B-backs still unsettled for Georgia Tech
1. Georgia Tech’s picture at B-back is cloudy with a chance of clearing in coming days.
Following the Yellow Jackets’ Monday practice, coach Paul Johnson said that coaches will determine the pecking order at B-back Wednesday or Thursday. The Aug. 21 depth chart lists, in order, David Sims, Zach Laskey and Charles Perkins, though Broderick Snoddy has made a strong bid for playing time.
“There’s probably two or three guys, and we’ll probably play by situation, which we’ll see,” Johnson said.
Sims’ health is a complication. He underwent surgery to repair a stress fracture in his shin in the summer and was held out of several practices.
“David, I don’t know that he’s 100 percent, so we’ll see how that goes as he gets closer,” Johnson said.
Laskey, who missed practice last week with strep throat, returned for the Friday scrimmage. Laskey passed Perkins on the depth chart after the first full week of camp.
(My guess – and this is a guess – is that Sims starts with Laskey and Snoddy getting in.)
2. With the ACC moving to a nine-game schedule starting in 2013 and Tech’s annual game with Georgia, Johnson acknowledged that “it would be hard” for the Jackets to ever play in the Chick-fil-A Kickoff game at the Georgia Dome unless they were to play the Bulldogs. With 10 guaranteed games against ACC teams and Georgia, Tech isn’t eager to add games away from Bobby Dodd Stadium or games against BCS conference teams.
“It’s not a big deal to us, because we play here in Atlanta anyway,” Johnson said. “If it worked out, that would have been cool. If it didn’t, to go 500 yards up the road to play is not that big a deal for us.”
Said Johnson of this year’s games, N.C. State-Tennessee on Friday and Clemson-Auburn on Saturday, “Hopefully, N.C. State and Clemson will play well. I think they will.”
(Johnson is saving his bold predictions for later on in the season.)
3. Johnson graded Monday’s full-pads practice “just O.K. It wasn’t real up-tempo like you’d hope to see.” The team had Saturday and Sunday off after a scrimmage against the scout teams on Friday. Johnson wasn’t particularly high on that session, either.
“I think there was some decent things at times,” he said. “The competition level wasn’t as good as I would have liked, especially early on.”
Johnson has not ruled out any players to injury, though he said he probably wouldn’t do that until Thursday or Friday anyway. Safety Fred Holton did not practice again with an undisclosed injury. Regarding his chances of playing Monday, Johnson said, “He’s not out there yet, but we’ll see.”
(Holton should play, though he probably needs to get on the practice field by Wednesday, likely the last padded practice.)
4. The competition between defensive ends Euclid Cummings and Emmanuel Dieke will probably play out into the season, Johnson said. Both will likely play in a rotation with end Izaan Cross.
“It’s just kind of the question of who goes out there first and whoever’s playing the best will probably get the most snaps,” Johnson said.
In case you missed it…
Recalling the 2000 Georgia Tech-Virginia Tech lightning game
Ready or not, Jabari Hunt-Days to start vs. Hokies
Quayshawn Nealy buying in to Tech defense
Jeremy Moore’s opportunity arrives
Days to play ’somewhere’ for Tech
Thanks for reading.
Ken Sugiura, Georgia Tech blog
Thanks for reading. Ken Sugiura, Georgia Tech blog
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153 comments Add your comment
www
August 28th, 2012
12:43 pm
and don’t get me started on the professional troll of georgia tech football – WnE.
it’s past time to ban him from this blog. and force him to seek therapy before he brings a gun to a tech game.
the poor kid is clearly not mentally stable.
What a joke
August 28th, 2012
12:50 pm
Uga people commenting about Tech’s (or ANYONE’S) schedule! LOL.
Look at the SEC Least! Mickey Mouse is calling into the SEC office and wondering why he was dealt a harsher hand than Richt’s Thugs.
ThUGA = JOKE
WnE
August 28th, 2012
12:54 pm
re:
juvenal
August 28th, 2012
9:29 am
how much say does any football coach really have on the schedule any more?
__________
A heckuva LOT!
When Saban took over at Bama he knew he needed to Recruit well in Ga. to excel as a Program so he signed on for TWO Chick-Fil-A kickoff classics (Clemson & Va Tech ?) and gave up 2 home game in a 101K-seat home stadium vs. cupcake city.
