Depth, inexperience issues for Tech offensive line
Greetings-
In the final few weeks of the offseason, we’re taking a look, position group by position group, at the 2011 Georgia Tech team. Coming off of a 6-7 season, Tech’s first losing season since 1996, the Jackets have questions to answer along with hope for an improvement on both sides of the ball. Let’s take a look at the roster…
THE OFFENSIVE LINE
Projected starters: LT Phil Smith (Jr., 6-5, 292), LG Will Jackson (So., 6-3, 285), C Jay Finch (So., 6-3, 283), RG Omoregie Uzzi (Jr., 6-3, 300), RT Tyler Kidney (So., 6-2, 262).
Others to watch: Ray Beno, Morgan Bailey and Catlin Alford will push for playing time at tackle. Guard J.C. Lanier will try to build on his first spring tackle on offense. Incoming freshmen Trey Braun, Shaq Mason and Errin Joe are candidates to get playing time immediately.
Key losses: The Yellow Jackets graduated two-time All-ACC center Sean Bedford and saw tackle Nick Claytor leave after his junior season for the NFL draft.
Key fact: Alford, Bailey and Beno were among those missing portions of spring practice, which hindered the line’s chances to develop cohesion. The absences opened room for walk-on Kidney and Braun, an early enrollee, to get useful practice time.
Key fact II: According to espn.com, Georgia Tech’s offensive linemen have the fewest number of combined returning starts in the ACC with 37. The league average is 73.4. Uzzi, a second-team All-ACC guard last year, and Smith have 25 of them.
Key question: Can coach Paul Johnson and line coaches Mike Sewak and Todd Spencer get this group ready to hold its own? In part because of the injuries, the offensive line was routinely outplayed in spring practice. Further, aside from backup center Nick McRae, the other four second-teamers have played a combined four games, which is a stunning number. From the moment fall practice starts, there’s a lot of coaching and drilling to do.
Recent developments: Finch has made considerable gains in the team’s summer strength and conditioning workouts. Lanier switched from defensive line in the spring after playing in just one game as a redshirt freshman.
Outlook: Fair to poor. Uzzi, Jackson and Smith helped the Jackets lead the nation in rushing, and Finch and McRae were key backups. The rest of the line is a considerable question mark. Injuries to Tech’s most experienced linemen will be costly. For what it’s worth, Johnson said he thinks the unit will be fine.
Your turn: How do you think the offensive line is going to look?
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137 comments Add your comment
South Ga Jacket
July 7th, 2011
9:41 am
First!!!!!
Macon Dawg
July 7th, 2011
9:43 am
I think GT’s line will be what holds them back on offense this year. Similar to UGA, the lines will struggle at times and probably be the difference in winning or losing a couple of games.
JB
July 7th, 2011
9:47 am
Welcome to our world….How is ya’ll’s defense shaping up? ours appears to be better than last year, although no one has played a down yet. Good luck this year.
Wish I knew
July 7th, 2011
9:49 am
This is the obvious key concern this fall. Toward late in the season, Tech’s O-line depth is always challenged by nagging nicks and dings.
I predict that Tech’s rushing offensive style helps the line and they will pull it together.
However, wIll this be another year without a significant passing attack?
goldwreck
July 7th, 2011
9:52 am
I think GT has more depth than UGA.I also think they will
develop into a sound offensive line.The Tech line will not
be doing much pass blocking.If they do,I think Tech will
have much bigger issues than their offensive line.They have
got to play ball control and keep their defense off the field.
Genius Jacket
July 7th, 2011
10:02 am
These OL will not have to block too much. We run an option offense. We will have problems when we try to pass.
Washington is a poor passer, so I hope Days can be better.
George Stein
July 7th, 2011
10:03 am
I expect the offense to be fine simply because it always has been under Johnson. The line isn’t perfect but it doesn’t need to be. We will still move the ball well. Whether we can keep other teams from moving it equally well is the better question, and I’m sure Ken is working on that, too.
GT
July 7th, 2011
10:12 am
Tech really has problems with their offensive line when the down and yardage situation makes it obvious what they are having to do. They don’t have a tight end that hurts em some too.
I think Georgia will be fine. In Tech’s case look at the size of that line and then look at the size of Georgia’s. I think if Georgia would just man up more and run the ball they would wear most teams out. Tech has not got the talent for situations, Georgia has great talent but so far has lacked coaching and conditioning. If Georgia’s offense would stay on the field more its defense would improve too. They are the ones getting worn out by South Carolina and Auburn’s ground control. Newton was a runner first and a great passer because of it.
DawginLex
July 7th, 2011
10:12 am
Similar problems to UGA-no depth or at least no experienced depth.
Difference I see is the size of the line except for Lanier. UGA averages 325 while Tech averages well under 300. The style of play and the techniques involved allow Tech’s line to be undersized.
I think UGA’s 1st team OL is very good and has 2 players with tons of experience. Tech’s line will probably be OK but thank God for the TO or this line would be in big trouble.
George Stein
July 7th, 2011
10:14 am
UGA is a deep team with really good players, goldwreck. I’m not sure we are deeper than they are and we certainly are not as talented. Whether their coaches get the most out of the talent in Athens is a completely different question.
George Stein
July 7th, 2011
10:17 am
Bingo, GT. Georgia fans make fun of our offense – which makes no sense because we are averaging 34 a game against them under Johnson – but they’d be wise to take some pointers from Tech. They have the players to line up in an I and just hammer teams but they don’t. I will never understand why.
Tech75
July 7th, 2011
10:30 am
Well, that’s the million-dollar question now, isn’t it? Can CPJ recruit the OL effectively?
Based on results so far, I’m not so sure.
As the OL goes, so goes the offense; I am always hopeful, but in this case not as optimistic about our ability to simply pound the ball forward.
May have to get some play-action in there and mix it up.
Protect the QB
July 7th, 2011
10:33 am
I just hope our OL can step up this year. We finally have a passing QB in Vad Lee and we will dominate if he has protection in the backfield to find an open receiver. The season can’t get here fast enough!!!
