5 bogus reasons Georgia Tech will flop in 2009
I wouldn't read too much into one bowl loss, were I you. Just sayin'. (AJC photo by Ben Gray)
1. Opponents have caught up to Paul Johnson’s offense. Were that the case, wouldn’t Georgia Tech have struggled later in 2008 as more tape of the Jackets became available? Yet in their final two regular-season games against opponents of comparable if not superior talent (Miami and Georgia), they rushed for an aggregate 877 yards and scored 86 points.
2. LSU showed everyone else how to defend Johnson’s offense. What the Chick-fil-A Bowl showed was that if, in the course of one half, you boot the opening kickoff out of bounds and fail on an onside kick and whiff on a fake punt … well, you’re in trouble against a good team. The Jackets lost 38-3 but were only outgained by 10 yards.
3. The defense lost too many players. The D is missing four starters — defensive linemen Michael Johnson, Vance Walker and Darryl Richard, plus cornerback Jahi Word-Daniels. And technically (ha! pun!), Rashaad Reid, who’s back, started more games last season than did Word-Daniels. And the best of the defensive linemen, end Derrick Morgan, returns in all his glory.
4. Tech can’t throw and catch to save its life. There aren’t 10 better receivers in the land than Damaryius Thomas, known as Bay-Bay. He took in 39 of the Jackets’ 74 completions last season and had nine catches of 20-plus yards. He can get downfield, and he can go get the ball.
5. The rest of the ACC will be ready this time. In Johnson’s second season as head coach at Georgia Southern, his Eagles played nine teams they’d met in his first season. They were 8-1 against those nine in Year 1; they were 9-0 in Year 2. In his second season at Navy, his Midshipmen faced five teams against which they’d gone 1-4 in Year 1; they went 4-1 in Year 2.
(OK, Tech fans. That’s the good news. The bad news comes with our companion list: 5 legit reasons Georgia Tech could disappoint in 2009. Finally, defensive end Derrick Morgan tells us why the Jackets are the real deal.)
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126 comments Add your comment
Cuttysark
August 26th, 2009
3:59 am
With all of the pundits trying to explain why this offense will never work in the BCS, look at the success Paul Johnson had considering that the offensive line was unable to figure out the blocking schemes the entire year. Can’t wait to get started this season. Looking for a great season in year # 2 now that the team has a better grasp of the system on both sides of the ball..
Go to isportsweb.com for more Georgia Tech Football articles. Go Jackets!
honest_abe
August 26th, 2009
5:01 am
brad, i must say you are one of the best when it comes to predicting things wrong. but this…. THIS. is the best one of them all!
those “bogus” questions seem to be alot more legit than the answers.
Herschel Talker
August 26th, 2009
6:16 am
Here are 5 more reasons:
1. I like men
2. Saint Simons likes men
3. yellowfuzz likes men
4. Pi$$onaDawg likes men
5. Cuttysark likes men
Hedgepruner
August 26th, 2009
6:26 am
I will be so glad when the season starts and we can all just sit back and watch what Paul Johnson does with this team in year # 2, I believe we are still a year away from being a NC “BCS” contender, we only return 6 seniors this season but next year we will be loaded with Jr & Sr players , so lets get behind this team and go to the games Tech fans !
GT4Ever
August 26th, 2009
6:47 am
Totally agree with you Cuttysark. Every guy on GT’s offense said it took them about 10 to 11 games to get comfortable. The last two games were a real gage on where this offense is going. Year two will be better. PJ hasn’t coach for what 30 years or so for nothing. Didn’t the nasayers predict the spread wouldn’t work. UF and others proved them wrong. The LSU game was a prime example of what any team does when they can’t do anything right. The passing game will be much improved. Heck, we had to learn how to run the option before we could intrigrate the rest of the offense. Remember, Nesbitt came from a passing offense in high school. We will be awesome running and the passing will catch up. Navy didn’t pass that much but when they did the were very good at it. Big plays abounded. Nesbitt and company will make this offense very good. It’s going to be a great show for years to come. As far as our defense is concered, we’ll be just fine. I think it might be better than last years. PJ is a winner!!!!
