Tech secure with A-backs, B-backs
The third in a position group-by-position group breakdown of the 2011 Georgia Tech football team:
A-back Roddy Jones brings his career 7.5 yards-per-carry average back to the Georgia Tech backfield.
Projected starters: BB Preston Lyons (Sr., 6-0, 211), AB Roddy Jones (Sr., 5-9, 202), AB Orwin Smith (Jr., 6-0, 202)
Others to watch: B-back Charles Perkins will challenge Lyons for the starting job. A-backs Embry Peeples and B.J. Bostic backed up Jones and Smith last season and give the Jackets depth at the position. Tony Zenon and Deon Hill are redshirt freshmen who will push to get into the A-back rotation. A-back Marcus Wright is back after missing most of last season due to an injury sustained in a moped accident.
Key losses: B-back Anthony Allen, who ran for nearly 2,000 yards in two seasons at Tech, was selected in the seventh round of the NFL draft. Allen’s backup Lucas Cox, who played 40 games for Tech, graduated.
Key fact: Jones has started all but one game of his career. Jones’ 39 career starts are second most in the ACC among active players behind Virginia Tech wide receiver Danny Coale (40). In Jones and Smith, Tech has two A-backs with experience who are capable of making plays on runs and pass receptions.
Key fact II: The B-back position has produced 1,000 rushing yards or more each season under coach Paul Johnson, going back to his first season at Georgia Southern in 1997. The position doesn’t have the marquee star that it’s had through Johnson’s first three years (Jonathan Dwyer in 2008-09 and Allen in 2010), but Johnson expects production out of the position, and history gives him reason.
Key question: How will the snaps get divided up at B-back? Lyons came into and ended spring practice as the starter, but Perkins improved and will push Lyons for playing time. Behind those two are Richard Watson and David Sims, who help make the B-back position the deepest on the team. Johnson has not been averse to using multiple B-backs. In his final season at Navy, for instance, Eric Kettani ran for 880 yards while Adam Ballard ran for 665.
Key developments: Zenon was one of the most impressive young players in spring practice. Hill also has made considerable progress. Smith has been doing extra strength and conditioning work on his own to improve his speed and explosiveness. Smith thinks the Tech offense failed to hit enough big plays last season.
Outlook: Strong. The B-back is likely the strongest position on the team and A-back may be next. While there are questions about other parts of the offense, the backs have both talent and depth. As noted, the loss of Allen is significant, but Lyons has been a dependable option the past two seasons and Perkins could develop into a breakaway threat.
Your turn: What do you think?
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131 comments Add your comment
CBee
July 11th, 2011
7:02 am
Cross Train them to wide receiver
Golden White
July 11th, 2011
7:03 am
Looking good . Go Tech .
BME93MSM95
July 11th, 2011
7:05 am
Go Jackets! Looking for a much improved team this year! Would love to have some breakaway speed at BB and will trust CPJ to put the best players on the field.
Tokyo jacket
July 11th, 2011
7:06 am
Look for this to be the strength of the team….it’s a shame we’re not allowed to put 8 ball carriers on the field at once. We literally have 10 viable options to carry the ball. The difference between 7 wins and 9/10 wins this year will be to establish separation in the depth chart. We need clear cut starters to become dominant on offense and pick up those big plays that Orwin was talking about.
Tokyo jacket
July 11th, 2011
7:08 am
BME, I don’t think we need breakaway speed at B-back. What we need is someone like Dwyer who doesn’t get caught from behind by LBs or DL, only DBs. You don’t need 4.4 speed there as much as you need quick acceleration to get to the LBs and power to get through them. The video on Perkins looks like he can be that kid.
The Ole Ball Coach
July 11th, 2011
7:24 am
Pound the ball and control the clock…..Do work Jackets!
dawgmatic
July 11th, 2011
7:40 am
Practice hard, honey bees! Silly nerds.
Big Macon Dawg
July 11th, 2011
7:54 am
None of those guys are as good as Crowell will be.
GT-Jake
July 11th, 2011
8:03 am
Based on what I saw in the spring, those guys won’t have much of a chance if I undersized, unathletic offensive line doesn’t improve.
Also, if we don’t learn to throw the darn ball, defenses will just stack the box and shut us down just like Iowa.
Think it’s going to be another long year.
Hopefully Vad Lee redshirts, learns the system and we’re ready to go in 2012.
T3
July 11th, 2011
8:03 am
Crowell is a punk, prone to injury.
A freshman starter RB……..with big questions on th O-Line??
Crowell’s going to get blasted.
Paddy
July 11th, 2011
8:04 am
Orwin Smith will turn out to be the best back Tech has this season. That is predicting alot with this talented backfield.
TheLongestYard
July 11th, 2011
8:04 am
Big Macon Dawg
July 11th, 2011
7:54 am
None of those guys are as good as Crowell will be
None of them will star on the prison team like Crowell will either.
Sarge1
July 11th, 2011
8:07 am
Thanks for your azzhole comment, dawgmatic. I bet you have ruined a lot of things for other people in your life. Funny, I graduated from UGA but have no desire to put down others – not even GT. But then people who have to put down others don’t have a lot going for themselves anyway. They want others to feel like they feel about themselves, too. Loser.
