Tech scrimmage observations
Greetings-
A few quick observations from Saturday’s scrimmage.
1. Passing game looked good again, after a solid showing last Saturday. A lot of short throws to the A-backs flaring out. Tevin Washington was pretty accurate and the quarterbacks got time to throw from the line.
Paul Johnson: “I thought Tevin threw the ball fairly well again.”
2. Run defense was fairly strong. The B-backs didn’t produce much, nor did the A-backs. Quarterback runs and draws were effective. Washington scored on a 36-yard run in which he faked the pitch to Embry Peeples and had a clear lane to the end zone.
3. Defense controlled the scrimmage early, not allowing a score for the first six possessions, starting at the opposing 30-yard line. Offense scored on three consecutive series (led by Synjyn Days, Vad Lee and Washington), then defense held on the last five. All stats unofficial.
4. Inside linebacker Quayshawn Nealy played with the first string in place of Julian Burnett, who was rested with some bumps and bruises. He made several plays and showed good quickness.
5. True freshman wide receivers Jeff Greene and Darren Waller got a lot of time with the first string. Stephen Hill played early but not much after. I don’t believe Tyler Melton practiced. Greene caught a fade-type pass from Lee for a 17-yard gain.
Johnson: “Jeff’s played pretty well in camp. I think he’s played himself into a position where he’s certainly going to play.”
6. Defensive end Izaan Cross had a productive morning, including a forced fumble on a mesh between Days and Preston Lyons. “On that one play, I just wanted to get off the field,” Cross said. “I just did whatever I could to do that.”
7. True freshman guard Trey Braun started at left guard in place of Will Jackson, out with an injury. I couldn’t tell much, but it seemed like he held his own.
8. A-back B.J. Bostic is out for about four weeks. Johnson wouldn’t specify the injury, but his right arm was in a sling. Johnson said redshirting him (he played last year as a true freshman) is a possibility.
9. Guard Errin Joe and Lyons both hobbled off the field with injuries, but Johnson said he didn’t think either injury was serious.
10. To me, no B-back stood out. I’ll have to add up the stats.
11. More fumbles, errant pitches and botched center-quarterback exchanges. Johnson did not sound concerned, attributing it to different combinations at the two positions.
12. Saturday was Johnson’s birthday. The team sang to him after the scrimmage.
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250 comments Add your comment
Supersize that order, mutt
August 21st, 2011
6:44 pm
Ignore the poser at 6:26. He’s a fake
Supersize that order, mutt
August 21st, 2011
6:46 pm
superDawg, I know you’re in the SEC. My point was that your defense has not been and will not be anywhere near the quality of other SEC teams. I have not seen or read a thing that would indicate to me that that overpaid DC you hired last year has a clue about building or coaching a defense, and I can assure you I know several dawg fans who agree with me completely.
headley lamar
August 21st, 2011
7:56 pm
I have not seen or read a thing that would indicate to me that that overpaid DC you hired last year has a clue about building or coaching a defense, and I can assure you I know several dawg fans who agree with me completely.
I highly doubt that.
Almost universally the pre season magazines I have read have all said UGA defense will be MUCH improved.
Two main reasons are given
1. Year two of the 3-4
2. A serious infusion of new talent. Additions Alec Ogletree Jarvis Jones and John Jenkins among others
We already know we have the offense. UGA averaged 32 ppg last year.
Or a full touchdown more than Tech and The Genius, The Oracle of Annapolis, CPJ offense in a much tougher conference.
techfan
August 21st, 2011
7:58 pm
In 2007 boise was favored and UGA took them to the woodshed.
Good grief. They played in 2005 not 2007. I can’t find the spread of the game but UGA was ranked 13th and Boise St was ranked 19th. The game was at UGA. There is no way possible that Boise was favored in the game.
KB
August 21st, 2011
8:02 pm
Supersize,Your right I miscounted too. I come on these blogs because gambling is a major vice,so I like to try and keep up with as many teams as possible. I am a GA. fan through and through but Richt has recruited players for this defense, Grantham is a very good coach, but like all coaches there only as good as what they have to work with, he’s got a lot to work with this year. I wouldn’t normally bet on Georgia but I’ll take the bet that Boise doesn’t score 45 on this defense. Coaches don’t win games players do.Georgia defense in 2010 had its problems but still finished 4th in SEC and 23rd nationally in total defense and will be much better this season.