Jonas Grumby
August 26th, 2009
7:06 am
I’ve been saying since Oklahoma abandoned the wishbone that the option would still work in today’s game. It’s the impatient boosters that pressured coaches into “opening up” the offense. So kudos to PJ for sticking with what works. And I do think Tech is on the rise. That said, I think Tech’s in for a let down this season because some of the teams it barely beat last year will be better.
GEORGIA97
August 26th, 2009
7:18 am
It seems that MB continues to suffer from an extreme case of cranial rectal inversion (head up his a$s). He probably obtained his college degree from a school that specializes in training underwater firefighters. Personally, I’d rather light myself on fire and run through a meth lab than listen to his ramblings on sports that are the literary equivalent of Valium. Man, don’t you know all of the nerds will be on here shortly defending CPJ and I bet they’ll type so much that their hands haven’t been this sore since the first episode of Baywatch.
Paddy
August 26th, 2009
7:19 am
Jonas…I don’t see the let down as you do. Yes, Tech will be playing teams that are better this season. But Tech beat them last year. Your deduction is that there will be a let down because Tech did not get better and the opposition did. You may be the only Tech fan that believes his team is stuck in neutral. I for one would not enjoy playing CPJ in his second year at any school he coaches.
SatchelBuzz
August 26th, 2009
7:29 am
With CPJ leading us,..I like our chances. It’s a great day to be a ‘Jacket!
THWG,…every day, every way.
JB
August 26th, 2009
7:30 am
Losing the bulk of their DL WILL hurt. It’s not like they’ve had top 10 recruiting classes, over the last several years, to draw from. C’mon now. That one is a no brainer.
As to their “passing” game, pah-lease. Has their QB suddenly become a Big 12 QB? Any WR they have BETTER be able to go get the ball.
HBTD!!!
GT4Ever
August 26th, 2009
7:43 am
JB, it’s not like we’re going to pass 40 times a game. All Nesbitt has to do is complete about 60% of 15 to 20 passes a game. We all know that the running game opens up the passing game. There will be receivers wide open and all he has to do is find them. Nesbitt came from a passing offense in high school so he knows how to pass the ball. Last year he had to learn a toatlly foreign offense. His main objective was to learn the nuances of the option. Now that he’s more comfortable, the passing game will open up. The offense will be better, guaranteed!!!! GO JACKETS!!!
The Real YellowJacket
August 26th, 2009
7:46 am
Why did Georgia97 have his Mommy write in for him?
Mike T.
August 26th, 2009
7:48 am
42-45 a fluke 59-36-5 Georgia
Hunting Dawg
August 26th, 2009
7:51 am
GT is ready for another good year. CPJ knows how to get his players ready and how to actually coach during a game. To all of the bloggers who incessantly post farsical (St.Simons 45-42 hahahblahblahblah) responses, your wasting e-space. GT’s running attack is manned by very good RB’s and MB is right about Thomas at wideout. I would still question the defense this year as well as the special teams. Make no bones about it, GT will be good and will give all of their opponents a helluva game each week.
Go Dawgs!!!!
The Real YellowJacket
August 26th, 2009
7:51 am
Oh yeah he was at Georgia in 97!
Moe Ronn
August 26th, 2009
7:58 am
To all Fleabgas: YOU SUCK!
GEORGIA97
August 26th, 2009
8:00 am
The Real YellowJacket – is that all you have? Talking about my momma? I guess I can understand that coming from a Tech nerd as your momma’s va-je-je was the first and last piece of tail you ever had. You limp-wristed pickle smoochers at that trade school on North Avenue are just so darn funny when you get your panties in a bunch.
