AJC > Sports > Tech > Blog > Archives > 2008 > September > 13 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USVirginia Tech - Post Game Thoughts
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
While I feel a little heartsick from the loss today, I can still take comfort and feel positive for a variety of reasons.
Going on the road to face the past two ACC champions was a daunting task for Paul Johnson and a young GT team. It would be difficult even without implementing a completely new offense and without the injuries on both offense and defense which are forcing the Tech staff to play freshmen and walkons for extended numbers of snaps. (We’re really feeling the impact of our recent probation in our lack of depth right now…)
I told my tailgating and season ticket buddies that my hope was that we’d split the road trip and come home 2-1 to face a Mississippi State team that we should be able to compete with and beat. We’ve accomplished that, although the win over Boston College had lured me into the hopes that we’d be 3-0 instead. Maybe that’s why I am heartsick right now…even though we’ve met my expectations from two weeks ago.
Watching the loss today, a few things struck me as important:
1) Once again, our team showed extreme mental toughness and never gave up. Rather than pulling out a win like we did at Boston College, we went down swinging till the end. That bodes well for the future of this season and is evidence that the coaches have the team motivated and cohesive and ready to play.
2) Despite being offensively one dimensional today, we were still able to move the ball and put points on the board against an EXTREMELY solid defense in an EXTREMELY hostile stadium. We really missed Thomas at wide receiver and our ball handling problems seemed to make Coach Johnson reluctant to attempt many pitches and outside runs until later in the game when we had no other choice.
3) Josh Nesbitt is going to be a big time national level player by the time he leaves Georgia Tech. He can do it all…and he’s only started three games so far. I’m really excited to see what he can do as he progresses. I believe big things are on the horizon.
4) Coach Womack continues to do a great job and our young defenders are playing very well. The Hokies offense gained a grand total of 247 yards in 61 plays and were only able to put up the game winning field goal after questionable personal foul penalty was called on Cooper Taylor after the Hokies were stopped on 3rd and 7. (The penalty on Michael Johnson later in the drive was legit.)
5) Lucas Cox is a player. He’s a beast at the A Back position and with his recent performance, I look forward to Coach Johnson making more and more use of him.
So now we need to get Dwyer and Thomas healthy and get prepped for Mississippi State next weekend. We’re 2-1 and our next three games are very winnable at home. There’s no reason we can’t go up to Clemson with a 5-1 record and a potential Top 25 ranking.
Go Jackets!
THWG!
Comments
By Historian
September 13, 2008 9:16 PM | Link to this
I think FBeamer looked into Paul Johnson’s face today and saw himself. It wasn’t until today, I see where Johnson gets his stile. As the years wear on, I think this series could be the premier of the ACC.
By RAMBLE ON!!!
September 13, 2008 10:32 PM | Link to this
ACC REFS SUCK!!!
By Hitman
September 13, 2008 10:40 PM | Link to this
I was really disappointed when we hired Paul Johnson. I believed that the triple option was outdated, but I stand corrected. He is a good coach and I think we can win the ACC. The one thing that could hold us back is the kicking game. We really need to find a way to kick field goals and convert all extra points. Blair needs to stick to punting and kick off duty; he’s not much of a place kicker. And the long snapper is pretty bad too.
LCCHS Trojans!
By LongBeachJacket
September 13, 2008 10:43 PM | Link to this
Not getting the “W” always stings… but this one not as much as many…
Lot’s of good things, you can see it developing.
Get the ball security issue under control, which should improve with more experience running the offense, and it’s going to be a real fun ride for the fans…
Another solid effort by the D. Comforting, even in a close but hard-fought “L”.
GO JACKETS…Let’s get after Miss St….
By GT Fan77
September 13, 2008 10:44 PM | Link to this
I was at the game today and I must say Lane Stadium is Freakin’ loud. I couldn’t hear myself think at times. I wish we had a home field advantage like VT does. It makes a huge difference.
