Tech

By CarolinaJacket

September 3, 2008 8:51 AM | Link to this

I think Bowden calling those other coaches was an interesting move, but itsn’t a sign of weakness when a coach with his experience is still calling competitors for advice? So, interesting but strange.

By CarolinaJacket

September 3, 2008 8:53 AM | Link to this

P.S., welcome Larry and Ken.

By ME

September 3, 2008 8:59 AM | Link to this

Welcome Larry, If I am paying someone almost 2 million dollars a year, plus one of the highest support staffs in America, I would be downright mad if he was calling for advice. Maybe we should hire one of the coaches he is calling…

I remember Tech coaches switching hats, offense to defense and vice versa, to look/study at game films to determine traits, weaknesses, strengths, etc.

Ten years of promises without one delivery. If I were Clemson fans I would get me a new coaching staff regardless of cost.

By yellowblood

September 3, 2008 9:51 AM | Link to this

Are you aware of our Tech traditions like the Tickle Pile?

By WaCoJacket

September 3, 2008 9:58 AM | Link to this

Its a bigger problem if he pretends all is well and does nothing. I have no problem with T. Bowden calling for advice.

The 1st step to solving a problem is to recognize that a problem exists.

By Ramblin Wrecker

September 3, 2008 10:31 AM | Link to this

But the problem that exists is that Tommy Bowden is STILL the coach of Clemson.

What a chump Bowden is. The guy promises a star recruit that he will get the first carry of the season regardless of situation (or that he has two all-ACC performers at RB already), and that kid promptly fumbles and Bama recovers, and Bowden has the gall to ask Nick Saban why Clemson lost?!?!?!? He could have called George Bush and even Bush could have told him that was stupid.

You don’t allow the desires of a true freshman overpower the need to get off to a good start against a tough opponent. This wasn’t South Carolina State…it was Alabama and Nick Saban, and it wasn’t a home game. Any fumble would have been a negative, but under those circumstances, the players/coaches/fans all look at the head coach and begin to doubt his competency. And then when you call the guy who stomped your head in and ask for advice, it makes them doubt you even more. What a dolt!!! Good thing Clemson locked him up last winter, or he’d be Arkansas’ problem….oh wait, that would have been better.

By bb

September 3, 2008 10:36 AM | Link to this

Tommy Bowden has been coaching how long??? I would be concerned if my coach didn’t have a clue why his team got beat. The questions I have seen reported, that he asked Saban, imply that he wanted to know what Saban saw that he could exploit. That should be obvious in retrospect (to a decent coach).

Now if he called to get advice on how to fix the problem, that’s another matter. I have never thought T. Bowden was a very good coach, he needs all the help he can get.

By m

September 3, 2008 10:37 AM | Link to this

Welcome. You are lucky you are just starting since we now have a REAL football coach. It IS going to be exciting watching Tech football come back. If you had been here the last 6 years you would have had to cover the worst coach in the history of the NCAA. Thank God and Greyhound that Chan Gailey is gone FOREVER. Halllleeeedamlooooyah!!!

By Jason

September 3, 2008 10:56 AM | Link to this

Welcome guys. Looking forward to reading your stuff. Also, Please ignore the UGA fans that have nothing better to do but post stupid comments on here.

By M39Buzz

September 3, 2008 11:04 AM | Link to this

Welcome Larry and Ken!

Matt W. and Mike K. have done a great job of covering Ga Tech Football in the last 9-10 months. I have really enjoyed reading their columns and blogs.

Consequently they have set the bar pretty high for you guys, but I know that you are up for the challenge, and I look forward to your columns and blogs as well.

Go Jackets and God Bless!

By Intro

September 3, 2008 11:13 AM | Link to this

Welcome guys. A short run down:

m- thank god and greyhound CG is gone.

yellowblood- tickle piles

And a whole ton of uga fans with nothing better to do than talk garbage on here (but there are quite a few of them with good comments too, its just the morons are always louder than the smart ones)

Instead of calling Saban, Bowden should call Petrino and ask him for the exact wording of the “note” he left the falcons, and follow suit.

Looking forward to practice update.

By malibuGT

September 3, 2008 11:21 AM | Link to this

Ken and Larry, welcome! you’ve got great timing, to catch the beginning of the CPJ era.

