At the halfway point
Ok, it’s been 15 days since practice started, and it’s another 15 until the season-opener against Jacksonville State.
What have we learned? Plenty, though how much of it is relevant to what could happen this season remains to be seen.
The offense, all three units, appears to be clicking well, from what we’ve seen in 11-on-11 drills.
T.J. Barnes seems to have flicked a switch during the past week or so and could be a difference-maker on the defensive line.
There are a lot of players who started in last season’s last game that may be on the bench in 2 1/2 weeks.
There are several freshmen, including wide receiver Stephen Hill, defensive ends Izaan Cross and Emmanuel Dieke, defensive back Jemea Thomas, and A-back Robert Godhigh who will likely see snaps this year.
There should be more big plays this year from the running game and passing game, if history is any indication.
Jonathan Dwyer looks as explosive as he was last year.
Derrick Morgan looks like he’s going to be a beast, as long as teams don’t double team him.
Some of the receivers had the drops during the first two weeks of practice. I would expect that won’t last.
Special teams is still an area of concern, but Scott Blair was booming kicks during practice and mostly accurate with field goals during the first two 11-on-11s.
Virginia Tech was trying to close the door on the ACC, but running back Darren Evans’ injury means its anyone’s game now.
What are your thoughts? What do you hope to hear and read during the next 2 1/2 weeks?
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73 comments Add your comment
Hey dogtards
August 20th, 2009
11:48 am
““blue turf” is still a good metaphor for the type of bowls certain teams usually play.”
Like when ugag plays in nASSville for the music shcity bowl this year? I wouldn’t be too aggressive with the “7-5″ chants (people in glass houses…). Y’all have OK st, UF, LSU, GT. Any slip ups to USC, Ark, or UT and you guys will be lucky to end up 6-6.
“You’ll get Boise State in the Blue Turf bowl. You’ll be top 15-20 nationally in run offence (opponents will do better this year), top 40-50 total offence.”
I see this bulldog knows how to read. And spell.
7-5 again
August 20th, 2009
12:06 pm
Hey “dogtards”,
No one is “chanting” 7-5. We’re actually giving you guys some optimism. I honestly have never heard a team and its fans as proud of a 9-4 record (which is pathetic). Enjoy that “excellent” season for a couple more weeks.
BleedsOrange
August 20th, 2009
12:09 pm
Hey Demonic Deac do you realize that UNC admitted several football players that Clemson would not admit due to academics? Perception is not reality, and Carolina is no better when it comes to admissions (though Wake may be stricter… I doubt it).
To all the Tech fans, I think you guys will have a good team this season, but you may be getting a little ahead of yourselves. Last year Clemson had high expectations, only to flop… you guys may be setting yourselves up for a similar downfall.
He's no Leonard Pope, but.......
August 20th, 2009
12:13 pm
…..nice blog by Nick Claytor in the nytimes…..
http://thequad.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/08/19/georgia-tech-whats-in-a-name/#more-11805
Hey dogtards
August 20th, 2009
1:08 pm
“No one is “chanting” 7-5.”
Says the genius with the “7-5 again” handle.
“I honestly have never heard a team and its fans as proud of a 9-4 record (which is pathetic).”
I think its more proud of a 9-4 record under a new coach with a new offensive and defensive system when “experts” predicted Tech to finish at or near the bottom of the ACC. Richt didn’t have 9 wins his first season. Nor did Donnan (5), Goff (6), Dooley (7), Butts (5), nor Mehre (4).
In fact, uga has never had a coach win 9 games in his first year at the school. To me, being proud of a coach who won 9 games in his first year at the school (Paul Johnson) is infinitely less pathetic than a school never having had a coach who did the same (uga).
Next?
Nate
August 20th, 2009
1:19 pm
7-5, you have no room to talk bro. UGA has a tough schedule and you guys will be lucky to not lose 3-5 games this year. Tech and UGA are about on an even playing field as of now. Shut the heck up and get a life. Don’t you have more things to worry about, like your first trial in Stillwater?
KG
August 20th, 2009
1:42 pm
GT Steve and 7-5 are totally clueless….
7-5 again
August 20th, 2009
3:22 pm
I wish Tech had accepted me into their school. Then I wouldn’t work at Wendy’s.
