Robert Hall Q&A
Robert Hall was kind enough to sit down with me a few weeks ago for another in our summer question and answer series. In this, he talks about German French fries, the joy of math, and the toughest player to tackle in the ACC.
AJC: A lot of the players I’ve talked to, when I’ve asked them for a player that really stood out in spring, they named you. So what does it feel like to be invincible out there on the football field?
RH: (laughs) I wouldn’t say invincible. I mean, I just feel like it’s my time. I waited my time. It’s time for me to step up to the plate. That’s it.
AJC: What did you learn from the guys before you?
RH: What did I learn? Play as an entire unit, and not just as an individual. I guess you wouldn’t say each one of them alone was really the greatest. But all together they made a great defense. Really liked that teamwork.
AJC: How does that work on the defensive line? You’re out on the end, you’re trying to focus on what’s ahead of you, but also, I don’t know if you are paying attention to what the other three guys are doing, or are you just trusting them?
RH: Has a lot to do with trust and assignment. In our defense you have to know what the other guys are doing on the line. If you have contain, and you lose your contain, you might hang somebody else out to dry. It’s very important to know where your teammates are and what they are doing.
AJC: Do you and the other linemen hang out off the field? What do y’all do?
RH: Most of all we do class. Go out to eat. Hang out in the rooms. Play video games.
AJC: Where’s y’all’s favorite place to go?
RH: The room. The room is the favorite. Play video games.
AJC: Who is the video game king, and what game is it?
RH: Everybody professes to be the king in (EA Sports) NCAA.
AJC: Which team do you play?
RH: It depends, Probably Florida because they are No. 1, so…
AJC: Have you played against Georgia Tech when you are Florida?
RH: No, but I have played the older versions that had Georgia Tech.
AJC: So, who do you think really stepped up in the spring practice.
RH: A lot of the younger guys. Maybe not one individual. Tev Washington worked hard and solidified his place. A lot of young guys broke out. Embry Peeples broke out. Anthony Allen had a big spring game. Overall, showed us a lot of depth, I feel like.
AJC: So what classes are you taking right now?
RH: Financial management, consulting, finite math.
AJC: What is finite math?
RH: Finite math deals with probabilities of accounting. Accounting stuff. A lot of real world stuff.
I like financial math because it helps you learn about money and how to invest it and deal with that.
AJC: A couple of questions I’ve asked all the guys. Y’all’ve got a tough beginning to the schedule, Jacksonville State, and then Clemson and Miami back-to-back with a short turn between Jacksonville State and Clemson. What is going to be the key to getting off to a good start this year?
RH: Key is right now us preparing and training. Our conditioning is pretty intense. That will help us transition for those games and those quick turnarounds.
AJC: In your experience from last year, who is the toughest defender to play against in the ACC?
RH: I would say the quarterback from Virginia Tech, Tyrod Taylor. Really shifty.
AJC: You’ve talked about what you do outside of class, but what’s the most fun for you? What do you like to do most?
RH: I like to eat. I have been to many restaurants around here.
AJC: What’s your favorite restaurant?
RH: Most recently I like this spot called Ecco, off of Spring Street. It’s pretty good.
AJC: What kind of food?
RH: Everything from trout to french fries. Called pomme frites, because of German (origins).
AJC: Do any cooking?
RH: All the time.
AJC: What do you cook?
RH: Last night I made queso dip.
AJC: Which teams do you follow?
RH: Like the Falcons, of course. I used to be a big Hornets fans when they were in Charlotte. But that’s old school.
AJC: How much do you bench?
RH: My reps have been increasing. We max out last week. Might tip out over 400. My last max was 385.
AJC: Are you the strongest on the team?
RH: Nooo.
AJC: Who is strongest?
RH: Hard to say. A couple of guys. Pound for pound, Roddy Jones, Marcus Wright. I’d say Roddy, pound for pound.
AJC: What would surprise people to know about you?
RH: I was born in Germany, stayed there nine years.
AJC: Dad military?
RH: Army.
AJC: So you remember some German?
RH: I went to German school. Moved here in 96, didn’t get involved in football until eighth grade.
AJC: What got you out there?
RH: Coach was like ‘you’re big, so why don’t you play?’
AJC: Did you like it?
RH: I was kind of in a unique situation (at Hawkinsville). We had a lot of DI talent, kind of just trickled down. Lot of spotlight on the school. It helped me get where I want to go. It was a good situation. Two championships, three Dome appearances.
AJC: Anything to say to the Tech fans who read the blog?
RH: Thank you for your support. Spring game, biggest turnout we’ve seen since been here. Go Jackets.
