AJC > Sports > Tech > Blog > Archives > 2007 > July > 18 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USHow 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.
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By CW
July 18, 2007 6:07 PM | Link to this
We all agree that CJ simply can’t be replaced, but I can not in a million years see how this offense won’t prove to be better than last year’s model.
Our completion rate for the passing game last year was ridiculously low, leading to way too many plays a game with zero yardage. All those balls heaved into the sidelines put far too little pressure on opposing defenses.
This offense should also control the clock better than last year’s feast (Calvin long) or famine (three-and-out) approach. A more balanced offense is a better complement to our aggressive defense than relying almost completely on CJ and Choice to get all the positive yards.
By old gold engineer
July 18, 2007 6:09 PM | Link to this
I have great expectations for GT’s offense this year based on what I witnessed at the Gator Bowl and what I’ve read about the new OC. I also wonder if Coach Gailey’s third regular starting QB will perform like the first two. Having seen their immediate predecessors at that position, I do not believe there is any good reason for the routinely poor performance demonstrated by Coach Gailey’s first two starting quarterbacks. If Bennett or one of the others evolves into a copy of Ball or Suggs, would it confirm that nothing better can be expected? At least until September, I’m going to remain optimistic that this will be a very successful season.
By Gold Doctor
July 18, 2007 7:51 PM | Link to this
As a member of the medical community, I want to know if anyone will tell me about this Tickle Pile controversy. Is it the public health issue that I have heard about?
By JustMe
July 18, 2007 8:53 PM | Link to this
Gold Doctor - You have already been revealed to be an Emory U baseball player that was rejected by GA Tech baseball. Your continued post under various names only reveals that you are more of an idiot that even the GA Tech admissions officers thought that you were!
By TechRules
July 18, 2007 9:03 PM | Link to this
Without a doubt, Bennett should be used as a pocket passer. He has the accuracy and the height - neither of which Reggie had.
I don’t know of Bennett’s speed. If he can, it would be great to keep in some of the option plays, etc., that would use a running QB.
In any case, we need to involve the TE more that just as blockers. Throwing to them over the middle would be GREAT!
Our WR should be okay without CJ. We can still keep those plays created for Calvin.
All in all, our offense should be capable of running a wider variety of plays compared to last year. That is why I feel that we will be improved.
By gt98
July 18, 2007 9:09 PM | Link to this
I attended the spring scrimmage, and while it was a spring scrimmage, it was extremely impressive how dominant the 1st team offense was. They threw the ball well, they ran the ball well, and most importantly they blocked well. Taylor put the ball in some really tight lanes and made some great completions. The receivers weren’t dropping balls and were able to run their routes, and be hit on the run. They threw effectively to the tight end across the middle. All and all it was very encouraging.
As encouraging as the offense was the defense was even more impressive. On one series they had had the second team offense at 3rd and 50. Again, this was a spring scrimmage, but there has not been that kind of strength on both sides of the ball in a VERY LONG TIME, even in the spring scrimmage, and I did not see that kind of strength on both sides of the ball in the other spring games that I have seen on CSS.
I am looking forward to September 1st and putting Charlie away like we should have last season!
By Not disappointed
July 18, 2007 9:23 PM | Link to this
I look forward to a great year for football for the Jackets. Go Tech!
By old gold engineer
July 18, 2007 10:07 PM | Link to this
gt98, seeing a GT receiver catch a pass in stride would be a most welcome sight.
By surfrider
July 19, 2007 12:10 AM | Link to this
I think this year you’re going to see what a good offensive mindset is all about. Bennett has the intangibles to be a great Qb…he has vision, poise, accuracy, and quick snap of wrists, and is highly intelligent probably more than any Tech QB other than Godsey in maybe 45 years. He also has a redshirt year which i think is critical in being successful. Hopefully Reggie will make it in some pro league in some form being an athlete and competitor. A redshirt year would have helped Reggie tremendously. I remember when fans were booing Joe Hamilton during his freshman redshirt year and the first few games of his sophmore redshirt year then it clicked. He had Ralph Friedgen as his OC.
By mtraininjax
July 19, 2007 6:37 AM | Link to this
I agree, our RBs can make Bennett look real good. TE and WRs are not the only pass available.
