AJC > Sports > Tech > Blog > Archives > 2008 > August > 27 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USHere, there, everywhere … where am I?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Apologies in advance for some rambling! My thoughts are increasingly disjointed as I wind down my final few days covering Tech as there are a lot of loose ends to tie up professionally, etc., and that kind of thing is keeping me busy and occupied.
Plus, today is a big-time lull day, as there is not much news left with the football team prior to the opener. So, I’ll dump some thoughts.
Walk-ons are going to be a significant part of what Paul Johnson does at Tech, particularly in the next couple years.
As Tech emerges from the scholarship reductions brought about by NCAA sanctions, they’re at 76 scholarship players this year (limit is 85). Three of those are former walk-ons that Paul put on scholarship (Troy Garside, Andrew Smith and James Liipfert).
By my count, no walk-ons or former walk-ons will start tomorrow, unless you count PK Scott Blair and P Chandler Anderson.
But a bunch are on the two- and three-deep depth chart and will play this season.
Garside, A. Smith and Jonathan Malone will all see action at A-back, in my opinion. WRs R.B. Clyburn and Zach Fisher will as well.
Backup C Andrew Folkner is a walk-on, although an injury to C Dan Voss might prompt someone else to slide into that spot.
There are others, but this makes my point: Walk-ons matter plenty.
When I sat down with Paul back in June, we talked a little about walk-ons. I’ve used some of this in a previous blog, but here ‘tis anyway:
“If guys come in and walk-on, that’s an area that I want to work on because I think with the Hope Scholarship [program] and the in-state kids … we had some really great football players who walked on at Georgia Southern. They became captains and All-Americans and played in the NFL (NOTE: I believe former Grady High DB Earthwind Moreland fits this bill). I don’t see why we didn’t do it here. My philosophy is if a kid comes in and plays, I want to hold a grant for them because they’ve earned it.
“I think as we get going, and we help a couple walk-ons and the high school coaches realize that and the kids realize that, then the walk-on program is going to get better and better. This year, we have several walk-ons coming in who had scholarship offers to other places, smaller schools or maybe schools farther from home. Who’s to say those kids aren’t going to be better than the ones you [signed to letters of intent]?”
Some of this ties together with recruiting. Some of these future walk-ons are likely to come from schools where Johnson has ties, and maybe can obtain more info in recruiting kids with potential than some other coaches will be able to acquire. Having coached at Georgia Southern and — this is important — graduated quite a few future HS coaches while there, he’s very well connected for a guy who’d been out of state the past six years.
I’ll write a story next week, I think (don’t hold me to that), about the very high number of high school coaches and assistants in Georgia who played for Paul at GSU either when he was the head coach, or when he was an assistant.
You’re going to be surprised by the numbers, which I’m still tallying.
Other random thoughts, and observations:
My last blog will be Friday, or possibly Saturday. I’ll write a few stories after that to help with the transition as those of us leaving the AJC via buyout depart.
I erred last week in mentioning the future Tech writers for the paper. One, D. Orlando Ledbetter, will stay on covering the Falcons instead. So I’m not going to speculate more on my successors. I will say that one seems pretty much a lock, the other TBD.
In talking last week to AD Dan Radakovich for the Russell story, I asked about last year’s AA budget. He said Tech finished the fiscal year roughly $1.9 million in the black. That’s a pretty big development considering the mess he inherited. The economy, and even gas prices, plus the ongoing construction of a new softball facility, may make the idea of matching a pretty tall order. I’m not saying it can’t or won’t happen, though.
He also said he still hopes to break ground on the basketball practice facility adjacent to AMC in Feb. or March. Budget stands at $7 or $8 million.
