Marcus Wright emerges
Good morning.
At Saturday’s scrimmage, the starting lineup changed: Marcus Wright started at A-back instead of Lucas Cox. (Cox played mainly at backup B-back and ran hard up the gut, breaking tackles).
It’s too early to project Wright will actually keep that spot opposite Roddy Jones. But Wright is making a strong case.
Coaches have praised the 5-8, 175-pounder out of San Antonio for his blocking. He’s one of the fastest players on the team. And he showed great burst during the scrimmage. Wright took one toss for 20 yards, keeping his balance despite taking a clean shot.
I was more impressed with another play, one he messed up. Wright fumbled a pitch from Josh Nesbitt and it looked like DE Derrick Morgan was going to fall on it first. Wright came up with it despite being crushed by Morgan and someone else.
“Marcus has had a good spring,” coach Paul Johnson said. “I tell you, he’s a physical guy. I think he’s made a lot of improvement. I’m excited about Marcus, I think he can help us.”
Tech took the redshirt off Wright in the sixth game last season. In spot duty he had a 29-yard run against Florida State and a 47-yard catch against LSU. He returned nine kickoffs for a 22.2-yard average.
Remember, this is the same guy who scored 45 TDs as a high school senior while rushing for 3,374 yards. That’s one season. I think this is the most incredible stat: in eight straight games, he had one carry that went at least 70 yards.
Now, it seems, he’s grasped the offense enough to put that speed to use.
“I think he’s getting a better feel for where he’s going and what he’s doing and now he can play fast,” CPJ said. “He didn’t play fast last year. He’s got good speed and I think now he’s playing a little faster.”
Other scrimmage notes that didn’t make it in Sunday’s report:
Backup defensive tackle T.J. Barnes played more reps than most. With mixed results.
“He was just rolling with the ‘2’s, and at some positions there aren’t a lot of guys,” CPJ said. Then he added: “We need to get him a lot of reps so he can drop his weight. He needs to play harder.”
Lucas Cox ran well at B-back, so did Embry Peeples at A-back. Backup guard Omoregie Uzzi got some props from CPJ.
“Uzzi caught my eye a couple times coming off the ball, so that’s good,” the coach said. “We need him to be a player for us.”
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89 comments Add your comment
m
April 6th, 2009
6:09 pm
Insider, you have shown what a fool you are. Defending what Gailey did to Tech is outrageous. If you really are an insider, you are as stupid as Dave Braine. But be warned…we will never let you Gailey idiotic mediocrity tolerators do it to us gain. NEVER. Thank God and Greyhound that the worst coach in the history of the world will never be at Tech again. Hallleeeeeedamloooyah.
GA Tech Insider
April 6th, 2009
6:35 pm
I never thought I would say this to a GA Tech faithful, and I never wanted to come out and say it out loud, but m, you’re more obnoxious than the GA Bulldog fans that get on the GA Tech blogs.
You can have the last word, child, I’ll get back to the sports talk now. It’s obvious you can’t see beyond your own ego, sense of self worth, and selfishness.
Gentlemen (”m” you are not included in this portion of the conversation because you are obviously a child), it sounds as though Marcus has really taken a shine to the offense in all facets of the game; running, catching, and blocking.
I’m thinking that if he can block like he ended up doing towards the end of the year, Marcus will help spring some more long runs for Jonathan, and then we’ll also have dual option threats to the outside with Roddy and Marcus. With all three of those cylinders clicking, if these guys can also block like Marcus, then the run’ shoot will have a better chance of success because Josh will have the extra time to find the open receivers.
Supersize that order, mutt
April 6th, 2009
6:44 pm
Insider, thanks for your comments, and, more importantly, thanks for your insight into what’s going on on the Flats. I am in Augusta, so we get absolutely no news in the local media here, especially the newspaper, about what’s going on. The newspaper actually has a regular column with the heading “College Football.” Sadly, the only team that ever gets coverage in that column is the mutts. So I depend on what appears in these online columns and what knowledgeable people like you and minnesota-jacket write. Keep it up, man. I REALLY DO APPRECIATE IT.