By WFC
July 19, 2007 6:48 AM | Link to this
I think that the key to GT’s offensive success this year is the talented and experienced offensive line staying healthy. Bennett will be fine if given reasonable protection whih he should get if the line stays intact. It will be nice watching a GT offense with some creativity. I’ve never seen Booker play but I bet that he has some maturity and athletic skill.
By Sam Cunningham
July 19, 2007 7:10 AM | Link to this
Gold Doctor, Please don’t discuss Tickle Pile on this forum. Discussion should be private and limited to the Tech family
By gte578e
July 19, 2007 7:49 AM | Link to this
I’ve got a couple of ramblings about Bennett. The first thing is that in the Gator Bowl, he did not throw the ball that well. He lobbed a lot of balls that probably shouldn’t have been caught unless you’ve got a power forward at wide receiver. Now, that said, most of his decisions were the right decisions. It was so exciting to see a player check down to the third receiver. A couple of times he even made great decisions just before getting hit. The fact that he was making accurate passes during spring drills was even more cause for good news. I’ll wait to crown him one of the top three in the ACC for a few months though (which shouldn’t be hard if “Mr. College Football” cough, gasp has Weatherford up there).
Now, the other great thing that I’ve said before but not a lot of people are talking about is that our passing game will be better without Nix/CJ. As much as we will miss him at times, like when a ball is over/underthrown by two feet, we’ll be better. Here’s why: spacing. With CJ, we went deep a lot. No surpise. But, if you watch game film, the other teams’ LBs were always close to the line. Why? Because there was no need for them to cover the middle. Now, they’re going to have to cover the entire field and worry less about the line of scrimmage with a mobile QB and more about the flats/middle. That will create a lot more gaps. Defenses only had to cover 60% of the field. That’s about to change. Who’s gonna benefit the most from this? Tashard Choice. Linebackers having to start a yard further from the line of scrimmage and stay an extra second on play action will give him a huge advantage. He’s going to have a lot of highlights this year as a result. If we can beat ND, UGA, and VT (in order of toughness) and hold our own within the conference, he should get some buzz for Heisman. I’m not saying he’ll win it, but he’ll get a fair amount of buzz.
By cltgtfan
July 19, 2007 8:02 AM | Link to this
I am hoping that we got the better end of the deal with offensive coordinators. While everything I read about Nix had him as a talented coach with much promise, there were many times that he got into such a rut with playcalling that it was disturbing. Additionally, he was the one primarily responsible for development of the Quarterback, and that position never got much better than the freshman year. Mr. Bond brings many more years of playcalling to the GT sidelines this year. My hope is that he brings that something special to the mix to make all the pieces come together in a way that makes this a talented unit rather than a compilation of talented parts that show great promise at times and great frustration at others.
By Hal
July 19, 2007 8:06 AM | Link to this
West VA. hadn’t seen Taylor and didn’t know what to expect. I think ACC defenses will come after him with both ears pinned back and it will be up to the “O” line to give him time to throw. The key will be the offensive line. Lets hope they stay healthy.
By m
July 19, 2007 8:28 AM | Link to this
Normally it would be a huge loss to lose a Calvin Johnson. But since Gailey completely wasted Calvin, it is not that big of a loss. Gailey played Reggie Ball for 4 YEARS….enough said about his inability to choose a good QB. He did not allow O’Brien or Nix to do their jobs and he won’t allow Bond to do his so Bond will not be a factor. Chan Gailey is the sorriest excuse for a college football coach in history. Let us hope he is fired soon.
By Coach
July 19, 2007 8:33 AM | Link to this
Guys don’t get too excited about the number 1 offense moving the ball well against the number 2 defense and the number 1 defense stopping the number 2 offense in the spring game.
Game day is very different. Then it is number 1 on number 1. Assuming the teams are fairly evenly matched, it always comes down to not making mistakes and executing. If you do, you win. If you don’t you lose. It is that simple.
We have a chance to be really good this year; but, we will have to get it done on Saturdays.
By Coach
July 19, 2007 8:33 AM | Link to this
Guys don’t get too excited about the number 1 offense moving the ball well against the number 2 defense and the number 1 defense stopping the number 2 offense in the spring game.
