ajcsportstalk

By Ace

July 11, 2008 10:58 AM | Link to this

Their biggest challenge is overcoming the negative coverage they will be facing from the AJC this year. Especially during a year where they UGA hype machine will be in overdrive.

By Sweeeet

July 11, 2008 11:02 AM | Link to this

Tech will go undefeated. Avg 47 points, give up avg 6 points. Beat UGA 47 to 3. UGA goes into game with one loss (to FLA). Win ACC Tech play FLA in BCS championship, wins close one.

By get real

July 11, 2008 11:13 AM | Link to this

Tech go undefeated? Average 47 points? And what really makes me laugh is Tech 47 UGA 3. It must be nice living in a dream world.

By Zeb

July 11, 2008 11:18 AM | Link to this

Sweeet, who’s your dealer? Sounds like some pretty good stuff. Anyway, I think your defense will be fine, it usually is. I’m waiting to see how the guys respond to a new offense. Anybody got any inside info from the players on how things are progressing? Do you guys know if CPJ is going to jump right into the triple option, or ease you guys into it? I tell you what, if run right, that thing is tough to defend. I wanted to get a decent comment in before some of my idiot dawg brethren get here.

By sugarPikeGang

July 11, 2008 11:22 AM | Link to this

Gut Predictions:

Tech goes 8 and 5 with losses to BC, VT, Miss St, FSU & (yes) UGA.

…our ability to protect the ball will be CRITICAL, but expect the QB position to be even more pivotal for GT in 2008 than it was when Joe Ham’ was on the flats.

Hope-filled Predictions:

Tech’s QB position becomes talk of the town and GT pull off wins against VT, BC and FSU (yes dawg fans, we haven’t beaten them in the ACC)…and then there’s the Clemson game which logic never seems to predict well. All in all, Tech goes on to a 8 and 4 season with the bowl game up for grabs (Peach Bowl).

By GotCurry

July 11, 2008 11:23 AM | Link to this

As much as I love my Jackets, I am not expecting a whole lot. New offense, defense, coaching…I’ll be happy if we go .500. I have total faith in the Skipper but he can’t be expected to come in and turn this program around in one season. However, I definitely think we’ll shock some people throughout the course of the season. The games will be more fun to watch with PJ callin the plays. Go Jackets! THWG!

By GT95

July 11, 2008 11:27 AM | Link to this

We will lose to BC, VT, MSU, Clemson, UVA, FSU, Miami, and UGA. UNC is a tossup. Doesn’t look too good this year. Lost too many guys off the D and I just can’t see that triple option beating the speedier defenses in the ACC. That offense might play in inferior conferences and lower divisions. But not in the ACC and certainly not the SEC. Sylvester Croom will eat it up. UGA will kill us on both sides of the ball.

By Rub-one Off

July 11, 2008 11:29 AM | Link to this

I predict that unlike those cheats and thugs in the crooked SEC

Tech will not have any trouble with its athletes in the off season.

PS Rape doesn’t count does it?

By Albert

July 11, 2008 11:37 AM | Link to this

Sweeet got it from Rueben Houston. Or maybe he was the guy that towed Lil Joe’s car.

By exNFLplayer

July 11, 2008 11:42 AM | Link to this

If Coach Johnson doesn’t find a QB that can grasp his offense it will be a very long year for Tech. So far neither Nesbitt nor Booker shows the aptitude for it. That’s going to be the difference in 4-8 or 7-5 folks.

By GTFan

July 11, 2008 11:44 AM | Link to this

I think the schedule is terrible for season ticket holders. However, I think its favorable for a first year coach trying to switch to a new offense. If CPJ can’t win 7 games then there are bigger problems. Out of those 7 games Jacksonville St.,Duke, and Gardner-Webb are three of them. Most of the other games seem like they should be close and could go either way. Miss. St.,UVA, FSU, UNC, and Miami are not world beaters. If Tech can win 3 of this group they just need one more win against the tougher competition BC, VT, UGA, Clemson to get to 7. Seems easy enough to me.

By Walt

July 11, 2008 11:53 AM | Link to this

GTFan, FSU, Miami, and MSU have the speedy defenses that beat the TO. It could be a long year. And I agree with NFLplayer. If we don’t find a QB that can think fast and execute we are screwed. Nesbitt and Booker don’t exactly have Naval Academy gray matter upstairs.

By GTFan

July 11, 2008 12:01 PM | Link to this

Sweeet wasn’t completely wrong, just living in the NCAA ‘09 world. I think Josh Nesbit wins the Heisman too.

Anyways, there are 3 massive problems Tech is going to face:

I’d be impressed with a 7-win season given the situation and possible adjustment period. PJ might be the most successful of the newly hired coaches for the long term, but he has too much to overcome in season 1.

But hey, at least he’s not Chan Gailey.

By Hal

July 11, 2008 12:09 PM | Link to this

The offenive line is too thin to have a very good year. Staying healthy will be a big plus for us. If we can do that we could have a winning season. It will be fun to watch them improve each week. I don’t expect great things untill PJ gets the players he wants in place.

By TheRambler

July 11, 2008 12:18 PM | Link to this

Under Paul Johnson, Navy averaged 30 pts/game vs BCS teams. Again, that is with NAVY talent! I don’t understand why people don’t think his offense can work in the ACC. It may take a year or two, but it’ll be fun to finally watch a team get better each week.

Go Jackets!!!

By GT1995

July 11, 2008 12:31 PM | Link to this

We will not even make it to the Emerald Bowl or to Boise this year which is actually BETTER than going and LOSING to the WAC.

We have done everything but trip over our jocks out there.

We made a BIG mistake to get rid of Chan Gailey. He was holding the program together and winning at least 7 games a year, which is about all you can expect at Tech.

We will be wishing for 7 win seasons again soon.

Don’t forget that the only reason he stayed at Tech is that he did not get the Pittsburgh or Miami NFL HC jobs.

The triple option and Paul Johnson will not work at tech and he will be our next Bill Lewis. Johnson will be gone by the end of his third year, and we will have to start all over yet again.

Now Duke has David Cutcliff. Now UNC has Butch Davis. Now NCSU has Tom O’Brien. Now Miami has Randy Shannon. Now FSU has a successor to Bobby Bowden.

They are moving up and we are moving down.

The WF, Clemson, UV, BC programs are set up nicely.

Maybe we can beat Maryland and (dare I say it?) VT with RR gone and a new staff in place.

We even suck now in basketball and baseball. Maybe we should have kept David Braine. Things were better then.

By GT86

July 11, 2008 12:32 PM | Link to this

Rambler, Navy didn’t beat a formidable team last year. They lost to Ball St., Rutgers, Wake Forest, Delaware, and Utah. Just who are you talking about that gives us reason to believe. One of the biggest reasons PJ is here is to cleanup our tarnished image. At least under PJ we won’t have a QB that starts every sentence with “yo dawg’ and acts like an out of control imbecile when things get tough. PJ will bring discipline. Wins. I will have to see it to believe it. And whether you want to admit it or not, our talent last year was no better than Navy’s. That is obvious.

By SugarHillDawg

July 11, 2008 12:43 PM | Link to this

Hey Rambler. what makes you think that Tech talent is better thsn Navy talent??

By Dawg Man

July 11, 2008 12:54 PM | Link to this

UGA will be your toughest opponent as usual, nerds!! Go Navy!!

By Dr.Kildare

July 11, 2008 1:15 PM | Link to this

When the money seats are empty you know a programs situation is terminal.

By george

July 11, 2008 1:18 PM | Link to this

Maybe you Tech fans should learn to see the humor in your situation like Saints fans did with the “Ain’ts”. You might as well laugh at yourselves right along with the rest of the college football world.

By TechManForever

July 11, 2008 1:34 PM | Link to this

PJ has so much to overcome here. Losing has become a way of life on the flats. After a recent UGA loss, the following comments were reported in the AJC: “It’s just a game dog”. (Reggie Ball) “I don’t care anymore”. (Tashard Choice) Those statements are indicative of the overall health of the Tech football program. You have never, ever heard a Mark Richt player embarrass themselves talking like losers even when UT put a couple of beatdowns on them. You never have seen Mark Richt’s team quit in the 4th quarter. Everything in the world could go wrong for UGA and somehow they would find a way to beat us in the last 2 minutes with it all on the line. Character counts. We need to get some. Maybe PJ can at least do that for us. And let’s not forget the role sorry, carping, excuse making, non attending fans play in building a loser. We fans need to get some character too.

By techgrad

July 11, 2008 1:41 PM | Link to this

GT45-

What are you talking about?

You don’t think Paul Johnson is a better coach than Cutcliff, O’Brian, and Randy Shannon? Seriously? I’ll give you Butch Davis, but UNC hasn’t shown any improvement yet. BC is set up nicely? They lost nearly everybody from last year, and they don’t recruit well. We don’t play Maryland this year, and who is RR? Are you talking about Rich Rodriquez? Because he was at WVU not VT, and we don’t play WVU either. We made a huge mistake getting rid of Chan Gailey? He was a respectable person but after 6 straight 5 loss seasons, wasn’t it pretty obvious we weren’t getting any better? A change had to made, so we go out and get a guy who’s only over 72% of his games as a head coach and you’re already complaining?

Baseball-we are already pre-ranked top 10 and return nearly everyone, including the All-American freshman of the year at shortstop who happens to be on the Olympic team.

Basketball - Wait about 6 months and see the class Hewitt is going to bring in, we’re talking top 10 at least.

Please don’t post anymore, you make Tech fans looks bad.

By Bobby

July 11, 2008 1:58 PM | Link to this

I figure we could be 3-9 with wins only over Jax, Gardner-Webb and Duke or 9-3. There are just so many variables this year.

GO JACKETS!