Supersize that order, mutt
August 21st, 2011
8:17 pm
You guys are basing your projection that your defense will be better solely because of better talent. Even with better talent, if you don’t have a DC who can put it together, it won’t mean a thing. And I don’t believe that Grantham has shown that he can coach a college D. You have your opinion and hopes; I have mine. Time will tell.
RambleOn84
August 21st, 2011
8:20 pm
Ken, let me say that I thoroughly enjoy your posts. The last one about Nesbitt really made me chuckle when you were imagining future scenarios.
You have a great sense of humor and do a good job of covering what we want to know about.
Keep up the good work!
Tech Scrimmage Observations
August 21st, 2011
8:26 pm
They suck
headley lamar
August 21st, 2011
8:28 pm
Even with better talent, if you don’t have a DC who can put it together, it won’t mean a thing. And I don’t believe that Grantham has shown that he can coach a college D.
Virginia Tech (1990-1995)
Grantham spent six seasons at his alma mater, Virginia Tech, the final two as defensive line coach. In 1995, the Hokies ranked first nationally in rushing defense, fifth in scoring defense and 10th in total defense. Virginia Tech racked up 50 sacks en route to the Big East title and a Sugar Bowl triumph over Texas. Grantham coached defensive ends and inside linebackers from 1990–91 and defensive tackles from 1992-93.
Michigan State (1996-1998)
Grantham then served three seasons as the defensive line coach at Michigan State. He added the title of assistant head coach in his final season in East Lansing in 1998. Michigan State ranked 19th in total defense in 1996 and 13th in 1997, making consecutive bowl trips.
Dallas Cowboys (2008-2009)
Grantham served as the defensive line coach for the Dallas Cowboys until the end of the season when he joined the coaching staff at the University of Georgia as defensive coordinator. During Grantham’s 2 seasons with Dallas, the Cowboys improved from 13th (2007) to 2nd (2009) in the league in points allowed.[2]
Georgia Bulldogs (2010-present)
Grantham has installed a 3-4 defense. Despite breakdowns in coverage at times, the Bulldogs ranked 23rd nationally in total defense and 35th in scoring defense (22 points allowed per game). His defense also forced 26 takeaways, over twice as many as Georgia had in 2009 (12), and helped them move from 118th nationally in 2009 to 18th in 2010 in turnover margin.
His resume states otherwise.
Niner
August 21st, 2011
8:31 pm
Yek will have a great season this year if they can break 5 wins. Johnson will be fired before 2013 season. Book it.
James
August 21st, 2011
8:34 pm
But the nerd faithful will glowingly point to TG’s Cleveland Brown days. And the same hypocrites that try and spin UGA’s talent will make no mention of the fact TG had zero say in the personel that were on the Browns, unlike how he does now at UGA.
Supersize that order, mutt
August 21st, 2011
9:02 pm
OK, I’ll bite. Since headley didn’t even mention Cleveland, then he’s obviously hoping nobody else will remember that either. What about that, headley?
Supersize that order, mutt
August 21st, 2011
9:07 pm
At any rate, he was your 3rd or 4th choice last year, so apparently there were others who Richt thought were better. You’re entitled to your opinion of his worth, and I’m entitled to mine. Time will tell who’s right.
GT Fan
August 21st, 2011
9:20 pm
Headley…
Explain this to me ………… 2009 UGA avg 29 ppg, gave up 26 ppg, was minus 16 in TO margin, but managed only 5 Ls …….. 2010 UGA avg 32 ppg, gave up 22 ppg, was plus 6 in TO margin, but still had 7 Ls??
That’s almost unbelievable! Looks to me like better O & D aren’t UGA’s problem. You might want to check with your friend “Vegas” on that one, and let us know what he thinks.
nacks
August 21st, 2011
9:24 pm
I think the cheats better be more concerned about their DC than UGA’s. Theirs wear Depends and is getting drummed in the worst football conference in football.
nacks
August 21st, 2011
9:29 pm
@ GT fan
You weren’t directing your question at me, but I would like to give it a try. If you watched all of UGA’s losses they literally gift wrapped 5 of the 7 with bonehead turnovers (two of the culprits are no longer with us) during sure-fire scoring opportunities late in the games within the redzone (most of the time within the endzone) of the opponents.
The only games that were “out of reach” for UGA late in the game were Auburn and MSU (thanks to committing the same bone headed turnovers I stated above but earlier in the game).
GT Fan
August 21st, 2011
9:34 pm
headley….
