AJC > Sports > Tech > Blog > Archives > 2008 > December > 29 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USD-Line’s swan song
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Michael Johnson, Vance Walker, Darryl Richard and Derrick Morgan (plus Elris Anyaibe and the other backups on the D-Line) have lived up to expectations. That’s saying something, given how high those expectations were.
The seniors — Johnson, Walker, Richard and Anyaibe — will go out with a matchup against one of the best O-Lines they’ve faced. Left guard Herman Johnson is an All-American and left tackle Ciron Black is second-team All-SEC. Watching Black against Johnson will be intriguing.
D-Line coach Giff Smith said if he had to compare the Tigers’ O-Line to one Tech faced this year, he’d pick Virginia’s: good size, quick feet, lots of experience.
“We hope to do a better job than we did against Virginia,” Smith said.
The D-Line’s last performance, against Georgia, wasn’t great, but they got two sacks and Morgan drew three big holding penalties.
Smith said the seniors have a lot at stake in the bowl game.
“They want to go out with 10 wins,” he said. “They were able to stop the streak versus Georgia. They’ve got a chance, if we win, to finish in the Top 10. And it’s their last time getting to put the GT on their helmet and that means a lot to those kids. This has been a special place for those kids.”
Tech is facing a true freshman quarterback making only his second start. But Smith said Jordan Jefferson is plenty capable.
“We actually had Jefferson in camp going into his senior year and we thought he was a heck of a player then,” Smith said. “He’s young, but he’s played enough and with all these weeks of bowl practice, he’s not a young kid anymore. He’s experienced enough that they’ve got the whole package in with him.
“It’s going to create a challenge because he’s athletic but he can really throw the ball too. He’s a dual threat. They’ve gained some confidence in him at quarterback, so it’s going to be a big challenge.”
What kind of performance do you expect from the D-Line on Wednesday?
Comments
By Tech82
December 29, 2008 7:47 AM | Link to this
I expect a typical performance from the D-Line - meaning stellar.
The two question marks in this game are the O-Line and the defensive secondary.
If the O-Linemen stay low and read their assignments correctly, our offense should move the ball at will. If not…
Our secondary has to provide tighter coverage or LSU will light us up with short/intermediate passes the way FSU and UGA did.
This could be another game where the last team with the ball wins. I hope not.
GO JACKETS! THWG!
By KneeJerk
December 29, 2008 7:51 AM | Link to this
I expect a better performance than the one put on by Hewitt’s team. Tech basketball is an embarrassment. How can Paul Hewitt keep his job after this year?
By mark
December 29, 2008 8:05 AM | Link to this
Need the D line to play their best and pressure LSU quarterback. I think these guys have so much pride in what they do, it will be hard for LSU to match for a whole game. LSU will score points, but Tech should be able to also. Expect something like 35-28 Jackets. Hope the layoff hasn’t hurt Tech’s momentum….they were playing with so much confidence.
By IE'66
December 29, 2008 8:28 AM | Link to this
What kind of a performance do I expect? I expect a whooping. These boys have busted their collective butt all season and now have a chance to shine at a bowl game.
I heard that they were going to walk to the game from campus as a sign of solidarity. I think that is ridiculous and should be stopped.
But what is more ridiculous is this writer constantly putting Tech down. Last time he predicted that the LSU running back would run for 15 touchdowns against us. Go back and read it! I can’t believe it. And on top of that he said that some no name lineman was going to sack our quarterback 8 times. Unbelievable, what they try to pass as expect opinion.
And now this writer is suggesting to all of our defensive line that they turn pro at the end of the season. Let these boys be and let them enjoy their time at Tech and not have you force them out the door. Give me a break.
By IE'66
December 29, 2008 8:29 AM | Link to this
What kind of a performance do I expect? I expect a whooping. These boys have busted their collective butt all season and now have a chance to shine at a bowl game.
