Tech two-deep released
Greetings-
Sorry for the absence for a couple days. A couple of assignments took me away from filing stuff.
Anyway, the two-deep depth chart was released Thursday. A few observations below.
OFFENSE
QB Tevin Washington Synjyn Days
BB Preston Lyons Charles Perkins
AB Orwin Smith Embry Peeples
AB Roddy Jones B.J. Bostic
WR Tyler Melton Jon Lockhart or Jeremy Moore
WR Stephen Hill Daniel McKayhan
LT Phil Smith Catlin Alford
LG Will Jackson J.C. Lanier
C Jay Finch Nick McRae
RG Omoregie Uzzi Trey Braun
RT Tyler Kidney Ray Beno
DEFENSE
DE Jason Peters Anthony Williams or Euclid Cummings
DT Logan Walls T.J. Barnes
DE Izaan Cross Emmanuel Dieke or Christopher Crenshaw
OLB Jermiah Attaochu Malcolm Munroe
ILB Julian Burnett Quayshawn Nealy
ILB Daniel Drummond Albert Rocker
OLB Steven Sylvester Brandon Watts
CB Rod Sweeing Ryan Ayers
S Rashaad Reid Lance Richardson
S Isaiah Johnson Fred Holton
CB Louis Young Michael Peterson
SPECIALISTS
K Justin Moore David Scully
P Sean Poole Chandler Anderson
LS Tyler Morgan
A few thoughts
1. I suppose very rarely is a position ever “sewn up” in the world of Paul Johnson, but most of the positions have, at the least, strong leaders for starting jobs. I’d say the most competitive position battles will be at B-back, both offensive tackle spots, punter and kicker.
2. You’ll notice none of the incoming freshmen are included. Johnson said about a week ago that 10 or 11 could play this fall. The incoming wide receivers will probably make the strongest push.
3. One of those freshmen who’ll play almost certainly is backup right guard Trey Braun. He was the only freshman to enroll in January and is behind Omoregie Uzzi.
4. Notable player not on the two-deep: A-back Tony Zenon, who made a strong push in spring practice and caught Johnson’s attention.
5. Deepest group: Defensive line, with three returning starters and a lot of experience among the backups. A-back would be a close second.
6. Thinnest group: Offensive line. The right tackle candidates, Tyler Kidney and Ray Beno, have played in a combined nine games. Three of the No. 2 linemen have never played in a game either on the line (J.C. Lanier) or at all (Braun and Catlin Alford). Beno has played in three games.
7. Three starting seniors on offense, four on defense. Five seniors on the defensive 22, four on offense (none on the offensive line).
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
192 comments Add your comment
BobChicken
May 13th, 2011
9:53 am
First?
ManUp...
May 13th, 2011
10:04 am
Very interesting. This will probably be shaken up after Fall Camp. I’m encouraged by the starting A-backs and the depth behind them. Unsure about Lyons at B-back, but he got through a mess at the line many times on T-Day and if he’s not great the backups at B-back are solid. That O-line needs to figure it out, but something tells me that CPJ as a line-centric offensive coach will have them ready to go after a little tune up against Western Carolina. I look for a good season.
Go Jackets!
Ken Sugiura
May 13th, 2011
10:22 am
nice work, Bob Chicken.
ManUp — the season may hinge on o-line’s performance.
GT Fan ...
May 13th, 2011
10:23 am
Two AG recruits starting. One (JA) getting tons of praise from PJ. Nice.
AG will get some VERY good players on the D side. He did it at VA (remember Chris Long, for one), he’ll do it at GT too, and probably better.
NYC Dawg
May 13th, 2011
10:26 am
Write this down GT fans –
You’ll have a losing season due to your pathetic KICKING game! Makin’ you nervous CPJ? I don’t even need to ask – yep, you’re shakin’ in your boots!…
Bahhhhahhhaaa!!!!!!
Delbert D.
May 13th, 2011
10:36 am
Lyons has performed pretty well over the last 2 years (#2 both years, allowing Cox to move back to A-back). A lot of his carries were in regular game situations, spelling Dwyer and Allen). 4.3 yards per carry last year, 4.6 in 2009 in twice as many attempts. I expect Perkins will move into the #1 spot this year.
dawgs are trash
May 13th, 2011
10:36 am
NYC Dawg, you might better worry about uga having enough players eligible (academically and legally) to field a team. Just how dumb do you have to be to become academically ineligible at uga? Can’t spell “cat” even when they spot you the “a” and the “t”? Also, write this down – this year’s “next Herschel Walker” Crowell will turn out to be a major disappointment. Injuries, attitude, character – all will be an unpleasant surprise.
J.P.
May 13th, 2011
10:38 am
As for the QB race, it is far from over. The differentiator will be 1 key element that’s been missing…
Passing!
We’ve seen Tevin and Synjyn – not impressive. If Vad Lee can hit open receivers, he’ll have the edge. True Freshman or not…
J.P.
May 13th, 2011
10:41 am
For those interested, Vad Lee passing reel…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Q2k95TtTdk&feature=related
Buzz Me
May 13th, 2011
10:41 am
Was CPJ watching the same spring game we were?
J.P.
May 13th, 2011
10:47 am
LIke I said – its about passing. While Tevin and the White Team lost, Tevin showed more skills passing than Synjyn.
CPJ knows that we are in for a long season if we don’t have some sort of passing threat…
GT Trumpet
May 13th, 2011
10:51 am
Yes he was Buzz Me, but he also saw all the closed practices we didn’t. I can only assume CPJ isn’t dumb and knows what he’s doing.
GT BBall
May 13th, 2011
10:54 am
I agree that DLine and A-back are deepest, B-back and LB are shaping up nicely. OL and Kicking will be the issues to figure out in the first 3 out of conf games. Very young secondary, too hard to predict. Questions:
Why play Uzzi and Braun at the same position? They might be the 2 best OL on the team.
WR still looks weak, which freshman will compete in the fall at WR?
What are the chances Vad Lee picks up the offense fast enough to be considered in the opening game QB rotation?
Delbert D.
May 13th, 2011
10:55 am
J.P. – Pretty good footwork on the dropbacks, and good throwing on the run. With Nesbitt especially, most passes were off his back foot, moving back on rollouts. That tape shows Lee moving forward and throwing well on rollouts.
J.P.
May 13th, 2011
11:00 am
The Western Carolina game would be a great game for Vad to “cut his teeth on”.
Don’t know if he would start this game, but if there’s one game that we are sure to win by a huge margin it’s this one! If I was CPJ, I might start Tevin, get a large lead and then rotate Vad into the mix around half time.
T3
May 13th, 2011
11:07 am
That starting roster at ILB/OLB is a serious “hit squad.”
Probably the best starting LB roster in the ACC.
D is going to show dramatic improvement this year.
Delbert D.
May 13th, 2011
11:07 am
J.P. – I’m not so sure about the “sure” part. The openers (and some of the later season games) against lower division opponents have not been particularly pretty. 2008 vs. Gardner-Webb, with Shaw starting for example.
CoolBreeze
May 13th, 2011
11:11 am
I sure hope CPJ puts a SHORT passing game in the plan. Haven’t seen it yet. Most of our passes are 30-yard arcs, and last year, they got dropped most of the time. I can’t see us leading the nation again in rushing, so we will need some variation. Sure hope the D steps up this year.
J.P.
May 13th, 2011
11:17 am
CoolBreeze: I sure hope CPJ adds some more variety in play calling from last year’s offensive strategy.
Whether it be SHORT passes or anything really – to keep the defense on their toes and off balance!
J.P.
May 13th, 2011
11:20 am
Delbert D. – Agree with you, nothing is a “sure” thing. But if there was one game on our schedule that I’d bet my next paycheck on, it would be the Western Carolina game.
Sports Fan
May 13th, 2011
11:35 am
Where is Jamea Thomas? I thought he was lock for one of the starting spots on D.
J.P.
May 13th, 2011
11:39 am
Sports Fan: Rumor is Jamea has had some academic struggles.
Ken Sugiura
May 13th, 2011
11:39 am
J.P. I might temper your enthusiasm about Lee. As important as it is to pass well, the far more important skill is being able to run the triple option. In that regard, obviously, Washington and Lee both have a considerable advantage.
i won’t be surprised if lee ends up redshirting.
for what it’s worth, delbert, calvin booker started against gardner-webb, not jaybo shaw.
i don’t think i’d call trey braun one of the two best linemen on the team, at least not yet.
