By RAMBLE ON!!!

July 29, 2008 12:06 PM | Link to this

DJ Donley?

what’s the deal GT or purdue?

By Chris

July 29, 2008 12:18 PM | Link to this

Which incoming freshman do you think will make an immediate impact?

By Richard

July 29, 2008 12:30 PM | Link to this

Special Teams: How are we replacing Durant Brooks and Travis Bell?

How about the first time starters in the secondary and linebacking core?

By Jacket-n-Athens

July 29, 2008 12:31 PM | Link to this

Tech lost a valuable strength of their team with the graduations of their top special team members. How is Coach Johnson and the staff proceeding finding suitable replacements?

By Matt Winkeljohn

July 29, 2008 12:39 PM | Link to this

Ramble,

I don’t have an end-all answer for you, but a partial answer.

DJ was in summer school. That much is certain. He needed to make some progress simply to be eligible to transfer, be accepted at Purdue.

I don’t know how much he needed to accomplish.

Last I checked, there was no talk of him possibly playing again for Tech. There had been very little conversation between DJ and the staff, maybe no communication after he was actually enrolled. That might have changed in the past couple weeks; I don’t know.

I’m pretty comfortable saying he’s not playing for Tech this fall, if anywhere. As for the future?

I’ll try to find out more in the next couple days.

Matt

By DantheMan

July 29, 2008 1:16 PM | Link to this

Greg Smith: Is he staying at the A Back position or will he switch back to a wideout?

By old gold engineer

July 29, 2008 1:35 PM | Link to this

Our team seems to have experienced a plethora of injuries to offensive linemen during the last couple of preseason camps. I will be curious to see if the new coaching staff and scheme has any effect on that trend. Also, please keep us updated on how the new receivers look since we may be short in depth at that position.

By RAMBLE ON!!!

July 29, 2008 2:35 PM | Link to this

Thanks Matt,

DJ, GET YOUR GT GEAR ON SON!

By David

July 29, 2008 3:32 PM | Link to this

Will Marcus Wright and Embry Peeples both get playing time this year? How set is the OL, could Uzzi be seeing a lot of playing time? What is the CB situation with Tarrant being charged? Will Willie White get time at safety?

By CarolinaJacket

July 29, 2008 3:50 PM | Link to this

Will any of the tranfers be eligible this fall, and if so, will he/they see any playing time?

By Jaded Jacket

July 29, 2008 4:04 PM | Link to this

What is the status of the VT transfer? Wwas he granted permission to play this year rather than next?

By Jaded Jacket

July 29, 2008 4:08 PM | Link to this

How fast can the water boy/girl run the 40 yard dash?

By PROUDTECHFAN

July 29, 2008 4:19 PM | Link to this

well, while i have questions at just about every position, there is one core i am not worried about and thats the defensive line position. i think its great to see Michael Johnson on the front page with thoughts of our cross state rival on his mind.if that isnt motivation i dont know what is… i cant wait to get this season started in just a few short weeks… and knowing the players are already thinking about Georgia makes me look forward to that game even more… no matter how this season goes i believe that the players will enter the Georgia game with a different mindset under this new regime…

but i digress…

i guess i would really like to know how the team, especially the offense has bought into the new system and how long before they really get a grasp of the concept of what coach Johnson wants to do… i think Nesbitt is perfect for the system, that the good news, but i do have concerns about blown assignments, miscommunication, and ultimatley, turnovers. with all the playaction and fake handoffs it is what is most concerning to me today.. but we will see in a couple of weeks when camps starts and of course Aug. 28 with the season opener..

GO JACKETS!!!

By wes

July 29, 2008 4:22 PM | Link to this

What in the heck has Michael Johnson been eating?

By Merlyn Brown IE 1960

July 29, 2008 5:28 PM | Link to this

Some stuff I’ve read says that all or some of the backfield have been, on their own, practicing timing, hand offs, pitch outs, & etc. during the summer. Have they done enough of this to be more polished @ the beginning of practice this week? If they are looking polished by, say, the third practice this week, it would be very encouraging—indicating the summer practice was a good thing.

By Mike

July 29, 2008 6:21 PM | Link to this

What is the latest on Tarrant?

