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Friday, November 28, 2008
Can Nesbitt take the next step?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
You’ve heard every coach say it: Turnovers are the key.
It’s especially true with this Georgia Tech team. The Jackets are good enough to beat almost anyone if they hold onto the ball. But they don’t have a lot of margin for error.
In Tech’s three losses (20-17 at Virginia Tech, 24-17 to Virginia, 28-7 at North Carolina), the Jackets forced three turnovers while committing nine.
In Tech’s eight wins, the Jackets are plus-10. They forced 24 turnovers while committing 14.
For the season, Tech is plus-4 (27-23). Georgia is minus-1 (14-15).
Georgia was plus-2 in last year’s 31-17 win over Tech.
It’s hard to see Tech winning Saturday if the Jackets don’t win the turnover battle.
So it probably comes down to Josh Nesbitt. On the plus side, Nesbitt is healthier than he has been in a few weeks. He made great reads against Miami and once again showed his toughness by executing the offense on a sprained ankle. And playing on the road hasn’t fazed him.
On the other hand, Nesbitt has yet to put two good games together.
The first-year starter has battled three separate injuries. Here’s what CPJ had to say about Nesbitt’s season:
“Every time that Josh really seemed to be making strides, something crazy would happen and he’s had some really strange injuries, or injuries you wouldn’t think. The very first one against Mississippi State, he’s running down the sideline with the ball and tweaks a hamstring.
“He comes back and plays pretty good, then he steps on somebody’s foot and rolls an ankle. Then the third play of the Carolina game, he stepped on another foot and rolled the other ankle.
“Mentally, he’s fought through it. And I think he’s got a better understanding of playing the quarterback position than he did when he started, but it’s still a work in progress. Hopefully he’ll continue to get better. He’s played, I think, six games as a quarterback? (7 1/2 actually). So I think the more he plays, the better he’s going to get.”
The question is, can Nesbitt perform Saturday like he did against Miami?
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