By GotCurry

July 11, 2008 2:01 PM | Link to this

I agree with TechManForever. We have some of the worst fans in the NCAA. Our tickets aren’t hard to get. Just show up to the games. And for cryin out loud, wear gold!

By GTFan

July 11, 2008 2:08 PM | Link to this

Hey GT1995,

You think 7-5 is all we can expect from Georgia Tech? That sound you’re hearing are the collective fans of Kansas, Mizzouri, South Florida, Virginia Tech, Georgia, Texas Tech, USC, and many many other programs that were awful before their current coach got there.

(And yes, before Richt got to Athens, UGA fans were wondering if they would ever beat us in football again.)

By No Dawgs Here

July 11, 2008 2:08 PM | Link to this

Paul Johnson has a tall task at hand. I really don’t foresee a bowl game this year. His offense does not match the skills of the players. It’s like trying to butter toast with a fork. Yes, it can be done, but using the wrong tool makes it tough. I beleive that it will take a few years to get the type of players he needs to start winning. However; in a option style offense you will NEVER get a QB that wants to go to tech to get a good chance at the NFL. Running backs however; should be a lot easier to recruit. With a good defense and a ball controlling offense they jackets might just do some good, however; that is a few years down the road. For now tech fans, we take our lumps, we stand with dignity and know that brighter days are ahead. Go Jackets!!

By Mike

July 11, 2008 2:09 PM | Link to this

The Jackets will be fine.

I love the ignorant uga fans, armchair quarterbacks and some negative Jacket fans.

PJ is gonna be great. This offense will work and this will be fun.

Being that you don’t care about Tech, you dawg fans sure spend a good amount of time here.

By GT95

July 11, 2008 2:11 PM | Link to this

In two preseason publications I have seen we are picked 10th in the ACC. In those same pubs, the ACC is rated no better than the 5th best conference in the land. Things have gotten pretty bad.

By MisterT

July 11, 2008 2:14 PM | Link to this

Tech will go 14-0 and win the National Championship. Nothing less is acceptable!

We are suppose to tell the biggest one right?

The defense should hold their own and I agree that the offense will rest in the hands of whoever rises to be the quarterback. I believe the system can work. It wasn’t until the second year that Navy got it working. Granted we should have better athletes, this offense takes great disciple to execute. That may prove a little tougher to instill at Tech without the benefit of a lifestyle of discipline being required 24/7.

We may not see the potential for a year or so. I do feel positive about the future though. Plus this offense will likely attrack the type of athlete that will stay for the full 4-5 years. It will work. Be patient.

By Sam

July 11, 2008 2:21 PM | Link to this

Uh, GTFan…the coach before Richt got to UGA was fired with a 40-19 record. Ray Goff owned you gnats, and prior to that their was Vince Dooley who won 6 SEC titles, a NC and won 18 or 19 out of 25 against Tech. It has been a long long time since UGA was “awful”. Can you say the same for Tech. You guys are just slightly better than .500 for the last 30 years. Next time you post know what you are talking about. And by the way. Did Tech ever beat Jim Donnan without using ineligible players?

By Dave In Tampa

July 11, 2008 2:21 PM | Link to this

My dear Jacket friends. I hope that Y’all win every game, but the last regular season game. Sorry. I’m a Dawg through and through, but I still hope you guys get it going. Good luck this year.

By Ozzie

July 11, 2008 2:24 PM | Link to this

I’m watching an old Clemson-Tech game on CSS. Reggie Ball still sux.

By DawgBite

July 11, 2008 2:27 PM | Link to this

We don’t care about Tech Mike. But we love picking on you sissies. Now does that clear up the obvious little girl?

By GTrealist

July 11, 2008 2:35 PM | Link to this

In all his years at Navy, PJ won 4 games against teams with winning records. With that type performance at GT we will win about 4 games a year.

By NYJacket

July 11, 2008 2:36 PM | Link to this

I look forward to seeing a coach who will keep his mind in the game and is not afraid of changing the game plan when it is not working and players when they don’t perform.

I think it will be slow going until the players “get it” and begin to execute without having to think about what to do.

We will probably have a tough game or two but we will win more than expected.

By P Dawg

July 11, 2008 2:47 PM | Link to this

Nice (for you guys) to see some news about Tech. I’m not on here to talk trash, but to let you know that there are plenty of UGA fans that are better people than to jump on your blogs and talk trash while you try to have a positive and excited conversation with common fans. To most of you, this was a waste of time to read, but to those of you who get on UGA’s blogs and talk negative trash, try to show the same respect.

By Casey

July 11, 2008 2:47 PM | Link to this

I’m a Georgia fan, but I see a lot of positive things for Tech this Fall. I was at Georgia Southern when Paul Johnson was there, look at what he did at Navy, and with the athletes ya’ll have at Tech, there is no way he won’t succeed. He is a remarkable coach, and a real nice guy to boot.

I have a great feeling ya’ll could win 8-9 games. Turnovers are going to play a major role in getting there. If ya’ll can hold on to the ball, and keep a positive turnover ratio, nine wins is not hard to believe.

No one in the South really runs the option as their main offense, so it should take most ACC and SEC teams by suprise and allow ya’ll to get a lead, and let Michael Johnson and Morgan Burnett achor your defense to hold the lead and win a few tight ones. Best of luck to ya’ll, until that last weekend of the season fellas.

By Wreck'EmTech

July 11, 2008 2:50 PM | Link to this

I’m thinking it’s a coin flip year. I see things conspiring against the team, but I see some bright spots too. They could go winless or undefeated or anywhere in between. What’s certain is that I’ll be there wearing gold and screaming my head off for ‘em. Go Jackets!

By Mike

July 11, 2008 2:57 PM | Link to this

I have been reading the posts on this forum and I have to mention one small, yet important fact that everyone is seeming to miss. Yes the QB position is obviously a problem but has anyone noticed during the offseason that most writers are raving about our Def. Line? Vance Walker and Michael Johnson are both supposed to be first round picks. According to many sources we have a top three defensive line if not the top line. Anyways we will still have a pretty decent defense even in the abscense of Tenuta. I’m thinking Nesbitt will actually do pretty well with his pure athleticism and the Jackets will have another 7-5 season. The 2010 season could be a great one with Nesbitt starting for a second year and Dwyer starting for a second year as well. I’m hoping for the future with PJ, Nesbitt, Dwyer and our defense. GO JACKETS!

By Eagle Dawg Jacket

July 11, 2008 3:04 PM | Link to this

The poll question today and the result ticks me off. Jackets are going to win 9. The Falcons are going to win 7. How is UGA going to win more than 16 games?

By Techiniteasy

July 11, 2008 3:10 PM | Link to this

GTrealist:

Since 2003 Tech has beaten 6 teams with winning records. Put’s Navy’s big 4 to shame doesn’t it? You’re an idiot.

Go look at the offensive production for Navy against BCS schools and tell me it won’t work.

By surfrider

July 11, 2008 3:11 PM | Link to this

It’s hard to imagine but Tech was 7-5 with an offense that seemed to be in the last quartet of college rankings, 75 or worse and a defense in the top 1/3 of college rankings. If Tech can get it’s offense up in the third quartet then two or three of those games may switch over to victories that were losses. So a 9-3 record or so is not out of the question. At the same time if they can hold on the ball and can’t pass then the record could reverse. It use to be first year coaches did’nt do very well at Tech, so an avg year was good. That has changed though in the last 15 years as the program is now built up and expectations are higher. There will be several tough teams to play including the usuals VT, UGA, Miami, UVA, FSU, BC, even UNC will be tougher. Contrary to the DAWGS opinions this ACC is a tough conference closing the gap top to bottom with the SEC. I would’nt be surprised to see our Defense by year end to be as good or better than the previous few years. So the key will be offense and QB and whether we can throw the ball effectively and not turn the ball over too much.

By Doug

July 11, 2008 3:16 PM | Link to this

“Rambler” above is inaccurate. Navy only scored an average of 27.9 points per game against BCS-conference opponents (including Notre Dame) under Paul Johnson; furthermore, they only went 11-19 against those opponents. And those wins came against Duke (4), Vanderbilt (2), Rutgers, Stanford, UConn, Pitt, and the worst Notre Dame team of the last half-century.

Translation: Congrats, Techies, you’re practically guaranteed to beat your fellow eggheads with Johnson at the helm. But don’t go assuming any big wins over anybody else.

By GT4Life

July 11, 2008 3:16 PM | Link to this

Good to know that GT has just as many redneck fans as Redneck U (UGA). With comments about only Nesbitt and Booker not having the mental capacity to pick up the offense, you can read between the lines. Please all GT fans stop claiming that Ugag has an all-redneck fanbase until we look in our own house.

By Clubber Lang

July 11, 2008 3:24 PM | Link to this

You Want My Prediction? PAIN!!!!!!!

By jacketguy

July 11, 2008 3:25 PM | Link to this

The Jackets won’t have their ACC championship this year, but as soon as PJ gets his players I expect to see one soon. He is already doing great on the recruiting trail for the class of ‘09 and the fact that he did pull some great recruits of this years class is encouraging as well. I give it 2 years before we are playing a Saurday game in early December(which will be great considering the game will be in NC and easy to get to). As for this season, the team wont be terrible. There are three easy wins out there and several games that are very winnable. I dont know why many of you on this post think that BC has any sort of good team at all. They lost a ton of their starters and one of the best QB’s in the NCAA last year to the Falcons(please do something good with him). That being said, I think we will lose to VT, Clemson, and uga. The other games, especially the home games to uva, fsu, and miami, are a toss up. The closest game of the year might be UNC. i see them being a surprise team this year. i will be happy with 7 wins this season but i wouldnt be surprised to see a 6 or 8 win season either. also, i see jaybo shaw as the normal starter by season’s end.

