Bradley’s Buzz: ESPN damns Georgia Tech with faint praise
When last we encountered Chris Sprow of ESPN.com — and if it seems like just yesterday, that’s because it was — he was saying nicer things about the 2009 Georgia Bulldogs than you’d expect regarding a team ESPN ranks No. 16 in the land. Well, guess who ESPN ranks No. 15?
Aw. You guessed.
The same Mr. Sprow takes on 15th-ranked Georgia Tech (link requires registration) and — wouldn’t you know it? — gushes less about the Jackets than about the Bulldogs. (Let the record reflect that ESPN’s ratings were done not by Sprow but by esteemed former colleague Mark Schlabach, who’s a Georgia grad.) And a magnifying glass isn’t required to read between Sprow’s lines: He wonders if Paul Johnson’s option-based spread is really all that.
As was the case with the Georgia preview, extensive quotation will be done. (Because ESPN’s Insiders is a pay site, and I’m Clark Howard.) So here goes:
• “What [Tech coach Paul Johnson] should do is put the ball in the hands of star tailback Jonathan Dwyer. As a sophomore, Dwyer finished 12th in the nation in rushing with 1,395 yards, but it was what he did on first down that was telling. At home, on 54 attempts, he averaged 11.1 yards per carry, moving from first down to first down.”
• “Tech’s offense — under the leadership of returning junior quarterback Josh Nesbitt — isn’t a complete one-trick pony. It can run in a lot of directions and get a lot of people involved. Consider that Dwyer’s 6.98 yards per carry was over a yard less than freshman Roddy Jones. The kid from Stone Mountain, Ga., went for 8.5 yards whenever he carried the ball.”
• “The bottom line: Tech is set up to be the best rushing team in the country.”
Loading ...• “Despite the offensive plaudits, Tech simply wasn’t dominating on the scoreboard. It outscored opponents by only 4.1 points a game (24.4 to 20.3) for the year, and on those rare occasions when the running game needed a boost from a little passing, it got ugly … Having even a hint of an aerial threat would help. Terrible passing teams that make an effort to improve usually gain a W or two.”
• “As the caretaker of the program, Johnson knows that he earned praise last year not because Tech was so good, but because so little was expected of it. That’s not the case anymore. Last year many looked at the underclassmen dotting the starting lineups and penciled in the team for 3-9.
My two cents: I could’ve sworn Tech was good in 2008 — it finished 9-4 and beat Boston College, Florida State, Miami and Georgia. And I’m inclined to think a team that won nine games in Year 1 under an exceedingly stylized coach would get better with time and a deepened knack for nuance. That’s why I think the Jackets will win the ACC. But I have, as we know, been wrong at least once in my life.
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271 comments Add your comment
Kendawg
June 16th, 2009
11:15 am
Phil Steele has picked GA TECH to be the 28th best team in the country. That doesn’t sound like an ACC champ. It all depends on whether you think Steele is a better prognosticator than Mark Bradley. In my opinion, Steele has proven over the years that he is a pretty good predictor. Bradley is simply a hometown journalist who is trying to hype the hometown program.
ex NFL player my arrss
June 16th, 2009
11:16 am
Les is not more Miles,
You and ex NFL player are both full of it. Your comments reflect your level of maturity and overall education- high school dropout and GED wannabe. I like how you guys talk about how bad our defense is going to be as if you are going to field the Steel Curtain in Athens. Don’t throw stones if you live in glass houses.
WTF???
June 16th, 2009
11:19 am
Cox is far from an unknow. He followed Chris Leak at Independence High in NC. He had 112 TD’s & 8,734 yards in his High School career.
He also attended the Nike elite 11 camp, which is designated for the top QB’s in the country.
He’s not some scrub like LSU lined up under center last year, this kid can play.
I think they’ll use running back by committee similar to Brown, Lumpkin & Ware days, which worked out fairly well for us.
I fully expect Samuel (only 17 last year) to emerge from the pack by mid year & be dominant.
This kid is full grown, 6′1 205 coming out of school and word on the street is he’s one of the fastest kids on the team.
Plus your passing & running game are directly related to O line play, which with big Sturdivant, Vance, Boling, etc. coming back will most definitely not be the issue it was last year.
Martinez is a joke
June 16th, 2009
11:20 am
I will take GT’s D over UGA’s any day of the week. And its no comparison on offense. I don’t care how many games Joe Cox won in High School…
Fred S.
June 16th, 2009
11:20 am
Well, if history is any indicator, where CPJ’s offenses have been traditionally good, at the same time his defenses have been consistently bad. Last year’s defense couldn’t stop Parkview High under CPJ’s coaching staff. What could John Tenuta have done with that unit? Michael Johnson disappeared under the tutelage of the current coaching staff and that’s fact. CPJ WILL NOT find it as easy to win at this level relying on just offense to get it done. And furthermore, CPJ will always be forced to put his best talent on the offensive side of the ball just as he has had to do historically. Even his great Georgia Southern teams couldn’t stop a troop of girl scouts.