Vad Lee passing highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Q2k95TtTdk&feature=related
GT
July 7th, 2011
10:35 am
Johnson is perfect for Tech. Through the years Tech could get offensive lineman and develop them into pro types. The kid might be marginal in high school but come to Tech with a great work ethic, along with a tall frame and things would work out. The problem is Tech could not consistently bring in the talent to be doing the same thing its opponent is doing and beat them at it. For this reason Johnson brings in the fullback type lineman like Bear Bryant use to do that is not the poster child but gets 80% of what he needs done by athletic ability as opposed to strength on strength. They will never look good measured by tape and in some obvious situations they will look down right bad. Johnson says some of this bad can be corrected by performing the right assignments. I believe Johnson and don’t mind him calling out his players that blow assignment. It is not for him it is for the player who hides in denial. What he really hasn’t had at Tech but I think is getting better is the defense. The offense will eventual score a lot of points in a game, in doing so they turn the ball over to the other team and have to play some defense to win.
SavannahJacket
July 7th, 2011
10:39 am
56 days until kick off!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I need football!!
O-line is young but should be okay. I am sure that there will be a few mistakes early in the season but as they work together CPJ will have them ready to go. The bigger questions shoule be how is the D-fence going to hold up.
Thanks Ken. Keep them coming.
Always a Jacket
July 7th, 2011
10:41 am
Since CPJ arrival, Tech’s special teams and defense have been disapointments. Special teams probably due the lack of depth and defense due to lack of a system. 2011 seems to be worst than 2010 becase we can add OL and QB to the list. Defense needs to prove something this year or it could get very ugly. If defense can make some stops, the CPJ offense will score enough to win even with an undersized inexperenced line. He was able to take the Gaily line and have them ready his first season.
GT 1
July 7th, 2011
10:43 am
But PJ did get us a ” long-snapper”, so we can punt alot
Here we go
July 7th, 2011
10:46 am
Once Tech gets a passing game that compliments the running game, they will be dangerous. That’s why teams were stacking the box the last season because Tech had zero passing game. But like I said, once Vad or Synjn take the helm, look out! It will be like 90’s Nebraska. They just need to control the clock, decrease turnovers, play with some discipline, and play some dang defense!
GT
July 7th, 2011
10:46 am
Vad Lee is going to be hot. Tech has a way of getting players that are really good with very little fanfare. I think the press helps them out plus many of the better players come from out of state and it is difficult to figure them out. That running back at Georgia has the weight of the world on his shoulders. If Georgia keeps it simple the kid will be good but if they try to pass every other down that pass blocking can be very confusing and lose a lot of yards while he is learning. It will be interesting to see how Johnson breaks Lee in. I bet we won’t even see him till mid season if then.
The Beach
July 7th, 2011
10:46 am
Better start recruiting the kid at Pickens Co…..6′3, 265lbs, smart, aggressive and a few GT grads in his family that are now doctors.
NorthAvenueRules
July 7th, 2011
10:52 am
Can’t wait until the team begins practice next month. Also, can’t wait to attend the scrimmage in late August to see how well Vad has picked up the offense. If the media is right saying Vad Lee will Redshirt all season, the scrimmage may be the only time we see him will the ball in his hands this year.
NorthAvenueRules
July 7th, 2011
10:54 am
That said, the first few games of the season (Western Carolina, etc.) would be a great time for Vad to “cut his teeth” on college football…
GT
July 7th, 2011
10:57 am
Here we go, you want to see what it can look like go look at the old Hambone at Georgia Southen. Tracy Ham was a household name. Then add a defense like only Russel could coach and you got a football team. Tech’s coaching staff is about as Georgian as a peach. Georgia has more right to some of these guys than we do but keeps going out of state for coaches. Vince Dooley is the legacy that Bobby Dodd was before him in good coaches. Southern made it back to the playoffs last year with a Tech assistant becoming they head coach. Georgia needs to bring Smart home, maybe Tommy Spangler from La Tech to coach their defense. You need to discover these guys while they still have fire in their belly. Something about the way Tech plays that get dirty football keeps that fire going too.
NorthAvenueRules
July 7th, 2011
10:59 am
GT:
Also, check out Raymond Gross winning the National Championship at Southern!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uPms0Se0C4M
Yeah baby!!!!
Ramblin Man
July 7th, 2011
11:06 am
All comes down to can they stay healthy. The depth looks better than it has in the past, but with a player going out every other game it is hard to gain that cohesive unit GT needs. Hopefully they can gel in fall camp and I fully see the incoming guys not redshirting to gain playing time. The first two games will allow these guys to come together and by the Kansas game we should know what kind of season we fans can expect. It’s a rebuilding year so I mainly just want to see progress in each game.
Big Macon Dawg
July 7th, 2011
11:07 am
Gonna’ be a long year for you GT fans…
Made even worse by our march to a MNC.
GT Fan
July 7th, 2011
11:09 am
@Big Macon Dawg:
Gonna be hilarious watching Boise St. suck the wind out of your sails first game of season…
George Stein
July 7th, 2011
11:13 am
We are all shaking in our little space boots, Macon.
The Ole Ball Coach
July 7th, 2011
11:13 am
“Georgia get’s all these players but what happens to them?” ~ Spurrier
NYC Jacket
July 7th, 2011
11:15 am
I cannot wait until September!!! This clip should get all college football fans fired up for next year!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GyNJdFq8ChI&feature=youtu.be&t=1m31s
GT 94
July 7th, 2011
11:38 am
Dawginlex, that is a pretty fair post i must say. I will note that our 0-lineman for this type of attack ( Spread option attack) usually are smaller and quicker so they can get down field quicker. This is to our advantage not disadvantage. You guys prefer beef but are slower. The speed factor is not what will hold you guys back as it would our O-line. Our disadvantage is clearly experience. I like the size and athletic ability our lineman have. Last year what kept us from winning 9 or even possibly 10 games was TURNOVERS and poor special teams which cost us 2 games at least!!! Our Defense was with a 1st year coordinator and i expect the defense to be much improved in year 2 under groh. CPJ has taken over special teams and so i can only hope we can get better there because it was pitiful on SP. My biggest concern is being young at QB ( as i expect a freshman to win the job) in which we could have some growing pains because of the youth there. We also have nobody that can catch the damn ball.