When GT & CPJ tucked their tails and ran scared from starting the home & home with Bama in 2012, Saban went out and signed on to play Michigan and gave up yet another 101K home game vs. cupcake city.
Head coaches have a lot of say-so concerning OOC schedules, we had never played W. Carolina before CPJ was GT’s HC, and now we will have played them twice, it is no coincidence that CPJ graduated from W. Carolina.
GT plays in a weak ACC, they cannot schedule like a Florida or UGA does, those 2 teams play in the consensus #1 conference in the Nation, GT has to play top OOC teams, “anytime, anywhere” in order to keep an attractive schedule for its fanbase.
Playing tough OOC teams “anytime, anywhere” is how Bobby Bowden built F$U into the power they were in the 80s & 90s, and in many cases they played BCS Teams on the road with no return trip, and today their FANBASE is still thankful for Bowden’s foresight.
CPJ is nothing like Bowden from the 80s & 90s at F$U when it comes to scheduling.
CPJ likes WEAK SCHEDULES!
yeller bug
August 28th, 2012
1:00 pm
We have 5 solid DBs (Johnson, Young,Sweeting, Thomas,Holton) and Golden appears to be good as well, just inexperienced so that makes 6. If we had to move a RB to DB, then Laskey would be the best choice as he worked with the DBs last year I think. Days will be a playmaker for us on offense especially if he can hold onto the ball.
TW led our team in rushing last year—not optimal having your QB lead your team in rushing, but it seems that opposing D’s seem to key on the run and the pitch and make our QB beat them with the run. If this is their strategy going forward, then we will need 3 QBs this year as they will get dinged up. Hopefully, the O-line will open holes and pass block better this year. If Snoddy is more bowling ball than scat back (though light @ 190 lbs, he’s only 5-9) and has that initial burst of speed (can fly in 40), then he may be the guy at B-back. It’s technique, but a small guy can hit a crease in the line and get to open field and then look out—he….may….go….all….the….way!
FL Jacket
August 28th, 2012
1:03 pm
“Playing tough OOC teams “anytime, anywhere” is how Bobby Bowden built F$U into the power they were in the 80s & 90s, and in many cases they played BCS Teams on the road with no return trip, and today their FANBASE is still thankful for Bowden’s foresight.”
Much easier to do when you are an independent, and human-factor polls jumped you higher for winning against likewise highly-ranked opponents. It’s much more risk-averse in the current model to get to your CCG intact to see the big payday. FSU, Miami, Notre Dame, and other schools who were unaffiliated in the 1980’s had easier chances to do this, as when they only had 7-8 conference games because Confernce sizes were minimized by the common sense of playing your entire conference (and you didn’t need a CCG).
Thanks for cherry-picking the facts you want, and the facts you don’t want, to support such a dumb position…
WnE
August 28th, 2012
1:03 pm
re:
crackbaby
August 28th, 2012
12:17 pm
Ken – lively blog today. Off topic for the most part but you have action…
My dim-witted retorts:
1) Tech won 8 games last year and should be significantly better this year. Anyone who posts 6-6 or 7-5 without some supporting discussion is closet masterbating troll
2) Days at safety was, is and will always be a stupid idea. The kid came to Tech to play offense (and spurned other schools offers to play DB) and he is a playmaker. If Tech loses a safety or two, Sweeting will have to move over to play safety. He’s plenty big and moves FORWARD to the ball extremely well. Tech’s secondary is as deep and talented as it has ever been. That’s EVER – wNe.
___________________
Days thought he wanted to play QB in college, but he could never throw well enough to ever play QB in college.
Days’ goal out of HS was to play QB in college , not necessarily Offense.
You don’t waste an elite athlete like Days to cut block and only get 3 carries per game at a-back.
Defense is more difficult than Offense so you load up with as many elite physical specimens as possible.
The fact is he was recruited by top-20 programs as a safety and our depth chart at safety is very shaky.
“Names” on a depth chart, doesn’t mean we are deep & talented in the 2ndary.
Your insight on CFB is laughable!