Jacket Man
July 11th, 2011
8:31 am
I expect more passes to the (A and B) backs this coming season, depending on the personnel. In other words, it’s not going to be just about rushing and blocking with these guys this coming season.
Tony Zenon is fastest player on the team, albeit small in stature. However, I might remind everyone that Jacquizz Rodgers, the former RB from Oregon State and recent Atlanta Falcon draft choice, wasn’t a large, physical, man either and he put up some impressive numbers in his own right.
I’m looking at Charles Perkins to be starting at the B-Back position before the season ends, and expect him to surprise a ton of people. Look for Orwin Smith to have a breakout season…
To me, the question remains; who will be the QB managing the offense? Tevin Washington proved to be capable “running” the offense once Josh Nesbitt was injured, but the team didn’t seem to really gel behind him as an offense per se. Having a full Spring and Summer to work with him might help, but it also gave Synjiin Days an opportunity to finally start working with the first and second team offense rather than the scout team. The Spring game gave a glimpse of the raw talent that Days can bring to the table.
My guess is that both QB’s will be on the field in the early games to see who moves the team the best in a real game setting. Whichever one that turns out to be will end up being the starter the remainder of the year, unless, of course, an injury occurs, and then all bets are off.
I expect the starting Wide Receivers will eventually be Stephen Hill and Chris Jackson and think they’ll turn out to be terrific this coming season, as blockers, receivers, and as rushers.
The offensive line is very young, with some lingering injuries, but with a bit more depth with a knowledge of Paul Johnson’s blocking philosophy. Several former walk-ons will see the field this coming season once again, as well as red-shirt freshmen and possibly even true freshmen. The offensive line is potential weak link for the Jackets this coming Fall. They need consistency and leadership for this offense to run successfully.
Jacket Man
July 11th, 2011
8:33 am
Those thing Crowell is going to be the “savior might want to think again…”
Below is a report of Crowell struggling with UGA summer workouts-hints of his poor conditioning and/or attitude.
link http://blutarsky.wordpress.com…ig-leagues-kid/
excerpt:
June 16, 2011 at 10:27 AM
from a team trainer….
Mon….
Workouts under S&C began Monday. The new freshman lift in the morning and the veterans in the afternoon. The core lifts Monday were bench press and squats. They had to get 30 reps at 70% of their max. The S&C staff has been overhauled and has a lot of ex-Bulldogs.Coach T got rid of three GA’s and hired Tony Gilbert with that money. Joining him and Thomas Brown are Verron Haynes, Danell Ellerbee and Bruce Thornton. Keith, Rex and PJ are also still on the S&C staff. Isiah Crowell could not finish the lifting or the running and drew Coach T’s wrath. Ken Malcome could not finish with the veterans.
Tue….
The core lifts were Close grip inclines and leg presses. Wednesday. is conditioning only and back to the weightroom on Thursday and Friday. This is different than under DVH. Under Van they would work 4 straight days and have Friday off.The most obvious leader in the weightroom is Christian Robinson. Bruce Figgins came in great shape. The most impressive of the new players is clearly John Jenkins. He is very strong and is in great shape. He will be the first new player moved to the veterans workouts. Crowell continues to struggle and was the only player who couldn’t finish tuesday. He threw up more than once.
Jacket Man
July 11th, 2011
8:35 am
http://blutarsky.wordpress.com/2011/06/16/welcome-to-the-big-leagues-kid/
Jacket Man
July 11th, 2011
8:36 am
http://blutarsky.wordpress.com/2011/06/16/welcome-to-the-big-leagues-kid/#comment-99000
Jacket Man
July 11th, 2011
8:37 am
Sorry for the first bad link
Jacket68
July 11th, 2011
8:43 am
Ken – thanks! With Outland trophy nominee Uzzi opening holes the running game will be solid as usual.
gt4ever
July 11th, 2011
8:51 am
Crowell has not made the transition from high shcool to college. Good luck to him, but the odds are stacked against him… Poor kid has no idea what is in store for him if he fails…. The worst college fan base in the country…
Gt will struggle if the OL doesn’t produce.. I don’t care how good or how many running backs you have, if you don’t have the big ugly guys pushing people off the line then your in deep DODO… I personally think we are in DEEP DODO… Hope I am wrong.. Either way, To Hell with UGA!
GT Letterman
July 11th, 2011
9:04 am
This offense is really fun to watch when the backs are able to get to the corners and extend. It hinges on an O-Line that allows for that, and a QB that is quick on his feet and inside his helmet. I think Tech is developing all of that right now…watch out by mid-season.
THWG
GT 94
July 11th, 2011
9:25 am
Macon Dawg, None of them will be a 5 star bust either!! You guys know plenty about that!! With all the top recruiting classes you guys rake in, you seem to be just 3-7 points better than GT most years. Not a big gap. We will c-ya in november in atlanta.
blazer
July 11th, 2011
9:35 am
Crowell better be good -they ran off the other two rb studs so he could play!!
BIG BEE
July 11th, 2011
9:38 am
BIG MACON DAWG, key words here are “WILL BE”. How many years will it take?
Bobby
July 11th, 2011
9:39 am
Charles Perkins highlight vid http://bit.ly/oPZDA7
Bobby
July 11th, 2011
9:51 am
The way Perkins runs reminds of Dwyer. Same number too… 21 Leego!
