Tech on watch for UGA’s Charles
Greetings-
Some post-practice notes. Nothing of great substance, unfortunately, although a number of players were held out. I wouldn’t worry about it unless it continues Tuesday.
1. Monday, Georgia tight end Orson Charles was named a finalist for the John Mackey Award, given to the nation’s premier tight end.
No one on the Georgia Tech coaching staff is ready to challenge the honor.
“He’s a tremendous athlete,” secondary coach Charles Kelly said. “He’s got really good size, he runs like a wide receiver, adjusts to the ball well. They can put him in position where he creates mismatches at times.”
Tech has had its share of challenges defending tight ends. Saturday, Duke tight end Cooper Helfet caught six balls for 45 yards, including a pair of touchdowns. Against Virginia Tech, Chris Drager had a 14-yard touchdown catch. Charles, 6-foot-3 and 241 pounds, leads the Bulldogs with 35 catches, with five touchdowns and a 12.4 yards-per-catch average.
“He makes catches that wide receivers would like to make,” defensive coordinator Al Groh said.
Tech faced another finalist, Clemson’s Dwayne Allen, earlier this season. Hobbled by a turf-toe injury, Allen caught four passes for 32 yards.
(Tech has played a number of excellent tight ends this season, starting with Charles and Allen. Helfet, N.C. State’s George Bryan, Kansas’ Tim Biere, Maryland’s Matt Furstenburg and Virginia’s Colter Phillips all were on either the preseason or midseason Mackey Award watch list.)
2. Georgia Tech is a 6-point underdog to Georgia and has lost nine of its last 10 to the Bulldogs. After practice Monday, Tech coach Paul Johnson sarcastically played the woe-is-us card.
“They’ve got a heck of a team,” Johnson said. “Won nine in a row, SEC East champs. Hopefully we can stay with them.”
Johnson interrupted a question about his players not needing much motivation this week by saying they are “probably scared.”
And why would that be?
Said Johnson, “We haven’t beaten them in a long time.”
(Johnson said this all deadpan and was obviously being sarcastic. I don’t know what exactly to read into it, but I’d say he’s not dreading the game’s outcome like some Tech fans seem to be.)
3. Several players were held out of practice Monday, including wide receiver Stephen Hill, A-backs Orwin Smith and Roddy Jones, cornerback Louis Young and center Jay Finch. Johnson said the team is “pretty beat up” but did not seem overly concerned about their availability for Saturday. Young, for one, said he expected to play Saturday.
Johnson said B-back Preston Lyons, who missed Saturday’s game against Duke to rest injuries, should play Saturday. Johnson wasn’t sure if Charles Perkins, who played in Lyons’ place, would also get snaps.
“We’ll see how practice goes,” Johnson said.
(I wouldn’t be worried unless the same players are all held out Tuesday. I think saying players are “beat up” sounds like they just need a breather.)
4. As is always the case, Johnson also reviewed officials calls and non-calls in addition to his team’s performance. Often, he has conceded that officials made the right calls on plays he argued during the game.
Asked about calls made Saturday, Johnson replied, “I’m not getting into that one. I need to keep my cash.”
(I thought the pass-interference penalty against Jemea Thomas was pretty questionable.)
5. Tech will have classes through Wednesday, and Johnson will follow a normal practice schedule through that day. On Thanksgiving, the team will practice in the morning, have lunch together and then players will be released until Friday. … Coaches named wide receiver Tyler Melton, linebackers Brandon Watts and Jemea Thomas the offensive, defensive and special teams players of the game.
(Melton is turning it on in his last few games. He has seven catches in his three games, and I think I read one of his catches against Duke was an ESPN top 10 selection.)
Thanks for reading. Again, let’s keep things clean.
Ken Sugiura, Georgia Tech blog
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223 comments Add your comment
dawg in nc
November 22nd, 2011
10:00 am
Key to game for Georgia is get an early lead and make Tech play catch up. This removes the ball control element of their offense. I do hope that with more time to see their offense Grantham understands what it takes to stop the option. Clemson certainly did not play displined enough.
TampaDawg
November 22nd, 2011
10:05 am
This game will be fuuuuuun to watch.