I heard that they were going to walk to the game from campus as a sign of solidarity. I think that is ridiculous and should be stopped.
But what is more ridiculous is this writer constantly putting Tech down. Last time he predicted that the LSU running back would run for 15 touchdowns against us. Go back and read it! I can’t believe it. And on top of that he said that some no name lineman was going to sack our quarterback 8 times. Unbelievable, what they try to pass as expect opinion.
And now this writer is suggesting to all of our defensive line that they turn pro at the end of the season. Let these boys be and let them enjoy their time at Tech and not have you force them out the door. Give me a break.
By BobinBuford
December 29, 2008 8:49 AM | Link to this
IE66:
He did not say that the running back would score 15 TD’s - that was how many TD’s he scored this year. Same thing with the 8 sacks - it was his total for the season, not a prediction for this game.
One of my Christmas presents this year was the long sleeve shirt for the game - which I will be wearing Wednesday night at the Georgia Dome!!
By yellowblood
December 29, 2008 9:05 AM | Link to this
Lets end this season with a big Tickle Pile on Grant Field after we wipe the floor of the Dome with LSWHO. The Stadium will be open and we won’t turn out the lights until the appropriate time:-)
By T-Bone
December 29, 2008 9:09 AM | Link to this
Larry, I think you’re right. Virginia’s O-line kept our D-line at bay, and we lost (of course, turnovers killed us). So despite a freshman QB, their O-line will give them a good chance.
However, our D-line will break through enough to hassle Jefferson, draw some holding calls, and hurry him up. And LSU will be able to stop us from scoring.
35-24 Jackets
By T-Bone
December 29, 2008 9:14 AM | Link to this
Ooops, meant to say that LSU will NOT be able to stop us from scoring.
Go Jackets!
By GTpak
December 29, 2008 9:16 AM | Link to this
I think that LSU will be tougher than we think. We want a 10 win season, but they are also playing for pride. Not to mention those two monsters on their O Line.
Probably to get to the QB we will have to have some well disguised blitzes. While our D Line is good, they have struggled with big O lines.
The best way to handle LSU’s big O line is to keep them on the sideline. Our offense needs to keep the ball and score often. Which means that our O line needs to really step up and be ready to play.
Go Jackets!!!!
By jaxjacket
December 29, 2008 9:21 AM | Link to this
Back to Kneejerk’s comments about round ball; can’t beat the team picked to finish last in the ACC on our home court, methinks it will be a very long winter, basketball-wise. Time for DRad to pull the trigger again.
By IE'66
December 29, 2008 9:21 AM | Link to this
Bobbin,
You may be right, but I refuse to read the prior internet blog posting again. It just gets my blood riled up.
If the walk to the Dome could be a parade, I’d be for it. But just having the boys walk down there for team building I think is misguided. The Dome is not in a safe part of town to be walking back at night. Plus they will be tired and in cleats. I repeat that I think this idea is really bad.
Aside from that, I think that the boys in gold will win. I am predicting
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Georgia Tech 22 LSU 8
You may use the following formatting: Bold: this text will be bolded = this text will be bolded Italic: this text will be italic = this text will be italic
By Hey Yellowblood
December 29, 2008 9:33 AM | Link to this
Remember when you rooted for the best team in the state? Oh, guess that was last year huh? Also, how bout that Preseason National Championship you just won! How’d you pull that off? Did all the fans and players get T-shirts? You guys seem to win a lot before the season starts. Hope you have another successful offseason. Hey, at least we know you’ll always beat Tech in number of players arrested. Speaking of tickle piles…does Coach Mark Richt jump in one when he’s fresh outta the tanning bed? I hope you continue to post on the Tech blog. Just shows you’re still angry about the loss. Keep posting my sad sad little friend. Keep posting….
By Yellowblood's Momma
December 29, 2008 9:40 AM | Link to this
Yellowblood Blood
After you and your boyfriend Huh? get out the shower, come rub some lotion on my feet. Also, help Momma remember who won the UGAG vs GT game this year?