GT Alum
July 11th, 2011
10:00 am
Bostic runs like he is scared of taking a big hit. This concerns me. I think others on the depth chart will leap ahead of him shortly after season start.
NorthAvenueRules
July 11th, 2011
10:06 am
Anyone else notice last year our A-backs could not shake that first defender on the corner. It seems like our A-backs would be tripped up be a shoe lace. Just from memory, but it seemed like sometimes if they had broken this first tackle, the play would have went 25-40 yards or more.
Hopefully CPJ will find two A-backs this year that have a knack at breaking arm tackles…
NorthAvenueRules
July 11th, 2011
10:09 am
David Sims would be a machine at A-Back. Talk about a guy that just won’t be tackled….
DawginLex
July 11th, 2011
10:26 am
T3
You don’t know anything about Crowell other than what folks have said.
Bottom line is he is a running back with no college experience who will be thrwon into the fire right away.
No one knows if he can handle it.
Our 1st team OL is 328,348,316,313 and 342. Three backups are 315,310 and 305.
We have a new coach who is emphasizing running game techniques and along with the new S&C program, is trying to change the culture of the OL. It won’t be easy.
My prediction is that we will become better as the year goes on. Avoiding injuries is the key.
I still say UGA will win 9 games and Richt will be back in 2012.
SC is gonna win the East.
Jacket Man
July 11th, 2011
10:34 am
“NorthAvenueRules;” David Sims is currently at the B-Back position, and has actually transitioned quite well.
Jacket Man
July 11th, 2011
10:37 am
“GT Alum;” When Bostic has had the chance to carry the ball,he’s actually done quite well; check his stats. If the wide receivers did a batter job and blocked for him, he’ll break some long runs for the Jackets and you’d think twice about making comments like that.
Ramblin Recluse Road
July 11th, 2011
10:38 am
If it was up to me, I would alter the uniform in the pic of Jones so that the shoes and socks would be all white, a Tech color, the extra wide side stripe to a more streamlined width, the side stripe color with traditional black, white and gold stripes with black for margins, the vegas gold stripe across the chest/pads would be old gold or none, and the helmet would be white. I’ve been lookin’ at gold helmets since I was at Tech in ‘71 – ‘72 seasons and the one game during Gailey’s tenure. That use of gold is gettin’ boring. Maybe an old gold helmet w/white GT, or a white helmet w/old gold GT. Don’t let Missouri take the old gold from Tech. To me, those black socks are as unappropriate as the powder puff pink socks, and conjure up Georgia’s black jockey stockings, the ballet leotard look. Are all Tech’s football players Leos? That’s how they come across, all born in the same Leo time period, Leo for leotard. Traditional solid black shoes would be ok for the pic of Jones, and any other “black is out”. And don’t forget that Larry Csonka was in lean enough shape playing for the Dolphins, where Marco Coleman went, that he wore solid black linemen’s boots running it up the middle.
DawginLex
July 11th, 2011
10:40 am
As far as GT is concerned:
Roddy Jones would touch the ball as much as possible.
Charles Perkins will prove to be better in games than pracices
Tony Zenon needs to be on the field.
My $.02
Jacket Man
July 11th, 2011
10:41 am
“NorthAvenueRules;” I’m going to go to reads, pitches, and blocking regarding our A-Backs success. If these components are done properly, I fully expect our A-Backs to produce well and not be so inclined to be tackled quite so easily. Last season, often time they were coming to the edge off balance, on the wrong angle, or with no blockers in front of them. This makes for poor performance for most of those types of plays on the outside.
Jacket 56
July 11th, 2011
10:44 am
Jacket Man, I doubt seriously that Zenon is faster than Snoddy. I’m guessing he is going to redshirt since he wasn’t mentioned with the A-backs?
NorthAvenueRules
July 11th, 2011
11:20 am
Any chance we’ll see the ball thrown to A-Backs more this season? One can hope…
GT 1
July 11th, 2011
11:24 am
Make the yards, so we dont need PJ’s ” long-snapper” recruit.
gt4ever
July 11th, 2011
11:39 am
Throw the Ball…….? LOL…. Not probable!
tar and feathers party
July 11th, 2011
11:41 am
Jonathan Dwyer and Caleb King graduated high school in the same year, one choose Georgia Tech and played every year for his first three years, turned pro prior to year 4 and is now in the NFL. The other choose UGAG, did not play his first year, played little in his second and third years, was a poor player in his 4th year, and flunked out in his 5th year. He has no future in the NFL, and his college career is now over, imho. Moral of the story: Choose Georgia Tech and get an education, and not that drunken party school in Athens that doubles of as a state prison, imho.
Southern dirt road
July 11th, 2011
11:43 am
hoping that Vad Lee does not become CPJ’s puppet and have CPJ relinquish Lee’s long bomb passing skills from the sidelines where he’s holding the yardsticks with the strings attached, relegating Lee to no future in the NFL because of no highlights to show NFL teams from Tech years; same might hold true for Jamal Golden, need YouTube vid of him like one of Lee that has been posted previously, don’t know anything about him other than stats
okeefe
July 11th, 2011
11:45 am
Jacket man—-you sure have a lot more confidence in S Hill as a wr than I have. He can’t catch, can’t block and is afraid to take a hit.