WTF failed the Wunderlich
June 16th, 2009
11:23 am
WTF, you continue to show your stupidity. Like Martinez is a Joke said, nobody cares what Joe Cox did in High School. Its amazing you guys can have so much confidence in your backfield when they’ve not really contributed much thus far. But I’m sure you’ll tell me how good they were in High School.. You’re pathetic.
Les Miles.
June 16th, 2009
11:23 am
ex NFL player my arrss
June 16th, 2009
11:16 am
Les is not more Miles,
You and ex NFL player are both full of it. Your comments reflect your level of maturity and overall education- high school dropout and GED wannabe. I like how you guys talk about how bad our defense is going to be as if you are going to field the Steel Curtain in Athens. Don’t throw stones if you live in glass houses.
Have it your way moron. Your level of discourse pretty much exposes you as some 6th grade delinquent that passes through this blog when not sniffing his mom,s panties.
Fred BS
June 16th, 2009
11:25 am
Fred S.- how many points would Parkview have put up on UGA last year then? You point a finger at our D and you’ve got 3 pointing back at you.
Les Class
June 16th, 2009
11:26 am
Nice Les Miles. Real nice. I think you represent the UGA fan base well. Typical.
GT75
June 16th, 2009
11:29 am
ex NFL player my arrss, if this is all you have to offer go away. At least some people come in here to have some good football talk and then guys like you jump in just to prove your own stupidity. Hopefully you are not a Tech fan. With that 70 IQ that you’re displaying you make the real Tech fans look bad.
UGAIsSoLastYear
June 16th, 2009
11:33 am
Well stated Melinda!!! THWG!!!
GT75
June 16th, 2009
11:34 am
GT75, get off your high horse old man. A little surprising you are calling me out with all of the classless comments from UGA fans out here. Its old farts like you that give Tech a bad name. You probably don’t even stand up during home games and get mad at the people in front of you that do. I’m not sure why or how I offended but I certainly don’t apologize. I’m still struggling to find the “good football talk” you reference.. Just can’t find it.
WTF???
June 16th, 2009
11:35 am
Ok, we’ll see in November boys.
All I’m saying is this. Cox can pay. He’s been in the system a long time, should know it very well.
And regardless of a QB or RB’s ability, if the O line isn’t blocking they’re not going to be successfull.
Our line will be one of the best in the conference this year thanks to last years injuries forcing many young players to be thrown into the fire early.
And if ya’ll think I’m stupid for that, then ya’ll are the ones that are stupid.
Fred S.
June 16th, 2009
11:37 am
Fred BS
June 16th, 2009
11:25 am
Fred S.- how many points would Parkview have put up on UGA last year then? You point a finger at our D and you’ve got 3 pointing back at you.
Obviously this is not a UGA blog. The discussion of the UGA defense goes on there. And Willie Martinez gets his ration of abuse from his own fans. Maybe there is more objectivity over there because you Tech fans seem oblivious to the fact that your defense last year really sucked too but in at least your feeble mind Fred BS that point is not relevant to the performance of this years team. So Fred BS, I understand that you are not the brightest bulb in the pack, but use what little gray matter you possess and maybe you can figure out something as simple as that.
BLAZER
June 16th, 2009
11:40 am
IT IS STILL 45-42!
StingerSplash
June 16th, 2009
11:40 am
Mr. Sprow of the four-letter network’s vast evil reach should do more research and see the leap Paul Johnson’s teams take from year one to year two.
In 1997, Georgia Southern won the Southern Conference — a year after the program’s first losing record since it was restarted — and advanced to the second round of the (then) I-AA playoffs. One year later, they played for (and should have won … don’t get me started … it still hurts) the national championship.
In 2002, Navy won two games. The next year, they went to a bowl game.
In 2008, Georgia Tech won nine games, beat Florida State, Miami and Georgia and played in the Chick-fil-A Bowl. I think the assumption that Tech will be better this year than even last year has some evidence behind it.
Tech will open the season with nearly the same lineup on offense that played at the end of the 08 season. So what if people have “seen” this offense. This offense will now have “seen” more defenses.
Dan
June 16th, 2009
11:41 am
GT75
June 16th, 2009
11:34 am
GT75, get off your high horse old man. A little surprising you are calling me out with all of the classless comments from UGA fans out here. Its old farts like you that give Tech a bad name. You probably don’t even stand up during home games and get mad at the people in front of you that do. I’m not sure why or how I offended but I certainly don’t apologize. I’m still struggling to find the “good football talk” you reference.. Just can’t find it.
You can’t find it because either you haven’t looked, can’t read, or don’t know enough football to know it when you see it. And show some manners boy. Be seen and not heard you candy butt young punk.