Thaks!

Mike in Virginia

By son_sir

July 29, 2008 7:13 PM | Link to this

First of all, I hope the pipes on Michael Johnson are indicative of the way the whole Tech team has been preparing for the season.

The biggest question in my mind is: How prepared is Nesbitt to step up and show he has the ability to lead this offense ?

Spring was a brief exposure. Here’s hoping there was a lot of studying going on all summer with these kids and they are ready to step up to the challenge. Forget the detractors and doubters, forget the media, forget about even UGA until November. Take things one game at a time and concentrate on getting better each and every day.

Looking forward to the season. GIVE ‘EM HELL JACKETS !!

By Dodd's Legacy

July 29, 2008 7:33 PM | Link to this

My thoughts?

Why does someone (other than a hack) who claims to be a Tech beat writer need to ask the public for ideas to write about, when it is YOUR job to find the story?

Paul Johnson is right. We need a real source of unbiased information about Tech sports in this town, and it sure as hell isn’t the AUC. Thank God for the Macon Telegraph online.

THWG.

By son_sir

July 29, 2008 7:56 PM | Link to this

DL, I think this is Matt’s attempt at getting some fan input before practice begins. Who knows ? Maybe you are right and he needs ideas for stories. I’m also a little leery of the AJC when it comes to reporting on Tech. It always seems to have that, not too well hidden, “tongue in cheek” perspective.

IMHO, the topics have a way of creating themselves as practice progresses and we all will have a better read on what direction things are going.

I do agree with you on what is definitely an anti-Tech bias from the Atlanta media in general.

By Bob

July 29, 2008 7:59 PM | Link to this

Only a Tech fan would have any interest in pictures of sweaty scantily clad muscle bound men lifting weights. The AJC is really pandering to its audience. That picture of Brad Jefferson flexing his guns is probably up on the bathroom wall of Richard’s by now.

By yellowblood

July 29, 2008 9:25 PM | Link to this

I’m concerned about how Tickle Pile attendance will be effected. Will CPJ allow it or not. If he won’t I don’t think he will last long at Tech.

By wes

July 29, 2008 10:10 PM | Link to this

I heard Matthew Stafford lost 10 lbs.

I’m sure Michael Johnson gives a $hit.

By jjacket

July 29, 2008 11:12 PM | Link to this

Matt,

When are my season tickets getting mailed out?

By Bob

July 29, 2008 11:19 PM | Link to this

Why would Stafford need to lose 10 lbs? He looked pretty quick and agile romping into the end zone against bid bad Michael Johnson’s defense last year.

By Ramblin' Rack

July 29, 2008 11:52 PM | Link to this

I’m curious as to the main formation and the main or common suite of plays and whether we plan to pass more. Spring practice will give us this indication, so Matt, please keep a running total of pass action versus the true option plays.

Also, I am curios about our place kicker and the punter situation. Seems we have mountains to climb to replace Brooks who gave us good field position no matter how deep we were pinned.

By WPinAZ

July 30, 2008 1:58 AM | Link to this

I’d like a Q&A with Jason Peters, the DE from Louisiana. He was highly touted out of high school, but with the arrival of Derick Morgan, I don’t hear much about him. Could he be a bust?? I hope not. Of course, with MJ projected to be all ACC this year, maybe he’s just caught up in the numbers. But, If he’s a stud, he should get some PT, COACH PJ????

By Professor

July 30, 2008 5:02 AM | Link to this

To Richard and PROUDTECHFAN. It’s corp, not core.

By Mike

July 30, 2008 7:34 AM | Link to this

1. What walk-on players, if any, may see some playing time.
2. Who are the team leaders.
3. Profiles of some of the new assist. coaches.
4. Position changes such as Austin Barrick (sp) moving from TE to A-Back.
5. New uniforms - what changed in design?
6. I understand there may be some future upgrades to the stadium. What kind of upgrades.
7. The Atlanta Sports Council games vs Georgia Tech.
8. How many new in-town fans has DRAD been able to attrach?
9. Jaybo Shaw and T. Washington, which is progressing faster.
10. Coaching styles of present and former coaches.