Southern dirt road
July 11th, 2011
11:50 am
isn’t it ironic that Ted Roof coached so well last year during the natl championship game, and he didn’t coach so well at Tech as defensive coordinator; probably because more coeds go to Auburn, or could it be because “black is out” at Tech, my alma mater
DawginLex
July 11th, 2011
11:50 am
tar and feathers
Tell your crap to Aaron Murray
1st team All SEC for 2011 and 4.0 in Finance
Just shutup and maybe for a few folks you won’t appear to be an idiot. Keep posting and remove all doubt.
Southern dirt road
July 11th, 2011
12:02 pm
Bobby…no site found, YouTube site found w/thumbs of other vids and empty Search box
Pull My Finger
July 11th, 2011
12:36 pm
Jacket Man, if I were you, I’d be thinking of ways to improve Tech’s girly little defense rather than obsessing with the Dawgs!
gt4ever
July 11th, 2011
12:39 pm
exactly Pull my finger, and it is GIRLY! It has been GIRLY for years…
Supersize that order, mutt
July 11th, 2011
12:41 pm
Pull My Finger, if you are a mutt, which I assume you are, then you’d better be thinking of ways to improve THUGa’s pathetic excuse for a defense too. It hasn’t stopped Tech yet; the only reason Tech lost the last two years was because of turnovers and an equally lousy defense.
BBQ
July 11th, 2011
12:48 pm
I hate to say it, but if A Murray stays healthy and continues to improve, UGA will win 10 games next year and could be in the SEC title game. It pains me to say it, but he’s very good and will take pressure off Isiah to perform immediately. Here’s the kicker though….UGA will be in the SEC title game but will lose to GT in Atlanta. Lack of focus and looking ahead to SEC title game will be their demise. GT is due a win and should be clicking offensively.
gt4ever
July 11th, 2011
12:50 pm
DawginLex,
I had no idea that UGA had a finance department….. That would require a math department…. Right???
T3
July 11th, 2011
12:58 pm
@dawginlex
First: What does Aaron Murray have to do with Remedial Education idot Caleb King
flunking out? Answer: Zero.
Second: Crowell IS a punk.
Just look at all of his twitter posts and pictures that keep showing up on multiple different
college football blogs. EVERY picture with him flippin the bird or some other immature “pose.”
Kid’s an idiot. His own behavior proves it.
Crowell’s gonna get blasted.
RJ Voorhees
July 11th, 2011
1:02 pm
Tech is a joke
Jacket Man
July 11th, 2011
1:16 pm
“Jacket 56;” Regarding Zenon and Snoddy, I was referring to the players I believe will see the field as A-Backs this coming Fall.
cmon man
July 11th, 2011
1:17 pm
@supersize that order,mutt i will admit im not one of those millionaire engineers that you guys from tech brag about but i played a little college football and something you said left me a little confused. you said uga had a “pathetic excuse for a defense” but you then said tech only lost because of turnovers. correct me if im wrong but arent most turnovers caused by plays made by the defense? i dont know what type of football you played but when a team controls the time of possession by a 17 minute margin and run 44 more plays on offense you should never lose. tech averaged 5.6 yds per play while uga averaged 8.9 yds per play. dont blame it on turnovers because they both fumbled 4 times ” men lie women lie numbers dont” according to the numbers uga didnt do a bad job. if you really know about football then you know that 17 extra minutes on offense is huge.
Jacket Man
July 11th, 2011
1:20 pm
“Pull My Finger;” If I was you, I’d concern myself with your own team and spend less time trolling on the GA Tech board.
Pull My Finger
July 11th, 2011
1:24 pm
Supersize………you sound just like the president……er, uh, we’d have won if, er, uh…..excuses, excuses……..the only reason we lost is, er, uh……..don’t worry, though, you still have baseball season to look forward to. 9 OUT OF 10!!!
Jacket Man
July 11th, 2011
1:25 pm
“okeefe;” Hill worked hard to change his body since last Fall to get bigger and stronger and spent a ton of time on his own working with the QB’s on passing drills. He’s dedicated himself to having a productive season and assuming he can get passes in the area, I believe he’ll come through.
DawginLex
July 11th, 2011
1:27 pm
T3
I used Murray as an example of a kid that doesn’t fit the stereotype that some of you Tech morons lay out fo all UGA football players.
Caleb King was never going to make it academically at any college.
You know all about Crowell because of his Facebook page?
And you claim to be smart?
WOW
Our OL has issues with depth but the first team is huge and has good experience and a new coach.
You don’t know how it is going to play out anymore than I do.
Pull My Finger
July 11th, 2011
1:27 pm
Jacket Man,
Wow! That sounds remarkably familiar……you Tech guys just amaze me all the time…just oozing intelligence!! It must be hard to accept losing and be so smart….now get back to looking at pictures of Flag Boy!!
George Stein
July 11th, 2011
1:35 pm
C’mon DawginLex. Don’t get baited by these fools. Everyone with a brain knows Murray looks like solid player for y’all.
You spend a lot of time worrying about that “joke,” Voorhees.
Turnovers are often a product of luck, cmon man. That’s the reason you see so much volatility in the numbers.
Stinger 2
July 11th, 2011
1:40 pm
As a GT fan from 1951 I hate to say this, but we had better be secure with our A and B backs. There sure won`t be much if anything to hang our hats on offensively. CPJ will not get anything new into his offensive scheme.
