Breaking down Tech o-line
Greetings
A few spring practice notes, from an interview with offensive line coach Mike Sewak:
1. I’ve noted this before, but injuries have been a negative/positive this spring. Having Omoregie Uzzi and Will Jackson out has given players like Nick McRae and J.C. Lanier more reps than they would have gotten otherwise, but it has also forced coach Mike Sewak to shuffle players more than he probably would like.
Injuries to Lanier and Shaquille Mason in Saturday’s scrimmage left the line with seven of the 12 scholarship offensive linemen in the scrimmage.
2. Tackle Morgan Bailey, until an injury last week, was shaping up as one of the most improved players on the team. Bailey, a rising redshirt sophomore, has plus athletic ability but has had injury challenges since he arrived at Tech. He was putting things together this spring. Not sure if he’ll be able to come back this week.
“He seems to be enjoying the playing time and seems to be enjoying the camaraderie and seems to be enjoying the leadership role he’s taking in that meeting room now, because I can point to him and say, ‘That’s how it’s supposed to be done,’” Sewak said.
3. Bailey’s health could be a crucial factor this fall. Sewak wants three dependable players at that position; you’ll remember there was a three-tackle rotation last season. Tech has two returning starters in Ray Beno and Tyler Kidney, but after that are rising redshirt freshmen Bryan Chamberlain and Errin Joe, who haven’t made the progress Sewak was hoping for this spring. The loss of Phil Smith was not insignificant, obviously.
4. Guard is the most secure position as spring ends, with returning starters Uzzi and Jackson and rising sophomore Mason, who ended the season splitting snaps with Jackson and acquitting himself well. Trey Braun is coming on.
5. The project to make Catlin Alford a center continues. There were more center-quarterback exchange snafus on Saturday, although it’s hard to pin on one player or position. To a degree, it’s a function of different players at both positions rotating in and out.
McRae, you may remember, was the backup last season at center and started against Clemson in place of Jay Finch.
“I’d like to see [McRae] continue to develop there, too, but Catlin Alford is too good of an athlete not to be playing,” Sewak said.
Sewak wants a little more from Finch.
“I’ve been pleased with his effort at times,” he said. “Obviously, his off-the-field willingness to put the extra time, to understand it, I think has benefited him.”
6. The Tech defense is working on some different things, which has been a benefit to the offense when th e units have gone against each other.
“We are getting a bunch of twists and blitzes, which helps us,” Sewak said. “We are getting some even front (4-4), which helps us, too, because we see a lot of even front in the fall.”
Notably, Virginia Tech is one of the teams that typically plays an even front against Tech.
In case you missed it, a couple stories I wrote for the weekend, one on Tech’s internship program for its athletes and the notebook from Saturday’s scrimmage. Both are longer than the print version. Thanks for reading.
Ken Sugiura, Georgia Tech blog
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616 comments Add your comment
GT Lee
April 16th, 2012
6:32 pm
I think TCU is way ahead in this year’s Fulmer Cup race
GT Lee
April 16th, 2012
6:33 pm
14 GT google it
GT Lee
April 16th, 2012
6:34 pm
Gold Pants ever eat at Texas Roadhouse on Barrett Pkwy? Really good food, real good steaks
George Stein
April 16th, 2012
6:34 pm
It’s the “award” for the team that has the most arrests during a year. I think there are points for certain offenses, i.e. possession of weed is worth like two points but assaulting a police officer is worth four.
Ghost
April 16th, 2012
6:36 pm
George, Chan was getting beat by Georgia teams that finished in the top 10. 6 of 7 years. Pj lost to 2 of the worst Georgia teams in recent memory. He did manage a win against a crippled up bunch in 2008, and last years Georgia team was a good team, this years should be much better.Is it too early for you to make a friendly wager on the November game? Would you take TECH and 14, none of my Tech friends will take me up on it.
BLT
April 16th, 2012
6:37 pm
It’s named after former Tennessee coach Fool Philmur. Which SEC team has the most problems (not footbal related) with their players.