Game day is very different. Then it is number 1 on number 1. Assuming the teams are fairly evenly matched, it always comes down to not making mistakes and executing. If you do, you win. If you don’t you lose. It is that simple.
We have a chance to be really good this year; but, we will have to get it done on Saturdays.
By Coach
July 19, 2007 8:33 AM | Link to this
Guys don’t get too excited about the number 1 offense moving the ball well against the number 2 defense and the number 1 defense stopping the number 2 offense in the spring game.
Game day is very different. Then it is number 1 on number 1. Assuming the teams are fairly evenly matched, it always comes down to not making mistakes and executing. If you do, you win. If you don’t you lose. It is that simple.
We have a chance to be really good this year; but, we will have to get it done on Saturdays.
By gt45
July 19, 2007 8:59 AM | Link to this
We lost Chris Bosh to the NBA, and made it to the final game of the NCAA’s. I’m not saying we’ll be playing for a national championship, but I really like the cohesiveness of the returning supporting cast.
By gte578e
July 19, 2007 9:32 AM | Link to this
GT45, I like where your head’s at! I was actually thinking along the same lines, but in more of a Peyton Manning/(Insert no name, champ winning QB - Tee Martin - here) kind of way.
I think it’s sad that for the first time in five years we have a QB with an IQ over 100. That said, GT traditionally does well with a more intelligent QB.
By the way, M, you’re a moron. It’s not the head coach that develops QBs. It’s the OC and the QB coach. Nix held that job of developing QBs before he was calling plays. What happened there? Now, look at John Bond. His offenses were tops both at Western Illinois and Army. In fact, his teams led the nation in rushing and passing, respectively.
When you bring that type of balance to a team that already has top 25 talent, you’re building a winner. I predict that Bennett will be a Godsey type of player. He won’t impress the hell out of anyone. But at the end of the year, he’ll have 2,700 passing yards and we’ll all say “how’d he do that?” Then, assuming Choice stays healthy, you add another 1500 hundred yards on the ground.
I don’t think we’ll be quite as dominant as we were in the late 1990s on offense, but we’ll have a better defense (at least this year). Look for a top 15 end of season ranking in the next two years.
By m
July 19, 2007 9:47 AM | Link to this
It won’t matter if Bond is the Albert Einstein of offensive coordinators. Gailey will not let him do his job. He didn’t let O’Brien….he didn’t let Nix…and he won’t let Bond. Gailey is the sole reason that our offense has sucked for 5 years. It does not matter who is QB. It does not matter who is OC. As long as Gailey has a headset on, then the Tech offense is in trouble. Gailey should be fired today.
By old Tech fan (in NC)
July 19, 2007 10:15 AM | Link to this
To M, a little early in the year to be wound so tight…about firing a coach.
Enjoy a season of no RBall!
Surely even this coach can now see the error of not giving Bennett a shot last year when #1 was limping. Do you wonder if he thinks about it at night just before falling asleep?
By Jared
July 19, 2007 10:48 AM | Link to this
m—-get a life dude.
does “m” stand for menopause?
the tech nation doesn’t need people like you wasting the world’s time with your comments
By Yeah_Boy
July 19, 2007 12:01 PM | Link to this
M for Mark Richt. Glad to see you posting coach, but get a life.
By G-Money
July 19, 2007 1:03 PM | Link to this
Anyone remember the few times Godsey actually came in for Joe. He was very uncomfortable and got killed. Most of us were very concerned when he took the reigns in 2000. In the opening game against UCF in the 1st half, he stunk. In the 2nd half, it all came together and we remember the awesome numbers he put up.
At this stage, Taylor is more comfortable in game situations than Godsey. So when I look at Bennett’s potential, I think Godsey with an arm!
By DublinDawg
July 19, 2007 5:15 PM | Link to this
I watched Demaryius Thomas in high school - he’s big, fast, can jump and has great hands. He has a chance to be really, really good.
