It’s hard to see Georgia’s defense stopping Tech
Any chance Willie Martinez comes up with a game plan to upset Tech?
In 2006, when a 7-4 and unranked Georgia team defeated a 9-2 and 16th ranked Georgia Tech team, it wasn’t difficult to figure out why. The Dogs’ defense rattled Reggie Ball, the oft-rattled quarterback, who went 6-for-22 with two interceptions and a fumble.
“That was our goal from Day 1,” defensive tackle Ray Gant said afterward. “As soon as we started game-planning Tech, shake Reggie.”
The biggest reason not to expect an upset next Saturday when Georgia goes to North Ave? The Dogs’ defense seldom rattles anybody any more.
If this is another indictment of defensive coordinator Willie Martinez, so be it. We watched Kentucky score four second-half touchdowns Saturday night, and even though two of those scores were set up by turnovers, the game illustrated Georgia’s lack of ability to make a play when it matters.
Question: Do you see Martinez putting together a game plan and inspiring a defense to the point that the Dogs can either: 1) rattle Jackets quarterback Josh Nesbitt into making mistakes, or, 2) slow an offense that is among the nation’s per-game leaders in yardage (449.6) and points (36)? I don’t.
Here’s a stat for you: If you throw out the Vanderbilt and Tennessee Tech games, Georgia has allowed an average of 31.4 points in its other nine games. Martinez might want to keep that off his resume.
Can Georgia put up points against Tech? Yes. But as much as the Jackets’ defense has struggled this season, it also has shown an ability to make adjustments and make plays when it has had to. (Another stat: The Jackets have allowed only one second-half touchdown in the last four games). The Dogs probably had a better defense a year ago, when Tech torched them for 409 rushing yards and five offensive TDs.
I suppose there’s something to be said for this being a rivalry game and Georgia players wanting to finish the season (pre-bowl) on a high note. But it’s hard to imagine any breakthrough coming now.
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678 comments Add your comment
revwreck
November 22nd, 2009
9:40 pm
godawgs
youve lost 5 games…it doesnt matter if anybody rushed for 2 yards against you..
PJ comments on uga
November 22nd, 2009
9:41 pm
“All you have to do is turn the tape on,” Johnson said. “They’ve got some great players, just had some turnovers that cost them the game. If not for the turnovers, they would have won going away.”
Johnson praised Georgia’s receivers and said the running game has come into its own.
As for the rivalry, Johnson has experienced a few intense, competitive series in his career at Georgia Southern and at Navy.
“It’s neat to have a rival,” Johnson said. “One thing about the game being exciting is hopefully they are competitive. Last year’s game certainly was. I figure this year’s game will be as well.”
Last year’s game between the two schools was similar to the Bulldogs’ loss to Kentucky on Saturday. Georgia got ahead 28-12 at halftime, only to see Tech score 26 points in the third quarter to eventually win 45-42 and snap a seven-game losing streak in the series.
Juniors and NFL
Johnson said he will sit down with juniors this week who are trying to gauge whether they should make themselves eligible for the NFL draft in April.
Among the juniors who could leave are defensive end Derrick Morgan, B-back Jonathan Dwyer and safety Morgan Burnett. Wide receiver Demaryius Thomas is a redshirt junior who could also leave early.
Morgan is fourth in the nation in sacks (12.5), Dwyer has already rushed for more than 1,000 yards for the second consecutive season, Thomas has the size (6-foot-3) and hands that would seem to attract an NFL team, and Burnett has 14 interceptions in the past three seasons.
Johnson said he will sit down with each player and go through a list of criteria that could help them make their decision.
ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper listed Dwyer as the top running back in the country before the season started, as well as the most NFL ready. Nationalfootballpost.com recently listed Dwyer as the eighth-best prospect and second-best running back.
Kiper has Morgan listed No. 17 on his board (he’s 16 on nationalfootballpost), Burnett as the second-best safety and Thomas as the fourth-best receiver.
“If a guy’s going to be a top-10 pick or top-12 pick, they’re probably going to go,” Johnson said. “It’d be hard to advise them not to.”
Mikey
November 22nd, 2009
9:45 pm
Hey godawgs
i hear you but in order for Ealey to get those big runs he needs to be in there more.
I cannot see the infatuation with King…Ealey is a more powerful runner.
But then again our coaching staff MUST see something we don’t.
Andrew Travers
November 22nd, 2009
9:47 pm
GoDawgs-what happened against Miami and LSU is what happens to a lot of teams in the midst of a transition to a completely new system and new head coaches. Its what happens to a lot of teams when you don’t execute against another talented team.
I wonder why Florida State, Clemson and Virginia Tech didn’t shut GT out? I mean beings that all it takes is one scheme to shut down Paul Johnson’s offense, right moron?