We need a deep ball threat and that makes this offense even more dangerous and you have to respect the long ball. However, we don’t have this threat and teams will stack the box and dare us to throw which wastes downs when you have nobody who can complete the passes or catch them. In reality we have a softer schedule and could win 8 games possibly. We also could see a complete repeat of 2010. I have no idea what to expect in full from this team we have.
Robert Barron
July 7th, 2011
11:43 am
An easy thing to do this off season has been to knock Tevin Washington but with a kicker who can successfully kick an extra point, we have UGA on their field, 35 to 35, with a few minutes to go. That’s pretty good for his third or fourth game. How about we let the backups actually beat him out before declaring he isn’t very good?
collegeballfan
July 7th, 2011
11:51 am
The OL is the key to the offense and the DL is the key to the defense. There is nothing new here.
Jacket1985
July 7th, 2011
11:53 am
What really bothered me about last season was not the blocking up front but the lack of blocking on the edge and into the secondary. Wide receivers and back side blocking has to improve dramatically this year or we will get nowhere fast.
gtfanfrom1951
July 7th, 2011
11:53 am
The line will be fine because we do not pass very often and they should know how to run block. Washington is about at the same place Josh was in 2008. Most people forget that he was Mr.Ala. football when he was in high school.
I am STUNNED
July 7th, 2011
11:59 am
First off, it’s about damn time we had something to read here about the Jackets. It’s been nearly 2 weeks since we had anything. Secondly, WOW, all these posts and only one mutt making an ass out of himself (yeah, that would be you, BigMaconDawg). Cudos to you, DawginLex, for your classy, knowledgeable posts
wrecked wrecks wrecked
July 7th, 2011
11:59 am
At the rate he’s going PJ will have Tech fans wishing they were playing with his peers in the Southern Conference and service academies
DawginLex
July 7th, 2011
11:59 am
GT 94
point well made. It also shows clearly how stupid it is for either fanbase to be upset over OL prospects not going to either school. In a lot of cases, GT is not even recruiting the same type of OL that UGA is and vice versa. When you factor in academic choice, it is no wonder the recruiting battles are few for OL.
Saban
July 7th, 2011
11:59 am
Tech will surprise a lot of folks this year. So will the dawgs with their three wins.
GT Fan...
July 7th, 2011
12:00 pm
In PJ I trust.
PJ knows what he’s got, and if he’s saying the OL will be fine, then I have no worries. Staying healthy & limiting TOs is the key. Limiting TOs = more TDs. Limiting TOs = more Ws.
2008 GT scored 37 offensive TDs … 9 Ws
2009 GT scored 58 offensive TDs … 11 Ws
2010 GT scored 40 offensive TDs … 6 Ws
2010 was GT’s worst for TOs & injuries ….
DawginLex
July 7th, 2011
12:00 pm
Here’s a surprise
Penn state 63
Alabammer 3
Arkansas 49
Alabammer 7
GT-Jake
July 7th, 2011
12:02 pm
We will struggle to win 6 or 7 games this season, and that’s not just my opinion— we’re picked to finish only ahead of Duke in one pre-season ACC poll.
1. No offensive line, no QB and new B-back.
2. Undersized defense playing the wrong scheme.
Redshirt Vad Lee, and rebuild for next season.
Exciting Years Ahead
July 7th, 2011
12:14 pm
What I do know is there will be a time over the next few years when Vad Lee and CPJ will spend an entire season burning defenses that cheat up to the line by using Vad’s arm. Thereafter, the triple option will be in full effect!
Jacket Man
July 7th, 2011
12:21 pm
The “demise” of the Jacket Offensive Line is, once again, premature. Since Paul Johnson has been on campus, all he’s done is establish one of the top rushing offenses in the Country; do any of you honestly think this happens by accident?
However, for the first time he’s been on campus, CPJ is going to actually have a majority of “his” O-Linemen playing this coming season, that is of course, they can stay healthy. This also means most of these guys have now had several years learning the correct blocking techniques for the CPJ spread/TO.
The only question that should remain is whether the QB will be able to make proper reads and be able to pass the ball effectively. If these two things can happen, then GA Tech’s Offense should be fine.
Tech Guy
July 7th, 2011
12:25 pm
Tech should be 3 and 0 early in the season and has Duke late in the season. Tech will only have to win three of seven other ACC games to have a winning season. We could do better if the defense improves and receivers can catch the football.
I predict Georgia will win the SEC.
GT Fan...
July 7th, 2011
12:25 pm
I’ve worried about the lack of QB experience too, but the more I’ve thought about it, the less I worry.
In 2008, NOBODY had “game” experience with PJ’s O, and the Jackets managed 9 Ws. 2011 is totally different story. Limit TOs (20 or fewer) and it’s 8+ Ws.
I recall 2 games off the top of my head from 2008 which TOs hurt GT bad.
UNC … Late 3rd qtr, UNC 7-0 lead, Roddy back to receive punt…FUMBLES, UNC recovers at GT 30′ish yd line. Scores TD couple mins into 4th. NEXT GT possession (J. Shaw in for injured Nes) FUMBLES, UNC recovers again at GT 30′ish yd line. Scores TD few mins later, now up 21-0 with about 6 mins remaining.
UVA … Opening drive of 2nd half, GT up 14-10, drives into UVA territory … FUMBLES! UVA recovers, scores TD on its possession. Next GT drive the Jackets move ball inside UVA 5 yd line, will retake lead … FUMBLE, UVA recovers at 3 yd line.
Stay as healthy, limit TOs, gt more Ws.