Fred BS
June 16th, 2009
11:43 am
I’m going to dig into my “gray matter” and say that we sucked less than UGA’s D last year. But at least last year you were able to put enough points on the board at times to overcome your weak D. I can’t wait to see all of these first year wonders you talk about on offense this year.. Funny how they’re preseason all-SEC in your minds without every playing a meaningful game.
Cindy
June 16th, 2009
11:45 am
StingerSplash could it be the Chick-fil-A Bowl opened the door for some doubt? GT will be facing a few teams this year that have them outmanned in the trenches.
WTF???
June 16th, 2009
11:47 am
Let me put it this way for you idiots that do not understand the way the game is played….
You have 5 guys lined up (offensive line) in front of your quarterback & running back(s). Then you have 11 guys lined up on the other side (this is called the defense). Of which anywhere from 1 to all 11 (not likely) will try to rush (run really fast) around or over the O line (5 guys) to tackle them in the backfield.
Pay attention, this is where you idiots lose focus.
So the offensive line (the 5 guys I was telling you about) do this thing called blocking (they stop the guys on defense from tackling the player with the football). The more experience the offensive line (5 guys in front of QB) have, the more proficient they are at stopping said tacklers.
Ok, so if your o line is better equipped to stop the defensive team from tacking your skill players you should be more successful when running or passing (throwing for you idiots) then in years past.
There is actually a bit more to this process than I described, however judging from your post I will not get into that today.
Read this a few times, perhaps it will enlighten your football knowledge a bit more & you can come talk with the big boys without calling names.
Thank you.
WTF???
June 16th, 2009
11:50 am
oops, than in years past. I guess stupid rubs off on ya though.
Danny Boy
June 16th, 2009
11:50 am
I was playing college football while you’re “football background” was likely washing the jocks of your local parks and recreation team. And I can’t say that I’ve ever been called a “candy butt young punk” before, but I’m guessing you were offended by my old fart remark. Which would make you old, and likely one of the lowsy fans at Bobby Dodd that gets upset when people stand in front of them. You all know who you are.
Ramblinwreck1378
June 16th, 2009
11:53 am
WTF: Joe Tereshinski was in the system for a long time, and his performance as a starter went very well, right?
Danny Boy
June 16th, 2009
11:54 am
Go get yourself some Viagra and maybe you can have something at least stand up at home games. I’m still waiting on you to offer up some real football knowledge on this blog.
Huh?
June 16th, 2009
11:55 am
“I think the assumption that Tech will be better this year than even last year has some evidence behind it.
Tech will open the season with nearly the same lineup on offense that played at the end of the 08 season.”
Scoring 3 points against an 8-5 team will not win you any championships Techies. Hate to break it to ya.
Supersize that order, mutt
June 16th, 2009
11:56 am
After Ok State and Spurrier’s chickens both stick it to the mutts, we’ll see how much JB, Huh?, and all the others brag about the great HS players they have on their team….THWG
Danny Boy
June 16th, 2009
11:57 am
Dan- do you also ask those “punk kids” in front of you to “show some manners” when you ask them to sit down in front at games? People like you represent everything that is wrong with Tech athletics.
WTF???
June 16th, 2009
11:57 am
You’re comparing Joe T to Cox?
Wow, you guys know less than I thought.
2005 class of QB’s
Joe Cox – 7th ranked QB
Colt McCoy – 15th ranked QB
Weren’t they mentioning the 15th ranked QB in the Heisman race last year?
Get a job WTF
June 16th, 2009
11:59 am
WTF, get a job man. I love all of your High School stats- those ALWAYS translate into success in the SEC. Really.
WTF???
June 16th, 2009
11:59 am
And by the way. I’ll lay $100 on UGA winning more games this year than Tech & another $100 on the UGA/Tech game in November.
And for sh#ts & giggles I’ll give ya 7…..
Cindy
June 16th, 2009
12:00 pm
OK mites. Have it your way. GT goes 13-0 and wins the NC behind that great D that will give up an avg of 0 points per game. Happy now?
Ramblinwreck1378
June 16th, 2009
12:02 pm
I’ll take that any day. Any day.
George P. Burdell
June 16th, 2009
12:04 pm
Giving up 49, 45, and 41 isn’t going to win you too many either.
WTF???
June 16th, 2009
12:05 pm
All I’m saying is this, Shockley hadn’t done anything at UGA waiting in the wings behind Greene. What happened that year?
Huh?
June 16th, 2009
12:10 pm
“Giving up 49, 45, and 41 isn’t going to win you too many either.”
Nor will 42 and 38 in your final two games. I didn’t say UGA would be winning any championships this year Techie. Its your fellow nerd herd brethren popping off at the mouth about how great they will be in ‘09. I was simply pointing out that you scored 3 freaking points in your crappy freaking bowl game against a freaking 8-5 team. Don’t run your big mouths if you don’t want people bringing stuff like that up. Simple as that.
