AJC > Sports > Tech > Blog > Archives > 2008 > August > 21 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USAbout A-backs and uni complaints
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I’m at a loss of sorts for material with the combination of practice closing and this limbo period before the first game, especially in what amounts to a transition period for me, but …
- Paul Johnson’s decision to give Troy Garside a shot at A-back strikes me two ways: There’ depth, albeit young, at safety, and he’s probably not going to be able to help much there. Plus, while there are a lot of bodies, also very young, at A-back, I don’t think Paul’s been as impressed with what he’s seen there. Lucas Cox, who had emerged as a candidate to start, apparently has been injured, and nobody else is stepping into the void. Two true freshmen, Peeples and Lockhart, are listed in the mix on the depth chart.
Johnson said Tuesday about A-backs: “We’re going to play some freshmen in there, but physically they’re still growing, they’re babies. We need somebody bigger in there.” Garside’s not big, per se, at least not like Cox, but he’s more physically developed than those freshmen for sure.
- Listened to a little of Paul’s radio show. Good grief, people, give the uniform questions a rest. You really think he chose the uniforms? Come on!
Have to go.
Later.
Matt
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Comments
By Jim
August 21, 2008 11:02 AM | Link to this
Good grief. Tech is going to be awful this year. Usually the deal with freshmen is they simply aren’t mentally ready for the game. Playing freshmen that aren’t mentally ready is bad enough. If you’re forced to play guys that aren’t mentally AND physically ready you’re in some deep **. Despite all the ACC’s many faults, it is still a very talented and physical league. These guys are going to get pounded. Its going to be ugly.
Sorry Tech fans. I’m just being honest. I’m not a Georgia fan and have nothing against Tech. This is just a friendly warning that you might want to temper some of that optimism a little bit. All signs point to a rough year for Tech football.
By will
August 21, 2008 11:03 AM | Link to this
You’d think for all the “nerds” jokes the Tech fanbase gets, we wouldn’t be so obsessed with fashion, right? ;)
By TDone
August 21, 2008 11:20 AM | Link to this
I think the new uniforms are fine. The folks complaining about them are just FC Athens fans masquerading ast Tech fans.
By old gold engineer
August 21, 2008 11:35 AM | Link to this
Garside impressed me last year as a guy who wanted to play no matter the position. That attitude will carry him a long way.
Matt, you’ve set a high standard and will leave some big shoes to fill. GT news can be hard to come by here in south GA. I appreciate your work and wish you the best.
As for story ideas, how does the field look? The photos I’ve seen of scrimmages and fan day look good. Is the playing surface weathering the hot, dry summer well?
By Tom
August 21, 2008 12:24 PM | Link to this
old gold…..
Tech installed a pump/tank system last year that allows them to use water from a spring that used to flow into the ATL sewer system t water the athletic fields. The turf on Grant Field is in GREAT shape.
*
By jaxjacket
August 21, 2008 12:36 PM | Link to this
Matt, a bit off the subject, but why have the pundits decided that Tech can’t successfully run the option in the ACC? I checked the stats from the 2006 bowl game between Navy and BC, and Navy had 322 yards rushing and over 400 yds total offense. My money says Tech has much superior athletes on both sides of the ball. I know that when installing a totally new offense, it would be wrong to expect precision execution immediately, but I don’t see this season as a train wreck either.
By I-DOG
August 21, 2008 12:40 PM | Link to this
Jim, Why dont you go back to the UGA Nambla site you crawled out from under., Tech will Wreck you “boyz” and with your strong SEC, and out of conference schedule, All teams willbe targeting you for a loss. Our site is for the best, most loyal fans in College Football. My, how the Fall will be, from first to last.
By StingerSplash
August 21, 2008 12:49 PM | Link to this
Terence Moore said Tech’s success will come later rathern than sooner with PJ. Which of course means … a national championship this year! (that’s a bad shot at someone who is actually a very nice person, for anyone who’s ever met Terence. Hate his take on things, but truly a very nice gentleman).
By Steve Jensen
August 21, 2008 12:54 PM | Link to this
Uh Jim, take a hike you poser. I can smell from here that you are a tank top wearing Uga fan.
