A look at Georgia Tech’s running backs
I felt bad leaving you without a blog for two weeks, so I cobbled this together, using colleague Tim Tucker’s capsule on the Georgia blog. A few more will be coming.
THE RUNNING BACKS
- Returning starters: Anthony Allen, Embry Peeples, Roddy Jones.
- Others to watch: So many to choose from here: Many new A-backs will see time this season including Orwin Smith (will see more time here than he did last year), Robby Godhigh and B.J. Bostic notably, along with returning vets such as Marcus Wright. At B-back, Lucas Cox was a bowling ball during the spring practice, and Richard Watson looked tough to bring down as well.
- Key losses: The big one was B-back Jonathan Dwyer, who rushed for 1,395 yards last season and is now with the NFL’s Pittsburgh Steelers.
- Key fact: The Jackets averaged 5.2 yards per attempt rushing last season. As coach Paul Johnson says, if he wants 5 yards he’ll just run the ball.
- Key fact II: The Jackets had 36 runs of least 20 yards last season.
- Key question: Will Allen be able to fill Dwyer’s role as a between-the-tackles runner? He’s as big as Dwyer, and his speed is such that he should be able to get extra yards when he gets into the secondary.
- Key question 2: With Allen now at B-back, who will be the home-run threat coming off the edge on option and/or pitch plays? Jones had three 20+ runs last season and Marcus Wright had one.
- Key question 3: Will the A-backs block better than they did last season? Johnson recently said the team left a lot of yards on the ground and said the A-backs need to hold their blocks better on the perimeter.
- Outlook: Should be fine. Johnson has said he’ll be surprised if Allen doesn’t get 1,000 yards this season.
- Your turn: What say you about the running backs?
For a look at the offensive line, go here
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300 comments Add your comment
Hal
June 18th, 2010
9:53 am
I will bet most people who read this blog have received a speeding ticket at one time or another but I wasn’t arrested. So why was he arrested? Suspended license too or was it an expired license?
Hmmmmmmmmmm!
June 18th, 2010
9:54 am
Reality Stinks asks…”Whats ignorant about my post people”
Apple trees produce apples
Orange trees produce oranges
Reality Stinks is ignorant
and so he produces ignorance.
Dekalb Jacket
June 18th, 2010
10:02 am
Don’t forget Tech Fan, according to Reality Stinks, there are untold numbers of Tech arrests that go unreported because of the high crime area that Tech is located in. He has yet to address what evidence he has of this, but apparently it is a fact.
Man up...
June 18th, 2010
10:02 am
““30-24″ beat down ”
That is either meant to be intentionally funny or we have semeone that has never watched a football game…
Dekalb Jacket
June 18th, 2010
10:03 am
And Reality will not address this because it is a figment of his imagination.
Man up...
June 18th, 2010
10:04 am
When 30-24 is a beatdown I promise you won’t have to pray as our reciever drops the ball to give you the game back right at the end.
Jacket Backer
June 18th, 2010
10:20 am
Man up, I agree, I love that hanging on for a last second victory via a dropped pass equates to a beat down. Same mentality that gives UGA a NC every spring, only to have the wheels come off in October.
Jacket Backer
June 18th, 2010
10:21 am
25-6 is a real beat down.
Dekalb Jacket
June 18th, 2010
10:23 am
Where did you go Reality? Is Sesame Street on? Bring me some evidence or shut your mouth. Oh wait, I guess your mouth has finally shut. Coward loser!!!!
Ask any tech player about the
June 18th, 2010
10:26 am
Any Ga Techer over the age of 35 or so, can tell you what the Waffle House REALLY means to former techers.
Lifetime of jobs and bacon grease. Change that you can count on.
GET me two over medium w/ cheese grits ………..techers.
Go Dogs.
Man up...
June 18th, 2010
10:30 am
Based on this aforementioned phenomenon I will continue to insist that the reason UGA fans are here taking shots at us however they can is because of the unspoken recognition that our two football programs are more even now than they have been in ages. What does that do to a Dawg fan trying to hold on to the last whispers of a memory in which the Bulldogs were the in-state dynasty and Tech just the has-been pretender to the throne? What do they feel when they see that the Jackets under Paul Johnson could be just as good as their beloved Dawg “juggernaut” year in and year out? FEAR. Response? Childish stabs at our progress.
Their presence here is all the indication that we need that our football program is on their minds.
Hey, Man UP
June 18th, 2010
10:33 am
The real DROP in the UGA/Tech game was the full stride, perfectly thrown pass from Jumping Joe Cox to Rontavious Wooten ( in his hands ) that he did not hold on to. Wooten was full stride on a slant, at the 30 or so and NO ONE around and he muffed it. UGA settled for a field goal and may have in fact missed it. That was a REAL DROPPED TD ………….. the Thomas muff was only a missed first down.
Besides, UGA’s Jasper Sanks scored, hit the ground and “fumbled” in the end zone 12 years back and that moron ref said he lost the ball. The result was that UGA lost that game. The ground does not cause fumbles.
It all works out in the end and over time ………….. this is why UGA owns GT and beats them like an ugly, red headed step child. AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHAHAHA
Um, ah, how many times has tech gone to the CWS???
