Wait’s over for Ben Anderson
Good morning.
As a reader pointed out the other day, we haven’t written much about defensive tackle Ben Anderson. We aim to please, so…..
Anderson (6-1, 274) is the projected starter in Darryl Richard’s spot. He’ll be a redshirt junior this fall.
Here’s what I learned about Anderson:
He benches 460 pounds, most on the team.
He comes from the same high school, South Aiken (Aiken, S.C.) as Michael Dean Perry, the six-time NFL Pro Bowler, and current Florida State linebacker Dekoda Watson.
Anderson and Watson were classmates who, in the offseason, did extra weight-training sessions together. They’d do the regular sessions with the football team before school, then lift with the track & field team’s strength coach in the afternoon.
D-line coach Giff Smith likes to joke that Anderson has short legs. “He gives me a hard time about that. Its just the way I’m built. I’ve got a big torso and short legs,” Anderson said.
But Smith described Anderson as a better athlete than people give him credit for.
“He runs extremely well for a guy his size,” Smith said. “Ben’s played for us and learned from those older guys, and I’ve been real pleased with the way Ben’s gone about his business. He’s a strong kid, understands the game. He’s getting better at rushing the passer and that’s something he’s got to continue to work on, but he’s very sound.
“He’s never going to do a lot of flashy things, but he’s going to maintain his responsibility and when it’s his time to make a play, he’ll make it,” Smith continued. “He’ll also be able to force the ball into some situations where our playmakers can make plays.”
Anderson played in 12 games last year. Like the rest of the D-line backups, he played meaningful snaps. (Unlike 2007, when Anderson mostly did mop-up duty). Anderson’s only two tackles were a tackle for loss against LSU and a sack against Gardner-Webb.
“I’ve been waiting my turn,” Anderson said. “Finally it’s my turn and I’m excited about this season.”
Anderson said the experience he got last year, “in big games and big atmospheres, was the best thing for me.”
Anderson paid close attention to the way Richard did his job.
“He’s a great player and I learned a lot from watching him,” Anderson said. “And he was nice enough to talk to me about plays I had questions on. He’d help me out every chance he got.”
Anderson said the perception that Tech might suffer a big dropoff up front is motivating the D-Line.
“Even though those guys in front of us we’re good players, we as a D-line feel we’re good enough to step in their shoes because we’ve been here, we’ve been around,” he said. “I guess people don’t really think about how long we’ve been here.
“Guys like me and [defensive end] Robert Hall, we’re going on our fourth year and we’ve had a lot of playing time,” Anderson added. “So it’s not like we’re a bunch of new guys.”
Of course, Derrick Morgan will anchor the D-line, and on Tuesday he was named one of 42 candidates for the Lott Trophy. The trophy goes to players who have the biggest impact on their teams, on and off the field. It takes into account academics, performance, community service and other factors.
So with Morgan and Robert Hall at the ends, Anderson and Jason Peters in the middle, and with T.J. Barnes among the key backups, do you think this D-Line can be as good as the 2008 version?
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100 comments Add your comment
macrotech
April 8th, 2009
4:33 pm
Tech is loaded with players like Ben! He’s hungry to play and will do all that he needs to do to excel! To state the obvious, if we get our two lines squared up; we’re going to be TOUGH to beat!!!! CPJ is on top of things and THIS could be the beginning of GREAT things to come!!!! GO TECH!!!
North Avenue Wreck
April 8th, 2009
4:35 pm
Anderson still can’t get any love from you guys. Here’s a good story on a great kid that has worked his butt off and waited his turn. Now he looks like Giff’s choice to start and all yall wanna talk about is a kid that hasn’t even shown up on campus yet and another that seems sloppy and over rated. My source says Ben is actually 281 ponds now and looks to be a shade smaller the size of Joe Anoi but with a 460 bench. He continues to be critized for lack of experience. Last time I checked Darryl, Vance and Elris were veterans and a lock at the DT position. I guess he was expected to jump ahead regardless. I don’t remember the #1 offense getting ANY yardage up the gut against Big Ben last Saturday. Yet he still didn’t seem to get much attention. He and Peters stacked them up the majority of the time. I guess you have to take plays off and be a certain persuasion to get love from some of our fans. I remember Ben in the backfield against Clemson and Miss. State last year disrupting plays and he got no attention then either. I also remember last year when little ‘ole Gardner Webb had us against the ropes and no one was making a play down the stretch when Ben had a huge sack at a critiacl time. Yet no love for the kid then either. But hey, I guess it’s just Gardner Webb. Let’s see….we prayed they missed a field goal to win that one right? If he’s good enough for Giff Smith he’s good enough for me. Congratulations Ben, and thank you for all you have sacrificed to get where you are and your loyal commitment to GT. get busy and take some names kid. The majority of us are pulling for ya. Give ‘em hell Big Ben!!!!
