AJC > Sports > Tech > Blog > Archives > 2007 > July > 18
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
How best to use Bennett?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
There’s been expected debate on the departure of Reggie Ball and Calvin Johnson and whether the loss of both cancels out. Addition by subtraction they say for Reggie and subtraction by subtraction for Calvin.
I completely agree that QB is an upgrade this season. Tech’s in much better hands now that Taylor Bennett is the starter. However, it’s not unlikely that Bennett will struggle through some of the early games. Think about it, he still doesn’t have a lot of experience and has played zero games under new OC John Bond. Luckily, he’s got a helluva offensive line and a marvelous fullback/tailback combo that can take pressure off of him.
Sure, Taylor looked really good in the Gator Bowl. We were impressed. And therein is the problem: that game is our last impression of him. We now have unreal expectations for the kid. We remember how he threw for 326 yards and 3 TD passes. Also remember that he completed 9 passes and 2 TDs to Calvin Johnson.
And there’s absolutely no way to replace Calvin. I like what Demaryius Thomas (6’ 4”) brings to the table, but he’s no CJ. Greg Smith and James Johnson are good receivers, but not nearly akin to #21.
The key to the offense will be distribution — something that I think John Bond’s offense can provide. Throw to all the receivers, throw to the tailback, throw to the tight end (finally), throw to the sidelines, and throw over the middle (finally, again). Distribution combined with a solid ground game = good Tech offense for 07.