By 3 Rivers jacket
July 19, 2007 9:28 PM | Link to this
All the elements are in place for a great season. We have a good if not potentially great o line with a great running back who can carry 22-23 times a game. The recievers will be ok. And the d is going to be as good as ever. But the key is that we have veteran players with a little depth- the most depth at some positions in 5 or 6 years. also I think the coaching will take a step up. Taylor Benett will probalby struggle a little more than we might like but he has a supporting cast that will cover for him. The thing he will do i predcit is improve a lot from game one to game 7- something that Reggie was not able to do. Beat ND in South Bend and set up a great game with BC on the 15th. Win that one and we will be playing for a national championship from that week on. I just have a feeling in my gut about this team and the feeling is good. Of course I am a little nuts but this is the time for nuts to come to the aid of their team- or something.
By Jared
July 20, 2007 9:20 AM | Link to this
I’ve also watched Demaryius Thomas in spring practice.. He’s goin to be a BEAST!
By Harry
July 20, 2007 9:37 AM | Link to this
I would really like to see Nesbitt get some snaps this year. I know that Tayor is the starter, but I just think about all the problems a multi threat QB brings. I am not saying start him, just make defenses have to prepare for him. I really do not think that James Johnson is a good reciever for these reasons: You really do not know how good he is since he was playing along with CJ, He doesnt have great speed, he drops to many balls, he is affraid to get hit. I would like to see Greg and Thomas as the two main recievers by game 3. As far as defense goes. We have some really really good depth at DE. We are going to be able to keep fresh while not losing skill. The pass rush will be dominate, especially in the 4th quarter. Like MJ start and it will be Maryland every game.
By Pitbull
July 20, 2007 11:09 AM | Link to this
How best to use Bennett?
To hold players down so his teammates can tickle them.
By blah
July 20, 2007 11:22 AM | Link to this
Pitbull why couldn’t you have been one of Vicks Pitbulls.
By jacketnation
July 20, 2007 1:12 PM | Link to this
Con+Vick+T = Convicted
By jacketnation
July 20, 2007 1:19 PM | Link to this
Pitbull you and those other morons other there in drunkard city keep throwing up this Tickle Pile non-sense. WE don’t know what that is, so shut up about. You barely beat Tech 2 years straight and it all vcam down to Reggie Ball. WE have a real QB now and we are ready to send you home licking your own balls.
By martian
July 20, 2007 2:16 PM | Link to this
ugay qbs publicly spoon each other, and all you mutts can come back with is some fantasy about a tickle pile? Talk about weak!
By Pitbull
July 20, 2007 4:07 PM | Link to this
Hey blah, I would love to get into the pit with Michael Vick and do to him what he did to those poor animals. After I beat his A$$,I would also help bury him alive like he did to the animals that lost. He deserves it.
Hey jacketnation, you say that WE (being Georgia Tech) have a real QB now and we are ready to send you home licking your own balls.” Well jacketnation, at least Bulldowgs have balls to lick, unlike yellow jackets that only have tine little stingers that they can only use once and then they die. Sorta like your sex life isn’t it? Well at least you guys can find some understand queers in midtown to stick it in.
Six in a row and counting terds, I mean nerds.
PS Is it true the GT on your helments stand for “Gross Terds?”
By Jacket Hater
July 20, 2007 4:57 PM | Link to this
How best to use Bennett?
How about from behind in the best of Georgia Tech traditions?
He will be tickled.
By Old GT Alum
July 20, 2007 5:04 PM | Link to this
That pass defense that Bennett lit up in the bowl game ranked 109th in the nation. Lets simmer down on the hype folks. After all, this guy couldn’t even win the job over Reggie Ball, the worst 4 year starter in D-1 history.
By Dont Drop Soap around UGA QBS
July 20, 2007 8:28 PM | Link to this
PITBULL isn’t even worth spooning. What a moron.
By Sting Time
July 20, 2007 8:41 PM | Link to this
We will handle Notre Dame with ease in the opener. The Clausen Kid’s head will be on a swivel. In my opinion, the Jackets will win by 10 points or more. Unfortunately, this will be the highlight of our season as Tashard Choice will get hurt. No depth at RB will create major problems for us. We are long overdue for a major injury, and I really feel one is coming. No running game means that Bennett will have to win games, and he is not ready for this. I hate to ruin the GT party, but remember that I predicted this.
