Tech

By bob

November 6, 2007 7:27 PM | Link to this

When a team is slumping you put in the future. Should you bench Bennett? Maybe no. He though hasnt given himself a strong case to continue starting. The running game needs to pick up the slack. only then can the yellow jackets get better.

By Max Sizemore

November 6, 2007 7:44 PM | Link to this

All those Tech fans who were yelling for the head of Reggie Ball last year and screaming for Taylor Bennett, have finally got what they wanted. And what they deserve.

How can otherwise sane people actually think that (1) quarterback is a really easy position to play, and (2) the coach is not going to play his best at the position?

By Stillscrewedbychan

November 6, 2007 7:45 PM | Link to this

Mike,

What game were you watching Johnson should have caught the ball!! If he lays out an catches ball it is first and goal from the 4, so what if he does not score, blamin Nebitt is blaming the wrong guy. Hell you ask the guy to throw a touch pass after 2-3 passes… common.

By the way, great AJC article about James Johnson…dropped balls, fumbles, holding…yep great game!

By Ted

November 6, 2007 7:48 PM | Link to this

I think Nesbitt is the future, but he has looked very shaky when he has played. I don’t know if its nerves or what, but he can’t seem to hold on to the ball. But on the other hand, we have burnt his redshirt, so we might as well give hime more PT and let him work some of this rust off. And how about letting him throw the ball. Hell, even Ray Charles can see that he’s going to run it everytime he’s in the game!

By running without Choice?

November 6, 2007 8:36 PM | Link to this

Bob….Choice did not play vs VT….would that explain the low run production? Thought so…

By buzzfan

November 6, 2007 8:43 PM | Link to this

I think Steven Threat is wishing he had stayed at Tech now. At 6ft 6in, he would be getting his chances now. If he delivers, he’s the man but due to his impatience and impudence he is not here.

By GT

November 6, 2007 8:59 PM | Link to this

Bennett is scared to throw the ball and when he does it is to one receiver. A receiver decided upon by the sideline before the play is sent in. If that player is triple teamed Bennett still throws the ball to him. He has obviously been told this is what he is suppose to do. His over coached nerves cause him to double clutch the ball which takes him too long and he is late releasing the ball causing the ball to arrive late. This has to be a Gailey problem not the new offensive coach that just showed up this year, because Ball showed simpler traits last year under Nix and I alway wrote it off to his being a short quarterback.

By flack jacket

November 6, 2007 9:27 PM | Link to this

Please don’t lose to Duke.

-fJ

By gtfan

November 6, 2007 9:38 PM | Link to this

I still think Nesbitt will be like Bilbo in the long term… Unfortunately, the future isn’t here yet… One more year of Taylor, then it will be Renfree’s show.

By yellowblood

November 6, 2007 9:48 PM | Link to this

Bennett has one problem:His attendance at Tickle Piles. As long as Chan refuses to stop the Athletes from attending Tickle Piles we will continue to struggle.

By Lil E

November 6, 2007 10:15 PM | Link to this

Huh ?

Overthrew who ?

James Johnson blew that play with his inability to locate the ball in the air. If you watch the play Johnson is running around with his head looking all the way back. That was a poor play on Johnson’s behalf and to cite that as your justification for Chan Gailey’s bad decision and Taylor Bennett’s pathetic game is pretty weak. Nesbitt gives the Yellow Jackets offense a little versatility. Either Nesbitt or Bennett, most teams are still going to stack the box..why not have a mobile quarterback ? Just because James Johnson made a bad play ?

By Lil E

November 6, 2007 10:17 PM | Link to this

Just what exactly IS a tickle pile ?

By North Ave Pimp

November 6, 2007 10:39 PM | Link to this

Knobler are u BLIND ? Glad some tech fans can see JJ should have made that catch. The season is over, what are we going to do, prepare bennett for next year, sheese great plan Gialey. Stillscrewdbychan makes a good point, hell if u only throw once a game chances are its not going to b.e right on. Chan ruined Bilbo, he might do the same to Nesbitt.. we gotta get rid of Bum Gailey…. he is horrible enough to cause a man to root for a new team.