RAMBLE ON!!!
August 20th, 2009
3:57 pm
He’s no Leonard Pope, but…….that’s for the link.
Eventhough it’s the NYT, I won’t hold it against Nick.
GT 66
August 20th, 2009
4:20 pm
I hope all is well with Jaybo. Apparently Chris Jackson was in the dog house with Nick Saban b/c Chris was not going to class. My sources say that CPJ had to sit down w/Chris to explain Tech doesn’t stand for student athletes who skip school and CPJ is concerned Jackson won’t last at Tech. Let’s cross our fingers.
Jim Rockford
August 20th, 2009
4:33 pm
Nice try GT66. Nobody takes you seriously anymore, if they ever did.
Oldbush
August 20th, 2009
4:54 pm
Thanks Cutty for the info about the article on isportsweb.com about Coach Johnson.
It is a great article!
Wreckin'
August 20th, 2009
5:05 pm
The TJ love affair is almost sickening. I hate to ruin the honeymoon but the gentle giant aint ready ladies. Physically ready? Maybe. Mentally ready? NO. Write it down, barring injury to Peters or Anderson…TJ wont start. He only needs more time and he will be a great one. Will it happen this season? Maybe. Will he play a short yardage role? Yes. Look for L. Walls before TJ. Guaranteed. Go hate.
GT Steve
August 20th, 2009
5:22 pm
I’m realistic not clueless. We lost 3 NFL calibre DLineman and have a fragile QB with no back up. 2 years from now will be our season.
Not Disappointed
August 20th, 2009
5:29 pm
I’m not concerned with VT or UGA at the moment. I want our team to stay grounded and we can play on the field with any team.
The LSU Peach Bowl may have been a good thing for the team. It brought us back to the basic. I’ve seen “The Jackets” practise serval times this summer and we are a better team. “I cant wait for football!”
Ramblin Wreck!
superDawg
August 20th, 2009
6:09 pm
Enter your comments here
jacketnation
August 20th, 2009
8:07 pm
We would like to hear more about Roddy Jones. There has been little to no news about him this preseason. Also, J.C. Lanier. Would be great to see him starting next to T.J. Barnes, if he has improved enough to be a first stringer.
hedgepruner
August 20th, 2009
8:51 pm
just need to take care of our ACC business right up front guys, we will find out early in the season how far we will go, with Clemson Miami & North Carolina in our scope right off the batt. If we come out 3-0,or 2-1 we will be in the hunt for a conference title, if not it will be a difficult road ahead, so screw uga for now & lets take care of our ACC foes that lie ahead….uga will struggle to win their 1st game in Stillwater so they better worry about that team not us….
Stinger
August 20th, 2009
10:19 pm
Two years from now we lose everybody. Now and next year is the time for us to really shine and we will. Just sit back and enjoy the rid to glory as this team gets better and better each game. We have skill and depth to go for it all now. I expect us to excell now and I’m sure Coach Johnson feels the same.
macrotech
August 20th, 2009
11:58 pm
Yeah, yeah, we know…, things DO change….things ARE changing!!! The mutts had their shot at the lime light….they faded! It’s our turn…enjoy those clemson games! You’ll be missing out on CHANGE!
CatDawg1
August 21st, 2009
12:55 pm
In 2007, I purchased the flex pack of three Georgia Tech games in order to get tickets to the Georgia game.
I’ve since gotten calls from the Techies the past two years begging me to buy tickets. Two weeks out from the start of the season, and the program that is “back” and “taking over” still can’t sell out their stadium. Two friggin’ weeks away from the first game, and you’re still trying to sell tickets!
Sheesh. I can’t even think of anything funny and demeaning to say. In fact, this is so sad, I don’t even have to, and that really is the biggest insult possible.
PS. By the way. Happy Birthday PJ. You’re coaching a bunch of loosers!
HATE TECH. GO DAWGS.
gtechfan
August 22nd, 2009
1:13 pm
I hope not to hear that Tech will “wait until next year” since our back-up is injured……you know who you are…
DamnGoodDawg
August 26th, 2009
10:51 am
GO JAX STATE!!! KICK THAT GHETTO TECH ASS!