BigTimeTECHFan
August 28th, 2012
1:05 pm
2012
Presbyterian
Middle Tennessee State
Brigham Young
at Georgia
2013
Elon
Georgia
at Brigham Young
2014
Wofford
at Tulane
at Georgia
2015
Georgia Southern
Georgia
Tulane
2016 (Non-conference only)
Vanderbilt
TBD
at Georgia
2017 (Non-conference only)
Georgia
TBD
at Mississippi
2018 (Non-conference only)
Tulane
Mississippi
TBD
at Georgia
2019 (Non-conference only)
Georgia
TBD
at Tulane
at Alabama
2020 (Non-conference only)
Alabama
TBD
at Georgia
WnE
August 28th, 2012
1:10 pm
re:
FL Jacket
August 28th, 2012
1:03 pm
“Playing tough OOC teams “anytime, anywhere” is how Bobby Bowden built F$U into the power they were in the 80s & 90s, and in many cases they played BCS Teams on the road with no return trip, and today their FANBASE is still thankful for Bowden’s foresight.”
Much easier to do when you are an independent, and human-factor polls jumped you higher for winning against likewise highly-ranked opponents. It’s much more risk-averse in the current model to get to your CCG intact to see the big payday. FSU, Miami, Notre Dame, and other schools who were unaffiliated in the 1980’s had easier chances to do this, as when they only had 7-8 conference games because Confernce sizes were minimized by the common sense of playing your entire conference (and you didn’t need a CCG).
Thanks for cherry-picking the facts you want, and the facts you don’t want, to support such a dumb position…
____________
You mentioned nothing about Saban giving up 3 home games vs. cupcake city in a 101K home stadium to play 3 neutral site games since he has been at Bama.
Where are your comments on that issue?
Saban is still working with an equal model that CPJ is working with since you want to dismiss Bowden from the 80s & 90s.
Why not comment on Bama giving up 3 home games in 5 yrs. to play Neutral site games?
Shouldn’t CPJ be able to give up just ONE, after all we don’t have a 101K stadium like Bama does so we should not have as much to lose?
WnE
August 28th, 2012
1:15 pm
re:
BigTimeTECHFan
August 28th, 2012
1:05 pm
____________
Your info is wrong!
We/CPJ/DRad dropped BYU like a hot potato when CPJ found out the ACC was going to 9 conference games.
It seems CPJ wanted to make sure the schedule is as weak as possible at all times.
In 2013 we dropped BYU ,but kept friggin’ ELON, try explaining that to your fanbase.
This is the real reason we don’t get more sidewalk fans to go to GT games, CPJ ’s cowardly scheduling.
www
August 28th, 2012
1:21 pm
wne’s hardon for coach paul johnson gets bigger every day.
ken, why hasn’t wne been blocked from commenting?
GTBob
August 28th, 2012
1:23 pm
Why not comment on Bama giving up 3 home games in 5 yrs. to play Neutral site games?
Bama played 7 home games each of those 5 seasons including the 3 seasons with a neutral site game. You seem to want GT to play 5 or 6 home games and a neutral site game. Its not exactly the same. Bama with an in conference rival and an 8 game SEC schedule is not the same as GT with an OOC rival and a 9 game ACC schedule.
WnE
August 28th, 2012
1:25 pm
re:
www
August 28th, 2012
1:21 pm
wne’s hardon for coach paul johnson gets bigger every day.
ken, why hasn’t wne been blocked from commenting?
____________
Because I keep it clean!
Because I talk CFB at a high level!
Because I’m fair!
Because I always follow the “rules’!
Very few of my critics can honestly say the same!
www
August 28th, 2012
1:28 pm
don’t count me as a critic. just someone who has studied mental health and recognizes someone who needs help with their obsession before they cross the line.
GT Lee
August 28th, 2012
1:28 pm
Gollum…….WHY DID YOU STALK VAD LEE?
WnE
August 28th, 2012
1:29 pm
re:
GTBob
August 28th, 2012
1:23 pm
Why not comment on Bama giving up 3 home games in 5 yrs. to play Neutral site games?
Bama played 7 home games each of those 5 seasons including the 3 seasons with a neutral site game. You seem to want GT to play 5 or 6 home games and a neutral site game. Its not exactly the same. Bama with an in conference rival and an 8 game SEC schedule is not the same as GT with an OOC rival and a 9 game ACC schedule.
