Through two games, what’s been learned?
Georgia Tech is 2-0, largely on the strength of big, big plays.
It’s easy to say that big plays aren’t always going to happen, but it’s also easy to point out that Tech had 67 plays of 20+ yards last year.
So, what is known so early in the season?
First, defensive end Derrick Morgan is a beast again this year with five sacks already.
Jerrard Tarrant is a one-man wrecking crew on special teams, producing two touchdowns this season on punts. He’s also played pretty good as a cornerback.
Speaking of cornerbacks Mario Butler isn’t too bad, either.
The offensive line’s pass blocking has improved. Zero sacks allowed this year.
The team has enough weapons on offense that Jonathan Dwyer can have a bad game and it not be the deciding factor.
That the interior of the defensive line is still an unknown. Both Clemson and Jacksonville State fell behind so fast neither worried about running the ball a lot.
That no one is taking any pressure off Derrick Morgan from the other side of the line. Coach Paul Johnson said after Sunday’s practice somebody needs to step up, and that Anthony Egbuniwe showed some signs on Thursday.
Demaryius Thomas is still Josh Nesbitt’s weapon of choice, as he should be. It’ll be interesting to see if Nesbitt starts looking for other dudes, like Kevin Cone or Stephen Hill.
Speaking of Nesbitt, his passing is still under review. He looked great against JSU, and had moments against Clemson. Other times, though, he overthrew receivers. But he showed his toughness, as if it had been questioned, in the fourth quarter against the Tigers, leading them on two big drives to win the game.
Scott Blair kicked a game-winner, but has still yet to hit one longer than 40 yards. He missed his one chance so far this season. At some point, a game is going to come down to him and that distance.
Fans, well the joint hasn’t sold out yet, and strangely there a few gold seats open on the east side of the stadium against Clemson.
What say you? What have you learned about your team through two games?
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142 comments Add your comment
Sam
September 14th, 2009
3:03 pm
Joe Schmoe…get on the phone and call PJ. He’ll tell you that Dwyer is the key. Nesbitt can’t carry the water every game. And ask any DC what the key is. Stopping the B back.
GA Tech Insider
September 14th, 2009
3:06 pm
An observation from an old Tech man;
GA Tech and Clemson play tough almost every year; this is regardless of where they play, whose coaching, what the weather conditions are, what the teams are ranked, etc. These two teams just always seem to play close games. For some reason, and I don’t think anyone can really explain why, maybe it’s just the rivalry, these two teams just get “up” for each other almost every year at some point during the game and make it down right exciting until the very end.
Looking at the FSU versus Jacksonville State game, regardless of whether FSU had just a few days less to prepare than Jacksonville State, you normally would have hoped that the level of athletes between the teams alone would have pushed the Seminoles over the edge, but if everyone remembers a couple a years ago what happened to Michigan with App State, great athletes, alone, don’t win games, even if they’ve had all summer to prepare for a game. Tip your hand to Jacksonville State for a game well played and giving FSU their cold dose of reality early in the season. Maybe, now, they’ll be ready for BYU.
Getting to GA Tech’s game against Miami Thursday evening, I’ve been reading a lot of comments about how there is now a “blueprint” on how to stop Tech’s spread/triple option – crash the offensive line and attack the QB and dive (Jonathan Dwyer) quickly. I don’t know about the rest of you, but I watched the Southern Cal game against Ohio State on Saturday, and noticed that Ohio State’s defense looked pretty stout against one of the more highly touted offenses in the country. Well, the week before, Navy sliced through that same defense like a hot knife through butter, even though Ohio State had a whole summer to prepare for them. I guess what I’m getting at is that you can have these big, strong defenses that say they know how to play the spread/triple option every day of the week, but if it’s executed correctly, like Navy did against Ohio State, it will still work.
Granted Navy’s players have been in the system a lot longer than our boys, but on the other hand, our guys are a tad bit more athletic than the Midshipmen in many areas, so if we can get that one crease, we might be able to break a longer run.
I would also say that Paul Johnson on our sideline is an asset that Miami cannot compete with, regardless of how many new coordinators they bring on board. Besides being a great offensive strategist, he is a super motivator for the team; something I haven’t seen from Miami’s coach. Our boys would walk through walls for Paul Johnson; he’s proved himself in less than one year.