A personal observation here: I think Jaybo Shaw is developed beyond his years in his ability to understand what’s required of his position (QB). He doesn’t process information like a freshman. But I think it has been a little bit unfair to him, and even to starter Josh Nesbitt, that so much has been made of him before playing any games. First, it has created some expectations that may be unreasonable (we live in a society that loves more than ever to create expectations, and make predictions; ask Paul Hewitt his theory on this), and the fuss also discounts the possibility that Nesbitt may prove to be very good in this offense. Yes, he’s been bothered by injury, and the everybody-ALWAYS-loves-the-backup-QB storyline (especially if he’s a freshman).
But I’d wait before anointing anybody or anything.
Won’t have to wait much longer, though, to start making real-time evaluations instead of those based on passing drills and scrimmages against backups.
Matt
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Comments
By Stingem05
August 27, 2008 10:57 AM | Link to this
Last year everyone was screaming for Nesbitt, two years ago it was Bennett, this year it is Shaw, next year it will probably be Luallen, Washington, or maybe even Aycock. Aycock would be nice.
“everybody-ALWAYS-loves-the-backup-QB storyline (especially if he’s a freshman).” Truer words have never been spoken.
I can’t wait till tomorrow.
By AlabamaRamblinwreck
August 27, 2008 10:58 AM | Link to this
Matt:
I wish you and your family great blessings as you start a new chapter in your life. Thank you for the hard work covering my school’s athletics.
You put up with a lot of nonsense, and you handled it with tolerance and reason.
Go Jackets!!
By GT45
August 27, 2008 10:59 AM | Link to this
I think the walk-on philosophy is great-never know where you might find a diamond in the rough! As far as QB, you have to go with Nesbitt. I think he will go through some growing pains and is still a bit unpolished, but he needs to be the man, right now. Playing some last year, also, will have to help him for this year. That being said, it will be nice to have Jaybo waiting in the wings to take over is a good problem to have.
By Chris
August 27, 2008 11:31 AM | Link to this
Competition at any position is a great thing. If Jaybo beats out nesbitt (who has tremendous physical talent) then we are in pretty good shape. The great thing is, there is none of this “he gives us the best chance to win so I’m not gonna try anyone else” crap ala Gailey. If Nesbitt doesn’t perform, he’ll be jerked. Personally, I hope Nesbitt is a world beater. Gonna be fun to watch.
By gaTech
August 27, 2008 11:31 AM | Link to this
HAHAHAHA….I just wanted to laugh in everyones face who argued with me about “lagging” ticket sales. They are now up 200 from last year. Yes, not the greatest, but they are still UP…..JUST LIKE I SAID. So here is a big f-you to everyone who said “sales lagging 176 is still sales lagging”, that being down 1% wouldn’t be made up in the last couple weeks, and that we would not end up selling the same amount (if not more) of tickets, even though the comparisons were made at 2 different points.
Who said that the difference would be made up by the end of the season??? Oh yeah, me! So up yours (you know who i am talking to)
By Gaybo Shaw
August 27, 2008 11:37 AM | Link to this
It’s so nice to wanted!!! Thank you thank you thank you! Fellow bees you have no idea how lonely and unwanted I felt when my only scholarship offer was from Mid. Tenn. State. Now I’m at the Institute! Asian boys everywhere! I’m in heaven!! I think I’ll celebrate with several dozen naked pushups.
By Chandler Gailey
August 27, 2008 11:43 AM | Link to this
I’ll be at game tomorrow night. By my calculations it should be fumbleriffic. Hey, give me some credit, I never lost to a I-AA team. After tomorrow, will Coach Johnson be able to say that? Doubt it. Perilloux is gonna drop 35 on my former bees. I hope that new silly offense can keep up.
By Chandler Gailey
August 27, 2008 11:43 AM | Link to this
I’ll be at the game tomorrow night. By my calculations it should be fumbleriffic. Hey, give me some credit, I never lost to a I-AA team. After tomorrow, will Coach Johnson be able to say that? Doubt it. Perilloux is gonna drop 35 on my former bees. I hope that new silly offense can keep up.