Buzz
May 13th, 2011
11:39 am
All of you a delusional if you think CPJ will “change” anything about his boring offense!!! I also would like to see some more passing but it’s not going to happen!!!!
Buzz
May 13th, 2011
11:40 am
are not a….
Jacket Man
May 13th, 2011
11:53 am
Expect Chris Jackson at Wide Receiver by the end of summer across from Stephon Hill.
Jacket Man
May 13th, 2011
11:56 am
And yes, he’s been reinstated to the team and is eligible.
Hayseed Dixie
May 13th, 2011
12:03 pm
Most impressive part: tie between backs and LBs.
Most worrisome part: O Line. Can’t do a whole lot without a solid one of those.
BigTimeTECHFan
May 13th, 2011
12:08 pm
ILB Daniel Drummond 1st team, that was quick, he must be doing real well switching over from RB. Watts will make a move for 1st team also.
Calhoundawg
May 13th, 2011
12:08 pm
Who cares …?
George Stein
May 13th, 2011
12:09 pm
Well at least NYC Dawg believes it won’t be our high school offense (which his team has shown no propensity for stopping) that causes us to lose. Kudos for originality, I guess. I don’t think we’re shaking in our boots though. By the way, is there some rule that Tech fans are not aware of that requires all UGA fans to be a Location Dawg?
Why would he change anything, Buzz? He’s been tremendously successful with his offense and he likely will be in the future, too.
collegeballfan
May 13th, 2011
12:12 pm
Football is still a game of blocking and tackling.
The blockers appear no better than last year and the tacklers look to be a little better than last season.
Looks to be a .500 season.
Buzz
May 13th, 2011
12:13 pm
Successful that’s that’s still in question…. But it’s torture to watch Tech when we get behind by 10 pts or more…. GAME OVER!!!!!!! or inside 2:00 mins to go!!!
J.P.
May 13th, 2011
12:15 pm
Ken Sugiura: interesting perspective..
You seem to have an opinion about the QB situation. Who do you say is the best right now to run the offense. Washington or Days?
Jacket Man
May 13th, 2011
12:15 pm
By the way, expect Tony Zenon on the field for a lot of 3rd down plays because of his ability to catch the ball (whether it be downfield or a quickhitter) and Tony’s breakaway speed if he gets a pitch on a running play.
Also, at this time, Tony is going to be a key player on the return teams.
George Stein
May 13th, 2011
12:17 pm
How you can question his success is beyond me, Buzz.
As far as the 10 point thing, it’s not based in reality. But let’s say it is. Do you find many teams coming back from 10 point deficits? And 2:00 minute drills are more often than not unsuccessful. But let’s not let facts get in your way.
GT BBall
May 13th, 2011
12:18 pm
Braun – Enrolled early, good size (300 lbs), wrestling background and hasn’t been flagged for movement yet! Just seems like alot of upside to be backing up Uzzi.
J.P.
May 13th, 2011
12:20 pm
Agree GT BBall about Braun. I’m also anxious to see big ol’ Erin Joe!
Delbert D.
May 13th, 2011
12:22 pm
Misc. info on some of 2011 the 2-deep players:
Preston Lyons – ACC Academic Honor Roll 2010
Logan Walls – grad student, ACC Academic Honor roll past 2 years
Omoregi Uzzi- US Army All-American, #9 guard (Scout) 2007
Roddy Jones – grad student, 2-time All-ACC Academic team
Trey Braun – No. 1 wrestler in Florida, #3 heavyweight AAU Nationals; parents are West Point grads
Emmanuael Dieke – Biomedical Engineering major
Will Jackson – ACC Academic Honor Roll in 2010
Ray Beno – Engineering major
Daniel McKayhan – National Honor Society at MLK
Malcom Munroe – National Honor Society, Coral Reef HS, Miami, FL
Albert Rocker – ACC Academic Honor Roll 2010
Quayshan Nealy – Computer Science major
Jeremy Moore – Academic Honor roll at LBJ HS, Austin, TX
Marcus Wright – Parade and US Army All-American
Chandler Anderson – Biology major
Jason Peters – member of Ga. Tech Student-Athlete Advisory Board, Academic All-State in HS
David Scully – Biochemistry major
Dickie
May 13th, 2011
12:23 pm
Hey BUZZ – Short memory. Guess you were happy with 7-5 Gailey
We_Run_This_Country
May 13th, 2011
12:23 pm
Vad Lee will R/S….stop talking about him….he will be on the Scout team this year.
J.P.
May 13th, 2011
12:25 pm
We_Run_This_Country: Maybe your right about Vad Lee. One thing for sure, whenever CPJ finally puts him in the game, he’s going to unleash fury on those dirty DAWGs!!!…
scdawg
May 13th, 2011
12:25 pm
What happened to David Sims, the kid from Calhoun County SC??? Was a QB, moved to A back?? Is he in the doghouse??
J.P.
May 13th, 2011
12:27 pm
Can’t stop talking about Vad though. He’s the future of GT. It’s hard not to be excited about this kid!
GStateBen
May 13th, 2011
12:29 pm
Really, really rough look there. Outsiders opinion with no dog in the fight (as you’ve give my team two starting OL already).
-Defensive Front 7: Your projected weight is 1782lbs. You have no DL that’s 300lbs in the starting rotation. Go look at Miami, Clemson, North Carolina and Georgia’s Front 7. See why I think it’s going to be a 7 win campaign in 2011?
-Offensive Line Youth: 3 Freshman & 2 Sophomore along to O Line.
Big trouble for Tech. You heard it hear in May. I’ll keep saying in September, October and November.
Be happy with a bowl trip in 2011.
Buzz
May 13th, 2011
12:32 pm
George Stein…. Are you serious or is this your sarcasm????
BigTimeTECHFan
May 13th, 2011
12:33 pm
Braun, Joe, and Mason may all be playing this year
Jacket Backer
May 13th, 2011
12:34 pm
Go Jackets!!
George Stein
May 13th, 2011
12:36 pm
Thanks, Ben, for you feedback.
Forgive us if we aren’t impressed with UGA’s, UNC’s, or Clemson’s defensive line as none of those teams have done much to slow us down. Miami has, though. They must have the option figured out!
Also, 1,782 divided by three is 594. I don’t believe we have anyone with that weight on our team but I think that’s greater than 300.
ManUp...
May 13th, 2011
12:38 pm
GStateBen, you’d have an excellent point if we ran more “normal” schemes. But looking at size vs. opponents and comparing that to win records in 08 and 09 tells me we do not rely on that to beat other teams. Notable exceptions where line size was a clear issue: 08 LSU and 09 UGA and 09 Iowa. Most of the time execution with good pad level and the right blocking/tackling scheme has gotten us our “push” despite size where we didn’t have it.
Youth, however, is an issue. I think that’s what we saw in the Spring Game. O-line needs experience and to be able to do what Coach asks of them.
I will be happy with a bowl trip of any kind, but at least 9 wins (going 2 of 3 over the rivals – VT, CU, GA) would exceed my expectations and give me no choice but to party.
Go Jackets!
George Stein
May 13th, 2011
12:42 pm
Serious as a heart attack, Buzz. The problem with people like you is that you view things independent of one another when, in a football game, many things are related.
GStateBen
May 13th, 2011
12:44 pm
@George Stein Front 7. Front 7. Not a math major but you’re not counting correctly. My point is that many are expecting a big step forward in defensive pressure and improvement out of that unit. Extremely difficult to do without significant size.
GStateBen
May 13th, 2011
12:46 pm
@ Man Up GT wins 9 games in 2011, I’ll buy you lunch anywhere in Atlanta. Not going to happen. Period.
Let’s work backwards, out of North Carolina, Maryland, at Miami, Clemson, Virginia Tech and Georgia you expect to go 3-3 or better? No way. Sorry.
Delbert D.
May 13th, 2011
12:49 pm
Ummm…T.J. Barnes is 6-7, 333 lbs at NT.
GStateBen
May 13th, 2011
12:50 pm
@George Stein Denial is not a River in Egypt. You went 1-2 in 2010 vs. UNC, Clemson and Georgia. Remember how the Miami game went? I do.
George Stein
May 13th, 2011
12:55 pm
Ok, Ben, but if you averaged the weight of any NFL team’s front seven, you won’t end up at 300 lbs. I may not be an expert, but teams don’t make a habit of running out 300 lb linebackers. The proper question would be the delta between those teams (to say nothing of the fact that weight, while important, is not determinative) and Tech while being mindful that we run a 3-4 while Miami and UNC run a 4-3.