By RAMBLE ON!!!
December 29, 2008 9:47 AM | Link to this
KneeJerk, jaxjacket to bad he will wait till the season’s over to do it. It’s going to be a loooooooooooooooooonnnnnnnng season. I predict the team will quit like they did in 2006 sometime in Feb.
IE’66 if you are trying to make a statement bold, which I think you are. You type the two stars (**) on the number 8 key before and after the statement you want to make bold.
By BigP
December 29, 2008 10:07 AM | Link to this
The AJC has a dog as one of the top 30 deaths of the year (that we will miss the most)????
I’ll miss Arthur Clarke, Don Baird, and Jerry Reed more than a dog that was replaced by another dog.
As for Tech, I think it will be up to the offense to score at least 35. I think the total score will be in the high 60’s or 70’s. Tech has a better chance of stopping LSU than the other way around. Gotta get after the freshman QB early and often.
By IE'66
December 29, 2008 10:13 AM | Link to this
Thank you Rambles.
() Go Tech! ()
I used the google this morning and located a lot of articles on our boys in Gold. I will report back on ones that I find interesting.
For now save the basketball talk until we are done with football. We still have a game to play and we need to focus on that.
By OldSchoolGTFan
December 29, 2008 10:16 AM | Link to this
Thanks for the GREAT YEAR! Wins over FSU and UGA wow what a relief. We can only hope the Defence will be this good next year. Again I say Thanks
By IE'66
December 29, 2008 10:29 AM | Link to this
Thank you Rambles.
Go Tech!
**I used the google this morning and located a lot of articles on our boys in Gold. I will report back on ones that I find interesting.
For now save the basketball talk until we are done with football. We still have a game to play and we need to focus on that.**
By Old GT Nut
December 29, 2008 10:38 AM | Link to this
The comparison to UVA is accurate.
I think a big key for GT on defense will be if LB Cedric Griffin plays.
Throughout the year the GT D-Line has been able to open up holes allowing Griffin (and other LBs) to blitz. Griffin is small for a LB but VERY STRONG & VERY FAST. Griffin can chase down ANY QB, and I expect several sacks and TFLs.
I would look for the GT Defense to show a lot of 3-4 type rush and keep LSU offense in front of them.
GT offense will deliver some big plays…both passing and rushing.
GT: 40 LSU: 23
By Jacketnation
December 29, 2008 10:51 AM | Link to this
By YourWife
December 28, 2008 3:48 AM | Link to this
By Jacketnation
December 27, 2008 9:20 AM | Link to this
So how often does AJC do a story on drunk arrested Tech Athletes? It’s always a UGAG ball players arrested for DUI and underage drinking; posted in the Athens Harold and the AJC. Guess that’s what you would expect from an institution of lower learning. Oh and wormy little geeks don’t deer hunt; both two legged and four legged. And I own two fishin’ boats.
You’re also gay! Fishing boats? Baby, those two little things that you float around in the bathtub don’t exactly count. Guys he couldn’t even get it up when he almost ODed on Cialis and went blind for almost a week. Hasn’t earned a paycheck in years. That’s why he’s on this blog 24/7. Total waste of a human being. Didn’t even graduate from high school.
For the record, I was not blind for a week. It was only 3 days.
By Carolina Jacket
December 29, 2008 10:53 AM | Link to this
A different, but somewhat related, question. Why does the paper have articles in which they talk about a player but do not give his name (they do this a lot). Example: “Injury report: Cornerback still hopes to play in the bowl game after aggravating his hamstring injury, but defensive coordinator and Johnson did not hold out much hope.”
That’s weird to me. But a related comment: Thanks D-line for a great year.
By IE'66
December 29, 2008 11:39 AM | Link to this
I have now heard from the AD’s office that the walk to the Dome has been cancelled. I’m glad that foolishness is over with.