Daddy
July 7th, 2011
12:25 pm
Watch out for Mason; he is a devastating run blocker who loves to compete!
OL is BIG
July 7th, 2011
12:30 pm
We’ve got plenty of size this year. There is no reason we can’t get the job done on the OL.
Phil Smith 6′5” , 291 lbs.
Trey Braun 6′5″ , 305 lbs.
Errin Joe 6′4” , 305 lbs.
Morgan Bailey 6′4″ , 305 lbs.
Catlin Alford 6′4″ , 295 lbs.
Bryan Chamberlain 6′4″ , 285 lbs.
Omoregie Uzzi 6′3″ , 300 lbs.
Shaquille Mason 6′2″ , 305 lbs.
dawgfan
July 7th, 2011
12:38 pm
Fortunately for Tech, they have one of the most laughably pathetic schedules of any BCS team this year. I don’t follow the ACC that closely but I can’t imagine anyone in that league outside of Virginia Tech will make any noise nationally. That means it will be clear in to MID-NOVEMBER
dawgfan
July 7th, 2011
12:39 pm
….before Tech plays a team with a living breathing pulse. Who needs depth on the offensive line?
Tech goes 8-4 this year and Techies will once again act like Paul Johnson invented the game of football and cured cancer.
Thanks.
GT Fan...
July 7th, 2011
12:41 pm
GT-Jake… How long have yoy been a Tech fan? You have no faith in PJ and what he can do with the team?
And what were all the “experts” predicting GT would do in PJ’s first season? Was it 3 Ws? 4? 2? Wasn’t ONLY Duke they’d beat then too?
If GT “struggles” to win 6 or 7 in 2011, it will not be for the reasons you list. It WILL BE b/c of injuries & TOs.
Take your Dawgs (b/c I think you are a disguised UGA fan)…
In year 1 GT rushes for over 400 yds, BUT commits no costly TOs – UGA commits 2. GT wins
In year 3 GT rushes for over 400 yds again, BUT, this time, has 2 killer fumbles (UGA scores TD on 1 of them) and has 3rd that hurt too. GT loses. No injuries in year 1, a guy named Nesbitt was injured in year 3.
Again, the season will boil down to injuries & TOs.
DawginLex
July 7th, 2011
12:49 pm
Georgia is not going to win the SEC
We might win the east but most likely will finish 2nd to SC
10 wins would be a miracle for us
threetrone
July 7th, 2011
12:52 pm
Protect the QB, thanks for link. I see Lee back there in shotgun. If Tech OL predicted to be fair to poor, a shotgun makes up for low rating. Lee reminds me of Shawn Jones and Eddie McAshan. He’s tall like Eddie was, and like Shawn was. Eddie stood in the pocket and let it fly way downfield to Randy Rhino and Jimmie Robinson just like Lee let it fly. Jones was a little bowlegged like Lee is, and droped back in tall, lanky, athletic movement very similar to Lee. Lee works out of shotgun, not LOS formation which CPJ has used. A shotgun formation for Tech is what Tech should embrace starting this year, and from the looks of Lee on YouTube highlights, Lee might need to play for varsity this year and not for baby jackets. I have never seen Washington throw long bombs for Tech, and I have seen Lee throw long bombs on YouTube clip for 4A hs in NC.
Dynamicbigboy
July 7th, 2011
12:53 pm
To GENIUSJACKET, your right the line will not have to block very much, most of what they do is chop blocking, going for the opponents knees. It’s amazing that the bumblebees don’t have more talent on the O-line considering what a genius CPJ is, or should I say thinks he is.
just the truth
July 7th, 2011
12:54 pm
It’s been said by the coaches that big interior lineman sometimes are not the smartest, making it hard for them to qualify at Tech.
dawgfan
July 7th, 2011
12:55 pm
GT Fan…, its really quite unfair that Georgia Tech has to deal with so many injuries & TOs. Its bad for college football when Paul Johnson’s infinite genius is constrained by so many injuries & TOs. I propose the following:
1) Turnovers do not apply to Georgia Tech. If they fumble or throw an interception, they will just lose a down and not possession. That way we can all enjoy watching more of Paul Johnson’s offensive wizardry;
2) A committee of Techies should be formed at the end of every season to determine which games Georgia Tech would have won if not for injuries. Once the committee has reached its decision all W-L records affected thereby will be amended accordingly.
I say we petition the NCAA immediately to move forward on this.
GT Fan...
July 7th, 2011
12:55 pm
Nice try dawgfan….
4 GT’s first 6 games (game 6 is Oct 8th) are vs. teams GT either lost to, were in bowl games in 2010, or both.
Kansus … L
UNC … Bowl team, W
NCST … Bowl team, L
Maryland … Bowl team, DNP
And here’s a juicy tidbit for you……according to Lindy’s ranking of the top 120 teams, your Dawgs play more teams ranked BELOW 50 than GT does.
Tony
July 7th, 2011
12:59 pm
It will help to begin the season by playing non ACC schools. That will give the O-line some much needed experience. The O-line needs to keep their line healthy the rest of the way. That keeps the continuity that is needed to have success running the ball and protecting the quarterback. Good luck Jackets!
Old Gold
July 7th, 2011
1:00 pm
Thank Goodness that this should be Johnson’s last year!
GT Fan...
July 7th, 2011
1:05 pm
Dawgfan…
Apparently your mental-midgetness prevents you from accepting reality…
Limiting injuries & TOs will equate to more Ws. It doesn’t mean you get to “go back and changed the past” it’s just a simple fact. Go ask any coach what his chances are of more Ws will be if his team has limited injuries & TOs. Don’t you think your dawgs would have a couple more games last year had AJ (tantamount to being INJURED for 4 games) played and fewer costly TOs were committed. Is it really that hard for you to understand?
dawgfan
July 7th, 2011
1:10 pm
Nice try GT Fan…
Western Carolina: 2-9 in FCS level play last year
Middle Tennessee State: 6-7 in 2010
Kansas: 3-9 in 2010. They did play a tough Big 12 schedule though. If not for gimmees against cupcakes like Georgia Tech they might have went 0-12.
