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
superDawg
July 3rd, 2009
1:47 am
I know who your daddy is.
superDawg
July 3rd, 2009
1:50 am
Ok y’all wake up and be somebody.
superDawg
July 3rd, 2009
2:01 am
HUNKERDOWN ONE MORE TIME!
Gator Man
July 3rd, 2009
9:48 am
Coach D – Are you really blaming a couple fumbles on a 49-10 ass whipping? First of all.. there was only 1 fumble… second of all.. it was 49 to f’ing 10 man… did you want Tebow to embarrass you guys even more just to prove how much you really suck? you should be bowing down and thanking tebow for not shellacking you idiots any more than he did… uga fans have to be the most delusional people in the history of the world…
William Casey
July 3rd, 2009
9:51 am
My goodness! I always enjoy the interviews with the players. It’s been a long time (1967-71) since I was in college. Brings back good memories! Even the three calculus courses!
My pet peeve about this blog (old school to be sure): I believe that a real man stands behind his words. That’s why I use my real name, not some silly blog nickname. I live in Johns Creek and am in the phone book. I coached sports at Pebblebrook, St. Pius, Frederica Academy, Crestwood and Chattahoochee over a 31 year career. I’ve called over 5000 plays (every 25 seconds) in my career… it was more difficult than calculus. Try it sometime, blog wizards! Your insights are profound. I wish I could find a real football blog.
QUESTION: What is the advantage of running the “load option” play out of the Power I formation if your team’s overall speed is inferior to your opponent’s? If you can’t answer… go back to your mom’s basement and work on it.
My dad (Brown Univ linebacker 1939-41) used to say: “he talks like a man with a paper you-know-what.” I now know what he meant.
EVIL REPUBLICANS TIME IS UP
July 3rd, 2009
10:10 am
Enter your comments here
Coach D
July 3rd, 2009
11:13 am
No Gatorman,
I’m blaming 4 turnovers on the loss. 2 Stafford INT’s, a botched onside kick, a Moreno fumble. When the Gator offense had offensive drives that started at the 1 and 5 yard lines, then yes I am blaming the game on mostly on turnovers. The other half I’m blaming on coaching because these guys obviously weren’t prepared to play that day. Add awful offensive play calling selection in the red zone, a dropped pass in the endzone, and two missed field goals, and you have a recipe for a blowout. Watch all the dropped passes and INT’s for yourself.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uLYnnsoYT7A
The Gators WERE the better team last season, but I promise that if UGA played them again that season and eliminated the turnovers it’s a closer game, like the Alabama or Oklahoma game where it’s like 31-20 or 24-14. Like when UGA whipped Auburn 37-15 in 2006. They scored 17 points off turnovers in the first half and Auburn never recovered. Auburn finished 11-2 while UGA was 9-4. Auburn was the better team that year but turnovers sank them. Turnovers make a huge difference and to say otherwise is to imply that you don’t know your football.
Coach D
July 3rd, 2009
12:15 pm
William Casey,
In the Load Option, the HB is sealing a DE which is probably trying to cause trouble by squeezing hard . The TE is used to seal off the block. And your FB or “Z: back block the SS or CB. I think the Load Option isn’t as popular as it was “back in the day” because the “load” block itself became illegal. A halfback can no longer directly throw at a defensive player’s legs and you’ll see just that in many older films. The block is still legal in college and is used a lot on the perimeter by just about any option team you can think of. Today, the HB has the harder job of having to log the DE while maintaining contact above the waist.
It helps a slower team go North and South faster, but only if the blocking techniques are sound. Otherwise it’s a disaster.
Queer Eye for the Straight Guy
July 3rd, 2009
12:18 pm
What will the Tech people do with Dragon*Con on Sept. 04 and the season opener on Sept. 05 vs. Jacksonville State. So many choices…not enough time…so exciting!
GT fan ...
July 3rd, 2009
12:19 pm
Coach D…. you’ve made my point — that’s why they play the games.
Now, you also have to remember what you’re saying here, in this blog, and apply it to most of the dog fans’ beliefs & statements regarding GA’s dominance over GT in the previous 7 games. Games in which a HORRENDOUS college QB (name w/held, but you know who I’m talking about), committed TOs & other horrible mistakes which played big roles in victories for the dogs.
Queer Eye for the Straight Guy
July 3rd, 2009
12:26 pm
Oh, oh, oh Dragon*Con is the same weekend as the season opener vs. Jacksonville State. What are you all going to do? I’m soooo excited that I have to make a decision with these two exciiittting choices. This will be a party weekend, fellas! Can’t wait….waaahooo!