And, yes, I think we can – and should – win at least three of those games.
George Stein
May 13th, 2011
12:57 pm
I do remember, Ben. And they mean nothing now.
Born2Buzz
May 13th, 2011
12:58 pm
How bad can our O-Line be with a 2 deep rotation of Kidney-Beno? Do we have a Garbanzo on the roster?
George Stein
May 13th, 2011
12:58 pm
That’s not bad, Born2Buzz.
GT Fan ...
May 13th, 2011
1:03 pm
J.P. (10:41am) and everyone else on the “Vad-Wagon” ….. after watching the youtube link I came away NOT so impressed, and I am a lifelong GT Fan. A couple things that jump out to me:
1. He’s in the shotgun every play – not even close to what he’ll be asked to do in PJ’s O.
2. In plays I could see jersey #s (25 +) …. VL threw the ball to #7 in all but THREE plays, and those three went to #4.
Maybe GT should’ve signed #7 … reminded me of D. Thomas!
And to Benny G-St boy ….. yeah, I remember the games you are talking about. And in the one game where GT didn’t either kill themselves with their own turnovers or not recovering the opponents turnovers they WON.
Turnovers is a HUGE game changer, and when a team commits them (3 killer fumbles vs. GA), or doesn’t take advantage of the opponents’ (Clemson 3rd play from scrimmage, pick 6 for Tarrant and he doesn’t make the pick. Next play is roughing the punter on 4th down, followed by a 55 yd TD run for Clemson) …. and Remember the opening kickoff vs GA, and how GT failed to take advantage of that TO? I do…..
Old Gold
May 13th, 2011
1:04 pm
Another losing season for Tech..no way to go .500!!
GStateBen
May 13th, 2011
1:07 pm
“And in the one game where GT didn’t either kill themselves with their own turnovers or not recovering the opponents turnovers they WON.”
By 6 points, with a Sr. QB over a team that had their best defensive player suspended. You don’t think those guys who were inexperienced at UNC who got playing time throughout the suspensions/injuries will be back and better in 2011? I do.
You can excuse your way to anything. Just remember what I said and don’t be disappointed the week after Thanksgiving thinking what in the world happen. Or we’ll get ‘em next year.
Expectations are a funny thing. Especially when they are completely dillusional.
George Stein
May 13th, 2011
1:08 pm
GT Fan – I just think we should all be patient and lower our short term expectations of Vad.
As to the other point you made, we screwed up in those games. I just don’t think the issues that plagued us last year are likely to repeat themselves.
Born2Buzz
May 13th, 2011
1:08 pm
Hey Ben, think about this:
UNC – New QB and lost a LOT of players from last season, and still haven’t beaten CPJ.
Maryland – New Coach, who knows what they will do.
at Miami – New Coach, same as Maryland
Clemson – New QB, Dabo vs CPJ – I’ll take my chances with CPJ
VT – New QB, and they haven’t stopped the O in 3 years either
UGA – Always a toss up – Don’t go back to the Gailey years for the record comparison.
Of course we have a new QB as well so maybe that’s a wash.
But, with 5 of those games at home going 4-2 would be disappointing.
It’s all about how our D does. The O will put up the yards and hopefully find the endzone instead of dropping the ball in the red zone like we did so many times last season. If the D improves like we hope, we will find 8 or 9 wins easy.
1eyedJack
May 13th, 2011
1:10 pm
Bless your little hearts Tech fans.
You self-profess that your offensive line is questionable…not good. Not in this offense.
Was not impressed at all with Tevin Washington. Vad Lee will be more important for you than Lemay will be for UGA, THIS year.
Pray you don’t have any major injuries that cost players games.
George Stein
May 13th, 2011
1:10 pm
Wouldn’t the logic you used about UNC vs Tech apply for Tech vs UGA, Ben (except that our best player was hurt, not suspended)?
George Stein
May 13th, 2011
1:10 pm
Carolina spanked us in 2008, Born2Buzz.
Delbert D.
May 13th, 2011
1:14 pm
That highlight film was of the WR, who wore both #7 and #4 at different times.
Steve
May 13th, 2011
1:21 pm
At best 6-6. A couple of games could go either way, but this is not a good team
T3
May 13th, 2011
1:22 pm
Predictions:
1. (W) Western Carolina
2. (W) Middle Tenn State
3. (W) Kansas
4. (W) North Carolina
(UNC lost 9 starters to NFL, and another 5 key 2010 starters are gone. Rebulding year for UNC)
5. (Toss-Up) NCState
(NCST loses QB Russell Wilson & All-World LB Nate Irving)
6. (W) Maryland
(Paul Johnson D-E-S-P-I-S-E-S AND O-W-N-S Randy Edsall.
Edsall installing brand new Offense)
7. (W) UVA
(HC Mike London still needs 1 more year to put it all together)
8. (L) Miami
9. (L) Clemson
(Edge to Clemson. GT will be coming off brutal game with Miami)
10. (Toss Up) VT
(Bud Foster STILL hasnt figured out GT’s Offenses, and VT lost ALL of their key 2010 starters)
11. (W) Duke
(Its Duke. Enough said)
12. (W) UGA (Loss of veteran O means trouble in rushing and passing games, and
and most starters on D gone)
(Yes, GT will win this. G-U-A-R-A-N-T-E-E-D)
Summary:
(2) High probability losses (Miami & Clemson)
(2) Toss-Ups (NCST & VT)
(8) Wins
Call it 8-4.
George Stein
May 13th, 2011
1:23 pm
Thanks, Steve. We still get to play the games, right?
1eyedJack
May 13th, 2011
1:29 pm
T3, love your enthusiasm. That’s all I got to say about that.
T3
May 13th, 2011
1:31 pm
I think end of year results in FSU vs Miami for ACC Title, with FSU winning.
Despite new coach at Miami, they still have majority of the talent back from 2010.
Miami has the biggest O-Line and D-Line in the ACC, .
Steve
May 13th, 2011
1:34 pm
Really T3? My thoughts…
1. W Carolina (W) – Easy win
2. Middle Tenn (W) – Closer game than the first, but a win
3. Kansas (W) – Kansas is not good. Should be an easy win
4. UNC (L) – Yes they lost talent, but they are still loaded
5. NC State (L) – Should finish 2nd in the Atlantic
6. Maryland (toss up) – For sake of argument, we’ll say win
7. UVA (W) – UVA may be the worst team in the ACC
8. Miami (L) – Talent plus coaching beats coaching
9. Clemson (L) – Clemson will outscore Tech
10. Virginia Tech (L) – Not even close
11. Duke (toss up) – Closer than people think, mark it down. Duke will be much better, especially on defense. Tech pulls out a close one
12. Georgia (L) – UGA could win the SEC East
Atlanta Chamber of Commerce
May 13th, 2011
1:40 pm
I’m a Dawg fan, but a Georgia resident………and I’m worried about Tech.
George Stein
May 13th, 2011
1:40 pm
We’ll take our chances, Steve.
For the record, UGA fans, I think y’all should be good.
GT Anchorage
May 13th, 2011
1:40 pm
I don’t get this feeling that Vad Lee should come in this fall and start… Do people not get the gains acquired from redshirting him? Sure we might have a bad year in 2011, but we would probably have one with or without him. We get another year to build our OL for him, so he doesn’t have to run for his life every play. Barring some type of crazy injury scenario, I would stay away from playing Vad. You have to look to the future.
If he comes in and is Cam Newton right away, then start. BUT HE ISN’T GOING TO BE, and probably never will. We have no idea how he is going to turn out…
George Stein
May 13th, 2011
1:41 pm
Watch out for Clemson, T3. Their HC is a bonehead but they have two excellent coordinators and loads of players.
Ramblin Man
May 13th, 2011
1:51 pm
How can anybody make logical predictions when we have not seen one down yet. Steve I agree UGA could win the east, but that’s not saying much for this season. My opinion is it will be USC unless UGA’s o-line gets it together.Too many teams are going through major changes leading into the season and preseason polls will be nothing but a giant guess. I will be happy if GT goes 8-4 and will wait until after the Kansas game to see if this team is ready to bring it.
Ken can you get a little information on the WRs. This has been, as you know, a big concern for GT fans. I still hold out hope for Hill to get it together and hope Moore can produce now that he is back from his injury. McKayhan scares the daylights out of me due to the dropped punts against Air Force, and I know nothing about Lockhart. Last but not least how did Chris Jackson do in the spring, or did he even workout at the WR position?