George Stein
November 22nd, 2011
10:10 am
Eh, I agree in part, dawg in nc. We have fallen behind by two touchdowns in each of the last three years and made it a game late in the 4th quarter. The trick for us will be to get a lead and then play keep away. Everyone says with our offense that we can’t come back (I disagree, but whatever) but the flip side of that is that’ve once we get a lead, we are tough to come back against.
Any Significance??
November 22nd, 2011
10:15 am
Ken, thanks for your usual good article. The one you did “From Georgia Tech’s Locker Room” mentioned that TECH CLASSES would proceed through Wednesday. In the parallel article by Tim Tucker, from UGA’s locker room, there was only talk about how much they hated Tech, and how they were studying how to stop the Triple Option. Any significance in mention of Tech’s classes, but none at UGA??
TampaDawg
November 22nd, 2011
10:24 am
Two guys writing two separate articles with two separate angles in mind for what they want out of the piece. No significance to it whatsoever.
techmaninathens
November 22nd, 2011
10:34 am
All the pressure is on UGA. If they fumble or stumble, a loss to GT would be humiliating and a thorn in the UGA side that Tech fans will enjoy for a year. I don’t know who for UGA will show up. If Tech doesn’t turn it over, they have a great chance. The turnovers will decide this game. The teams both have outstanding athletes, UGA more, but many many nullified by the tricky spread offense.
Ken Sugiura
November 22nd, 2011
10:43 am
Thanks to everyone (or almost everyone) for keeping the discussion on point. I’ll post notes from Paul Johnson’s news conference by about 1. Busy day.
i’ll try to get to your question, Juvenal.
carolinajacket
November 22nd, 2011
10:45 am
And bonehead plays. Thanks Ken for an always great job.
TampaDawg
November 22nd, 2011
10:47 am
I don’t think the spread offense nullifies the athletes UGA has on defense. I think it just gives them a different dimension to prepare for. One of the big keys is I have noticed that when Tevin is rolling and it’s a pass play, several teams have given up the long ball (when Tevin gets it to the WR), because safeties have bitten on the run. As great as I think Bacarri Rambo is at times and certainly can be as he gets better, he will bite on plays looking like run.
JB
November 22nd, 2011
10:50 am
Tech will have some passing opportunities Saturday because Dawgs will sell out to stop the run. The Safeties will bite…Now, can Washington deliver the Ball?
GT FAN IN PA
November 22nd, 2011
11:18 am
One thing I’ve noticed Tevin now doing a lot more than in the past is fake pitches and that is where a good player is going to fall for everytime and you have seen that on his longer runs. If UGA plays assignment football it will be harder for Tech. Looking forward to the game- Go Jackets!!!
docdawg
November 22nd, 2011
11:19 am
the most impressive I`ve seen Tech this year was when they destroyed Clemson, and Clemson has a pretty balanced offense with a couple big play receivers and a good TE, although he was hobbled that game. the matchup is intriguing this year because Ga is so much stronger against the run, thus strength vs strength. Boise is a great team, and well coached, what they lack in athleticism they make up for by very sound fundamentals, and Moore`s accuracy and quick reads for the short game to negate any pressure was effective all night. Different Ga defense now, more experienced, healthy and confidant. GA would play them closer now. Jenkins is all that was advertised and Geathers has moments when he`s a bulldozer, so of course they must be accounted for and neutralized or the inside run doesn`t exist. The LBs are deep, fast, and if they play disciplined they can be effective. Noone will bottle Tech up all day, they will get their yards and some big plays against anybody including Bama or LSU. Ga So put up 21 in Tuscaloosa, and it could have been 10 points closer. To me, it comes down to execution by both teams Sat, should be fun to watch!
Ol'JacketFan
November 22nd, 2011
11:22 am
Ah Clean Old Fashion Hate Week! I love it and I am so looking forward to the game on Saturday. It’s going to be, as usual, a knock down, drag out slobbeknocker. The winner is going to enjoy it for the next 364 days while the loser is going to suffer while waiting for the next game! I don’t pretend to know which team is going to win but I do know neither side will have a problem getting up for the game. Both teams have their strengths and weaknesses that can be exploited by the other. If both teams play their best I fear GA will come out on top but if GA is a bit off their game and Tech comes out flying there is no doubt in my mind that Tech can win. That’s one of the things that makes this game so much fun!