By NASCAR Dave

September 3, 2008 11:42 AM | Link to this

Hey NERDS…

With the rest of the LOSERS in the ACC playing like crap, you NERDS might actually have a shot at something this year!!! LMAO

GO DAWGS!!!

By Joshua Barlowe

September 3, 2008 11:58 AM | Link to this

Right on cue, there are the UGA fans. Get used to them, they represent themselves well.

Glad to have you Larry & Ken - can’t wait to see you on The Flats.

As for Bowden - I am shocked he wasn’t fired Sunday morning. That was a disaster. If not for CJ’s kickoff return it would’ve been 34-3. Ouch.

I’ve got no problem with calling one or two close confidants in the coaching fraternity - but UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES do you call the guy who just steamrolled your team. That’s just stupid.

Go Jackets!

By GT45

September 3, 2008 12:07 PM | Link to this

Welcome, Larry. Hey, I understand BC is returning only nine starters from last year-four on defense. Wonder why there is so much doom and gloom being preached against Tech on this game. I would think the odds should be pretty good, considering they haven’t seen our offense, yet. Like I read earlier, if they don’t have some key subs on the D line, those big guys may be shot by the second half. Anybody got input on BC?

By lisa

September 3, 2008 12:32 PM | Link to this

If my star player was spooning guys I wouldn’t be talking about tickle piles at GT.

By RAMBLE ON!!!

September 3, 2008 12:45 PM | Link to this

I knew it was going to be bad during the pregame interview…Tommy said he was very nervous. Uh Tommy, isn’t this your ninth season?

He is worse than Chan Gailey, thank God he’s at Clemson.

By NC mountain Tech fan

September 3, 2008 12:48 PM | Link to this

Hope Clempson does the same against Tech….ie, not utilize thunder and lightning.

What was he thinking?

By Joshua Barlowe

September 3, 2008 1:18 PM | Link to this

Very nice Lisa!

I wonder why that isn’t on “Know your Bulldogs?” I’m sure the masses would love to see Stafford and Cox snuggling.

By GOTECH610

September 3, 2008 1:33 PM | Link to this

GT45,

I can’t quite figure out why there is so much worry over the BC game either. Their defense did well, yes, there offense posted quality points against a 1-AA team, NO. 21 points is about half the points we scored on JSU. I also think BC trying to run the option a little in that game is a fluke to catch us off guard or something.

I myself have never, ever seen the option ran quite like it did on Thursday. It was awesome. I am guessing that was only about 15% of CPJ’s real meat and potatoes as well. My confidence level just went up 75% about this game watching the BC-KENT ST. game. It was like watching paint dry, run here, pass there to the same side of the field, not spreading the ball around.

I would also venture to say that one of those TD’s may not have happened if Michael Johnson had been in the game in the second half as well, so the defense I am sure will shore up this game well.

GT 35- BC 21 game prediction.

By Intowner

September 3, 2008 1:52 PM | Link to this

Great to have you covering the Jackets Ken and Larry. Always enjoyed Ken’s work covering the Falcons.

By GT 69

September 3, 2008 1:59 PM | Link to this

I don’t work or socialize with any uga fans so, I appreciate the one’s here. They’re very classy and smart. You won’t see the same stupid no class stuff like from other fans.

By HeismanDoddAlexander

September 3, 2008 2:13 PM | Link to this

Larry - Welcome and anxious to read your future posts.

As for Bowden…this will be his last year at Clemson but after his contract extension it will be a VERY large paw padded parachute.

GoTech610…don’t let our ground game against pathetic Jax State make you think it will be that easy against Boston College. Read today’s ajc article about the experienced BC D line. As a rule when both offenses and defenses for two teams are filled with new players the game is a defensive struggle. If Tech scores 3 TD’s they will win this game but my forecast is more like 17 - 13 (with either side capable of winning). There were certainly numerous blunders by the Tech offense on Thursday and Nesbitt still looked hesitant on the option plays.

But heck even the mighty Dawgs will lose at least 3 this year!!! THWG

By ALAGT

September 3, 2008 2:21 PM | Link to this

Larry,

Welcome aboard. One suggestion, when you put the practice update in the comment section, can you highlight your name in blue or bold … similiar DOB does in Braves’ BLOG. Thanks.