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168 comments Add your comment
Lets be honest
July 2nd, 2009
10:52 am
5-14 since 1990!!! BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
RAMBLE ON!!!
July 2nd, 2009
10:52 am
Paul Johnson (mostly freshmen and sophomores) vs. St. Richt (2 of the NFL draft picks top 15 players) 1-0. IN YOUR HOUSE!!!!!
RAMBLE ON!!!
July 2nd, 2009
10:55 am
Lets be hones either can’t add or is a liar…I think both.
by the way, since 1990 what’s UGAg record vs. UF…BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
to bloggers
July 2nd, 2009
10:56 am
1 to 0 national championships since 1990
Supersize that order, mutt
July 2nd, 2009
11:03 am
BJohnDawg, maybe you would have less time to waste posting ignorant crap on the Tech blog, if you would go back to school and learn how to spell. The word I believe you wanted is QUIT, not QUITE. DUHHH!!!
THWG and THWY
Supersize that order, mutt
July 2nd, 2009
11:13 am
RAMBLE ON, unfortunately he was correct about the 5-14 record since 1990. But this is 2009, and it’s a whole new ballgame. And as far as them constantly bringing up the 51-7 loss, since they seem to enjoy living in the past, they might like to know that Tech still owns the two biggest winning margins in the series—a 48 point win and a 46 point win. The 51-7 loss was 44 points. Again, though, those were all in the past. So who th f*** cares?
THWG
Huh?
July 2nd, 2009
12:06 pm
GTMAN, have no fear. Didn’t you hear? There is a “new sheriff in town” and “its a whole new ballgame.” Just say those insanely lame phrases to yourself enough and soon you too will begin to believe that Georgia Tech football is destined for greatness. That’s all it takes.
And after all, Tech beat Georgia by a whole field goal. If you beat Georgia by a field goal it must mean you’ve got something really really good going on.
superDawg
July 2nd, 2009
12:08 pm
ramble on what is the record against UGA from 1990.
superDawg
July 2nd, 2009
12:31 pm
UGA 14 wins tek 5 with one of the five given to you by a retarded referee.Not to mention games voided because of academical mistakes made by your genius staff at the north ave.trade school!
superDawg
July 2nd, 2009
12:36 pm
P.S. I did not mean to say mistakes.I should have said CHEATED.
superdawg
July 2nd, 2009
12:55 pm
what’s your record number of posts on the GEORGIA TECH YELLOW JACKETS BLOG?
hey huh?
July 2nd, 2009
12:56 pm
glad to see you on the tech blog AGAIN. do you miss us when you’re gone? kinda funny how much you “hate tech fans” but yet you spend so much time with us. pretty much every day of your life is dedicated to reading and commenting on the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets blog. Imagine that! You sure you hate us? Cause you really have a funny way of showing it. I mean, I don’t hang out with people I hate…but whatever floats your boat douchebag.
superdawg
July 2nd, 2009
12:58 pm
Hey nerds…you’ll be crying next january when Georgia wins the National Championship and you’re on the smurf turf. Freakin loser geeks!
Volman
July 2nd, 2009
1:07 pm
You spelled dog incorrectly. Dolt.
GT fan ...
July 2nd, 2009
1:10 pm
GTMAN – “Unproven Kicking game (all phases), All phases of the kicking game are totally unproven and are so, so important to winning.”
The Jackets managed 9 wins with that unproven kicking game.
“Unproven O-line, and no real proof that Nesbit can really pass.”
This is the same starting 0-line from the FSU game on – they opened holes that produced rushing totals of 288(FSU), 326(UNC), 472(Miami), 409(GA). And for Nesbitt passing see comment about unproven kicking game.
Bottom line … I can’t see the kicking game & passing attack getting any worse than last season, a 9-win season.
TechMan91
July 2nd, 2009
1:16 pm
As long as there are no “walk ups” and it’s only alumni in attendance this year we’ll be great!
Gator Graduate
July 2nd, 2009
1:22 pm
Hey UGA fans…..ready for another beat down?
The Dude
July 2nd, 2009
1:24 pm
I’m interested to see Tarrant play. It’s been a while since Tech had an explosive return man a la Derrek Stegal and Dez White. Hey Doug, can you look up when Tech last scored on a kick-off or punt return?
All-caps posting = IQ < 90, regardless of which team you pull for.
Gator man
July 2nd, 2009
1:26 pm
i love how dog fans brag that they have a winning record against tech and that makes them think they are better than them now… i mean.. tech has a winning record against us but everybody knows the Gators are still better
The Dude
July 2nd, 2009
1:29 pm
For the record, and most Tech fans already know this, but no Tech wins over any team have been vacated. All records remain intact.