On a side note we lost a great ambassador of college football this week and I, for one, realize the world of college football is lesser for that loss. As a kid and young man I remember the great voices of college footbal each and every Saturday and I am thankful for the ones now that paint the picture of the game for the fan as if each fan were there.
Go Jackets! THWG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
collegeballfan
November 22nd, 2011
11:47 am
Old Timer ans Supersize,
Re being up for every game. For what it is worth. Bobby Ross blamed it on the academics at Tech. Said to many players sit around the locker room talking about class instead of talking about football.
5150 UOAD
November 22nd, 2011
11:49 am
I got your message KEN
Sorry, but you see I did discuss real football not just arguing.
Is Jay Finch 100% yet? McRae was doing well. We need the BEST Center on Jenkins all day.
Supersize that order, mutt
November 22nd, 2011
12:14 pm
UOAD, did you get my email?
Supersize that order, mutt
November 22nd, 2011
12:15 pm
college, somehow I just can’t see the players sitting around talking about class. But something certainly has historically seemed to keep them from getting up for every game.
5150 UOAD
November 22nd, 2011
12:20 pm
Supersize YES. I have not read it all. I was where KEN talked to me on the Blog. I saw your Message line on your email but I have not opened it.
There’s a fine line between truth and sarcasm. | Get The Picture
November 22nd, 2011
12:24 pm
[...] like on the Intertubes, sometimes it’s difficult to tell the difference between the two when Paul Johnson’s mouth is engaged: Georgia Tech is a 6-point underdog to Georgia and has lost nine of its last 10 to the [...]
All Cupcakes Conference
November 22nd, 2011
12:29 pm
“5150 – c’mon. you’re better than that.”
Um, Ken, have you never read anything by 5150 before? Suffice it to say, no, he’s not better than that, he’s a pathetic loser obsessed with a football program that his will never live up to, ever.
But it’s cute that him and Supersize exchange emails. Two bitter, pathetic peas in a pod.
5150 UOAD
November 22nd, 2011
12:33 pm
Headly…………….All Cup………even the dawg fans Hate you. So I guess you and I have somethings in common.
We have all read the vitriol you post too. Don’t try to act better and hid behind 27 different Blog names.
CHDawg
November 22nd, 2011
12:37 pm
CPJ is just using a little coach psychology–never give the other guys something for a motivational speech, and if you praise them enough, maybe they will start believing it and let down. A little humility always helps, and it doesn’t let expectations run away, either. I think CPJ is pretty smart.
CHDawg
November 22nd, 2011
12:38 pm
BTW, Richt will come out with his annual feast of praise for the Bees soon…
bugsquacher
November 22nd, 2011
12:44 pm
BEAT TECH, BEAT TECH, BEAT TECH,
WIN THE SEC CHAMPIONSHIP, WIN THE SEC CHAMPIONSHIP, WIN THE SEC CHAMPIONSHIP
do they still give free hot dogs and cokes for anyone that shows up at the “joke at the coke”?
bugsquacher
November 22nd, 2011
12:46 pm
In rememberance of Munson and Erk…… (damn good dawgs)
GET THE PICTURE……GATA….
Supersize that order, mutt
November 22nd, 2011
1:02 pm
Cupcake = Headley, you are one of the worst offenders on here, and you pick on UOAD??? So what if he calls it like it is sometimes. It’s only because jerks like you bring out the worst in all of us. So why are you posting under one of your many aliases? Do you seriously think everybody in here doesn’t know who you are? At least be man enough to choose ONE name and STICK WITH IT.
Gorilla Biscuit
November 22nd, 2011
1:19 pm
Supersize, I don’t know who he is. Who is he? Someone famous?
carolinajacket
November 22nd, 2011
1:24 pm
No, just a wannabee who hasn’t got a life. Gets pleasure from being offensive and stupid.
Ironic
November 22nd, 2011
1:27 pm
Headley/All Cupcake referring to someone else as a rival obsessed loser. Can’t make this stuff up.
Supersize that order, mutt
November 22nd, 2011
1:28 pm
Gorilla, what carolina said. Plus Headley apparently couldn’t get into either Tech or UGA, because he has a correspondence degree from Troy. I’m not sure he’s ever even been to Athens, but he considers himself an expert on all things UGA.