Hey Dogtards
August 26th, 2009
8:01 am
Wow JB has no idea what he is talking about. Nesbitt was a highly touted PASSING QB from a PASSING system in high school. His Junior and Senior years combined for over 5,000 yards, 63 TDs, and 13 interceptions. He had more passing yards, TDs, and was more touted than Sam Bradford coming out of high school. I’m not saying he’s as good as Bradford by any means, but the potential to be great is there. Last year was his first time starting at QB, in an unfamiliar system. So maybe you should do some research next time “pah-lease.”
I’m not sure I can come up with five reasons they may flop, but I’ll try…
1) Offensive Line is still a mess – This seems to be the biggest problem area for converting players accustomed to Chan’s old offense. Pretty much every lineman comes off the ball too high, lacks explosiveness, lacks mental awareness, and can’t seem to find that fifth gear when it comes to giving it your all. Not gonna mention names, but as a unit they really need to step it up a notch.
2) QB depth – Shaw going down leaves a temporary hole in the depth chart. While its easy to fill our backup slot, the starting QB job will be hard to fill should Nesbitt also go down. Luckily Shaw should not be out for too long, because the system almost guarantees that QBs will get knocked around a bit more than any other.
3) D-Line – Unlike MB, I see this one as actually being a problem given Tech’s D system. We basically go with a hybrid nickel package (w/ the Wolf). That leaves us with basically 6 guys up front, which will put a lot of pressure on the linebackers to be able to help the line stop the run. I’d imagine we counter this by playing TJ Barnes a lot and banking on his ability to keep the o-line from opening up any holes.
4) Ego/Preparedness – I don’t think this will happen, but it certainly did in the LSU game. I think part of the problem was PJ treating pre-bowl practices as a reward, and not an opportunity to continue to get better. I hope he doesn’t make the same mistake again this year, particularly if we end up at another top bowl. The other problem is we got to thinking we are too good and, as a result, were shell-shocked to be down 28-0 basically at home. Yes, they shouldn’t have scored that many points based on the gifts they received, but we didn’t score at all.
4) Special teams – at times our placekicking has looked atrocious and we were bad on everything but (I think) kickoff coverage. That has to change, particularly against defensive and special teams minded teams like Virginia Tech.
I can really only come up with four legit reasons. Even if Dwyer goes down or Roddy stays hurt, our RB depth should be enough to cover for them, although it will certainly take down the offense a notch.
Hunting Dawg
August 26th, 2009
8:02 am
Hey Moe Ronn, Is a fleabgas anything like a flobblegot or a snickleflit??? I know, I know, you got antsy with your your fingers while typing. Quit playing with yourself while your typing and you won’t have that problem.
Bank Walker, Texas Ranger
August 26th, 2009
8:02 am
Mark, passing requires more than a good receiver. Other wise the Detroit Lions would have had a good passing game over the past 6 years. Nesbitt will not ever be a good passer. Better chance with Shaw if GT needs to throw except that broken collar bone gets in the way.
BTW, great handle Jonas. Didn’t know they had internet access on the island.
pete nose
August 26th, 2009
8:03 am
JB stand back and watch a real football team operate or get your arse run over by the option.
ugggh!
August 26th, 2009
8:04 am
maybe yall will sell out a game now!
Vick=Dog killing thug
August 26th, 2009
8:05 am
So looking forward to OK state on the 5th. I know its an away game but Richt has an incredible record on away games. I’m not worried about Cox at all. Anyone hear anything about Ben Jones ankle? or Caleb’s hammy ?
Herschel Talker
August 26th, 2009
8:07 am
Who is slanderously using my name at 6:16? Slander!
Hey Dogtards
August 26th, 2009
8:07 am
“42-45 a fluke 59-36-5 Georgia”
First of all, its 59-38-5. Official college records include those games. Stop being babies about it. You fielded a team and you lost. You should have stuck to club sports if you were gonna whine about it later.