GO JACKETS!
well
April 8th, 2009
4:45 pm
Wreck,
I agree. I’ve seen Ben in practice and he will start. He was impressive and unblockable. No need to dump on TJ to praise Big Ben. Give TJ 4 years like Anderson and he’ll be a beast too
gtg7831j
April 8th, 2009
4:49 pm
well,
trust me, i have seen enough practices and i am not a typical fan. I saw Barnes play about 40-50 plays this past Saturday. once he gets cut at the line he stays there. during the conditioning runs where do you think he finishes? dead last…..every time and that includes the offensive line. I don’t see him running sprints after practice to get in better shape either…do you? He is big but that is all that he has going for him in my mind. He is such a beast, true, if your definition of a beast is someone that is big human…… not relentless. Who do you think should be starting at DT? Why? In case you haven’t noticed there is no true NT, (I guess that is nose tackle, haven’t heard those words in a while) the DL slides according to the strength of the offensive formation. High schools know that much. Honestly you think in the defense that GT runs that he is just going to play one spot the entire game, that is ignorant. One more thing, if the opposing team runs a sweep away from the defensive lineman are they suppose to give up or chase the ball? Walls, Peters and Anderson chase, Barnes watches. That is when you make plays past the line of scrimmage. watch for that Saturday you will be surprised.
well
April 8th, 2009
5:05 pm
Anderson and Peters will start, with Walls and TJ spelling them. Dude, he’s a redshirt freshman. Where were Anderson or Walls in their development as RS-froshes? Oh yeah, they were riding the bench. I agree that people need to temper expectations, but I’ve been to many practices too, and he pushes the LOS back.
Where do you expect a 6′7 350 lb DT to finish in running drills? Do you expect the same guy to run down a toss sweep to the corner?
Think of Grady Jackson instead of Warren Sapp and you’ll be much happier when you watch TJ.
wth
April 8th, 2009
5:13 pm
microtech, I only have a problem with pimply faced nerds like yourself, ewww flag burning, I bet you think Fee speech is bad thing too uh, obama-san? “WE all do our part to make this country great!” U DON”T, but if go play in traffic you would be doing all humanity a great service, oh yea, as for cutting your grass, sure tell me where you live…
BUZZ97, the only thing a GIOT athlete gets is life lessons for the aged virgin, well that and tickle pile rash.
North Avenue Wreck
April 8th, 2009
5:13 pm
well,
Youre right. I did exactly what I was complaining about regading some of our fans. My bad. I apologize. TJ deserves time to season just like Ben. I did not mean to dump on him. He will have his time and place. If Giff Smith picked him up than it works for me. I trust Giff Smith. My point is Ben Anderson is a good blur collar type story. This kids represents exactly what GT is all about. I’d take more two star kids like him anyday. Ben is a work horse not a show horse. It just sickens me when these type kids are always ignored for the more flamboyant(sp) or highly recruited.
Great story Larry. Thanks for covering it.
well
April 8th, 2009
5:23 pm
wth,
it must be spring break for high schools in the sticks. Free speech? Did you just get to that part of your Civics book?
45-42.
Paul Johnson-1
Mark Richt-0
Roddy Jones just scored again.
Good luck with Joe Tereshinski..errr Joe Cox and Jasper Sanks.err Caleb King. Well at least you have AJ. Can’t wait to see Reshad Jones and the rest of that puss defense in Atlanta.
Go hump a cow you redneck, inbred, toothless, sister-banging, white trash, trailer renting POS. Those immigrants go to Tech because dumbasses like you can’t get past remedial math. Have a safe spring break, and don’t burn down the trailer while momma’s out snorting meth.