Gator Man
July 3rd, 2009
2:16 pm
I don’t know football? can you count?… you said 4 turnovers but then said 2 int’s and 1 fumble.. that sounds like 3 to me… the reason you are delusional is because you somehow discount those INT’s (3 by the way, not 2) as just mindless mistakes by your prized #1 draft pick qb… you give no credit to that gator defense that forced him into bad decisions… you think next years gonna be better with a non experienced qb in there against essentially the same defense? defense wins championships brother dont just think your offense was unlucky that day.. or do you think every offense all season was unlucky against the gators???
Coach D
July 3rd, 2009
6:41 pm
Gatorman 4 includes the botched onside kick which gave the Gators the ball at the 40 yard line.
I give credit to the Gator defense. They are very fast and good at forcing turnovers. But in that game, both of the INT’s were badly were under thrown. And the fumble by Knowshon was just pathetic, what was he doing? The biggest difference between the Gators of 2007 and 2008 was their ability to generate turnovers and capitalize on them. And more importantly, that knowledge alone, is what made teams get conservative against them. The thing about Florida is that you can pound the football at them with a big O’line and big back or with Shifty backs. That’s what Ole Miss did, pound the ball at them and Alabama did the same thing before they got away with their game plan. UGA has a finesse offense which plays into what Florida does defensively. I know you think your team is invincible Gatorman and i get that you’re a homer, but teams CAN pound the ball at your defense they really can. Which is why teams like LSU will be a tough match up for you. As for UGA this year: YES I don think they’ll do better against the Gators this year 1.) because they have a bye week before that game and 2.) Because Cox while not as talented as Stafford is more accurate and makes smarter decisions. And even if he doesn’t, it’s not like they can do much worse that 49-10. I think it will be a closer game then you think Gatorman, but go on believing your team has no weaknesses if you want.
GT fan: I agree with you. Tech could have won those games in 2005 and 2006 with even consistent play at QB. I was at the game in 2006 and if Tech had made more of a commitment to the running game and ran Choice more they would have won. Hence the reason the triple option works well for Tech because they can recruit athletes and play to their strength on offense which is running the ball.
Coach D
July 3rd, 2009
6:44 pm
Gatorman 4 includes the botched onside kick which gave the Gators the ball at the 40 yard line.
I give credit to the Gator defense. They are very fast and good at forcing turnovers. But in that game, both of the INT’s were badly were under thrown. And the fumble by Knowshon was just pathetic, what was he doing? The biggest difference between the Gators of 2007 and 2008 was their ability to generate turnovers and capitalize on them. And more importantly, that knowledge alone, is what made teams get conservative against them. The thing about Florida is that you can pound the football at them with a big O’line and big back or with Shifty backs. That’s what Ole Miss did, pound the ball at them and Alabama did the same thing before they got away from their game plan. UGA has a finesse offense which plays into what Florida does defensively. I know you think your team is invincible Gatorman and I get that you’re a homer, but teams CAN pound the ball at your defense they really can. Which is why teams like LSU will be a tough match up for your team. As for UGA this year: YES I do think they’ll do better against the Gators this year 1.) because they have a bye week before that game and 2.) Because Cox while not as talented as Stafford is more accurate and makes smarter decisions. And even if he doesn’t, it’s not like they can do much worse that 49-10. I think it will be a closer game then you think Gatorman, but go on believing your team has no weaknesses if you want.
GT fan: I agree with you. Tech could have won those games in 2005 and 2006 with even consistent play at QB. I was at the game in 2006 and if Tech had made more of a commitment to the running game and ran Choice more they would have won. Hence the reason the triple option works well for Tech because they can recruit athletes and play to their strength on offense which is running the ball.
William Casey
July 4th, 2009
10:28 am
Thanks COACH D. Exactly right. Nice to know that someone has actually studied the game! I’m so tired of the GT sux and UGAY posts.
superDawg
July 5th, 2009
1:58 am
Ramble On; We at UGA know we have a tough schedule,are you trying to make an early excuse.Gt will always have a easy schdule as long as you remain in the Almost competetive conference.
Hey SuperDawg
July 5th, 2009
10:46 am
You were on the Georgia Tech Blog at 1:58 am this morning. What does that say about you? Maybe that you obsess a little too much about a team you hate. Might be time to find a new hobby besides hyping your team up on the other teams blog. Huh douchebag?
Volman
July 6th, 2009
10:02 am
“Huh” and “superdawg”, your Valdosta State and Georgia Southern degrees are really screaming how dumb you are. That’s about 95% of your fan base– Valdosta State, Georgia Southern, and of course, high school drop outs.