By M
August 21, 2008 12:58 PM | Link to this
A few months ago there were pics floating around of Tech’s new unis. In thoes they had 2 helmets this year: the traditional gold one & one sort of like the white throwback they wore two years ago. If memory server me correctly it had a blue facemask & the GT was blue outlined in gold. I do know they the jerseys in those pics are the same ones they just unveiled. Can anyone confirm or deny that there will be two helmets this year?
By MDawg
August 21, 2008 1:02 PM | Link to this
In college football the tradition is a big thing some teams have a uniform (&\or helmet) that id instantly recognizable & is identified with them. While there may be minor tweaks the look rarely changes. To me Tech’s uniforms had developed into that realm. So while I’m not a tech fan it is disturbing to se a team like this make such a radical change. It seems to me this change was done to help Russell Athletic sale more uniforms. I’m all for having the latest & greatest fabric technology on my team but prefer that they keep the classic look. Many Nike & Abdias schools have done that while other have radically changed there uniforms. UGA, Missouri & WF all use the same jersey template but UGA chose not to use some of the options available. WF just went with some piping & small color panels on the side of the jersey but left the pants alone thereby taking the middle of the road approach. Mizzou however changed there whole look not having a winning tradition in there traditional look probably make that more acceptable. However when you have teams like UGA & GT with a history of success in there traditional unis it’s harder to take a radical change. Being a Dawg fan I love the Blackout & hope it becomes a new tradition. I’d even be ok with them wearing red or white Dooley eraish pants (in other word with traditional stripes)on the road but I don’t want to see them go with some crazy new uni template especially if it changed the silver britches. Having said all that, I can see why Tech fans would be upset because there a rival of ours & this new uniform just doesn’t look right to me.
By Mike Billips
August 21, 2008 1:09 PM | Link to this
What’s up with Hummer covering practice? Is he covering for you on a day off, or is he just looking for something to write?
By reebok
August 21, 2008 1:35 PM | Link to this
The field looks better than the uniforms.
By Wrecker1
August 21, 2008 1:36 PM | Link to this
TDone, you’re wrong. There are plenty of faithful TECH fans such as myself that don’t like the unis. I’ve been a loyal TECH supporter for almost 40 years and I just can’t understand why we have 2 fight songs that only mention white and gold (preferably old gold) and yet for the last 20 years or more we’ve had to fight this blue thing. In addition I just don’t care for the design of the unis. If you look at almost all of the old traditional schools (Michigan, OK, Texas, USC, even Ugag and others) they have a traditional look and they stay with it. We have so many people come on here and exhort everybody to come to the games and wear TECH colors. Great lets do that and we’ll fill the stadium with gold, yellow, blue, black and just about everything else under the sun.
By Gaybo Shaw
August 21, 2008 1:37 PM | Link to this
Just wait till I get some playing time. I chose the bees over Mid. Tennessee St. and Wofford. So, obviously, I’m a baller.
By Michael Greenblatt
August 21, 2008 1:48 PM | Link to this
After looking at the new uniforms, a line from our precious fight song comes to mind… “If I had a daughter, sir, I’d dress her in Urine and White!”
Safe to say we have the ugliest uniforms in the country. Yes, including Oregon. Pathetic.
By GT_THWG
August 21, 2008 2:04 PM | Link to this
Enough on the uniforms already. The decision has been made, regardless of your opinion. I don’t mind the design so much, would just prefer the gold to stay the same…If we win in these uni’s, I’ll love them. The simple fact is that our traditional colors are white and gold, but navy is listed as a team color. We wore navy in ‘90 and won it all….My point is that no one will be complaining about what we’re wearing if we’re winning.
By BobbyGod
August 21, 2008 2:13 PM | Link to this
The change was made to help Russell sell uniforms (Warren Buffett) and to help TECH with its financial reality. The stadium expansion pushed by O’Leary has been difficult to pay for and this deal largely accomplished that task.
So both sides happy except for us traditionalists (I want the colors from the sixties or even the seventies back. White and Gold looked terrific without the blue addition created by Bobby Ross).
By Pepper's Days
August 21, 2008 2:20 PM | Link to this
Guys;
I was in the locker room with the team when Pepper Rodgers I was the Head Coach, so I think I have the right to say, don’t worry about the colors on the freakin’ uniforms. Look at the heart inside of them.