On another note, the UGA people on this blog are worse than bad today. Must be a slow day for their own blogs.
DawginLex
July 11th, 2011
1:43 pm
george stein
tar and feathers rambled on about the difference between king and dwyer and then generalized all UGA football players as thugs and idiots and the university of georgia as a jail
I was responding in not so kind
cmon man
July 11th, 2011
1:46 pm
@george stein turnovers have more to do with a lapse in fundamentals than luck. if you want to use the luck argument i would say uga got lucky with the missed extra point but not the fumbles.
PerimeterCenterJacket
July 11th, 2011
2:01 pm
How ’bout the truth: Both these teams went a pathetic 6-7 and will not be worth talking about nationally. I’m a Tech fan, but let’s face it – the only thing these teams can do to get on the radar screen involves winning actual games. For Tech it’ll be using our very real shot to go 4-0 to open the season. For UGA it’s as simple as beating Boise State. Only then will any talk of November really scare either team. Right now we’re both looking at each other saying “you went 6-7, and I don’t see how you’ll be any better…it’s our game to lose!” There’s nothing to really say either way until there are rankings and game film to analyze. Then I think we’ll both be looking at the other going “crap, you’re doing better than we thought! Maybe November’s game will actually be WATCHED by anyone this year! Now we REALLY want to win!”
Go Jackets!
George Stein
July 11th, 2011
2:07 pm
Fair enough, Lex.
No one can reasonably dispute thar UGA got lucky on the missed extra point. But the broader issue is that turnovers in general and fumbles in particular are a function of luck. If it was a repeatable skill, you’d see the same people and teams at the top of the turnovers created list.
Just to prove the point, the following teams led the nation in turnover margin last year:
VA Tech
Tulsa
Army
Maryland
Ohio St
Oklahoma
Wisconsin
Iowa
Stanford
UGA was 19th nationally
2009
Air Force
Boise St
Banana
Ohio St
Arkansas
Ohio
MTSU
East Carolina
Pitt
UGA was 117th nationally.
The volatility proves that forcing turnovers is not a repeatable skill and is, therefore, luck.
Pull My Finger
July 11th, 2011
2:14 pm
George,
The Dawgs beating Tech is OBVIOUSLY a repeatable skill, and therefore is NOT luck…….it’s nice to hear that in your own words……..pppphhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhtttttttttt!
George Stein
July 11th, 2011
2:17 pm
Try acting like a grownup, Pull. I never suggested that Tech was better than UGA last year.
I do, however, believe Tech was better in 2009. I also think UGA was better in 2008, not to mention most of the past 30 years.
Jacket Man
July 11th, 2011
2:22 pm
“Pull My Finger;” I have no idea what you’re talking about and I could care less what you say or think because it has absolutely nothing to do with the topic of this blog. If you’d like to have a civil, intelligent discussion about GA Tech football’s A-Backs and B-Backs and how they’ll play an integral part in the offense this coming season, I’d love to hear from you. After all, this is the GA Tech blog talking about that topic, isn’t it?
PerimeterCenterJacket
July 11th, 2011
2:30 pm
So an interesting question to pose is what our offense looks like with great backs, a relatively new QB and an inconsistent O-line. I’m hoping it’s at least as good as 2008. But even if it’s the same as 08 but we get better on defense we could see progress this season. That new attitude thing may also take care of a lot of the personal responsibility issues like ball security, finishing runs, getting off blocks and wrapping up on tackles. The personnel is encouraging, in my opinion.
Go Jackets!
bossman
July 11th, 2011
2:35 pm
Pull my finger – get back to work and quit obsessing over GT blogs!
Pull My Finger
July 11th, 2011
2:42 pm
Jacket Man,
If this is a discussion about GA Tech football’s A-backs and B-backs, why did you post about a half page about Crowell? Is he one of Tech’s backs now?
Pull My Finger
July 11th, 2011
2:43 pm
Yesssirreee, Mr. Bossman!!!
Supersize that order, mutt
July 11th, 2011
2:53 pm
cmon man, sorry, bubba, but the mutt defense didn’t cause Tech’s turnovers last year. Those were totally unforced turnovers, which the majority of Tech’s turnovers have been of late. The mutt defense couldn’t stop the Jacket offense; Tech stopped the Jackets offense. Of course, Tech couldn’t stop the mutt offense either. But that is what I said to begin with…..Tech’s (UNFORCED) turnovers and total lack of defense. I trust that Groh’s 3-4 defense will gel this year, but I don’t think “Choke’s” defense will ever gel, because he’s a lousy overpaid DC.
Blue devil
July 11th, 2011
3:00 pm
Tech replaces Duke in the ACC cellar. Pj bringing the talent level down to our size.
Pull My Finger
July 11th, 2011
3:02 pm
Supersize,
Keep letting the excuses flow……..if you keep working at it, you might just become president.
JM
July 11th, 2011
3:04 pm
I look forward to seeing the production from the running backs this season. It’s going to surprise many of the expert analyst.
Also, I could care less about Georgia and its running backs. Those comments should all be moved to another blog.