Ghost
April 16th, 2012
6:38 pm
George, i agree on the Fulmer cup thing, but Auburn set the record last year with 80 something points, 4 players convicted for armed robbery , like you under age drinking , tickets and pot dont bother me. DUI is unacceptable.
George Stein
April 16th, 2012
6:40 pm
He also beat one of the best teams, Ghost. I don’t understand how you can say UGA was beat up in 2008 but not mention Tech didn’t have our QB in 2010. Further, go back and look at the players that did play in 2008, Ghost. There was no shortage of talent on that team.
UGA was a fringe top 10 team this past season. I’d take 14 points all day, Ghost.
George Stein
April 16th, 2012
6:41 pm
Agree 100%. DUI isn’t funny. It’s serious and puts other people at risk.
FL Jacket
April 16th, 2012
6:41 pm
Ghost…
The 2005 and 2006 Tech teams were honestly better than UGA’s teams and we managed to lose both of those games…sorry Chan held with “Yo dawg, it’s just a game” FAR too long.
FL Jacket
April 16th, 2012
6:42 pm
“Agree 100%. DUI isn’t funny. It’s serious and puts other people at risk”
Unless you have the finest DUI defense team working on your behalf…
George Stein
April 16th, 2012
6:44 pm
Well, it’s still those things, FLJ, but the individual might not feel the full force of the law if he or she is well represented.
FL Jacket
April 16th, 2012
6:53 pm
I was giving you a plug George, haha
George Stein
April 16th, 2012
6:59 pm
Ha. Well, I’m not THAT George Stein!
I changed my handle two years ago after the whole Damon Evans thing. Seems he’s at least trying to get his life back together. Good for him.
GOLD PANTS
April 16th, 2012
7:00 pm
@GT Lee…….I live close to Bell’s Ferry and Shallowford in unincorporated Kennesaw. Thanks. As for today’s topic on the offensive line, Tech will be in fine shape, I think, if they can be reasonably healthy with not too many major injuries. We seem to have some depth this year which will definitely help late in games.
FL Jacket
April 16th, 2012
7:05 pm
GoldPants…Experience and time in the weight room is always helpful from an OL perspective. Uzzi, Finch, and Jackson are solid in the interior. I was hoping to hear Joe and Chamberlain challenge the incumbents more at OT…but they were probably recruited at OG themselves.
Ghost
April 16th, 2012
7:07 pm
Fl Jacket , perhaps in 2006, but not 2005 , 2005 was a top 5 team until the Sugar bowl loss.George Georgia had 18 scholarship players lost(also 6 walk ons) by the time they played Tech in 2008.The 2008 was lucky to win 10 games.Kentucky put 38 on that years decimated defense got blown out by fla, barely beat unranked auburn .Both team sucked in 2010, in 2009 georgia played without its best player and won , and 14 is yours if you want them. Its what I gave last year and pushed.
FL Jacket
April 16th, 2012
7:10 pm
Ghost…
If we are that much worse than you because 10/11…I can imagine how much worse (I mean HEAD AND SHOULDERS worse) you are than Florida if you consider 4 WINS SINCE REAGAN WAS PRESIDENT…
1 4 GT
April 16th, 2012
7:11 pm
Ghost–I’ll take that bet. Tech and 14 points for?????????????????????????? Be sensible now.
GT Lee
April 16th, 2012
7:12 pm
Gold Pants we’re close-I’m on 92 in Woodstock
GOLD PANTS
April 16th, 2012
7:16 pm
@GT Lee …. Yes , I have eaten at the Texas Roadhouse on Barrett Pkwy. Not too far from Carol’s. Thanks.
George Stein
April 16th, 2012
7:17 pm
Sorry, Ghost, but look at the players who made tackles for UGA that day and tell me again they were devoid of good players.
http://www.georgiadogs.com/sports/m-footbl/stats/2008-2009/fb1208.htm
GT fan
April 16th, 2012
7:17 pm
L.O.S.! If GT’s OL can perform well on the Line Of Scrimmage then they’ll be fine – the depth appears to be there. Just stay healthy, and the skill players protect the ball, and there will be few, if any, games the Jackets can’t win.