Minnesota Jacket
April 8th, 2009
5:48 pm
I do agree that Ben gets over looked but he is only 6′2 which is small in stature for a defensive tackle, I do not disagree that he probably works harder than most every guy out there…and if he is up to about 280 that does make me feel better because the last I had heard was he was about 260…I like T.J because of the POTENTIAL for him to be a great guy for our d-line and though you are right by saying the d-line shifts up and down…that just means he holds center guard one play and guard tackle the next IMO…Ben is more of your pash rushing quick on the line guy meant to shoot the gaps…T.J is more of your push the line back, hold your ground and let the Linebackers make plays kind of guy!! Either way I am excited and wth…FEE SPEECH…really FEE SPEECH??
wth
April 8th, 2009
5:53 pm
Minnesota Jacket, are you really that dumb, “well” got it, and she still rides the short bus…
well
April 8th, 2009
5:55 pm
No, I’m not the girl you sit next to going to school. That is your sister…and girlfriend.
GT BACKER
April 8th, 2009
6:02 pm
Minnesota Jacket,
Not sure of the FG Kicker comment? After a 1-5 start (with even CPJ stating there were some snap/hold issues he would fix), Blair finished 12-15 and looked pretty good. People will say nothing over 45 yds, but look at other teams stats and see they miss under 45 yds. Blair was 13 for 14 under 45 with only miss being first with bad snap/hold. He has the leg for over 50, just nees the confience. Think he will have this year with last year under belt.
GTMAN
April 8th, 2009
6:36 pm
Around 11:00a Today, FL Jacket mentioned something about Nesbitt’s passing– I have been waiting to see if anyone else believes that we have a problem with the lack of a passing game. I believe this is huge for this next year. Nesbitt is not a good passer to the point that I believe serious consideration should be given to our back-ups as starters to add this extra dimension to this great offense. Overall, Jaybo may be a better choice.
well
April 8th, 2009
6:46 pm
GTMAN,
Josh>Jaybo and it isn’t close
gtg7831j
April 8th, 2009
6:55 pm
walls had a broken leg and heart surgery and anderson was behind walker, richard, anoai during their freshmen and R-Freshmen years. Out of the four DT’s competing Barnes holds the LOS the worst. He gets the praise from the offensive coaches b/c that is where he was last year. None of the other DT’s were on scout team, so of course he is a beast, he is a scholarship player on a scout team full of walk ons. Once again, just b/c your big doesn’t mean your strong and you can automatically push people back, he plays high too.
Brewer
April 8th, 2009
7:10 pm
CPJ knows football, and if he says Josh can throw the ball, then Josh can throw the ball. The problem is what Reebok said early in this discussion: O-Line blocking is horrible. The 1st half of the UGA game and the entire LSU game were painful to watch due to pitiful blocking. Hopefully they can get it together this year. I remember CPJ’s Ga Southern O-Line blocking UGA’s D-Line off the ball a few years ago. If he could do it at GSU he can do it at GT. I just hope the O-Line comes around sooner rather than later before we waste a ton of talent in the backfield!
wth: Come on man, go to the website and tell them you were neutered by a vicious dawg hater. Maybe they’ll give you a free pair so you will have something to play with again and you can leave the GT Blog discussions to the grown ups.
SugarHillDawg
April 8th, 2009
7:44 pm
Gosh m, You and Ramble On are tied as of this minute for the STUPIDEST post so far.You could buy season tickets for Tech for 2 years for $45.42 I bet.Keep up the stupidity.
Andy22
April 8th, 2009
7:47 pm
Larry,
First of all, thanks for the GREAT article. It was good to see a fine young man get some much deserved public praise and attention. I agree with macrotech, Ben and many others on the team deserve some praise and recognition. I am excited about GT and our future young players, but Ben is a Blue-Collar player. He is a consumate team player and quietly goes about his business, but all people want to do is talk about the 300 pounders. I look forward to Ben’s success in 2009 as well as the naysayers eating crow when Ben shows out with his consistent and powerful play. Thanks again, Larry – awesome article! Keep up the good work! God Bless & Go Jackets!