UNC: 8-5 ACC team. For comparisons sake, that’s like a 6-7 SEC team.
NC State: 9-4 ACC team (7-6 in SEC at best)
Maryland: 9-4 ACC team (7-6 SEC at best)
Its a crap schedule Techie. Deal with it. Only in the ACC is going to a bowl game such a big hairy freaking deal. Good grief who cares. UGA has stunk to high heaven the past two seasons and we’ve played in bowl games. You don’t see us bragging about it. Nobody cares about irrelevant ACC teams playing in the GoDaddy.com Pizza Hut Tough Actin Tinactin Bowl. Shut up about it.
Thanks.
Donezo
July 7th, 2011
1:14 pm
What difference does it really make when our kickers can’t kick a 30 yd field goal consistently and our punters can’t manage 40 yds, and kickoffs aren’t consistently inside the playing field?
Our problems will center around special teams and special teams alone. Can’t blame a defense if the other team starts at the 45 every time we kick off. Did anyone see this issue that I saw at the White and Gold game? It was pathetic, mistakes all day with 0 pressure. We don’t win without defense, as proven last year, and our special teams does nothing to help that out!
George Stein
July 7th, 2011
1:34 pm
Give us a break, dawgfan. Last I checked the ACC has swept the vaunted SEC in bowl games the past two years and the SEC is (I think) two games over .500 against the ACC.
Both lines are undersized
July 7th, 2011
1:34 pm
Tech projected starting oline 284lb
Mid tenn state 296 lbs
Kansas 304 lb
Unc 319 lbs
Virginia 306 lbs
V tech 287 lbs
Maryland 312 lbs
Miami 319 lbs
Clemson 308 lbs
UGA 329 lbs
Huge droppoff in size on DL after 3 starters and Barnes.
The Oline may be larger than Western Carolinas.
Supersize that order, mutt
July 7th, 2011
1:35 pm
dawgfan, you want to comment on the comparative worth of the likes of Coastal Carolina, New Mexico State, Kentucky, and Vandy? Ole Miss, Miss State, and UT haven’t exactly been stellar members of the SEC lately either, although I guess they are on about the same level the mutts have been lately. And lest you forget, Boise State was only added as a special replacement game for yet another on of the mutts’ standard patsy foes. While Tech has certainly not had a lot of respect over the past 40 years, with a few notable years excepted, lately the mutts have certainly not fared any better. The “dream team” MIGHT provide some relief for you in a couple of years, but I wouldn’t bet the house on it.
gtkenz
July 7th, 2011
1:43 pm
This will hamper the passing game more than anything else. If they get behind early or need a last minunte drive to win, I suspect it will not be good for Tech. Nesbitt ran for his life most of the time. Tevin doesn’t look nearly as mobile to me, so I see long sacks and interceptions. But they will run the football so they should be fine with clock management and big plays on the ground. Defense must hold teams to fewer points and big plays though.
Big Macon DAWG
July 7th, 2011
1:45 pm
@ DawginLex
Disagree. Schedule sets up well for a run of the table.
We beat BAMA in the SEC Championship and play for NC.
Vaunted SEC
July 7th, 2011
1:57 pm
ACC has only one program that has finished in final top ten since 2004, VT has managed 3 times.
ACC BCS bowl record 2-11
SEC BCS bowl record 15-5
Pathetic conference.
St. Richt
July 7th, 2011
2:02 pm
Big Macon DAWG, surely you can’t be serious. Put down the crack pipe and the Budweiser man! Thanks for a good laugh! UGA is always unbeatable in the preseason, ALWAYS.
George Stein
July 7th, 2011
2:05 pm
What does it say about the SEC then that they can’t dominate that pathetic conference?
OldSchoolTechFanatic
July 7th, 2011
2:06 pm
If we can throw and catch just a little it will make the O-lines job a lot easier, but if all we can do is run, we are in trouble !!!
Vaunted SEC
July 7th, 2011
2:09 pm
Kentucky plays better football than Tech.
George Stein
July 7th, 2011
2:11 pm
Sure thing, Vaunted.
Great Match-Up
July 7th, 2011
2:16 pm
If the Kick-Off Classic in the Dome wants a crowd, they should invite Kentucky to play GT. Kentucky fans will follow their team to the ends of the earth. Besides that, it would actually be a great match up.
Tech tradition Ancient History
July 7th, 2011
2:18 pm
Tech football 3 top ten finishes since 1957 , 3 major bowl games since 1957, same number of 1 or 2 win seasons as 10 or 11 win seasons.
Vaunted SEC
July 7th, 2011
2:23 pm
Kentucky would be a terror in the ACC.
George Stein
July 7th, 2011
2:24 pm
Thanks for the history lesson, tradition. That was a really nice addition to the comments
George Stein
July 7th, 2011
2:26 pm
Of course they would, Vaunted.
83Alum
July 7th, 2011
2:47 pm
Keys to Tech winning in ‘01 and beyond with CPJ’s offense:
1.Tough, athletic and quick offensive linemen. Not NFL style linemen.
2.Not an average QB, but an exceptional QA at running the option. A QB that can not only run the option but can accurately complete throws to open receivers. A tough kid who wants to take over games when needed.
3.Receivers who can catch the football. In this offense, pass completions are critical to loosening up the defense and taking advantage of the run focused defenses. We must catch the football, there will be openings and we must take capitalize.
NOTE: 4 – 5 Star running backs and receivers are not needed. The offense can function at a high efficiency with average sized, speedy RB’s, and receivers with good hands.
gtfanfrom1951
July 7th, 2011
2:48 pm
Maybe UGA should be in the ACC….I forgot they lost to UCF……Maybe Big East will take them…
Hayseed Dixie
July 7th, 2011
2:53 pm
The O-Line is the biggest fundamental in football, and BTW fellas, you need it for passing AND running.