Have more news for you. You aren’t Miami or LSU and GT.
godawgs
November 22nd, 2009
9:47 pm
Most of our losses were to SEC teams like the guys who beat you down 38 to 3 in the Bowl Game.
38 to 3 against the triple option. Johnson can’t use the “our guys were tired” exscuse for the Bowl game like he did against Miami. You had plenty of time to prepare for that LSU Bowl Game and got CRUSHED like a bee.
revwreck
November 22nd, 2009
9:52 pm
wow what amazes me is mutts dont wanna talk about how we beat them last year because its in the past….but they will talk about how LSU beat us…hate to tell you brother gadawg but theres a lot more film to watch on UGA losing than us…especially recently…in fact some is less than 24 hours old….you my friend make no sense at all
ToddShane
November 22nd, 2009
9:54 pm
godawgs-
you’re a complete idiot. you don’t think everyone else saw tape of the LSU game last year? or are you saying Willie and CMR are just THAT much better game planners than EVERYONE else that has played Tech this year…and they THEY and THEY alone will suddenly stuff CPJ’s offense?
Again, you’re a complete moron….but you fit right along with that candy a$$ program over in Athens. Pucker up buttercup, Saturday is gonna hurt.
Stinger
November 22nd, 2009
9:54 pm
You pathetic losers have ruined our strength of schedule. You are the bottom feeder of the SEC. Tech 48 – UGA 20
ToddShane
November 22nd, 2009
9:55 pm
And after Tech hangs 50 on UGAg, “godawgs” will fall to the wayside…not to be seen on these ajc blogs….LOL
Darius
November 22nd, 2009
9:56 pm
godawgs,
you’re as stupid as buck belue.
godawgs
November 22nd, 2009
9:57 pm
Mikey-
If Bobo doesn’t start giving Ealey more touches after the 55 yard EXPLOSION play, you really have to question his decision making. Ealey hasn’t got 25 touches in a single game. Caleb King got picked 2x for Int’s–the guys were right in front of him, Cox was trying to pass King the ball both times. And King had 1 or 2 fumbles. Ealey had some amazing pass catches and runs–like the 55 yard burst. Bobo kind of has this belief that freshman RB’s can’t dominate or lead a team—even though Ealey led his team to a State Championship. If you compare Ealey and King’s freshman years,: yards per carry, TD’s, explosion runs, it’s not even close. I guess Bobo never really read much about Bulldawg history–a la Herscel Walker, who led the Dawgs to a Natl’ Championship at an early age with little “passblocking” skills. Bobo likes to rotate RB’s, he thinks it makes them “more competitive”.
Tron5000
November 22nd, 2009
9:57 pm
Tech is full of nerds, Mark Richt is a good Christian, and Matt Stafford makes millions of dollars. Did I cover the important talking points?
Miles
November 22nd, 2009
9:58 pm
godawgs he is a moron you guys are right.
what does tape from last year’s LSU have to do with this game godawgs?
do you think Florida St is pulling the tape from two years ago when Miss ST beat Florida? You really don’t have a clue..much like the coaching staff you guys have…
BoRaznor
November 22nd, 2009
9:59 pm
LOL.
Ealey would be the FOURTH best back at Georgia Tech. FOURTH.
revwreck
November 22nd, 2009
9:59 pm
ToddShane
you are 100% correct…he is the dumbest of them all. godawgs is a perfect name in fact they go from pre season#1 to 50 in 12 short months
Clemson Junior
November 22nd, 2009
10:01 pm
I hope UGA shuts-out Tech. That way Richt will have justification for keeping Willie as the defensive coord.
Tron5000
November 22nd, 2009
10:03 pm
Clemson Junior, I hope I wake up in the morning and a leprechaun is sitting next to my bad with a pot of gold. Ain’t gonna happen.
godawgs
November 22nd, 2009
10:04 pm
You guys won by 3 points, you act like that’s something great, you won 1 qrtrt out of 4, you think we’re going to have a 26-0 metldown every year? Look if Bobo and Willie don’t win, they’re both going to get fired. I don’t think Johnson’s job is at stake. Our OC and DC are very motivated to win. w
Stinger
November 22nd, 2009
10:04 pm
Godawgs, that is soooo funnnnnnyyy about Ealey leading his high school team to a state championship. Hell, Cox was undefeated in high school and can’t even beat the bottom feeders of the SEC. You might as well face it, you have no running backs, no quarterbacks, and most of all no coaches. We have 6 running backs better than anyone on your team, 2 receivers better than any on your team, and our quarterback is a Heisman candidate. Who do you think wins the game??? Even you aren’t that stupid.
revwreck
November 22nd, 2009
10:06 pm
godawgs
motivation ahhhh yeahhhh….so what color shirts and pants will they be wearing..
