AJC > Sports > Tech > Blog > Archives > 2007 > November > 02
Friday, November 2, 2007
It doesn’t take a rocket scientist …
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I didn’t go to Georgia Tech, my wife did, so the science I apply to football is all mine, and not, well, scientific. That said, I think the Jackets’ defense last night against Virginia Tech, while not impressive in total, was no more than half the problem and probably less than that.
The defense’s job is to get off the field. The Jackets didn’t, allowing Virginia Tech to convert nine of 20 third downs, and a fourth-down try. One might argue fatigue eventually was a factor (VT held the ball 37:25 to GT’s 22:35), and that would be valid, but the Jackets were much better in the second half against third downs (VT converted two of eight as opposed to seven of 12 and that fourth down in the first half).
The bigger problems for the Jackets in the second half were missed opportunities. There were a TON in the third quarter. Josh Nesbitt’s long pass to a wide-open James Johnson. That was a touchdown. The pass was a little long, and Johnson said he lost it as he looked up over his shoulder. The pass that Johnson caught and ran a while with from a scrambling Taylor Bennett? That was going to stake the Jackets to pretty good field position. Even if they settle for a field goal, those two plays might’ve helped the Jackets pull within 17-13, maybe 17-17. But Johnson was stripped from behind, and VT recovered.
When it looked like Sean Glennon fumbled and Anthony Barnes recovered in the third quarter? Nope. Officials ruled Glennon down before the fumble, and replay indicated they were right; he fell on his butt before the ball came loose. A couple plays later, a 71-yard touchdown to Josh Morgan with Jahi Word-Daniels right there.
VT coach Frank Beamer said after the game he felt his team was a little lucky in the third period. He’s probably right.
But the Hokies were better overall, and the GT defense shouldered its part of the blame. Improved against the pass in recent games, they gave up throws of 34, 40 and 71 yards, a huge completion percentage in the first half in particular, and a fourth-quarter run of 70. That last one in probably had plenty to do with fatigue.
Yet Tech’s offense was hugely to blame. The Jackets were going off the field with ridiculous ease, converting just two of 11 third downs and failing on a fourth-down try. Add six turnovers that put the defense right back on the field, and VT’s successful onsides kick so that the Hokies scored 10 points without GT ever even touching the ball, and you have a formula for disaster. That’s seven free possessions for VT. That’s absurd.
After a good start, the passing game was dreadful. Now, back to defense. Contrary to popular belief, coordinator Jon Tenuta has dialed back on the blitz at times this season. Sometimes, though, he doesn’t dial back when it’s easy to wonder if he should have.
The two best examples have been BC and VT.
Against BC, the blitzes were hardly a problem for Matt Ryan, in large measure because the Eagles were max-protecting a lot, sending out just two receivers much of the time. And Ryan was dead-on.
For my two cents, there are two primary ways to slow a passing attack: whack that snake’s head off (drill the quarterback), or lop off the tail (cover the heck out of the receivers). When you blitz so much, you’re aiming primarly for the former strategy. When that’s not working, as it wasn’t against BC, how about giving up a little of that idea and trying to cover more, send safeties to help the CBs more?
Last night, GT pressured Glennon pretty darned well, sacking him six times. VT has had problems protecting the passer all season, though, and I wonder if GT might have had similar success pressuring the QB with a more standard rush package? Beyond that, the Hokies were throwing outside A LOT (not all the time, but a lot). If the Jackets ever adjusted, it was not perceptible to me. Those wide routes are a dream if a DB picks a ball off. It’s usually six the other way. I kept waiting. GT came close only a couple times.
I’ve read a wide, wide variety of complaints about GT, and the one that strikes me as dumbest is the suggestion that GT can’t beat a team like VT because it is playing a bunch of kids who were recruited as two-star, three-star, or un-rated players coming out of high school.
But wait a minute. Philip Wheeler may not have had a great game last night, but he’s not only NFL-caliber, he’ll be a first-day pick. Guyton stands a good chance of being drafted. Jamal Lewis is going to play in the NFL, and figures to be drafted in the first three rounds. Darrell Robertson is currently No. 23 on Mel Kiper’s draft list for seniors. Michael Johnson finally played last night like everybody’s been waiting, and continues to be the most impressive specimen I’ve seen in college — in person — other than Garrison Hearst, Calvin Johnson, Marcus Stroud, David Boston, Andy Katzenmoyer, Champ Bailey, Jamal Lewis and Jonathan Ogden — in no certain order.
Adamm Oliver will be in an NFL camp next year, and Darryl Richard and Vance Walker may one day get pro shots as well.
On offense, Andrew Gardner’s going to enjoy an NFL career, Matt Rhodes might, Kevin Tuminello will get a shot and Mike Cox has pro written all over him. Tashard Choice didn’t play last night, and lacks the speed pros covet, but you all know how good he is. It’s too early to say about Cord Howard, but he has the frame pro coaches covet, and good feet.
Durant Brooks is a stud, although he’s not been as impressive the past month as we’re accustomed to, and Travis Bell is a much better than average college kicker.
There are young future pros on this team as well.
Perhaps Tech doesn’t have the depth of bigger programs, but the cupboard ain’t bare, either.
There are issues at WR and QB, and then you can argue about scheme, deployment, etc.
But this team is not so short of players it should be considered a foregone conclusion that it can’t compete with VT, even with some injuries. VT entered with injuries, and sustained more last night.
There is no one red herring here, and ultimately I don’t think science is what matters most. Everyone’s culpable, certainly coaches included, in this.
Bottom line from my vantage point: There’s enough fabric on hand, but the stitching is weak.
Matt
