Quayshawn Nealy buying in for Georgia Tech
Georgia Tech defensive coordinator Al Groh doesn’t so much shower praise as he does leak it. However, midway through the Yellow Jackets’ preseason camp, he was showing inside linebacker Quayshawn Nealy video clips from a recent practice and speaking with appreciation.
As Nealy recounted it, Groh told him that Nealy had been playing more physically, taking on running backs head on and delivering hits.
“I just like the way you’re playing,” Nealy said Groh told him.
Besides lifting Nealy’s confidence, the meeting demonstrated the connection developing between the sophomore and his defensive coordinator. In Nealy, Tech has a player in a leadership position who has become a Groh follower and appears ready to make a jump in performance.
“He takes all the information you give him and he tries to use it,” Groh said. “He sees that it works, so he comes back for more, so he’s always looking for more and then he’s trying to put it into play. He’s fun to go out there with every day.”
Nealy’s ascension would help fill the chasm left by former inside linebacker Julian Burnett, whose Sun Bowl neck injury ended his career. Burnett twice led the Yellow Jackets in tackles and inspired teammates with his passion and energy. Nealy makes no claim to replacing Burnett, but has begun to assume a leadership position.
It will be no small matter in the team’s opener at Virginia Tech Sept. 3. Inside linebacker Jabari Hunt-Days, starting in place of the suspended Daniel Drummond, will be playing in the first game of his career.
“He usually doesn’t have that much to say, but he’s a big factor on our defense,” inside linebackers coach Joe Speed said of Nealy. “He’ll be leaned on a little bit.”
Nealy started seven games last year as a freshman, making 52 tackles. Most memorably, he intercepted a pass in the Sun Bowl and returned it 74 yards for a touchdown. Going into the spring, one of the goals Groh set for him was to rely less on his speed and to take on guards and backs with full force.
A tenet of Groh’s scheme is for defenders to build a wall along the line of scrimmage, filling gaps and staying in assigned spots to force running plays sideways. Nealy’s style, using his speed to run around blocks rather than take them on, was not conducive to wall building. Given that guards can outweigh him by 70 pounds, this is not an unreasonable tactic.
Nealy had to change his thinking, he said, “just put it in your mind you have to do this every play and build a wall.”
He also re-fashioned his physique, putting about 10 pounds of muscle onto his frame, now 6-foot-1 and 235 pounds, to make him better able to withstand the collisions along the line. In fall camp, Nealy showed coaches that he had advanced in his familiarity with Groh’s defense and his commitment to it. The expectations of significant playing time and improved performance have accelerated his buy-in.
“That’s why I took the initiative to go up there (to the coaches’ offices) and meet with Coach Groh a lot and build that bond,” Nealy said. “I mean, if I see something going wrong out there on the field that he can’t see, I want to be able to go to him and let him know.”
Nealy spoke on Tuesday afternoon, following practice. He was, he said, on his way to Groh’s office to square away a problem he was having with his assignment in defending the run.
“He makes time for all the players, not just me,” Nealy said. “That’s what’s really great. You’ve just got to be willing to go up there and take the coaching.”
After a withering practice, he was coming back for more.
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100 comments Add your comment
Yeller Bug
August 25th, 2012
11:13 am
@Jorge: A couple more stops by the d = more touches by the O line, Johnson’s best according to him. Go Jackets!!
————-
Amen on the D stops, but prefer not to have more touches by the O line—if the line is touching the football that means we’re fumbling the ball…..I know what you meant.
1 4 GT
August 25th, 2012
11:26 am
crackbaby….I see “the wall” as Nealy said they are being taught. The defenders recognize where the RB is trying to go. The defense flows towards ht RB while making him run East/West all the while closing down on him. Sounds like a pretty good defensive philosophy to me. Make the guy carrying the ball run across the field and don’t let him turn up field for big gains. I like it myself.
1 4 GT
August 25th, 2012
11:31 am
towards “the” RB
Ken Sugiura
August 25th, 2012
11:38 am
1 4 GT beat me to it. the idea is to bottle up and contain. i’m all for being disruptive, too. i think tech may have some elements of that. but i guess the argument against getting upfield and attacking is that you’re more vulnerable to a lineman becoming overaggressive and leaving a gap free.