By dawgy

July 11, 2008 3:28 PM | Link to this

CPJ is a good service-academy coach, and was a great DII coach. But…to think he’ll walk right in and dominate is humorous. He took the best team he EVER had at Southern to Athens and got spanked. And that was with Adrian Peterson, JR Revere, etc. And yes, I think that team probably had as much athletic talent as what is at tech now. Deal with it. You guys should’ve hired Chris Hatcher. Oh well. At least you’ll have a novelty high school offense to cheer about. Heh.

By 05Jacket

July 11, 2008 3:33 PM | Link to this

I just think it’s funny how people talk about what losers we are etc. We’ve been over .500 and gone to a bowl game for over a decade straight. CPJ wasn’t brought in to clean up our image (it wasn’t tarnished), he was brought in to win MORE games and give us a shot at a national championship at some point.

As for the idea that we can’t get top level QBs since they can’t get into the NFL that way…tell that to Donovan McNabb, Daunte Culpepper, Alex Smith, etc. Donovan only ran triple option in college.

I think we will win at least 5, and depending on whether the breaks fall our way or not, up to 10 (including a bowl game). Can we beat UGA? yes. Will we? If the offense improves every week, it’s possible. Nothing would be sweeter than ruining their chance for a national title :)

By Jimmy Johnson

July 11, 2008 3:34 PM | Link to this

Johnson will never have a better record than Gailey’s average of 7-5. There’s a reason his offense was shelved a long time ago, along with the Single Wing, The Wing T, the Veer, and the Notre Dame Box. What’s the common thread? THEY ARE ALL OBSOLETE, ARCHAIC, AND INEFFECTIVE WAYS OF MOVING THE FOOTBALL AGAINST ATHLETICALLY SUPERIOR TEAMS. What is it about this you supposedly smart, self-annointed geniuses can’t understand?

By An Honest Prediction

July 11, 2008 3:35 PM | Link to this

5-7. That’s my prediction. New coach. New system. New players. If you’re being objective there is no way you can expect this team to win more than 7 games next year. No way.

As far as what games will give the offense the most trouble, that should be obvious. Georgia will have an entire season of game film and two weeks to prepare for the offense. Pretty much any well coached defense with speed will give this offense fits. Virginia Tech, Clemson, FSU, etc. Take your pick. Defending the option is all about sticking to your assignments. Contrary to what some seem to think, the option isn’t some radical new offense that will take everyone by surprise like the spread. Its been around for decades and there is a reason very few use it anymore: Defenses figured out how to stop it.

Good luck Tech. You’ll need it.

By 05Jacket

July 11, 2008 3:42 PM | Link to this

And one more thing….It’s not an outdated offense. Ralph Friedgen’s main offense at Tech was run out of the same triple option. All it did was rank in the top 5 in the nation in scoring a few times, won an ACC championship (with a horrible defense behind it), and go 10-2. You’re right though, no way it can work.

By The Ghost of Coach Alex

July 11, 2008 3:42 PM | Link to this

“Gentlemen,better to die a young child than to fumble this football”.

By dawgy

July 11, 2008 3:45 PM | Link to this

05Jacket: You just proved your ignorance. Syracuse ran a wide-open shotgun offense when McNabb was there. Some option packages (also from the gun, similar to WVU), but far from “exclusively” running the option. Very similar to what Richt ran at FSU. Johnson is notoriously against going to the gun. Nice try, though. What other ridiculous untruths can you throw out to us this Friday?

By TheRambler

July 11, 2008 3:46 PM | Link to this

You really want to compare Wheeler, Choice, Brooks, Nesbitt, Dwyer, Burnett, Johnson, Walker, and Richard to Navy’s players?

How many NFL draft picks did Navy have again?

By GTfan2009

July 11, 2008 3:48 PM | Link to this

JSU- W 52-7 @ BC- W 27-14 @ VT- L 21-28 MSU- W 28-17 Duke- W 45-13 G-W W 63-3 @ Clemson L 24-27 UVA W 31-13 FSU W 27-13 @ UNC W 24-21 Miami, FL W 29-19 @ UGA L 24-31

9-3, 6-2 ACC

By EasyCharlie

July 11, 2008 3:48 PM | Link to this

PJ’s new system could do good, but Tech’s bumble bees will do it bad. Tech’s got 3 teams on its schedule that it can beat. Luck up on one other, I’ll give ‘em that. Watch for a 4-win season. Why? PJ’s system works when it has superior smart players who know the system. Superior? nyet. Smart? nyet. (don’t gimme that we-gota-take-calculus BS, Footballers don’t have to take the Calc.) know the system? not yet. 4 wins max!

By dawgy

July 11, 2008 3:50 PM | Link to this

05Jacket: Again, idiot, Friedgen didn’t run an option offense. He had an option PACKAGE that he could run out of his base offense, which was a ProSet, with a variation of a west coast attack. Johnson’s ENTIRE offense is based on the option. Just because Joe Hamilton (how’s that tech degree working out for him by the way?) would run the option 5 times a game doesn’t mean Fridge ran an option offense. Look buddy, if you don’t know football, don’t talk football. Simple as that.

By GT

July 11, 2008 3:51 PM | Link to this

I truly hope we remember how we felt about Johnson a year from now. I think his team will not be filling a time clock but will show up to play some football. I can remember that Va.Tech game like it was yesterday. I have seen more intensity in a Walt Disney movie. The defense would be discussing things in a casual way as the offense lines up, like it was interrupted to play football every other moment. Like watching television while you are talking to somebody in the room. Chan was never the same after that heart attack. He wasn’t that good to start with but he was totally south Georgia laidback after the eating habits caught up with him.

By Richmond Jacket

July 11, 2008 3:54 PM | Link to this

I’m expecting .500 or slightly worse. 7-5 would be well beyond what we should expect and would be a very pleasant surprise.

I think the thing that most people aren’t appreciating is how dependent the triple-option is on the right kind of players. Its not just about a really athletic and smart QB (relatively speaking, I think we’re better off on QB than in some other places.)

The biggest player skill gap will be on the offensive line. Gailey’s pro-style offense relied on massive offensive lineman who can pass block and who can move straight upfield for a relatively vertical running game. The triple-option will require a much faster, perhaps smaller, and certainly much more athletic line with all the pulling and lateral blocking that will be required.

That’s not to even consider the role of strong and selfless wide receivers who will block down on linebackers and safeties over and over and over again without getting a lot of balls thrown their way.

I think the triple-option can work, with the right players. It remains to be seen whether CPJ can win enough games with the wrong players to be able to convince the right players to come to Tech so that he can win more games. I think it could go either way; we could either become a Tebow-style run/pass option team that is very difficult to stop, or CPJ can’t get the players he needs for any number of reasons and he leaves Tech in 3-4 years to go back to DII.

We shall see. Go Jackets!

By jacketguy

July 11, 2008 3:54 PM | Link to this

I dont know how many of you have read into what PJ says about his offense but he is not calling it the triple option. Remember, he ran the offense the way he did at Navy because of a lack of personel. He describes his offense more along the lines of what florida does with its spread. The main difference is that the snaps will be taken from behind the center rather than from the shot gun. If the offense can perfect the art of misdirection and PJ can teach his QB’s how to think quickly, this will be a formidible offense in the ACC. And dont think for a minute that PJ wont pass the ball. Did you know that he had more passes for a TD’s last year with navy than Gailey did with us last year? The guy knows how to coach and he knows how to win. He will be smart enough to change his gameplan mid way through a game to adjust and if a QB isnt doing their job, hes going to pull him. I bet we will see 4 guys playing the position almost evenly at the beginning of the season. Nesbit is good but i see him being moved to A or B back by seasons end. Booker is too slow for this offense. Shaw and D** have the best chance in my opinion. And Wommack is going to have the defense ready. Expect it to be just as good if not better than last year. I dont see us getting beat deep as often as we were in the past. But either way it pans out, its going to be a fun year.

By TheRambler

July 11, 2008 3:55 PM | Link to this

Wow, you caught me 27.9 is so different than 30. If GT had averaged 27.9 pts against BCS teams while Gailey was here, we’d have played in several BCS bowls. So, all that means is Navy had horrible defenses. I’m quite certain, Tech will field much better defenses.

The guy has won big (relative to the school) everywhere he’s been…. why are people so ready to assume the same won’t hold true at GT?

By Tech75

July 11, 2008 3:56 PM | Link to this

I’ve enjoyed reading this particular blog a lot more than most others I’ve seen.

While PJ has a lot to prove, the presence of so many UGA blowhards on this blog seems indicative of a great deal of apprehension and fear over in Athens over the situation…

Almost like they know it’s gonna happen for us, they’re just hoping to get their licks in while they can, before the worm turns…

Every dog has his day, and methinks they see the end of theirs coming….

Oh, all you UGA folks? Consider that Stafford may have already peaked. He may throw 20 interceptions this year. Think about that… for you folks to get to the BCS game, he’ll have to throw 10 or less… is that gonna happen? I think not, especially for a Heisman-crazed QB. Hopefully for you he also stays healthy and out of jail and in school!

By DAWGLOVER

July 11, 2008 3:56 PM | Link to this

I thank my dad for going to UGA

By DAWGLOVER

July 11, 2008 3:56 PM | Link to this

I thank my dad for going to UGA

By dawgy

July 11, 2008 3:57 PM | Link to this

The Rambler: Of those nine players you mentioned, four were draft picks. Also, men at service academies are required to serve their country immediately after their graduation. Where exactly are you going with this again?

By jacketguy

July 11, 2008 3:59 PM | Link to this

easycharlie: every student at tech must take a freshmen calc course. you pretty much have to be smart to make it at tech. theres no easy major here.