____________
More MISINFORMATION!
GT doesn’t start playing a 9-game ACC schedule until 2013, you can’t use that excuse for CPJ’s 1st four seasons.
fuzzybee78
August 28th, 2012
1:30 pm
With respect to the Days argument– IF he can start at A back by mid year and then take Orwin’s spot next 2 years then fine, leave him at A–
If he is going to be a part timer at A then there is a case to be made to try him at safety next spring.
Either way he needs to be a STARTER somewhere! To big to fast to be a part timer.
GTBob
August 28th, 2012
1:31 pm
In 2013 we dropped BYU ,but kept friggin’ ELON, try explaining that to your fanbase.
When did we drop the 2013 BYU game?
GTBob
August 28th, 2012
1:34 pm
GT doesn’t start playing a 9-game ACC schedule until 2013, you can’t use that excuse for CPJ’s 1st four seasons.
The blog was about scheduling difficulties starting in 2013 when we go to a 9 game schedule. Sorry if I thought you might be talking about that. It is also pretty humorous that you are blaming CPJ for a schedule that was mostly set before he even got here.
fuzzybee78
August 28th, 2012
1:36 pm
SCHEDULING–
Ive said it before, many season ticket holders would agree– schedule home and home with either AL, Auburn,TN, SC, or ND, all but ND are driving distance for both fan bases. Win or lose I would rather play another quality opponent and drop a cupcake.
juvenal
August 28th, 2012
1:40 pm
Saban not the average coach-Drad gets paid to make out the schedule-not my favorite, the way he bungled the ncaa thing-share the love, wne…
WnE
August 28th, 2012
1:48 pm
re:
GTBob
August 28th, 2012
1:31 pm
In 2013 we dropped BYU ,but kept friggin’ ELON, try explaining that to your fanbase.
When did we drop the 2013 BYU game?
____________
I got my years mixed up, honest mistake on my behalf.
Heres’ the correct info:
Georgia Tech is planning to cancel future football games against BYU in 2014 and 2017, the AJC reported earlier this week.
The Yellow Jackets are currently slated to host the Cougars on Oct. 11, 2014 and travel to Provo on Oct. 14, 2017. The two games are part of a four-game, home-and-home series that was scheduled in October 2010.
With Pittsburgh and Syracuse set to join the ACC, likely in 2013, the ACC will move to a nine-game conference schedule. That means each ACC team will only play three non-conference games per season.
Georgia Tech currently has four games scheduled for 2014: BYU, Wofford, at Georgia, at Tulane. In 2017 they have games scheduled at BYU, at Ole Miss and home against Georgia.
_____________
I was wrong above; in 2014 we’re dropping BYU and keeping friggin’ WOFFORD!
Even though I was wrong above, CPJ scheduling will still rear its ugly head in the future in this case 2014 instead of 2013.
Canceling the 2014 game against BYU lightens the difficulty of their non-conference slate. The 2017 game will likely be replaced with an FCS or lower-level FBS game at home for revenue purposes.
George Stein
August 28th, 2012
2:01 pm
I should preface my comment by saying that I wish we played better OOC games, too, but I understand the reasoning behind not doing so even if I disagree.
However, comparing our schedule to Bama is foolish. We already play one difficult (as we’re so often reminded) game OOC, same as them. At least be honest about the facts here.
WnE
August 28th, 2012
2:06 pm
re:
George Stein
August 28th, 2012
2:01 pm
I should preface my comment by saying that I wish we played better OOC games, too, but I understand the reasoning behind not doing so even if I disagree.
However, comparing our schedule to Bama is foolish. We already play one difficult (as we’re so often reminded) game OOC, same as them. At least be honest about the facts here.
_____________
NO!
We are not the same as Bama, starting this yr. Bama will play Arky, Texas A&M, LSU, Auburn, Tenn. each yr, plus the crossover opponents from the SEC east .
“Real GT” fans would kill for a schedule like that every yr.
Comparing us to Bama schedule-wise in a public forum in laughable.
3 thoughts about Georgia Tech-Virginia Tech | Georgia Tech
August 28th, 2012
2:12 pm
[...] dismissed playing in the game as “not a big deal to us” because of Tech’s location in Atlanta. However, the game brings national exposure, which has [...]