For the biggest example of this, watch LSU and Iowa blow up our O-Line during both losses: every other loss has been a variation on that theme.
Either we get an opposing D-lineman who’s one year removed from the NFL crashing the entire party, or our guys are missing assignments and not playing with speed and precision.
Like my pop warner coach used to say, I don’t care if you’ve got Walter Payton back there, if you can’t block up front it don’t make no dadgum difference.
wrecked wreck
July 7th, 2011
3:08 pm
83alum, 1 out 5 ain’t bad. Just like Navy Pjs recruited a bunch of small fast running backs.Pj= service academy football, if that’s what you like.
Here we go
July 7th, 2011
3:10 pm
Kentucky would be more of a terror in the ACC than UGA, that’s for sure
Harvey D. Pooka
July 7th, 2011
3:13 pm
RE: OL One good point, despite their youth, each projected starter got some (some more than others) experience behind them. Countering that point, there is very little room for error and no backups with experience. Bedford made some stupid penalties on ocassion but I think his overall outstanding play and stability will be greatly missed.
Vaunted SEC
July 7th, 2011
3:20 pm
since 1970
Uga vs Kentucky 34-7
Uga vs Tech 30-11
George you were right Tech is a little better than Kentucky.
The SEC is good
July 7th, 2011
3:25 pm
The SEC is a good conference, which is why a crappy team like the dawgs have only won it twice in 25 years. Thats pathetic.
uga is just an also ran in a conference that has some really good teams.
George Stein
July 7th, 2011
3:28 pm
The records of the two teams versus UGA tell us nothing about the relative strength of Tech against Kentucky. And as we all know, there is no transitive property in sports.
BlackandRedDAWG
July 7th, 2011
3:29 pm
I think Techs. line is about the right size for the triple option offense tech. runs. Experience is the same as for the UGA line. Need more and it takes time in the trenches. I would think Tech. would be better off with smaller Ol’s, that have good speed, since they will not often be asked to hold at the point of attack that long. I am not an expert on the triple option but I would think lighter linemen, means they can release and rather than hold their block and maybe help change the direction of the defense in a way that might get the defense out of position and not ready for the run going the other way.
chuck allison
July 7th, 2011
3:32 pm
The offensive line is the key to football success every year, not just this year. Tech has some very good material in terms of strength, athleticism, and intelligence. If the young men are willing to exert themselves in training and during the games, they can be extremely effective and even dominating. The choice is theirs alone.
Old Blind Dawg
July 7th, 2011
3:39 pm
GT has the luxury of a less than challenging schedule early in the year which will give the OL time to find their legs. UGA on the other hand has two early challenges.
I can hardly wait for fall………………..
surfrider
July 7th, 2011
3:49 pm
Some of Tech’s returning starters are an upgrade in talent for this scheme and there is talent depthwise if not experience. Smith has been around 3 years or so and played even or ahead of Claytor who was a top notch recruit. Key to me is can Tech get a lead blocker into play, rollout option/pass, and can the passing game finally make the connection we need to hit 50% plus to be effective and throw say 15 to 25 times per game.
Born2Buzz
July 7th, 2011
3:52 pm
CPJ didn’t invent the game of football, but he’s related to the man who did.
And he hasn’t cured cancer…yet.
George Stein
July 7th, 2011
3:58 pm
Well, I think Old Blind Dawg has finally posted something we all can agree on.
Eight weeks, boys.
PerimeterCenterJacket
July 7th, 2011
4:10 pm
Almost Fall…My fiance’s early wedding present to me and herself? Season tickets to Bobby Dodd Stadium plus a whole slew of tailgating gear! My streak of no missed home games looks to continue from bachelorhood into family life. Thank God her daddy dressed her in White and Gold!
Eight weeks, indeed. GOOO Jackets!
wrecked wreck
July 7th, 2011
4:21 pm
Is it poor coaching when an offense has receivers that can’t catch or Qbs that have bad throwing mechanics or RB’s that fumble and O linemen that commit penalties at the most inopportune times?
What about bad defenses and even worse special teams could that be attributed to poor coaching?
No the coach is a genius we can out rush everyone. Look at the 2008 roster compare to this roster, which would you rather have? Nesbitt or Washington, Dwyer or Lyons, Thomas or Hill, Walker , Richards Johnson and Moergan or the current D line. Yes PJ really has recruited in better talent .
George Stein
July 7th, 2011
4:29 pm
What about horrible writing and reasoning skills could that be attributed to poor intellect why is my sentence structure so bad does it effect you’re ability two understand what I’m saying?
Kidney Fan
July 7th, 2011
4:34 pm
Tyler Kidney is one of the hardest working kids I have ever had the opportunity to coach. This is a young man who suffered a season ending knee injury his senior year. He is clearly the epitome of what hard work and determiantion will do for you. Tyler will hopefully start this coming season after being a walkon and not having a single scholarship opportunity coming out of high school. Tyler do your thing, Coach Mac
Ramblin Man
July 7th, 2011
4:49 pm
Dawgfan loves to rave about the SEC until he argues with other SEC fans then he claims LSU, Alabama, Fla., and Auburn all cheat to get recruits and for allowing what he feels are ineligble players to play. Your arguements are all over the place, but you do always give me a good laugh. I again thank you for spending so much of your time reading and posting about a team you consider irrelevant.
Paddy
July 7th, 2011
5:27 pm
Tech’s linemen seem big enought to me. Experience will tell the story.
My prediction; Washington will not be the starting QB. That really may too obvious but, what the hell!
Seminole
July 7th, 2011
5:29 pm
I think Tech sucks………
Gator
July 7th, 2011
5:30 pm
I think Georgia sucks……….
GT Alum
July 7th, 2011
5:31 pm
Paddy is right. Washington will not start. Good kid, great backup QB. It will either be Synjyn or Vad.