Supersize that order, mutt
July 11th, 2011
3:06 pm
Pull, I haven’t made a single excuse. I simply have stated that the FACT that mutts have not, cannot, and will not stop Tech’s offense. We lost the games; that’s a fact, and there are no excuses to be made about it. If you want to look for excuses though, how about all the mutts’ losses that you CONSTANTLY blame on officiating. According to you guys, you never get a break. In fact, you guys are the biggest whiners, excuse makers, and downright liars in the country.
Pull My Finger
July 11th, 2011
3:09 pm
Supersize,
Ask your quarterback if the fumble that Justin Houston returned for a touchdown was an unforced fumble……..good grief.
lol
July 11th, 2011
3:11 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-KDrPUcUsFY
DawginLex
July 11th, 2011
3:12 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-KDrPUcUsFY
Supersize that order, mutt
July 11th, 2011
3:14 pm
Pull, to be honest, I do not remember now, but I can’t remember a single FORCED fumble by a Tech player last year in any other game; the fumbles are generally due to sloppy handoffs or bad pitches. The fumbled pitch (or pitches) to Roddy last year in Athens were definitely not forced..
DawginLex
July 11th, 2011
3:15 pm
Oops
double post
Play was typical of JH though. Does anyone remember another great play from him that game?
Nope
that’s why his NFL stock dropped plus he was an idiot to smoke weed right before the combine
Pull My Finger
July 11th, 2011
3:17 pm
Supersize,
Boy, are you delusional…….well, for your benefit, I hope UGA continues to not be able to stop your awesome offense. 9 out of 10!
Pull My Finger
July 11th, 2011
3:19 pm
Super size,
Did you see your quarterback get the crap knocked out of him before he fumbled to Houston? Man, you are a sick person… Have a great day!
Supersize that order, mutt
July 11th, 2011
3:20 pm
OK, I watched the video, and admittedly Houston was in the right place at the right time, but it was still more of a bad, or certainly ill-advised, pitch from Washington than anything. And Pull, why did you say ask the QB? It’s not like Houston hit him. Like I said Washington made an ill-advised pitch, and Houston was in the right place at the right time. Cudos to him, but it was a play that I guarantee would never have happened with Nesbitt at QB. He knew when to pitch and when not to. But again, I guess you would call that excuse-making.
Supersize that order, mutt
July 11th, 2011
3:23 pm
Pull, I don’t know what video you are watching, but the QB didn’t get hit by anybody, and he didn’t fumble the ball. It looks like number 20, who is Roddy Jones, and he was the one who got hit and fumbled. But like I said before, it was a pitch that should not have been made to begin with.
Supersize that order, mutt
July 11th, 2011
3:24 pm
Like I said before, you guys are just liars. You can’t even watch a video and get the facts right. Do you even know what a quarterback is?
cmon man
July 11th, 2011
3:25 pm
@ supersize i dont know what game you watched last year but are you sure bacarri rambo didnt strip the ball from anthony allen around the 3 yd line, and didnt your rb get blown up on the play when justin houston carried t. washington into the endzone, or what about the play when abry jones made roddy fumble and the ball squirted like 10 yds and was recovered by akeem dent. if those place werent forced fumbles please tell me what a forced fumble is. also dont address me as “bubba”
GT Fan ...
July 11th, 2011
3:26 pm
Read the OL blog … PJ says the OL will be fine. He knows what he’s talking about, so just trust him.
My concerns on O are:
1. WRs – will anyone emerge who can block & catch? Would love to see at least 2 options from that group, but looking back at 2010 even just 1 will be big improvement. It can’t get worse can it?
2. QBs – Reps, Reps, Reps … this position needs game reps learning the job. Yes, the YJs have talent at this position, but someone needs to separate himself as the clear #1
3. B-back – IMO, Lyons is a fine “fill-in” for this positon, not a 1st teamer. Don’t think he has the size/speed to be a 1,000 yarder by himself. From what I’ve read about CPs size/skills, I’m hoping he’s the #1. BB by committee in 2011 will still gain 1,500 – 2,500 yds, but I think CPs is the best bet to mimic JDs & AAs individual #s.
A-back is flat out loaded with talent/speed. Need better WR blocking so these guys can hurt opposing Ds with the breakaway runs.
Nobody in 2008 has a bit of game experience in PJs O and the YJs won 9. 2011, and no season from hear foward will be that way. 2010 was a result of TOs (lost by the O, and NOT recovered/taken advantage of by the D) and Injuries. Limit those 2 things, and GT will be fine in 2011 … 8+ wins.
cmon man
July 11th, 2011
3:28 pm
* plays not places typo
Pull My Finger
July 11th, 2011
3:30 pm
cmon man,
I think Supersize has some serious issues……WOW!!!!
Supersize that order, mutt
July 11th, 2011
3:32 pm
cmon man, honestly I do not remember individual plays, but I certainly do not remember anybody stripping the ball from Allen at any point last season. Both of Roddy Jones’ fumbles were bad or ill-advised pitches. You can call them forced if you want to, but the point I am trying to make, is that the turnover was as much due to the decision by the QB as the presence or hit by the defender.
Supersize that order, mutt
July 11th, 2011
3:33 pm
Pull, I have issues??? Hell, you can’t even watch a pretty damn clear video and get the facts straight.
cmon man
July 11th, 2011
3:35 pm
here is a link for you to take a look at http://youtu.be/EBwbZjJG5tg
cmon man
July 11th, 2011
3:38 pm
supersize after you look at the video on the link tell me how those werent forced fumbles
Supersize that order, mutt
July 11th, 2011
3:43 pm
Ok, cmon man. I stand corrected; that was a forced turnover. However, it was not Allen.
