that Tech is not going to overpower the ACC, not that many suspected that was going to happen. Clearly, though, some expectations were inflated by two lopsided wins over vastly inferior opponents.
Still, Tech has the potential to have a very good season. You don’t return that many players from a good team, add a couple very talented young players, and get measurably worse even if one of those losses was Calvin Johnson. That makes the barometer on Tech this season more mental and physical, more about chemistry and less about manpower. There should be few if any manpower excuses used this year. Tech has the players to be a nine- or 10-win team, maybe better than that.
But where Tech’s chemistry was very good last year, even through the miserable three-game losing streak at the end of the season when the great bulk of blame could be heaped at the feet of a suddenly inept offense and a completely ineffective quarterback, chemistry did not wane. Perhaps some confidence slipped, but not chemistry.
Still gauging chemistry on this team, but I think with Tech’s youngish passing attack not yet able to win games when forced to if the run game is shut down, EVERYBODY is going to try to make Taylor Bennett beat them for the time being. Notre Dame tried that, too, but they stunk at it. B.C did not. So Tech is not yet nearly balanced enough offensively.
What we’re about to learn: whether Tech has the wherewithal to bow up under duress. I would make the case that going to Virginia Tech last year the Jackets didn’t have much pressure. They weren’t expected to win. They had supreme confidence, very good game plans, the right amount of attitude, and kicked butt. They were on the wrong end of the same combination against B.C.
So they know they’re in for a dogfight next week with Clemson. Will they make the mistake of taking Virginia too lightly? Coming off a bad loss would seem to make it less likely, but who knows? Even if Virginia is not one of the ACC’s strongest teams (on paper), Tech has struggled terribly there, losing seven straight. These players have had little or nothing to do with that, but they’re aware of it. Does that affect them in any way?
This week’s test is more mental than physical, by far, I think. And I don’t by that mean that Tech can merely show up with confidence and win. But I hope you get my drift.
Matt
If not Choice, then who?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Tashard Choice remains questionable for Saturday’s game at Virginia because of a hamstring injury. Tech coach Chan Gailey said Tuesday that if Choice can’t play it will be running back by committee, and Gailey wouldn’t say who would line up there first.
So, let’s throw it out there for discussion. Which running backs do you use, and in which way, if Choice can’t play?
Rashaun Grant looked good on three carries against Boston College. Is he physically ready to carry the load after a hamstring injury kept him out of practice for weeks?
Jonathan Dwyer ranks second to Choice in carries and has averaged a whopping 7.9 yards per attempt. Can he be dependable enough as a blocker?
Jamaal Evans didn’t play against Boston College but has carried the ball more in his 1.25 seasons than Grant over the same stretch. Is he fast enough to get the job done against an ACC defense?
My guess: You’ll see a lot of Grant and Dwyer, sometimes on the field together.
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Why Tech is lucky
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Saturday night’s 24-10 loss to Boston College showed just how lucky Georgia Tech is to play in the ACC, where after Matt Ryan there’s a shortage of experienced and talented quarterbacks. Ryan, with the help of great pass protection, picked apart the Yellow Jackets defense. In another league, you might say Ryan and the Eagles exposed a weakness other teams can exploit. But this is the ACC.
Virginia Tech and Miami already have changed quarterbacks. Virginia, Duke, Maryland and Miami all rank with Tech among the nation’s 30 least productive passing teams. That leaves Clemson and North Carolina. (Florida State, N.C. State and Wake Forest aren’t on Tech’s schedule this season.)
Clemson’s Cullen Harper, fourth nationally in pass efficiency, fattened his stats against Louisiana-Monroe and Furman after an OK opener against Florida State. Experience? He’d completed one college pass before this season. It will be interesting to see how he does against Tech in a couple of weeks.
The wildcard might be North Carolina freshman T.J. Yates. If you caught any of the UVa-UNC telecast on Saturday, you saw this kid has talent. Tech doesn’t play the Tar Heels until the second-to-last week of the season. By then, he might have the seasoning it takes to give the Yellow Jackets some headaches. (Meanwhile, Yates’ success against UVa suggests Taylor Bennett might have some openings this week.)
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Bottom falls out; Ryan rocks Tech
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Sorry for the delay in blogging folks, but deadline circumstances were beyond brutal tonight and I had to hack regular copy first. Let me stress the word, “hack.”