Brock
July 7th, 2011
6:28 pm
Seminole
July 7th, 2011
5:29 pm
I think Tech sucks………
Well ,see now seminole, that’s what you get for thinking and not being used to it.
gtfan123
July 7th, 2011
6:49 pm
This is my first year as a Yellow Jacket father. My son is attending GT and is on the team as a preferred walk on for the OL. In his high school play as a lineman he never had a flag tossed on him. He grew up just 5 miles from virginia tech and chose to go to GT for the nuclear engineering program. The Team from what I have witnessed is growing together as a team something that didn’t always come out last year…Looking forward to the games Go O LINE….GO Jackets….what’ the word?
AMG
July 7th, 2011
7:12 pm
Making the o line work right is what CPJ does year after year. It is the nuts and bolts of his offense. We have the talent up there and three fluff games to start the season, look for the unit to be very good by the 4th game.
SJW
July 7th, 2011
7:21 pm
After last year’s dud, I feel even worse about this team. What were the stats though for the 2009 team? I’m glad Nick Claytor is gone though, he never bought into the offense. Mediocre season at best.
bgloyd
July 7th, 2011
7:25 pm
Looking very light!!
Stinger 2
July 7th, 2011
7:27 pm
Someone mentioned Vad Lee possibly being used in the shotgun formation as he was in high school. I would say that there is no way that this will happen as long as CPJ is the coach. Passing has not and will never be a significant part of his offense. His teams average 8-10 passes per game at most and this happens only when they get behind. The OL issues are not the real problem at GT. CPJ `s unwillingness to adjust the TO to include
a real passing attack is why GT will remain medicore at best.
SmyrnaGuy
July 7th, 2011
7:55 pm
Paul Johnson needs to hire Ryan Keys to show the fans how to “punch ‘em in the face”
Paddy
July 7th, 2011
8:06 pm
Seminole…..I always considered Fla St fans as respectful. After reading your posts, not so much. But it is obvious you never attended college.
Tech Guy
July 7th, 2011
8:25 pm
You are a lucky man, PerimeterCenterJacket.
Delbert D.
July 7th, 2011
8:37 pm
“How do you think the offensive line is going to look?”
Better next year; all the starters return.
ramble
July 7th, 2011
8:38 pm
gtfan123… congrats to your son. Best choice he will ever make and on a side note, it’s “WHAT’S THE GOOD WORD?”
RetardIdiotJacket fan
July 7th, 2011
8:45 pm
Tek will be just fine
Delbert D.
July 7th, 2011
9:00 pm
Cut-blocking schemes do not require the size and overall talent that other OL blocking schemes do. Alex Gibbs proved that time and again with his teams in the NFL. Among other things, helped a 6th-round pick/6th-string tailback make the Pro Bowl in his 2nd year and lead the team to Super Bowls wins in years 3(MVP) and 4 (NFL MVP with over 200 yards rushing).
GT Fan...
July 7th, 2011
9:59 pm
Dawgfan (from 1:00pm) …
You proved you are a mental midget. You bang on Kansas saying they would’ve been 0-12 had they not played cupcakes like GT. Well genius, one of KU’s 3 Ws was against UGA basher, Colorado, who finished a whopping 5-7! I guess you can included your Dawgs in the cupcake basket along with GT since based on the games, KU would’ve beaten UGA too.
You make us Tech folk laugh. Keep’em coming since it’s so obvious that ACC football means nothing to scholars such as yourself.
hey dude
July 7th, 2011
10:26 pm
262 starting tackle won’t make it… Tech team is good but every year its drawback has been oline play. If Johnson thinks he gonna make another go at it… 300 pound linemen have to be in the discussion
superDawg
July 7th, 2011
10:41 pm
hey dude ole pj thinks speed will beat brute power:well good luck.Oh and by the way chop blocking does not hurt.
and you look dumb
July 8th, 2011
4:17 am
superdawg,
Try again because every team that has played GT has talked about the d-line being banged up after playing GT and taking those blocks. It may not hurt initially, but just like leg kicks in MMA it will wear a person down and hurt as it goes along.
WnE
July 8th, 2011
5:27 am
Depth issues on the O-line?
Why that’s not possible at all, after all Coach Fish fry is in his 4th season, there’s no way he’d OVERLOOK the OL & DL to keep 10+ ABs on scholly that are mostly 170-180 pounds with a couple of guys that get close to 200lbs, not to mention another 5+ guys that get schollies each yr. that are “Athletes” that don’t really have any DEFINED position coming into GT, that usually end up being dead-weight recruits that cannot crack the Depth Chart and help GT on the FIELD.
For all you CPJ-boot-licking-toadies that doesn’t think that he does anything WRONG, even though we have all those A-Backs & Athletes on scholly our TOP TWO ABs both had LESS than 60 carries each last season.
Quite simply this lack of carries means that CPJ could carry HALF as many ABs on scholly and still get good production and use those extra schollies on the OL & DL and have a much more SOUND FB Program.
Our problems on BOTH LoSs are due to Coach Kung Fu Panda’s mismanaging his 85 schollies.
JM
July 8th, 2011
9:24 am
what’s amazing is GT still has the least experienced o-line in the ACC. It seems that every year we hear that the line is adding alot of new players. When will this unit go into a season with mostly veterans? The answer always seems to be “next season”.
T3
July 8th, 2011
9:57 am
GT had a lot less to work with in 2008 than it has in 2011.
In 2008, NO ONE (starters or otherwise) had ANY experience running CPJ’s offense.
In 2011, EVERYONE (starters & back-ups) have MUCH MORE experience running/practicing
CPJ’s offense.
Many of the projected starters have been red-shirts, and have been running/practicing in CPJ’s offense for more than a year. THAT makes a VERY big difference.
Here’s how I see the season:
1. (W) Western Kentucky
2. (W) Middle Tennessee
3; (W) Kansas
4. (L) UNC (UNC is kind of due one here)
5. (W) NCST (No Russell Wilson and NCST loses TONS from 2010 defense.