By GOTECH610

September 3, 2008 2:25 PM | Link to this

I KNOW for a fact our ground game will no be too easy against BC as is was for Jax St. I am counting on CPJ to pull a few extra plays from his book to make up for it. Remember the bigger the D-line for BC, the slower they are able to move to defend the run. As long as our O-Line stay under the D-line and hold them relatively still, I don’t see a problem with 5 TD’s.

I could see your prediction as well though HEISMANDODD.

I also wanted to mention that our special teams has to do a lot better, I think if we can at least hit a few more FG for next game and not fumble the kick-offs like we did on the opening of the 2nd half, the better. That guy who muffed the kick off looked scared of the ball. Look for BC to try and build something off of that kicking game vulnerability. If we avoid any serious mistakes, WE WIN.

By jabster

September 3, 2008 2:59 PM | Link to this

Lisa:

Here you go: http://i12.tinypic.com/4vskpl5.jpg

Just like in response to “How ‘Bout Them Dawgs!”, I AIM to please…

By son_sir

September 3, 2008 3:13 PM | Link to this

Blame Terry Don Phillips. T. Bowden has always underachieved, especially considering the quality of athletes Clemson has. And he gets a contract extension ? You’re stuck with him like GT was stuck with Gailey, only worse.
Arguably the best two back tandem in the country and you produce ZERO yds. rushing. That’s inexcusable. Tommy needs to get off the phone and look in the mirror. Clemson’s fans deserve better.

By jabster

September 3, 2008 3:33 PM | Link to this

Son_Sir:

Doesn’t that storyline sound familiar? Middling coach finally gets the mature team of his own high-quality, NFL-grade players, gets a contract extension, and is lauded as a preseason favorite to win the conference…and then underachieves AGAIN?

Mr. Bowden, meet Mr. Gailey.

Auburn With A Lake, I feel your pain. But I won’t on 10/18.

By Larry Hartstein

September 3, 2008 3:45 PM | Link to this

Thanks for the warm welcome, from both of us.

GT45 - B.C. is a 7-point favorite, so it’s not like oddsmakers are expecting a blowout.

The thinking is probably that this is a very young Tech team going on the road for the first time, bringing a run-based offense against a team that was almost impossible to run on last year. And Matt Ryan’s replacement looked good in the opener. I’m not agreeing w/ that, just saying that’s part of the public perception.

My info says BC has 11 returning starters. Eagles have a young secondary, so this might be the week to throw more than 15 times….

ALAGT - Working on the blue/bold thing!

Back after practice….

By GT45

September 3, 2008 3:50 PM | Link to this

GT610, I look for Dwyer to have a tough first half. That big line will stuff that dive more often than not, but my question is, what do they have behind that line, and will they be able to stop the pitch? I still think, especially if it is hot, by the end of the third quarter, Dwyer will be a step faster than that big line.

By Haha...oops

September 3, 2008 5:34 PM | Link to this

Hey everybody, the Tommy Bowden weekly show is on…I’m pretty sure that he cries at every commercial break.

By jabster

September 3, 2008 5:38 PM | Link to this

GT45: If we can outmaneuver and out-speed BC’s “more biscuits maw” D-line, we’ll be fine. If not…we’ll be in for a long game.

By Rabun Dawg

September 3, 2008 5:51 PM | Link to this

Sorry, Techsters, I was wondering how long it would take for one of the classless Dogs to jump on here, and lo and behold it was a NASCAR Dave!! I do apologize for some of them, and these are the ones who give the rest of a bad name. I read your blogs for the same reason some of you come on ours, I’am a fan, and interested in what goes on in our State. Good luck to the Jackets, except the trip to Athens town in Nov.

By RAMBLE ON!!!

September 3, 2008 5:56 PM | Link to this

GOTECH610, my crystal ball says GT 27, BC 24 in OT. Thats right brothers and sisters, hang on to your seats we got a close one.

BC lost pretty much their whole offense. We’ll wear down their big DL, trust me.

By Larry Hartstein

September 3, 2008 6:06 PM | Link to this

Just talked to CPJ and he was not happy with the focus and intensity at practice today. Said perhaps it had something to do with practicing in shells, like they’ll do again tomorrow. Tuesday was crisper.