BIrmingham Jacket
August 25th, 2012
12:06 pm
That’s nice to hear, but show me the money… I’ll believe it, when I see it.
Be sure and log back in and run a live chat Ken during the VT game when they’re gouging our D and let me know where #54 is. No Jacket should sleep well at night knowing our starting NT this year, rode pine behind Logan Walls for 2 straight years. Geez….
It’s amazing to me, the lack of insight some of our fans have in criticizing Al Groh.
Folks, Al Groh has coached at the highest level. He knows exactly what he’s doing. Give him FSUs players, FSU competes for a NC.
It the roster dummies!
1 4 GT
August 25th, 2012
12:40 pm
I’ll ask BJ again. Please sir, may we at least play the games before keelhauling the guys. If you are truly a GT alum/fan, you are one step above him in fandom. Just not nearly as windy. Or verbose.
GTPhenom
August 25th, 2012
12:55 pm
Birmingham, many players end up having incredible final season at the college level. Just because they struggle early on in their career doesn’t mean they aren’t good players. And we’ve seen what TJ Barnes can do when playing at a high level (Clemson last year). So when I hear that he is in much better shape, is being much more disruptive, and is still a 6-7, 330 pound NT, I’m pretty comfortable. All he has to do is plug the guard and center. Any pass rush he provides is just extra. And like 1 4 GT said, why don’t we let them play the game before condemning them to losing the VT game. Because from where I stand, you don’t sound like too much of a fan to me.
1 4 GT
August 25th, 2012
1:05 pm
HMM….I left out my comparison of BJ &………………”Carnack” aka gollum aka weenie aka WnE
Yeller Bug
August 25th, 2012
1:17 pm
The “wall” concept keeps players focused on their “geographic” assignment on the field. Unrestrained flying to the ball leaves the D vulnerable to counters, reverses, cut-backs, etc. Contain and attack. The weakness in our 3-4 GT wall is undersized ILBs. Giving up 70 lbs to a blocker on a continual basis will not only wear you down, you’ll lose out on most of those collisions. Thus Tech is susceptible to the power run game. That’s why you need a massive NT who tries to take a double team every play and give the D a man advantage in the middle. Logan Thomas from VT will be the toughest QB we face this year as he is talented enough to accurately throw over the wall and big enough to run through it. Aside from the standard no critical TOs and special team gaffes, if we stop him, we win the game.
BLT
August 25th, 2012
1:38 pm
Thanks Birmingham Jacket. I always thought I was a bit daft but now I know I’m just a “dummy”. I’m sure there will be a live blog during the game. I look forward to it. I’m sure you and wrexie will be on the blog to point out every miscue. I don’t look forward to that. I’ll just have to suffer thru it. Are things that bad in Birmingham? Maybe you should drive down to Gulf Shores for a few days. It might help. Have a wonderful day!
BLT
August 25th, 2012
1:41 pm
Oh yeah Birmingham, last time I checked the spread was 7.5 points. You should take that bet now.
GT fan
August 25th, 2012
3:52 pm
Yeller Bug
August 25th, 2012
1:17 pm
………The weakness in our 3-4 GT wall is undersized ILBs. Giving up 70 lbs to a blocker on a continual basis will not only wear you down, you’ll lose out on most of those collisions. Thus Tech is susceptible to the power run game…………
——————————————–
Yeller,
Many college teams now have mutiple OLmen that are 300lbs+. Heck, I think UGA’s OLine avg’d 329lbs
Now, how many college (or even pro) teams have middle LBs that are 6′3″-6″ 300-330lbs?
I think 0 is the answer. “BIG” middle LBs are in the 250-260lb range. That’s still a 40-50lb difference with just a 300lb OLman.
GT’s DLine has been the achilles heel … they have done a poor job keeping OLmen engaged & not letting them get solid contact on the LBs.