By RAMBLE ON!

November 6, 2007 10:56 PM | Link to this

Play Nesbitt more, Bennett stinks.

We are ranked less than 100 in almost every passing category known to man. The only thing our QB’s learn is how to be indignant and talk a bunch of smack.

Do you remember the post game interview after the BC game, Taylor? Way to walk the walk!

When is Taylor going to play well for 4 quarters…NEVER

If GT had just a decent/average QB for the last 5 years, we would have won 9 games each season.

Gailey can’t coach a QB’s. The good thing Josh, is someone soon will be utilizing and playing you with some regularity so you can get the feel of the game and develop into a serious threat.

By surfrider

November 7, 2007 1:27 AM | Link to this

It is not that Bennett should not be playing but he Nesbitt should be playing more. He can be used on rollouts, QB draws, mobility, bootlegs etc…The offense is not producing so there should be some changes going on. Maybe Bennett’s passing schemes should be more simplified to get his confidence up but we have no Calvin Johnson this year to cover some inconsistencies and it’s showing up in the games. We may be able to move the ball better by running choice, using Nesbitt on QB draws and rollouts and some play action. Ga. will eat our lunch if we don’t have a better offense by then.

By surfrider

November 7, 2007 1:27 AM | Link to this

It is not that Bennett should not be playing but he Nesbitt should be playing more. He can be used on rollouts, QB draws, mobility, bootlegs etc…The offense is not producing so there should be some changes going on. Maybe Bennett’s passing schemes should be more simplified to get his confidence up but we have no Calvin Johnson this year to cover some inconsistencies and it’s showing up in the games. We may be able to move the ball better by running choice, using Nesbitt on QB draws and rollouts and some play action. Ga. will eat our lunch if we don’t have a better offense by then.

By Mike

November 7, 2007 8:08 AM | Link to this

Gailey is now, and always has been, afraid to take any chances. Period. Run it into the line to go for a field goal, because a pass might result in a sack. Don’t even think about an onside kick in the first half of a close game. on’t try a different player, even when the one who is out there is playing horribly, ‘cuz it could get worse.

Trouble is, you’ll never win much that way unless your athletes are simply better than theirs, which is not the case at Tech.

By D Ellis

November 7, 2007 8:12 AM | Link to this

There is no reason in the universe that GT should be playing Taylor Bennett…NONE.

By Mike

November 7, 2007 9:31 AM | Link to this

My God man are you blind - were we watching the same game? Nesbitt threw the ball on the money. The Tech reciever blew the play.I guess Tech recievers are not use to catching passes where they are being led. Maybe we should have brought some recievers from Greene County along with Josh.

By canchanfan

November 7, 2007 9:33 AM | Link to this

Chan needs to go and take James Johnson with him. Lets not act like this is the first misplayed ball we’ve seen from James Johnson. He dropped CRITICAL passes last year that could have changed the outcome against Wake and Georgia. He is not a Division I receiver- too small and doesn’t go up high to get the ball. And we will never win more than 7 games with Chan’s refusal to let the young guys play. If Chan were at UGA he would have Moreno on the bench. Nuff said.

By Chan Gailey's Designated Driver

November 7, 2007 9:43 AM | Link to this

Lil E—here is an example of a “tickle pile” that the Bulldog Nation seems to obsess over:

http://i12.tinypic.com/4vskpl5.jpg

By Wrecker1

November 7, 2007 9:49 AM | Link to this

Starting and playing Bennett right now is the smart thing to do. I think starting Bennett would have a calming effect on the team and doesn’t send the message of panic or that this season is over and we’re preparing for the future. I do think Nesbitt should be playing more. His play has improved since the beginning of the season and he gives the offense more versatility. Sure he should throw the ball more and hopefuuly he would with more playing time but it’s not like the other team’s D just hits TECH right in the mouth when he comes in. I really think Nesbitt could help the offense in short yardage situations. When it’s 3rd and 3 or less, inside the 10 yard line, his running threat would open things up for the RB and the passing game. I also think Nesbitt needs to be used more on boots and roll outs. It’s not like TECH doesn’t have those aspects in the offense. Bennett boots or rolls out every game but Nesbitt either runs the draw (primarily) or stands in the pocket. By the way, everybody that wanted Bennett in the game last year didn’t think he was better than Ball. The fact is when your QB is hitting about 25% of his throws a change is needed. The change may help the team and that particular QB to stand and watch/SEE the game.