By Tech Student
August 27, 2008 11:50 AM | Link to this
gaTech you are one sick and ignorant jacka$s. You are an absolute embarrassment not only to yourself but to Georgia Tech as well. I pray to God that you are not associated with GT in any way. Go away retard.
By GT45
August 27, 2008 11:56 AM | Link to this
I was waiting to see how long it would take the nadlickers to comment. In five weeks when they are out of the NC hunt, we won’t have to read anymore of their garbage. They will be too busy pointing fingers at one another, after they implode. There will be a dog whipping in Athens that will make Michael Vick smile with envy!
By yellowblood
August 27, 2008 12:03 PM | Link to this
We are going to be much better than pundits think we are. I have seen these guys perform in Tickle Piles and they can get it done. THWG!!!
By George
August 27, 2008 12:26 PM | Link to this
Well GT45, after 5 weeks and you fumblebees own victories over Jax St. and Gardner-Webb you sorry azz GT fans will have a fire PJ site up and Grant’s Tomb will be lucky to see 500 people in the stands. After all, you Tech fans are known far and wide as the biggest non supportive whining little sissies in all of college football. Enjoy 3-9 GT45.
By CV
August 27, 2008 12:51 PM | Link to this
George, we don’t play Gardner-Webb until week 6… but it was a nice try.
Tech Student, I beleive the 2nd post by “gaTech” was an poor impersonation by one of the butt sniffers.
By haha
August 27, 2008 12:56 PM | Link to this
GaTech- you are a pathetic loser. And ticket sales are up 200…hehe
By RAMBLE ON!!!
August 27, 2008 12:59 PM | Link to this
George you’re an idiot.
When you say “far and wide”, what do you mean? From Athens to Rome…Georgia that is.
By Confucius
August 27, 2008 1:12 PM | Link to this
Confucius say fumblebees in for long year. Confucius no figure out why tech run high school offense. Confucius predict much nerd infighting after Perrilloux torching.
By dawgy
August 27, 2008 1:15 PM | Link to this
Ramble ON: wow, good one. That was…hilarious. You gonna be here all week? You make Gilbert Godfried seem funny you moron.
By GT45
August 27, 2008 1:17 PM | Link to this
George, Two things I will guarantee-we ain’t going to be 3 and 9, and ya’ll ain’t going to be NC’s! As far as records go, we have no expectations-just hopes, but football will be exciting, again, and the fans will be coming.
By T-Bone
August 27, 2008 1:29 PM | Link to this
Matt,
Now that you are on your last few days, can you give us a bit more info on what happened to you and where you’re going? Some of us still don’t know what happened?
All the best and Godspeed.
By George
August 27, 2008 1:34 PM | Link to this
Ok GT45. Have it your way. 4-8. Feel better now loser.
By George
August 27, 2008 1:36 PM | Link to this
So after 6 weeks you only have wins over Jax St. and Gardner Webb.
By Jaded Jacket
August 27, 2008 1:39 PM | Link to this
If Nesbitt doesn’t workout as the QB, I think he’d make a fantastic A-Back.
By Tech Student
August 27, 2008 1:41 PM | Link to this
No CV this gTech, gaTech, haha guy started this crap last week. He posts garbage on top of garbage and then tries to deny that the most inappropriate posts are his. It’s his work. Every bit of it.
By KC Kid
August 27, 2008 1:44 PM | Link to this
You’re an idiot. Well, you’re a moron. Well, you’re a pathetic loser. Well, you join tickle piles. Well, you’re a retard.
You guys are like a monkey f’in a football. Over and over and over…. Don’t you ever get bored?
By Tech Student
August 27, 2008 1:53 PM | Link to this
Actually, I am him (gTech) as well. I prowl the blogs, day and night, just waiting to post and annoy people. I am also Gaybo Shaw, Zeb, and 54 other names on here.
