Tech drags through 13th practice
Notes from practice. More Wednesday.
1. Georgia Tech’s 13th practice of fall camp brought little good fortune.
A day after a double session and in afternoon heat, the Yellow Jackets dragged through a full-pads practice Tuesday that elicited the ire of the coaching staff.
“I hope that’s not our best,” defensive coordinator Al Groh said. “You have to keep moving forward all the time. If you stall, you’re losing ground. Some players [moved forward], but not enough.”
Coach Paul Johnson said that practices have for the most part been decent, but that the team “hit a doldrum. You have to push through.”
The Jackets will have two more practices Wednesday.
After 13 practices in 12 days, inside linebacker Quayshawn Nealy said that many players’ legs are heavy, “but that’s no reason not to push through, so we’ve got to come back [Wednesday] with our minds set to push through and get better at practice.”
2. A bronze statue of former Tech coach Bobby Dodd is scheduled to be unveiled Sept. 14 on Callaway Plaza outside the stadium that bears his name. A group of Dodd’s former players led the project to honor Dodd, one of only three people to be elected to the College Football Hall of Fame as both a player and coach. The bronze sculpture, which will portray Dodd in his familiar kneeling position, will be dedicated the day before the Tech-Virginia game. At that game, Dodd’s 1952 team, which went 12-0 and shared the national championship, will be honored.
“Not many times in your life do you get to do something like this, and it’s really been very meaningful to all of us,” Tech Hall of Famer Taz Anderson said.
3. Wide receiver Jeff Greene and cornerback Rod Sweeting returned to practice Tuesday after being held out with injuries. Other than that, the list of players out remained the same, Johnson said. That would include B-backs David Sims and Charles Perkins and offensive tackles Ray Beno and Morgan Bailey. Johnson deflected a question about a possible cutoff date for Sims, recovering from surgery to repair a stress fracture in his shin, to return by in order to play against Virginia Tech Sept. 3.
“He can’t practice until he’s healthy,” he said. “We’ll figure it out when we need to figure it out.”
4. Wide receiver Anthony Autry’s play in camp has made him a strong candidate to play as a true freshman. Autry, from Norcross High, is competing with freshmen Travin Henry and Micheal Summers and four returners for spots on the depth chart.
“We’ll decide here after Saturday who’s going to play and who’s going to maybe sit right now,” Johnson said. “I’d say he’s on the probably-going-to-play bubble.”
Thanks for reading. More Wednesday.
Ken Sugiura, Georgia Tech blog
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295 comments Add your comment
philSC
August 15th, 2012
9:42 am
Can anybody even remeber the last time Groh forced a punt?????? he is awful
gt4ever
August 15th, 2012
9:45 am
@philSC
I can’t remember many times the players forced a punt… The coach can only give the tools, he can’t make the plays…
sean jones
August 15th, 2012
9:47 am
@ philSC
totally agree—If Groh fails this year i wont renew my tix…he can never get off the field
crackbaby
August 15th, 2012
9:47 am
@ sean jones – “losing all the big games”
WTF?! Where have you been?
Clemson last year was HUGE. A homecoming beat down of an undefeated team with national momentum.
ACC Championship game in Tampa. Beat Clemson again that year for the title. Also Beat VA Tech to win the Coastal. UGA comeback win in Athens in ‘08 was incredible.
Last two years have been disappointing. In fairness, the 6-0 start last year raised expectations to an unrealistically high level. 2011 was still a rebuilding year.
I understand the frustration with CAG’s slow progress. This year the D needs to step it up dramatically.
GT GRAD
August 15th, 2012
9:49 am
Goldenrod is obviously a UGA fan trying to pose as a GT fan (in a childish attempt to make GT fans look bad)……grow up and go away.
WnE is simply delusional and has an unreasonable hatred for Coach Paul Jonhson………please simply go away (I am being serious). GT does not need or want “completely negative fans” like you {taking you at you word that you are truely a GT follower and not another childish UGA fan trying to make GT fans look silly………if you continue with the constant GT bashing you are simply confirming you are a childish UGA fan with nothing better to do}.