Second, 59-38-5 is a fluke. 4-1 Georgia Tech.
“I guess I can understand that coming from a Tech nerd as your momma’s va-je-je was the first and last piece of tail you ever had. You limp-wristed pickle smoochers at that trade school on North Avenue are just so darn funny when you get your panties in a bunch.”
Assuming you actually graduated from uga in 1997 (as opposed to being born that year), its amazing that a man who is around 35 has the maturity of someone half that age. Stay classy…
Middle GA Dawg
August 26th, 2009
8:10 am
Mark, using your logic UGA didn’t really lose all that badly to UF. In fact, I believe that we out gained UF in yards. The problem with that logic is that yards don’t count on the scoreboard. The fact of the matter is Yech was blown out by LSU and UGA was blown out by UF. Dispite the man-love you and the rest of the AJC writers have for Paul Johnson, the fact remains Yech was blown out by LSU and lost 4 games last year. A disapointing year for top tier football programs like Georgia, Florida, Alabama, USC, Texas, Oklahoma, etc.
Starring Kam Fong as Chin Ho
August 26th, 2009
8:11 am
For full disclosure, I’m a Ga fan. GT will not “flop”, CPJ has never had a bad team. They may not win the ACC this year, (or next), but it will happen if CPJ stays for the long haul. I personally wish he would stop using the cut or chop block technique, but it’s legal. Legal but dangerous. It should be an exciting year for Jacket fans and other than vs Ga, I wish ya’ll all the best.
Bank Walker, Texas Ranger
August 26th, 2009
8:15 am
GT4Ever, 60% hahahahhahahaha. He will be lucky and I mean damn lucky to hit 50%. Nesbit is a big version of Ball with a slightly better record against UGA.
Alabama Jack
August 26th, 2009
8:17 am
dawg fans suck
GEORGIA97
August 26th, 2009
8:17 am
Uh-oh, the Techies appear to have their feelings hurt by my comments and are walking around with their boo-boo lips stuck out. As for “Hey Dogtards”, if you can’t run with the big dogs then stay on the porch. It’s not my fault that you’re not witty enough to come back with something other than “stay classy”. This is a sports blog and not Sunday school, ya dummy.
Bank Walker, Texas Ranger
August 26th, 2009
8:23 am
I wish people would stop calling UGA a top tier team unless the top tier is the top 20. But to put UGA in the same class as USC, Oklahoma, Florida, Texas or Ohio State is stupid. Lets play in a BCS championship first before we call ourselves top tier. Also, the talk about returning to the glory years of UGA. We won in 1980-1983 and thats it. Vince Dooley had a career win pct. of 70%. Vince Dooley would be fired after his 2nd season today. Lets get real and don’t pretend we are something we are not. UGA is a good team year end and year out and dominates tech 80% of the time.
Mark Bradley
August 26th, 2009
8:23 am
When most of the comments on a Tech post come from Georgia fans, that says … what?
red5.ws
August 26th, 2009
8:25 am
LMAO! A BCS contender next year? You guys are classic!
Starring Kam Fong as Chin Ho
August 26th, 2009
8:27 am
Alabama Jack, as do you and your kind
Bank Walker, Texas Ranger
August 26th, 2009
8:28 am
it says there are not that many GT fans
honest_abe
August 26th, 2009
8:33 am
just proves that those seats at bobby stadium are empty for a reason. techie’s only go to those “high” profile games which is like never.
a guy with the handle “hey dogtards” telling someone else to “stay classy” ……… hilarious.
Ali Akbar Allah
August 26th, 2009
8:33 am
Tech will make a BCS bowl game this year and the National Championship next. Cry in your beers dog fans.
GEORGIA97
August 26th, 2009
8:34 am
MB it says one thing that has always rung true: Pure, old-fashioned hate. Tech is like the poor little kid that wants a woman (a BCS game in this context) more than anything in the world but every time he asks Sara St. John to be his girlfriend she sends him to Buddyville for an extended stay.