This was a thrashing. The score could have been much worse. Any time you give up 527 yards of offense, and the running attack your offense is built around rings in at 261 yards below its average, you got crushed no matter the final score.
I’m surprised. I figured Matt Ryan, the BC QB, would be good. I didn’t think he’d have all day to throw almost every time he went to throw.
Tech’s game plans were bad.
DC Jon Tenuta is not one to call off the blitz, but when it’s not working at all (or almost never), and a guy who throws like that is picking you apart, why not drop into a coverage-centered scheme? Tech was getting no more pressure from its blitz packages than it might have from a straight rush plan (which is to say almost none) so why not sacrifice the hells bells approach in order to better cover receivers, or try to better cover receivers?
We didn’t get to talk to Tenuta afterward, or if he showed up — and I don’t believe that he did — so I can’t give you his take on that. To be fair, he was not requested by any media that I know of, but then again we were humping so hard on deadline when we were asked for interview requests, most writers I was near said something like, “I don’t care who you get.” We couldn’t stop to make requests because the game took forever and blew up all deadlines.
Sorry to make excuses, but that’s my reality.
Anyway, I don’t know if Tech was ready for what it faced. BC was dialed in all night. The Eagles were really, really good.
I still believe Tech is a very solid team, and the Jackets never folded despite getting kicked in the gut over and over. Tech did hurt itself badly with penalties that wiped out four or five pretty good plays, but generally they were manhandled.
Did the Jackets give up on the run too early? Six of their first eight plays from scrimmage were pass plays. Then, Tech went three-and-punt five straight times to close the first half.
To be accurate, Ryan is really, really good. He looked like an NFL quarterback tonight — like a quarterback who’s already in the NFL. He was superb.
Other than Tech P Durant Brooks, who had one crummy punt in 10, no Jackets were superb that I noticed.
Folks, that was ugly.
Better get back on the horse quick. Clemson’s not going to come in here to play patsy next week.
Matt
Tech rolls on Saturday night
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Sorry for the lapse in blogs. Absent-mindedness did me in yet again.
Tech wins 28-17.
Sure, BC is 2-0 with wins over Wake Forest and N.C. State, but both those games were at home. Wake is not as good as last year, despite playing Nebraska tough last week, and N.C. State turned the ball over so much nobody could win on the road that way.
Tech doesn’t have a turnover yet this season. That will probably change against B.C., but even if it does — unless Tech turns the ball over a bunch — I don’t think the Eagles, even with QB Matt Ryan, have the firepower to really work over Tech’s defense.
And I think BC’s defense stinks. Yes, they have a bunch of takeaways, especially interceptions, but they’re going to need to man up to slow down Tech’s running game, and I don’t think they have the horses up front. Big in the middle, sure, with starters and backups alike, but light on the flanks.
Taylor Bennett might not want to throw too much in the direction of BC CB DeJuan Tribble. Dude has a major nose for the ball.
Bottom line, I think Tech harasses the heck out of Ryan, and runs the ball well. Don’t be fooled by those run defense stats for B.C. I’m not.
Not as close as some think.
Matt
Will fans step up, too?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
It’s great covering college football. It’s even better when the environment is electric, with a full house and loud, energized fans. Last season’s Georgia Tech opener against Notre Dame was that kind of game. So was this season’s opener at Notre Dame, and both of my trips to Virginia Tech, and the Clemson game Calvin Johnson’s freshman year, and every Georgia Tech-Georgia game I’ve ever seen.
Saturday’s game ought to be like that. Two ranked teams. Both 2-0. A beautiful stadium, with an outstanding view of the Atlanta skyline. A home team with great football tradition (and a repaired Rambling Wreck).
But I spoke with Scott McLaren today and learned the game isn’t sold out. It could be, if there’s a late rush for tickets, but it’s not likely given the pace of ticket sales to date.
Will Tech fans step up to make Saturday’s atmosphere what it ought to be? I’ll be curious to find out.
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Jackets believe they can win
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
It’s a tough thing to evaluate faith, or confidence, but my bat senses tell me more every week that Georgia Tech players and coaches are coming to believe completely in what they’re doing.
There is a lot of wiggle room for interpretation on something like this, but I’m convinced most teams “think” they can win most of the time (not Samford last week), but in the back of players’ and coaches’ minds they know in many instances that they’ll need to have a few breaks, win the turnover war, etc. to actually achieve success.