A huge percentage of the true GT fans are honored to have Coach Paul Johnson at GT and most would state they hope he stays at GT for many many years!!!!!! Go GT!
Supersize that order, mutt
August 15th, 2012
9:49 am
@ gt4ever……what exactly is a “premier player”? Is it somebody coming out of HS with 4 and 5 stars? Or is it somebody who rises to the top and wins honors. The majority of honors are won by seniors, obviously with some exceptions. CPJ’s first recruits are now seniors, and have you considered how many have been named to pre-season watch lists? Isn’t that enough to say that they are at least potentially “premiere players”? If, and it IS possible, some of them actually win, or are at least finalists for, those honors at the end of the season, I would think they would definitely be considered “premiere players.” Let the season play out first and then evaluate. Remember, not every team in this country has “premiere player,” and yet they still win, and they still get lots of recognition.
philSC
August 15th, 2012
9:50 am
@gt4ever
I agree but at some point and time ppl have to realize that Groh’s scheme is failing. I think if he forced 4 punts a game, we could prob win 10 games this year but i dont feel like his defense is capable of this
philSC
August 15th, 2012
9:51 am
@supersize
How many seasons have to play out before you know that our defense cant stop anything!!!!
GT Lee
August 15th, 2012
9:51 am
sean jones you typed something but all I saw was bark bark bark bark bark bark bark bark ruff ruff woof woof whimper whimper whimper whine whine whine
Supersize that order, mutt
August 15th, 2012
9:52 am
@ GT GRAD…….do like most of the regular bloggers here are doing, and IGNORE WnE. Don’t even ready his posts. You will never find a point of agreement in anything that he says, and you can’t argue with him because he will never address direct challenges to what he posts. If you don’t even read what he posts, then you won’t be sucked into the hole he creates every time he posts.
IGNORE HIM !!!!
UOAD !!!!
Supersize that order, mutt
August 15th, 2012
9:53 am
@ philSC…..I am not arguing with you about Groh. I have my questions and concerns there too. I would say it is up to him to do it this season or go.
sean jones
August 15th, 2012
9:53 am
@GTlee
No sorry to inform you-Im a season ticketholder at Tech. Why are you so defensive? I agree with PhilSC—-our defense costs us90% of our losses!!
Supersize that order, mutt
August 15th, 2012
9:55 am
@ sean jones……I don’t think you will find one TRUE Tech fan who disagrees with what you just said
philSC
August 15th, 2012
9:55 am
@supersize
lets hope this year will be different on defense!! If that d can get some stops–it will be a great year!! Go JACKETS!
GT Lee
August 15th, 2012
9:58 am
@philSC
Can you read man? How many articles have been written about Groh’s complex 3-4 defense taking 3 years for most players to grasp? Since this is his THIRD season, how about waiting until the end of this year to determine whether or not improvement has been made…..
philSC
August 15th, 2012
9:58 am
@supersize
had to tell you—Actually I was at McDonalds the other day and the guy who was working the drivethru had a UGA hat on… I couldnt resist…after he gave me my order i said-and i quote, “Did you supersize that mutt?”—then i drove off. lol
Supersize that order, mutt
August 15th, 2012
10:00 am
@ philSC and sean jones……regardless of what we think, and regardless of what has happened in the past, Al Groh is DC for the 2012. Until the season ends he deserves and needs our 100% support. If the D fails to perform again this year, then at season’s end, he must go. But until then, give him the chance any coach deserves. And let’s hope he proves all of us wrong.
philSC
August 15th, 2012
10:00 am
@GT Lee
Sorry just not really into the idea of bringing a coach in who takes 4 years to implement a system that is rather common now in college football——Al Groh is done son!
Supersize that order, mutt
August 15th, 2012
10:01 am
@ philSC……I LOVE it !!!! You go, boy!!!
George Stein
August 15th, 2012
10:03 am
I have the same concerns, philSC. It’s particularly frustrating because so many folks focus on the offense, but that hasn’t really been the issue. The defense has stunk out loud for three years now, and it’s time to fix it.
I don’t believe for one second it’s a personnel issue, either. It is incumbent upon the coaches to find something the players CAN do. When Tenuta was here, we were at least solid against the run.