By DAWGLOVER

July 11, 2008 3:59 PM | Link to this

I thank my dad every day for going to UGA instead of GT. It is great to be a Bulldog.

By DAWGLOVER

July 11, 2008 4:00 PM | Link to this

I thank my dad every day for going to UGA instead of GT. It is great to be a Bulldog.

By Techiniteasy

July 11, 2008 4:00 PM | Link to this

EasyCharlie

Quick correction: Footballers at UGA don’t take calculus(does UGA even have a calculus course?). athletes at Tech absolutely 100% take calculus.

Tech players aren’t smart enough to run the TO? But Georgia southern players are?

By TheRambler

July 11, 2008 4:10 PM | Link to this

Does the name Roger Staubach right any bells? He went to Navy, was drafted by the NFL, served his 5 year commitment, then went and played football. Athletes at service academies are allowed to be drafted by professional teams - ask David Robinson if you don’t believe me.

And actually, only 3 were draft picks (Wheeler, Choice, and Brooks).

Where were you going with your post? Apparently not to the truth….

By fleming

July 11, 2008 4:12 PM | Link to this

I think 500 ball will be realistic for this. Watched Paul Johnson offense for years and there has always been a drop off whenever a new quarterback takes over. The offense takes close timing and very quick reads by the quarterback to function at maximum efficiency and quarterbacks without having a lot of experience always take a year to really run the offense really well. I have seen a lot of quarterbacks who went on to stardom (Raymond Gross Chas Williams etc) struggle somewhat in their first year as first team quarterback, and Nesbitt hasn’t ever had a years worth of experience practicing the offense. I would expect him to struggle especially early on.

By 05Jacket

July 11, 2008 4:13 PM | Link to this

dawgy: of those 9 players he mentioned, 4 were draft picks, you’re right. The other 5 are still in school and two are projected top 15 picks. The other three were each top 10 recruits at their positions, something Navy could never boast.

Also, service academy players can be drafted and their rights are held by a team until they finish with their service.

As for Friedgen’s offense at GT, I saw every snap that it ever took, and it was an option offense. The main formation was a wing T. Typically, they’d run about 20 options a game. Again, if you don’t think it worked, look at the point totals.

By Doc

July 11, 2008 4:15 PM | Link to this

As a UGA fan I really do hope Tech does well. Hopefully CPJ can bring them around and at least clean up the program better than Gailey. You really do want Tech to have a good record when UGA plays them so it bolsters the SOS.

By Da troof

July 11, 2008 4:16 PM | Link to this

It doesn’t matter what there record will be. It is only two sure things. 1.) Tech is inferior to any team in red and black. 2.) they will lose to both sets of Red and black Bulldogs, 1. Gardner-Webb, 2. Georgia

By Huh?

July 11, 2008 4:22 PM | Link to this

“does UGA even have a calculus course?”

http://www.math.uga.edu/~curr/LowerDivision.html#calc

By BullDawg Rick

July 11, 2008 4:23 PM | Link to this

I actually hope Tech is 11 - 0 coming into the Classic City… Then Tech Wrecks..

But seriously, Tech will be fortunate to go 7 - 5 this season.. PJ is changing the offense & it’ll take time for the players to adjust…

A question to “Ace”… How does journalism (AJC coverage) affect a football team?? Oh I see.. That’s an EXCUSE for not performing well…

By Archie

July 11, 2008 4:25 PM | Link to this

Looking at the schedule, I predict…

3 guaranteed wins (Jax State, Gard Webb, Duke) 2 likely wins (Miss State, Virginia) 4 unlikely, but winnable (FSU, Miami, @UNC, @BC) 3 guaranteed losses (@VT, @Clemson, @UGA

I’ll say they pull out one of the “unlikely” games and finish 6-6.

By dawgy

July 11, 2008 4:25 PM | Link to this

05Jacket and TheRambler: What NFL team, in their right mind, would waste a draft pick on a guy knowing they can’t get his services (God forbid at all) until 5 years down the road? No wonder you guys are always the employee, never the employer.

And if you truly watched every snap of Friedgen’s offense, and you still think that he ran a Wing T, then you have validated the lack of football knowledge of the majority of techies out there (save your “we take calculus crap.” so did I.). In fact, if you can find me documentation that Fridge ran a base Wing T offense, then I take back everything I have ever said about you nerds. Happy hunting, simpleton.

By Paddy

July 11, 2008 4:31 PM | Link to this

With everything that has been said there is one thing obvious. Div 1 football in the state of Ga. is going to be entertaining.

One suggestion; GT fans need to be more positive. Your coaches and players are hyped. Why are you not? CPJ is a great coach and he has talented Div 1 players. I should see hope not negitives. Enjoy the season it promises to be exciting.

By jacketguy

July 11, 2008 4:31 PM | Link to this

I really feel sorry for the uga fans that trash talk on this post. Do you not have better things to do? We understand that uga has a better team than tech going into this season. Great, good for you. But why talk trash about it. You should be extremely grateful. The simple fact of the matter here is that uga is much easier to go to. its large fan base and ability to take easy classes make it attractive to most “talented” players in the area. Tech must always fight an uphill battle, especially when is comes to recruiting and dealing with the fans of uga. So please, take your trash talk elsewhere. it really just degrades you and other uga fans like you.

p.s. I am a uga hater through and through. but i respect the program and its accomplishments. and the uga fans who dont trash talk on this blog, i respect even more.

By RogersParkRob

July 11, 2008 4:32 PM | Link to this

How many redbeck UGA fans does it take to get to Arizona? None, because it’s on the other side of the Mississippi. And we all know UGA fans don’t travel west, or east, and definitely not north. We’re still at war with dem yanks.

By dawgy

July 11, 2008 4:48 PM | Link to this

jacketguy: I could care if you respect my comments or not. If the truth hurts, go somewhere else. And you shouldn’t throw rocks if you live in a glass house. Ever been over to our blogs to see the nerd invective being spewed there? You should, before you make comments like those. My guess is YOU actually talk trash on our blogs. Most techies are raging hypocrites as it is.

By Tech75

July 11, 2008 4:48 PM | Link to this

RogersParkRob:

I couldn’t resist.

How many does it take?

It takes a stadium-full. That way you’ll have at least one fan who knows where Arizona is.

By Webster-Merriam

July 11, 2008 4:50 PM | Link to this

RogersParkRob - what’s a “redbeck”?

By Tech75

July 11, 2008 4:55 PM | Link to this

Hey dawgy:

Show some class and lead by example.

Pretty simple concept, perhaps you can understand it.

Then again, maybe not.

By Billy Payne

July 11, 2008 4:55 PM | Link to this

Tech75, that’s no way to talk to your boss, son.

By Raiderbeater

July 11, 2008 4:59 PM | Link to this

HEY GTfan…you equate loosing 3 in a row by close margins to 7 in a row by mostly blowouts as “thinking we would never win again”???!!!!!!! You have to be smoking that Reuben Houston special….wait…your a Tech fan….no explanation needed.

By 05Jacket

July 11, 2008 5:00 PM | Link to this

dawgy:

When he was at GT, his base formation was just how they broke the huddle. When they had Charlie and Phillip Rogers, and Ed Wilder, they would break the huddle in a Wing T every play (that they were all on the field, which was at least 65% of the time) and then rearrange into another formation most of the time before the snap. Often, Charlie or Phillip (the A backs in CPJ’s system) would move up to tight end or out to split end. I can’t find any footage at the moment, since sadly youtube was about 10 years too late :-p

By jacketguy

July 11, 2008 5:00 PM | Link to this

Im not saying that you are hurting me, i know what the truth is, you dont have to tell me. I just feel bad for you and others like you who bring mindless arguments to this blog, thats all. as for the tech fans that do the same on your blogs, i cant control that. and no, i do not trash talk on your blogs. i am, however, completely open to debate. so if you want to challenge me on something that has to do with the jackets football team, go for it. just dont expect me to respect you if you feel you must degrade me or other tech fans to a “simpleton”.

By You got to be kidding me

July 11, 2008 5:01 PM | Link to this

GT1995, were you referring to Rich Rodriguez? He was at West Virginia not Va. Tech you brainchild! Last I checked Frank Beamer is still running his program!

By Rags

July 11, 2008 5:04 PM | Link to this

To Techgrad: Not sure if you are still on the blog, but I just saw your post about Hewitt’s recruiting class. While I agree that the jury is out on CPJ, and that Tech’s baseball team will once again do great until folding like a cheap tent in the post-season, I just cannot believe how many years we have heard that same old story about Hewitt - just wait until the NEXT class comes in. This may be the fourth or fifth year in a row that we’ve heard that. Hewitt has done less with future NBA players and superstars than any other coach in the ACC. Period. We do not play good defense, we cannot shoot foul shots when it counts, he rarely adjusts effectively at halftime, and we have absolutely NO offensive identity. It’s easy to forget that in the middle of summer, but I promise you, pull out last season’s blogs, and the season before, and you’ll consistently find the same complaints. Nice guy, represents the school well (or as well as a 500 coach can), seems to recruit well, but he just cannot coach. Which means that even if we do have a good recruting class, it doesn’t mean anything. This is a guy who struggled to go 500 with Chris Bosh, a guy who struggled to go 500 with two first rounders last season. I predict that unless he accidentally goes deep in the NCAA’s next year, he will not get a chance to coach any more of those great recruiting classes. And he will have lost that chance based solely on his lack of skill, not on the skill of his recruiting classes.