Buzz
May 13th, 2011
1:53 pm
George Stein your a BONEHEAD!!!!!
GT Armchair
May 13th, 2011
1:56 pm
We’re in big trouble if Washington is under center this year.
J.P.
May 13th, 2011
1:58 pm
To GT Fan @ 1:03pm.
Perhaps you need more film to be impressed. Watch Vad running through these defensive lines like he’s a knife cutting through butter…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RkPC_C7JP5Y
T3
May 13th, 2011
2:03 pm
UGA could win the SEC East ?
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
reality
May 13th, 2011
2:03 pm
Well said GT Armchair.
J.P.
May 13th, 2011
2:03 pm
And if 2 highlight reels is not enough to convince, perhaps a third will do the trick…
http://www.athletevault.com/index.php?id=2122
Geori
May 13th, 2011
2:04 pm
DL was the worst unit on the team… how can you call them deep?
George Stein
May 13th, 2011
2:08 pm
Awesome comment, Buzz.
Am I the only person who finds the irony of a guy calling another person a bonehead but doesn’t know the difference between your and you’re hilarious?
George Stein
May 13th, 2011
2:10 pm
Depth does not equal best, Geori.
George Stein
May 13th, 2011
2:11 pm
They could, T3. They aren’t a bad team and the SEC East will be pretty weak this year.
ugag is last in the sec
May 13th, 2011
2:13 pm
Two things I hate in this world, Dawgs and NYC…..So byte yourself mutt…..
GTBob
May 13th, 2011
2:27 pm
They could, T3. They aren’t a bad team and the SEC East will be pretty weak this year.
Thats true but we had the same conversation about them last year. The SEC East was terrible last year and UGA really didn’t come close to winning it. This year UGA loses their top two wide receivers, their #1 RB, their two best defensive players, their best offensive lineman, and yet they are going to contend for the east and the SEC. I just don’t see it unless Crowell is better then Adrian Peterson.
reebok
May 13th, 2011
2:28 pm
Guys, I am as excited about Vad Lee as you all are, but seriously…this true Freshman is not going to pick up the offense in one pre-season. I think you will see him redshirt. Stephen Hill and Tyler Melton will be in single coverages all year, they just need to catch the balls that hit them in the hands and in the chest…Hill in particular could not do that last year.
T3
May 13th, 2011
2:28 pm
GT’s 2010 season can be summed up simply: Penalties & Turnovers.
Penalties & Turnovers were the decisive keys that led to:
Loss to Kansas (1 critical roughing the passer and 2 False starts)
Loss to Clemson (Roughing the kicker and False starts)
Loss to Miami (2 TOs in the red zone. Miami stil wins but by much smaller margin)
Loss to VT (1 HUGE TO leading loss of Nesbitt)
Loss to UGA (3 TOs)
Loss to Air Force (4 TOs: 1 in red zone and 2 on PRs)
reebok
May 13th, 2011
2:29 pm
Yeah, Georgia could win the SEC east. In fact, if they beat S Carolina in game 2, I would bet on it.
George Stein
May 13th, 2011
2:37 pm
Players aren’t the problem in Athens, GTBob. Plus, the most important player is only a sophomore and looks really, really good. Lastly, I actually admire their optimism and I don’t care that they aren’t usually correct in their assessment of their team (heck, I might be wrong, too). That they thought they would win 10 games last year has no bearing on this year’s team.
Look, I’m a Tech fan but let’s be objective about our friends to the east.
George Stein
May 13th, 2011
2:38 pm
Agreed, reebok.
GT Armchair
May 13th, 2011
2:38 pm
@ Steve
That’s exactly how I have it Steve. 5 or 6 wins at best.
Also, regarding any of our loses, I would extend your statement regarding the loss to Miami:
“TALENT + (JUST AVERAGE) COACHING WILL BEAT VERY GOOD COACHING, AND IN OUR CASE VERY MEDIOCRE TALENT.”
Look for the “Johnson has got to recruit better” theme, to be a well established story line by game 8.
Stinger 2
May 13th, 2011
3:05 pm
Vad Lee`s conversation with CPJ at the T-Day game:
Hello Coach, I am real excited and cannot wait to get on the field
this fall to compete for the QB position.
CPJ: Wait a minute Vad, something I did not tell you before you signed with GT. We really do not have a QB in our TO offensive scheme. We have an extra running back who is designated to take the snap from the Center.
Vad Lee: Then that extra running back will be me and I can through the passes?
CPJ: Vad you are a freshman. By the time you get to be a senior, you can throw a pass.
GTBob
May 13th, 2011
3:08 pm
@George Stein, if players aren’t the problem then what is and how has UGA corrected it? I think im being objective when I say that after going 6-7 and losing 6 players to the NFL, one of them being the best WR in the country, that they probably aren’t going to win the SEC east. Unless you are thinking that the dream team recruits are going to come in and perform at an extremely high level from day one.
NFL 3-4 Defense
May 13th, 2011
3:12 pm
The grace period for Al Groh’s complicated learning curve is over.
The defense must improve this year or give Al the pink slip.
AMG
May 13th, 2011
3:18 pm
A quick word on Miami – they have kicked 8 incoming players off the team before they even started and another 4 after spring practice. The team is not doing well and they have 5 more players that may be dismissed for academics. Count anyone and everyone with a W against Maimi this year, that coaching staff is a real mess.
George Stein
May 13th, 2011
3:18 pm
Hilarious, Stinger 2. It probably took you all day think about that.
I would argue that UGA having six players drafted and still going 6-7 proves players aren’t the problem there. I don’t know what the issue is but if I had to guess it’s not much more than a lack of imagination on offense and lack of discipline on defense (which will probably be corrected this year).
AMG
May 13th, 2011
3:21 pm
Also, CPJ promised Vad lee a shot to compete for the starting QB job, he will get just that. Debate all you want on weather or not he wins the job, but he will compete for the job this year.
J.P.
May 13th, 2011
3:27 pm
AMG: Funny thing with Miami. I’ll bet Nick M. is glad he signed with us!
DawginLex
May 13th, 2011
3:44 pm
If UGA and GT improve on defense, both can win their respective divisions. you are dead wrong about UGA’s defense in year 2 under Grantham. It will be better. A lot better. GT defense will be better too.
What’s funny about that T3?
George Stein
May 13th, 2011
3:47 pm
Agreed, DawginLex. We can always count on you to be reasonable and insightful.
Question. I was going back and forth about y’all with GTBob and he asked what the issue with UGA has been the past couple years. My response is above. I’d be intersted in your answer – or any reasonable UGA fan, for that matter.
b's
May 13th, 2011
4:18 pm
3 # 8 and 1 #9 recruiting class in ACC starting to rear its ugly head.
T3
May 13th, 2011
4:24 pm
Lex:
How many returnng starters on Offense & Defense will UGA have for 2011
fan of shorter passes
May 13th, 2011
4:59 pm
CPJ has been successful (not last year) even though he evidently does not like short passes…his claim is that, even incomplete, the bomb will tend to keep the D a little honest. My thought, (non coach here but always believe there is a better method) a completed shorter pass would tend to make the D even more honest…and possibly move the chain at the same time. Again, just my opine. (even 1eyedjack knows that leading the country in rushing is no recipe for success).
gtfanfrom1951
May 13th, 2011
5:01 pm
Looking at the teams we play next year I would say we could win 9 or 10 games. No more 6-6 I don’t think CPJ would go for that. He like to win to much!
ToeMeetsLeather
May 13th, 2011
5:12 pm
Agree “Shorter Passes”, I was just about to post the same thought. I can’t remember a defense stopping our short passes. The few times that we have attempted the short pass it has either gone for a nice gain, been dropped or was thrown poorly. Very rarely is it stopped by a nice defensive play. Just something else for he opposing defensive coordinator to worry about. I was encouraged to see more short routes at the T-Day game.
Way to early to make predictions on the season with our quarterback position still up in the air.
WnE
May 13th, 2011
5:21 pm
That 2-deep is down right scary for a BCS-level team.
That’s what you get when you have 3.5 or 4 yrs. of CPJ recruiting.
That depth chart looks like a Dook/Wake/UVa. type of team and not a GT-team of the last 12-15 years.
I have never seen a GT team that had as little talent as the one above in last 12 – 15 year.
Thanks for NOTHING Coach Kung Fu Panda!
Vulture
May 13th, 2011
5:31 pm
Dook? Must be a GA fan.