Supersize that order, mutt
June 16th, 2009
12:11 pm
Shmockley had filled in some while Greene was there, hadn’t he? And he looked ok. Has Cox played any, and if so, did he contribute anything?
Mark Bradley
June 16th, 2009
12:19 pm
I’m playing catch-up on comments here, but I’m buoyed to note that “Supersize That Order, Mutt” has joined us. (That one still makes me laugh. Sorry.)
And Rick wondered on Page 1 of the comments how ESPN feels about someone providing their for-pay content for free. I have to admit I don’t know and haven’t asked. I paid for it, and I’m just assuming I’m free to share it with my friends. And y’all are my friends.
Group hug! (Er, not so pushy, WTF.)
Huh?
June 16th, 2009
12:20 pm
Tech fans do not want to talk about any potential deficiencies with their team. They only want to hear about how great they’ll be and how everyone else, particularly Georgia, sucks. If you disagree you are just biased and/or a redneck that didn’t take calculus. Then they have the nerve to criticize other fans, once again Georgia fans in particular, for hyping their teams too much. Look at these idiots running their mouths. Half them probably already have reservations for the freaking Orange bowl. Fortunately, experience teaches us that the bigger a Techies’ mouth the more room they have to stick their foot in it when their team predictably chokes. What an absolutely laughable fan base. Good day.
Huh?
June 16th, 2009
12:22 pm
Shmockley had filled in some while Greene was there, hadn’t he? And he looked ok. Has Cox played any, and if so, did he contribute anything?
I would call starting a game and throwing a winning touchdown pass “contributing” Techie. Here’s a quarter. Go buy a clue.
the real Old Gold
June 16th, 2009
12:22 pm
Is that “Kevin” the one from The Office? Because I think he’s a little slow…
WTF???
June 16th, 2009
12:28 pm
Here’s the deal. You Techies watch UGA once a year. We watch them a bit more than that.
Cox is the real deal, I’m not going to “RAMBLE ON!!!” about it anymore, you will all see in due time.
Supersize that order, mutt
June 16th, 2009
12:29 pm
Huh, I asked a simple question. A simple POLITE answer would have been appropriate.
As far as deficiencies with the Tech team, read most of the above posts. Any sane Tech fan knows the defense is in question; they underperformed last year with more supposedly better talent. HOPEFULLY, there will be improvement. Special teams also sucked. But the offense performed far above expectations, and with a year’s experience under their belts, they should be better. I think it is YOU who are unwilling to accept and admit deficiencies in the UGAG team. According to you and others like you, they apparently have no weaknesses and should beat everybody they play. Oh yeah, I forgot, they get injuries which keep them from performing up to expectations–injuries apparently greater than those that other teams incur.
Mark, it’s good to be recognized, and I am always happy to make you smile. I was on vacation the entire month of May, so I have only just now gotten back into the wonderful world of blogging.
WTF???
June 16th, 2009
12:30 pm
Bradley, what is your take on Joe C.?
You think he can effectively lead the Dawgs?
WTF???
June 16th, 2009
12:31 pm
Supersize – Can I get the name of your HR manager, I’m going to see if they’ll give you some more vacation time….
dawgone good dawg
June 16th, 2009
12:32 pm
Anybody who honestly looks at last season’s Tech win against Georgia knows that Tech won by default because in the 2nd half the Georgia defense stopped doing the things that were successful in the first half. Johnson admitted that they ran the same plays the 2nd half that got them down in the 1st half by a whopping margin. Martinez’s defense just played a half of football. And it was NOT a “beat down”. Tech slipped by and that’s the fact. Tech WILL NOT prevail in the ACC or against Georgia and other good non conference opponents with the minor league offense they are running. Mark it down.
WTF???
June 16th, 2009
12:33 pm
RamblinWreck1378 – Consider it a bet. At the end of the year we’ll figure out a method of payment.
Don’t be skimpin on my 2 bills son.
I got some kneebreakers lined up.
WTF???
June 16th, 2009
12:38 pm
Dawgone good post….
Supersize that order, mutt
June 16th, 2009
12:45 pm
And UGAG will WILL NOT prevail in the SEC or against Tech and other good non conference opponents with the so-called major league offense AND Willie Martinez defense they are running. They did not last year, and they will not this year. MARK IT DOWN!!!
Big Bee
June 16th, 2009
1:00 pm
ALL OF THE ABOVE, Bobby dodd once said” Three things can happen when you throw the football and two of them are bad”, so don’t worry about the passing game. Speaking of the worse fans in America, have you ever been to a game in Athens? Also don’t talk about the high school ofense until you learn how to beat them.
WTF???
June 16th, 2009
1:01 pm
you enginequeers make me lol