By cltgtfan

November 7, 2007 10:06 AM | Link to this

I don’t think it is time to give up on Taylor just yet. When he is completing passes they are well thrown. It seems that his timing is often off when he is not. He is usually a little late in his decision to throw the ball. It often appears that he lacks the decision making experience at game speed. Note none of this is lost on the coaching staff and something they have been commenting on all season. I would continue to give him more opportunities to improve, but if there is not improvement over the next game or two, he might be the reinvention of Suggs and it is time to look to the future. In any case I think it certainly doesn’t hurt at this point to allow Nesbitt more passing opportunities when in the game to see how he develops those skills.

By George P. Burdell

November 7, 2007 10:12 AM | Link to this

The posters are right, that ball to JJ was thrown with enough air under it that he had plenty of time to adjust to it. He slowed down, twisted several ways, and blew it.

I think we should be playing Nesbitt more just to see if he can or cannot do it. I would rather learn that this year than to waste yet another year. I’ve said from the first game Bennett played ( even though his first pass ever was a TD) that he was not going to be a successful D-1 QB. How many more times do we have to watch him prove it? This season is lost other than moral victories, so lets see what we have to work with. Bennett may very well work his way up to mediocre, but can we really go into next season thinking he is the answer?

I probably don’t want to know the answer to that. However, I do think it is very unfair to throw Nesbitt in here and there, say run the same delayed draw up the middle every play, and make any kind of judgement about his abilities.

By CJ21

November 7, 2007 10:17 AM | Link to this

Let Nesbitt throw the same pass to the REAL Johnson 1000 times and it’s a touchdown every single time.

By ArkyTech

November 7, 2007 10:22 AM | Link to this

It’s true James Johnson COULD have caught that pass by laying out or whatever. But come on, no one within 20 yards and the QB missed him! That pass was horrible! But it doesn’t make me worry about Nesbitt. He got excited making his first significant collegiate pass and the play was so wide open…..too wide open.

Play them both. Nesbitt can really, really run the football!

By BUZZ

November 7, 2007 10:24 AM | Link to this

I really felt good about our season this past summer and that is the biggest disappointment for me as a Tech fan. If we catch the punt in the Virginia game in the 4th qtr, we win, if we do not hold in the Maryland game in the 4th quarter drive, we win. The tone would have been different going into the VT game with those two wins. But life is life and we are who we are. I jumped off the Gailey band wagon after the spiked 3rd down play at Georgia two years ago. The receivers have been the biggest disappointment for our team in my assessment. GO JACKETS !!!

By Joe

November 7, 2007 10:37 AM | Link to this

I agree that Bennett stays on the primary reciever too long. He stares at him during the whole route. Why don’t you just point at him before the ball is snapped to clear any doubt by the defense? I think Johnson is a good receiver, when compared to all the others. They have more drops combined than Johnson has, which is amazing since Bennett has no faith in them anymore and he rarely throws to them (except the backs and tight end). That may be why he forces so many throws to Johnson. As for the tight end, why do you think we get burned over the middle time and time again. We can throw the ball 30 yards or so to gain 8 yards. We throw the ball sideways versus down the field, esp over the middle. Our tight ends are the best kept secret since they are rarely called on to catch the ball, esp over or down the middle.Since we do not throw over or down the middle in practice, our defensive backs don’t cover there during the games.