When Coach Johnson gets these guys on the same pages, the offense will be a blur and the colors won’t matter anyway.
Give these guys a break and just have some fun.
By MDawg
August 21, 2008 2:27 PM | Link to this
Just as long as the players are White……Just as long as the ants are Tight…..Just as long as I gets to see Holding….UGA and Tech will soon be a Folding.
By MDawg
August 21, 2008 2:29 PM | Link to this
Just as long as the players are White…..Just as long as the pants are Tight….. Just as long as Wreckers are Loose…..Give that center a real hardy Goose.
By rambo
August 21, 2008 2:44 PM | Link to this
Thanks MDawg about the unis. As a former player, we tried for years to get out of that greenish old gold. You could never get it to match anything…helmets, nylon cloth, cotton cloth, it just didn’t work. Everyone was so happy when they came out with Vegas gold, because it seems everyone’s Vegas gold looks the same. Your other point is tradition…when I turn on the T.V. I know it’s GT playing someone just because of the uni’s. Same as UGA, Penn State, Bama, etc. The teams that are experimenting are those who have had little success and are going for a new look trying to ‘establish’ a tradition. I’ll promise you, season ticket holders and the lettermen’s club weren’t asked or given a survey when this decision was made.
By J.
August 21, 2008 2:59 PM | Link to this
Screw that, bring back the Black Watch.
By rambo
August 21, 2008 3:12 PM | Link to this
You naughty, naughty, boy..J..Twenty pushups..Naked.
By Gaybo Shaw
August 21, 2008 3:19 PM | Link to this
John McCain for President please, I cant stand Oblama and his funky hairdo. McCain is a real Military man, just my type. Casey-Tiffany and I will be grooming boys over at J’s house this weekend, like totally bring your fine selves like over for a grooming, Tre Chic at Peidmont and Spring. We cruise over at College Park for Slamdingos too, chic. M Dawg and maybe Tom. Zeb and Mike will visit..A blast, man..Chic. See ya, wouldnt wanna be Straight .. the man Hate for a Date..Be my Lover, not my Rival..Chic.
By Joe Hamilton
August 21, 2008 3:29 PM | Link to this
libba dibba dabba dooba limma…anybody got a nickel?…libba dabba dooba dibba!
By the truth
August 21, 2008 3:32 PM | Link to this
Georgia Tech football??? Bwahahahahahahahahahaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahahaha!!!!!!!!
By GT45
August 21, 2008 3:33 PM | Link to this
Matt, I couldn’t catch the radio show last night. Outside of the uniform comments, can you tell me how it went-questions, attitude, lots of callers, CPJ’s responses?
By GT
August 21, 2008 3:36 PM | Link to this
I think there must be a word for people who come to sporting events to complain or yell negative stuff at the players. I listen to these talk radio guys that encourage it as if you paid your money now you can completely act like an idiot. The same logic allows PeeWee Herman to handle his popcorn anyway he wants to since he paid for the ticket. The world is mental enough without some fat hairball encouraging him on the radio. What ever happen to being a gentleman with some class?
By John Galt
August 21, 2008 3:55 PM | Link to this
GT - whatever happened to the days when tech students didn’t throw objects on the field and cheer when opposing players got injured? Oh, wait, that’s always been s.o.p. at tech. Class? Get real. The words “tech” and “class” don’t often collide in the same sentence unless the words “lack of” are included. Don’t throw rocks in a glass house.
By Uniforms Suck!!!!
August 21, 2008 4:19 PM | Link to this
**I will not be going to any of the games this year because I don’t want to throw up on anybody when I see those mustard ugly uniforms.
I hope coach Johnson can make up for the ugly uniforms by winning.
By JohnJ
August 21, 2008 4:37 PM | Link to this
Uniforms Suck!!!
If that is your reason for not going to games you are the worst fan in the world and no one wants you at the d**m game anyway. What a loser!!!!
By Gaybo Shaw
August 21, 2008 4:38 PM | Link to this
I think the uniforms are sexy. They are better than the uniforms at the other two schools that offered me a scholarship, Mid. Tenn. St. and Wofford. Now, let me do my naked pushups in peace.