By Herbert
August 27, 2008 1:53 PM | Link to this
KC Kid: You are an idiotic, moronic, pathetic, tickle-pile loving retard. No, really, you are.
By Matt Winkeljohn
August 27, 2008 1:59 PM | Link to this
Took a buyout. I’m one of 73 at the paper, across the newsroom, to make that decision. Nobody was forced, or discouraged, from taking it. Anybody at the paper five or more years was eligible.
There’s no monkey business involved.
As for the future, I don’t know yet.
More details Friday.
Matt
By BobbyGodd
August 27, 2008 2:00 PM | Link to this
After 4 years of Ball, who was in all honestly a schizophrenic QB…I’ll be happy with anyone this year or with direct snaps to the B back!!!
By Gaybo Shaw
August 27, 2008 2:03 PM | Link to this
I am who I am. And that is, at the moment, the backup quarterback of the 80th ranked team in the country. Yesterday was a good practice. We had a walk-thru. I got to put my hands up under the center’s butt to receive several snaps. So that was nice. It’s obvious to me that Chandler Gailey was a homophobe because he had his quarterbacks receive the snap via shotgun. How are we supposed to feel the center’s genitals from the shotgun? Homophobes have no place on tech’s ethnically diverse ghetto campus. Good riddance to Chan. Oh, the new 14th St. bridge is going to be the longest bridge in the world. It goes all the way from Africa to Fairyland! I can’t wait until it’s done! Go Bees!
By InquiringMind
August 27, 2008 2:35 PM | Link to this
If Georgia Tech is going to be so good, like Tech fans say, why did all those coaches say you’re going to suck this year?
By T
August 27, 2008 3:06 PM | Link to this
Thanks for your work Matt, am really sorry to see you go. Best of luck to you and your family, God Bless.
By GT45
August 27, 2008 3:45 PM | Link to this
If anyone hears from Gaybo Shaw, please tellhim/her the UGA fans on their site would like to see the link about Matt Stafforn titled something like “Gay themed Quarterback”, please send their site the link, thanks.
By Gaybo Shaw is a Legend
August 27, 2008 3:54 PM | Link to this
Thanks to Gaybo Shaw, and all the diversity we have on this ‘Rainbowlicious” site. We should All get naked, and do fifty pushups in your Honor..Pay Homo age to Grestness. And just remember we at least arent the most color-challenged school in the State..Those UGALY black with silver and red uniforms look like something a frustrated painting student threw upagainst a wall…”TAK A RAMA. Matt Stafford should seriously come out of that closet he;s hiding in..A man thats spends That much time under another guys butt must get “Hot’ sometimes.
By InquiringMind
August 27, 2008 3:58 PM | Link to this
Three things I have an Inquiring Mind about, Is lavender a color or a shade, Why am I such a frustrated UGA closet Queen,…and will I ever find a Man who owns blocks, not ‘Plays with them”. Maybe I should transfer to a school like Tech….First, I gotta graduate Sixth grade, tee.
By Brantley
August 27, 2008 4:08 PM | Link to this
Everyone who went to Tech is successful. Just ask Reggie Ball and Joe Hamilton. You can talk to them anyday. They are ticket scalpers down at Turner Field. Or you could ask any of the nameless drones working dead-end jobs generating meaningless reports at no-name corporations…but…I’ll just stick to the ones the general public has actually heard of. Go to Turner Field and ask for Lil’ Joe or Reggie “I can’t count to four” Ball.
By brent
August 27, 2008 4:13 PM | Link to this
Legend: I don’t think I’d talk about any other schools’ uniforms after the abortions that tech just rolled out. Those things look like a throwback jersey of an Arena2 League team. And I’m no UGA fan (Wake Forest supporter), but you have to admit their uniform is classic. Tech’s…not so much.
