AJC > Sports > Tech > Blog > Archives > 2008 > August > 05 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USDefense 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
Comments
By thrash223
August 5, 2008 4:47 PM | Link to this
“Nobody can block Michael Johnson.”
Sweet music to my eyes…
By vamosjackets
August 5, 2008 4:55 PM | Link to this
Nice coverage Matt, though I think you got your A’s and B’s mixed up for the backs when referring to Jones, Smith, Paige, and maybe even Cox. Your info is craved and appreciated.
By old gold engineer
August 5, 2008 5:51 PM | Link to this
Matt, why don’t you guys charge for access to your sports information? I live outside your subscription area so I couldn’t subscribe to your paper paper if I so desired. I saw on the AJC site yesterday an offer for a $2 a week subscription. I would gladly pay that and more for the kind of coverage you’ve provided over the last year or two. I don’t read much of the other sections, but I suppose any access charge would cover them as well. I’m not a bean counter, I’m an engineer, so this proposal may not make any financial sense at all. However, I’ve grown accustomed to the level of GT reporting on the AJC web site and hate to think about missing out on that in the future.
By Ronald Reagan
August 5, 2008 6:22 PM | Link to this
Matt,
You just lost all credibility with the masses by lying to them about the reason for job cuts. You guys are just to the left of Stalin in your political views.
By Cremins
August 5, 2008 7:10 PM | Link to this
Matt, I hate to see you go if that is what is going on here. Newspapers are in a tough spot so I guess cuts are inevitable. Should we click on some of the advertisements to help a little?
Anyway, thanks for the updates. Your coverage of practice so far has been much appreciated.
By halfmetaljacket
August 5, 2008 7:54 PM | Link to this
Matt,
I track The Hive and the AJC for good coverage of Tech sports. I’ve always found your coverage and comments to be informative, professional, with the occasional twist of humor which made it even better.
So sad that The Fourth Estate is fading. No matter the plusses which can be recited about Internet sources, ultimately many people go to sites which have a bias comparable to their own, so mutual biases are reinforced and sustain themselves. And folks are relieved of having to read an opinion with a different slant and exert the intellectual effort of reflecting on it.
You will be missed, Matt.
Thanks for a solid job with the AJC and encouragement to stay with the Jackets as a fan. College sports is still the best game in town.
hmj
By Joshua Barlowe
August 5, 2008 8:07 PM | Link to this
Matt - you will be missed tremendously.
I am wondering if the AJC will skimp on coverage of the leghumpers as much as they will the Jackets. Is Chip Towers on his way out as well? Will he take his UGA boxer shorts with him?
Be well Matt. Go Jackets.
By T
August 5, 2008 8:16 PM | Link to this
Matt… I will hate to see you leave. Thanks for your hard work !
By Jimmy
August 5, 2008 8:24 PM | Link to this
Old Gold Engineer, speak for yourself man! Not all of us make six digit salaries. I would never pay for AJC sports coverage access, though I frequent these blogs everyday at work.
By Matt Winkeljohn
August 5, 2008 9:54 PM | Link to this
Reagan,
You are incredible. The irony is that people like you, those who frequent the internet for even the oddest reasons and with but the slightest idea what’s going on, what they’re reading or what they’re writing in some cases (like yours) are every bit the the future engines of mainstream media as others.
People like you (and other kinds as well, thankfully) drive internet traffic.
So, in a weird way, thanks.
Signed,
Josef, er, Matt
By Matt Winkeljohn
August 5, 2008 10:02 PM | Link to this
On to more sane matters …
Sorry to be so late in getting back, but it’s necessary to point out that later in practice, the first offense was better than I’ve seen to date. And Paul Johnson echoed that thought, although he didn’t bite when I asked if this was the best practice so far.
There was outstanding enthusiasm among both offensive and defensive players at that point, when there were chains on the sidelines and everything.
The defense went nuts with each safety. The offense went nuts when Nesbitt bulled into the line for a short-yardage conversion that required chains to be brought out. After that, C Dan Voss made his own first-down signal, with great emphasis, almost as if he were channeling Terrell Owens or something.