It’s much more logical for the Yellow Jackets:
2008 GT had 27 TOs, got 29 TOs for plus 2, O-24ppg D-20ppg ….. Finished 9-4
2009 GT had 18 TOs, got 26 TOs for plus 8, O-34ppg D-25ppg …..Finished 11-3
2010 GT had 27 TOs, got 21 TOs for minus 6, O-26ppg D-25ppg …. Finished 6-7
It’s easy to see the corelation with GT, but the more you think about UGA’s the more unbelievable it becomes. How in the world did UGA on win 6 in 2010 after such a positive turnaround in these categories!?
Supersize that order, mutt
August 21st, 2011
9:40 pm
Typical of the mutt trolls to result to name-calling. They are incapable of carrying on a open discussion on a topic, for which the best either side can offer is opinion. I have no need to converse with immature name-calling jerks.
Supersize that order, mutt
August 21st, 2011
9:42 pm
ahh, the troll poser is back. I guess I have no resort other than to email Ken and ask that he do something about you. He DOES have access to everyone’s email addresses, you know. And since he and I have communicated in the past, then he knows the real Supersize from the fake.
GT Fan
August 21st, 2011
9:42 pm
Well then nacks ….. If GT didn’t commit 4 TOs vs UGA then the Jackets win that game. It goes both ways.
But to improve from MINUS 16 in TO margin to PLUS 6, and score more & give up less than the season before there is something wrong. It just doesn’t add up?
Michael Snipperpippens
August 21st, 2011
9:47 pm
GT Fan –
James totally answered your question, and to further back up his explaination just look at the math. ‘09 UGA’s average loss was by 15.6 points. Last year it was 8.14, over a TD less per loss, indicating that the poor luck and idiotic turnovers of the Dawgs last season were more of a reason of why they lost than being dominated like they were the season before.
You are welcome for the education.
headley lamar
August 21st, 2011
9:54 pm
Well then nacks ….. If GT didn’t commit 4 TOs vs UGA then the Jackets win that game. It goes both ways.
This is Techdom 101
They never lose a game. They either win or it was fumbles or the refs.
I guess the other team never forces those fumbles or anything like that.
Michael Snipperpippens
August 21st, 2011
9:55 pm
GT Fan –
You are probably right, only difference is, Tech’s TO’s were forced during that game while most of UGA’s during the season were gaffes and flukes. Either way, without Murray playing outstanding and the TO’s during that game UGA would have lost, but your point?
UGA was clearly very subpar last year, that is stating the obvious. The only two games UGA won comfortably (besides the pushover games) were UT and Vandy, even the UK win was close and UGA broke 40.
headley lamar
August 21st, 2011
9:56 pm
James totally answered your question, and to further back up his explaination just look at the math. ‘09 UGA’s average loss was by 15.6 points. Last year it was 8.14, over a TD less per loss, indicating that the poor luck and idiotic turnovers of the Dawgs last season were more of a reason of why they lost than being dominated like they were the season before.
Even though correct it isn’t the answer he want or fits the ideas he already has in his head so it wont be correct to him.
Old Blind Dawg
August 21st, 2011
10:18 pm
For the TG doubters do you think Saban would have tried to hire him not once but twice if he was a bad as you guys hope.
UGA will have a far better defense than GT. The numbers might not show it as UGA will be playing big boy teams while GT plays in the ACC and has more cupcakes on their schedule than Little Debbie.
The proof will come when we face off – it will be very ugly from a GT perspective.
Supersize that order, mutt
August 21st, 2011
10:22 pm
Headley, yes, other teams force fumbles SOMETIMES. But at most one of Tech’s 4 turnovers last year in Athens was forced, and I’m not sure even one was forced. Tech’s fumbles in that game, just like Michael claimed for your team were gaffes and flukes. Ill-advised or sloppy pitches and handoffs resulted in Tech’s turnovers; they were not forced, with the POSSIBLE exception of one.
Supersize that order, mutt
August 21st, 2011
10:24 pm
Old Blind Dawg, I will be willing to bet you right now that Tech will gain more yards against the dawgs than you do against Tech. And if we don’t turn over the ball like we did last year, then Tech will win it. If we do turn it over again, then the number of yards won’t matter.
Ramblin Man
August 21st, 2011
10:32 pm
I love the idiots that are projecting how teams will play in November. What do you say we watch the teams play some games then maybe one could make an actual logical guess as to what could happen.
As to the forced fumbles in the GT/UGA game you might want to watch that game again.