George Stein
July 11th, 2011
3:44 pm
AA put the ball on the ground once against Georgia last year but he recovered.
The point about all the fumbles is that UGA was in the right place at the right time and Tech screwed up. If it wasn’t luck, why didn’t they do it on every pitch play?
Jacket Man
July 11th, 2011
3:45 pm
“Pull My Finger;” I posted about the incoming Bulldog freshman RB to contrast what the Jacket class is all about. For the most part, we recruit a different “quality” RB at GA Tech; one who fits our particular offense and one who is serious about why they’re on campus.
I’ll say again that this is a GA Tech blog and if you’d like to have a logical, intelligent, conversation about GA Tech football, I’ll be happy to have one with you.
Rob
July 11th, 2011
3:47 pm
this is going to be a very good year for gt. many naysayers out there but pj teams always break through in year 4 and i expect some unexpected this year. 10-2
Jacket Man
July 11th, 2011
3:53 pm
“GT Fan;” Nice comments. I think the first three games will be pivotal in the development of the Jacket offense for the remaining year. I believe a lot of guys will be getting some game-time reps and we’ll see which QB will rise to take command of the offense. I also think the running back rotation will work itself out in that timeframe.
George Stein
July 11th, 2011
3:57 pm
Not sure I see 10-2 in our future, Rob, but I think we will be significantly better than people expect. 8 or 9 wins is what I expect with improvement from the defense and special teams and a consistently strong offense.
TR
July 11th, 2011
3:58 pm
Not all are thugs lex but a good 60-70% are. And sorry dude but you do garner a lot about someone who posts daily on twitter or fb and you can most certainly make a judgement on someone by what he/she writes. It’s done all the time these days. Duh!
GT Fan ...
July 11th, 2011
4:00 pm
cmon man …
Those 3 fumbles really hurt GT in last year’s game. So what if they were forced or unforced, they were still TOs. Historically, the team that loses the TO battle, more times than not, also loses the game.
GT did not take advantage of GA TOs in 2010 like they did in 2008. And also committed 4 in 2010, and just 1 (Hail Mary Int as the 1st half expired) in 2008. 2010 = L, 2008 = W.
Old Blind Dawg
July 11th, 2011
4:47 pm
I don’t understand why you guys are agonizing over the RB’s. GT’s offensive weakness appears to be much like UGA’s – the OL. CPJ will get the most out of what he has in the backfield.
I think the defense will be the problem. Another year of experience will help but I really don’t think GT has the personnel to run the 3 – 4. Clock control will be key – if the offense can keep the ball the D will appear to be improved – if not then it could get ugly early.
The favorable schedule will help get a few early wins but I really don’t see GT returning to the top of the ACC like they were 2 years ago.
Pull My Finger
July 11th, 2011
4:51 pm
Supersize,
You’re right. The quarterback didn’t get hit….just an ill-advised pitch. I just watched cmon’s video, though, and the rest of the fumbles looked pretty forced to me.
Pull My Finger
July 11th, 2011
4:55 pm
Supersize,
I’ve got an appointment with the eye doctor now so I can watch those videos more clearly….
Old Blind Dawg
July 11th, 2011
5:01 pm
TR you are as wrong as wrong can be – 60 – 70 % come on. Oh yeah you might want to see how many of those alleged “thugs” were offered by GT – get a clue dude. The GT / UGA rivalry is more than smearing a bunch of kids with a flippant broad stroke brush.
Delbert D.
July 11th, 2011
5:02 pm
Why argue endlessly about last year? It will not repeat. Space-time does not work that way. “Groundhog Day” was not a Bill Murray documentary.
Supersize that order, mutt
July 11th, 2011
5:03 pm
Pull, good luck at the eye doctor, but don’t waste your time watching the videos. Like GT Fan said, it really doesn’t matter whether they were forced or not; they DID make the difference in the game. That’s not excuse-making; that’s just a fact.
Pull My Finger
July 11th, 2011
5:07 pm
Supersize,
Thanks. My short vision seems to be fading fast and my arms aren’t long enough anymore to read fine print.
Good luck to y’all this year…..see you in November!
Supersize that order, mutt
July 11th, 2011
5:16 pm
Pull, wait till your hearing starts going too. It’s hell getting old. lol
Pull My Finger
July 11th, 2011
5:33 pm
Supersize,
Oh, great…..something else to look forward to. Have a great night!
JT
July 11th, 2011
6:00 pm
Crowell will go up in “smoke”.
Flap Jacket
July 11th, 2011
6:59 pm
The Laskey kid will be the starting B Back within 2 years at Tech.
Jacket Backer
July 11th, 2011
7:50 pm
Not worried about the offense, certainly not the backs….We have to find a defense or we will not have the season we hope for…..
Go Jackets!!
lol
July 11th, 2011
8:22 pm
Would be a very deep backfield in the Southern conference.
Supersize that order, mutt
July 11th, 2011
8:31 pm
The mutts would have a pretty good entire team in “The Longest Yard”. Hell, they probably almost have a team full of mutts now anyway.
GT Fan...
July 11th, 2011
9:25 pm
Jacket Backer….