By stinGTime
September 13, 2008 10:49 PM | Link to this
Nes better learn some number other than his own….he might be an old man by the end of the season…that is too much wear and tear for one (team) player.
Also, I saw a helmet to helmet foul today. RAMBLE, how could you not?
So close…
By The Real GT4Life
September 13, 2008 11:20 PM | Link to this
You are so right stinGTime, the helmet-to-helmet call was legit. There’s no way your safety should be coming up hitting that high anyway…he’s excused this time because he’s a frosh who had an otherwise outstanding game. Let’s not cry about the refs on this one. This team is growing up a lot more quickly than most thought they would.
By jabster
September 13, 2008 11:22 PM | Link to this
Before the season started, I thought we would go 9-3 at best, with losses to the Hoagies, Clempsun, and UGA. Maybe 8-4 with a random loss in the mix. We’re still on track for that, maybe trading Clempsun for the Candy Canes.
Just remember—if Chan had been coaching this game it would have been over by Budweiser and lost by more than a FG. And Chan-coached teams never were known for their ball security. I’m glad that we have re-learned how to play a 60 minute ballgame, with the conditioning to prove it.
While this VT team was stout, they will lose another ACC game or two. We’re still in the mix. And yanking the redshirt off of Taylor was definitely the right move for them.
I agree with Historian that this series could become one of the better in the ACC with time.
By stingtime take your skirt off
September 13, 2008 11:34 PM | Link to this
Stingtime,
Take your skirt off- that was an inadvertent helmet to helmet. That infraction was meant to ward off the intentional helmet to helmet blows- not take the game away from a team who fought hard to get back in it. That was a pathetic call- I saw the same type of play result in a no call in other games ALL DAY LONG. Including one on a SC receiver near the end of the UGA game- no call. That p-ss poor call changed the outcome. Helmet to helmet happens every play. Oh, thats right, you’ve never actually played, have you?? Go back to the EE building and play with your calculator.
By UnrealGT4Life
September 13, 2008 11:41 PM | Link to this
RealGT4Life, you need to get a life. No way he should be coming in that high? What the hell are you talking about? He was coming in to make a play while Taylor was going down. It was by chance the helmets hit- nothing intentional. It happens ALL THE FREAKING TIME. And it happened all day long in other games- none of which resulted in a game changing flag. You’ve obviously never played a down in your life either.
By Buzz4President
September 14, 2008 1:39 AM | Link to this
A very tough loss of the Yellow Jackets today. It is hard to see a team play so well and fight back on the road only to fall so close. My concern today was tackling. I hope other viewers saw the amount of missed tackles tech defense had today. Don’t get me wrong, our defense played well and kept us in the game but we have got to get better at these “arm-tackles” that wouldn’t take down anyone. I watched countless times today when we had a first opportunity tackle for a loss and ended up giving way to a 3 to 4 yard gain or more. Lets get more physical. Go jackets, beat the SEC next week and shut them up.
By White and Gold
September 14, 2008 2:45 AM | Link to this
Quality loss #01
By Ted
September 14, 2008 7:22 AM | Link to this
MSU will beat Tech.
By techster
September 14, 2008 8:52 AM | Link to this
There are a lot of comments made about fumbles, but if you notice the other teams fumble and throw interceptions also. Any high risk offense like the veer and triple option offenses are high risk., they are also high reward offenses. If you have noticed lately, everyone is running safe offenses. As example ten yard passes as opposed to deep balls. They are almost non existent. Football is sort of like gambling. The more the chance the more the appeal. For the first season with the new offense, with players not schooled in the system, it seems to me it works pretty darn good Tech lost the game because of poor positioning on defense and poor tackling. If they tackled the quarterback, they would have won. Frank Beamer was smart enough to put in a scrambling quarterback. As far back as I can remembe Tech always gets killed by mobile quarterbacks. Selah
By eddie
September 14, 2008 8:56 AM | Link to this
Come on guys, the helmet-to helmet call sucked. In the first place the safety hit him with the side of his helmet, incidental to making the tackle. He did not use the helmet as a weapon, which is what the rule tries to avert. Ask Paul Johnson (a reasonable man) what he thought. He told the official in no uncertain terms (3 different times) that the call was bad and that it possibly cost Tech the game. Look at the film.