By marleymark

July 30, 2008 7:34 AM | Link to this

What’s the basketball situation? Who is gonna play backup point? And what about this transfer to replace Dickey?

By Sam

July 30, 2008 10:11 AM | Link to this

As a reader of no interest, seems like the Jackets have more holes to fill than there are fill for the holes. And also when there about 20 questions about who will be playing here and who will be playing there and with somewhat limited talent, so to speak, one surely wouldn’t want the players looking forward to junping on UGA in Nov…..One guy was worried about special teams? WOW

By bobbylee

July 30, 2008 10:30 AM | Link to this

Let’s win them all !!!

By vamosjackets

July 30, 2008 11:28 AM | Link to this

Thanks for the opportunity to ask questions Matt:

1.) A-Back Depth. Will Austin Barrick really remain an A-Back and if so, how will he fit in that role? How is the depth at that position shaping up out of (Roddy Jones, Greg Smith, Andrew Smith, Marcus Wright, Embry Peeples, Daniel McKayhan, Jon Lockheart (possibly), and walkons)? Is Greg Smith going to be full go?

2.) O-Line depth chart. I imagine Nick McRae will be needed this year with our lack of depth at Center. Personnell at other positions is up in the air as well.

3.) What freshmen are making the biggest impressions?

4.) Will Richard Watson get playing time this year, since he seems to fit the B-Back role a little better than Q.Kelly and L.Cox?

5.) Mario Edwards’ transfer. This is a huge boost to our secondary if his hardship case is cleared. He should play at safety right away which will probably give Dominique Reese the chance to nail down the other corner position. Burnette, Edwards, Reese, and Word-Daniels would be a solid back 4 on defense. Can you check on this possiblity?

6.) Of course the QB situation!

7.) You wrote in another article that the Louisville transfer, Anthony Allen, would be an A-Back. Why is that the case when he seems to fit the B-Back mold so perfectly??

8.) I think we’re all confused as to what exactly makes the ideal A-Back (maybe even B-Back as well). What are the coaches looking for at these positions?

9.) Who are the most likely starters at LB? It looks like A.T. Barnes, Brad Jefferson, and then a battle between Shane Bowen and Kyle Jackson (and maybe Sedrick Griffin or a freshman could get into the mix).

10.) Did Michael Johnson really already find Bin Laden on a secret presidential mission earlier this year?

Thanks Matt!!

By JB

July 30, 2008 12:48 PM | Link to this

I’m still not sold on this offense scoring on top tier defenses. I’ve looked at who Navy moved the ball on and who they didn’t. Delaware ain’t FSU, VT, UGA, Clemson.

By Matt Winkeljohn

July 30, 2008 12:49 PM | Link to this

If I wrote earlier that Anthony Allen was an A back, it was a mistake. As far as understand, he’s a B back. He has to sit out this season, though.

By 3:30, I’ll have a new blog up, and I’ll throw some updates in there during practices along with some answers.

Matt

By Joshua Barlowe

July 30, 2008 1:45 PM | Link to this

I too would love to hear about Jason Peters. I am looking forward to him getting on the field.

I just want to know overall if the scheme looks better than it did at the T-day game. Do the players look more comfortable with what they’re doing?

Are there fewer fumbles?

I’d like to hear from the WRs on if they are excited about the offense and if they REALLY think they will get some touches - some “There’s not a DB within 20 yards of me” TDs that we have heard about with teams worrying so much about the option.

I’d like to know how BeBe is handling things and I’d love to know what kind of season he expects to have.

By Keith

July 30, 2008 1:58 PM | Link to this

I like GTs chances with this offense. I think they will keep teams off the field with the running attack, then play tuff defense, which I believe is their strength this year. I think the element of surprise will be there with this system. Defenses will have a tough time game planning for it because it is not your standard offense. I’ll give GT 10 wins this season, with a bowl appearance. And they will beat UGA! Bold? Maybe.

By get the net!

July 30, 2008 2:29 PM | Link to this

With a name like Bass, he cannot be bad!!!

By StingerSplash

July 30, 2008 3:30 PM | Link to this

Get PJ’s five best jokes or one-liners.