By Sting'em!!!
August 21, 2008 4:41 PM | Link to this
Most of you, especially ‘Jim’, should go ** yourself!
Who really gives a rat’s behind about the uniforms, it’s football for Christ’s sake..you sound like a bunch of f*!
Go Jackets! Sting’em!
By Uniforms Suck!!!!
August 21, 2008 5:13 PM | Link to this
JohnJ,
I was not talking to you so just shut your stupid yapper. I have been to every home game since I have been alive just to let you know, but yes that will change this upcoming year.
By Gaybo Shaw
August 21, 2008 5:29 PM | Link to this
ooooh, we need to STOP this infighting!!! We’re all bees under the urine flag! Let’s EMBRACE our mustard and urine uniforms. I can’t wait to see my teammates in those tight mustard pants! Now, back to my naked pushups.
By Reggie Ball
August 21, 2008 5:45 PM | Link to this
Gaybo Shaw,
Let me know when you do your pushups because I want to come watch you and look at your cute little muscles.
Love, Reggie Ball
By uga losers
August 21, 2008 6:15 PM | Link to this
Its pretty funny how more uga kids post random crap in here pretending to be gt fans, than actual gt fans do. It really gets old just reading posts by morons who think they are funny and/or clever. fvck these losers. Go argue about who is more obnoxious on your own blog (hint: you kids are)
1 week and counting
By Gaybo Shaw
August 21, 2008 6:40 PM | Link to this
Reggie, anytime. We should invite Stephon Marbury and Joe Burns and discuss long division. I never quite mastered that, and they say tech is a HARD school. I hope they mean the centers!
By AlabamaRamblinwreck
August 21, 2008 6:41 PM | Link to this
Well, if the unis are popular, they will sell, and if they are not, they will not sell. (I expect they will not sell…unless mustard becomes the fad)
After a few years, if we are winning, Russell will be willing to change the gold back to Vegas Gold, which is the preferred choice.
In the meantime, everyone needs to get behind this team and CPJ.
Go Jackets!!
By Dan
August 21, 2008 6:52 PM | Link to this
We are underdogs to a Div1AA team for goodness sake. I am a realist….it is going to be a long season. We have to do a better job recruiting as well in order to have hope for the future.
By Tx Jacket
August 21, 2008 7:24 PM | Link to this
I can’t let a dumb comment stand. The last time I looked, Tech is favored by 28
Go Jackets
By Ryan Perrilloux
August 21, 2008 8:51 PM | Link to this
I’m gonna run and throw all over you pasty nerds next week. Maybe I’ll even let one of you geeks shine my shoes.
By Definition of a Nerd
August 21, 2008 9:19 PM | Link to this
Wanna know what a real nerd is? A real nerd is someone who has nothing more going on in his life than to go on his rival’s blog and post the kind of childishness that precedes this post. Guess that porno subscription ran out and you’re bored cause, Lord knows, thats the closest you ever get to a woman.
By Jarrad Tarrant
August 21, 2008 9:34 PM | Link to this
yeeh, I know women. That’s fo sho.
By Definition of a Nerds Nerd
August 21, 2008 11:18 PM | Link to this
Actually, your Moms is my Italian maid..Whats the difference between her and an elephant….50 pounds and a black dress…and mandingo. The closest thing I ever got to a Woman, “Who says I want a Woman”. Slurp.
By JohnJ
August 22, 2008 10:01 AM | Link to this
Uniforms Suck!!!
I don’t give a st who you were talking to, I was talking to you. You shut your yapper you little punk. What a dche!
By Brock
August 22, 2008 11:01 AM | Link to this
Jesus Christ!! Is this a fashion blog? Enough with the uniform talk already. You guys sound like a bunch of Oprah watching sissy girls. Who gives a sh@t about the uniforms? F’n embarrassing!!!!
Talk football or STFU!!
By Brocks Boyfriend
August 22, 2008 12:23 PM | Link to this
Funny from a fella that spends two hours a day getting dressed, and loves beige and lavender. Sweetie, sorry to rat you out, but cruisin on Peidmont with tight 28 waist jeans for a fella of 43 is a bit much. Quiche or take-out, tonight..Sugar.
