Scott Blair on Bob Marley, the hedges, and Miami

Georgia Tech kicker Scott Blair sat down with me at the athletic offices for a quick, summer-time themed Q&A.

AJC: School is out right, you haven’t started classes again, right?

Blair: School has started for me. I already have a test tomorrow.

AJC: What’s your test in?

Blair: Music. I’m taking an easier load this summer, music and finite calculus.

AJC: That doesn’t sound too easy.

Blair: It’s easier.

AJC: What’s the music class?

Blair: Music composers from 1800-present.

AJC: So what have you learned?

Blair: We’re talking about Mozart, Beethoven, and the elements of their symphonies.

AJC: Does that agree with you, that kind of music?

Blair: I guess it’s growing on me the more I have to listen to it for class.

AJC: You’ve got two months and a week thereabouts before practice starts. What do you hope to do for fun with the rest of the summer?

Blair: I’m going try and just hang out with some friends this summer. Going to kick a lot this summer to try and get ready for next season. Maybe go to a few theme parks in my off time.

AJC: What do you like at the theme parks?

Blair: Just the rides and stuff. Go to Whitewater a few times. Get my tan on.

AJC: Do you have a favorite roller coaster?

Blair: At Six Flags Goliath is pretty fun. That first drop gets you pretty good.

AJC: Speaking of music class, what’s your summertime music. What do you listen to?

Blair: I actually made a playlist on my I-tunes for summer. Have a little Bob Marley, some Coldplay, some Seether.

AJC: What’s your favorite Marley Song?

Blair: Maybe ‘Three little birds.’

AJC: What are you working on with your kicking?

Blair: In the spring I noticed that, just kicking with the holder, I would do pretty well. With a snap and a hold I would fall off a little bit. Everything I do this summer I’m doing without the holder. I’m doing it with a snap and hold so I can get used to that.

AJC: When you say falling off, does that mean you would come out of it a little bit?

Blair: I would. When I follow through I’m supposed to follow through straight to the center. I’ll fall off every once in a while.

AJC: Does that result in a slice or a pull?

Blair: It’s more of a luck kick when you do that. Sometimes it just depends. You can hit it off your toe. You can pull it. It’s never good.

AJC: Personally, what was your best moment last season?

Blair: Punting against Gardner-Webb.

Just felt really in tune. Everything connected really well. Then I had the one punt that stood out went 58 yards and stopped at the 2.

AJC: I probably know the answer to this, but what was the team’s best moment last year?

Blair: Georgia. Taking the hedges.

AJC: Do you still have a piece?

Blair: I do.

AJC: What did you do with it?

Blair: I wanted my parents to frame it. But I’ve seen it laying around the house. So, it hasn’t been done yet.

AJC: What are your goals for the season?

Blair: I’d like to be at least 80 percent on field goals. Punting, 44-plus average with a net, say of 40 yards and above.

And then, just get my kickoffs about like my freshman year.

And then team goals, we’d obviously like to win every game.

ACC championship always in our head. Definitely have to beat Georgia again.

AJC: Any thoughts on the schedule. It’s a pretty tough schedule.

Blair: First couple of weeks come at you pretty fast with some pretty good teams in there [clemson and miami]. Get the ball rolling pretty fast and stay on it for a while.

AJC: Where are you looking forward to going this year? Don’t say Starkville.

Blair: Definitely not looking forward to Miami because I don’t want to kick on the dirt.

I’d have to say Virginia.  It was pretty good my freshman year. Their fans were definitely into the game.

AJC: Any last thing you want to say to Tech fans who read the blog?

Blair: What’s the good word?

AJC: You know the answer to that.

Blair: [laughs]