Hey Dogtards
August 26th, 2009
8:35 am
“When most of the comments on a Tech post come from Georgia fans, that says … what?”
It says most Tech fans have something better to do with their lives than troll a rival team’s sports blog.
“This is a sports blog and not Sunday school, ya dummy.”
I guess you were born in 97. You have an amazing vocabulary for a 12 year old.
Bank Walker, Texas Ranger
August 26th, 2009
8:36 am
or it says Tech fans are working while UGA fans have nothing to do
jarvis
August 26th, 2009
8:37 am
It’s hard to outgain someone by more than 10 yards when you’re playing on a short field all night. They don’t count yardage after the goal line.
The Real YellowJacket
August 26th, 2009
8:39 am
Georgia97. Don’t you mean Bubbaville? Since you work for us. If you work!
I believe 45-42 IS in the books.
The Real YellowJacket
August 26th, 2009
8:46 am
Enter your comments here
Kay
August 26th, 2009
8:46 am
It says the Ga fans are SCARED!
And they are Morons.
jarvis
August 26th, 2009
8:47 am
My boss went to MIT. She’s a good engineer.
crazy_4_GT
August 26th, 2009
8:50 am
When most of the childish comments on a Tech post come from Georgia fans, that says … what? That most of the UGA fans that post on the AJC blogs are children, I just wish that the daycare would monitor them better. UGA needs more fans like “Hunting Dawg”.
crazy_4_GT
August 26th, 2009
8:52 am
GEORGIA97 = Idiot.
Melinda
August 26th, 2009
8:55 am
LSU was the NC one year prior to playing a very young GT in a bowl game. I don’t see what blueprint they set out for stopping the O. Special teams domination? Yeah. They put up a blueprint for that. But GT had 20 plays over 10 yards in that game. That’s not shutting down an offense.
I think the fact that there may not be any bad teams in the conference this year means we will have a lot of evenly matched games. That could mean we don’t win more games than last year. But hey, as coach says, that’s why you play the games!
GEORGIA97
August 26th, 2009
8:56 am
crazy_4_GT: I prefer the term jacka$s over idiot. Thank you very little.
crazy_4_GT
August 26th, 2009
8:58 am
You are welcome very little. Idiot.
Trade School Junkie
August 26th, 2009
8:58 am
Seems now that the OKST/GA game is getting closer, there’s lots more SportsTalk discussion about it.
So, lets put that game in perspective, with help from #1 uga-homer, Tony Barnahrt.
As Barnhart has been saying all this week, GA will need to score…and I quote…”at least 31+ pts to be able to beat OKST.”
This…from THE VERY SAME Tony Barnhart…who last year predcited in his Fearless Friday Forecast that GA would beat Bama 27-24. That game was O-V-E-R at halftime. LMAO.
And, the same TB (even AFTER the Alabama “funeral”) STILL predicted GA to beat Florida. ROTFLMAO.
Folks, when even Barnhart has to admit that GA will need to score 31+ to beat OKST…then you can take that as an IRON-CLAD GUARANTEE that Dagws are gonne get DESTROYED in Stillwater.
And, since the outcome of this game has HUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUGE BCS implications for the Big 12 & SEC, I fully expect to see OKST run-up the score for “style points.”
It will be a TIVO CLASSIC !!!!!!!!!!!
Best day ever!!
August 26th, 2009
9:00 am
Tech finally got a blog on AJC. UGA gets 20 blogs to Tech’s 1 and this is the Atlanta Journal. What does that say about Tech? No one cares! And you Techies are kidding yourself. You’re own the UGA blawgs every day. Gimme a break!
T.O
August 26th, 2009
9:01 am
Melinda,
GO AWAY!!!
ticklepile
August 26th, 2009
9:02 am
Where’s St. Simons? My rim needs rimming.