In short, I’d be willing to bet that if put through a lie detector test a majority of players and coaches (everywhere, not just Tech) would say they “hope” to win. I see the hope range as the huge middle part of what might as well be a bell curve. On the far left, though, you have players and coaches who know they have little or no chance (Samford last week), and on the far right you have players and coaches convinced they’re going to win, or that it will take something like a miracle for them to lose.
In the middle, hope.
I’m not going to trot out any player quotes, or Gailey quotes here because to a great degreet the quotes are the same most years, and not just at Tech I imagine.
This is more about conviction, the way things are said, the body language of the people saying them, the intonation, inflection — all the above and more.
To be clear, I’m not saying any of this means Tech will win Saturday. But I think over the long haul having a belief system like this — as long as it is not falsely implanted — helps a heck of a lot. It sets players, coaches — teams — up better to deal with adversity when they face it because their faith is that much tougher to shake.
And just about everybody faces adversity.
It can go too far. Ohio State felt itself unbeatable in the national championship game last January, and wasted its time in practice leading up to the game. That was gross, big-headedness to the nth degree.
Tech’s nowhere near that point. But I think the Jackets have moved past hope, and are on the right side of my bell curve.
Matt
Tech-BC will be clash up front
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Chan Gailey talked today about Boston College being very physical in the front seven, and stats alone make the matchup between BC’s run defense and GT’s run offense very interesting.
As Gailey pointed out, Tech is not the biggest O-Line, although I don’t think that’s going to matter much Saturday. In this game, I think Tech is going to be able to run the ball much, much better than BC’s first opponents, who, by the way, both had huge pass-to-run ratios (60 to 24 and 54-25). Tell me that didn’t skew the running defense stats for BC.
Anyway, in talking to Gailey about a few housekeeping notes (at least one of which was triggered by something I read on the Hive), which I’ll also mention later in the notebook):
— No, Scott Blair nor Calvin Booker are on scholarship. As Chan has said before, scholarships are not awarded before seasons to walk-on players except in very rare circumstances (like Tech has some available and can project players who will earn the right while knowing there may be none available the next year even if the players in question play well enough to earn them. That happened with Durant Brooks last year, for example. He got a scholarship after walking on before ever punting in a game, based on how well he punted as a redshirt; he did not arrive as a scholarship player). The protocol is to make decisions on scholarships following the season, Chan said.
— TE Brad Sellers, who is out for the season, had reconstructive knee surgery.
— P-K Mohamed Yahiaoui is redshirting with the idea that he will have two years left to compete for a spot.
— Senior DT Marcus Harris of Lakeside-DeKalb High, a former walk-on, was awarded a scholarship in the offseason.
That’s all I’ve got for today. In a rush once more.
Matt
B.C. getting lighter up front
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Folks, I apologize in advance for being a little light on material today. It’s chiefly because of my schedule, but I also am just now diving into BC material.
On the plus side, No. 21 BC (2-0) is going to be without two starting defensive linemen. End Nick Larkin is out with a left knee injury suffered in Saturday’s win over N.C. State. And big DT BJ Raji — who was second-team All-ACC last year — is redshirting to concentrate on academics.
On the flip side, Matt Ryan is coming to town. The BC quarterback, All-ACC first team last year, is a senior and he’s really good. His numbers were off in the win over N.C. State, but a lot of that had to do with receivers dropping passes (at least six).
More to the point, he knows what he’s doing and he does it well. Guy threw for 2,942 yards last season, 15 touchdown passes, and he ran for four more scores (he has nine rushing TDs in his career). That’s stout.
Heck of a test for Jon Tenuta’s defense this week, eh? Should be a great atmosphere Saturday night.
By the way, start time at Virginia has been announced. It’ll be noon in Charlottesville. Game will be on ESPNU.
Matt
So when does the game begin?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Because this doesn’t even qualify as a practice.
This is even more agonizing than I predicted. We have 5:59 left in the third quarter, and Tech is beating Samford 55-0. I’m not waiting until this game is over, or even nearly over, to blog because I might fall asleep first.
Except that it’s so hot. I don’t sleep well in ovens.
This is gross.
Sure, Taylor Bennett was sharper today. Whatcha expect? He had a week in the pocket each time he dropped back to pass.
Tashard Choice rushed 11 times for 110 yards and two touchdowns in the first 13:59. He didn’t play again. He didn’t play Saturday, really. He practiced timing and execution.