THWG
Andy22
SugarHillDawg
April 8th, 2009
7:49 pm
Well, you are a close second in the stupidest post contest! What makes you think everyone wants to go to Nerd Central? I don’t think you are gonna want to see that “puss” defense next year either, It is gonna make that LSU game look like a walk in the park for you LOSERS!!!
Behind the Lines
April 8th, 2009
8:00 pm
TJ does have the potential… I’ve watched his film and seen him during practice. I see it there just like the coaches do but the problem is that he needs to develop his game.. Its not there yet and I don’t want to risk putting him out there if hes not ready. He could benefit from watching the upperclassmen play for a few years just like Ben watched DRich and Vance. Ben has waited his turn and has proved that he can hold down the D-line. Just take the article for what it is and be proud of one of our Jackets, he may be small but that hasn’t stopped him for performing out on the field. Stop hating so much! Some of you guys sound just like a couple of UGAy fans.
I’m just glad someone at the AJC actually recognized Ben and Logan and some of the other guys on D-Line that we’ve hardly heard about this spring. Its sad that they had to have a fan tell them to broaden their spotlight choices but hey, thats the media for you. They’ve been out there everyday too fighting for their spots & they deserve the recognition, thanks Larry.
Behind the Lines
April 8th, 2009
8:12 pm
Oh & by the way… SugarHillDawg… Learn to use proper English. Taking second in the “stupidest post contest”? You apparently had to have been first. Stop reading articles on our team if you just want to talk smack. Try to show some class, unlike after the defeat yall suffered last season to us.
superDawg
April 8th, 2009
8:16 pm
M’s mouth is full he can’t talk now.mmmmmmm!
superDawg
April 8th, 2009
8:27 pm
SugarHillDawg your on the right track.When tech see’s light at the end of the tunnel they don’t understand that they are seeing the end but it is a train coming to smack thier ass!
superDawg
April 8th, 2009
8:29 pm
ok teckies it’s your turn.
Behind the Lines
April 8th, 2009
8:36 pm
superDawg, your comment is completely moronic. First of all, if we’re looking at the “light at the end of a tunnel” it wouldn’t smack our ass. And second of all, wouldn’t that light be coming from this train you talk about, instead of it being the end of the tunnel in the first place? Can’t be both Sherlock. Think back through that a bit and try again, okay?
Behind the Lines
April 8th, 2009
8:38 pm
I forget why I’m even arguing this one… Lets get back to talking football. We have a clear discussion there… 45-42 and we’re ready to do it again this year.
Stats
April 8th, 2009
8:42 pm
Are you kidding me w/ percentages? Percentages don’t win games. Outscoring your opponent does. And our O line will be fine. Spring is about filling in holes and creating depth. With most of the starters on the O’line not playing and healing, the second line is helping us build up depth. Can anyone name ONE player on the O’line that has been named out for the 2009 season? When you start seeing players listed as “out” or medically redshirted from the O’line, then we can really start to worry. But for now, I would rate this a minor concern. Our backs are good enough to make up for what they can or cannot do.
Name a backfield in the country that is better than GT’s (from 1 to 3 on the depth chart). Dwyer, Allen, Jones, etc. WOW!!
superDawg
April 8th, 2009
8:53 pm
Behind the lines you will be the first to see the light.Be on the track when you and all the other teckies are put to rest.THE END!!!
Behind the Lines
April 8th, 2009
9:06 pm
I’m smart enough to stay off the tracks, thank you very much. And we already put yall to rest last year. Just accept it.
Minnesota Jacket
April 8th, 2009
10:44 pm
well Tech fans we went almost one day where the blog was fun talking about and it took retarded fans from UGA to kill descent talk….well I will talk to you tomorrow on the new blog by Ken Tech fans..
Dadgum
April 8th, 2009
11:08 pm
I will comment here since this blog is so behind the times. It is baseball season folks. We just got b@#tch-slapped 23-3 by Georgia Southern. Wow!!! Can you even imagine what Virginia is going to do? Totally embarrasing effort from GT. Obviously we have no pitching outside Deck McGuire.