Asked whether Scott Blair will continue to do all the kicking, CPJ said that will be finalized tomorrow.

LBs Barnes and Jefferson are still out; senior Tony Clark could start on the outside, with Kyle Jackson possibly moving inside. Other candidates to start are Shane Bowen and Travis Chambers.

That’s all for now…

By ALAGT

September 3, 2008 6:57 PM | Link to this

Larry,

Your 3:45 post was great … I was able to read/find your comments quickly …. don’t know what happen on 6:06 post … but tnaks for working on it … again welcome aboard!!

By AtlantaNative62

September 3, 2008 7:05 PM | Link to this

I think it is not only brilliant, it is a sign of maturity. What a great lesson to teach ALL of the participants in the Clemson program that asking for help is a great way to help you produce the success you seek. If more people did that in our society, I think we would have a heck of a lot less “bad” behavior in our corporate environs.

By LongBeachJacket

September 3, 2008 7:26 PM | Link to this

Larry & Ken - Welcome to the beat.

Look forward to your reports, articles and postings.

Irrespective of my moniker, I’m in Macon, GA right now on a contract assignment. I’m impressed that the media here in Middle GA (Dawg Country) give a good bit of attention to Tech. And quality attention at that.

Your predecessors on the beat at the AJC have raised the bar both in quality and quantity. Hope you will deliver more of the same.

As for the general outlook on the Football Jackets from this fan’s perspective, I think we’ll know a lot more after the next two games, but even they won’t tell the full story as this team continues to evolve in Coach Johnson’s first year.

Conventional wisdom (and linesmaker’s odds) are that Tech should drop both of these contests on the road.

Winning both is probably too much to ask, but if they can somehow “steal” one of the next two, it makes the drama more interesting.

Why not get it started in Chestnut Hill this weekend?

I don’t have a feel for this one yet because of all the variables…on Tech’s side…as well as BC’s…

I’ll sure be interested to find out come Saturday….

GO JACKETS!!!!

By son_sir

September 3, 2008 7:27 PM | Link to this

Maybe you’re right AtlantaNative62, but coaching is a fraternity (as Larry stated) into itself and this goes on all the time. These guys all know each other and there is usually an open line of communication, unless one coach doesn’t particularly care for another. This made it to the media and I suppose it is a surprise to some, but not so much to others.

By StingerSplash

September 3, 2008 7:46 PM | Link to this

They could have a perfect practice and PJ would say, “It wasn’t bad.” You can’t even offer the man a post-practice dip anymore (he quit. Good for him).

By pete

September 3, 2008 9:16 PM | Link to this

I think he did a positive thing by calling Saban.Who better to critique you than the coach of the team that just beat you.Sounds to me like he wants advice on improving his team.Unlike the Clemson fans, he hasn’t given up.I’m a Tech fan and don’t really care for Clemson,but I admire Bowden for doing this.

By Falcon610

September 3, 2008 10:16 PM | Link to this

I agree with you GT45,

CPJ won’t be running the ball up the middle very often. He would be playing right into their strongest attributes. Instead, look for lateral movements to the outside. He is going to make the D-Line move and run after the ball as much as possible, thus by the end of the 3rd quarter, they should be much, much slower. That’s if they can even move fast to begin with.

I also agree with Larry this may be the game to throw a little more to keep them off balance, then hit them with a big gain option play. Either way, I am excited.

24-21 into the 4th quarter, then 2 TD’s on a vulnerable and worn down BC defense make this one:

35 GT-21BC

By Falcon610

September 3, 2008 10:20 PM | Link to this

Oh Yeah, Welcome Larry. We are glad to have you. I am sure you will be as great as Matt was to us. You have found a great home, with great fans in GT.

Now with that said, let’s roll GT!!!!!!!

THWG!!!!

By Falcon610

September 3, 2008 10:28 PM | Link to this

I meant 38-21, sorry.

By lisa cheek

September 4, 2008 9:52 PM | Link to this

jabster..

That looks like more than spooning. I think he is kissing him on the neck! That is way worse than “tickle piles.” UGA football players spooning at Talladega! That is pretty bad if you ask me.

By CraigslistKisser

September 5, 2008 1:23 PM | Link to this

There is no way they’ll be able to handle BIG PJ’s highschool option attack!!

TSMD!!!!