By goldarchie77
September 14, 2008 9:15 AM | Link to this
AWFUL CALL, similar to the Washington celebration penalty. Official should not be determining the outcome of games with these kinds of very subjective calls. ACC officiating is not good, hasn’t been in 5 years. It’s time to own up to it.
What about an investigation into officials that make such critical calls? Makes me wonder… if NBA officials are doing it, why not ACC officials. There needs to be stronger accountability and the schools and the public need to be notified of what action has been taken. There is much more involved than just fan pride in these games to be swept under the rug.
By GreenJacket
September 14, 2008 9:22 AM | Link to this
Ted,
By CarolinaJacket
September 14, 2008 9:33 AM | Link to this
I will be interested in seeing if Coach Johnson has anything to say about the helmet to helmet call. I also wondered why Coach Womack did not put a spy on the VT qb after seeing how he could find the openings in the line. I think he did at the end of the game, forcing the field goal instead of giving up a td. I hope our injured players get well before we get back in league play.
By Gulf Buzz
September 14, 2008 9:39 AM | Link to this
Unfortunately that helmet to helmet call reminded me of 2 years ago when Brady Quinn got the same BS call allowing ND to steal that one. It’s getting old. How are you supposed to not hit a guy in the helmet? Isn’t that why they wear them? In both games, yesterday and ND, the player with the ball lowered his helmet to take the blow as the defender was coming in at chest level to make the tackle. What are they supposed to do, change direction in mid air? These guys aren’t hummingbirds, they’re football players. Football players get hit.
All that said, we could have and should have won with just one less turnover. Hold on to the ball boys, and we’ll win them all.
By Not a beeliever - yet
September 14, 2008 10:03 AM | Link to this
It’s beginning to be more than a little disappointing that after Spring practice, fall practice, and two regular season games, we are still experiencing the recurring number of fumbles. I’m beginning to wonder about the level of coaching these guys are really getting.
It was really disappointing to see that it was Dwyer that was involved in the turnover that killed us yesterday. I’ve come to expect more from JD. The kid is a real talent.
PJ and his High School offense are looking good at the moment. However, we’ve yet to play a team with a really potent offense and we’re not likely to see one for several weeks now (Mississippi State, Duke and Gardner-Webb await). PJ’s HS offense only works when you have a shutdown defense. It will not work against a team that has the ability to put points on the board in a hurry.
Hopefully, we can get the fumble bugaboo worked out before we head to Clempson in mid-October.
By gtne80
September 14, 2008 10:38 AM | Link to this
Looking ahead.
Miss State - Tough defense, no offense. Barring any points off of turnovers, we should beat them.
Duke and G-W should be tune-ups.
Clemson - We should be 5-1 going into this game. They may be also. They do face a tough Thursday night game at WFU the week before our game. This is the next gauge of how good this team can be. Clemson has rebounded from the Alabama debaucle. Unfortunately for them, they still have the worst coach this side of Chan Gailey. This could be the make-or-break game of the year for the Jackets.
Virginia looks pitiful. This game shouldn’t be a contest.
Florida State - Can we get over our history of failure against FSU? Too many “we almost had them this time” games in my memory bank.
UNC at Chapel Hill - Speaking of a history of failure. Chapel Hill has been the black hole of GT football for as long as I can remember. The only smudge on the 1990 Championship year. UNC looked pretty impressive against Rutgers. This could be the test of how PJ’s offense fares against a high scoring offense.
Miami - Gave UF a tougher game than many expected. So far they haven’t shown any sign of a potent offense.
UGA - Two cupcakes and USC so far. Some could say that they were lucky to get out of Columbia with the W. However, unless they implode, this will be a L for Tech.