Brent
November 22nd, 2009
10:06 pm
godawgs
Tech won last year after sleeping the first half and putting a beat down on the Dawgs…400+ yards of rushing. And they are better at that offense this year….can you say our defense is better? they’ll rush for 500 on CWM and probably score 50+. Why don’t you just stop making yourself out to be stupid?
Tron5000
November 22nd, 2009
10:08 pm
Godawgs, you won’t ned a 26-0n meltdown this year. Tech will get on top early. Even if UGA does melt down to the tune of 26-0, it won’t matter, ’cause Tech will already be on top.
Your team just lost to Kentucky. At home. On national TV. And you really think you’re going to beat Tech at Grant Field?
I’m out of reefer. I need to borrow some from you guys. ‘Cause it’s gotta be pretty good stuff to make you that delusional.
The Good Word
November 22nd, 2009
10:08 pm
so….are we still comparing Joe Cox to Tee Martin?
Tron5000
November 22nd, 2009
10:09 pm
*need
ATLVOL
November 22nd, 2009
10:09 pm
UGA fans I would be careful what you wish for…several big time recruits are still out there and Georgia is in with many of them…wishing you team gets beat or gives up a ton of points isn’t worth it…trust me..
Georgia will still have a solid recruiting class, but as a TN fan the similarities are so close. All of a sudden you don’t get the number 1 guy your after…you settle for the 3rd or 4th guy on your board…now he still may be rated pretty high,,,but that won’t cut it with the big boys….i’m telling you UGA is in a very dangerous position right now..they could easily slide for 2 or 3 more years….just look at TN. It will still take Kiffin at least one more year
Cox-head
November 22nd, 2009
10:10 pm
go dawgs, an UGA barely beat Beat TECH in 04,05, and 06. So shut up about Tech barely beating UGAy last year. TECH whipped UGAy’s a$$ last year and you know it!!!!
Nate
November 22nd, 2009
10:10 pm
Willie couldn’t manage a DQ much less a defense capable of stopping Tech. My hope as a UGA fan is that GaTech runs up the score and we can get rid of Willie.
A message for the ghosts of UGAs past:
Dear Coach Richt,
UGA VII died of a broken heart watching these guys play. However, UGA VII said a prayer from DAWG heaven: Coach Richt, help the DAWGS and Free Willie. Anxiety about our defensive play caused much shame about being associated with the touted Junkyard defense. Don’t give UGA VIII a big bone for Christmas but a new defensive coordinator. Otherwise, UGAs of past generations will haunt you down from DAWG heaven and will take a unrelenting bite out of your backside. Please move the graveyard out of Stanford Stadium, we just can’t stand watching this defense. This play makes us look like girly Biscon Frisches not ferious stubborn bulldawgs.
Hunk Down,
UGA I – UGA VII
PS- If Willie stays, please get UGA VIII a season long prescription of lipitor and out patient psychotherapy visits.
godawgs
November 22nd, 2009
10:11 pm
The only team that EVER beats Georgia recently is Georgia. If we have no turnovers, we win. If we turn over the ball, we lose. Richt is an undefeated 15-0 when we have no turnovers. No one’s really ever beaten Richt except Georgia. Turnovers have been the story in our losses.
Andrew Travers
November 22nd, 2009
10:12 pm
GoDawgs-you need to stick with topics you actually know something about. Like grooming your mullet, coon hunting, playing the banjo, beating your kids and watching reruns of The Dukes of Hazzard.
BIRDDAWGONE
November 22nd, 2009
10:13 pm
revwrek:
Do you think Johnson is studying the Kentucky film and figuring out a really good prayer for turnovers ?
Burdell
November 22nd, 2009
10:13 pm
Hey Dawg Fans,
One word for you to get used to hearing next Saturday night:
SCOREBOARD
Paul's Johnson
November 22nd, 2009
10:15 pm
TechDan:
“Paul’s Johnson, you really are a moron. If that was Jeff Sagarin’s personal page (which he does not even have) then why was that post by a guy named Kevin, with a link directly to the USA Today page that hosts Sagarin’s actual ratings?”
Dude, are you stupid? TechDan, yep, your handle says it all.
I posted a link to Sagarin’s week 10 strength of scedule page showing the list and you blow a bunch of garbled BS!! You’re cut off after 3 Miller Lites! Get off of mom’s computer.
Tron5000
November 22nd, 2009
10:15 pm
Godawgs, you really want to whittle Mark Richt’s record down to 15 games (out of 8 years) in which UGA hasn’t had a turnover? You can do that to every team. Better yet, why don’t you just tell us UGA’s record in games where they scored more points than the other team?