By TechFan

July 11, 2008 5:08 PM | Link to this

Why won’t the triple option work? The answer everyone gives is that the defenses got quicker. Didn’t the offensive players get quicker too? The real reason nobody runs this offense is because it wasn’t run in the NFL. Schools saw it to their advantage to switch and play like the pros. It does sound better to some kids to hear they will play a pro style of offense in college. However, this style of play requires a skilled passer and timed routes. Schools could teach it but they rarely have the talent to succeed consistently. You have to be able to recruit from a large base to field these type of players every year. Tech can’t recruit these players consistently and neither can most schools. It’s why WVU starts Pat White. He was an option QB that other schools wanted in their secondary right out of Alabama. This offense will work at Tech and at WVU. Conversely, the offense doesn’t make sense for Michigan. They are a large state school that could consistently recruit accurate drop back QBs and large speedy receivers. CPJ good choice for Tech. CRR bad choice for UM.

By PAPA56

July 11, 2008 5:10 PM | Link to this

Jackets better be ready for JSU Gamecocks, JSU is getting ready for Jacket

By Dawgfan

July 11, 2008 5:22 PM | Link to this

As a dawg fan, with 2 brother in-laws that are big tech fans. I will predict 6-6 not bowl eligible (2 cupcakes on your schedule.. only one can count towards bowl eligibility). last year preseason I predicted the games tech would lose (switch Miami and Virginia and I would have been perfect). My brother in laws much more optimistic last year than I predicted 10-2.. This year both are predicting losing seasons.. So now I wonder. Losses to BC, VT, Clemson,Florida State, Miami and UGA… UNC, Virginia and Miss state could be surprises.. so watch out. Don’t be the worst record on the DAWGS schedule.. you’ll bring down our strength of schedule:) I

By Mike

July 11, 2008 5:27 PM | Link to this

The most fun I will have as a Tech fan the next couple of years is watching folks eat their words when the offense PJ is installing lights them up. It will happen, too many not so bright “experts” out there. Navy had zero speed on offense, and yet they were able to pile up possession and points on equally woeful defenses.

This is gonna be fun to watch !!

By bb

July 11, 2008 5:28 PM | Link to this

I don’t know what to expect this year, but I am kind of excited to see what PJ’s offense can do. I expect some losses due to the learning curve, but I think we could win some games we’re not expected to.

I certainly hope that all of the teams we have on our schedule have the same attitude that I have seen from a lot of dawg fans (and some of the tech fans) on this blog. If they assume the PJ’s TO will be easy to defend because of their speed, then we will have a much better chance of running all over them.

I think turnovers will be the biggest factor in our success this year. If we can keep them down, we could win 7-9 games. If we don’t improve on the spring performance, we will be lucky to win 3-4.

By ga_tech_92

July 11, 2008 5:32 PM | Link to this

I think GT will need to be patient, as there are too many things changing all at once: attitude, character, offense, defense, coach, personnel needs. I do think CPJ is a winner and a class act, which is important. I’m excited to see how things unfold, though there are certain to be significant growing pains with all the changes.

I think UGA clearly has a dominate football power rolling and has for some time now. That is impressive and Goliath like. What I never understand is, how Goliath gets it’s jollies trash mouthing David. David isn’t even your competition, right? That’s what you say out of one side of your mouth…then the other side of your mouth talks trash to the team you just established is not on your talent or resource level. I think picking on the underdog is universally known to be classless. Grats UGA, you have a very potent football team, but you missed the more important chance to have the class to go along with it.

By Jack G

July 11, 2008 5:41 PM | Link to this

So whats with all the excuses about a new system? These are football players an athletes. Blocking, tackeling, running and passing are all fundemental. A new system does not change the fundementals of the game. Do what football players do and if you are talented enough everything will work out. If your talents are just run of the mill, so will your won loss record.

By Talking & Taking Smack in the Ghetto

July 11, 2008 6:07 PM | Link to this

* We be Talking & Taking Smack in the Ghetto*

By GATORCHOMP

July 11, 2008 6:14 PM | Link to this

Tech has NEVER been a winner , NEVER will be and that Goober of a coach Paul Johnson will get you nowhere. The best players in the nation do not want to play for a booger eating, lame, crime infested Georgia Tech. You can play for 100 more years and the most wins per season you will have is 7 and just forget about beating UGA - you wont even get past MISS STATE.

By George

July 11, 2008 6:18 PM | Link to this

Tech 8-4 with a win over the pups. Pups 8-4

By White and Gold

July 11, 2008 6:20 PM | Link to this

We are Georgia Tech. We are smarter than you. We are your bosses. We are prettier than you. Our girlfriends are all beautiful models. Our ball players are geniuses. If we lose to you its because you cheat. We never cheat but we do have an occasional clerical error. We are Georgia Tech.

By JACKETLOVER

July 11, 2008 6:37 PM | Link to this

DAWGLOVER,

Thanking your dad for encouraging you to go to UGA over GT is a comical. You couldn’t have gotten into GT even if your dad wanted you to. It was an academic impossibility for you. In fact, I bet you only went to UGA for 1 semester, failed out then was denied entry into Kennesaw State. You probably still live with that dad of yours because you get out-hustled every morning by all the folks on the corner who hope to get picked up for landscaping and constuction jobs.

By Ramblin' Rack

July 11, 2008 6:41 PM | Link to this

GOOD GAWD! All this talk over how Tech will finish amazes me. The one thing that concerns me are the folks who predict that Tech will go to a Bowl game this year. Don’t hang PJ out to dry so quickly. He has to completely rebuild the team w/ the exception of the QB and the Slot Back position. Fumbles will cost us dearly at BC and at VT. But expect Tech to vastly improve as the season wears on and by the time UGA rolls around, it could be a better game than most think. UGA has way too much talent not to lose but I think PJ will have things figured out enough to rattle their cages.

Tech goes 7-5 or even 6-6. The game at UNC will be pivotol. Phil Steele is predicting UNC to have the most improved team in the country behind Notre Dame. So the ACC Coastal is even tougher this year.

By ajchater

July 11, 2008 6:59 PM | Link to this

AgayC, why do you have to put a VT player scoring a TD on us on the front page of the sports section? I doubt you would put a picture of the Vols or cocks running all over your beloved mutts on the front page of the sports section. WTF is your problem with Tech? You do know that GT is located in ATL, a lot of people associated with Tech live in ATL, and your sorry a** bottom of the birdcage paper covers the ATL area? So f off you butt sniffing, bandwagon, sidewalk alumni. Stay the hell off of Tech’s bandwagon once CPJ’s offense becomes the next new unstoppable , innovative offense. Do you know that the fundamentals of football are to run the ball and stop the run?? I think with our 2 1st round NFL Defensive linemen we should be able to do that. And I have feeling that CPJ just might figure out a way for lil ole Tech to run the ball effectively. We will go to a bowl game, and we will upset CU, VT, or Ugag.

By A.J. Mealor

July 11, 2008 7:07 PM | Link to this

I am a dawg fan but just looking at the schedule I would think 3-9 or 4-8. I love Paul Johnson. He was a great coach at Ga Southern when I was down there for lineman camp. I really do think the world of him. However, with a completely new offense, staff, defense, etc. I don’t see them headed to a bowl this season, maybe not even next season. However, in 3 years when Johnson’s recruits begin to become upper class men look out. The biggest thing for them is to get a great OL. RBs in his system can made. Also, there needs to be a gutsy QB. Tech will be better in 3-4 years just have to wait out these next two agonizing years.

By Pro and the Joe

July 11, 2008 7:25 PM | Link to this

9-3 Reg Season

W vs Jack St W at BC L at VT W vs Miss St W vs Duke W vs G Webb L at Clemson W vs Virginia W vs FSU W at UNC W vs Miami L at UGA

Check us out:

http://proandthejoe.blogspot.com

By theajcsux.com

July 11, 2008 7:33 PM | Link to this

What s BS poll……What BS paper!!

By TechCrybaby

July 11, 2008 7:39 PM | Link to this

Here’s a quotation from GATORCHOMP: “Tech has NEVER been a winner, NEVER will be and that Goober of a coach Paul Johnson will get you nowhere.”

Here’s the record: Tech and Florida have met in 39 football games. Results, YELLOW JACKETS 24 wins, GATORS 9 wins, 6 ties.

(Why do I bother?)

By GT80

July 11, 2008 7:52 PM | Link to this

i love all the hyperbole both ways. look, cpj has been successful everywhere he’s been so i’m hopeful, but it’s always tough coming in as a new coach. but in college ball, both fb and bb, the coach is a huge part of the marketing, the coach is the one constant year after year, the coach is the one thing the program can continually be identifiable with, and face it, we had to get rid of chan because he couldn’t be marketed anymore (or always). at least with cpj we have a new face on the program and although an unknow future, at least it can be hopeful for now.

but regarding the record this year: i’m guessing…yea, much like the last 6 years, 7-5. particulars…

i break the season up into 4 parts,

if we go 2 - 2 in the first 4 games i’ll be ok with it. we play two tough acc road games, and an improved msu team. we might have a chance to beat bc, they lost a ton of people and the early season game might be a break as both teams will be rather inexperienced. cpj’s offense might be at an advantage with the first look. vt is gonna be tough, msu???. we should and really need to go 2-0 against duke and gw. if we go 1-1 against clemson (expect loss, they should win acc and maybe tommy b finally has his season where things go right..yea, i know, i’ll believe it when i see it) and uva (hey, it’s homecoming, we have to win), ok. the key to the season is the next 3 games. we get both fla teams on the home field and an unknow but recently bad unc team there. we need to go 2-1 against those 3 to be 7-4 going into the uga game. it’s possible. i think all tech folk will be ok with 7-5 after just a respectable loss to uga, who’s gonna be #1 at sometime in the season and probably no lower than #5, barring a total blow up (which i don’t think richt will let happen, he’s an excellent coach). as long as cpj doesn’t post an embarassement against the dawgs, he’s done better than chan ever did.

we fired chan after 6 seasons of 7-5, so the chan faithful will be howling, but see my earlier points.

if we somehow do better than 7-5, i’ll be extremely happy and have even more hope for future seasons

and dawg fans, bark loud now while you’re still undefeated and ranked #1. with that schedule it is gonna be really hard to stay there. if you do it, i’ll be more than impressed and actually happy for you. just try to be proud without being a-holes about it. \

By A.J. Mealor

July 11, 2008 8:00 PM | Link to this

Yes I agree, this paper is not very good. The sports section use to be a staple of this paper, and now it is absolutely terrible. The sports section is like network news, focusing on headlines and not a whole lot of reporting. After reading up about the ACC a little bit since my previous post I would like to revise my prediction of their season….5-7. Two wins coming against D1aa opponents, BC, Duke, and UVA.