Verdict? A 7-5 campaign looks like the worst we should do. That only takes a tough win over a game MSU squad at home, holding serve against Duke, G-W, and UVA, and coming up with one win over FSU, Miami and/or UNC.
A sweep of FSU, Miami and UNC is a possibility and that would lead to nothing worse than 9-3.
These are high expectations for a team in transition.
By IndyGT
September 14, 2008 10:42 AM | Link to this
I’m still excited about the prospects of a CPJ coached Yellow Jacket team. To come away with a 1-1 record in these last two games is big. We’re still very young, and learning a completely new system, and we’re still playing well.. on both sides of the ball. Gone are the days of 51-7 reamings and mindless mistakes. As far as the helmet-to-helmet, that one play didn’t cost us the game.. it was a horrible call. that penalty put the ball on VT’s 40 I think, we still could have forced a punt. The offense is going to put it on the ground, if CPJ was saying our offense is running on all cylinders, and we were fumbling 3-4 times a game, then I would worry. But, everytime he talks about the offense.. he says we’re still not even close to being a finished product. we’re still holding our own, we will do ok this year, and be very competitive in the ACC, and nationally… I firmly believe that now, and I was not that excited about CPJ early on.
By AlabamaJack
September 14, 2008 12:04 PM | Link to this
Re: Mississippi State. Don’t worry folks, thier 3-2 loss to Auburn shows they don’t have a closer, and like the Braves can’t win the one run games.
By King of Sandy prings
September 14, 2008 12:07 PM | Link to this
The refs stole our momentum. Give it to VT’s DC, he had his front line low off the snap, and they were able to penetrate fast. Fumbles suck, they always do. But what it comes down to is VT’s winning FG drive and refs taking it away from us. You don’t call that when the Tyrod’s head is three feet above the ground, falling forward, and still in bounds. Our safety came in at a level, gut busting hit, and Tyrod lowered his head. It’s a BS call, and killed our momentum. Ridiculous. Build on this lose, we’re a quater through the season. ACC, I hope you were watching, we ain’t gonna lose many like this again. THWG
By reebok
September 14, 2008 12:26 PM | Link to this
Only losers blame the refs. We are 2-1 and nothing matters but Miss State. We need a packed loud stadium, we need to take care of business against Miss State, and we will be 5-1 going into the Clemson game. I think 9-3 is a real possibility…Tech loses to Clemson & Georgia & runs the table on everybody else. But we can’t get to the ACC Championship game after yesterday’s loss to V Tech.
By Dave In Tampa
September 14, 2008 1:38 PM | Link to this
This is coming from a Bulldawg. Keep your heads up. VT is a tough place to play. Your team is looking better than most thought. Your still in the hunt in your division. Don’t get down now. You guys will beat FSU and Miami, I think you guys play Miami right?
You guys have a good chance to win 9 or 10 games this year. Stay positive for your team. Heck, I wish you guys would win all the rest, but one. Stay positive, PJ is making it happen.
By jabster
September 14, 2008 2:48 PM | Link to this
GTNE80:
We broke the Kenan Curse (no wins in Chapel Hill since WWII) back in ‘98. We’re 8-1 since then against Carowhina.
I’m still sticking with 9-3 or 8-4 (with additional losses to UGA and 1 or 2 against the Candy Canes and/or Clempsun).
By CW
September 14, 2008 2:50 PM | Link to this
I think Buzz4Pres has it right. Our defense played hard all day, but we absolutely were missing some tackles in the 2nd half that helped decide the game.
As far as the penalties on VT’s drive, it was bad luck. Cooper Taylor certainly wasn’t coming in trying to hit the QB high. He and Johnson both were simply trying to coral a guy that was tough to get a bead on. I agree with many here that the helmet-to-helmet call was a bad call, but enough already about the whining about how the ref’s stole the game. Bad calls happen to every team and good teams overcome whatever happens - turnovers, penalties, WHATEVER.