I bet a good friend of mine, an Ph.D. who attended LSU, that not only will my boys in Gold beat his Tigers but that we will do so with almost no passing.
I have taken his dare to drink a shot of Evan Williams Single Barrel Vintage for every Tech pass attempt. I fully expect to be driving home.
To counter my bet, my Tiger friend has agreed to place one drop of Tobasco into one of his eyes (the eye of my choosing) for every Tech run of over 20 yards. At the conclusion of the game, I will require him to make me a glass of lemonaide.
This reminds me greatly of my days on the Flats and our bets. CPJ has revived my spirit and faith in the boys.
By IE'66
December 29, 2008 11:43 AM | Link to this
To clarify, the glass of lemonaide must be hand squeezed.
Are my formatting tricks working properly?
My favorite is th
By redblood
December 29, 2008 12:24 PM | Link to this
Yellowblood - I am sorry that our Tickle Pile/Spoonfest was cancelled after we lost to Tech 45-42. But Tech will never do a better job at Tickle Piles/Spoonfest than us. Just check this out: [http://deepsouthsports.blogspot.com/2007/05/talledega-days.html]
By ggodsey
December 29, 2008 1:25 PM | Link to this
I think the boys look yummy in gold pants.
By IE'66
December 29, 2008 1:33 PM | Link to this
ggodsey, we don’t need that kind of talk on here. I suppose your lifestyle is your business, but don’t go making all of us into one too. Google yourself another internet website to chat on.
By KneeJerk
December 29, 2008 1:41 PM | Link to this
Tech Family first! Right TechMan?
By ggodsey
December 29, 2008 1:43 PM | Link to this
Stop being silly. GT accepts all lifestyles.
By AlabamaRamblinwreck
December 29, 2008 2:12 PM | Link to this
Yes, IE’66, I hope you are not already hitting those “shots”, because the writer WAS talking about how many sacks and touchdowns LSU had for this entire year, not predicting how many they would have against GT???!!!???
Anyway, I do think that our D-line will have issues with the size and athleticism of the LSU O-line, but I hope that the young LSU QB will make mistakes. If he plays well, our LB’s and DB’s must step up, and they were not able to do that with UGA.
I will be very surprised if the LSU D can stay disciplined enough to stop our offense, but if they do, this game will be very tough.
Go Jackets!!
By IE'66
December 29, 2008 2:34 PM | Link to this
Alabamawreck, I don’t have the energy to go back and read that old internet blog posting again. I did it the first time and it infuriated me. Don’t need that again. If he was predicting that’s how many touchdowns and sacks LSU would have against us all year, I’m still not buying it.
You may but into that mess, but I don’t. I don’t support the negative press. Not in print and not on the world internet.
I agree with Kneejerk. Tech Family First. Enough of this LSU business. Let them come in here and get their whooping. I’ve got a large bottle of Tobasco to use.
By the way, any of your interneters know what would bother an eye socket more, Tobasco or Texas Pete? I’m certain one of your current students would know. As my son says, hit me back yo.
By KneeJerk
December 29, 2008 3:10 PM | Link to this
The KneeJerk at 1:41 was an imposter. Why would you steal MY name?
By ggodsey
December 29, 2008 3:52 PM | Link to this
I hear CPJ loves to be tickled.
By Coach Paul Johnson
December 29, 2008 3:56 PM | Link to this
I do not.
By Georgia Fan
December 29, 2008 4:02 PM | Link to this
This is fun. I’m going to tell Tech fans what they always tell us when UGA plays a mediocre SEC team: You should absolutely cream them. If not, you totally suck. After all, Tech is a top 15 team. LSU isn’t even ranked. This one shouldn’t even be close. If it is, Paul Johnson is the most overrated coach in football and you suck something awful.
