UGA blog finds new home
Morning all. As I’ve said a couple of times this week, we’re converting this blog over to a WordPress platform and it will be a permanent move the first of next week.
Those of you who are regulars probably know that I’m not what you’d call techno-wizard when it comes to these things. But from what I understand the technology offered in this new format should make the blogging and commenting experience better for all. Of course, I’ll be learning as we go along, too. But I’m hoping to provide more pictures and video and things like that which should bring the blog more to life.
Of course, this blog is nothing without all you guys so I want to heartily invite (read: beg) you to come over to the new site by CLICKING HERE ON THE NEW ADDRESS and save it in your browsers. As of Monday, Feb. 23rd, this will be the permanent home of the UGA blog you so love or, in the case of some of you, love to loathe. If you’d prefer to copy and paste or just memorize, the new address is: http://blogs.ajc.com/uga-sports-blog/.
See at the new place!
AJC > Sports > UGA > Blog > Archives > 2006 > November > 21
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
Analyzing the positions
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
OK, there’s no sense in delaying the inevitable. The Tech-Georgia game is just days away and, at this point, it’s on the mind of everybody associated with both schools.
Today, I’m going to ask you all to be objective (yeah, right). I’m going to make a quick, two-minute position-by-position analysis, giving one team or the other an advantage in each area unless it’s absolutely indistinguishable, then adding them up to determine which team SHOULD win (doesn’t mean they will, of course).
Feel free to bash my determinations (as if you needed my permission). In fact, I’m looking forward to your feedback on this. This is one of those exercises in which there will be a lot of gray area. Remember, this is quick, off the top of my head:
Quarterback: Advantage Tech
Reggie Ball has had his share of problems over the years but you’re talking about a four-year starter versus a first-year freshman.
Offensive line: Advantage Georgia
This is a really tough call but I’m going to go with Georgia because it utilizes four seniors and a junior and has given up 13 sacks to Tech’s 15.
Tight end: Advantage Georgia
Martrez Milner has had his drop issues but is actually very productive and a good blocker. Tech at times has had to use a converted tackle out there.
Wide receiver: Advantage Tech
Are you kidding? There’s only one Calvin Johnson, and James Johnson is pretty darn good, too. Georgia has potential but that means only you haven’t done much yet.
Running back: Advantage Tech
Tashard Choice is a 1,000-yard rusher. Georgia hasn’t had a thousand-yarder since Musa Smith in 2002.
Place-kicker: Advantage Tech
If Brandon Coutu wasn’t injured, this would be different. But Georgia’s using its punter at the moment and Travis Bell has been solid if unspectacular.
Defensive line: Advantage Georgia
When healthy, the Dogs have one of the better front fours in the South. Tech gets most of its pressure from its linebackers. Georgia relies on its front four.
Linebackers: Advantage Georgia
Again, I’m leaning pretty hard on seniority and familiarity here, but the Dogs all-senior trio of Tony Taylor, Jarvis Jackson and Danny Verdun Wheeler have played a lot of football and have never lost to the Jackets. KaMichael Hall is a warrior for Tech and Philip Wheeler is a big-play waiting to happen. Very slight advantage.
Secondary: No advantage
I can’t find one at least. Both units are pretty good but neither is dominant. Giving up 237 against Duke doesn’t help Tech’s cause. But the way the Dogs looked against Vanderbilt and Kentucky and the second half against Tennessee doesn’t say much for them, either.
Punter: Advantage Tech
Another real close one but Durant Brook’s numbers are stellar –- 45.2-yard average, long of 63, 29 punts inside the 20 -– and the Yellow Jackets are No. 1 in the nation in net punting.
Returns: Advantage Georgia
The Dogs have gone the distance for touchdowns with three punts and a kickoff while Tech has none.
So that gives Tech the advantage in five areas and Georgia five. So that means the game will end in a tie and be decided in overtime, right? I’m not going to touch things like intangibles and coaching. I’ll let y’all handle that.
Suffice it to say, this ought to be a good one
