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Georgia Tech

Tech scrimmage results not satisfying

7:29 pm August 27, 2010, by Doug Roberson

After Georgia Tech finished its final preseason scrimmage Friday afternoon, neither coach Paul Johnson nor defensive coordinator Al Groh seemed overly impressed upon leaving Bobby Dodd Stadium.

Johnson said, “It is what it is. It was scripted. We didn’t have a lot of energy. I’m hoping that’s . . . we’re going to take the weekend off and come back Monday with more energy.”

Unlike the first scrimmage on Aug. 14, which was open to the public and the media, the Jackets did not work against their own schemes. In other words, Groh did not coach against Tech’s option offense, and the offense did not work against Tech’s 3-4 defense.

Both units worked against South Carolina State scout teams comprised of players not expected to be on the two-deep depth chart for the Sept. 4 opener in Bobby Dodd against the Bulldogs.

Much of the scrimmage was focused on specific situations, and the coaches who will sit upstairs on game day sat upstairs Friday and so on.

Groh paused before giving an answer when asked how the scrimmage went. “We made progress throughout. We should. If you can’t say that you’ve made progress, you’ve got a real problem,” he said. “It usually takes most coaches about three games in the season to really know who your team is.

“The players seem to have an understanding of their assignments. We probably can’t find out very much more without playing somebody.”

Highlights

The offense had a good day against the scout team as quarterback Joshua Nesbitt had a 53-yard touchdown run, freshman A-back B.J. Bostic scored on a 23-yard run, B-back Richard Watson scored from 5 yards out and Preston Lyons on a 16-yard run. Safety Jarrard Tarrant returned an interception for a score, and Mario Butler and Anthony Egbuniwe blocked field goals.

For the scout team defensive, safety Jemea Thomas had two interceptions.

Snap-shots

Sophomore Tyler Morgan, a former preferred walk-on who took over the deep-snapping duties in the fourth game last season, was awarded a scholarship before classes began. The former Whitewater High (Fayetteville) player jump-started his own recruitment more than two years ago when he sent video tapes of himself snapping to dozens of college programs.

“I was never really a Tech fan growing up until [assistant] coach [Mike] Sewak got in touch with me senior year. I started talking to them and other schools,” he said. “I didn’t know where I wanted to until near February [2009]. Coach Johnson and coach Sewak and Buzz [Preston] came to the house and talked to me. That was pretty much it.”

The Yellow Jackets targeted Morgan, who averages between .68 and .72 seconds in the time between his snap and when the ball hits the hands of the punter. “We recruited him,” Johnson said. “Yeah, you look at every tape people send us. You find a lot of good players that way.”

Extra points

Johnson said he sent a text message Friday morning to former Tech safety Morgan Burnett congratulating him, “for getting a pick” Thursday night when the Green Bay Packer intercepted Colts quarterback Peyton Manning. Johnson said he also has swapped messages with Denver rookie receiver and former Jacket Demaryius Thomas, and has sent a text or two to Tennessee defensive end Derrick Morgan and Pittsburgh running back Jonathan Dwyer. … Groh said Steven Sylvester, “is certainly in contention” to win a starting outside linebacker spot as he competes with A.T. Barnes and Egbuniwe.

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This was filed by Matt Winkeljohn

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43 comments Add your comment

BigTimeTechFan

August 27th, 2010
7:38 pm

Getting close, about a week away, we will find out for real.

Okeefe/Bob

August 27th, 2010
7:46 pm

I can’t wait.I’ve watched Tech FB for 60 years and I still get as excited as I did as a kid.I’m also a Tech Grad sooooooo I really do love GT.

K

August 27th, 2010
8:23 pm

Thinking Ga Tech will go undefeated.
“Better offense” and “Better Defense”

Still@theBAR

August 27th, 2010
8:38 pm

Damn can we just get to kickoff tomarrow. I need some football.

Slippery when Wet 5150.

August 27th, 2010
8:54 pm

No players hurt and no players arrested. It was a good day to be a Jacket.

Tokyo jacket

August 27th, 2010
9:17 pm

I know he says there was no energy, but those are some good numbers…I don’t care if they were against the scout team. I think his comment about being where we are with 5 days left is very telling about how good this Tech team could be. If the O doesn’t miss a beat and the d is just a skosh better, watch out!

Savannah Jacket

August 27th, 2010
9:27 pm

With a deeper healthy O-Line the offense should be nothing short of Great this year. It would suprise me if the defense is clicking in the first two games but hopefully they will be good enough. To keep it close. As they play together, getting better …. mid season form could be really good.