Supersize that order, mutt
July 2nd, 2009
1:44 pm
Superdawg, the games were never voided. Tech appealed and won the appeal. But I guess that doesn’t matter to you mutts any more than the fact that during the WW2 years, you still refuse to recognize the games that Tech won because we had military recruits on the team. So, in fact, did several other colleges throughout the country, and the NCAA recognizes all those games, whether Dan McGOON and the rest of you mutts do or not. And as far as a 3-point victory not meaning anything, I guess the numerous 3-point, 2-point, and 1-point wins by the mutts through the years don’t mean anything either, huh? All you creeps do is look for excuses and whine. Get a life!
THWG
RAMBLE ON!!!
July 2nd, 2009
2:02 pm
My bad, I was thinking of the ‘89 game, which the douche bag obviously didn’t want to include.
RAMBLE ON!!!
July 2nd, 2009
2:37 pm
Superdawg, since the only thing that matters is the record since 1990, maybe you can tell me what UGAg vs. UF’s?
Supersize, you know as well as I do, the Fleabags are the biggest crybabies and sore losers in all of organized sports.
Huh? makes Perez Hilton seem like a Navy Seal or Army Ranger.
Huh?
July 2nd, 2009
2:49 pm
Supersize, you know as well as I do, the Fleabags are the biggest crybabies and sore losers in all of organized sports.
Yes, because you are certainly an authority on this subject aren’t you? I mean, your team beat us for the first time in 8 freaking years last year and has only won 5 of the past 19. Tech fans are experts at dealing with sore loser Dawg fans for sure!!!
This is the part where you bring up Florida because your pile of crap football program can’t stand on its own two feet. Georgia Tech football is a total disgrace.
UGA history
July 2nd, 2009
2:52 pm
Actually Super Size that Order Mutt,
Those games that Tech “won” against UGA in 1943 and 1944( 48-0 and 44-0) are disputed because most of UGA Stars, most notably Charlie Trippi, were off fighting in the war. When those guys came back to school in 1945 and 1946, they throttled Tech 33-0 and 35-7. UGA also won 34-0 in 1942. The 46-0 in 1906 by John Heisman’s crew is the biggest to date, but UGA didn’t really start to become good at football until 1910 on. UGA was like the Vanderbilt of football back then( and Vandy ironically was really good at football around the turn of the century).
51-7 is a big deal win,especially when you consider that Tech went to a bowl game that year. It’s not like the Yellow Jackets were 1-10 like they were in 1994 when they lost 48-10. Or like when Tech beat a 4-7 UGA team 40-23 in 1990. That Tech team in 2002 knocked off undefeated NC State that year. That’s what made the loss to Florida so bad for UGA this past season. Unlike the 5 and 6 win teams that Spurrier beat up on in the 1990’s, this UGA team last year was very talented but imploded in that game. A blowout win over a good team gives you credibility, a blowout win over poor competition makes you overrated.
Gator man
July 2nd, 2009
3:06 pm
Hey UGA’ers… Let’s talk about a game we won in 2002 because thats the last time we played any quality football… come on dog fans… even you have to admit that is pretty pathetic
Hey Cesspoolers
July 2nd, 2009
3:08 pm
Glad to see all you UGA douchebags on the GEORGIA TECH YELLOW JACKETS BLOG day in and day out. For as much hate as you apparently have for us you sure do like to take a lot of time to read and comment on our blog. Ever think maybe you should go read the UGA blogs sometimes? “Huh?” I’ll bet you’re on the GT blog twice as much as the UGA blog. Whatup with that?
The Dude
July 2nd, 2009
3:10 pm
UGA history,
Excellent non-fiction post. It’s good to know what you’re talking about isn’t it? It’s more fun, anyway. It’s easy for those on the outside to get caught up in the WWII stuff and head down the road of accusing Tech folks of being unpatriotic. Those people are unaware that Tech was all but a military institution during that era, and trained many of the officers who served in WWII. I digress…
It’s good to talk football with opposition that clearly understands what’s important. The most awful feeling I’ve experienced as a fan was walking out of Sanford at half time of the 51-7 game (35-0 at that time). Conversely, the most awesome feeling I’ve experienced as a fan was helping to tear down the goalposts after the phantom fumble in the 51-48 game. This rivalry is special because of the dicotomy. There’s no reason to count chickens before they hatch, but by 2011 this rivalry could easily be bigger than Jacksonville, both to UGA fans and at the national level.