GTfan2012
August 25th, 2012
4:55 pm
I think you should all ignore Birmingham’s rants until he answers my 1 simple question. In another thread he talked about our 2009 recruiting class as being ranked 49th in the country and 8th in the ACC. Now look at our current roster and explain to me how those ranking could be accurate given that we were tied with DUKE. We have multiple players from that class on watch lists for major awards. Duke has nothing of the sort. I also have yet to mention that that class included a 2nd round NFL draft pick. So Birmingham, if you are going to continue to complain about our talent level, at least give me an HONEST and ORIGINAL analysis of our talent, rather than taking the lazy way out by using recruiting ranking which I just blown a hole in.
GTfan2012
August 25th, 2012
4:59 pm
I’ll just note that our LBs and DLs are bigger in 2012 than at any point in the Groh-DC era. Our LBs and DLs are now similar in size to many 3-4 NFL teams and UGA.
greene co tiger
August 25th, 2012
5:48 pm
hate it when you hear a coach take a playmaker such as this guy and teach him to “just play along the line and make a wall”—-we need more playmakers not less. “sit back” defenses get eaten alive by people who can throw the ball even a little bit. should groh stick with this defensive scheme watch for us to get eaten alive in the passing game. most defensive coaches try and develop pass rushers not sit back and wait for the run. watch what happens with auburn’s defense this year now that georgia’s ex defensive coordinator is bringing the heat on opposing quarterbacks.
BLT
August 25th, 2012
9:00 pm
Well, it’s great to base everything on “star” or “elite” recruits and players. Can we wait until the season starts?
People read too much into this building a “wall”. My guess is CAG is teaching his defense how to play the defense he has planned. My opinion is it will work or he will fail or adjust as the game progresses. I think every DC faces the same predicament. It’s CAG’s time to produce. We’ll see next Monday.
Quayshawn seems to know. Go get them BIG QUAYSHAWN!
Go Jackets!
Dawg48
August 25th, 2012
9:03 pm
Is SS out of town again?
1 4 GT
August 25th, 2012
9:57 pm
greene co papertiger….I feel confident that the GT defenders can & will recognize the difference between a running play and a passing play (short of some well executed offensive trickeration) and take the correct steps to defend each play as it evolves. They are, after all, smart enough to get into college. And not just smart enough to get into college, but smart enough to get into GIT. As for Auburn’s new DC, he did a wonderful job with the Falcons, now didn’t he. Selah.
1 4 GT
August 25th, 2012
10:01 pm
Dawg48….all I know about SS is his HS reunion is this weekend. I would guess he is involved with that. Mine is the 8th….50 years since I, and SS too, graduated from HS. Just 2 old farts.
Dawg48
August 25th, 2012
11:03 pm
I was going to drop him a re ruining nugget.
Dawg48
August 25th, 2012
11:06 pm
Sorry….recruiting nugget.
dawghater1
August 26th, 2012
7:45 am
Too: techsucks, not as good as yout sister, and no where as good as your mama, and according to the uga transgender professor, your brother sucks the best.
Wal-Mart Retards
August 26th, 2012
7:55 am
ROTFLMFAO!!!
billyho55
August 26th, 2012
9:41 pm
MARK MY WORDS, FRANCIS AND PAT WILL END UP BECOMING THE STARS OF THIS DEFENSE GIVEN THEY KEEP THEIR HEADS ON STRAIGHT! WHICH I HAVE NO QUESTIONS THEY WILL!! THESE 2 WILL BE OUR GAME CHANGERS!!
1 4 GT
August 26th, 2012
9:54 pm
I AGREE billyho55!!! I believe you can add Adam Gotsis to the Game Changer category too.
OkieDawg
August 26th, 2012
10:20 pm
@6′1″ 235, an inside LB? I can’t stop laughing…will see this nice young man in row 3 come game day against UGA!! 6′1″ 235 @ LB in big boy football…HILARIOUS TECHERHEADS!
OkieDawg
August 26th, 2012
10:36 pm
Anyone watching the Tebow train wreck?
OkieDawg
August 26th, 2012
10:40 pm
Sanchez just called out GT football passing and Hill’s position. Gotta love it!!!
1 4 GT
August 26th, 2012
10:41 pm
OkieDwag just can’t stop himself. It just jumps out before he can even think about stopping it. He just can’t keep from being a horse’s ass!!!!!!!