Blacksburg
August 28th, 2012
2:39 pm
Tec has no shot!
www
August 28th, 2012
2:46 pm
a virginia tech fan in blacksburg doesn’t know how to spell “tech”. why am i not surprised?
WHITEandGOLD
August 28th, 2012
2:55 pm
DAWGS… Read this article and talk to me about SEC dominance…
http://www.thepostgame.com/commentar…ompson-sec-bcs.
Quit drinking the kool-aid, the SEC was the redheaded stepchild 15-20 years ago and in the history of College football is only recently relevant. I cant wait to see Mizzou beat yall like a drum…
WHITEandGOLD
August 28th, 2012
2:59 pm
oh and Okiedawg… 4>2 and 1990>1980… talk to me when you win a couple more championships.
GTfan2012
August 28th, 2012
3:08 pm
The SEC is the dominant conference in college football, no question. But this slobbering love affair with the SEC has got to stop. The SEC is top heavy in the West, but the East has proved NOTHING in years. So you think you should get credit for being a dominant conference in football if only half your league is dominant? UGA’s schedule is just as weak as GT’s schedule this year. Their 10 wins in this schedule would be just as good as GT’s 10 wins on its schedule. If you don’t agree, please go game-by-game and show me where it is tougher.
Ol'JacketFan
August 28th, 2012
3:10 pm
WnE with all your vitriol regarding Tech and CPJ why you do yourself and all Tech fans a favor and find someone else to “root” for. Sheesh, same crap, every day! Even when you makle a decent point your hatred for all things relating to CPJ overshadow any possible legitimate point you’re trying to make.
Supersize that order, mutt
August 28th, 2012
3:17 pm
Why do you guys continue to read what WnE posts. I haven’t read a word he typed in 3 weeks, and I don’t intend to. HE IS NOT WORTH YOUR TIME !!!
U O A D !!!
TRF
August 28th, 2012
3:20 pm
CPJ did this wne because he doesn’t want 5 win seasons and to miss a bowl and end the streak. Cause that would be WORSE than gailey.
TRF
August 28th, 2012
3:23 pm
Yeah bury your head in the sand super. Ignorance is bliss!
Supersize that order, mutt
August 28th, 2012
3:29 pm
How am I burying my head in the sand?
FORMATION 4 SUCCESS
August 28th, 2012
3:33 pm
8/28/2012 Success Tip 6: Remember the Basics Offense: 1. Possession is everything. Hold on to the ball. Don’t give it up until you reach the endzone and hand it to the official. 2. A great run and catch begins and ends with the ball secured away. 3. It’s only 10 yards. When in doubt get 10. 4. Believe in each other and never give less than your all for each other every play. 5. Commit as a unit to do what others don’t want to do so, you can achieve everything they only hoped to achieve. 6. A coach calls the play you have to execute it. 7. This is the most exciting offense in D 1 football. You know it we know it. But until you show it it remains a secret. The work of champions aren’t secrets. 8. Learn from your mistakes from play to play not game to game. Wins and Loses are recorded when the clock strikes 00:00. You have to grow up quickly in this game. 9. Take a breath and never forget it when game time arrives, after all of your preparation and pre-game hype. It’s Football. Block better, catch better, hold the ball better, tackle better and want it more and your win column will reflect your efforts better. 10. Just put the ball in the endzone, by any means necessary. Defense tomorrow.
Ol'JacketFan
August 28th, 2012
4:06 pm
@SS I don’t read his postings either simply because I already know what they’re going to contain. I simply feel he would be much happier if he “rooted” for some other team
thebull35
August 28th, 2012
4:17 pm
NO!
We are not the same as Bama, starting this yr. Bama will play Arky, Texas A&M, LSU, Auburn, Tenn. each yr, plus the crossover opponents from the SEC east .
“Real GT” fans would kill for a schedule like that every yr.
Comparing us to Bama schedule-wise in a public forum in laughable.