GTBob
May 13th, 2011
5:42 pm
I have never seen a GT team that had as little talent as the one above in last 12 – 15 year.
The only recruiting class since 2002 ranked ahead of any of CPJ’s recruiting classes was Gailey’s 2007 class. Are you sure you haven’t been looking at talent for some other team?
gt4ever
May 13th, 2011
5:45 pm
We have one of the easiest schedules I have seen in many years….. And we still finish NO better than 6 and 6….. It’s pretty pathetic…
gtfanfrom1951
May 13th, 2011
5:45 pm
The first “they” said we go 3-9 the first year of CPJ now 6-6.
WNE
Thanks for NOTHING Coach Kung Fu Panda! –10-2 for CPJ
gt4ever
May 13th, 2011
5:47 pm
WnE is 100 percent correct. The talent level has gone down every year we have run this silly offense…
GTBob
May 13th, 2011
6:03 pm
WnE is 100 percent correct. The talent level has gone down every year we have run this silly offense…
Really? Rivals rankings:
2002 – Unranked
2003 – 50th
2004 – Unranked
2005 – Unranked
2006 – Unranked
2007 – 18th
2008 – 49th (CG/CPJ)
2009 – 49th (CPJ)
2010 – 43rd (CPJ)
2011 – 41st (CPJ)
Yeah, I hate that slide we are on. I wish we could go back to the Chan Gailey glory days of recruiting.
gt4ever
May 13th, 2011
6:14 pm
GTBob,
If you don’t see the not so subtle dive in this teams talent, base on our recruiting…… Well, You will be the type that screams the loudest the next couple of years…. NOBODY wants to play in this offense, that is, NOBODY any good….. We have always been challenged recruiting, because of many factors. This Offense has just made it easier for other schools recruiting against GT…. You can bank this, we will be HORRIBLE in a couple of years….. We are already losing to service academys…. I’m sure you haven’t forgotten Airforce…..
b's
May 13th, 2011
6:26 pm
Amazing there has been 1 very good year and 1 very good recruiting class. There are those who forget Chan had to deal with flunkgate and probation.
Know your Football
May 13th, 2011
6:26 pm
In case you forgot,
Oklahoma barely beat Air Force 27-24 in Norman.
Air Force and Navy were both 9-4, even Army was 7-6 and won a bowl game.
Best Regards
May 13th, 2011
6:29 pm
I think gt4ever is an undercover UGA fan.
Jackets
May 13th, 2011
7:39 pm
if Tevin is a Div I QB, then Jackets are in trouble. Also disappointed David Sims isn’t on the depth chart.
Austin Jacket
May 13th, 2011
9:49 pm
gonna be a long season, folks. hope I’m wrong, but this offense starts at QB, and TW doesnt impress. the reason the D looked good in the spring — they played a pathetic offense. 6-6
Buzz 2010
May 13th, 2011
11:24 pm
NYC Dog…..UGA and Clarke county jail is home of the football mill and dream teams .. Your players can’t even make grades with high school classes at UGA… You will not win 5 games this year and will drop to GT… Any SEC team on your easy schedule need only to show up in Gator uniforms and you will fold like a cheap suit..
Jerry
May 14th, 2011
6:15 am
Regarding Vad Lee:
I’ve seen numerous posts about Vad touting his high school QB talent. Not sure if it will spill over 100% to college ball, but I will say one thing he’ll bring if he gets play time this season – ticket sales. If Radokovich is interested in filling the stands, Vad would be a good “play”.
This kid has brought more hype to Tech (both on campus and off) than I’ve seen in many, many years! The media will love him too and already does!
ToeMeetsLeather
May 14th, 2011
7:06 am
Austin, I think Days will be behind center on 9/1 after watching the T-Day game. Still very raw and as O’Leary would say “the light bulb has come on yet”, but he has big play potential. Timing on his passes were off somewhat but he did throw a nice crossing route for a TD and turned a few broken plays in to nice gains. I think he plays all year and the quarterback battle next spring heats up between he and Lee, and whoever comes out of that war will have us set at QB for three or four years barring injury.
TechFan1995
May 14th, 2011
7:26 am
I think the starting QB will ultimately go to Vad Lee. Here’s my logic. If S.Days starts this year and then next year Vad starts, essentially we are going to have 2 years straight of red-shirt Freshman under center. There’s no way CPJ wants to go through 2 years of growing pains with the QB position.
Since Days is clearly not, by any stretch an unbelievably gifted and talented QB, CPJ will probably start Vad. Logic here: might as well get the growing pains out of the way this year with Vad. Then next year, we’ll have Vad after he’s played a full year of Div. 1 football.
Stinger 2
May 14th, 2011
7:29 am
ToeMeetsLeather: Great name tag. Al Ciraldo was GT at its best.
About your comments on the QB situation: I do not disagree with your assessment but I do question the importance of any QB`s passing ability in CPJ`s TO offense. He has repeatedly said that he is not changing his basic philosophy of passing which averages less than 10 per game.
I believe the greatest challenges are to delevop a reliable kicking game and hopefully avoid turnovers. Also. better defense will help.
techengineer
May 14th, 2011
7:40 am
ManUp… : While you are right about those DLines you left out 1 in Boston College.. I think that was 09 too but GT may have beaten them. I don’t really understand the issue here.. Usually the big uglies are some of the more intelligent on the team.. Just hard to believe that GT can’t induce more dominant linemen to come their way… but it just occurred to me while writing.. It’s the scheme. .No pass blocking.. Just like with the WRs. I still love the scheme but thats the reason they are having trouble getting the cream of the crop on the OLine.
ToeMeetsLeather
May 14th, 2011
7:52 am
I certainly agree with the kicking and defense Stinger 2, but if we don’t develope more of a passing game, in my humble opinion, we will have hit a ceiling with this offense.
George Stein
May 14th, 2011
8:45 am
WnE is a lot of things, but 100% right ain’t one of them.
TechFan1995
May 14th, 2011
10:18 am
CPJ knows passing is important. So much that he has said, “We can’t win the ‘big one’ without it.”
This being said, if Synjyn and Tevin aren’t leaps ahead of Vad in Summer camp, the QB job will be earned by Vad Lee.
Vad Lee is the one that has the most potential of improving our passing game drastically from past.
GT75
May 14th, 2011
10:43 am
The offensive line is going to get manhandled by all these big DLs. That will spell disaster.
GT75
May 14th, 2011
10:49 am
No quaterback will be an effective passer in this offense running for his damn life as soon as the ball is snapped. It’s all about the offensive line and we will never have a passing game with CPJ. His whole philosophy is against that.
Sam
May 14th, 2011
10:51 am
What happens when Groh’s UVA money runs out and he bolts for the NFL bucks or retires. What can of DC can you paupers afford after that? You guys have big big problems.
Mike Marshall
May 14th, 2011
12:44 pm
I think Vad Lee has a great shot at landing the starting QB job… Side note: Just found that new CoachWatcher website and it is legit! http://www.CoachWatcher.com
Just saying
May 14th, 2011
1:05 pm
Buzz2010 , I wouldn’t be trash talking about a team that Jackets hold 1-9 record in last 10 years and have only beaten 15 times since 1957. Funny you criticize the Ga players 32 on this years roster had offers from PJ .The past 2 games tech has never held the lead. Can PJ win a bowl game?
TomAce
May 14th, 2011
1:46 pm
I don’t want ya’ll to be heart broken, but it is extremely doubtful Vad Lee starts at all this season. He may get in during passing situations or at the end of the game, but in no way will he be a full time starter.
This offense runs on the mind (and legs) of the QB. He has to be able to make quick decisions in the option, and check out of plays based on the defense. Watching Lee’s highlight tape, he did not run an offense anything like the one he will in college.