Supersize that order, mutt
July 2nd, 2009
3:12 pm
Sorry, UGA History, the 48-0 win by Tech in 1944 is the biggest to date, and don’t think that no “regular” Tech players were off fighting in the war. Have you ever heard of Clint Castleberry (sp?) who was supposedly in a league of his own as far as running backs go. He was not only off at war, he was unfortunately killed in the war. Tech had the good fortune (as did several other colleges in the country) of having V-12 Navy athletes and other military trainees, who were allowed by the NCAA to compete for the school they were attending. Since the NCAA, and all the other schools whom Tech beat and lost to, recognize and accept those games, why the hell will UGAG not? As far as when UGAG “really start(ed) to become goot at football,”, hell, they had been playing football longer than Tech had in 1906, and had already won several matchups prior to then. What difference does it make whether an opponent is “good” or “bad”? A win is a win, and a loss is a loss. We accept our losses, regardless of the quality of the opponent or the quality of our own team? Why can’t you do the same?
THWG
RAMBLE ON!!!
July 2nd, 2009
3:21 pm
This is the part where you bring up Florida because your pile of crap football program can’t stand on its own two feet. Georgia Tech football is a total disgrace.
…NOPE, This is where I bring up 45-42.
Huh?
July 2nd, 2009
4:07 pm
I’ll tell you what’s up with that. What’s up with that is at least half the comments from Georgia Tech fans on the Georgia Tech blog are always about UGA. That’s what’s up with that. If you don’t want comments from UGA fans don’t talk about UGA. Talk about your own team. Novel concept, eh? Tech fans loathe UGA more than they like their own team. Its really a sad state of affairs for you clowns, but very entertaining for the rest of us. That’s what’s up with that my man.
Ramble On, this is the part where I once again remind you that your pile of crap football program is 5-14 vs. its instate rival since the one and only year that it has ever accomplished anything of note. 5-14 my man. Most of those 5 victories were skin of your teeth flukes too, just like 45-42. And no, when we win by 2 or 3 points it isn’t a fluke. You get the benefit of the doubt when your on the winning end of a 14-5 stretch. I guess you’ll just have to cry about it.
Supersize that order, mutt
July 2nd, 2009
4:15 pm
Tech wins by 3 and it’s a fluke. UGAG wins by 3 and it’s not a fluke? Hmm, double standard there, I would say. The Tech fans who post on this blog would probably never mention UGAG if you jerks weren’t on here trashing Tech. We have lots better things to talk about. Apparently you do not.
superDawg
July 2nd, 2009
4:20 pm
Tekkies can’t handle the truth,if they did O’leary would still be the coarch.
superDawg
July 2nd, 2009
4:22 pm
THIS WILL BE A FUN BLOGGING YEAR SO GET YOUR HANKIES READY GT.
Supersize that order, mutt
July 2nd, 2009
4:51 pm
superDawg, that mad absolutely no sense. But then that shouldn’t surprise any of us. Nothing you post ever does.
Supersize that order, mutt
July 2nd, 2009
4:52 pm
Ooops, typo there. Should have read “made”, not “mad”
Tommy Wildfire Rich
July 2nd, 2009
5:38 pm
I see “Too Easy” was visiting the Tech blog today. When he shows up, never let him forget that he made fun of his deceased father. A couple of months ago, he was on the TECH BLOG and asked what kind of loser would be a Tech supporter. He then later stated that his deceased father was a Tech man.
Tommy Wildfire Rich
July 2nd, 2009
5:40 pm
superDog….nevermind
macrotech
July 2nd, 2009
6:17 pm
Huh?, “This is the part where you bring up Florida because your pile of crap football program can’t stand on its own two feet”…. you and your leg humpers fall back on LSU’s victory over us, because you couldn’t get the job done yourself! We were 2 and 1 against your little sec! Go to the uga blogs and you’ll find an unusual obsession with GT on there. Personally, I have no problem with mutts on our blogs and I enjoy slumming on yours! GO FLA!!! GO TECH!!! superDawg, are you still here?!
Jimmy
July 2nd, 2009
7:42 pm
Hey morons, ie those of you who keep asking why UGA fans are talking trash on this blog? For the same reason you terrorist tech geeks talk trash on the UGA blogs–youre all a bunch of redneck startrek worshipping idiots!