Headley,
Learn to follow other posts. He was responding to an UGA fan that used that excuse and pointed out that GT or other teams that had costly fumble(s) could say the say thing. Way to look dumb again.
Supersize that order, mutt
August 21st, 2011
10:35 pm
Ramblin Man, I watched it again, and in particular I watched the play when the mutts CLAIMED to have forced Washington to fumble. However, the video CLEARLY showed that Washington had pitched the ball before he was hit. The pitch man fumbled the ball, and nobody touched him to cause it. Two other pitches were similarly botched by the pitch man (A-backs, I believe). The fourth turnover, I don’t remember, so I am willing to give the benefit of the doubt there; it’s been a few months since I watched any of it.
Ramblin Man
August 21st, 2011
10:41 pm
Supersize,
The only one I remember that could be called forced was the pitch to Jones. It was a pitch Washington should have never made since the defender was bearing down on Jones thus he was hit as the ball reached him. It was a nice play by the UGA player, but not a great play as some would like to spin it.
This will be the key factor for GT this year. The fumbles just killed GT in almost every game. I wanted to slap Smith when he missed the pitch in the Clemson game then stared at it like it was a pass instead of a pitch.
Ramblin Man
August 21st, 2011
10:48 pm
Shumate put GT in his top 6. Hopefully the staff can really sell this kid when he comes for his official.
Supersize,
You should get a laugh out of this. I was talking with a GSU buddy the other day and he was trying to play the second best team in Atlanta platform they started. I pointed out to him that GSU was going after former coaches and players from GT to build a solid team and he actually said “like who”.
Supersize that order, mutt
August 21st, 2011
10:54 pm
OMG, Ramblin Man, that is too funny.
Old Blind Dawg
August 21st, 2011
10:58 pm
Supersize once again it’s not how many yards you gain it’s POINTS scored.
Regarding fumbles could be your QB was afraid of getting pummeled again and made the pitch early to avoid another hit. Could be the RB was so focused on the next big hit that he failed to catch the ball. In big boy football they call it INTEMIDATION.
Ramble what is your point regarding the November projections?
Supersize that order, mutt
August 21st, 2011
10:58 pm
Ramblin Man, since I don’t try to hide where I’m from, I’ll tell you that in today’s Augusta paper, they listed the top 16 local area players. Of those top 16, 8 said they were considering Tech. Now how good they actually are, I have no idea, but I do like that HS kids throughout the state have not written Tech off, the way that some of the trolls in here would have you think. And those kids considering Tech also listed other ACC and SEC schools they were considering or had visited. So it’s not like they are deciding between Tech and division 2 (or whatever they call it) schools.
Supersize that order, mutt
August 21st, 2011
11:02 pm
Blind, they might call it INTIMIDATION, but they certainly don’t call it INTEMIDATION…..LOL However, in the one particular play that was used as an example several months ago as a forced turnover, Washington was not rushed anymore than in any other game, nor did he make a bad pitch, and the RB was not pressured either; it was just sloppy ball-handling by the RB, something that plagued Tech all year. And I didn’t try to claim that more yards were more important than points scored. Tech got beat; there’s no way around that, and if we turn the ball over again this year, we will get beat again.
Old Blind Dawg
August 21st, 2011
11:10 pm
Shame on me.
No you didn’t claim yards were more important than points but you did say GT would gain more yards than UGA – I couldn’t care less as long as we continue to dominate the scoreboard and thus the series. .
You have a link for those Augusta studs? I have a friend that lives in Augusta and one in North Augusta – both big UGA fans
GT Fan
August 21st, 2011
11:18 pm
Michael, headley, & nacks …. I’ll say it again…………
How does a team get better offensively, defensively, and in TOs (in a MAJOR way here) and not win more games than the year before? And you can’t use headley’s remark to me above (Techdom 101). Or poor luck, idiot TOs or “b/c our avg loss in 2009 was 15.whatever, and just 8.whatever in 2010″. That one makes absolutely NO sense Michael. Really???…. b/c UGA avg’d losing by, a whole TD less in 2010 than in 2009, that’s why they lost more in ‘10 than ‘09? Really?? That’s what you’re closing with??