Moron.
SEC Football Pride
November 22nd, 2009
10:16 pm
Just point of confusion. All you ugayers who loved Richt and my hate him now, didn’t he come from FSU (an ACC school)? And, didn’t he play for the “U” of Miami (another ACC school)? Seems like you toothless inbreds liked his experience in the wimpy ACC then. Tastes more like your pityful envy of Georgia Tech now.
Cox-head
November 22nd, 2009
10:17 pm
UGA sucks!!! DEAL WITH IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
BIRDDAWGONE
November 22nd, 2009
10:18 pm
Andrew:
I graduated from UGA, I don’t have a mullet, but I have been coon hunting, I do play the banjo, I have no kids to beat and I love those Daisy Dukes—guess you couldn,t related “protractor head”
Andrew Travers
November 22nd, 2009
10:19 pm
Paul Johnson could tell Willie Martinez where the play is going each time and his mutts still wouldn’t be able stop it. Tech is just flat out tougher mentally and physically. Richts team is softer than cotton candy.
revwreck
November 22nd, 2009
10:19 pm
actually I dont think turnovers will matter my fear is our pass defense, if we get some stops our offense will take care of the rest….but I in no way shape or form think this is a cake walk…dont know if CPJ will pray but I know I will
Tron5000
November 22nd, 2009
10:19 pm
Godawgs, my new Jordans have gotten a bit scuffed. I’ll see you next Saturday outside Grant Field with your shine box. Don’t disappoint me and leave me with unclean sneakers.
Tron5000
November 22nd, 2009
10:20 pm
A guy calls another guy “protractor head,” but the first guy doesn’t know how to spell. Or use punctuation. Classic.
The Good Word
November 22nd, 2009
10:21 pm
Hard to believe that both secondaries playing at Bobby Dodd on the 28th are better than the secondary of the Falcons.
HairyDawg
November 22nd, 2009
10:25 pm
The DAWGS is unloading a whooping can on Sat in game againts the bugs and goning to have a beating down for Paul Johnsons.
Final scoring will be a blowout: 51 – 7
revwreck
November 22nd, 2009
10:25 pm
BIRDDAWGONE
10:19 is your answer
Tron5000
November 22nd, 2009
10:26 pm
HairyDawg, please don’t drive anywhere tonight. It’s obvious you’ve had far too much to drink.
BIRDDAWGONE
November 22nd, 2009
10:26 pm
Tron5000:
You are obviously not a NERD. I could go back and point out every spelling mistake and puctuation mistake from tech fans, but that would be sooooo weak.
Tron5000 is not a NERD!
Starring Henry Wilcoxon as Bishop Pickering
November 22nd, 2009
10:29 pm
It seems that UGA fans are thinking that 2006 is just like this year. WHAT DO YOU IDIOTS NOT UNDERSTAND THAT THOSE ARE 2 ENTIRELY DIFFERENT TEAMS. 2009-CPJ/Nesbitt>2006-CCG/Reggie Ball. 2009 GT similar to 2002 UGA. Loss to Florida school (GT-Miami, UGA-Florida)
13-1 record, Conference Championship, BCS Bowl win. Beatdown of state rival.
GT DDS
November 22nd, 2009
10:30 pm
godawgs – I hate to respond to you because you seem like sort of a fella that no reason can reach, but I’ll try.
So, no coaches studied the film of two games Tech lost badly in last two years – that’s why Tech has an eight game winning streak, eh?
There weren’t enough films on Kentucky for Willie to study in order for him to come up with game plan? Is that why you lost to Kentucky at HOME??
You like to talk about the bad loss LSU handed to GT last year, but do you remember 49-10 beatdown FLA laid on you last year and 42-17 one this year? Did THEY hurt? What about 45-19 to Kiffin’s team?
;
Andrew Travers
November 22nd, 2009
10:34 pm
The great thing for all you GA necks is that the game will be so out of hand by halftime that you’ll have plenty of time to watch Hee Haw and take your once a week Saturday night bath.
GTMan
November 22nd, 2009
10:34 pm
I know we have a good thing going, but I am still nervous about this game. It’s a rivalry game and even though I believe We should win, I know UGA will be up for this game… It will be a hard fought battle…
THWG.
HairyDawg
November 22nd, 2009
10:36 pm
Tron,
Sat night aint no speller B. Its is about the football. UGA plays the game and in a real conference againts SEC speeds.
Tech is stinkyest team in top 10 and plays weaker chumps in sorry basketball league. Sat night the only spelling you nerdies need know is UGA and SEC. And you better spells them right after we run over you bugs with our BIG DAWG cletes a few times.