Of course, it’s also fun at times to get into with the mutts desparate chasing reasons in here and the ever-obnoxious m. lol
chuck allison
April 6th, 2009
6:49 pm
m, I think it is great if you want to scold us Tech fans for accepting mediocrity. But there is another area where we are even worse and you need to scold us there also. You see, Chan Gailey never had a losing season, but our basketball coach, Paul Hewitt, has an overall losing conference record for his entire 9 years at Tech. His road record is only 28-68, including all the creampuff non-conference teams. But my fellow alumni seem content to let him continue drawing his paycheck for another year or more. Please drop your useless ranting about past history and get on our case to get something done about our pathetic basketball program. You could possibly be useful, and that would be a new experience for you.
Supersize that order, mutt
April 6th, 2009
6:54 pm
chuck, the problem is that dave brain-dead gave Hewitt a contract that hardly any school, much less Tech, could afford to buy out. I am torn between hoping that he succeeds next year with the super recruits he has and hoping that he fails so miserably that some super-wealthy alum will foot the bill and rid us of the nightmare.
m
April 6th, 2009
6:56 pm
chuck allison…you will just have these same mediocrity tolerators defending Hewitt that are still defending Gailey and also attacking me for helping put an end to mediocrity at Tech. Thank God and Greyhound that gailey is gone forever. It is a shame that Tech has some of the stupidest fans in the world that would still defend Gailey after he destroyed our beloved Tech football program. I would love to see Hewitt replaced but it is not going to happen for awhile.
Not Disappointed
April 6th, 2009
7:21 pm
Larry Hartstein & GA Tech Insider, I appreciate your insite. I appears the offense should have a great year. I’m not quite there with the comfort level on defense though. I will attend the spring game next week and hope others can come as well. Even you M.
I would like to give “A Shout Out to Tokoyo Jacket. What’s UP!”
To all of you loyal fans “Ramblin Wreck!!!! It really is an exciting time for the Tech Nation.
Supersize that order, mutt
April 6th, 2009
7:39 pm
m, just how did YOU help put an end to mediocrity? What did you do? Griping alone doesn’t do it. If griping alone did any good, neither Bud Carson, nor Bill Curry, nor Bill Lewis, nor Chan Gailey (ALL mediocre, if not TERRIBLE coaches) would have ever been hired to begin with. What feigned power to you think you have? Pointing out the VERY FEW good things that Gailey might have been considered to have done is NOT supporting him. Bill Lewis never did a damn thing good the entire time he was coach.
Minnesota Jacket
April 6th, 2009
7:52 pm
ok blog I say we all agree to talk with ken and and larry in order to block out m’s obnoxious comments…yes you are UGA fan and yes this is the Tech blog so please leave…
Insider and supersize I agree that Wright can block BUT I really do think he is going to be the odd man out more than not this year with Allen, Roddy, and Dwyer being our top 3 guys….I do believe Wright will be a great asset in certain situations along with Cox so I am excited about the ability to mix and match our backfield to run the best play.
Not Disapointed I agree that the d-line is going to be a work in progress all the way up into the opening game BUT I also like to point out that we have some GREAT players that if they CHOOSE to step up this year can really make it a great year for Tech especially with Sed being the Hoss that he is.
Tampa Wreck
April 6th, 2009
8:28 pm
“m” is right. CG was a terrible coach. He was a likable gentleman and recruited better than Bill Lewis, but his coaching is down there with the worst in GT history. That said, m’s rants became old and boring over a year ago. We can’t change those 6 wasted years of mediocrity. Most of us have chosen to move on and support our new coach and players. Let’s hope that “m” can also do so one day.
Not Disappointed
April 6th, 2009
8:36 pm
Minnesota Jackket, I have to agree in part that the Defense is a working progress; moreover with Morgan, Taylor and others it has the possiblity of be exciting as well.
m
April 6th, 2009
8:43 pm
The ONLY reason that TECH fans can be excited about this season is because Chan Gailey is gone. If he was still here, there would be no reason whatsoever for excitement. But Thanks to God and Greyhound and DRAD the future is so bright we all need to wear shades. But Tech cannot be allowed to EVER hire a coach like Chan Gailey again. Not ever. Those who forget the past are doomed to repeat it.
Supersize that order, mutt
April 6th, 2009
8:49 pm
m, you are f’ng
B O R I N G !!!
SugarHillDawg
April 6th, 2009
8:50 pm
Hey guys, I hope your offensive linemen’s hysterectomies went OK and they will be back in the line up soon.One less day ’til we beat y’alls A$$e$!!!!!!!