Tech showed a lot of heart for a bunch of Freshman and Sophomores playing their first significant minutes in Lane Stadium. This is a game that they’ll learn from and use to make them better.
Now we need to get our guys healthy and get ready for MS State.
And yes, our long snapper, holder and Blair need to get their act together.
By GT Rocks
September 14, 2008 3:06 PM | Link to this
Why can I read all these articles in ajc.com and still not see any comments from our coach? Any idea where to go to view his comments?
By Hmmmmm
September 14, 2008 3:08 PM | Link to this
Solid Defense…. You have to be kidding. VT sux. Miss. State has a better team and defense than VT. The Jackets better come to play or they go down for the second week in a row…..
By GT Rocks
September 14, 2008 3:23 PM | Link to this
VT never sux. They’ll suck all the way to a 10-2 season probably. GT is getting better every week. Remember, this wasn’t supposed to happen overnight. We got excited after the 1st two. I, along with 90%+ of the other people who answered the poll, are quite optimistic. We will improve week in and week out and be in the perfect position come Thanksgiving weekend!
By Football Fact
September 14, 2008 3:27 PM | Link to this
Good teams find a way to win no matter what hand is dealt them. Not so good ones lose and then whine about how they got robbed.
By jabster
September 14, 2008 3:39 PM | Link to this
VT doesn’t suck, Glennon is what sucked. VT will probably mirror our performance from here on out with that QB. That was a close, well-matched game that highlighted both teams’ strengths and weaknesses. Hopefully they will lose one more game than us so we can go to Tampa.
By The Difference
September 14, 2008 3:51 PM | Link to this
UGA got 2 horrible drive sutaining 1 step late hit calls against them and 112 yards total in penalties. What did they do? They stood up and won. Tech gets penalized and it’s the sole reason they lost. Typical Tech excuse making. You did what Tech always does when things don’t go your way. Lose. And that is the difference in Tech and their big brother UGA.
By Hmmmmm
September 14, 2008 3:53 PM | Link to this
VT and the ACC suck…… You just got beat by a very, very average team…. You GT people need to wake up!
By GTFred
September 14, 2008 4:06 PM | Link to this
We got beat because we turned the damn ball over too many times. End of story.
By spike
September 14, 2008 4:20 PM | Link to this
Chris, you are dreaming. You guys will get Croomed!
By jabster
September 14, 2008 4:59 PM | Link to this
The Difference wrote:
*UGA got 2 horrible drive sutaining 1 step late hit calls against them and 112 yards total in penalties. What did they do? They stood up and won. Tech gets penalized and it’s the sole reason they lost. Typical Tech excuse making. You did what Tech always does when things don’t go your way. Lose. And that is the difference in Tech and their big brother UGA. *
And those vaunted 4-5 star recruits that UGA gets has absolutely nothing to do with it?
Ask Jasper Sanks what happens when things don’t go UGA’s way.
All you said is that UGA can cheat, win, and get away with it.
By spike
September 14, 2008 5:14 PM | Link to this
When did we cheat and get away with it? And you mention the Sanks non fumble in the same breath? Puhleeze. You are really reaching for straws.
By Ga Hokie
September 14, 2008 5:23 PM | Link to this
GT fans:
Good game. I would say that the VT GT is my favorite game every year within ACC play.
Look at the (short) history of this series, its been nothing but excitement. Lee Corso’s car getting struck by lighting moments after picking VT to win the 2000 matchup while broadcasting on College Gameday, to Calvin Johnson coming into Blacksburg and lighting up the Hokie defense.
As always, I look forward to this game next year. Keep on wreckin’ em GT fans!
(oh and to this MState fan thats talking trash… ya right buddy, whatever you need to tell yourself to get through the night)
By whineyjabster
September 14, 2008 5:57 PM | Link to this
Hey jabster! Keep whining you little sissy.
By ref
September 14, 2008 6:05 PM | Link to this
I did not ask if it was deliberate or not.
