AJC > Sports > Tech > Blog > Archives > 2008 > September > 08
Monday, September 8, 2008
Updating the injuries
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
In case you’re wondering why it’s hard for coaches, players and fans to celebrate A Big Win for very long, blame the reality of Next Up. And that usually starts with injuries.
Linebacker Brad Jefferson, who sat out Saturday’s game along with Anthony Barnes, will not play in the Virginia Tech game, either, with an arm/wrist injury. Coach Paul Johnson said Jefferson will be out at least a couple weeks.
Barnes, Johnson said, will be a day-to-day decision with his shoulder injury for this week’s practices, which start this afternoon. Guard A.J. Smith, who missed the B.C. game because he was sick, is expected to return to practice. Smith would have rotated with the interior linemen had he been able to play, but since he wasn’t, every offensive lineman played every offensive snap, Johnson said.
Wide receiver Correy Earls, who missed the first two games with a hamstring pull, may return, also, but is also day-to-day.
Johnson said prior to the game that the onus was on the offensive line against Boston College, which has one of the best defensive lines in the country. Despite the win, Johnson wasn’t terribly impressed with the line’s play.
“We were awful on Saturday,” he said. “The first game, there was good and bad. We had some plays Saturday, but we weren’t very good. As bad as we were up front, it’s hard to do anything.”
Finally, in case you missed it, here’s Johnson on what the 14 votes in the Associated Press poll meant to him:
“Nothing. It really doesn’t. I guess that’s good that they acknowledged that we won on the road, but it really doesn’t mean anything. Those things take care of themselves.”
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“Others Receiving Votes”
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Before I get to the latest AP poll, let’s talk about D-coordinator Dave Wommack.
After Saturday’s 19-16 win at Boston College, CPJ was quick to credit his defensive coaches for their halftime adjustments.
The difference in halves was striking: Boston College gained 202 yards in the first half, 60 in the second.
Early on, the Eagles hurt Tech with two plays: the draw play out of the shotgun, and the quarterback keeper off a zone read.
Wommack had the Jackets stuffing those plays later on. It looked like Tech was waiting for them.
Wommack is obviously not as much of a gambler as Tenuta. He doesn’t blitz as often. And with Tech’s relentless front four, there’s no need to.
But the blitzes Wommack called Saturday paid off.
In the third quarter, QB Chris Crane never saw linebacker Tony Clark coming. Clark’s huge hit, and the ensuing fumble, appeared to rattle Crane. It certainly pumped up the Jackets.
Crane proceeded to throw two picks. On the first, he couldn’t believe Michael Johnson - or anyone - could jump that high to tip his pass.
One another note about the D: even when Tech missed tackles, defenders were in position to make them.
Virginia Tech, of course, presents a bigger test. Boston College has few playmakers, and Crane isn’t close to the dual threat Tyrod Taylor is. (Taylor ran for 112 yards Saturday against Furman). Plus, the atmosphere will be a lot louder.
So, do you think the defense can keep this up?
And what do you think about the Jackets showing up in the AP Top 25 under “Others Receiving Votes?”
Seems about right to me.
By the way, Ga. Tech got 14 votes in the poll. Va. Tech got four.