GT Lee
August 15th, 2012
10:04 am
“im with WNE—-Im tired of losing all the big games.” sean jones
So Super, you AGREE with this drivel?
Supersize that order, mutt
August 15th, 2012
10:05 am
@ Lee……NO, I do not agree with that statement. sean jones said something that I agreed with though; I forget now what it was
GT Lee
August 15th, 2012
10:07 am
so phylis in SC,
A head coach gets 4-5 years to bring in HIS recruits and see what he can do. Why wouldn’t a coordinator? I agree that Groh’s defense hasn’t exactly been sterling, but do you seriously expect it to change OVERNIGHT? I for one am glad that the Ga Institute of Technology does not feel the need to consult you as to who the coaching personnel should or should not be.
GT Lee
August 15th, 2012
10:11 am
” The defense has stunk out loud for three years now, and it’s time to fix it”
Al Groh has only been def coord for 2 yrs. This is his 3rd year. How about we see what happens this year……
GT Lee
August 15th, 2012
10:13 am
“Al Groh is done son!”
Why, are you on the Board of Regents? are you the school’s President? Are you the AD?
GTfan 2012
August 15th, 2012
10:14 am
philSC,
I hate to break this to you, but Al Groh is the GT DC in 2012. That isn’t changing. We all agree (besides the trolls that criticize A-back and B-back play) that the defense has been the problem in the CPJ era. And we all know that that is why CPJ brought in Groh as a defensive “Expert”. We also know that he wanted to run a defense that was “different” just like his offense and required extra preparations. From that standpoint, it is mission accomplished. Now, can that defense actually be successful. We will see. I think that based on money issues with Groh’s contract as well as his age, this is the year where his defense has to improve, or I don’t think he’s here in 2013. Based on everything I know, I think it will improve, but only time will tell.
GT Lee
August 15th, 2012
10:16 am
and for all you keyboard coaches, where is YOUR Super Bowl ring? How many NFL teams have YOU coached? How many BCS teams have you coached? Maybe you guys can go have lunch with WnE and regale each other with your vast knowledge of all things CFB!
Supersize that order, mutt
August 15th, 2012
10:17 am
@ GTfan 2012……..Yes, I agree 1005
GT Lee
August 15th, 2012
10:18 am
some people really need to learn the difference between a “fan” and a “fair weather fan”.
Supersize that order, mutt
August 15th, 2012
10:19 am
This just in by “special delivery” from UOAD —
Defenses lose MOST EVERY GAME because they allow a team to SCORE. Special teams are next followed offensive TOs. I think Defense LOSES more game than any group cause they allow the other team score. This isn’t the 40’s with scores of 12-14. Scores are in the 30 to 40 point range so Defenses lose most games.
Supersize that order, mutt
August 15th, 2012
10:20 am
UOAD can’t post now, but he can still read. LOL
gt4ever
August 15th, 2012
10:22 am
@Super
No I don’t believe in the star system… However, I do believe that after 2 years these guys are proving themselves on the field of play… One other indicator is the number of NFL players… we either put in the league or we don’t… Even the most talented lineman we have is a second team All American.. I’m not downplaying 2nd team All American honors as nothing, but the overall trend of players on this coaches watch has dropped. IMHO.
GT Lee
August 15th, 2012
10:25 am
sean jones
August 15th, 2012
9:53 am
@GTlee
No sorry to inform you-Im a season ticketholder at Tech. Why are you so defensive? I agree with PhilSC—-our defense costs us90% of our losses!!
___________________________________________________
not being defensive, dude. What I am is a TRUE fan who supports his team. I would NEVER trash a coach or player on a public forum, even if I am not happy with their performance. Maybe you guys should adopt the same attitude…….
Supersize that order, mutt
August 15th, 2012
10:26 am
@ gt4ever……I have to disagree with you on your last statement. And, btw, pre-season All American is a nice honor, but who’s to say by the end of the season he won’t be 1st team All American? No team in the country is loaded with All Americans. Even one is still quite a distinction.
JM
August 15th, 2012
10:29 am
They need Sims to get well soon.