They don’t need to find a defense, just a noseman or some way control the exteme middle of the D.
IMO, the YJs are fine at DT, LB and DB. I think the D strength is at LB (Drummond, Attachou, Watts, Hunt-Days, Burnette) with a talent-laden crop of DBs a close 2nd (Johnson, Reid, Young, Holton, Ayers, Sweeting, Jema Thomas, and more). Heck, the more I think of it the DBs might be the deepest/most talented group on the D side….
I think the D will obviously improve from 2010 which will be huge help. Just limit offensive TOs & injuries and the YJs win 8 minimum!
GT Rich
July 11th, 2011
10:14 pm
Who will have more rushing yards: Crowell or GT’s eventual starter at B-back?
Jacket Backer
July 11th, 2011
11:00 pm
I know all of the names GT Fan…..I just want to see them stop somebody when it matters…..I can’t remember the last time we had a really good defense……Maybe 1990?? CPJ and the offense will move the ball on just about everybody….If we hold onto the ball this year we will score plenty of points….We HAVE to stop people…..Hopefully, we will see CAG make a difference this year!
Old Blind Dawg
July 11th, 2011
11:04 pm
Hard to say GT. Crowell may not get many carries before mid-season. UGA may have RB by committee based on situations.
But on the other hand look what Lattimore did for the S.C. Roosters as a freshman and Herschel had a little over 1600 yds as a freshman. Should be fun to watch him develop.
Stumpknocker
July 11th, 2011
11:11 pm
@Big Macon Dawg; So you think Crowell will be a better back than any of Jacket backs……lets count up the yards at the end of the year…..since that is one prime measure of a running back. By seasons end there will be at least 2 Jacket running backs with more yards than Crowell. Ealey was your best back and he couldn’t pass-block and now he’s gone. Caleb King was once a prized 5 star recruit and what did he do for you. Crowell’s college future is certainly not without question……having never played a college game. I don’t get the hype over the coming Bulldog season…….too many questions and not enough answers.
GT Fan ...
July 11th, 2011
11:54 pm
Jacket Backer … you’re kidding about having to go back to 1990 right? Look at how many times Tenuta had a D that could hold teams to low pts, but Gailey was coaching his O to “not lose”. Rember the 2006 ACC Champ game? Heck, against GA alone under Gailey the YJs had more than enough D to win 3 or 4 of those.
Do a little research on some of the players AG had on his Cavalier D during the Gailey years. Have faith, AG will develop players.
In fact, IMO, Jeramiah Attachou is going to be GT’s best LB this season. And he’s a DIRECT result of AG being at GT since he was committed to UVA before AG was fired, then switched to GT (same for DB Louis Young).
My only concern is NT. TJB is a BIGGGGG fella, but BIG alone doesn’t cut it in Div 1 football. Maybe someone like a Shawn Green (I know he’s a FR) or Denzel McCoy can step up and be a stopper in the middle? I’m also really excited to see what Daniel Drummond does at LB … he’s big, and fast ……… I think the D is going to be quite a bit better than people are thinking.
Wes Durham's Gigantic Bottom
July 12th, 2011
12:39 am
How are Tech season ticket sales going? With those exciting pitches to the A-Backs, the dive plays to the B-Backs, and 2-3 forward passes each game, GT should sell out each home game to folks in the City of Atlanta……this is exciting football…..The Perfect Option…..come see triple chin / moobs coaching up a storm against the powerful Atlantic Coast Conference……..GT does not need to give away hotdogs and cokes to sell tickets, baby…..it’s Stingtime!!!!
Supersize that order, mutt
July 12th, 2011
1:42 am
Thanks for your contribution, bubba. We welcome all you ignorant, bigoted, redneck, trailer-park trash.
Old Blind Dawg
July 12th, 2011
8:03 am
Nice attitude Supersize – nice indeed.
Just A GT Guy
July 12th, 2011
8:24 am
Seriously, Old Blind Dawg, instead of harping on Supersize why don’t you reprimand your fellow UGA fan who is facisnated with Wes Durham’s backside. Don’t you guys have other things you could be doing instead of adolescently commenting on your rival’s blogs?
I barely find the time to comment on my team’s blog much less going on UGA’s and posting such clever banter as you, Wes’ arse Lover, and so many other UGA fans do on the GT blogs.
The UGA like you guys are really a sad bunch … you all should try maturing a little.
Freddy Blassie
July 12th, 2011
9:21 am
If the QB does not make the right reads Jim Brown, Gale Sayers and Jim Thorpe would all stink.
Supersize that order, mutt
July 12th, 2011
10:51 am
Blind, you need to clean up your own house first before you come criticizing me. I was merely responding IN KIND to your mutt buddy (I refuse to even write his name here) who comes into a TECH blog and spouts the kind of crap he did. And as I told you a few days ago, you are not much better than he is. So kindly take your ignorant babblings and go fertilize a garden somewhere with them.
Tech Man
July 12th, 2011
6:34 pm
Pull My Finger : Please go away! Your name is a big hint about your maturity. People with poor self esteem put other down becase it gives them a FALSE sense of superority. Don’t be that person. Now how about some mature discussion of Tech’s backfield.
eleven in eleven
Improvement expected from experienced defensive line | Georgia Tech
July 13th, 2011
6:24 pm
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