By surfrider
August 27, 2008 4:17 PM | Link to this
That’s good news on the budget, as I thought were werce running a $1.5 million deficit. The AD is doing a great job. As for the walkon program that is great news. This offensive scheme should allow more players of walkon ability to play in it, as the option players don’t have to be all prototypes and lineman can be tough and more agile and smaller at times. I have never understood why football need these massive lineman all across the front (yes maybe a few) when say they may be able to get more athletic, tougher lineman in at 30 lbs lighter. Bear Bryant never had a huge line if memory was was right. Of course time have changed but those tackles were rarely more than 280 it seemed.
By MeToo
August 27, 2008 4:45 PM | Link to this
If Georgia Tech is going to be so good, like Tech fans say, why did all those coaches say you’re going to suck this year?
Any of you geniouses care to hazard a guess?
By GTech67
August 27, 2008 5:29 PM | Link to this
Try blocking a pair of 300+ defensive lineman with 4.6 speed with a 275 or 280 lb offensive lineman. It will become obvious very quickly surfrider. Big, strong, fast is the name of the game. Some Tech fans seem to be trying to assure themselves that PJ and his system is going to save Tech with the kind of athletes that not too many other coaches in college football need nor want. If you saw Tim Tebow go down sacked 7 times in the UGA game last year from nothing more than 2 huge defensive lineman bull rushing Florida’s offensive line straight up the middle it is crystal clear why it has to be size and speed against the same. Small will lose every time. I tend to think that PJ will figure out that some modification to his system will be in order to compete at this level.
By Charles in Charge
August 27, 2008 5:47 PM | Link to this
I just don’t think Nesbitt is the guy. Jaybo is the much better choice as QB. We are just wasting time with Nesbitt who was a lifelong Dog fan and came to Tech only because UGAY didn’t offer him as a QB. Let’s be real and make the change now before we waste a lot of time.
By Tech Grad
August 27, 2008 5:48 PM | Link to this
You tech fans are delusional if you think Tech will ever be relevant in this state. UGA is always going to be big brother to you, and the sooner you realize and accept that the better off you will be. I jumped the fence a long time ago, maybe you should too.
GO DAWGS!
By Who Are We To Say
August 27, 2008 6:12 PM | Link to this
By Tech Grad
August 27, 2008 5:48 PM | Link to this
You tech fans are delusional if you think Tech will ever be relevant in this state. UGA is always going to be big brother to you, and the sooner you realize and accept that the better off you will be. I jumped the fence a long time ago, maybe you should too.
Oh no Tech Grad! Tech fans are all brilliant. Obviously they all know more about football than all those coaches that said they suck.
By Randy
August 27, 2008 6:48 PM | Link to this
Matt,
Good luck in whatever course you choose to take from here on out. I have enjoyed reading your stuff.
Too bad the paper you work (soon to be past tense) for hasn’t figured out how to assign a name and tie it to a password so that the stuff written below yours was as enjoyable. To many kids on here that ruin a good thing.
Anyway, I digress. Best wishes to you and your family and hopefully we will see you around or hear from you. Maybe you will land at S.I. or ESPN……
By ProudTechFan
August 27, 2008 6:55 PM | Link to this
Tech will be fine this year, some growing pains indeed, but give us a few games to figure some things out and i think we will do better than most expect us to. i just dont understand for the life of me why, Dawg fans continue to come on our blog and degrade and talk poorly about our program. Excuse us for having pride in our team and supporting and foreseeing nothing but the best from them… Congrats on being ranked preseason number one, but lets us Tech fans have our blog for a change… i am beginning to think there lies some worry that this new regime may pose a threat to the dawgs some where down the line…
anyway… lets go take care of Jacksonville ST. tomorrow guys and we’ll go from there
GO JACKETS!!!
By Ryan Perrilloux
August 27, 2008 7:39 PM | Link to this
I’m gonna drop bombs on you nerds tomorrow night! Bombs over Grants Tomb! Get ready to cry in your zimas losers.