Not Disappointed
April 6th, 2009
9:06 pm
SugarHillDawg, it must be hard to tell yourself that everyday knowing that your chances of winning is less than 5O percent. Now run along, I need fries to go with the Varsity Orange and extra Ketchup….
Minnesota Jacket
April 6th, 2009
9:23 pm
Hey Larry I meant to ask earlier…Does Richard Watson remind you a lot of Dwyer? I keep hearing about him in some of your reports and was wondering if you could give me a little detail…does he have the break away speed, the ability to run over tacklers, or any of the other intangibles that Dwyer possess?
SugarHill also can you get a chili dog with a Varsity Orange I haven’t had one in a while, and FYI I know you can’t read but this is the Tech blog…I know UGA and Tech are just a bunch of symbols to you which is also why your “Fight song” can only have 4 words in it because god knows if it was anymore it would confuse all of you.
GT-FOREVER
April 6th, 2009
9:29 pm
If you love Georgia Tech-Say what you want to-It’s called FREEDOM OF SPEECH!
Tokyo jacket
April 6th, 2009
10:48 pm
I gotta respond to m…
Here’s my take on Gailey: he (and/or his staff) did coach up talent at LB and DL positions. His staff finally turned him around on pre-season recruiting that he held back on for years. He was probably almost as good of an x’s and o’s coach as CPJ, but in an NFL style offense (great coordinator at Miami and Pittsburgh prior to coming to Tech). But, he did commit the most egregious sin of all at the college level which was accepting mediocrity and not realizing he was dealing with young men instead of professionals. So, I don’t think he’s the worst coach ever, but I must say that he did commit unforgivable sins (don’t know about Curry and Lewis, wasn’t around then). Tolerating mediocrity is the exact opposite of what Tech is about at all levels.
M and others do make an important point: CPJ is the antithesis of those sins. He expects success on every play at every position every game, kind of like Steve Spurrier in his hayday. That is what brings a team to greatness I believe, or actually living up to those expectations moreover. Also, CPJ recognizes his role as a pseudo-parent. Bowden, in the hayday of the Noles, probably played that role better than anyone else in the country. So, CPJ is a pretty good mix of Bowden and Spurrier. I think that starts to translate into championships very soon.
By the way, I can’t wait to see Marcus Wright under the tutelage of CPJ for a couple years. I love Dwyer and Jones, but the best (I think) really is yet to come with this offense. It will be scary for years.
Ty Webb
April 6th, 2009
11:29 pm
Wright is a player. He was the Texas class AAAAA offensive player of the year in high school. Nesbitt, Dwyer, Jones, Wright, and Peeples – that’s some serious speed in one backfield.
The Big Bug
April 7th, 2009
12:30 am
It’s a good thing m wasn’t around to see Carson, Fulcher,Curry & Lewis. They dug Tech a hole so deep Tech is just now climbing out. The AD’s who hired this bunch should be neutered. I mean this was laziness & incompetence raised to an art form. Gailey just plain made some game day decisions that defied explanation. He could not care less whether he lost to GA or not. That finally was his undoing. GA would have fired Richt had he lost to Tech by 51-7, I have no doubt. Gailey got much more time than he deserved. He was infuriating. I campaigned for his firing after 51-7 so I don’t mind m’s signature too much.
steverino
April 7th, 2009
2:08 am
People need to get over Coach Gailey, pro and con. I like Paul Johnson. I like what he says and I like his style of coaching, even more than I like his offense. I’m extremely pleased that he is our coach at Tech. That said…Chan Gailey DID NOT deserve to be fired. Period. No amount of much hoped for success, (by me), on the part of CPJ changes that fact.
Tokyo jacket
April 7th, 2009
7:06 am
I think what sugar-bottom meant to say was “one more day since y’all whipped our a**es.” That would be more accurate. Maybe you should brag to a team that beat you. If GT gave up 120 points in three halves of football, I wouldn’t be doing a lot of bragging.
m
April 7th, 2009
8:16 am
steverino, I can agree with you with one stipulation. Gailey should not have been fired BECAUSE he should NEVER have been hired. He is the sorriest excuse for a coach I have ever seen in my life. I was at the 51-7 debacle and he didn’t even care. I would have fired him at halftime of that game. Thank God and Greyhound that he is gone forever. He should have taken you mediocrity tolerating fools with him.