____________________________
So does Ole Miss. That’s a product of being in the SEC West. Sure everyone would like to have better OOC games but the comparison that you are making between Alabama and Georgia Tech, in this regard, is pointless. Unless the ACC steps it up with their play, this will be the case year in and year out for just about every team outside of the SEC
1 4 GT
August 28th, 2012
4:32 pm
Okie Dwag & Dwags are one & the same. Obviously using 2 different computers/IP/email addresses. Surely, I am not the only one to see this????
www
August 28th, 2012
4:55 pm
@ 14Gt, you’re probably right, but i just go ahead and treat both sides of his personality as two different people.
why not
August 28th, 2012
5:11 pm
I would think the coaches would have moved Synjyn to BBack instead of A back.
1 4 GT
August 28th, 2012
5:50 pm
I seem to recall reading somewhere that Alabama requested moving our games forward in time. FYI…. it is entirely possible & plausible that the BYU games were also moved forward in time to accommodate the new ACC schedule. I might be wrong. Just saying/asking.
WnE
August 28th, 2012
6:24 pm
re:
GTfan2012
August 28th, 2012
3:08 pm
The SEC is the dominant conference in college football, no question. But this slobbering love affair with the SEC has got to stop. The SEC is top heavy in the West, but the East has proved NOTHING in years. So you think you should get credit for being a dominant conference in football if only half your league is dominant? UGA’s schedule is just as weak as GT’s schedule this year. Their 10 wins in this schedule would be just as good as GT’s 10 wins on its schedule. If you don’t agree, please go game-by-game and show me where it is tougher.
__________
While you say the SEC East has done nothing, consider this:
UGA is is 3-1 vs. CPJ and are 10-1 vs. us under CMR.
USCe has damn near “lapped” Clemson as a FB Program and are now beating Clemson on a regular basis in BLOWOUT fashion.
Florida even though they are “down” is still EQUAL to F$U and is still slightly above Miami (a Team that CPJ is 1-3 against).
Vandy is quickly gaining on Wake Forest and has passed Dook, heck they might have passed Wake also .
Tenn. is a mess, but they are still better than a least half of the ACC, teams like Md. Wake, Dook, BC etc..
Mizzou, the newcomer, would be among the Top-4 Teams (upper 1/3) of the ACC and would challenge for an ACC title if they were going to the ACC instead of the SEC.
Based on that I don’t see how you can criticize the SEC East, especially being an ACC Fan.
1 4 GT
August 28th, 2012
6:35 pm
Good grief!! Your love of Georgie & the SEC came thru loud & clear that time!! “Carnack”
WnE
August 28th, 2012
6:58 pm
re:
1 4 GT
August 28th, 2012
6:35 pm
Good grief!! Your love of Georgie & the SEC came thru loud & clear that time!! “Carnack”
__________
Could you please point out any erroneous statements that I might have made?
I am a fan of CFB, and I give credit where credit is due and the SEC deserves a lot of credit for the way they play the game.
GT being an ACC school won’t make me ignore the SEC or lie about the SEC.
1 4 GT
August 28th, 2012
7:25 pm
I didn’t say you made erroneous statements. I merely said your love of Georgie & the SEC came thru loud & clear. I personally put into all of this SEC stuff. The SEC is good. No denying that. But the SEC ain’t won squat. The 7 nationals (still mythical) have been won by 3 SEC teams. If the SEC has won anything, then let the Crystal Football stay in each school’s trophy case a month at a time.
1 4 GT
August 28th, 2012
7:27 pm
And you do hate GT & love Georgie. It shows in your every word you post. BE HONEST!! You might not be so disliked here.
Not Disappointed!
August 28th, 2012
8:09 pm
I’m so ready for Football!!! I do believe the Jackets are going to have a great year!
Also, don’t underestimate Vandy! The are going to be tough this year!
Go Jackets!
B-backs remain a question mark for Georgia Tech | Georgia Tech
August 28th, 2012
9:42 pm
[...] B-backs still unsettled for Georgia Tech [...]
Great Reading
August 28th, 2012
10:08 pm
Great reading on CPJ’s offense
http://www.collegefootballgeek.com/index.php/articles/comments/college-football-101-examining-georgia-techs-flexbone-offense/
Tech uniforms: ‘A lot of things in the pipeline’ | Georgia Tech
August 29th, 2012
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[...] B-backs still unsettled for Georgia Tech [...]