This has been an execution, come to think of it. Samford can hardly even field kickoffs and punts.
Tech beat Navy 70-7 in 2001. Wonder if this will turn out worse?
If Samford scores, will Jon Tenuta’s head explode?
I feel a bit guilty making observations about positive developments. It’s kind of like piling on.
But Jonathan Dwyer is a stud. That guy can really motor. If you didn’t see his 40-yard reverse for a touchdown, you missed a sprint. He’s scored twice today. That gives him three in two weeks. Don’t want to jinx the kid, but if he stays healthy, he’s going to threaten all Tech rushing records before he’s finished. He’s very special.
OK, it’s 55-0, and they’re showing a highlight on the big screen from last year’s win over Samford. There goes Jamal Lewis on a 98-yard interception return. Jamal’s watching from the sideline. No, wait. He’s asleep. Don’t they have rules prohibiting players from sleeping during games?
Just kidding. Nobody’s asleep down there. I don’t think.
I’ve got nothing else. My mind is wandering. My son’s team kicks off in about a minute, and he’s playing his first game at quarterback/linebacker. I’ve got butterflies. It’s hard to write with butterflies.
Later.
Matt
Tech tortures everyone Saturday
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
OK, I’m looking at my crystal ball — which is really my laptop screen — and I see agony. Or a game that is agony to watch: Samford at Tech. I think it will be ugly, almost completely non-competitive. Sorry if that disappoints, but that’s what I see.
App. State winning at Michigan was more than enough wake-up call, if Tech even needed one. Plus, I don’t think this is a very good Samford team. First-year coach, team picked next-to-last in the OVC by coaches and SIDs, undersized, no potential D I-AA All-Americans that I’m aware of. Agony.
Make that double agony. My beloved 10-year-old son’s season opener is at 4 p.m., and I’ll be watching the last quarter or so of the Tech game as they play. He’s going to start in his standard LB spot, and because our quarterback injured his shoulder and is out by doctor’s orders for the forseeable future, my little big man will double up at quarterback. He’s had a crash course over three-plus practices. We have a somewhat tricky offense, and the handoffs and tosses — mixed with footwork — have him thinking double-time. Oh, will this be agony!
Honestly, I see a score of something like 41-13. I think it will be terrible. I won’t be surprised if Tashard Choice and Taylor Bennett don’t play after the first series of the second half, maybe not even that long. Lot of playing time for backups, which is a good thing. I have a hunch that Demaryius Thomas, Greg Smith and D.J. Donley will make big plays.
Have a great weekend.
Good luck Patrick.
Matt
Scheduling dreams and nightmares
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Today, the topic of scheduling. Why? Tech is about to play Samford.
Is that a good thing or a bad thing?
Good because, in theory, Tech should be able to play a lot of people. Bad because attendance will probably be lukewarm (40,000 tickets distributed as of Tuesday afternoon), and it would not appear to be a stiff test (although those follow with Boston College, a trip to Virginia, and Clemson).
In sum, I’m in favor of scheduling one Division I-AA team, or a non-BCS team most years, maybe even every year now that there are 12 games per.
But I’d also like to jack up the rest of the non-conference schedule (two other games besides the Samford and Georgia every year), at least with one of the two remaining dates.
In 2008 and 2009, Tech has non-conference home games with Jacksonville State. In ‘08, they also have invited Mississippi State, and in ‘09 Georgia will come back, of course. In ‘08, they go to Army and Georgia. In ‘09, they go to Mississippi State and Vanderbilt. In ‘10, when Tech is slated to have seven home games, South Carolina State, Ole Miss and Middle Tennessee State will come to Atlanta.
Tech will pay back that trip to Ole Miss down the road, but their only road non-conference game in ‘10 is at Georgia.
For my two cents, having a Notre Dame come to town, or Auburn a few years ago, etc., looks like a win-win as long as Tech has competitive teams. The national exposure from the Notre Dame game last year was huge, the campus atmosphere very hard to describe. Excluding Georgia, there’s nothing remotely like these games on foreseeable schedules.
Can’t get a Notre Dame on the schedule very often, of course, without some sort of lopsided payback, including trips to South Bend in 1997, which almost worked out, and 2007, which did.