Quite a sight.
Cord Howard had a stinger late in practice, but seemed OK.
I thought this was perhaps Nesbitt’s best practice.
And again, Michael Johnson was a beast, and Derrick Morgan was pretty solid as well.
The freshman T.J. Barnes, recruited chiefly as an OL I believe, is playing DT. He’s enormous, probably too big for his own good, and sometimes is nowhere near a play when he ought to be. But every once in a while, when he sets up properly and is not surprise by the snap count, he’s like a mountain with arms and legs. He had one of the safeties. Still, given the depth Tech has there, he looks like a redshirt.
Matt
By Tech Fan in UGA Country
August 5, 2008 10:21 PM | Link to this
In general I am very excited to see this team. But I must admit, I was concerned by Jamal Paige’s comments that the defense’s “reads to the ball are way too fast. I just think with the formations, they’re able to [read and] adjust that way.” Once the other teams study the offense, will they be able to do the same? Like I said, it scared me to hear that. Hopefully, it is just that the offense is behind the defense at this point, which is expected.
By Matt Winkeljohn
August 5, 2008 10:29 PM | Link to this
NOTE:
I did mix up the A- and B-back references in the blog. I’ve corrected them.
Sorry.
Matt
By Tech Fan in UGA Country
August 5, 2008 10:58 PM | Link to this
Matt, I echo what everyone else has already said, thanks for your great work. You and DOB (in the Braves blog) are the best. You show how is it supposed to be done and we all appreciate your hard and talented work.
By Uniforms SUCK!!!!!!
August 5, 2008 10:59 PM | Link to this
The jerseys look excellent. It is the butt ugly pants that make me want to throw up.
By addicted
August 6, 2008 12:13 AM | Link to this
Having followed GT sports on the AJC for a couple of years, the last year or so of coverage (I think beginning preseason in 2007) has been nothing short of EXCELLENT. I will really miss some of the great coverage you have been providing.
Btw, ignore those knocking on your mistakes. Considering this is a blog (which generally provides quicker, but not as verified information) you have done a good job of being reasonably accurate, and more importantly, acknowldeging and correcting your mistakes.
By RAMBLE ON!!!
August 6, 2008 12:16 AM | Link to this
MATT, Why did you have to go there?
Hey, if you bump into Luckovich in the hall, tell him it’s OK to do a satire on Obama. I think the score is about McCain 20 and Obama 2 (if you could call either one satire or insulting).
Fair and balanced, you bet.
For the gas, just inflate your tires and get a regular tune up and you’ll be ok.
And another thing, NOBODY, WILL EVER BLOCK MICHAEL JOHNSON!!!
I think you’re doing a great job though.
By StingerSplash
August 6, 2008 12:22 AM | Link to this
So, Matt, who is scheduled to take up the pen and pad at The Flats if you indeed exit stage right?
By Bob
August 6, 2008 6:00 AM | Link to this
By Joshua Barlowe
August 5, 2008 8:07 PM | Link to this
Matt - you will be missed tremendously.
I am wondering if the AJC will skimp on coverage of the leghumpers as much as they will the Jackets.
That one’s easy Josh. Of course they won’t. When Tech actually wins something maybe you’ll get more ink.
By Douglas Parks
August 6, 2008 6:04 AM | Link to this
Don’t worry RAMBLE ON!!!, The first GOOD offense you face will show you sissies how to block MJ. Just like they did last year.
By GWB
August 6, 2008 7:12 AM | Link to this
By thrash223
August 5, 2008 4:47 PM | Link to this
“Nobody can block Michael Johnson.”
Nobody on Tech’s offense that is. A real football team can handle the guy.
By GT75
August 6, 2008 7:44 AM | Link to this
By thrash223
August 5, 2008 4:47 PM | Link to this
“Nobody can block Michael Johnson.”
By RAMBLE ON!!!