Don’t get upset Techies. I’m just giving you a little bit of your own medicine. I personally think this will be a very good game. You will quickly find out that playing mediocre SEC teams isn’t nearly as easy as you thought it was. LSU is particularly dangerous just because they are LSU. They’ve got the talent to play with anybody. Its just a matter of putting it all together. They haven’t been able to do that…YET. :)
Good luck and enjoy those big a$$ beers they serve in the CNN center. I am a tad jealous about that.
By KneeJerk
December 29, 2008 4:09 PM | Link to this
I respect that Georgia Fan. I hope we cream them. And I’ll have a few of those big a$$ beers for you.
By ggodsey
December 29, 2008 4:13 PM | Link to this
OK fellas…who has the bigger biceps, Brad Pitt or George Clooney?
By Coach Paul Johnson
December 29, 2008 4:18 PM | Link to this
I think Clooney. But most of it is pudge.
By BobinBuford
December 29, 2008 4:50 PM | Link to this
Georgia Fan:
What do you consider Mississippi State? That was pretty easy.
That being said, UGA has set a pretty high bar for us against LSU. I don’t think we will hang 52 on them, but we will give it a shot!!
By IE'66
December 29, 2008 5:04 PM | Link to this
Bobbin, dang right we’ll give it a shot. I’m predicting Tech 52 LSU 5
Looks like ggodsey found himself a friend to discuss things with, a cowart that is posing under another man’s name. Please take it to another internet blog posting site. We don’t care who you favor in those matters.
By Jaded Jacket
December 29, 2008 5:18 PM | Link to this
IE’66 I suggest you not read anymore articles about GT football, because your comprehension skills are obvioulsy impaired by either too much Tabasco Sauce in your eyes or too much whiskey in your gut. Give yourself a break!
By Pete
December 29, 2008 5:23 PM | Link to this
IE’66 I suggest you not read anymore articles about GT football. Your comprehension skills are obviously impaired by the Tabasco Sauce in your eyes and the whiskey in your gut. Give yourself a well deserved break!
By Monitor
December 29, 2008 5:33 PM | Link to this
IE’66 - You’ve posted two different predictions (22-8 and 52-5) of what the score will be between GT and LSU. Pick one, dude!
By IE'66s LSU friend with a Phd
December 29, 2008 5:45 PM | Link to this
Please don’t pay no mind to my dear friend, IE’66. He’s a bit off his rocker these days ever since his prize rooster was runned over last month. Not to mention the motor in his truck blowed up and he caint find the replacement parts. hang in there buddy it’ll get better. It’s a new year in a few days. Go Tigers!!
By jabster
December 29, 2008 6:28 PM | Link to this
IE ‘66: Tabasco is definitely hotter than Texas Pete. See if you can swap in a bottle of the habanero formula for a real surprise (see http://tinyurl.com/9pu5rx )
By IE'66
December 29, 2008 6:30 PM | Link to this
Jaded Jacket and Pete, you two must be in together discussing me somewhere at a internet world wide cafe. WeeFi or something like that. That’s ok.
I like the spirit of today’s Tech students. I respect my elders but you two probably don’t as much. I understand that’s the way you were raised. We both support the Jackets and I’m ok with that.
Monitor, I’ve been looking for you. I’ve had troubles with the bold functions and the typing part of this service. I don’t know where the underline function is located. _ I did that but I can’t get it under the word I want. __. See? Help me with that.
And as to my prediction, I changed it as I studied the game some more. Vegas does that. I can too or is that against the internet blog posting rules? Please let me know. I would prefer to go with my later prediction as it is the most accurate. Thank you.
Haha, my PhD friend.. that’s a funny one. He’s too old to type on the internet. But you made me laugh.
By IE'66
December 29, 2008 7:39 PM | Link to this
jabster thank you. Fantastic what they have on the world web. Ask a question and one of these fine internet savvy Tech kids will find it for you.
Habanero! I should have known that. That reminds me of a year I spent in the southern Mexican state of Oaxaca spreading the Tech seed. *Quiero comer, bella dama. * Another story for another time.