By GT80

November 7, 2007 11:14 AM | Link to this

Here’s another example of Chan’s poor coaching. We are a running team. It’s proven, our statistics in the passing offense are worst in the league. So our top 2 RBs are out for the VT game and instead of giving the ball 30 times to the freshman RB who just happens to average 7 yards per carry, we throw the ball 26 times. Chan is a loser. I’m done with defending him. He plays chickens*%t football, never playing to win and always playing not to lose. He reminds me of the loser of the NFL in Baltimore, Billick, who is supposedly an offensive guru, but who’s team has the worst offense in the league.

And I agree with everyone about JJ. He did not have a “great game” as Knobler reported. What game was Mike watching? He certainly should have caught the ball Nesbitt threw. he fumbled away our biggest play of the night at the 15. Holding penalties, dropped passes. Geez.

I can’t believe I’m thinking this, but I’d be OK if we went and lost to Duke, UNC and UGA just to seal the deal on Chan. It won’t happen because the players are not going to lie down and it would be sad for great competitors like Choice, Phillips and other Seniors who have been screwed by Chan’s p** poor coaching ability.

Oh well, 7-5 and a trip to Boise. Dave Braine would be proud.

Gaileyball, it’s Chantastic!

By GT

November 7, 2007 11:31 AM | Link to this

I agree that Bennett should still be starting, but that Nesbitt should be getting much more playing time. Also, more of the playbook should be opened for Nesbitt.

Gailey did say not too long ago that Nesbitt’s throwing in practice wasn’t very good, so it would almost determintal to the team to start him. Nesbitt’s unusually high release point makes him overthrow people, and this can only be corrected with practice and time. We all know he has the running ability…….the throwing and defense recognition won’t come until after at least another full set of spring practices.

At this point, Chan just needs to continue to use him Tebow-style, and to try to give him a few more throwing packages. Not alot, just more than he’s been getting.

By Brand

November 7, 2007 11:37 AM | Link to this

Tickle Piles vary in different parts of the country. At Tech they start when the guys start tickling each other until there is a sea of humanity writhing on the ground to the point of hysteria. The trouble started when some began to disrobe. That changed innocent fun into a sexually charged orgy. For some reason those in authority have refused to stop this practice.

By ben

November 7, 2007 12:37 PM | Link to this

I think Chan won’t allow Bennett to become a good QB because that would show the idiocy of starting Ball for 4 years. It is obviously more important to CG to do things “the Chan way” than it is to win. What I really think is nuts is the way it has become “a Tenuta problem” that we can’t pitch a shutout every game. At least the guy tries to play better than his talent by using aggressive schemes. The most aggressive Chan has been on offense is an occasional pass on second down.

By JamieDAWG

November 7, 2007 1:10 PM | Link to this

Good news nerds, the season is almost over! We are ready for that whoopin you’ve been promising us all year. Ive got an idea…why dont you f* forget about football and go play chutes and ladders or world of warcraft or maybe get ina tickle pile. Leave football for the Div. 1 team (UGA) in this state.

By North Ave Pimp

November 7, 2007 1:52 PM | Link to this

Yellowblood & JamieDawg:

Spit the chew out, take the fish hook off your ball cap, tow away the rusted 69 camaro still sitting in the front yard, find some blue jeans with out a Copenhagen print warn into the back pocket, crack open another bud-weiser, sock your gf mary-lou n the mouth and kick the dog once more before heading to Atlanta to enjoy the last Chan Gailey coached team you will face. Its going to be a wee-bit chilly muts, so try to find your deer-hunting jacket if you havn’t cut the sleeve’s out of it already. Tickle that will ya!!

By Charlie

November 7, 2007 2:41 PM | Link to this

PLAY NESBITT NOW Bennett’s performances all season long have been extremely poor. We can’t get much worse by making a change. You talk about 1 bad pass as a reason to not start Nesbitt. I talk about a season of bad throws and poor decisions as a reason to not start Bennett.