Rock on…Paul Hewitt is a great coach and recruiter. Big season in 2010. Can’t wait, should win about 23 games. Duke sucks and Carolina is on the decline. Open season on the ACC next year!!! Go Tech.
Rock on…..
wth
April 8th, 2009
11:15 pm
Stats, here’s your answer; Navy, Oregon & Nevada. and FYI, Allen & Jones aren’t even in the top 100 rushers. stupid GIOT fan, go back to zelda or warcraft and your how-to self help books.
wth
April 8th, 2009
11:18 pm
damun, 23-3, did football season start already?
addicted
April 9th, 2009
3:01 am
I don’t expect there to be that big a drop-off on the D-line…
Last year, in at least half the plays Michael Johnson would have to drop back and give the defensive backfield pass support, instead of rushing the QB, or trying to stuff the run. Our defensive backfield was extremely weak and thin, which caused our D-line performance to suffer.
This year the backfield will be much stronger (and deeper) which will allow the D-linemen to play more like most linemen, which I think will show in a better defensive performance this upcoming year.
addicted
April 9th, 2009
3:06 am
Additionally, I think guys like Anderson are really key. They have had years of experience, and will help balance out the rest of the inexperience on the defensive side of the field.
While I expect our O to get much better this year, its the D that I am REALLY excited about…
macrotech
April 9th, 2009
3:54 am
wth, i don’t have a problem with free speech at ALL! OBVIOUSLY, you missed the point of my post ENTIRELY! Judging from your other post, I’d be a liar to say that I was surprised. You’re free to speak….just do the world a favor and make it beneficial to the conversation….thus far, you’ve failed miserably! I HAVE done my part in making this country great…. I served my country in the armed forces; the best you’ll be able to do is serve me my value meal! I wouldn’t let a mutt like you cut my grass….you’d spend the entire day sniffing my lawn! Obamasan?! Now THAT’S a typical turd eatin dawg for ya…..I bet you HATE that our country has a president of color! You should be deported! The only problem is that there isn’t another country in the world that wants your kind of hate….wtf, you’re a loser and I pity you.
wth
April 9th, 2009
1:32 pm
Microtech, you served your country BIG LOL? Just because you joined the army and your MOS was a cashier at the PX DOES NOT MEAN YOUR SERVED YOUR COUNTRY, you little SCUMBAG!
I recently returned from TWO tours YOU POS! So don’t go waving your “I served my country banner” when I seriously doubt you’ve seen anything more dangerous than a F***ing paper cut you pompous a-hole. Pieces of crap like you do not deserve the freedom that this country affords, you little boy had better watch your stupid mouth before someone sticks something in you won’t like. Typical Stupid GIOT,
ok big boy what was your division and your tour dates, I wanna know?
Go gators
April 9th, 2009
2:03 pm
Wth, I don’t care how many tours you served it doesn’t give you the right to come on a blog and just start calling people names. How about this, show some of the class you should have learned while in the service and apologize for being on the wrong blog. If you can’t show class do claim to be a respected memeber of any of our services. Oh and GO GATORS U POS MUTT…
Brewer
April 9th, 2009
2:16 pm
Seriously dude, get the Neuticles, and then you can pretend like nothing ever happened. You’re barking just like a dog that has had his nuggets cut off…
Brewer
April 9th, 2009
2:17 pm
wth, not Go Gators. Good job Go Gators, well said.
wth
April 9th, 2009
2:48 pm
LOL! Speaking of being on the wrong blog! Go home lizard, and clean my room. Don’t like it or my comments, then leave, you won’t be missed, no matter what your folks tell you.
macrotech
April 9th, 2009
3:01 pm
wth, you need a hug. IF, you served two tours, then I thank you for your service. I’m in doubt, however, as ANYONE that’s truly served their country would recognize that the cashier at the px is a MOST valuable position at ANY base! They ONLY help those that are so far away from home feel at HOME!!! No worries, you sad person…. I understand HOW pissed you are that your world crumbled when you lost bragging rights to such a pitiful team like Tech!!!! So many months later, and you STILL get all worked up. You’re an angry, bitter and pathetic soul. I’m betting your own fellow dawg fans weep for you. You’re EVEN calling out a gator fan….THAT’S FUNNY!!!! In the past twenty years, what’s the leg humpers record against THAT team?! YOU’RE going to call them out for being on the wrong blog when YOU’RE on the wrong blog?! Your hypocricy is laughable!!! I continue to serve my country and am proud to do so. EVEN when there are people like you that reside within it’s borders! I’m done with your dribble….you’re dismissed! GO TECH!!!!!