GT4Life
April 7th, 2009
8:20 am
wth: I’d never known what a “GIOT” was but I’ve always known what a “UOGA” (University OF Georgia) is:
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=uoga
Bloppy
April 7th, 2009
8:40 am
m is a dawg fan you dolts.
wth
April 7th, 2009
8:46 am
GT4Life = a pwnd GIOT! LOL!
Ramblinwreck1378
April 7th, 2009
8:56 am
Gailey (and/or his staff) did a great job recruiting players. He brought in players that are now and were the superstars of our team (Dwyer, Nesbitt, Calvin Johnson, Morgan Burnett, etc.). Every player that played last year was recruited by Gailey. I commend him for that. However, he did an AWFUL job developing players and preparing for big games. I absolutely hated the professional approach he took into games. His stoic manner on the sidelines gave the impression that he did not care, which I know was not the case, but college fans like to see emotion. Gailey failed to win the only ACC Championship game he made it to, against a Wake Forest team that was not even close to the level of our team. He never beat Georgia. And he was satisfied with mediocrity. This goes back to the professional approach. 9-7, 10-6 will usually get an NFL team into the playoffs, where they have an opportunity to win the Super Bowl. 7-5, 8-4 gets an ACC team into the Champs Sports Bowl, without even a thought of a championship. That was his problem.
wth
April 7th, 2009
9:13 am
told you so, the entire world thinks GOIT is a joke!
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Georgia+Tech
re: wth
April 7th, 2009
10:50 am
Wow, dude… Are you like, 14? UrbanDictionary? Really? You think that has any ounce of credibility? You’ve got some santorum on your mouth… Why don’t you look *that* up?
Capt Deej
April 7th, 2009
1:35 pm
You guy’s ever hear the term “Don’t feed the troll”?
To the original subject:
I’ve always been excited about Wright’s speed, but it wasn’t until I saw him throw a big block on a F$U player (who was about a foot taller than him) that I was really sold on his ability to work with this offense. I’m pysched, I guy with his metrics can be lethal for us real soon.
wth
April 7th, 2009
3:39 pm
UrbanDictionary; two full pages calling tech a toilet, and it’s fans losers, yea, I think that says it all.
well
April 7th, 2009
8:10 pm
wth=douchebag, redneck, inbred, banging his sister, backwoods trailer trash
Go back to your cow pasture.
Jimmy
April 7th, 2009
9:46 pm
One of the earlier bloggers was right. Watching you people argue amongst yourselves is freaking hilarious. I agree w/ BLOPPY, ‘m’ is obviously a Dog fan trying to stir crap up. Either that, or all of you are in on this together just tring to make me laugh. Thanks guys!
GM
April 7th, 2009
10:29 pm
Tech stock rising; UGA stock falling….
Golden Hand
April 8th, 2009
8:00 am
Y’all, don’t feed the troll. If you dislike m’s comments (and what sane person doesn’t), remember that responding directly to him IN ANY WAY will cause him to repeat them, ad infinitum, ad nauseum. That’s what trolls do. Do not feed the troll, and that will at least limit him to one Greyhound post a day.
wth
April 8th, 2009
8:44 am
“Well”, it sounds like you speak from experience; I bet you’re a GIOT, aren’t you?
wth
April 8th, 2009
8:51 am
Golden Hand, I’m not a troll, I’m the voice of reality in your head trying to be heard above all the pent up laughter from girls, Useless facts about warcraft, and knowledge of where to get Viagra on 14st. that is also floating around in your head.
U know, as does the entire GIOT fanbase, that the trade school is a metaphor for a toilet, and it fans and graduates are the brown stinky contents of that toilet.
buzzbrain
April 8th, 2009
9:50 am
i guess people, and coaches, have short memories…. who did we have to go to for blocking in the backfield come crunch time last year? you don’t always have to be the fastest to lay good blocks, you just have to get the job done…. appears cox was the go-to guy when they really needed some yardage or big plays… give the guy his do….appears that dwyer, jones, and cox in the backfield did some good damage last year…… besides, in this offense you can never have enough running backs.
Rodney King
April 8th, 2009
1:10 pm
Can’t we all just get along?