What probably will be best is if he redshirts, learns the offense in the film room, and plays scout team and gives the defense a great look at a mobile QB with a good arm everyday in practice.
threetrone
May 14th, 2011
1:48 pm
J.P., thanks for the YouTube link. I just watched some of it, and noticed that Vad was lined up in a shotgun, threw long bombs because of lining up in this formation, and the receiver always had m2m coverage, never zone. I can envisage the same at Tech similar to Calvin Johnson and Thomas receiving long bombs from cubes. Now, what is the element that will enable a continuance of Vad’s expertise in BD Staduim? Is it a shotgun, or CPJ’s egocentric formations? If CPJ does not install a shotgun for Vad, he will ruin this boy’s 4 years at Tech, and cause him to develop shotgun rust. Maybe a pro team might believe in him as a CPJ running cube, but they probably wont, just like they did with Joshua. So it all points to someone who isn’t playing along with anyone, who does not know how to or does not want to play the offensive game like everybody else, and who is rather autistic because of those reasons. Having the team wear black knee socks and thick black side pants stripes, even though the head of the Alumni Association said in the “Tech Topics” alumni newspaper that “Black is out at Tech”, is another example of autism on the part of CPJ. I, as a Tech, alum have lost interest in CPJ after his first year when he fielded the team that wore the navy jerseys and gold pants, with Tech looking like the Naval Academy instead of Tech. He could have had them in the same uniforms they wore all that year when they were blowing out every team they played. No, one more time he had to demonstrate allegiance to who got him there to the Chick-fil-A Bowl…Navy, similar to how he currently demonstrates allegiance to Erk Russell at Ga Southern, both demonstrations reflecting autism and self-egocentric loyalties and no current loyalty to his employer. Just think of how badly Georgia Tech needs a shotgun offense and to understand the concept of “Black is out”.
TomAce
May 14th, 2011
1:59 pm
Threetrone- You don’t have to line up in shotgun to throw long bombs. And in high school, a lot of defenses play man to man because it’s easier to teach than zone. As far as the black on the uniforms goes… I don’t really care one way or another.
J.P.
May 14th, 2011
2:13 pm
I hear everyone and agree that there is a major difference in offense with Vad Lee in high school versus the one CPJ runs. I have to trust CPJ will make adjustments to his offense to leverage Vad’s talents with his arm and legs. If that means running some formation plays from the pistol or shotgun, I trust CPJ will make it happen.
Truth be told, if Vad’s talents are wasted at Tech for 4 years, I will be the first to petition firing CPJ. That said, I just think CPJ is smarter than wasting Vad’s talents.
Time will tell. Until then, it’s fun to play the what if game and anticipate a winning season for the Jackets!
gt4ever
May 14th, 2011
3:32 pm
1. W Carolina (W) – Easy win, n
2. Middle Tenn (W) – Closer game than the first, but a win, not an easy win..
3. Kansas (L) – Kansas is not good. Should be an easy win. Kansas was terrible last year..
4. UNC (L) – Yes they lost talent, but they are still loaded
5. NC State (L) – Should finish 2nd in the Atlantic
6. Maryland (L) – For sake of argument, we’ll say win. No way we win, this will be a good team.
7. UVA (W) – UVA may be the worst team in the ACC, but close win…
8. Miami (L) – Talent plus coaching beats coaching
9. Clemson (L) – Clemson will outscore Tech
10. Virginia Tech (L) – Not even close
11. Duke (W) – Closer than people think, mark it down. Duke will be much better, especially on defense. Tech pulls out a close one…. aggree…
12. Georgia (L) – UGA could win the SEC East, this one could get ugly…
Know your football,
What’s your point….. OKlahoma WON the game…. Let’s face it the only variable I see is the defense. We really should expect the defense to be better, but we haven’t proven anything on the field. Hopefully this will be the year, because our offense will need the help. Gone are the days that we can outscore every one, and IMHO, the talent level has dropped off big time…(on both sides of the ball) I’m personally picking them to go 500. Hopefully, this will motivate Drad to get a real coach that runs a REAL offense….
smitty
May 14th, 2011
3:43 pm
lyons will rock if he can hold onto the ball……”just give the damn ball to preston”……go jackets…have a nice day
b's
May 14th, 2011
3:56 pm
Smitty, you’re joking, Preston is a good kid mine played with him at Marist, but he’s not a D-1 caliber running back.Big drop off from Dwyer and Allen to Lyons.
TomAce
May 14th, 2011
4:06 pm
Gt4ever, you complain about the offense so much. But did you know the last 3 years Tech has averaged 400 and 28 points per game. Compare that to Gailey (who by the way, ran lots of yall’s beloved shotgun plays), who averaged 22 points with 353 yds a game. The past 3 seasons at GT, 24 ppg /372 ygp, 34 ppg /422 ypg , 26 ppg /407 ypg. Stop complaining about the offense so much. That’s not the problem. If Tech had any kind of defense whatsoever in 09 they would have been competing for the National Championship. Last year was just an anomaly, it happens. This year I see a 8-4. No way Tech goes 0-3 vs Maryland, UNC, and NCSU. And Kansas again? Last year Tech did everything wrong in that game and still had a chance to win. No way that happens again.
TomAce
May 14th, 2011
4:09 pm
Gt4ever, how can you say the talent has dropped off when GTBob gave a great post with the past 10 recruiting years. Gailey only had one class better than Johnson’s.
gt4ever
May 14th, 2011
4:09 pm
b’s
It would seem that we have a lot of GT fans that are drinking fruit juice when it comes to the talent CPJ has recruited…. I mean, what are people thinking….. I have been called a UGA fan for thinking rational…. My whole family for at least 2 generations are GT alumnii…… People need to wake up and smell the coffee… We have not been this bad since Bill Lewis… Period!
Mr. D.
May 14th, 2011
4:12 pm
Nowhere in this story was there a reference to UGA or Miami; and your comments should not have included those either. If you can’t post a comment about GT following a GT story, go elsewhere to post.
gt4ever
May 14th, 2011
4:14 pm
TomAce,
I correlate talent with play on the field, not recruiting numbers. We have always been challenged recruiting wise, but never have we been handicapped by a miserable, silly offense. This is CPJ’s recruits that are playing/performing…. The outlook is dismal at best…. I really hope I’m wrong, but when this year comes and goes, and this team goes 500, it is because of one thing! Coaching and recruiting. Period. I will give CPJ one thing, he can coach, but it is my opinion that he cannot coach and sustain a competitive edge at this level, because he has NOT recruited well. Period. Time will tell.. If I’m wrong I will be the first to admit…..
TomAce
May 14th, 2011
5:36 pm
Okay, well if your concern is talent then I would not say the talent is handicapped by the offense. In fact the offensive style lends to be a great equalizer. Not exactly what you want to hear. Either way I think your judgment on the talent is off. Tech is a young team and a lot of the players will get better with experience. I think you are overly concerned.
W Carolina, MTSU, Kansas- Wins
UNC, NCSU, Maryland- Good chance to win at least 2 here. You give too much credit to Maryland. UNC lost a TON of talent. NCSU has a new QB who if plays anything like his brother at VT won’t be that great.
UVA – consistently plays tough, but they still have to learn how to win. London is making strides with their talent. W for Tech.
8. Miami, Clemson, Virginia Tech- better chance of just winning at least 1. However Clemson has a new offense and QB, VT has a new QB but they win with their defense anyway. Miami is a wait and see. If Jacory Harris is QB, Tech at least has chances for INT’s.
Duke – W
Georgia – who knows. Tech was supposed to be wiped out 3 years ago, and won. Was competitive the past 2 years. I see no reason to think it won’t be a close game this year.
So I see Tech realistically winning 7-8 games before the UGA game.
gt4ever
May 14th, 2011
6:08 pm
Yikes, Talent will not even think about coming to GT because of this Offense…. Are you kidding…? Great equalizer, that’s funny….. Maybe an equalizer, because we play it with smaller OL, smaller running backs, and WR’s that couldn’t get recruited to go anywhere else to play..Only because nobody that we play runs this offense so they will hardly prepare properly, and we still find a way to go 6 and 7. An offense that works against lessor talented teams, that has been proven every year…… Again, we were manhandled by LSU, Iowa, and Air Force…. All losses in bowls…… Not to mention that we couldn’t beat a TERRIBLE UGA team for two years… I don’t know what else to say… It seems so obvious to most…
big black
May 14th, 2011
6:49 pm
well i play football under coach johnson at ga southern, in 2000 and yest the offense is boring but it is a very good and demanding offense. it may seem boring to someone who does not understand the intricates of that is really going on, it has worked in 1-aa, navy and at tech in the first two years. i am a tech fan anyways, but coach johnson is a real treat which u will soon understand, the offense can not be stop, because there are so many reads that the quaterback must read. so if the qb position is solidified in this year or the next gt will be in a great situation. now that pj is on a level where u can get great recruits and the recruits he wants things will slowly start to look the way he has envisioned on a high level division 1 team. look for year 5 to be the best gt season, all of his players that he recruioted will be in by then, and the schemes on offense and defense will be in root for the upperclassmen to pass on
Techbuzz
May 14th, 2011
7:50 pm
I heard the back up QB did a helluva lot better than Tevon Washington in the Spring game. If that is the case, I would start the back up instead. Tech is going to be anemic on offense this year. The defense, I heard did pretty good in the spring game, but I would not be shocked if 7-5 is the best we do this year. This is definitely a rebuilding year for Tech.