Go Dogs
Dan
June 18th, 2010
10:34 am
How is it a reflection of GT that Morgan got busted for a suspended license and driving a bit too fast? Last I checked he never got into trouble while playing at Tech.
And if it does reflect on Tech, what are we to say about that UGA player that just got busted who played in the late 80’s? Heck, what are to say about Christian LeMay?
Whooooooooosh, whoooooooosh
June 18th, 2010
10:39 am
CPJ hears this sound every night at beddy bye time. His man boobs jiggle, as he and his turkey jowls sit up in bed, as he reaches for the Nighty Night tablets to get some shut eye. That sound? Whoooooooooosh
The sound of Caleb and Ealey sprinting down the field and the sound of CPJ’s shot glass after that game.
Whooooooooooooosh. It also will be the sound of CPJ leaving. Every 3.5 years over 43 years, Tech has had to get a new coach. This includes Dodd, whom Dooley ran off.
Gooooooooooooooo Dogs. Whoooooooooooooooosh, the sound of those Navy Jets over the Varsity.
Also, the sound of Hall’s thug fist as he threw punches.
Ezekiel
June 18th, 2010
10:47 am
Anthony Allen is as good or better than Jonathan Dwyer, tougher and a better leader. Lot of experience at all of the running back positions, Paul Johnson has built up his own pony express. If the line can do a good job blocking then next year’s team will exceed last year’s. Talk more Tech football at: http://www.bbuzzoff.com
GT is a football school
June 18th, 2010
10:50 am
MARCUS WRIGHT is a good part of the equation…noone really gives him the credit he deserves…loved it when he came up with the ball in the 3rd quarter UGAY fumble in 08 after GT had just scored back to back td’s and the TD Wright scored against VT was priceless..
and one more thing..ALL INBrED DOGS GO TO HEll
Delbert D.
June 18th, 2010
10:50 am
What Morgan was doing, driving with a suspended license is just plain stupid. But what about the former Georgia player who was sentenced for 6 years (69 months) in prison last week for bank fraud? Didn’t anyone notice that? Is anybody keeping score on this stuff? Just put up a web site with the list of felony convictions and misdemeanors for bot teams and keep the blogs on-topic.
Dan
June 18th, 2010
10:52 am
I want to see Chris Jackson.
Delbert D.
June 18th, 2010
10:52 am
Oh, and the guy who has a sexual fetish for CPJ is here, as usual.
doo doo leys
June 18th, 2010
10:58 am
so it is going on 11am on th East Coast, by now, you inbred dogpoops should have had your half pound of bacon, gravy and butter all over the biscuits and grits and not to mention the half dozen donuts…and just think this afternoon you can stroll through WalMart in your electric wheelchairs that you need (not because your disabled but because you refused to change your eating habits and never did a drop of extercise in 20 years)and demand that disability parking space that you think yoour entitled to. God Help You Idiots. Ever heard of Special K with Skim Milk and fruit? How about a treadmill?
Man up...
June 18th, 2010
11:02 am
There’s no refuting my point. Only further proof. You care, Bulldogs. You care deeply about beating Tech. Especially now that we might just be more even than you’re willing to admit. You can say it’s hate, but wasn’t it hate three years ago too? Back then we weren’t worth your attention. Now just look at you all. Frequenting our articles and blogs desperately trying to tear down our newfound confidence in a team that you remember losing to and then having to pray not to lose to. And this year could be another uncomfortably close one. Or worse yet…Tech could win. Why? Because we’re better than we used to be and growing.
It’s ok. You won’t have to admit it. Your presence and vitriolic comments are all the proof anyone needs. Clean, Old Fashioned Hate is very real again. 1-1 and waiting on a 3 year tie breaker. Everything else is just history to comfort yourselves by!
2BT
June 18th, 2010
11:19 am
36 runs of 20 or more yards last season. For some reason, I think we top that number this year. Nesbitt alone should have about 20 by himself on option keepers.
DOG POOPS
June 18th, 2010
11:19 am
OMG YOU UGAY INBRED BACKWOODS MARRIED TO YOUR SISTERS MORONS..,YOU JUST HAD A FORMER UGAY PLAYER IN AUGUSTA WHO RIPPED PEOPLE OFF FOR MILLIONS IN REAL ESTATE DEALS AND IS HEADING TO JAIL AND YOUR ON THIS BLOG TALKING ABOUT SOMEONE ARESSTED FOR SPEEDING. g d all of you
Reality Stinks
June 18th, 2010
11:25 am
Im back
Yes it is a beat down coming from a middle of the road SEC team
You talk about Joe Cox really and those lame ducks your QB throws makes him a Heisman QB
As for your arrests like I said the Fulton County Sheriffs Department does not have time to worry about Tech ball players until it gets serious like when beatings of women occur
Whats the matter Tech you cant beat a real man in UGA, so your players resort to beating woman
HugoStiglitz
June 18th, 2010
11:25 am
Anthony Allen is going to be a beast this year. Our running game should be the least of our worries. We have tons of talent in that area.