GT Lee
August 15th, 2012
10:32 am
“but the overall trend of players on this coaches watch has dropped.”
Yes gt4ever you are so right. We have no talent on this team. CPJ is totally flushing this program down the toilet singlehandedly. Heck, next year he’ll be lucky to win 2 games, blah blah blah blah blah Man I wish you’d find another team to root for. According to you it’s all doom and gloom. Well I for one think you are 100% WRONG. Plenty of talent on this team and the future is looking so bright we need to wear shades.
George Stein
August 15th, 2012
10:33 am
We don’t have any choice but to see what happens this season, Lee.
Perhaps I’m wrong – and I’ll be the first to say so if I am – but I don’t recall anyone saying it would take three seasons to get the defense fixed. Further, if it takes a three year investment, the returns need to be off the charts good. Otherwise, I’ll roll with someone else, because it makes no sense to wait three years for mediocre results.
Look, I want Groh to be successful, but I have more doubts today than I did three years ago.
gt4ever
August 15th, 2012
10:33 am
@Super
Well then what other indicators would you use? The bottom line is W/L… and W/L against teams on the same level…. I personally don’t even register wins against Presbyterian, or MTSU, or Western Carolina, or AirForce… btw, we lost to AirForce… Never in a million years would I consider our talent level BELOW that of a service academy… Just sayin… Our record against UGA is embarrassing. Period. I guess my expectation is just a little higher, especially if we are paying a guy millions of dollars to make it happen…. IMHO.
juvenal
August 15th, 2012
10:33 am
agree, GTLee…have said a few things about Groh, but only comment on past coaches now-saving the rest for pre-game at Dodd & Techwood…
GT Lee
August 15th, 2012
10:33 am
somehow my (sarcasm off) got left out of last post. Please insert after last blah.
George Stein
August 15th, 2012
10:34 am
The talent on offense is different because we don’t run a conventional system. It follows that they won’t win as many conventional awards.
GT Lee
August 15th, 2012
10:36 am
George Stein you haven’t been reading any of Ken’s articles then. If you had there’s a good chance that you would have seen one of the many references to there being much improvement in the THIRD YEAR of ALL of Al Groh’s defenses.
GTfan 2012
August 15th, 2012
10:37 am
@gt4ever,
How are you measuring our talent level? What methods are you using? You can measure the talent using a couple methods. You can use recruiting stars, which are based on “potential” and high school performance (this method I think is going to be the least accurate measure of talent at the college level but its all we have at the point of recruitment). You can use pre-season awards (like the All-American and the Watch lists for end of season awards), which are also based on potential as well as prior college performance. You can use post-season awards, which are based on that season’s production, but obviously are retrospective in nature and don’t really help evaluate the upcoming season’s talent level. Or you can use NFL draftees on a given roster, which you obviously wouldn’t know until all the players on a given roster become draft eligible. So how are you judging our talent level.
GT Lee
August 15th, 2012
10:40 am
and George, I do know that you read that Al was bringing a new scheme. Going from 4-3 to 3-4. Even YOU should have the common sense to realize that this takes a little bit different recruiting approach to get the right personnel, and that with red-shirting, that process can easily take 2-3 years, maybe even 4.
gt4ever
August 15th, 2012
10:45 am
@ George
That’s just SILLY…. Really, Good Grief!
George Stein
August 15th, 2012
10:47 am
I read them all, Lee. I didn’t read Groh saying that before the 2010 season, though.
As I said, I’m fine with a longer process, but the results cannot be mediocre for such a large investment in time.
GT Lee
August 15th, 2012
10:48 am
and you consider 2 years to be a large investment in time?
George Stein
August 15th, 2012
10:48 am
Tell me why, gt4ever.
gt4ever
August 15th, 2012
10:49 am
I always thought that the best players got the rewards and accolades …. No, it’s because we have a unconventional offense… Brilliant! Just Brilliant…
GT Lee
August 15th, 2012
10:50 am
I agree the defense needs to get better, But I have reasonable expectations. And there WAS an incremental improvement from year 1 to year 2 (not much, but it was at least a step in the right direction)