By Daniel
September 14, 2008 6:06 PM | Link to this
Woulda shoulda coulda. Tech’s motto.
By FOOTBALL 101
September 14, 2008 6:14 PM | Link to this
We lost because of turnovers. Football 101 you morons. Quit making excuses. You sound like a bunch of losers.
By The Big Bug
September 14, 2008 7:25 PM | Link to this
GA scrapes by cupcake #3. ZZZZZZZZZ.
By The Orkin Man
September 14, 2008 7:34 PM | Link to this
And Tech is # what The Big Bug? Back down to #80. Still ranked below that David Cutclife scoring machine powerhouse Duke team. LMAO! ROFL! Go snort some raid you ignorant insect.
By Getalifebug
September 14, 2008 7:37 PM | Link to this
And Tech loses to cupcake #3 huh The Big Bug (with the tiny brain)?
By tj
September 14, 2008 9:08 PM | Link to this
Why don’t you nadlickers stay on your own blog and quit displaying your ignorant opinions here. NO ONE wantes to see them.
By wjj
September 14, 2008 9:28 PM | Link to this
UGAG, get back on your own vent. Talk about whinning. “Knowshon didn’t get enough coverage”, “we wen and still drop in the polls,”. You’re overrated mutts, you haven’t played anyone to be in the top 10 yet. You barely beat a nobody SC, so be thankful you’re ranked #3 for now. Get your own problems worked out before you put your nose in our business.
By stinGTime
September 14, 2008 9:35 PM | Link to this
With about 9 minutes remaining, Tyrod was hit on his helmet by a Tech helmet. If that hit does not occur, would a drive extending personal foul call have been made? Of course not.
I hate that call as much as any Tech fan. Inadvertent or not…evidently did not enter into the call.
Skirt thing seems juvenil.
By GM
September 14, 2008 9:57 PM | Link to this
The refs and penalties - you have no control over them. Fumbles, INT’s, etc, now that’s something within a team’s control. Tech lost not because of a bad call, but because of turnovers in my opinion. Sure, I’d rather be 3-0 facing a good chance at 6-0 going to Clemson, but we’re on the right track with Coach PJ, and the team is young, getting better. Have patience.
My only question: Are we better off with Nesbitt and his mistakes, or with Shaw and his lesser abilities (and probably fewer turnovers)?
By jabster
September 14, 2008 11:33 PM | Link to this
Spike wrote:
When did we cheat and get away with it? And you mention the Sanks non fumble in the same breath?
Well, if you brag about 100+ yards of penalties and still winning, well that is cheating. That’s why there are PENALTIES. Because you broke the rules. Look it up.
Second, I see you’re still whining about Jasper nine years later. Point was, sometimes the calls don’t go your way, and you lose. Happens to Tech, happens to UGA. Get the eff over it.
Who’s whining now? I GARONTEE you that if UGA had come up short against SC, there would be a lot of puppies whining at the door. Period. Take it to the bank and cash it on the spot.
Lastly, anyone who uses someone else’s handle to make a cheap shot at them is a pu55y. Man up and use your own handle.
By SEC
September 15, 2008 8:24 AM | Link to this
The SEC is garbage, just ask UCLA if they would rather play an SEC team or a MWC team. Miss State - 116 total yards of offense, after losing to LA Tech in week 1, what a joke. And how is Auburn a top 10 team? Anyways, congrats Georgia for recovering a fumble in your own endzone, what a hard fought win against a powerhouse South Carolina team. Now go talk about how Arizona State is some great team. Why no Knowshon highlights on Sportscenter this week? Probably because he didn’t have any, heck our QB ran for twice as many yards as Moreno.
By gtforever
September 15, 2008 8:48 AM | Link to this
Hey SEC,,,,, If we turn the ball over to Miss. State we will LOSE. Miss. State will be the best team we face so far. VT is very average, BC is even worse. I am not even counting the J State game…. I am a Jacket win or lose, but lets face it, our conference stinks, and everybody knows it. Sorry….