By GT80

July 11, 2008 8:09 PM | Link to this

AJ Mealor, you don’t think we can one of the 3 game stretch against fsu, unc and miami? wow, unc and miami haven’t been good, no they’ve been bad, for the last few years. i’m hoping for 7-5 but could realistically expect 6-6. but 5-7 is pretty bleak.

By A.J. Mealor

July 11, 2008 8:27 PM | Link to this

I just think that there is a lot of transition to go thru with Paul Johnson. I think Miami and UNC will be a lot better this year than they have been in the past, and FSU should be stronger as well. I think GT could go 6-6 or 7-5 be beating MSU and/or UNC. Its possible, but not probable.

By GT80

July 11, 2008 8:50 PM | Link to this

i guess we can agree that its a crapshoot. at least i have some hope this year instead of contemplating another year of gaileyball.

By sc15

July 11, 2008 8:53 PM | Link to this

GT2009 and Pro and the Joe,

You guys are smoking crack if you think Tech is going to win that many games. How is it going to feel this year when you have away games vs. FSU and Miami at your own stadium this year?

By sc15

July 11, 2008 8:53 PM | Link to this

GT2009 and Pro and the Joe,

You guys are smoking crack if you think Tech is going to win that many games. How is it going to feel this year when you have away games vs. FSU and Miami at your own stadium this year?

By Ramblin' Rack

July 11, 2008 9:42 PM | Link to this

Now we are cooking w/ charcoal. Realistically, Tech will probably go 6-6 at best. Trust me, UNC will be a much improved team and we get BC and VT early on the road when PJ will still be trying to control those costly turnovers. We could potentially beat Miami at home and sneak out a win or two but Clemson, FSU, VT, and UGA on the road is a tall, tall order for a first year head coach w/ a complicated offensive scheme and none of his recruits in place to run it.

Even if we only win 4 games, PEOPLE, please give PJ time to build this program. Phil Steele ranked GT’s schedule the 36th toughest schedule in the country. By the way, he ranked UGA’s #2 as they might get ambushed by Arizona State at the onset. Richt better have his puppies focused or you could be out of the NC picture after the very first game.

By TheBlogger

July 11, 2008 10:22 PM | Link to this

I hope that Tech wins the first few games. Momentum and confidence always plays a large part for this team no matter who the coach is. If they get off to a great start, then who knows.

By The Facts

July 11, 2008 10:47 PM | Link to this

Their biggest challenge is overcoming the negative coverage they will be facing from the AJC this year. Especially during a year where they UGA hype machine will be in overdrive.

By H.Robinson

July 12, 2008 3:37 AM | Link to this

By 05Jacket

July 11, 2008 3:33 PM | Link to this

I just think it’s funny how people talk about what losers we are etc. We’ve been over .500 and gone to a bowl game for over a decade straight. CPJ wasn’t brought in to clean up our image (it wasn’t tarnished),

Not tarnished??? You stupid gnat. Tech has become one of the biggest outlaw programs across the board in the NCAA. The above got my attention. After reading the rest of your asinine posts you have hands down won todays booby prize. You have got to be one of the dumbest boxes of rocks to ever post on this blog. Jeeze!

By Sam

July 12, 2008 4:04 AM | Link to this

05Jacket thinks being over .500 and going to a toilet bowl year after year is winning. You really have some high standards 05Jacket. I guess that explains the rest of his ignorant posts. With that definition of success 05 can always feel good about his team. Real winners would never accept that as their standard. What a loser.

By WFC

July 12, 2008 7:31 AM | Link to this

I love this blog! Such intelligence! Such experience!

How many of you “experts” have ever experienced the pressure of calling offensive plays? I’ve called about a thousand at St. Pius and Crestwood high schools.

• Some variation of the option is a great ofeense for schools with inferior talent. GT will never be able to compete with UGA for the Matt Staffords of the world. But, there are dozens of good high school option QB’s that the “big boys” want to make into WR’s or DB’s. Don’t you think Coach Johnson will get lots of those guys?

• There is a herd mentality in coaching. Triple option football went out of style because a good defense could make the QB keep it. I’m willing to take my chances with Nesbitt running the ball. Whether he can read defenses remains to be seen.

• Expect GT to win 6 or 7 this year. It takes awhile to put in a new system.

• Doing something different has its advantages. I’m old enough to remember Tech beating a superior Notre Dame team in 1976 by a score of 23-14 without throwing a single pass. Rudy graduated the year before.

• I ran an option package out of the power I set against Marietta in 1989 and they are still trying to figure it out. They beat us 13-7 that day but we had the ball on their five yard line as the game ended. Talent wise… they were four TD’s better than us. We hung in there because WE KEPT THE BALL.

By Donald

July 12, 2008 8:24 AM | Link to this

GT will have to ‘suck it up and go’ to have a successful year!! Question is—-will the type of athletes recruited respond to a well disciplined FOOTBALL PROGRAM or will they go to a fetal position and quit. The offense they are running demands that they have a certain mentality—-can they step out of their normal personality’s and achieve success——that will determine a great season or a ‘flop’!!!!!!

By stinGTime

July 12, 2008 9:14 AM | Link to this

Ready for some football…it is hard to discuss Tech 08 in the abstract.

Johnson will show us something that CG did not…a real understanding of the need to win the last game!

By dawglickthemself

July 12, 2008 9:38 AM | Link to this

Coach Johnson will find a way to win. He always has in he pass. 8-4 will be good this year and with break maybe 9-3.

By Sick of Tech Fans

July 12, 2008 11:08 AM | Link to this

I have never seen a group of fans more full of cow dung than Tech fans. All we heard before the 2006 and 2007 seasons was how it was Tech’s year. They had a senior QB and a top NFL draft pick. How in the world could anything go wrong? Then when that didn’t pan out the story was how Taylor Bennett was going to take them to the promised land. You never heard a word about Gailey’s questionable coaching ability. Now that he’s gone and Johnson is on board they act like they knew 7-5 seasons were their destiny all along. Sorry Tech fans, not buying it. You criticize Georgia fans for bringing too much hype, but what do you call all this mindless optimism about Johnson? Its nothing but HYPE homeboys. The dude has proved nothing. At least Georgia fans actually have something to hype. You would kill your mom to have 17 starters returning from the #2 team in the land. More Georgia Tech hypocrisy and double standards. Different year. Same bullsh*t. Good day.

By stinGTime

July 12, 2008 11:35 AM | Link to this

“sick” dog must have a poor memory if he cannot remember all the CanChan talk.

It really is funny for a dog to bad mouth Tech for bragging about a possible good season…when they ineviatably spout about NC’s (something they long for but have not seen lately…even with all that five star “drafting”).

Keep dream’n sick dog. Your season starts two weeks later that most.

By Sick of Tech Fans

July 12, 2008 12:22 PM | Link to this

Why is it funny for a dog to bad mouth Tech for bragging about a possible good season? When was the last time you actually had a good season? Hype, hype, and more hype. Talk, talk, and more talk. When is it going to turn in to action Techies? If they gave out trophies for flapping your gums surely Tech would be in a league all its own. Unfortunately for you, they don’t. They give out trophies for winning your conference and winning BCS bowls, something UGA does on a regular basis. Tech makes losing second tier bowl games a regular habit. When we talk we actually have something to talk about. When we hype we actually have something to hype about. Do you think its Georgia fans putting UGA a top all of those preseason polls? We may never win another national title, but as long as we are handing the Techies their a$$ every year you will have nothing to say about it. We own you free and clear. Your program is a joke. Good day.

By Cutty Sark

July 12, 2008 12:48 PM | Link to this

PaulJohnson is at the platform he wanted to be with his offense that was refined at Hawaii and Georgia Southern. He is a college coach who has been successful at the Naval academy, who are unable to recruit football talent. Yet look what he did with smart non-athletic players. He will be more than competitive in his first year. Although the fumbles will need to be cut down, the big plays and a solid defense will be more than enough to contend in the ACC and go to a bowl. Probably not going to knock off UGA this year, but they will make more of a game out of it than Gailey ever did.

What is more important is the fact that due to his connections at Georgia Southern, and the fact that he can actually get a HS quarterback that runs this offense to come to tech, the talent level will rise very fast. UGA will still get their share of in state talent, but so will Tech under Paul Johnson.

Give UGA credit. Under Richt they have built an outstanding football program. Paul Johnson will do the same at Tech. More importantly, he will be a coach during the game and not act he is oblivious to mistakes like Chan. PJ will yank a player who makes repeated mistakes and not let a game get out of hand.

Coaching college football is his forte and he has no interest in the NFL. Tech will be fine.

By stinGTime

July 12, 2008 2:24 PM | Link to this

“sick” dog, last year was just another example…you guys were hollering about being #1 late in the year…and you did NOT even win your sec div…and it was all because MR gave up on the the run before he achieved 60%…LOL!

So, even with two “L’s”, you guys were still talking NC. Situation normal for a dog…just keep barking loudly…just as you do on this blog.