By mattstaffordkingofticklepiles
July 20, 2007 11:53 PM | Link to this
bow down to the king of tickle piles. i taught GT everything i know about tickle piles.
first, pay attention to the guy and not the pretty girl second, whisper sweet nothing in his ear like “you’ll never BEAT ME OUT at QB hot thing”. third yell “GOOOOO DAAAAAWGS!” at women and children.
fourth buy everything with a G on it. i just got a new c@@kring so i can keep it stiff for my tickle pile buddy joe “boy I love his last name” COX
you mutts have no room to talk about tickle piles.
By Mark
July 21, 2007 12:44 AM | Link to this
I think you’re selling Bebe Thomas short.
By lakebuzz
July 21, 2007 12:33 PM | Link to this
Sting time…no depth at RB?
Can you say R Grant, J Evans, J Dwyer, R Jones, ALL VERY GOOD. This is probably our deepest position. Now FB Depth is another question with Brey injured for the season….
By Sting Time
July 21, 2007 6:06 PM | Link to this
Lakebuzz,
Yes, I can say all of those guys. You just made my point. If we have to rely on R Grant, J Evans and two true freshman, who have never seen the field, we are in BIG trouble. You must not realize how average Grant and Evans are. Neither one of these guys is a three down, 20 carries a game running back. The true freshman speak for themselves.
By steve madden
July 22, 2007 12:17 AM | Link to this
Taylor Bennett, He is going to be a good quarterback for Georgia Tech. George Godsey should be real proud. He can see the field real well, and will keep his head in the game. The running game with Choice should help the Tech Passing Attack. Tech needs to control the clock better this season than it did last year. It seems the offense last year was stifled by Ball’s inconsistent quarterbacking. Bennett follows a list of GT quarterbacks that might not win the game but not lose the game for you either. It is to bad Threet did not stay at Tech and bring some depth to the Quarterback position. Hopefully Tech will throw the ball more this season and be more of a threat in the air.
By steve madden
July 22, 2007 3:43 AM | Link to this
It seems to me, pitbull is a closet homosexual.
By MARK
July 23, 2007 9:33 AM | Link to this
triple murders of chris ,nancy, and daniels benoits, want some more evidence??? i have some adledigeially with the kevin sullivan possible connection. bighoskins@yahoo.com or myspace.com/BIGMARK6
By Steve Madden's Boyfriend
July 23, 2007 9:39 AM | Link to this
Dear Pitbull, please forgive Steve. He didn’t get any from me last night as I had to work the International Blvd strip late so he is a little grumpy. But I will take care of him later and he will be tickled pink.
By freakzilla
July 26, 2007 3:54 AM | Link to this
BYRON INGRAM REMEMBER THE NAME
By fred
July 26, 2007 10:48 AM | Link to this
Calvin is now a pro——gone!
He deserves all the good things in life because he is an unselfish, super athlete and person.
Personally, GT should be better simply because Gailey is now forced to play “team ball” vs. “go deep”——a slam on the lack of Gailey’s moxie (awareness).
By Scott
July 26, 2007 3:57 PM | Link to this
The thing that bothers me about Taylor Bennett is that he apparently couldn’t beat out Reggie Ball. That tells me that either he’s not very good, or that Coach Gailey based who QB1 was going to be on something other than who was the better player. I don’t see Coach Gailey doing that, so it must have been the former.
I just don’t think that Tech’s going to be better on offense simply because Reggie Ball is gone. Hopefully Taylor will prove me wrong.
By destin
July 27, 2007 8:46 AM | Link to this
What do ya’ll think about the cornerback position?
By elijah
July 28, 2007 9:44 PM | Link to this
I think Thomas is going to pretty good. We so now that he is no Calvin Johnson, but he could be somewhere close, and with an average or better QB he could be better at Tech anyway. That sounds crazy, but if you look at there ratings on Rivals.com when they came in both were listed at same height and same speed. Thomas at his at his age is more filled out than Calvin was. Good line, Tall and accurate QB, throwing to big fast tall Thomas over the middle equals alot of 1st downs. Defenses will also have to pay attention to fullback, 1-2 tightends, james johnson speeding down the sideline, and choice catching out of the back field. I really like our chances. I even like our poor preseason ratings. I just hope that the ACC can do better against other conferences this year so we can really move up in rankings if we are winning inconference games. LSU verses VT will be awesome,and I think FSU will take care of AL.