Ramblin Man
August 21st, 2011
11:22 pm
Old Blind dawg,
Did not think I would confuse anybody with that statement. None of us have seen how these teams will play or progress during the season, so it is a little idiotic to make predictions like say “The proof will come when we face off – it will be very ugly from a GT perspective.” For all we know this new secondary for GT could dominate, the LBs could turn into QB sacking and pressure machines, and the line could dominate the line. This could be said for UGA as well as they may also make huge strides in the second year of the 3-4. Both offenses could take off or fall apart. Both teams could get plauged with the injury bug. You just never know. I will go so far as to say UGA could loss the first two Richt gets fired the season falls apart while GT surprises the football world and plays UGA undefeated then lays a big egg and losses to the pups.
Supersize that order, mutt
August 21st, 2011
11:24 pm
Blind, go to http://www.augustachronicle.com. I assume they have the contents of the spread online.
But the point I was trying to make in my prediction, was that if Tech racks up the yards again this year (and I think we will), and IF we get rid of the unforced turnovers, then we will win the game…..as we would have last year without those 4 turnovers. But, just to silence the trolls, we DID turnover the ball 4 times, and we DID lose.
Supersize that order, mutt
August 21st, 2011
11:25 pm
OMG, Ramblin Man, I can’t think of ANYTHING WORSE than your last statement. LOL
Old Blind Dawg
August 21st, 2011
11:58 pm
Ramble you missed my point – the techies do exactly the same thing projecting into the future. could loss?
Oh yeah GT’s DB’s and LB’s could be ALL WORLD – and if pigs could fly we could shoot them down.
Supersize that order, mutt
August 22nd, 2011
12:01 am
Then get your gun ready, Blind. LOL
Old Blind Dawg
August 22nd, 2011
12:14 am
Lock and load here come the pigs.
You ever see the feral pig hunting from helicopters?
Supersize that order, mutt
August 22nd, 2011
12:18 am
Nope. can’t say as I have.
Back to the DB’s and LB’s though. I don’t really know what to expect from the DB’s; too many times I have seen them look great in practice and suck come game-time. But I DO think Tech’s LB’s this year are going to be a force to be reckoned with.
GT Fan
August 22nd, 2011
12:27 am
Speaking of D, Super & Ramblin ….. I don’t know why so many UGA fans assume the dawgs’ D will be greatly improved in year two of the 3-4, while GT’s will be worse or, at best, no better than 2010, even though both teams are in year two running the 3-4, with each DC in his 2nd season as well.
I really hope they don’t think it’s b/c, as so many have posted, AG is much older than TG.
I don’t see how GT’s can get much worse than last year’s. I know it can, but I just don’t see it at this point.
The maturation of J.Attaochu plus the addition of Drummond to the LB unit certainly doesn’t hurt the D.
Jema Thomas (back from RS in 2010) and also Louis Young’s maturation are great for the DBs.
Just hope all of the experience in the DL pays off. If so, I think the D should be much better than last year’s not just a little better.
Supersize that order, mutt
August 22nd, 2011
12:32 am
GT Fan, I don’t see that Groh’s age has anything whatsoever to do with his ability to coach. That’s just the usual line of crap from the trolls on here. From what I have read, the players seem to like him, and he has brought in a couple of recruits of his own. i would venture to say that his age brings with it maturity (he won’t give the CHOKE signal to an opposing team’s player) and lots of experience. I saw marginal improvement as the season went on last year, something I had definitely not seen the previous two years. I think with experience and a little depth now, the D should be greatly improved, and will hopefully improve even more as the season goes on.
Old Blind Dawg
August 22nd, 2011
12:43 am
GT Fan a big reason we are optimistic – we now have two real NT’s. The LB’s are fast and big Tree and Jones are going to be exceptional players. The DB’s will be much improved and we have several highly rated kids that should really shine.
Supersize that order, mutt
August 22nd, 2011
12:55 am
I am not saying this as a slam or any kind. It’s an honest question, because I really don’t pay that much attention to the dawgs, other than wins and losses. So tell me, since Erk left oh so many years ago, has Georgia had any really exceptional defenses? Haven’t they mostly been just average?
Old Blind Dawg
August 22nd, 2011
10:10 am
Under defensive coordinator Brian Van Gorder (2001-04), the Dawgs surrendered 30+ points only 1 time.
Michael Snipperpippens
August 22nd, 2011
2:18 pm
GT fan –
I realize being a Yech fan you are not that bright, but how on earth can a Yech fan not even understand this basic logic?
Losing by an average of 8 points per loss means they were a play or two away, a break here in there, from WINNING those games. However, losing by 16 means you would need practically a miracle to pull one out late in the game, hence, THEY WERE IN BASICALLY ALL THEIR GAMES THAT THEY LOST LAST YEAR!!!
Good grief man….