Always great to be a Jacket, sucks to be a leghumper
June 18th, 2010
11:26 am
Fear is a powerful motivator.
Reality Coward
June 18th, 2010
11:28 am
Welcome back dummy, bring any evidence with you?
Paul in RDU
June 18th, 2010
11:31 am
Delbert – As far as keeping score on legal infractions of football programs is concerned, there is the Fullmer Cup — google it.
UGA is currently tied for 6th place. GT hasn’t made the leaderboard, although somehow Duke – Duke!!! is in 5th place.
Reality Coward
June 18th, 2010
11:34 am
Where is your evidence Reality? Do you have any statistics to support your comments about the Fulton County Sheriff? Continuing to post this drivel and refusing to answer the question does not make it true. Delusional coward.
Delbert D.
June 18th, 2010
11:41 am
Paul in RDU – East Carolina at the top? Are they reacting to Derek Dooley’s departure to the original home of the Fulmer Cup?
Reality Stinks
June 18th, 2010
11:42 am
Fact
UGA 60-39
“30-24″
Tech has a high school stadium
Tech cannot fill their stadium until UGA comes to town
Ealey just ran for another touchdown
Paul in RDU
June 18th, 2010
11:52 am
Delbert – I think you have mixed up the “sons of coaching legends” – ECU’s last coach was Skip Holtz
Hello BuLLdaug
June 18th, 2010
11:53 am
You guys know the name “BuLLdawg” is banned from this site…thus the others name(s).
I’m expecting the Tech running game to again be among the top in the country. I’m hoping that the passing game has improved.
PAB
June 18th, 2010
11:54 am
Nice facts, what about your evidence? How many times will you allow yourself to be called out as a b**ch before you respond with any evidence? And just so there are no ambiguities, reality is a punk ass b**ch.
treyingeorgia
June 18th, 2010
11:54 am
Jacket fans…come on guys… you got beat by the worst Georgia team in 15yrs… I mean the GA running backs ran through your defense like a knive through butter… give me a break with thumping your chests… you and your high school offense will only get you so far and the fact that you won the ACC speaks volume’s about how weak the ACC really is…
Get ready for 9 out 10 along with another defeat to UGA this year…
Sorry but it is what it is…. Later…
BartBuzz
June 18th, 2010
11:55 am
Big D Dawg. You should feel right at home reading about the GT arrests. UGA also stands for Unuther Georgia Arrest!
KMA and THWG!
GT Man
June 18th, 2010
11:56 am
One positive thing. In 1990 one of our big lineman clobbered a girl in a bar, and it must have been a rallying call, because we went 10-0-1 and was named UPI National Champs, so hopefully this will be our trend. Hate to use a females face to get us unbeaten, but!!!!!!!!
treyingeorgia
June 18th, 2010
12:00 pm
Oh and if you want to listen to a real school with tradition in football check this out:
This is priceless–give’s you goose bumps…. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a63wht7yA4w
Jacket Backer
June 18th, 2010
12:04 pm
wasn’t this about running backs??….they’ll be fine, we have plenty of ‘em!
Go Jackets!!
treyingeorgia
June 18th, 2010
12:06 pm
…oh and for you Jacketfans if you need a little reminding ” We Run This State ” enjoy:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-zZ_qIJ3aQ
a knife through butter…349 yards on 38 carries… 9.8avg… and this was by the worst Georgia team in 10-15yrs…. my god the GATech defense looked like roadkill…
Later
dagnabit
June 18th, 2010
12:19 pm
I don’t need any reminding about the ga professor who murdered his wife and two others last year. Talk about domestic violence.
Vick=Dog killing thug
June 18th, 2010
12:20 pm
Look for the gimmick offense to stall big time this year. Too much tape out there now. Defensive Coordinators have had plenty of time to study this nonsense. CPJ fooled a few people in the last couple of years and won some games but I don’t see that happening much longer.
Joe
June 18th, 2010
12:22 pm
What about Charles Perkins ? He’s supposed to be a stud. Are we redshirting him ?
UGABasketball
June 18th, 2010
12:27 pm
Man we really love your BB coach Paul Hewitt. CPH can’t outfox the fox!
superDawg
June 18th, 2010
12:43 pm
Your BOY hall beat his girl friend now that is lower than low.
superDawg
June 18th, 2010
12:45 pm
and a 6 point win is twice as good as a 3 point win.
superDawg
June 18th, 2010
12:46 pm
any one want to fight.
We_Run_This_Country
June 18th, 2010
12:50 pm
I’d like to see Perkins redshirted this year (we don’t really need him this year….we’re stacked).
The Dawgs can have their “We Run This State”….GT will settle for “We Run This Country”. I fully expect if Ealey pulls his eye black shenanigans this year, he will get the KnowShow treatment from Brad Jefferson.
RDR
June 18th, 2010
12:56 pm
Aaahahahahahaha! git can’t run themselves out of a wet paper bag when they play anyone out of the a she she.
gtlinz
June 18th, 2010
12:56 pm
I “third” Mr Burdell, except that the first 3 rules should all slide down one spot. The number 1 thing to never do is to answer honestly when asked “Honey, does this make me look fat?”