I just hate that Tech’s first losing season in 13 years came under CPJ, BUT I fault the players for that more than him. I think after the team won the ACC on 2009, they ALL got complacent and thought all they had to do was show up and they’d win. Yes, we could have/should have won the VT game but spiff happens. It also shows the STUPIDITY of trying to arm tackle someone….BROKEN SOMETHING CPJ had been saying ALL year last year that he was looking for some leadership on the team and evidently, it never showed up.
TomAce
May 14th, 2011
7:57 pm
How many ACC championships did Chan Gailey win with a shotgun offense? Give me a break Gt4ever. You should change your name to CryingTechfan. All you do is whine like a little girl. Thank God Tech doesn’t have players with attitudes like you, otherwise they’d never win a game.
b's
May 14th, 2011
8:07 pm
gt4ever, you will never get people like Tomace who is drinking some serious PJ koolaid to look at the roster and see that talent that led to good seasons in 2008 and 2009 hasn’t been replaced with same degree of talent. PJ is a fine coach , but do not believe he can win consistently in the ACC with the players he’s brought in, not knocking their character or desire but you aren’t going to win many horse races with a mules.
TomAce
May 14th, 2011
8:40 pm
Well the thing is B’s. What do you get from being so negative? You can’t even enjoy your own school’s football team. I don’t know what basis you have to say there is a lack of talent at GT. You haven’t even seen the new class yet. The team is young. A talented crop of players graduated and Tech has young players that need experience.
Maybe I am drinking the koolaid. But you know what I’m excited about this season, and the next. Coach Johnson has done nothing but win wherever he’s been. I think he deserves the benefit of the doubt after one disappointing season.
GTBob
May 14th, 2011
11:29 pm
not knocking their character or desire but you aren’t going to win many horse races with a mules.
This is true, but it isn’t a CPJ problem, it is a GT problem. Recruiting didn’t become a problem when CPJ got here, it has been a problem for a long time and will be a problem regardless of who our coach is.
Stinger
May 15th, 2011
12:26 am
This team will win 10 or 11 games. Paul Johnson will prove why he is the right coach for us this year. The Dawgs will get stomped.
WnE
May 15th, 2011
8:05 am
re:
GTBob
May 14th, 2011
11:29 pm
_________________
You’re over-stating the problem that exists at GT, ACADEMICS is the least of those problems.
If you add in Vaughters & Tuitt and few of the Recruits that CPJ offered that chose UG@, keep a few of the Recruits at home that chose Auburn & USCe instead of GT, then GT would easily have their Top-15 recruiting class maybe even Top-10.
GT’s problem is the “GT Environment” where GT Alums and students ALWAYS talk down to the rest of the population as if they are dumb and beneath GT’s Elite Academics.
As evidenced by this past Recruiting Season, there are plenty of LOCAL GA HS Recruits with the Academics to major in BUSINESS ADMIN. that are also highly ranked Recruits (high 3* & up).
GT’s problem is that the GT “environment” is infested with a weasely, smarmy attitude that most “normal” Elite athletes don’t to be around during what should be the best 4-5 yrs. of their life.
Basically GT & its Fanbase needs to undergo a huge attitude adjustment, you can have Elite Academics AND a fun, desirable College experience & environment.
For some reason the majority of GT Fans & Alums have confused Academic Eliteness with artificially making the GT Environment “undesirable”.
The numbers vary from yr. to yr., but most Recruiting experts have said that anywhere from 75% to 80% of 4* recruits and higher qualify Academically for GT, in most cases those Recruits that are 4* Ranked & higher turn down GT for FOOTBALL REASONS and not for Academic Reasons.
Once again the “GT Attitude” is main reason that GT cannot Recruit better FB players.
superDawg
May 15th, 2011
9:44 am
stinger tek is in major trouble because of your beloved pj.His “O” is so far out of date that even a time machine could not bring it back.DAWGS will put the sledge hammer down on you nerds and pj will be back coaching grade school again.
GDBurdell
May 15th, 2011
9:48 am
JC on ice skates, finally a post that isn’t crazy, I don’t know what to do.
Been around lots of tek engineers, there is no way that tek’s “academics” are anywhere near worthy of their snotty bragging. tek engineers’ peculiar brand of mediocrity makes the self-aggrandizement beyond unbearable!
Its clear that pj needs to move on, the acc will tear tek apart this year. Last year was a 6 win season capped off with a stomping by air force. This year will be worse, write it down nerds
TomAce
May 15th, 2011
9:52 am
Okay. Well instead of just complaining about CPJ and his offense. WHO do you think should be coaching at Georgia Tech?
It Ain't Rocket Science
May 15th, 2011
10:32 am
Dawg fan here, but it sounds like Tech. will be simular to UGA is areas where they will be thin and strong. OL is a concern for both team for sure. UGA is just plain thin but has some experience. Tech. is in the replacement mold. D lines for both should be good. Wasn’t a fan of the 3-4 at first, but it appears if you can get the big uglies to play NT and have a decent LB corp,it will work pretty good. Guess we will find out. UGA probably has an advantage at QB, but we also have a bunch of folks calling for a young man to start in LeMay, which I feel would be a big mistake. I don’t think many young kids from high school come into a college program and are ready made to start. There is usually such a big difference in the speed of the game if nothing else.
Even though we all seem to jostle back and forth at each others schools, I wish Tech. good luck, because although I am a big UGA fan, I am a fan of all things Georgia first. Anything that boosts our prominence in the country is good for the state of Georgia.
Optimistic But......
May 15th, 2011
10:33 am
We have a very young team and with that comes a learning curve. I think 7-5 would be a good season considering the enexperienced OL. 2012 will be the year we’re back in the hunt for the ACC Championship. Synjn Days will be the starting QB before game 3. Tvin W. just does’nt have that magic Synjn seems to posess. When he has the football he can take it to the enzone on any given play. He well out performed T.W. in the spring game, but I think CPJ wants to see more before he’s named the starter. GOOOOOOOO TECH.
Optimistic But......
May 15th, 2011
10:35 am
Wow I should used spell check before I submitted my comments. Sorry!
Optimistic But......
May 15th, 2011
10:47 am
Ain’t Rocket Science good read I feel the same about UGA. Big mistake if Lemay starts over Murray. Murray is the best freshman QB to come along in a while. The best I’ve ever seen and I’m 52 yrs. old. With Murray I see UGA winning the SEC championship game in 2012 and then playing for the National championship. I ‘m a Tech fan but i keep up with UGA as well. UGA has a lot of young talent I truly believe they will, with Murray at QB, all come together in 2012 to win it all. GOOOOO TECH.
threetrone
May 15th, 2011
11:15 am
TomAce, I realize a cube can try to run BACKWARDS after receiving the snap, and let it fly once he’s at the location he already would have been in if he was in a shotgun. A cube can also line up in an I and throw from the pocket, like the cube did when I was at Tech, Eddie McAshan. However, everybody is preferring a shotgun, whether hs, college or pro. The statistics of pass completion favor such a formation, otherwise nobody would use it. I’ve noticed the pros divide the time more than college teams, choosing to run plays from the l o s more often. Tech would have to try this first to save CPJ’s trip op, and if they find they are making more yardage using the shotgun, the trip op will be phased out. As far as the black on uniforms goes, I care as a Tech grad who realizes black is Georgia’s color. Anytime Tech delves into trying to incorporate it into their image it always goes bust. When McAshan was the Tech cube, there had never been a black GT created. The white had just been created, supposedly by Coach Carson. After Coach Curry wanted black jerseys and a “Black Watch” defense of which Ted Roof was an LB, and he lost to the Purple Paladins of Furman at Tech and was fired, that’s when the head of the alum assn had to come out in the Tech Topics and try to stop the madness back in the late 80’s, early 90’s approx.
threetrone
May 15th, 2011
11:16 am
running backwards will never score; a football coach I had once said running to the sidelines will never score points, and that running DOWNFIELD is the best way to run the ball
threetrone
May 15th, 2011
11:19 am
The bowlegged Vad Lee reminds me of Tech’s really good cube Shawn Jones on Bobby Ross’s teams.