By The Big Bug
August 27, 2008 7:45 PM | Link to this
Tech Grad,You couldn’t graduate from GT in a million years. Get off your mommy’s computer, scrote licker.
By Joshua Barlowe
August 27, 2008 7:49 PM | Link to this
Everytime one of these UGAy morons posts on our blog, it makes me smile that I am not a UGAy fan.
We don’t even have to say anything - they represent themselves so well.
GO JACKETS!
By StingerSplash
August 27, 2008 8:13 PM | Link to this
Matt, if there’s a Georgia Southern media guide lying around the office, find it and count the number of all-Americans they’ve had. Half of them were walk-ons. And good idea on looking at the number of HS coaches who played at GSU. I know Kevin Whitley at Creekside, who runs the spread offense, played at GSU and was an all-American there. And it’s not just the head coaches, but the assistants too out there who played at Southern. It’s staggering.
By Heath
August 27, 2008 9:38 PM | Link to this
StingerSplash - not really sure where you’re going with this. So Southern has walk-ons that were all-americans…in I-AA? Um kay. Little different ballgame, no? And there are high school coaches that played there? And? What’s your point? They couldn’t get a better job? I’m guessing they didn’t teach you how to engage (and win) in logical arguments at tech. But I’ll bet you aced Survey of Calculus. Wow.
By Tech Grad
August 27, 2008 9:42 PM | Link to this
Big Bug, I just call it like I see it. Tech has 2nd tier athletics, overrated academics, ugly coeds, traffic, crime, etc. Tell me again why Tech is so much better than UGA?
And you are right, I couldnt graduate in a million years, I actually made it out in 4.
By Pepper
August 27, 2008 9:57 PM | Link to this
Matt, you have done a great job on this blog. I hope things work out for you in the future. I am flying in from North Carolina for the game. PJ has actually raised my interest in the team this year. I knew from the first day that Braine hired Gailey we were going to be one boring and mediocre team. Just had to look at his lifetime record to figure that out. A 500 coach is always a 500 coach, little league, high school, college or pro. PJ is a winner. Enough said.
By desertdawg
August 28, 2008 12:21 AM | Link to this
good one Joshua !!
By Hey Heath
August 28, 2008 8:37 AM | Link to this
Heath- Stingersplash was referring to the article up top. You know, that article that you have to read up top that none of you uga fans look at. Good post you f*cking moron. Lord knows it would be too much for you to read the actualy article that people are commenting on in here. Great logical argument buddy. Im embarassed for you.
Tech Grad- im sure you are a GT grad. It is too hard to pretend like you are someone else on these blogs, so you must be who you say you are.
Overrated academics, what a joke. 2nd tier athletes? Right, thats why our basketball team went to NC in 2004, and our football is rebuilding. Traffic, okay, you got that. Sorry that GT is in a busy metropolis, instead of in little ol’ athens, where you can find uga grads galore (working at liquor stores, bars, and Applebees). Ugly girls- yep, lots of those, but there are hot ones too (not as many as uga). Crime- what about that guy that raped a dozen uga coeds a few years back (more like 10 years ago)? That was safe. The uga kid stabbed out front of the bar in downtown athens? The uga guy shot 3 years ago in front of the bar (when they implemented the “no cruising” laws). Yes, Atlanta is probably more dangerous than Athens, but Athens isn’t the safest po-dunk town you’ve ever seen either. So continue to act like a GT grad all you want. Pathetic loser. Get off your mom’s computer.
By dawgy
August 28, 2008 9:14 AM | Link to this
Hey Heath: take a few deep breaths, you’ll feel better. Easy does it now.
By Hey Heath
August 28, 2008 9:46 AM | Link to this
Sorry, too much coffee this morning. Couple that with idiot posts on here, and you get my above rant. Although you have to admit, Heath is an idiot.
By ma192zda
September 2, 2008 10:34 PM | Link to this
c89t
By ma267zda
September 2, 2008 10:35 PM | Link to this
c811t