But I like the idea of Tech playing big boys three out of four years out of conference (easy for me to say, huh?) other than Georgia. No offense to Mississippi State, or Ole Miss, but two future trips to Mississippi? A trip next year to Army, to Middle Tennessee State in 2011?
There have been talks with Alabama, of course, and I wonder about the reality — especially given Tech’s former residence in the SEC — of playing one SEC team other than Georgia EVERY YEAR home and away. It’s happening next year with Miss. State here, and at Georgia. It’s happening and then some in ‘09 with Georgia here and trips to Miss. State and Vandy. In ‘10 with Ole Miss.
I get the SEC thing, but wonder if Tennessee home and away might not be more appealing? Impossible? I’m not saying the idea wasn’t approached. Maybe it was.
South Carolina?
Florida?
LSU?
It’s difficult to re-arrange schedules once they’re made, but it’s been done (see Tech’s game with Louisville dropped).
In the years where one of these SEC teams other than Georgia is on the schedule, and that’s the case for the foreseeable future, if that game is at home, wouldn’t it be nice to have a road trip to, say, a Big East or Big Ten school? If that second SEC game is on the road, to have Purdue, Iowa, Louisville, West Virginia, Rutgers, somebody like that come to Atlanta? Then, the other home game is the D I-AA, or second-tier team.
Would a home and two games away series with Michigan-Ohio State-Penn State-Wisconsin be worthwhile?
Hey, not for a moment am I suggesting that scheduling is easy because it’s a nightmare. We’ve written about how tough it is, and Dan Radakovich’s philosophy, and others have written it, too.
But anybody ever dream about these kinds of matchups?
Matt
Tech = elitists? Maybe, but so what?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I’m going to steal some themes from colleague Jeff Schultz today, and ruminate a bit more on the changing mindset at Georgia Tech, and whether or not you all are “elitists.”
First, to make it clear, Jeff did not write that as one of his own thoughts, as was suggested by a blogger on The Hive. That’s in a Wayne Hogan quote. Wayne made the observation.
He was hired for several reasons, including marketing expertise, and one of them was to spend up to a year assessing the relationship between the Tech athletics department and the public at large. Since that relationship is serviced to a considerable degree by the media through its various portrayals, Wayne — with background in media as both a member of it (long, long ago when he worked at the Tallahassee Democrat) and as an SID and more — has focused on that. He surely found that for many years, media access at Tech was quite limited at times, and some relationships were strained at best, perhaps moreso with local electronic media than print (I know, you think I’m making that up).
It doesn’t take a genius to see that Tech wants more media coverage. And to get more media coverage, an entity needs to be friendlier with the media. That doesn’t mean always agreeing with what the media reports, or editorializes; but don’t be obstinate, or unneccessarily covert. That approach more often than not will raise ire and/or suspicion, and dissuade future attempts at even warm and fuzzy feature stories and the like. Again, that doesn’t take a genius to figure out.
That’s been a problem at Tech for many years. The situation has improved a little in recent years, even before the ongoing makeover began. No need to go into detail here, as some of that information is sensitive to all parties (rarely involving me, I might add, as I was away on Falcons/NFL duty for eight years prior to moving over to Tech coverage in Feb. 2006), but fellow members of the media talk. Plus, I dealt with some of the Tech obfuscation/defensiveness in the mid-90s, when I was a college writer.
At any rate, it’s worth noting that during much of the time FSU came of age as a football power and consequently media staple/darling, Hogan was the SID in Tallahassee. And the Seminoles were uncommonly open about what was happening on campus, trend setters in terms of providing media access to players and coaches — even as athletes found themselves frequently in hot water for quite a stretch.
Yes, a primary part of the job of raising the profile of a program relates to winning, which Bobby Bowden’s teams began doing with amazing regularity. But when the powers that be make access that much easier, more stories are done, more interviews granted, etc. The net result is a gain for the athletics program, and the institution, even if some warts are exposed in the process. Over the long haul, conducting business like this seems likely to reduce suspicions, to limit the idea that somebody is hiding something.
Jon Tenuta was on the radio early yesterday. When’s the last time that happened? Maybe I’m wrong, but I see that as part of a new mindset, not that Jon hides anything. He just doesn’t say that much for public consumption, at least not traditionally.
Chan Gailey has been more open this fall, and the permission of in-practice blogs during the summer reflect this change in attitude, even if a smattering of folks on The Flats are vehemently opposed. There are some who loathed those blogs, who thought they were too transparent regarding injuries, and even personnel deployment. Notre Dame read them, you can be sure. Didn’t seem to help the Irish, but my selfish take is that Tech fans were better able to connect and relate to their team through the process.