Can’t Wait till Kick Off. This could be a very special year.

GO JACKETS!!!!

doggit

August 27th, 2010
9:36 pm

4 tickets / 4 soft drinks / no pretty girls – can wait!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Jim Harrick III

August 27th, 2010
9:51 pm

how many Tech players got arrested today?

We hit and run this state

August 27th, 2010
9:52 pm

you heard it here first. lamo

Delbert D.

August 27th, 2010
10:16 pm

Enter your comments here

Delbert D.

August 27th, 2010
10:18 pm

At least something got through. mypostaboutmorganburnettwiththepackersgotblocked.

NERDS!!!! 30-24!!!!

August 27th, 2010
11:21 pm

Look out, nerds: those footsteps you hear aren’t Georgia, they’re GEORGIA STATE!!! HAHAHA!!!

Dawg Gone It

August 27th, 2010
11:41 pm

Hello dawgs!

You run this state as evidenced by its ranking in education, health care and mental health, and the state budget is broken, consistent failures.

Laughing stock of the SEC, not a championship in sight with 5 star talent ten deep. Great waste. Consistent indeed.

We will see you in Athens after you have been beat by at least FL (GO GATORS) AL (Roll Tide!) and many others, your shameless ignorance mixed with baseless ego is always entertaining. Thanks!

Otherwise – Go Jackets, good luck to all players and coaches!

Proud GT Alumni 1987

Booga

August 27th, 2010
11:53 pm

Look out, doggies: those footsteps you hear aren’t GT, they’re THE COPS!!! HAHAHA!!! Now hop on your scooter and run along, little doggie.

WPinAZ

August 28th, 2010
12:27 am

Booga……now, THAT’S FUNNY!! “…….the cops!” LMAO!!!! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

macrotech

August 28th, 2010
1:10 am

Props go to Booga….THAT was hilarious!!!

GT GRAD

August 28th, 2010
1:16 am

Offense will be ready…….I sure hope the defense is ready (all 11 players on the same page & playing fast without thinking about the new 3-4 system might take some time).

Why are so many UGA fans so obnoxious and so interested in the GT blogs? They sound like wanna-be bullies, but they are simply embarrassing UGA and they verify complete ignorance on a regular basis.

The most obnoxious (and ignorant with regard to football) fans in the entire NCAA……….UGA wins that trophy by a landslide. Just because the AJC writers (slobbering love affair with UGA) claimed two teams in the SEC have more obnoxious fans does NOT make it true………the AJC writers are obviously biased and attempting to take the focus off of the fact that UGA has the most obnoxious and delusional fans in America. They prove it on these blogs each and every day.

So many UGA fans have absolutely no idea that most people they speak with regarding thier beloved Bulldawgs are laughing at them as they listen to the ignorance and arrogance. Ignorance is bliss I suppose (some people say it anyway).

I pull for the UGA team except for when they play against GT, but I do not think the more obnoxious UGA fans do the team any favors………you would think a larger percentage of the more realistic UGA fans would call these guys out and ask them to be more considerate/knowlegeable (or simply stop embarrassing UGA)……….it reminds me of the islamic radicals…………why is it that there are so very few muslims that publically call out the radical muslims and distance them from the muslim religion? I wonder if a huge majority of both groups actually believe essentially the same so the more realistic people (UGA fans and regular Muslims) remain quite when the outspoken radical members speak publically or take action?????? Wow, that got way to serious in a hurry.

Go GT!

I am ready for some college football!!

college football

August 28th, 2010
1:21 am

blowflys suck

If you want to see a Heisman Trophy then make the drive to Athens!

August 28th, 2010
3:29 am

DId not see nesbitt on the AJC Heisman candidates.

lanier

August 28th, 2010
5:37 am

if the defense has the athetes i think Groh can scheme with the best. off can control the clock by design but the D has to give them the ball. if all that comes into play then Tech can end up wining the ACC but the D has to have the studs for it to happen
dont know about this D yet

Alabama Jack

August 28th, 2010
6:32 am

Tech promotes better sportsmanship. UGA promotes lower bail.

Gold Helmets

August 28th, 2010
7:09 am

I think even UGA fans might even grin at Booga’s comment. That was funny. I also like the “We hit and run this state” comment too. Can’t wait for football season to get started. Go Jackets!