Randy Shannon has time and time again, even as recently as a few weeks ago, and their team has underperformed consistently under his watch. If it comes down to crunch time, like many of GA Tech games have under Paul Johnson since he’s been on campus, you can just feel that the boys know that they will find a way to win. I’m not sure that Miami’s players would feel the same way.
Finally, I think it will be very important for GA Tech’s defenders to keep Miami’s QB from scrambling and running for yardage on Thursday. I think that they saw how FSU came back on GA Tech last season with the scrambles so it will be important to keep containment and even have some zone rushes to take care of screen/bubble passes Miami will try to use against GA Tech’s rush. I would drop back a lineman and rush a linebacker or wolf (as an example) to try to confuse the linemen and qb.
Again, just one old man’s perspective.
1Jacket7
September 14th, 2009
3:06 pm
Da U. There is nothing trick about lining up for a fake kick and executing. That is great coaching. Seeing on film what you can do and doing it. I can also say that if Dwyer hit Bay Bay down the sideline he would have scored. If Dwyer would have tripped he would have gone 69 yards for another TD. I think the game will be a good one on Thursday but ADMan you are crazy to think all you want that our offense is one dimensional, because it isn’t. If you are referring to pass and run then the best any team can be is two dimensional. Our offense consists of an Option attack with multiple options every play and a Run and Shoot style passing offense that is developing. Put them together and you have a offense that has produced 498 yards of offense in the first game and 418 in the second game. That sir is no small change. There are plenty of offenses that run pro style spread, etc. that have not had that type of production. Running on all cylinders GT scores 62 against Jacksonville St and 50 against Clemson. The great thing about all of this is this type of offensive power is coming. It’s coming… It’s coming. Be afraid be very afraid, why? It’s Coming!!!! Next Up, The Miami Hurricanes. Shhhhhhh, its coming (whispering loudly)
Stephen
September 14th, 2009
3:08 pm
Paul Johnson please do more screen passes and short dump passes like you did to Allen at the end of the clemson game. You have a RB open on nearly every play if you would use them for a quick short pass. Build up Josh’s confidence with this. This will confuse the defense and allow the option to open up more holes. Then you can try a deep pass.
AdMan
September 14th, 2009
3:10 pm
GT Que, If I thought that you knew anything about college football I’d probably take you a little seriously…however you are obviously blind when you watch Tech play and only see what you want to see. Tech will lose Thursday night..count on it. As far as the rest of their schedule…Tech has no chance against Va. Tech, Florida State, Vanderbilt and as many flaws that Georgia does have they have plenty of talent to take care of Tech when they meet.Do you really think Tech is goning to beat Georgia two years in a row?Do you really think Georgia is going to let that happen? I don’t care if they’ve only got two wins when they play Tech…Georgia will beat Tech…its going to happen!You Tech fans are really delusional when it comes to your team. Your not that good.
logan
September 14th, 2009
3:14 pm
Da U -
Hey moron….Tech ran for 476 yards last year on your pathetic D. The last thing you need to be doing is coming on here now and talking about how Miami is going to shut down Georgia Tech. You’re obviously an idiot with limited football knowledge. You don’t think it’s revelant to point out the FSU-Jack St game…but you’re basing Miami being better this year on your game with FSU…makes no sense.
You’re just another moron that won’t be found on this board come Thursday night about 11 PM.
Packerman
September 14th, 2009
3:16 pm
Strong words from a Miami fan at 2:51. Miami played a weak FSU, who almost lost to Jacksonville State. The same Jacksonville State that Tech beat by 20. I’m not saying that Miami doesn’t have a shot, because they clearly do. But I think it’s getting ahead of yourself saying that Clemson is weak and Miami has a great defense.
Clemson has one of the best defenses in the ACC. Meanwhile Miami’s D gave up 34 points to FSU’s offense, got gashed by the running game and destroyed through the air. Miami’s players have always had an ego problem. That’s just the kind of talent that school attracts. That ego problem leads to poor discipline, and poor discipline leads to big plays for the GT offense.
Miami will have had 10 days to prepare for GT, so it’ll be interesting to see what they will do to stop the option attack. I’m more interested in the other side of the ball though. I want to see what Tech’s defense can do against Miami’s significantly improved offense. I really want to know how Derrick Morgan will do against a top OT, and I want to see the secondary take on Jacory Harris and those lightning quick receivers.