Tech does not need to operate in a vacuum, and wouldn’t even if it were a private institution, which it is not. Not if the powers that be plan to operate a Division I program in a BCS conference in a huge metropolis where there is steep, steep competition for attention and the consumer’s dollar.
As for the elitist comment: That is a pretty bottom-line word, and perhaps it is a bit too harsh. But for lack of another ready word, it works for now. And remember, that was Wayne Hogan’s word.
Tech is different than many institutions. The Jackets do face some recruiting hardships relative to a large percentage of other D-I programs. In short (and not in total), if a kid does not have a GPA of 2.55 by the completion of his junior year, Tech can’t recruit him. The Jackets had to pass on a very, very, very good local player who chimed in at 2.51. He has committed to USC. Gailey and other coaches can appeal borderline cases, but Chan rarely chooses this route, feeling that surviving at Tech once there is tough enough that early warning signs should be heeded diligently.
Test scores (SAT, ACT) are a consideration, of course, and to get into Tech, student-athletes also need more math in high school than most colleges require.
Also, Tech calculates HS GPAs a little differently than some — but not all — colleges. If a kid flunks a class in high school and then repeats it, many colleges drop the F from consideration and replace it with the new grade. Tech considers both grades in GPA calculation. They’re not the only school that does this, but it is a factor in whom they can recruit from time to time, as GPAs will sometimes be lower by their calculation method.
I understand Tech alums wanting to retain the right to consider their alma mater as special, and it is, as most graduates from other schools would suggest their schools are as well. I understand some apprehension from folks who steadfastly want to safeguard against any compromise, or lessening, of academic standards.
For my two cents, though, it is plausible to have the best of both worlds, no compromise of standards required. Tech coaches know what they’re up against in the recruiting world. They must be, and apparently recently have been, less likely to go after recruits who are going to be problematic. That narrows the field for sure. But then coaches go hard after kids in that limited pool. It’s a competitive world no matter what approach you take into it. So go compete your butt off, just as students must in the classroom once they arrive.
There is already evidence that the most recent recruiting class, though small with 18 members, is a cut above. That’s all the proof I need to see that it can be done. Maybe some years will be less productive than others, as coaches say the pool of academically-stout prospects in Georgia this year is thin relative to last year and what they foresee next. But there are 49 others states to look at in situations like this.
Tech can have the best of both worlds — academic and athletic. But coaches have to work that much harder to pull it off. They know what they signed up for; they’re adults. And they have a plan, keyed currently in football by the keen organization and focus of recruiting coordinator Giff Smith and others.
I’m not a Tech fan (my personal, non-professional loyalities lie with Ohio State and Bowling Green), but my job is more pleasant when Tech succeeds. I think Tech can succeed in both worlds, which I don’t see as mutually exclusive, just rare bedfellows. It’s a big bed, though, with room aplenty.
Matt
Ups, downs and all-arounds at Tech
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Scattershooting today with some looks back, some forward and who knows what else?
— Good trip to Notre Dame for the Techsters. My most memorable moments came after the game, seeing how pleased defensive coordinator Jon Tenuta was, and then after that, as players, family and friends milled just outside the stadium waiting to board buses. Many of them posed together for pictures, with Touchdown, er, Field goal Jesus in the background. Genuine excitement to be sure. Then, when Chan Gailey came out, players, parents, etc. clapped. A moment to note.
— If I had it to do again, I’d look into flying into South Bend sted Chicago. Or going the night before and staying in a hotel in SB. That drive wasn’t pleasant to or fro, although being in a packed car had something to do with it. At the roadside rest where we stopped about 30 miles outside of SB on the way in, there were Tech people everywhere. Again, quite a snapshot.
— Irish fans were high-class, and loyal. But not very noisy.
— Notre Dame will struggle to win six this season, maybe five. Where are they going to pick up two wins in the first half of the schedule? They’re shockingly slow.
— If I were Charlie Weis, I’d start Sharpley at Penn State, not Clausen, but what do I know?
— Tech’s freshman class has been much ballyhooed, and early returns were beaucoup. Morgan Burnett and Dwyer are the real deal. Donley will be. Many others will make quite a bit of noise before they’re finished at Tech.