By SEC
September 15, 2008 8:52 AM | Link to this
Our conference doesn’t stink at all. Maryland beat up on Cal, UNC killed Rutgers, FSU is back in the top 25. Why the inferiority complex? The ACC isn’t as down as you think, we are a really young league with inexperienced QB’s, that’s it. Miss State is not the toughest team we’ve played. They will be the third toughest team we’ve played, and it is at home. We could give them the ball on our own 20 each time, and they still couldn’t score.
By Brewer
September 15, 2008 8:58 AM | Link to this
VT was not a great team, but they are better than their record for this year shows. They finally picked a QB and that helped them alot. It also hurt us that we were down a couple of LBs in a game against a scramble/run QB.
The O-line is where the Miss St game will be won or lost. Our defense should pound them, but they will return the favor unless the 0-line steps up. Stopping the turn overs and penalties would also help alot too.
The helmet to helmet flag was awful. They could have called that on many plays but they waited until GT gets a critical stop the throw out the flag. But what are you going to do? Take away the two fumbles and the stupid flag doesn’t matter. Time to move on from Chan Gailey football. Getting ‘homered’ by the refs is part of football. Sad but true.
By goldarchie77
September 15, 2008 9:09 AM | Link to this
Fumbles are understandable for a young team learning the option spread 3 weeks into the season. AWFUL calls are unacceptable, the bogus helmet to helmet was like another turnover, refs need to own their mistakes as it happens too much in the ACC. It’s not just Tech getting these bogus calls, its all over the ACC if you actually sit and watch these other games, the officiating is awful. It will never change without teams and fans holding them accountable.
Now for TECH: I saw the offense grow by leaps and bounds in the course of the VT game. PJ stuck with the option and forced them to get comfortable running it against a very fast defense. By the 4th they had it down. This is going to pay off big time in the weeks to come. Look for them to score early and often against MSU. Loved seeing the rotation of A back in the second half, wouldn’t mind seeing JD relieved more also, keep him fresh for the 4th and let him drive us home.
Tech is fun to watch again, lets keep improving and get this thing rolling again. Go Jackets!
By BuzzFactor
September 15, 2008 9:32 AM | Link to this
Lets get past the bad call.
We lost the game, but things look bright for the Jackets. It’s only going to get better, but we have to remember we are going to have growing pains this year. 3 turnovers sux, but it’s part of the developement process. I saw what I needed to see, that this system WILL WORK in a BCS conference. We just have to be patient and get through the first year. If all goes as it looks like it could, 8-4 or better in Johnsons first year is pretty darn good, considering a brand new head coach, brand new offense, brand new defense, tons of youth on both sides of the ball, and ugly gold pants worn at home. Johnson is the real deal, lets be patient. It takes time to learn a totally new system and be efficient with it. That time is getting closer!
By jabster
September 15, 2008 9:53 AM | Link to this
Goldarchie:
Looooove to see how we’re becoming a 4th-quarter team. Being in great shape for the last 15 minutes won’t win them all, but it will win some we would have lost under Chan or maybe even O’Leary.
When you don’t have the depth, you got to have the fitness.
The thing about the fumbles—not that many option-related ones. Most of them are dumb ones. We need to work on that first and foremost. Particularly special teams (kickoff returns) and just protecting the ball while carrying it.
Again: we won’t win them all. But I am enjoying seeing the growth week by week.
By Dawg Fud
September 15, 2008 9:57 AM | Link to this
I thought Tech played a gutsy game. Tech did not win but they are surpassing most people’s expectations in terms of development. I think Paul Johnson is doing an outstanding job - as I expected.
Tech is getting better each week. The game with Georgia is going to be a battle.
By BuzzFactor
September 15, 2008 10:34 AM | Link to this
November is a long way away. No way am I even guessing about that game yet. Miss St is the next challenge. I don’t see Miss St scoring much against us but their D could pose a few problems. This is a should win, but the turnover ratio can’t be worse than -2 if we want to have this game put away before the 4th quarter.