August 6, 2008 12:16 AAnd another thing, NOBODY, WILL EVER BLOCK MICHAEL JOHNSON!!!
Guys! Think about it! OUR offense can’t block him. Can’t block one guy. That isn’t exactly something to be happy about. What happens when a team comes to town that can throw 3 or 4 of him at us. And you know who I’m talking about. Your less than lucid thinking here is not exactly the most brilliant rationale I’ve seen from a Tech man. Wake up gents. Think before you insert that foot in your mouth.
By RAMBLE ON!!!
August 6, 2008 8:19 AM | Link to this
Terence Moore won’t have to worry about job security. He’s the AJC’s version of Jason Blair.
Sorry Matt but when Luckovich compared the US military to terrorist, I canceled my subscription and have spent a nickel on the AJC since…except for the Peachtree Road Race.
I guess people take things literally around here. Of course MJ will get blocked, geez whiz. Pull the corn cob out of your butt and lighten up.
He’s a beast, and I look forward to him wrecking havoc on other teams. Our strength is the DL and if they want to stack 2 or 3 guys on him, what’s that going to for Vance Walker or Daryl Richard?
By Joshua Barlowe
August 6, 2008 8:26 AM | Link to this
Bob - Last I checked, Tech had 4 National Championships, more than any other team in Georgia, including the Falcons, Braves, Hawks, and your (I’m sure) beloved mutts.
And the most recent one was a lot more recent than 1980. You think the “local” paper would be a lot more supportive of a strong tradition like that.
Check your facts on ‘WINNING,” Bob.
By Bob
August 6, 2008 8:39 AM | Link to this
Not to mention the fact that your proud “tradition” includes a winning percentage barely over .500 for the last 35 years.
By NotFromAroundHere
August 6, 2008 8:51 AM | Link to this
It’s hard to remember tradition when a team hasn’t scratched the top 25 this decade, little Joshy Barlowe. Teams consistently ranked #45-#73 in preseason polls don’t exactly light up the radar system either. But I will admit that you guys talk a hell of a good game. If mouth could beat UGA you guys would be the monarchs of the gridiron. But, in actuality you are KSTI. Know what I mean
By Sam
August 6, 2008 9:00 AM | Link to this
Me thinks Joshua Barlowe needs to pull those leather helmets out of his azz and reevaluate his idea of winning. He sure seems to set the bar awful low.
By Jonathan Sims
August 6, 2008 11:32 AM | Link to this
Maybe the lack of subscriptions wouldn’t be so glaring if you didn’t alienate not only Tech’s fanbase and its lack of coverage the past decade +, or other major fanbases with the constant love fest for the cesspool that resides 70 miles northeast of Atlanta.
By Jeff M.
August 6, 2008 12:40 PM | Link to this
You have to earn that lovefest Jonathan Sims.
By techpatriot
August 7, 2008 12:25 PM | Link to this
I’ll buy the fact the AJCs woes are not due to politcal leanings, everything you enumerated is well know to anyone that knows anytrhing about advertising or media…..BUT
The politcal leanings of this paper have exacerbated and acceslrated the process beyond what it would normally be.
Out of - let’s say about 100 or so business people in the area I interact with regularly, the only ones who subscribe any more do so at the request of their wives, (who want the coupons and sunday ads).
They get their news from the ABC, Wallstreet journal, online, and various magazines and ezines. If it wasn’t for a cople of sports blogs like yours, I would ignore this completely. They should change the name to “The most misguided & liberal paper in the south”, just to be truthful.
It not only costs them readership, but ad dollars too. How big of an effect has this had? Hard to say, but as an educated guess I would say it’s made the inevitable decline of the particular paper 25-40% worse that it could have been. Southerners are, by nature, 1) more loyal 2) not socialist, (which has been the primary liberal platform for the last several years). Combine all these factors and you have a perfect storm for the AJC. If they took out the editorials, got rid of a few columosts, and simply reported the news with no slant - they would have a chance to extend the viability of their company in the newsprint medium. I don’t see any danger of that type of business acumen from your bosses, however.