Lowcountry Bulldawg
August 26th, 2009
9:02 am
As a Dawg fan its unfortunate that Johnson is at Tech b/c his brand of football is enjoyable to watch. It is with much regret that on these blogs many Tech fans embarass themselves and the University and makes it even more difficult to root for CPJ and his system.
ga_tech_92@yahoo.com
August 26th, 2009
9:02 am
Go Jackets!!
Dawgs Fan
August 26th, 2009
9:04 am
The score should have been about 54-3. LSU did not score several times when they could have easily done so. This was a whooping that will become very familiar to termite fans. Sure, every once in a while a team will sleep through a half or two but Johnson’s offense is a Div II offense and will lose more than he wins at Div I.
honest_abe
August 26th, 2009
9:05 am
TSJ: that might be the dumbest argument i have ever read. and i’ve seen quite a few from you techies.
first, name me one prognosticator that always get’s his picks right? better yet name me one who get’s close all the time? there isn’t a person you idiot or he’d be really rich.
… i just got lost on the rest of your ramble.
look, tech has a confusing offense. coach PJ is an innovative offensive coach. tech has one outstanding back and another very good one. they have a talented qb but he’s liable to get injured easily in that offense.
however you win with line play and i think tech’s lines are average at best. probably a little below average. sure it helps a lot to have great skill position players but the heart of the team is right there in the trenches and tech is sorely lacking in that department. tech will win a few games but they won’t be anything special… they’ll finish somewhere in the top 25, somewhere between 18 – 25. considering where tech’s program has been it’ll have been a good year.
Tech82
August 26th, 2009
9:06 am
GEORGIA97 – I find it curious that you would rail against Mark Bradley’s journalistic expertise, list all the moronic things you would rather do than be subjected to one of his columns and yet, you spend your time reading it (probably an inordinately long period of time given your apparent lack of education) and then several hours posting afterward. Has it occurred to you that your time may be better spent reading and responding to the want ads?
Ted Kennedy's liver
August 26th, 2009
9:11 am
Finally!! Someone get me out of here!!!!!!!
GEORGIA97
August 26th, 2009
9:12 am
Sounds like the natives are restless down at that trade school on North Avenue. Of course, that’s completely understandable when you have to stayed locked inside your dorm room because taking one step outside means getting shot at. You nerds be sure to check E-Bay for a stockpile of Kevlar vests before the season starts.
DawginLex
August 26th, 2009
9:13 am
Trade school junkie, you are still an idiot and dead wrong. 36-35 UGA
Now, in the spirit of keeping the Tech blogs going more than 5 minutes, I offer the following:
1.) The offense will be fine overall. Tech can win 7 games by just running the ball. The other 5 wins come with some semblance of balance. Can Nesbitt pass and does Tech have enough receivers to offer balance when needed?
2.) The defense. While the move to the 4-2-5 has been praised by a lot of the Tech people, the question is why make the change? The answer is it is to mask the lack of talent on the D line and to take advantage of the overall speed on the defense. Will it work against everyone?
3.) The health of the QB. Not much to worry in my opinion but the backup is unproven but still not much of a concern.
4.) The special teams and kicking game were horrid last year at times especially in the bowl game. That can lose 2 games for you along the way.
5.) Can Tech handle the hype? That comes down to coaching and history. The history is that high expectations at Tech in the past have not been met. 1991, 1999, 2000 and 2001-Tech was supposed to be world beaters yet those years resulted in no ACC titles.
I still see 10 wins but there are some concerns. Of course, one of the 2 losses will be to UGA.
Later
GEORGIA97
August 26th, 2009
9:15 am
Tech82 – I skip over what MB writes and go straight to the blog because I find it hilarious how simple it is to get under the skin of you nerds. You folks take this thing entirely too seriously and I just love poking the caged tiger with a stick. It’s a game, people. I also love how the Techies always accuse UGA fans of not having an education. I mean, we’re not snobs….we’re just better than you.