JimJacket
September 14th, 2009
3:18 pm
I don’t see that “second year improvement” the media has been hyping. Partially my fault for listening to the media. After 2 games, what’s been learned:
1. The blocking at the line was no better than last year. Gardner-Webb anybody?!
2. The quarterback decisions were worse than last year. If Reggie Ball played QB in this system, decision made during the Clemson game are what I would have expected. Come on Josh, nobody wants to be compared to Reggie Ball (best player in the history of UGA football).
3. Cooper Taylor needs to forget about last year’s FSU game, and wake up.
4. Why is it that the other teams start their offensive series at the 40 yd. line, and we are starting at the 15-20 yd. line?
5. If someone doesn’t step up on the defensive line, Derrick Morgan will only have 5 sacks at the end of the season (for those not paying attention, he has already gotten those 5 sacks in the first two games).
6. The linebacker play has been great.
7. Defensive backfield was fair considering they were on an island all night with no help from a pass rush.
GT FAN PA
September 14th, 2009
3:18 pm
You know DA U- you could say if in your game as well- IF THE FSU player had not dropped the ball ya’ll would have not won the game! I recall very well last year the cane fans screaming were back!!!Where did that get you? And if notice from last year your players kept reacting to the Player instead of the ball. Go back and watch Randy over and over telling the players ya’ll went right to the player instead of staying home. Yes the Jackets have work to do…and with a little more tweaking they will be there-look at the plays this last game..almost looks like the old scissor cross-mis direction- they will continue to add with formations-just like on the last two drives-Clemson did not know how to react- as one post said earlier–CPJ is thinkng like a chess player sitting you up for later and it showed. I will not sit here and say the Jackets have better players as Miami as I think you match up better in some positions better than the Jackets and the Jackets match up better in some over Miami- it will come to discipline and that I have to give the edge to Tech. Your team is about being the Hero and that is where the option will get you! We can talk the talk that is why they play the game….See you on Thursday! I would say Good Luck-But I would be lying so I’ll just say may the best team win! THWG!!!
logan
September 14th, 2009
3:18 pm
Adman-
Adman the idiot. Oh yes…we should “mark it down” that Tech will lose to Miami. Pretty sure you said we should “mark it down” we lose to Clemson as well. And Georgia won’t “let” Tech win this year? That’s a Tony Barnhardt voice of reasoning if there ever was one. Georgia won’t have any choice but to “let” Tech beat them..if Tech executes, Tech wins…they are the better team. You UGA morons need to worry about that huckleberry Arkansas team led by the idiotic coach that is going to take ya’ll to the woodsheed. Mark it down.
GT Que
September 14th, 2009
3:20 pm
AdMan
You lost all credibility when you said GT has no chance against FSU
Nuff said, you clearly didn’t watch their game on sat
Quite possibly the most asinine comment ever on this board
Tom
September 14th, 2009
3:23 pm
Is it true that unc coach Davis said the fake field goal play was illegal? It was legal. That guy is a jerk. I hope we beat them and run up the score like they did to us last year.
juvenal
September 14th, 2009
3:28 pm
um has had better atheletes the last 4 yrs…
East Cobb Hokie
September 14th, 2009
3:29 pm
GA Tech Insider – good comments, but I think you missed a key point re opposing Ds. IF they try to “quickly” stop the O positions you noted, that will result in big GT plays, al la UGA last year. IMO Miami will “fly to the ball” with their speedy athletes. That is just what CPJ wants them to do. Randy Shannon is doing a great jon at UM, but does not yet fully have the attention of his youngsters yet IMO. I predict Miami will be chasing GT ball carriers down the field many times Thursday night.
logan
September 14th, 2009
3:31 pm
juvenal-
so? has it helped them?
juvenal
September 14th, 2009
4:09 pm
logan-exactly
Joe Schmoe
September 14th, 2009
4:17 pm
Final score Sam… Final score.
Joe Schmoe
September 14th, 2009
4:30 pm
Yea, what as the “U” been doing with all those recruits all these years long?