If Tech wins another game this year, it will be because of #22. Nesbitt can hand off to Choice just as easily as Bennett can. At least, Tech could try to shuffle around its offense to feature a running QB as another offensive threat. Nesbitt may not ever be a true pocket passer, but his game has strengths. Feature Nesbitt’s strengths because they are much better than any aspect of Bennett’s game.

This would look like a desperate move because it is a desperate move. Tech has the worst passing offense in the ACC and one of the worst in the nation. It is not going to magically get better by putting in Nesbitt, but at least Tech would have another running threat in the backfield. Bennett has had his chance, and he failed. Sorry, but it’s time to move on and try something different.

By JamieDAWG

November 7, 2007 3:10 PM | Link to this

HAHA…North Ave is a virgin. Please dont let me interrupt your Halo circle jerk with all your little douchebag, computer geek friends in your “command center” (AKA grandma’s basement).

By GT80

November 7, 2007 4:29 PM | Link to this

Charlie, you forget who our coach is. Chan doesn’t know how to try something different. Remember, he stuck with Reggie for 4 years and never tried something different. Hopefully we’ll see something different with a new coach after November 24th.

By old gold engineer

November 7, 2007 4:49 PM | Link to this

When Bennett’s not getting the job done, replace him with Booker. Continue using Nesbitt as a change of pace and to develop him as player, but let Booker get a chance to run the offense. Coach, how many interceptions does the quarterback have to throw in one game to be benched, at least, temporarily? Coach, how poor does his pass completion ratio have to become before he’s benched? I believe the best Reggie Ball ever played was when he thought his job was in jeopardy. Let’s try it with Bennett and company. Come on, coach, we want to win games. What you’ve been doing isn’t working against good teams, so try something different. Surely, a graduate of the University of Florida can grasp this concept.

By west coast

November 7, 2007 6:40 PM | Link to this

It is time to give Booker a try and break the cycle of sticking with the wrong guy too long. Mr Rad, And Mr Gailey we expect a quality product and the lack of effort in the last game is not acceptable. I do not expect us to win every game but I do NOT expect us to give the game away.

Guys, these are smart kids. Open up the play book make adjustments and let the kids have fun.

By arob

November 7, 2007 7:15 PM | Link to this

Chan will waste the talent of Nesbitt, Booker, and whoever else we have in the QB file. Rad, you need not tarry. Get someone in here that is a leader, an innovator, is dynamic, and all that other stuff that makes all the top coaches (Tubberville, Richt, Saban, Tressel, Myles, hell, even Edsel) the motivators that we need.

By firechangailey.com

November 8, 2007 9:19 AM | Link to this

The problem is Chan can’t develop a QB.

We need to try something different.

http://www.firechangailey.com

By Good Grief

November 8, 2007 11:37 AM | Link to this

Good Grief

I can’t even believe anyone would think about benching Bennett — do you really think Nesbitt can help the team beat Georgia? Let’s face it…any one you put in at QB should be able to beat Duke — let’s use this game as an opportunity to teach our receivers how to get open — honestly, have you ever seen them make an adjustment on any pass play?

If Nesbitt is such a great runner (and I think he does have some talent in this area), why or why doesn’t Gailey put him in beside Tashard?? Don’t give me this bunk about not getting him hurt…if you’re going to get him in the game, then GET him in the game…what a threat he would be back there — there’s so much you could do!

Good Grief!

By jasonb

November 8, 2007 4:18 PM | Link to this

After being at Bobby Dodd for the BC and VT games, I’m wondering what it’s going to take to motivate our offense and our defense. Michael Johnson and Morgan Burnett are ready to play any time, but are Wheeler and Oliver and the rest of the defense? In my (humble) opinion, we haven’t had a consistently good QB since Shawn Jones (Hamilton being the closest), and that is why we’re consistently 7-5. I thought we’d be running at least 8-4 on average by now, but I just don’t think Gailey can get it done, and I’m beginning to wonder about Tenuta as well - can anyone motivate our team by the time we play UGA? I’ve got my ticket for that game, and I’d love to see us grab a win (even if Travis Bell has to kick it from 60 yards out as time expires)!