Yes, this win will make everyone take notice)
6. (W) Maryland (Yes, CPJ despises Randy Edsall. CPJ WONT lose this game.)
7. (W) UVA (UVA lost almost the entire Offense from 2010. Still rebuilding)
8. (L) Miami (Too much size & talent. I think Miami will win the ACC-Coastal)
9. (L) Clemson (GT wont be rested enough from a VERY tough Miami game)
10. (W) VT
(After 2 Week layoff. GT was EMBARRASSING VT at home in 2010 until Nesbitt got hurt)
11. (W) Duke
12. (W) UGA
(GT has averaged 34 pts/game vs UGA under CPJ.
UGA’s defense STILL cant stop GT’s run game.
A MUCH better GT defense in 2011 will be the differerence.
So, there you have it: 9-3,
a trip to the Gator Bowl, and
WnE’s head explodes.
blazer
July 8th, 2011
10:14 am
if tech’s schedule is so weak then, i guess we will go 11-1 and only lose to VA. Tech.
threetrone
July 9th, 2011
10:36 am
Tech spends too much time in the b ackfield faking handoffs. A shotgun is linear from the center to the QB, while everybody eligible runs downfield, maybe some backs also, unless they are required to block for the QB. Even a tight end runs downfield, a position not seeing any time under CPJ, a waste of position, used as a lineman only. A shotgun is what was taught to some of us at Tech as a decentralized organization. From one head, or the QB, many receivers are running downfield for a catch. Most teams use this, and they succeed, primarily because there are so many receivers, the chances are high one will be open. Most teams will cream us again with this decentralized offense. We use a centralized offense similar to a wishbone, a pyramid shaped organization. It aint’ winnin’ for us, and neither is the artwork going into the uniforms. Watched a Clemson rerun this week, and they wore all white shoes and socks, with all orange pants, jerseys and helmets. Tech shares Heisman with Clemson some, and we share the color white therefore, like we do with Auburn. Tech should wear all white shoes and socks this year. We gotta drop the black color in uniforms experimentation also. Black conveys no message whatsoever to me as an alum other than perhaps the guy for Cumberland who ran the ball back the wrong way for a Tech touchdown against Tech in the 222 – 0 blowout.
threetrone
July 9th, 2011
10:40 am
not wishing for typos, I meant “backfield” in first sentence; or maybe it was printed on ajc page that way, not by me
Supersize that order, mutt
July 9th, 2011
4:12 pm
threetone, the wrong way run was by Roy Riggins of California in the 1929 Rose Bowl Game. There might have been one or more wrong way runs in the Cumberland game too, but I have never heard of them, and the Riggins run is the one that will live in posterity
Supersize that order, mutt
July 9th, 2011
5:27 pm
Oops, sorry, that was Roy Riegels, not Riggins.
Wreckmaniac
July 9th, 2011
10:22 pm
Dawgfan: FL State and Clemson as well as Va Tech are three teams than can play with any of your
SEC teams. Just hang around. You have a lot to learn.
By the way, who is Coastal Carolina and NM State ? Is NM a state ? Just be glad that your pups aren’t stepping up to another Ok State or Colorado this year.
NYJacket
July 9th, 2011
10:42 pm
The Jacket offensive line is going to do just fine.
threetrone
July 10th, 2011
6:53 pm
Supersize, thanks for clarification. At least I got the Tech part for the ‘29 RB as a link to the 222 – 0 blowout. I am not a football player from Grusha Tech, so that’s why I only offered a link at best.
threetrone
July 10th, 2011
8:06 pm
Tech’ OL needs to pass protect for a SHOTGUN- for MANY plays, just like the winning teams run until red zone penetration. Additionally, Tech needs to learn about uniforms from Auburn and Clemson. I believe there is, or should be, a secret Heisman alliance of respect amongst them for football where Auburn’s orange might represent Clemson’s football years under Heisman, Clemson’s white might represent Auburn’s and Tech’s white for their football program under Heisman, Clemson’s orange represents Auburn’s orange under Heisman, Auburn’s white represents Tech’s and Clemson’s white under Heisman, etc. Such gentleman’s agreement Heisman sharing should make them a strong alliance. Tech mistakenly brings black into the alliance, or black and white, or black and gold from last year. Tech needs to believe that “black is out”. Therefore, Tech definitely should wear white and navy like Auburn, now that navy was found at Tech in a long lost manuscript as a school color, now enabling Tech to identify with Auburn much more. They wore that dark blue color when Hamilton was there, and white pants, and identified with Auburn strongly, and look at how well Tech did those years. What if Tech had worn white helmets those years…but no orange? I think I could identify with that now within a Heisman alliance. If Clemson wears all white socks and shoes, they are acknowledging Auburn and Tech and themselves. When Tech fields a team that wears black and white athletic shoes, they refuse to respect a double team of Auburn and Clemson linemen against a single Tech lineman in bw shoes. Let’s bring Heisman back to Tech and kick black out.
Tech secure with A-backs, B-backs | Georgia Tech
July 11th, 2011
6:01 am
[...] July 7 – offensive line [...]
techengineer
July 11th, 2011
8:48 pm
AllI can say is that I’ve been disappointed with the Tech line play since PJ arrived and this year looks to be the worse.. Could you imagine this frail looking line going up against the BC Clemson and GA fronts of the two or three years?? For goodenss sakes where are the recruits??
What is interesting is how the well the Navy linemen have done the past 5-7 years eventhough they are much smaller than GTs.. They fire off hard and hardly ever miss blocks. Did you see Navy almost take Oh St out the year before last? They were able to block Oh Sts DLine!! Now that’s saying something… Why can’t we get the same sort of production from GT’s linemen??
techengineer
July 11th, 2011
8:53 pm
T3: I like that analysis.. Very good. However, I’d like to believe they’d get either NC or Mia two teams which they have beaten pretty consistently under PJ. That’s hard to even imagine when we think back to the whipping that MIA put on us the year before last but they’ve had success against both NC and MIA… We need one of them to make it 10-2!
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