RyanGT
September 14th, 2009
4:48 pm
Hey Doug, great post and mostly agreed. The offensive line right now is a huge enigma. I was extremely impressed with the pass blocking but wholly underwhelmed with run blocking. I’m not sure how that dichotomy can exist, but it seems like some half-step draws or run-pass options would have fit well. Does CPJ have those in the arsenal?
Of course, to have good pass blocking means nothing if the passing game is suffering. I think Josh Nesbitt is in danger of becoming another (dare I say) Reggie Ball if his efficiency does not improve. Part of the magic last year was that Nesbitt was not afraid to use his feet to make plays, and turn negative yardage situations into positive ones. Besides designed QB keepers, we haven’t seen that at all.
The defense as a whole should get some love. Where they found their second wind in the fourth quarter, I don’t know. One of the biggest advantages a team can have is the opponents defense being worn down late. Our defense played the entire game and yet somehow overcame that.
One more shout out to our defensive secondary. They’ve really stepped it up from recent years and besides one or two blown coverages (against CU), they are playing great.
Overall the sentiment for the season, albeit two games in is that either we are a good (and appropriately ranked) team in need of a few adjustments – or – this is an average team who got lucky beating Clemson. I do have to agree with a previous commenter that unlike the previous coach, Paul Johnson is not going to grab defeat from the jaws of victory. We’ll win the games we’re supposed to.
blah
September 14th, 2009
5:15 pm
UM is favored by 4
Sam
September 14th, 2009
5:35 pm
Ok Joe Schmoe. Miami 38 Tech 24. Your D is pitiful. Your O becomes more vulnerable with every week that passes. Eventually with that horrendous D you have all a team has to do is slow down your O and GT takes some azz kickins. And I guess you’ll get through every game with no fumbles ala Clemson huh Joe? Take off the rose colored glasses.
Louisiana Jacket
September 14th, 2009
5:36 pm
I agree that the defensive secondary is about as good as it has been since way back in the day. I do think that the defensive coordinator will need to start blitzing a little more since other than Morgan we are not getting much pressure on the QB only rushing 4.
Nesbitt will be better than I think we can count on, this was the first game he had pressure and backs that could change coverage on him. PJ will chew him out then try to help him with slightly different routes, that will motivate Nes for this upcoming week.
Other than that I do agree that the middle of our o-line needs to step up the movement of the d-tackles.
superDawg
September 14th, 2009
5:37 pm
I have learned that tek just thinks that no one can beat them.Well here we go the bandwagon is about to be vacated due to a beat down from MIAMI.
G-Dog
September 14th, 2009
5:37 pm
Respect it http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FOQFs5qqWG4
Louisiana Jacket
September 14th, 2009
5:39 pm
Joe I am confused about our pitiful defense? So let me see other than 3 big plays by clemson (2 big passes where one coop got caught flat footed, the other 2 guys missed an easy tackles, and a special team play) Clemson moved the ball yes but Tech held strong most all of the night. So yeah if you are saying that Miami is going to throw the ball as far as they can and pray that our secondary runs into each other again then yes I agree our defense is miserable. Other whise you won’t be able to run the ball and will be hoping your quarterback can carry the running and passing game on his shoulders.
joetgt
September 14th, 2009
5:43 pm
i think last year miami took gt lightly and thats why gt pounded them and its could of been worse if coach johnson did not take the starters out. this year miami will not take gt lightly bc of what happen last year, but im very confident gt wins 38-17 over miami. miami has shown us how undisiplined they can be on defense and the tripple option offense only needs one mistake to take it to the house for a touchdown.john dwyer runs for 12 carries 180 yards and bebe thomas 6 cathces 150 yards. close game at half but tech pulls away in the 3rd quarter. tech could possibly finish 11-1
superDawg
September 14th, 2009
5:51 pm
Miami will score at will against your sorry D.Good luck and that will not help either.
Sam
September 14th, 2009
5:54 pm
Have it your way Tech fans. Every time you guys get those heads all blown up out of proportion GT gets hammered. That’s your history and in Tech’s case history always repeats itself. And by the way Louisiana Jacket Kyle Parker picked your secondary apart. Have him confused with Nesbitt do you? And that poor Cooper Taylor is dead meat. Every OC you play will be putting mismatches on him. The guy runs like he’s in cement.
superDawg
September 14th, 2009
6:46 pm
come on you guys,when you squeez one out you shut up when you play a patsy you are going to win the acc.whats up chicken miami got you scared.