It’s the defensive L.O.S. that needs to step up for once. Play solid D, perform just 50% better on 3rd down D, and I think GT wins 10+ games and probably plays for the ACC title.
Ghost
April 16th, 2012
7:18 pm
Fl Jacket, Florida had Georgias number especially in the 90’s. The series historically has been one of streaks. Georiga was on a 16-5 run when florida started theres. Not much difference between 17-5 Georgias record vs Tech and 18-4 Fla. Record vs Georgia. But UGA has managed 3 times as many wins over them in the past 11 years as tech has Georgia and Georgia still leads the series.
George Stein
April 16th, 2012
7:23 pm
Not to defend UGA (because it makes me feel like I need a shower), but that series against Florida has started to become less one-sided. The Gators have won 5 out of the last 8, so it isn’t total domination anymore (although the two beatdowns in 2008 and 2009 didn’t help).
GT Lee
April 16th, 2012
7:34 pm
I’m out, everyone have a good evening
GT fan
April 16th, 2012
7:40 pm
Ghost,
Nesbitt got hurt in the 2009 game too. I remember D. Thomas breaking open, wide open, behind UGA’s D only to have Nesbitt’s weak-armed backup, J. Shaw, severly underthrow a sureTD that was INT’d.
I also remember a fumble by Branden Smith that, had it bounced to J. Tarrant instead of careening directly to the sideline & out of bounds (UGA kept posession) that would’ve been a scoop & score for GT.
If GT doesn’t have 3 fumbles (one a UGA scoop & score) in 2010, GT wins. If Staff doesn’t throw pick-6 to MB, or Samuel doesn’t fumble KO (JD scored TD on 1st play after), UGA wins in 2008.
2011 game the 3rd qtr was a killer for GT … bad KO coverage. O. Charles fumble that stayed right at his feet (and recovered) with 3 GT players right there (UGA scored TD for 24-10 lead), and 2 TW ints on consecutive possessions INSIDE GT’s own 35 yd line.
UGA has way too much talent to not be beating GT by 14+ 9 of 10, or 10 of the last 11. Scary part for UGA fans is that a few TOs here or there or less TOs by GT (Reggie Ball fumble in 1 game, int on the goal line in another) and we’re looking at a 6-5 record (by either team) in the past 11 games. Don’t forget 2007 in ATL when 3 UGA fumbles (2 on punt returns) were either recovered by UGA in the endzone or knocked through the endzone with all 3 resulting in UGA ball at the 20 yd line.
UGA’s a football factory …. this game has been WAY closer that it should be. I’ll take the 14 too.
Ghost
April 16th, 2012
7:52 pm
George, particularly hit was the o line 3 freshmen and 2 Sophmores started started on the oline, lost best d line man Ownes and depth on dline before season started, Both safeties that started were freshman , Boykin was a freshman.Houston was a freshman. Lost all depth along both lines of scrimmage.
Tokyo jacket
April 16th, 2012
7:57 pm
Fat Matts…number 1 in ATL!
George Stein
April 16th, 2012
8:00 pm
Y’all scored 42 points that day, Ghost, and we completed one pass. I’m not sure either really hurt y’all that day.
George Stein
April 16th, 2012
8:01 pm
Agreed, Tokyo.
Ghost
April 16th, 2012
8:06 pm
GTfan D thomas wasn’t wide open Shaw threw into double coverage, Georgia also had 2 turnovers in 2010 one while driving deep in Tech territory, The game like the past three Georgia has held double digit leads, 09 an 10 Georgia teams were not very good, 2010 especially.Tech hasn’t had a lead in 12 quarters, Georgia until last year wasn’t focused enough to put them away. 14 belongs to you and G we have time to work on the dynamics , I like to drink. The talent gap between the two this year may be the widest its been in several years , I am comfortable with 14 especially in Athens and playing a triple option team (Ga. Southern) the week before.
Ghost
April 16th, 2012
8:11 pm
George , Honestly I was surprised Georgia won 10 in 2008. It was a beat up team with an extraordinary number of injuries, No excuses tech played with heart and deserved to win in 2008.