As for those of you who ask what am I doing here? I enjoy the trash talk from two inferior schools(I’m a Texas alum living in this hole you call Atlanta)- simple, it’s entertaining(in an 8th grade sort of way i’ll admit). Everybody knows that you don’t hit an ajc blog if you want real football talk anyway.
macrotech
July 2nd, 2009
8:45 pm
Jimmy, I think you’re in the wrong chat room…..only two types of folk come from texas…. and i didn’t see anything to do with horns in your post…. saw TONS of the other option!!! Georgia Tech AND Georgia blogs are few blogs to the right of where you meant to be!
chuck allison
July 2nd, 2009
10:00 pm
A good interviewer would have asked Robert Hall how many reps of 225 he could bench, especially since Robert indicated he was working on increasing his reps rather than his max.
dagnabit
July 2nd, 2009
10:27 pm
Yes SUPERDAWG. You are a big hairy ass.
Coach D
July 2nd, 2009
11:17 pm
Hey Gatorman,
I remember UGA playing quality football in 2007 when they beat the Gators 42-30. Or is you memory that short/selective? And don’t give the excuse that Tebow was hurt. He was sacked six times! SIX! And even if Tebow wasn’t hurt, they still would have lost because UGA’s offense could have scored 50 points on the Gator defense that day. There was no way UGA was losing that game. And even in the game this past year, the thing that killed UGA was turnovers, just like in the Tech. It wasn’t like Tebow was marching up and down the field on UGA: UGA actually outgained them in total yardage. That just goes to show how much turnovers can hurt your team. UGA has got to learn that they can’t fumble the ball at the 5 yard line and not expect to get beat. Penalties and fumbles are what keep UGA from competing for championships on a regular basis.I’ll give credit where credit is due, Florida just whipped UGA this year. But don’t make the mistake of thinking your team is invincible Gatorman, because that game is Jacksonville might be a tougher out than you think.
As for the Tech game this past year, as a UGA fan I won’t call the 45-42 score a fluke because Tech played better that day. But I will call the score misleading because Tech scored two TD’s off of turnover’s and it made the difference in the game. Plus it was just Tech’s time, there are only some many times you can beat a team before they eventually win one and it was Tech’s time to win. As far as this being a major momentum swing back into the Jackets favor, we’ll see in November. But even Vince Dooley lost to Tech every once in a while, and his winning percentage was pretty good against the Jackets too if I remember correctly.
UGA History
July 2nd, 2009
11:44 pm
Oh yes Super size that order, Mutt:
I remember Clint Castleberry well. And if I recall correctly, he lost to Frank Sinkwich and Charlie Trippi 34-0 in 1942 when both teams were highly ranked.
I’m not saying a win versus a rival isn’t great. But it makes it that much sweeter when both teams are good. Look at all the great rivalries in college football: OSU vs. Michigan, OU. vs. Nebraska, OU. vs. Texas, Miami vs. FSU, FSU vs. Florida, USC vs. Notre Dame, Alabama vs. Auburn. These rivalries are great not only because both teams hate each other, but also because there are National Title implications when they play. Ironically, all of these rivalries except OU vs. Texas, have not been as good as in recent years because one team is great while the other is awful.
That’s where I’d like to see a UGA vs. FLA or a UGA vs. Ga. Tech step up their game. These rivalries, while intense, are historically one sided one way or the other. But I’d like to see those games get to National Title implication levels, especially that UGA vs. FLA game since the FLA vs. FSU game has become a lopsided joke in recent years.
Wayne
July 3rd, 2009
12:00 am
High school offense beats middle school defense UGAY. 45-42. How bout them apples? Where’s the number one ranking? How about bringing me some pizza, pizza boy.
Saint Simons
July 3rd, 2009
12:33 am
I wish m and RAMBLE ON!!! would rub some c h o a d e in my face. After all that is the Tech tradition. Who wants to get mugged with me?
RAMBLE ON!!!
July 3rd, 2009
12:39 am
Me and my Tech buddies Saint, m, and Supersize are cesspool douchbags. We all will be hanging out at CPJs tool tickle pile this 4th getting ready for our run this year playing those powerhouses Jack. St and Gardner Webb. I will also be inviting my Goosey, George Godsey to this festive tickle pile to bring back old memories. I will be blogging live as well at http://www.TechiesTickleSoGood.org so check it out.
Wayne
July 3rd, 2009
12:40 am
Hey RAMBLE ON!!!! If your Goosey is going to be there then count me in. We have some “good times” to catch up on. Ahh, I remember those days when Bobby Dodd was half full and me and Georgie were caught up behind the home bleachers. Ahh the memories.
superDawg
July 3rd, 2009
1:44 am
Tommy wild flower rich.WE CAN REACH THE AMERICAN DREAM TOGETHER.Dusty Rhodes is a bulldawg!