Sam
September 14th, 2009
7:15 pm
joegt “John” Dwyer gets stuffed like a Thanksgiving turkey. Dwyer for Heisman? Who came up with that one? Rueben Houston…with help from Joe Hamilton?
Can you dig it?
September 14th, 2009
7:34 pm
GT Que and logan sorry it took me so long to get back to you after your comments concerning my thoughts about your bugs.The only asinine thing on this blog is your refusal to clearly see that Tech’s football team is average at best. A great team with aspirations of winning the ACC does not let a team like Clemson come back from 24 points down and nearly win the game.You two clowns are typical Tech fans…still living in 50’s and 60’s when Tech had a team that was relavent in college football….your team will lose at least four games this year…get used to it…but please continue to paint your body yellow and wear the yellow wigs to your home games, its the only thing that makes Tech football fun to watch..
Sam
September 14th, 2009
7:39 pm
I like guys, especially those soft guys from Overtown! So soft! Better yet I like those dark brothers in Liberty City, preferably the pork n beans…. I am so soft!
Can you dig it?
September 14th, 2009
7:41 pm
Sam, how come you dont love me… is it that I am too rough for U? I like soft guys too!
Sam
September 14th, 2009
7:41 pm
Good point GT Que. UGA fans know their team has issues. They scream for Willie Martinez’ head every day. Tech fans aren’t that smart. They are either too stupid to see that THEIR team has huge issues on both sides of the ball, or just not man enough to admit it. Tech’s issues become more apparent each week that goes by. Weak undersized O line. Weak undersized D line. Secondary not good enough to compensate for it. A quarterback that can’t complete 50% of his passes against air. Just the fact that Paul Johnson is having to resort to trick plays to compensate for all his teams apparent flaws speaks volumes. And just think. The fumbles haven’t started coming by the bushel yet either. When Tech gets into the meat of their schedule it’s going to get ugly for them at times. And by the way. GT is the only school in the NCAA with a place kicker thats a better passer than the QB.
Joe Schmoe
September 14th, 2009
7:50 pm
Lord, Please keep letting these UM fans think they are going to run all over us! They are in for a good suprise.
JollyGoodFellow
September 14th, 2009
7:56 pm
45-42
DDT
September 14th, 2009
8:06 pm
JollyGoodFellow? Is that code for Gay?
Tom
September 14th, 2009
8:22 pm
You ga fans on here are pathetic. You talk trash on here when your own team has a world of issues. YOU scored 10 against osu..who gave up 45 to houston AND lost. You barely hung on to beat a crap sc team and gave up what, 37 to them? You are underDAWGS again this week. And you talk about giving up a huge lead as being an issue. Tell me what school has never done that. It happens all the time. It’s called complacency. What is important is THEY WON. And YOU DIDN’T.
So get lost losers. Oh and check out those rankings. You won’t ever see the top 25 when you get pounded by Ark this week. And come November, with that sorry offense and defense you have, gt will beat you down easily again.
Better go back to your own blogs and continue your whine fest babies.
AdMan
September 14th, 2009
8:52 pm
Tom.wife not giving you any? Why all the hostility? You Tech fans act like you won the NC. You still can’t get it through your heads that your team is average…get it…. average. You will not win the ACC and definitely will not play in a BCS Bowl….but will lose four games with one of them being to Georgia regardless of what their record is at the time Tech plays them. You only beat Georgia by 3 points last year…3 points…not 33 points.Come back to earth Tech fans your team with the gimmic offense is not that good.
Sain't Simons
September 14th, 2009
9:03 pm
Joe Schmoe-I really like the way you write. You are so creative. So witty and tricky with your incredible insight. Please enlighten this board some more with your vast football knowledge. You are so fun. I hope to see you at Atlanta Eagle, again tonight? Let’s play reverse role tonight…you play catcher and I’ll be the pitcher XOXOXOXO
DDT
September 15th, 2009
12:01 am
Tom I bet you’re the biggest puzzie that ever strolled down North Avenue.
DDT
September 15th, 2009
12:05 am
Tom needs to take his boyfriend’s panties off his head. They are keeping him from seeing clearly how mediocre GT really is this year. GT goes 7-5 in 09 and finishes no better than 3rd in their division.