Flowery Branch Yellow Jacket

August 28th, 2010
7:19 am

Look out dogs … those steps you hear aren’t Georgia State … they’re the GEORGIA STATE PATROL!

destin dawg

August 28th, 2010
7:42 am

Jackets and Dawgs are both improving on defense…. which couldn’t get much worse.. Ealey hit a parked car.. Dumb.. but Not criminal… but lets talk FB… both UGA and Tech.. might win 10 and their division.. not in same conference.. I like Johnson and Richt… so I’m for both until we meet…. Go Dawgs!!

yellowjacket82

August 28th, 2010
7:55 am

It should be a great year. I like being the underdog of sorts. Can’t wait until kickoff.

Classy comment destin dawg.

stan

August 28th, 2010
8:03 am

quit the talking and lets play bal

AMG

August 28th, 2010
8:34 am

Destin Dawg, Hitting a parked car is dumb, hitting it while your license is suspended is criminal. Dumb and criminal is becoming a very normal trend up there in Athens. I am not just rubbing it in, but this is NOT ok. Would you rfeally want to send your daughter up to Athens to go to school? UGA is less and less a University and more and more of a drunken zoo. The football team is nothing short of sad and pathetic at this point.

destin dawg

August 28th, 2010
9:37 am

AMG… you sir are out of touch… and I Sure wouldn’t want my daughter at GT…. downtown is plain unsafe at night.. this is our drug culture.. most big State Universities are in towns just like Athens… maybe not as nice..

fuzzybee

August 28th, 2010
10:06 am

and Washaun Ealy is still running!

athens is scary because of the football players

August 28th, 2010
11:02 am

Ah, to wake up one morning and find your car battered because one of the illiterate football players rammed into it at 3 am. And the AD runs around with hookers sucking down a bottle of whiskey in the car. And Zach Mettenberger thinking he’s Ben Roethlisberger. Nobody on the team seems to have a driver’s license, which Chuck Oliver says Rev Richt knows all about. Winning the Fulmer Cup, with criminal activity running rampant in the program every year.

But hey…..at least it’s not as bad as what Butchie Davis has been doing at UNC lately. Ole Butch has SEC modus operandi with Conference USA results!

BUMBLE ON!

August 28th, 2010
11:32 am

I can’t believe it took until 2010 for there to be college football in Atlanta. Good luck, Panthers!

GT Sambo

August 28th, 2010
11:39 am

This is a comment for GT GRAD. I am no UGA fan and I would actually prefer that they lose every game. I am also no defender of newspapers as I think they continue to become less and less relevant in the digital age. But to say that the AJC has a slobbering love affair with UGA is pretty humorous. Over on the UGA boards, the Dawg fans are saying just the opposite. They think the AJC has it in for the Dawgs. The truth is probably somewhere in the middle. The AJC is always going to cover the Dawgs in more detail because there are more Dawg fans in Georgia (working at McDonalds, Burger King, and Wendys, sorry couldn’t resist). Just the facts of life.

Dawgtards ruin this state

August 28th, 2010
12:32 pm

Send your nice kids here to thUGA and we will make law breakers out of all of them.

GIVE ME A BREAK

August 28th, 2010
2:57 pm

Okeefe/Bob, also can’t wait. it great to be a YELLOW JACKET fan. ” GO JACKETS “

Dawgmess

August 28th, 2010
3:48 pm

GT Grad, you ask why are so many UGA fans so interested in GT. Then you write 4 paragraphs about UGA fans on your Tech blog. I was actually here to read about your scrimmage. Can I get you a Valium or something?

Slippery when Wet 5150.

August 28th, 2010
4:38 pm

What are all the male Dawg fans doing at the Waffle House? Didn’t bow hunt’n season start yet? I love reading about TECH and our progress, but it is more fun reading about UGA and the “lil mistakes” they keep making every week and every year.

Dawg-Hatin' Jacket

August 28th, 2010
5:55 pm

What’s the good word? THWG
How bout them Dawgs? POE

dawgfan

August 28th, 2010
6:11 pm

“What’s the good word?”

Oh that’s an easy one. 30-24 of course.

GT Fan

August 28th, 2010
6:29 pm

Ello, mi name ees Akbar and i go to dee GT to get degree. Cannot fine dee girlz on dee campis but i studee very hard wile tring to avoyd dee muggerz. What eez dis footbal you speak of? Sownz veddy eemportint so shud i studee dee footbal?

doobiedoo

August 28th, 2010
9:04 pm

O K, I’m outa here………..you guys are stinkin’ it up………….

Payne

August 28th, 2010
10:10 pm

Why no defensive stats besides nesbitt being picked twice?

misterwax

August 28th, 2010
11:22 pm

I wonder is Washaun was wearing his RED PANTIES at 5 in the morning with no valid license…..food for thought!