George Stein
April 16th, 2012
8:12 pm
Fair enough, Ghost.
FL Jacket
April 16th, 2012
8:23 pm
Ghost…
So where does line between “THEY OWN US” and “THEY HAVE OUR NUMBER” exist?
BigTimeTECHFan
April 16th, 2012
8:25 pm
SuperSized, FYI I did not receive email back
Ghost
April 16th, 2012
8:56 pm
Fl Jacket, Tech has 15 wins vs UGA since 1956 years. in 11 decades of playing tech has had a winning decade vs Georgia 3 times. prior to 1909, the 20’s and the 50’s. Georgia has had tech number, and UGA owns the series lead vs Fla. and Tech. You will never here me trash talk Fla. If you would like to go modern day records since 1970 Georgia is 19-23 vs. Florida. 31-11 vs Tech.Georgias problems with Fla. started in the 90’s.
FL Jacket
April 16th, 2012
9:05 pm
Ghost…
Except in those 11 decades we’ve managed more MNCs…
Supersize that order, mutt
April 16th, 2012
9:06 pm
BTTF, I forwarded what you sent me to my REAL email account and responded from there. I will try again.
Supersize that order, mutt
April 16th, 2012
9:20 pm
BTTF, if you’re still here, check your email. I re-sent.
Lee Reeves
April 16th, 2012
9:24 pm
No offense to anyone on this board, but you guys argue more about past coordinators and what this guy or that guy said a few weeks ago than a bunch of women. It’s an interesting read, but I’d like to raed about GT football and read what other GT fans have to say about football…
Supersize that order, mutt
April 16th, 2012
9:41 pm
Lee Reeves, if there were not so many UGA trolls and CPJ-haters on here, we would all LOVE simply to talk about GT football and basketball and anything else related to Tech. But we are constantly bombarded with garbage from the trolls, and it’s just hard not to respond to the garbage they post.
1 4 GT
April 16th, 2012
10:14 pm
I was the 1st to accept the offer of GT + 14 points this coming November, and 2 more accepted, I believe. But, no response from Ghost yet.
Paul in NH
April 16th, 2012
10:20 pm
Georgia DAWGS
April 16th, 2012
1:39 pm
Tenuta defense was one of the toughest defens the dawgs faced all year…I got to give his credit. Thats saying alot comparing with an SEC scheduel. Now its oneof the softest defenses! Aside from this year we could do nothing with that TO,
—-
With Jon Tenuta as DC, GT gave up almost 30 points a game to UGA – 51, 34, 19, 14, 15, 31 – all losses.
Paul in NH
April 16th, 2012
10:39 pm
Can you honestly say that Tenuta coached good defense against UVA ANY YEAR we played them.
—–
Actually yes. GT’s D completely shut down UVA in 2006. UVA was absolutely terrible on offense that year though.
Paul in NH
April 16th, 2012
10:52 pm
“Tenuta went up a against 1st round NFL QBs like Matt Stafford, Brady Quinn, Philip Rivers, and other future NFL QBs like Whitehurst at Clemson, imagine a CPJ team playing defense against that level of College QB”
—
Under CPJ as HC, GT has played and beaten teams quarterbacked by the following players who have started in the NFL
Matt Stafford (GA)
Christian Ponder (FSU)
TJ Yates (UNC)
I am not sold on Groh as DC – Tenuta in general put better D’s on the field – but I think Tenuta is overrated.
Ghost
April 16th, 2012
11:10 pm
14gt, sorry, i missed yours but got george and gtfan.
Ghost
April 16th, 2012
11:12 pm
Fl Jacket, I guess that depends on who ’s list you go by. Georgia claims 5, i know of one undisputed one, 1990 for tech was split, before that when people wore leather helmets does it matter? doesn’t bama claim about 102.
FL Jacket
April 16th, 2012
11:14 pm
“before that when people wore leather helmets does it matter?”
Why wouldn’t it?
Ghost
April 16th, 2012
11:14 pm
Paul, Think tech needs to ditch the 3-4 , they can’t seem to recruit the players for it.