By nesbitt
September 15, 2008 11:37 AM | Link to this
Nesbitt is a beast. He plays and leads like a senior but he’s only started 3 college games. Good things are ahead for this young man, he will be one of the all-time Tech greats by the time he is done playing. Let’s get to 5-1 before the Clemson game.
By THWG
September 15, 2008 12:18 PM | Link to this
They look like they have the potential to be stellar. I have a feeling that CPJ will be doing mainly ball handling drills this week, and perhaps equipping his backs with some tar (just kidding, of course). But really, once Nesbitt and Dwyer get the mesh down, we should be a very fierce competitor, especially with a defensive line as solid as ours.
I am very much looking forward to going into Clemson 5-1.
GO JACKETS!!!!!
By GT45
September 15, 2008 1:20 PM | Link to this
People, be there Saturday!!!!Go Jackets-
By CarolinaJacket
September 15, 2008 2:18 PM | Link to this
Chris, Who the heck does the depth chart? I look at it before the VaTech game and it showed that Earles (and a couple of others) would play when obviously they were still not able. It would be nice if these things would be kept current. Thanks for all the help you give us. How does it look for MissState?
By SlickWillie
September 15, 2008 4:05 PM | Link to this
There is no doubt Michael Johnson is a beast. It appeared though that he took himself out of making plays by his all out rush. Taylor appeared to be reading Johnson’s moves, thus the QB runs, but the great thing about this team is their attitude/hustle/conditioning. CPJ will keeep oiling this machine. I ready to kick some bulldog in the mouth.
By Spike
September 15, 2008 4:56 PM | Link to this
Jabster.. Are you that big a moron in real life? Penalties equal cheating?
By jabster
September 15, 2008 6:01 PM | Link to this
Spike:
From dictionary.com:
cheat /cheet/
5. to violate rules or regulations: He cheats at cards.
So, do tell just how UGA racked up over a whole gridiron’s worth of penalties? Just what did they do?
Not to say that every team doesn’t get penalized at one point or another. But it is what it is. And I wouldn’t be proud of 100+ yards’ worth of them, or winning in spite of them.
By Not Disappointed
September 15, 2008 7:22 PM | Link to this
The future seems bright for the Jackets!!!
By The Big Bug
September 15, 2008 7:57 PM | Link to this
And what are you * Orkin Man? A complete nobody with at least two or three handles but I forget what the others are it’s been so long. Obviously a bandwagon sidewalk alum of GA. Yet another cupcake coming up this week. I’m glad you could squeek by perinnial doormat SC. Maybe you can handle Vandy since they won by the same margin. BTW, you’re on the wrong blog,….Chicken Sht
By GT Ninety
September 15, 2008 8:07 PM | Link to this
TURNOVERS LOSE GAMES MORE TIMES THAN BAD CALLS. And VT is not a cupcake. Compare them to a SC team who lost to Vandy and seems like UGA just scraped by a cupcake team. VT has only one loss on a miracle blocked kick by #15 ranked ECU.
UGA fans….Wouldn’t get all hyped up to compare our wins and losses to your wins…..Not just yet.
By spike
September 15, 2008 8:42 PM | Link to this
Jabster… What the hell are you talking about?
By Dave
September 16, 2008 3:55 PM | Link to this
What I saw on Saturday was Tech running a gimic offense that will not survive the ACC nevermind the SEC or Pac 10. Bandaid approach by hiring Johnson.
By Orkin Man
September 16, 2008 4:29 PM | Link to this
Go suck a garden spike The Big Bug.
By The Big Bug
September 16, 2008 4:37 PM | Link to this
Dave We will see. But any team’s fan would have to admit it will be better than watching Gailey.The man was infuriating.
By The Big Bug
September 16, 2008 5:55 PM | Link to this
Orkin Man,You wannabees crack me up. Is that the best you can come up with? What the heck is a garden spike anyway. Are you in the “landscaping” business?