By GTGreg

July 12, 2008 2:31 PM | Link to this

UGA fans are hilarious. I’d almost consider pulling for Georgia in all of their contests (excepting the last one of the regular season) if their “fans” considered not getting overly zealous and talking a ton of trash after a group of 18-22 year old kids that they have never met beat another group of 18-22 year old kids that they have never met. Tech’s program is in the toilet? Tech’s talent is no better than Navy’s? That’s going to sting when Tech does inevitably become disciplined and put a few away against Georgia (which was closer to happening the past few years that you are daring to admit).

The past seven years of Tech football have been marred by terrible inconsistency, a hallmark of lacking discipline. Unplug Gailey, replace him with Paul Johnson, and that lack of discipline will soon be fixed.

By the way, dawg fans (since that is basically the demographic that reads and replies to these idiotic bait threads from the AUC), I’d hold off on preordering your 10 UGA - 2009 BCS Champions t-shirts until after you beat that fair to middling PAC-10 team. Oh wait, too late, you’ve already ordered them.

Georgie: 2 time NCAA football champions, 1980 and next year!

By GT_RamblinWreck

July 12, 2008 3:09 PM | Link to this

Give credit where it’s do. Richt is a great coach. So what if he tells his players to show their backsides by dancing in the endzone when you score…so what if he fails to keep his players in check…he’s a good coach. If UGA doesn’t go undefeated and beat all opponents by 20+ points, they’re a failure according to all the hype I’m reading here…it’s only a matter of time mutts…you’ll choke, you always do. You just better pray to God that it’s not against Tech.

By Coach Heisman

July 12, 2008 3:13 PM | Link to this

I love how everyone automatically assumes that this offense will look exactly like Navy’s Triple Option offense. The fact is that no one other that the players and coaches know what this offense will look like at this point. From what I read Paul Johnson likes to adapt his offense to his personnel. I also read that he was having the QBs pass quite a bit during spring practice. In short I bet their offense looks a lot more like WVU or Oregons when all is said and done than Navys offense from last year. They will definitely run the triple option a lot but I would expect something closer to the spread option that WVU or Oregon runs than a pure triple option attack. I also love how people doubt this offense will work without even seing it run. People said the same thing about WVU’s O when Rich Rodriguez showed up at WVU and that turned out to be effective. Keep in mind that Johnson was taking guys at Navy who aren’t overly athletic and winning 9 or 10 games with them. Tech currently has some serious athletes who could play for anyone already on their roster. Does anyone really think that athletes like Dwyer or Nesbitt or Michael Johnson couldn’t play for any team in the country? Can you say the same thing about 1 player from the Naval academy? Those guys main purpose is to kick a*, fly jets, etc. I will be suprised if Tech can’t win 8 games this year. I agree that there are only 3 or maybe 4 mark them down wins on the schedule. That being said I also wouldn’t be shocked if they came out and won 9 or 10 games. BC lost a ton. Miami has a ton of young talent but they aren’t well coached and will underachieve again. VT lost a lot more than people realize on D especially. UNC is improving but they aren’t ahead of Tech in terms of talent. NC State will be better but they also are struggling to get guys like Obrien wants in their. Clemson always underachieves when they are expected to do well. That game is always tight. FSU is still missing some pieces and isn’t the FSU of the 90’s. UGA is loaded but that being said tech has played them tough the last 3 times they have met. I will be shocked if a guy like Johnson can’t get a team with this talent to a bowl game. I don’t see them playing in a BCS bowl either but they will finish a lot better than 10th in a weak league like the ACC. I understand why Dawgs fans like getting their licks in. They have won clean old fashioned hate several times in a row and will be ranked in the Top 3 in the country. What I don’t understand is how tech “fans” can completely dismiss Coach Johnson before he has even coached a game. Give the man a chance. He has won wherever he has coached. I don’t understand why he can’t win at a school that has a nice tradition and has won 4 national championships. Give CPJ a chance.

By Sick of Tech Fans

July 12, 2008 3:16 PM | Link to this

So let me get this straight. Georgia Tech football is NOT an absolute laughable joke because Georgia hasn’t won a national title since 1980? This is your argument Techies? Does the phrase “logical flaw” mean anything to you clueless morons? My god almighty what a bunch of dunderheads. For all your purported smarts you sure are a thick headed lot.

I don’t know how much simpler I can make this for you. You can’t beat Georgia. I hasn’t happened in 8 full calendar years almost. When you lose this year it will have been two U.S. President’s ago since you beat us. So whatever you say about Georgia just makes Georgia Tech look like an even bigger joke than it already is. Tech can’t beat a team that insert Tech fan’s lame putdown here. So I have to ask, what are you trying to accomplish?

A Tech fan criticizing UGA for lack of national titles is like a fat guy that just finished the Peachtree in under 3 hours criticizing the New York marathon runner up for not finishing first. You’re simply making fools of yourselves. Everyone is laughing at you.

By stinGTime

July 12, 2008 3:37 PM | Link to this

“sick” dog, we certainly are not criticizing Ga for a lack of NC’s, we are just laughing at you because you seemingly always claim to win one…next year (again with all that talent).

ps, Tech still holds the record of eight in a row (I remember it well)…see me when you break it. You might tie this year…maybe not.

By GTGreg

July 12, 2008 6:13 PM | Link to this

Ok, “sick of tech fans,” since all you got out of that was: “Georgia sucks because they haven’t won a national championship since 1980,” I think you need to not only drop the nonsense about logical flaws, but also brush up on your reading comprehension. I never said that Georgie was a bad team, I simply said that some of their needlessly arrogant, dim-witted fans tend to suck the fun out of watching football. The good ones are a decent bunch of people.

I think that Tech will have some frustrating moments this year, and they will also have some flashes of brilliance as the wheels of this new offense start turning. The spacing and frequency of those events will dictate whether we have a 9-3 or 8-4 type season vs. a 4-8, 5-7 type season. Either way, we have a proven college coach at the helm; A coach who understands the college game, who understands the importance of rivalry games, and who understands discipline and teamwork. I think that the season will have been a success if we’ve knocked off a couple of the inevitably higher ranked teams, found a serviceable quarterback, and significantly reduce our fumbling woes.

By the way, “sick of tech fans,” if you’re so sick of us, why are you wasting all of that time to sit down, log into your account, read our blog, and post on it if you are so sick of tech fans? That sounds like a “logical flaw” to me.

By Not Disappointed

July 12, 2008 6:27 PM | Link to this

I’m just ready for some football! It would be nice to see the Jackets win some tight games for a change. Go Jackets!

By ATL

July 12, 2008 6:33 PM | Link to this

You can call the offense anything you want, in a couple of years everyone will be calling it the “Tech Spread” or “Wreck Option”. Johnson is an old school coach running an old school south Georgia high school type of offense at the present college level. Surely you Bulldog rednecks can appreciate that.

Nesbitt in an NFL safety playing college quarterback. Him and Dwyer have the perfect body types to run this offense and stay healthy. You know all those clips you see of slow, big, white fullbacks running untouched down the middle of the field in this offense, well that’ll be Dwyer. A tailback in a fullback’s body, but much faster. I can’t wait.

By Sick of Tech Fans

July 12, 2008 6:40 PM | Link to this

So, Georgia doesn’t win national titles. You got me. Guilty as charged. Maybe if that were coming from anyone other than a Georgia Tech fan it might mean something. I’m sure not winning blue turf bowls and pretty much anything of remote significance is much better eh Greg? Funny how you have the nerve to call Georgia fans arrogant but seem to have no problem criticizing the team that owns your sorry a%% program. If that’s not arrogant I don’t know what is. Once again, typical Tech hypocrisy.

By old gold

July 12, 2008 8:16 PM | Link to this

I agree with Sweet. I like optimism. Actually Tech can definitely go 7-5. Who cares about a minor bowl. Stay at home and do well on exams. The defense will outperform the offense because they learn quicker.
It would nice to pull out one big win. Clemson, Va Tech, UGA and all of the group expected to win by 14 or more. Would like to have one of these. Such a win would mean more than this years overall record.

By AlabamaRamblinwreck

July 12, 2008 8:44 PM | Link to this

It is going to be a tough year. Remember how difficult it was for our offense in spring practice?

Anyway, our defense will keep us in a lot of games. Hopefully, the offense can better and better as the year goes on.

Although I think 7-5 is possible, I believe that all of us GT fans must be patient if things go south this season. Coach Johnson is a winner, and he will win at GT; it is just a matter of time.

I am very excited about the future of our program.

By Tech BEAT GA!

July 12, 2008 10:50 PM | Link to this

Tech beats GA on on 11/29/08 because comments like Mr. “Sick of Tech Fans’” regarding Paul Johnson:

The dude has proved nothing.

HEY IDIOT yeah, I’m talking to you “sick of tech fans” ……. go to google.com (I’m giving you the benefit of doubt that you’ve heard of it) and type in Paul Johnson. And here’s the ‘kicker’ you mental-midget … open to web page that is about Paul Johnson (american football coach), and NOT the one about PJ the author. If, after you have read the wikipedia info (again, I’m giving you the benefit of doubt that you can actually READ), you want to continue with your asinine The dude has proved nothing. comment then it’s a given ….. you truly are the typical uninformed, unrealistic, die-hard GA fan. And it’s going to be that much more fun for us Tech fans when you wake-up on 11/30/08, and realize that a bunch of non-talented, ACC losers beat your bulldogs.

Hope your date (i.e. sister) wins homecoming king this year, you queen!

By Sam

July 13, 2008 4:51 AM | Link to this

Hey Tech BEAT GA! When you wake up from that wet dream you’re having, enjoy the nightmare reality of another thorough beatdown from your betters in Athens come 11/30/08. You opitimize the image of the foaming at the mouth angry, frustrated trade school fan hurling his latest GT cap out the window of his tire squeeling automobile as he leaves the scene of another loss to UGA. LOSER!! LMAO!!

