AJC > Sports > Tech > Blog > Archives > 2008 > August > 05
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Defense turning up the heat
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Back in full pads, and as if it’s not hot enough out here, the Tech defense just a while ago made life worse for the offense.
The Yellow Jackets were full go on the lines of scrimmage (no cut-blocking that I noticed, though), and the offense had fits getting off plays. Part of that was because of the mixing of personnel, some injuries (A-backs Roddy Jones and Greg Smith, WRs Correy Earls and Tyler Melton) don’t help, and the fact the defense has seen these plays dozens of times is a factor, too. Oh, and Tech is more talented in the D-line than anywhere else.
The ball-handling was no worse than what we’ve seen, maybe even a little better, but the defense is tracking half the wide running plays in the backfield. Back-side blocking is a particular issue to my eye.
Some nice plays: walk-on A-back Jamal Paige of Woodward Academy used his blocks well to break a long one outside. A-back Lucas Cox, playing more because of injuries, had a couple nice blocks. But the linemen are having fits. Nobody can block Michael Johnson.
S Mario Edwards CRUSHED WR Demaryius Thomas on a reverse, causing a fumble.
Freshman Cooper Taylor got some reps at safety with the first defense, although it appeared to be nickel stuff, not base defense. Also, there were some strange substitutions that made it a stretch to call it the No. 1 defense. It’s clear, though, that the Marist product is among freshman NOT likely to redshirt.
In passing drills, CB Michael Peterson made a nice interception on a long ball thrown to Marcus Wright. Embry Peeples, back today, made a nice over-the-shoulder catch on a long ball. Booker continues to throw better than others, in my opinion. Nesbitt has made a couple nice throws today, but has bobbled a snap or two.
On a totally unrelated topic, I’m not going into great detail on pending staff reductions at the AJC. Like many papers, we’re having to deal with some tough economic issues. But the post I saw on The Hive (yes, I read it and that shouldn’t surprise anybody) suggesting that we’re a victim of our political leanings is crazy.
The formula is much less attractive than a wacky plot like that. The growth of the internet and competing media, skyrocketing costs for not only production (newsprint is up like 34 percent in a year) but also in transportation costs for delivery (we drive a combined 80,000 or so miles a day to deliver the paper), decline in circulation and ad revenues and voila! Tough times. These conditions were spelled out very clearly in news reports a few weeks ago when this became a story.
Political leanings? Please, apply more thought, or even some research, next time.
More updates later.
Matt