— Doubt James Johnson plays against Samford. Gailey said today that Gaston, Word-Daniels, A.J. Smith and Rashaun Grant are all in a questionable class.
— About Taylor Bennett, Gailey agreed that he didn’t look right. Disagreed with my question about whether or not Taylor was comfortable. He said a better way of putting it was he thought he had to rush on several occasions when in fact he didn’t. Translation: Taylor’s timing was out of whack. I agree wholeheartedly, not that it matters. Much better way of putting it. He was rarely in sync with passing plays. Way too early to worry about that, though.
— Nevermind the idea of getting Bennett off to a scorching start against Samford, and then sitting him. Play to win, period. Let the game run its natural course. That will include plenty of passing plays for Taylor.
— Don’t forget about Mike Cox. He had a great blocking game at ND, and made a fabulous one-handed catch at the Tech sideline. They call him Bull, but he strikes me as the second coming of Moose, former Dallas Cowboys FB Darryl Johnston. A first-day pick in next year’s draft for my two cents.
— Pay close attention Saturday to the way the entire Tech defense runs. They can all haul. That’s a very good thing.
— Nervous about my son’s first game Saturday, which I’ll miss because of the Tech game. The Rams, our opponent, have speed. We have size and in a few spots excellent speed. Hmmm.
— Wonder how much the nature of Saturday’s win will impact ticket sales this week?
— What about Florida State?
Notre Dame’s not so hot; Tech is
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I was going to wait until there were just a couple minutes left to blog on this debacle, but there’s no point in that any more. Plus, this way, I can get downstairs sooner to position myself to see if anybody goes after Charlie Weis. Of if he explodes.
Why did he wait to pull Demetrius Jones? I’ve seen that kind of quarterback play before. I’d rather not watch it again. He’s no Tony Rice.
But onto much better things, like Tech.
Tashard Choice is quite special, and I imagine that as I blog the talking heads on ESPN are inserting him legitimately — rather than as an aside — into official Heisman Trophy chatter.
Anybody opposed to that? I didn’t think so.
It’s been 48 years since Tech won here, back when the Yellow Jackets were in the SEC. Imagine that. In moving to 6-27-1 against Notre Dame, Tech surpassed its largest margin of victory over the Irish by a whopping 17 points (assuming this 33-3 score holds). The Jackets beat Notre Dame 13-0 in 1928, the same season they went 10-0, 7-0 in the Southern Conference, and capped it all with their only Rose Bowl win, 8-7 over Cal. Their biggest win that season was 51-0 over Auburn, and they beat Oglethorpe 32-7. Oh, and they were named co-national champions.
Back from the twilight zone, or back into it, this mess could’ve been a good bit worse. The Jackets bogged down in the red zone twice in the first half, had a field goal blocked (that one was Travis Bell’s fault; the ball might never have cleared 10 feet in heighth even if it cleared the line).
And in sum, Taylor Bennett wasn’t very good today. He looked very little like the quarterback who shredded West Virginia in the first half of the Gator Bowl.
From my vantage point, up out of the sun, Taylor rarely appeared comfortable when dropping back, save a handful of throws. He seemed out of rhythm.
All this said, Taylor wasn’t terrible. Just not sharp.
But the defense did what it should have done, menace the Notre Dame quarterback, ride Choice, and oh yeah, the D’ really clamped down on the Irish running game as well.
I’ve been a bit perplexed as to why Tech wasn’t ranked given all the experience they have back, and the nature of that experience (Choice, four O-line starters, a ton on defense).
That won’t be a problem, the rankings business, come Monday.
Eight true freshmen played today, and Morgan Burnett was the best, although that touchdown run a few minutes ago by Jonathan Dwyer was a glimpse of the future.
In garbage time now, Nesbitt at QB, Donley and Earls at WR, and even David Brown at LT. That may be a sign, especially since Brown worked much more at guard in camp, that coaches will try not to burn a redshirt on Clyde Yandell unless there is a long-term injury at tackle (like A.J. Smith re-injuring his elbow in this game, which happened)?
Notre Dame is not very good, and in my opinion may have a hard time winning five games (the front half of the Irish schedule is stout, the back half much less so), but nothing should take away from what happened here.
Tech is a good football team, and if Taylor Bennett finds a rhythm in the passing game (beginning next week against Samford?), the Jackets can be better than last year.
Matt
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