By WFC

July 13, 2008 7:56 AM | Link to this

UGA is always #1 in July. Guys hanging around gas stations in rural Georgia ALWAYS have the answers! One day, African-American players will realize that most “dawg” fans wouldn’t even speak to them in public if they weren’t players. Be very scared little dawgies! Things are about to change.

By son_sir

July 13, 2008 9:08 AM | Link to this

The biggest questions I have going into the season are: Can Tech get consistent play at the QB position and keep turnovers to a minimum ? Let’s just hope there will be a quantum leap from what we saw in the spring game, to the season opener. If not, the first few games could be dismal. The good news is, the more reps they get, the smoother things will become. It has to become second nature. These kids struggled with it early (spring) as was to be expected.

Hopefully, the guys at the skill positions have been studying and working on reads, exchanges, timing, and ball protection, on their own this summer.

I’m getting impatient for the start of some football. If Tech struggles early, I’ll still have fun pulling like hell for whoever UGaG is playing.

By son_sir

July 13, 2008 9:27 AM | Link to this

You are so right WFC. Football is a great avenue to racial unity in Georgia.

Fall: The time of year when rednecks from the mountains to the sea all across this great state, don their G’s and red and black and turn a blind eye to their long held beliefs. A time of year when it doesn’t matter about interracial dating, the hip-hop style, dread locks, or police blotters, etc. etc. All that matters is the brainless bark and another win.

……and they call Tech fans hypocrites.

By old gold

July 13, 2008 11:48 AM | Link to this

Like Phil Gramm said, we’re a nation of whiners. Just don’t show up on this blog. Find a whiner blog somewhere else, Falcons maybe. Johnson is here because Tech needs to be and will be better than mediocre. You fire coaches until you beat UGA. Its as simple as that.

By WOW

July 13, 2008 11:53 AM | Link to this

Can’t beat us, so label us racists. Wow, you guys really are idiots.

Son Sir, I remember your dumbass from another blog. It is really funny to hear you call us rednecks when I seem to remember that you attended the redneck capital of Georgia, GA Southern.

By old gold

July 13, 2008 12:15 PM | Link to this

DAWGY: Hamilton’s Tech degree is just fine. How goes things at Richts office in Clarke County jail ? Please give the new UGLA a facelift. Who knows what Johnson will do. Do you think he’s too dumb to change the attack is its not successful or mix up various types of offensive schemes or even go a new system altogether ? Think, fool.

By GT BALLER

July 13, 2008 1:05 PM | Link to this

First of boston college without matt ryan sucks and their starter this upcoming season aint no matt ryan. VT lost alot of good players to the nfl and they also have Quaterback struggles. same goes for the U. now clemson will probably blow us out of the building. virgiania lost a lot of senior and they didnt replace them. Florida state will be dificult but if we can play solid D against them and Mississippi state we will be fine. I expect no better than 6-6 but we could easily be 8-8 or 4-8.

By Robert Gresham

July 13, 2008 5:37 PM | Link to this

Better than 7-6? Possibly, but the bowl streak might end. However, unlike Chan’s worthless 7-6 seasons, Paul will actually build something and improve the team. I’m thinking anywhere from 5-7 to 8-4 is possible, but I know this is the bottom of the pyramid for Admiral Johnson. Rev Richt better study old GSU and Navy films for years, because they can no longer sleepwalk through and still hold Tech to less than 20 points.

By surfrider

July 13, 2008 6:01 PM | Link to this

It’s been awhile since Tech fans and others have seen real option football work. The last I can remember was Joe Hamilton, Shawn Jones, John Dewberry mixing it up some and then back in the 70’s under Pepper. The schedule on some fronts was much harder than now some years with the likes of the Old Notre Dames, Pitts, Alabamas, etc..The schedule now is pretty tough too top to bottom, whereas then we had some breathers too. Back to recent times, the Fridge. He line up several times in an inverted wishbone similar to what we will see in this triple option. However, he usually did it to put people in motion or disquise plays and we all thought he could pass on any play or run. The triple option should bring in 3 to 4 more skill players each play who could get their hands on the ball instead of the usual 1rb, 1wr, qb. The key to me is whether we can keep the fumbles to a minimum and also pass better t han we have for some time or at least more effectively. We do that and keep a decent defense we could be a surprise this year.

By Tokyo Jacket

July 13, 2008 8:02 PM | Link to this

So, I have to add a couple things that no one has mentioned so far. Places where Tech will improve instantly:

• 3rd/4th and 1: Zone blocking doesn’t work in short yardage situations. I can remember several situations (many against UGA) where we didn’t get it done in short yardage. CPJ’s system is to move forward on every play.

• End of the game/season: CPJ is a tenacity coach. Think Jimmy Johnson, the Tuna, Bellichik. I’m not saying he’s as good as those coaches. But that’s the type of coach he is. He’s the guy that gets the most out of his players.

• Killer Instinct: CPJ has killer instinct. Can anyone on earth say that about Gailey? Think Spurrier, Johnson, Bowden. Again, he’s not those guys. But, he expects to score on every drive. He does not have plays that are designed to get 4 yards and eat up 1 minute of clock, a la the 7 point lead Gailey technique. He doesn’t want to make you look bad, but by God his team will execute. If you execute, you score. If you don’t execute, you get replaced by someone who will.

Places where we’re behind (at the start of the year, this year):

• Turnovers: we’ll have a lot of turnovers early in the year. Hopefully, they’re not at bad times of the game.

• Broken plays: we’re going to have some broken plays this year. Nesbitt will have the ability to turn those into a couple big gains. But, I doubt he’ll be mature enough to know opportunity from threat. This will cause some turnovers and some big yardage losses.

So, my prediction is 7-5. Bad QB play will take us to 4-8. Good QB play will take us to 9-3. I say 7 wins because we’ll win the gimmes. I expect that we will win the gimmes every year with CPJ because of his style, his need to run a tight ship.

Finally, what I have to say I’m most excited about are the guys who will be “Johnson’s Players.” More than half the players that are signed or on the likely list for 09 are guys that have “tenacity/effort” listed as an attribute. When you get guys that play right up to the whistle, on every play, you’re going to win. I don’t care whether they’re a one-star or a five-star.

Percy Harvin had a reputation for taking plays off in high school. Heinz Ward and Calvin Johnson had reputations for playing hard as he!!. In the NFL, and even college, who would you rather have on your team?

By GT BALLER

July 13, 2008 9:26 PM | Link to this

Heinz ward is a Tight end in a wide receivers body. Calvin Johnson hasn’t don’t anything in th pros except drop pass after pass on thanksgiving day. Percy harvin averages the most yards per play of anybody in division one football last year. He gets a first down every time he touches the ball. When he does get on some lucky nfl team they are gonna get a big time play maker like Devin Hester or Reggie Bush. I love Calvin Johnson but is situation is not getting any better with a bunch of talented wide receivers in a run orientated system.

By Tokyo Jacket

July 13, 2008 9:44 PM | Link to this

I agree that Percy Harvin is a great player, but I’d take either CJ or a Super Bowl MVP on my team any day. Character counts.

Percy Harvin is the current model of Peter Warrick & Ted Ginn. Both game breakers with physical skill. Both well below average in leadership and total benefit to the team.

By GT88

July 14, 2008 6:56 AM | Link to this

By old gold

July 13, 2008 11:48 AM | Link to this

Like Phil Gramm said, we’re a nation of whiners. Just don’t show up on this blog. Find a whiner blog somewhere else, Falcons maybe. Johnson is here because Tech needs to be and will be better than mediocre. You fire coaches until you beat UGA. Its as simple as that.

I guess PJ better go ahead and pack. There isn’t a victory over UGA on the horizon for a long time to come. The gap between our program and theirs is as wide as the Grand Canyon. The team chemistry gap is the same. The character gap is the same. We haven’t been able to manup against UGA with the game on the line for years. That isn’t going to change overnight. And face it folks. PJ will never overcome what Mark Richt has going on in Athens.

By why the long face?

July 14, 2008 8:28 AM | Link to this

Does ‘88 have “insider” info?

(or is he a dog in other clothes?) (He sounds like one)

By GT88

July 14, 2008 10:18 AM | Link to this

No, why the long face. Just reality. You are obviously believing your lying eyes.

By Samj

July 14, 2008 10:55 AM | Link to this

We will wait and see how good Tech will be. I believe there are going to be some people that are surprised how good Tech plays this year. They have a secret weapon.

By why the long face?

July 14, 2008 1:14 PM | Link to this

reality, really…what do you base that on…before any game. Sounds like a poor opine to me. Think positive. As you pointed out, look what Ga has become under MR…PJ might just alter that. One of his first revelations after his intro at Tech was to make sure everyone knew his desire/need to beat Ga. Did you believe him?

By adawg06

July 14, 2008 1:37 PM | Link to this

won 7 in a row, lost 3 in a row, won 7 in a row! 14 out of 17, I don’t think it’s even really a rival anymore is it????

By adawg=moron

July 14, 2008 2:54 PM | Link to this

Hey moron, whats the uga-UF record out of past 17 games? Im not trying to live through UF, but your comment just proves your ignorance.

By Change the Picture

July 14, 2008 3:59 PM | Link to this

Could someone please change the picture on the Tech page of the AJC. We all know we got thwomped by Va Tech last year. We don’t need the picture on for more than a week to remind us. Time to play nice AJC Editors (or whoever controls this stuff)!

By To Change the Picture

July 14, 2008 4:25 PM | Link to this

Let’s change the front page to the UGA game.. What is it “10” in a row?..