OkieDawg
August 26th, 2012
10:42 pm
Sanchez on Stephen Hill…”He played at GT…He is not use to the forward pass. Can’t make this stuff up.
1 4 GT
August 26th, 2012
10:47 pm
Okie Dwag….why don’t you give the whole quote instead of making stuff up. I’m watching the game and he did NOT say what you are claiming. You must be a liberal journalist, taking stuff and out of context and twisting it all out of shape. Now shut the hell up!!!!
OkieDawg
August 26th, 2012
10:51 pm
14 GT…What did Sanchez say? I did not misrepresent. I’ll stand by my post in context…JERK
Wal-Mart Retards
August 26th, 2012
11:02 pm
He said: “(do)Okie Dawg is soiling himself yet again on the GT blog. He’s so sad, I better say something to help him with his ED.”
Wal-Mart Retards
August 26th, 2012
11:04 pm
…apparently, it worked. Time for Dookie to get a new keyboard.
OkieDawg
August 26th, 2012
11:06 pm
Per exact quote from Sanchez…”Stephen’s a young guy, he played at GT, they don’t throw the football alot…He’s probably had more targets tonight than he’s had in his whole career in college..but at the same time that can’t be a crutch.
Yeah, GT 14 LOOSER!!!! Contradict that little boy!!
1 4 GT
August 26th, 2012
11:10 pm
Hey Horse’s But…..Yeah you Okie Dwag. I DVR’ed it. This is close to verbatim, if you know the word. From Mark Sanchez’s mouth after a question by sideline reporter Michele Tafoya. “Stephen’s a young guy. He played at Georgia Tech where they don’t throw the football a lot. He probably had more targets tonight than he did his entire college career. Chuckle chuckle. He’s got a lot of talent. I’ve got a lot of faith in him.” Now south bound end of a north bound mule, I have just proved you made stuff up and took things all out of context. To suit your miserable excuse of a life.
OkieDawg
August 26th, 2012
11:14 pm
GT 14…”But at the same time, that can’t be a crutch” you forgot that “inconvient truth”…Just make it up as you wish…LOSER…1-11!!!
1 4 GT
August 26th, 2012
11:16 pm
Well Okie Dwag posted a pretty fair statement the 2nd time. Now how hard was it to be factual & accurate & fair minded…..instead of being a small minded bitter little troll. That really was a closer representation of Mark’s answer to the reporters question. Well done. You can be accurate and still participate in “Clean Old Fashioned Hate”. And garner a whole lot more respect from your accuracy.
1 4 GT
August 26th, 2012
11:19 pm
You continue to be a small minded bitter little troll & the south end of a north bound mule!!!!
OkieDawg
August 26th, 2012
11:24 pm
Okay 14 GT, I hate GT (in an old fashioned way), but you are decent. Let’s agree to fight another battle another day…Good night my foe!
GTfan2012
August 26th, 2012
11:56 pm
OkieDawg,
Sadly many of Hill’s issues have little to do with going to GT. The announcers called out his loafing on plays at least twice.
chas_jacket
August 27th, 2012
8:27 am
Afraid Hill was a bit of a prima dona , how many times did you see him feign an injury or a muscle pull after a dropped pass? I wish him well but I really think the group of hungry WR’s we have now are going to step up and surprise people. i would love to see us rotate two extra wides in and catch a defense geared to stop the run.
P
August 27th, 2012
9:17 am
VT will run all over the weak jacket d
32 17 va tech
GTfan2012
August 27th, 2012
9:28 am
Which one of VT’s RBs with no experience will be runniong all over us. I’ll just point you back to the beginning of last season when the VT offense struggled. Don’t get over confident.
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1 4 GT
August 27th, 2012
11:05 am
Okie Dawg….Surprise!!!! I hate Georgie with a purple passion. LOL I actually think the announcers were a bit harder on S Hill than Sanchez was. He has all the potential. He just needs to live up to it. Like Sanchez said, the coaches see all the film and the practices. It needs to be transferred to the field.
Jorge O'leary
August 27th, 2012
12:23 pm
TechSucks
August 24th, 2012
5:59 pm
and only hahahaha
Another 3-4 loss season for the delusional dawgs!
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