I don’t want to permanently blind my friend. But if we toss a few passes, I may end up drunk enough to do it. Funny thing is, this fellow has his Ph.D. in evolutionary biology, specializing in ocular development. Someone told me that’s the eye balls!
I thought it was funny.
By wampus
December 29, 2008 8:03 PM | Link to this
Does anyone besides me see the humor in the GT seniors getting rings commemorating the win against UGA? It’s too funny. I cant stop laughing.
By Jaded Jacket
December 29, 2008 8:31 PM | Link to this
Did you play in the game Wampus? No? I didn’t think so. If that’s what the “players” want, then why question it. Fans are just observers, not participants.
By Nowinsforyou!
December 29, 2008 9:00 PM | Link to this
Hey, I haven’t heard any comments on any of the Tech blogs congratulating Calvin Johnson on his historic season w/ the Detroit Lions! Ha!
Well, at least since he’s an alum of Tech, he’s use to losing, not on that kind of scale, but losing nonetheless.
BTW Tech fans, don’t get use to seeing too many Calvin Johnson type prospects on the Flats these days, w/ that Triple Option offense. Potential pro prospects are going to want to go to a school that will teach them that kind of offense. You know, schools like the University of Georgia!
By what gives?
December 29, 2008 9:20 PM | Link to this
Hey Tech fans: You are being suckered by IE66. He is just making this stuff up (probably UGA fan in disguise just like Techman91 was the other day). DON’T BE SO GULLIBLE!!!!
By IE'66
December 29, 2008 9:46 PM | Link to this
what gives? What in the heck gives you the impression that I’m anything other than a Tech man? I have a little fun on here and suddenly I’m a low rent from Athens. Son, you wouldn’t appreciate fun if it smacked you in the hind quarters. I’m guessing you’re not a graduate of our fine Institute. You couldn’t make it through the rigors of study, without being able to smile every once in a while. It’d kill you.
Betting is part of the fun. Sorry if that messes up your panties.
I graduated in 1961. The same year Tech welcomed its first African American student. I had the pleasure of meeting Dean Griffin near the end of his career. And if you ask me who the Dean was, I know you’re not a Tech man. And perhaps most importantly, I was there in May 1961 when the Wreck was born. I walked the flats proudly from 1958 to 1961 and am more gold than I care to admit.
Take your accusations and shove them up your rump.
By Jaded Jacket
December 29, 2008 9:48 PM | Link to this
Nowinsforyou! Apparently you didn’t watch the same GT and UGA that I watched. Who needs wide receivers when a team can rush for 400+ yards! FYI - Calvin Johnson was drafted by the worst team in the NFL two years ago…that’s not news anymore. Keep up with times, dude!
By Wampus
December 29, 2008 10:10 PM | Link to this
Sorry jj, but I still think It’s funny.
By Nowinsforyou!
December 29, 2008 10:17 PM | Link to this
Jaded,
Your name suits you. I didnt say the offense wouldnt work, we all know it will. All I said was say goodbye to the Calvin Johnson type of recruits, you know the 4 or 5 star athletes. Who’s going to make it to the League running the TO. Good luck to ya.
By lee
December 30, 2008 2:24 AM | Link to this
OMG — has it come to this. the techmites are giving out rings for beating UGA this year. That’s like in t ball when each participant gets a trophy. LMAO —
I know, I know, our only comment to that is 45-42. you guys are still a laugh for this one. handing out rings for beating UGA 1 in 7 LMAO!!
By Techfan
December 30, 2008 10:28 AM | Link to this
Hey GeorgiaFan,
Thanks for not being an a@@hole like some of your fleabag brethren on here. You seem like you got a good head on your shoulders and know how to talk trash unlike the others. They act like they won a couple weeks ago. You’d think so at least.
By SC Dawg
December 30, 2008 1:59 PM | Link to this
you should be concentrating on beating LSU, not handing out rings for beating UGA. Well, you will need a reminder because it will be another 7 before you win again.