It Ain't Rocket Science
May 15th, 2011
12:07 pm
Optimistic,
Agree with you 100% about the QB position. I don’t think any young QB can come right in and start not only because of the speed of the game, but also the fact that they will be facing off top notch players across from them, whereas in High School, there might be at the most 3 college caliber defensive players. ^2 years old and I can’t really recall a freshman QB that has done any better than Murray. Good luck to your team, unless you play the DAWGS of course, LOL.
It Ain't Rocket Science
May 15th, 2011
12:18 pm
^2=62. Must be getting senile in my ole age, LOL.
GTBob
May 15th, 2011
1:33 pm
WnE, I didn’t even mention academics. Yet you post a multi paragraph diatribe about how much you hate GT and GT fans because of academics. You should chill out. I’m sure that whatever school you represent is a fine school. I did love this gem though:
but most Recruiting experts have said that anywhere from 75% to 80% of 4* recruits and higher qualify
Recruiting experts have no idea if those guys could qualify academically at GT or anywhere else aside from the school they choose. It would be against the law for their high school or their new college to share that information. I do love it when you make up stuff though WnE. Are you still upset that after harassing Vad Lee on Twitter that he still committed to GT?
threetrone is a moron
May 15th, 2011
1:57 pm
Bill Curry was not fired! Alabama hired him away from Tech after we went 9-2-1 in 1985.
Old Blind Dawg
May 15th, 2011
2:16 pm
Ah JP most of the “Hot Knife” was actually # 7 Willis. The long runs by Lee were out of the shotgun – in fact most of his plays were out of the shotgun. Is CPJ going spread?
If you guys are counting on Lee to lead you out of the darkness I’m afraid you are going to be disappointed. Lee is pretty good but he needs a year or two to adjust to the college game.
I’m still not convinced Lee has a D1 arm. Those long rainbows you see in his highlight films will be picked off in college. Lee looked especially good when throwing to #7 Willis – does GT have an equal?
b's
May 15th, 2011
2:19 pm
GTBob, PJ offers the elite players but they don’t sign, why? Is PJ offering players that won’t qualify?
Stinger
May 15th, 2011
2:20 pm
OK I admit I have been guzzling cough syrup for a week and may be a tiny bit delusional.
GTBob
May 15th, 2011
2:39 pm
GTBob, PJ offers the elite players but they don’t sign, why? Is PJ offering players that won’t qualify?
They don’t sign because they want to play somewhere else or their mom makes them sign somewhere else. One or the other. And of course PJ is offering players that might not qualify. Most of these players are getting offers as Juniors these days. Some as sophomores. You pretty much have to offer them and hope they will qualify. This burned us at least once during recruiting last season.
TomAce
May 15th, 2011
3:12 pm
Threetrone, not everyone favors the shotgun. The NFL worries about QB’s who spent their whole college career in shotgun because as you pointed out, the NFL runs a lot of different formations, a majority of which are not shotgun, team depending. Also, shotgun formation does not guarantee a higher completion percentage. Reggie Ball (4 year starter at Tech in a shotgun dominant offense) had a 48.6% career completion percentage. The year after he left, Taylor Bennett completed 49.5% of his passes in that same shotgun dominant offense.
The triple option will work fine at Tech as long as they don’t turn the ball over (actually any offense will be unsuccessful if they turn the ball over). Have faith and stop freaking out about one disappointing season.
Ramblin Recluse Road
May 15th, 2011
3:35 pm
I agree with 1eyedjack about not being impressed with Tevin Washington at all. Perhaps CPJ lists him as starter in the two deep, first string if you will, but I’m not impressed with CPJ either since he refuses to pass even crawl before you walk, short passes. If I was the coach, I would have SlimJim and Vad Lee compete for starter. I would not consider Vad as a competitor in some coach vs hs phenom cube power struggle. I would design plays letting Vad win the power struggle, meaning adding shotgun formation plays. Have Vad suggest some plays to CPJ from his hs team. When I was at Tech we had a Freshman start a game who was a hs phenom from Atl named Charlie Dudish. He was this blond dude from Avondale HS. He was nationally recruited. He did lousy on Grant Field for that one game, and the older Jack Williams had to come back in, which was ok because we made it to the Sun Bowl. I don’t know about Vad though. Perhaps he could start a game and come out PASSING at first, GAMBLING that the untouched ball would be touched again by a Tech player receiving it, GAMBLING like Tech engineers are supposed to do. So many times opposing teams gamble like crazy from shotguns, and beat Tech at their own game Tech claims they have in the Ramblin’ Reckluse song, but fail to prove. Passing is a risk-taking play, a gambling play, but college teams pass more than they run it. They probably assume they don’t have a chance to win if they run only, and they’re right. That’s what CPJ fails to comprehend.
TomAce
May 15th, 2011
6:13 pm
I’m just asking, but do you guys know that GT had the number 2 offense in the ACC last year averaging 407 yds a game? The reason that didn’t translate to more wins is because they were number 10 in turnovers.
jcn8139
May 15th, 2011
8:01 pm
Man! I think things look great. A more experienced 3-4 defense, time for the offense to develop, and only a third of the starters are seniors, and we know they are all intelligent.
GO JACKETS!
jcn8139
May 15th, 2011
8:09 pm
Someone mentioned rocket science. Let me disabuse you of the follishness of this terminology. No scientist ever designed, built, launched, or brought a rocket back to earth safely, in one piece. It was engineers in all phases.
Tech Scientist that loves his engineer pals!
Jack it
May 16th, 2011
8:59 am
Heather Dumbass thinks tech will be the 10th best team in the acc this year. Of course she’s been wrong almost on every prediction she makes. I guess she has a job from espn having to hire enough women. They could do better
smitty
May 16th, 2011
9:02 am
gt4, mr. b’s……granted, gt has slumped a bit on the blue chip recruiting trail…….but i wouldn’t bet against PJ in his ability to coach a “team” of players to success, particularly in his option system…..he has the track record……we’ll see…….as tomace points out, last year, turnovers were a big problem, not just the number of turnovers, but the often critical timing of the turnovers……but re your earlier comments, i believe lyons is the real deal…..the season is 4 months away…….i’m going to predict a breakout for lyons……hopefully, “give the damn ball to preston” is a big part of GT’s offensive scheme…..go jackets…..have a nice day
ACC Lunchtime Links | truthpopsicle.info
May 16th, 2011
11:30 am
[...] over the weekend at a local golf outing, trying to sell the football program. Thoughts on the Georgia Tech two-deep roster from Ken Sugiura of the AJC. The cloud of possible NCAA sanctions is still hanging over North [...]
GT Anchorage
May 16th, 2011
11:43 am
Tom Ace, you are completely right. I think that we only averaged 25 pts/game or so with that many yards. It kills me watch a team work its way to the red zone just to turn it over or kick a field goal. We couldn’t do anything inside the 20 yard line last year. Hopefully that will change this year. Most of it is going to be decided by our OL play. If the defenders are instantly hitting Tevin or whoever starts, then it will be a long year for the offense.
Change is Good
May 16th, 2011
12:05 pm
Can’t wait to see Vad Lee start! He is the real deal! All you haters out there are going to cry when we win big this year with Vad’s arm.
Old Blind Dawg
May 16th, 2011
1:22 pm
You delusional fans proclaiming Vad Lee is the answer to GT’s offense need to rethink your position. Lee is a decent QB that looked superb because of #7. His rainbow passes will land in the hands of the defense as often as they land in the hands of the offense.
CPJ’s offense is not that good a fit for Lee’s skill set. I also don’t see a freshman starting at QB in CPJ’s offense.
GT needs to improve on the defensive side of the ball if they want to win the ACC.
Next year looks to be a tough one for the Jackets even with the soft schedule.
ABOUT TIME
May 16th, 2011
2:00 pm
I agree with a previous poster that it would blow to start a redshirt freshman to just turn around and do it again next year. I want Vad to earn the position in the fall so we only have to go through growing pains once! That said, too much focus is on the QB position, if our kicking doesn’t get drastically better than it was during Spring Game, we might lose every game this year. Kicking off out of bounds, 20-30 yd punts, missing multiple field goals inside the 40 and missing extra punts all with NO rush…that is TERRIBLE! Hell, CPJ needs to go to the SAC fields and pull a good soccer player off and give him a go as bad as our kicking team is. I just hope we have another year like the year before last where we went multiple games without punting at all!
b's
May 16th, 2011
2:40 pm
smitty, this team would be very good if it were playing Ga. Southerns or Navy’s schedule.
Change is Good
May 16th, 2011
2:46 pm
You guys are delusional. Vad will play this year – like it or not.