buzzrocket
April 9th, 2009
4:18 pm
wth… wth? It’s funny how you can muster such venom when your team lost to every single one of its rivals last season with what was thought to be the best team you’ve ever fielded. Preseason national champions to waxed by Bama, then Florida, and finally losing Georgia Tech in YOUR stadium on YOUR senior day, commemorating YOUR icon (Munson). Giving up 400+ yards rushing. 400!
But I guess it does make you feel better to come and troll on the AJC blogs, and god knows we don’t want to get you all riled up. He’s the internet welterweight champion of the world ready to throw down to show off those MCMAP moves. No one’s intimidated, everyone’s annoyed, but we’ll get over it because we’re state champs.
Oh, and thanks for your service to all our veterans and current military personnel (despite some of you being pricks) and good luck to Ben this season!
wth
April 9th, 2009
7:53 pm
Ya wanna know what’s disappointing? The fact I’m right about you micro, you’ve never been in the service, or you’ve never been in a PX or the class 6, have you? Do you even know what PX stands for? Active duty Military personnel DO NOT WORK IN THE PX! There is no MOS for cashier.
I had a hunch you were a scumbag, so I guess your idea of puffing your chest is to claim that which you are not. You’re not worth the effort. Stop posing, your busted…
wth
April 9th, 2009
8:03 pm
Buzz you’re a typical dumb GIOT fan aren’t you.
#1 the press gave UGA that #1 preseason ranking, not the fans (has tech even ever been ranked preseason top 5, yea no one thinks that highly of nerd central)
#2 your bragging about being state champs? What kind of loser are you? Where is the bragging about a conference championship, aw you guys haven’t done that in a decade have you, national championships; that’s not shared lol.
#3 like I said before; you don’t like it, LEAVE, no one is going to miss you, not even your pet rock.
#4 is the bad man in the forum bugging you? Call someone who cares…
Go gators
April 9th, 2009
9:43 pm
Wth, you POS I know your upset you are still a private and never made to college, if you you are so tough give me your CO’s name and I’ll call him tomorrow and let him know how classless you are. If you have the sack that is… Just because you failed at life and had to join the military doesn’t give you an extra privilages…LOL you are pathetic and wouldn’t have the balls to talk to me like this face to face…
Go gators
April 9th, 2009
9:51 pm
wth, I think it’s funny your rage grows. did your momma not give enough hugs, you joined the military because you were a loser at life and still are…welcome home flea bag…most people coming out understand honor, guess the Army doesn’t teach that course anymore, Marines, and Navy still do… you will be washing my dishes and cars the rest of your life so get used to it LOL…oh yeah my grass needs a trim as well…The VA needs a bed pan cleaner, Wth no need for the stimulus package for you…you just showed what you qualify for.
macrotech
April 10th, 2009
11:22 am
wth, i’ve made no false claims…..it would be no problem answering you questions. To what purpose would I do so, though?! ANYONE can google enough information to answer your little questions. In short, you’d STILL question my service to this GREAT country and I would STILL recognize you for the angry, bitter little man that you are! Those mutts sure are LUCKY to have such a fine fan! AGAIN, you bore me and you ARE dismissed!!!! Busted?! Go get a hug! GO TECH!!!!
buzzrocket
April 10th, 2009
12:55 pm
Typical GIOT (I’m terribly insulted by your proper acronym) fan’s SAT score ~= 1339
Typical UGAg fan’s SAT score < 1242
Can we be dumb and nerds at the same time? If we are, at least we get paid more than $15,000 a year more than your graduates (much less run of the mill fans).
BTW, Ben Anderson is going to be good for us and his size will not be an issue. Fatigue will and we’ll need some of the backups to play meaningful minutes if we expect high end production out of the interior DL.
wth
April 13th, 2009
1:34 pm
lol, macrotech, Go gators & buzzrocket pwnd!