By Previous John J
August 22, 2008 12:50 PM | Link to this
Last Comment from JohnJ is not from previous JohnJ in this blog.
By Gaybo Shaw
August 22, 2008 1:31 PM | Link to this
If I had to choose one player on the team to have sex with (Tough Choice!!), it would definitely be Paul Johnson. His rube accent gives me a cheap thrill!!! You wonder how I moved up to second string so quickly…hehe. Now, pardon me while I finish my naked pushups.
By Brocks Male Hooker
August 22, 2008 1:43 PM | Link to this
How can you stand there, and deny what happened last night, Brocker. I was working over at the Spring and Peidmont Waffle House, just before closing,..and gave me “That look’. something about tired of Quiche, and ordered the House Special. mmm, and something to eat.
By Confucius
August 22, 2008 2:38 PM | Link to this
Confucius say tech in for miserable year. Confucius laugh at own prediction when realize nerd never happy. Nerd always miserable! So, business as usual for nerd nation.
By Brockerfeller
August 22, 2008 3:55 PM | Link to this
You GT guys are really cool, sorrys bout before, Ya see, my paw Zeb used to spank and punish me, like alot, a real disfunctional family. Then one day, Pa comes into my room, Jeffrey Dahmer posters, and all. My boyfriend hiding in the closet, and Pa says ‘Son, this is a gonna hurt you alot more than me. So he whips my pants off, starts spanking my a*, then gets this funny look in his eyes, and turns around and says…”Now Do Me”.
By Wow
August 22, 2008 4:35 PM | Link to this
You have problems. And seriously need a life, friends, and a hobby. In that order
By Wow
August 22, 2008 4:54 PM | Link to this
Gaybo, Get a life. You know those Orie-Rentals can be blindfolded with a piece of Dental floss. They so small, they can play one on one handball- off the curb.
By JohnJ
August 22, 2008 4:57 PM | Link to this
BlackDawg, think you sent us to the wrong site..That woman is 50 pounds with a kerchef, lookin like Aunt Jemima..Related.
By I-DOG
August 22, 2008 5:38 PM | Link to this
North Carolina does, just ask Carolina Jacket.
By Lucy
August 23, 2008 7:14 AM | Link to this
Very good blog. Thank you master!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ;)
By Matthew Stafford
August 23, 2008 3:30 PM | Link to this
Gaybo, Wish this was you! hugs Love, Matty
By Tasty Cakes
August 23, 2008 4:31 PM | Link to this
Lucy does my laundry every Saturday, and cooks a mean pork foo young,..Che Walli Walli, No starchy on shirty..and where’s my fee Coke,You Wench. Must be a Tech fan.lol.
By Paddy
August 23, 2008 5:45 PM | Link to this
The uniforms will look great if they win 7 or 8 games. Trust me… And CPJ can coach
By bb
August 24, 2008 4:17 PM | Link to this
Matt,
Thanks for the awesome story on Michael Johnson! That kind of positive reporting is much appreciated.
It is definitely a better written piece than Steve Hummer’s piece on Chambers. The first paragraph of that article is some of the most condescending writing you will ever see in a sports page and a major reason so many Tech fans are so antagonistic toward the AJC (if you’ve ever wondered).
Thanks for your efforts, they are appreciated.
By sam
August 25, 2008 8:19 PM | Link to this
CPJ blew it today. He announced that injured players must sit in te stands and not be on the sideline. That is CRAP!! I am a local coach that has a player at Tech that is hurt. I will encourage my current recruits not to play for someone who does not demonstrate commitment and trust.
By dogfan
August 25, 2008 8:31 PM | Link to this
Tell them to come over to UGA. We win and we will take care of them!!
By old engineer
August 25, 2008 9:08 PM | Link to this
thanks Rambo and mdawg, tradition says white and old gold but this new one ain’t old gold, anyway it’s more about the pants stripes and shoulder numbers and no d* goofy a wavy lines, thats for loosers like MD. and Miami and such, someone sold our tradition, I wonder who
By Paddy
August 25, 2008 10:28 PM | Link to this
We want the pants very very tight, and Gaybo should coordinate the color scheme, lavender is a shade, not a color, so if we go pants lavender and silver, with white and copper-limon on top, yummy.