1 4 GT
November 22nd, 2011
1:32 pm
come on Gorilla….you know who he is….we all do…headless was here on page 3 acting all goody 2 shoes with a decent comment and attitude and he just couldn’t help himself…he reverted back to the worthless troll that he is…or was that an “imposter” on page 3….naw I dount it….who in their right mind would impersonate headless?
Ironic
November 22nd, 2011
1:34 pm
Enough talk about Headley/All Cupcake. You only embolden him with your attention. He craves the attention, ignore him and he will have no reason to post here.
A.Bishop
November 22nd, 2011
1:36 pm
What Supersize doesn’t tell you is that he goes to the UGA blogs and changes his name while over their so he doesn’t get caught. In essence, Supersize doesn’t have a life. Have fun spending all of your time on this stupid blog and have fun being our doormat again.
Supersize that order, mutt
November 22nd, 2011
1:48 pm
A.Bishop, that is a BOLD-FACE LIE !!!!! I NEVER even READ the UGA blogs, bubba.
Supersize that order, mutt
November 22nd, 2011
1:49 pm
what A.Bishop doesn’t tell you is that he is so obsessed with Tech that he feels compelled to come on our blogs and make a fool out of himself. Got some insecurity problems there, bubba?
Gorilla Biscuit
November 22nd, 2011
1:49 pm
Speaking of Gorillas, what are ya’ll planning to do about those Gorillas on Georgia’s OL and DL?
Gorilla Biscuit
November 22nd, 2011
1:50 pm
Now Supersize, your nose is growing.
Supersize that order, mutt
November 22nd, 2011
1:51 pm
Gorilla, I guess we’ll do the same thing that GSU did with the gorillas on Bama’s lines, except we have a little more talent to do it with than unfortunately GSU did.
Supersize that order, mutt
November 22nd, 2011
1:51 pm
Gorilla, how so? What lie have I told?
Gorilla Biscuit
November 22nd, 2011
1:57 pm
Supersize, I’ll admit I haven’t seen you on Bill King’s blog (by the way I’m banned there so I rarely read the posts anymore), but I’ve seen you tussle with Dawg fans on all the others.
Smitty
November 22nd, 2011
1:58 pm
Ya know Diablo…..Georgia should take the week off and not practice. After beating Tech 8 out of the last 9 year; that might be the only chance Tech has. And remember a rivalry is only a rivalry if the other team wins every now and then. And be honest with you this series is getting prettying boring to Dawg fans. Sorry gaits…..Lenard’s loser……Georgia tech
Spike
November 22nd, 2011
2:03 pm
Enjoying probation, Tech? And have a good time in El Paso, or Shreveport if you are lucky.
Supersize that order, mutt
November 22nd, 2011
2:06 pm
Gorilla, I read and post on Bradley’s and Schultz’s blogs, but I have NEVER EVEN READ a UGA blog. I have no interest in anything that is written there, or in anything any posters might have to say. If you have seen my name on a UGA blog, then I can assure you, it was somebody else using my name, and not me. And I DO have an imposter, so that is entirely possible.
Supersize that order, mutt
November 22nd, 2011
2:07 pm
Gorilla, who is Bill King, and why are you banned?
carolinajacket
November 22nd, 2011
2:10 pm
Its so boring that there are more UGA folks than Tech folks on a Tech blog. That is strange.
5150 UOAD
November 22nd, 2011
2:10 pm
A.Bishop……………..I go on the UGA blog as another name because they made me ching my name. Most people know my UGA blogging name. I have never seen SUPERSIZE on the UGA blogs.
There are very few people that use the same blog name every time. I know most of the TECH bloggers use their NAME all the time and every time.
A.Bishop
November 22nd, 2011
2:19 pm
Stay classy Tech…this rivalry keeps getting more and more heated.
http://www.stingtalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=60373&page=6
A.Bishop
November 22nd, 2011
2:20 pm
Someone posted that link on a UGA blog and I just thought I would share with you guys since y’all are so classy.
Gorilla Biscuit
November 22nd, 2011
2:20 pm
Bill King is that Ewok who writes the Bulldawg Blawg and I have no reason why he would ban me. I emailed him and apologized for calling him an Ewok but he claimed his editor or somebody banned me.
Gorilla Biscuit
November 22nd, 2011
2:21 pm
Sorry, Bill King is that Ewok who writes the Junkyard Blawg.