Pi$$onaDawg
August 26th, 2009
9:16 am
Bulldog rate the dumbest breed by the AKC. The Bulldog is a breed that can’t do what it was intended to do. That is also from the AKC. Bulldogs are too short and too fat to do anything of importance. The Boxer or Pitbull is now the working breed of this line. The image of the Bulldog on your UGA logo looks like a boxer more than the fat, bad breathing, waddeling thing you guys put in a sweater to parade around the Septic Tank of the South on Saturdays. UGA VII will have to quit after this year with a 7-5 record in 09.
tech
August 26th, 2009
9:16 am
What does it say about Georgia when, as a Tech fan, if I could have any player on UGA’s team I can only think of two that would upgrade Tech’s team. (Curran and Green).
RAMBLE ON!!!
August 26th, 2009
9:19 am
Mark, if that’s the good news, I don’t want the bad.
J Dub
August 26th, 2009
9:19 am
Mark, It probably says that all the tech bloggers are over on the UGA board posting “45-42″ so they aren’t here to post on their own. It could also say that the 11 Tech fans have already posted so if you want your blog to have comments, Dawg fans have to pick up the slack.
DawginLex
August 26th, 2009
9:19 am
tech,
I GUARANTEE you that coach Johnson would take our entire DL and receiving corp over yours any day of the week and twice on Sunday.
Hey Dogtards
August 26th, 2009
9:22 am
“or it says that all the UGA grads are in management and can peruse the web while they bark orders to the Tech nerds out on the floor working for them.”
Apparently Georgia97 has a GREAT job, since his understanding of “management” is someone who can peruse the web all day while barking orders at people working on the “floor.”
What are you, a lowly factory floor manager
“crazy_4_GT: I prefer the term jacka$s over idiot. Thank you very little.”
Well you do deserve both.
“And you Techies are kidding yourself. You’re own the UGA blawgs every day. Gimme a break!”
1) Speak English. 2) I think you are confusing St. Simons with real Tech fans. Instead of trolling, why don’t you try to add to an intelligent discussion?
“It is with much regret that on these blogs many Tech fans embarass themselves and the University and makes it even more difficult to root for CPJ and his system.”
Yes, because clearly its only Tech fans that are classless on these comments.
“The score should have been about 54-3. LSU did not score several times when they could have easily done so. This was a whooping that will become very familiar to termite fans.”
You obviously didn’t watch the game. Les was trying to run up the score to the best of his ability.
“Sure, every once in a while a team will sleep through a half or two but Johnson’s offense is a Div II offense and will lose more than he wins at Div I.”
LOL. When was the last time uga gave up 400 yards to a division II offense?
“however you win with line play and i think tech’s lines are average at best. probably a little below average. sure it helps a lot to have great skill position players but the heart of the team is right there in the trenches and tech is sorely lacking in that department. tech will win a few games but they won’t be anything special… they’ll finish somewhere in the top 25, somewhere between 18 – 25.”
Finally a uga fan who actually tries to be intelligent. I agree that we are lacking along the line, but its better than it was last year. The problem is the guys are trying to unlearn Gailey’s blocking system and learn CPJs at the same time. They are getting better and Tech will be deeper on the line this year (they lost Andrew Garner, who was hurt at the end of the year last year and didn’t play in the final few games, but I think was drafted in the 6th or 7th round).
“Has it occurred to you that your time may be better spent reading and responding to the want ads?”
That’s assuming Ga97 has a brain and can use it. More than likely, he’s banging his head against a wall trying to come up with more GT insults. Keep banging!!
J Dub
August 26th, 2009
9:23 am
Tech, you don’t think Jeff Owens would be an upgrade? How about Kade Weston? How about Joe Cox? How about any of our tight ends? How about Darryl Gamble? DeMarcus Dobbs? Marcus Washington? Our entire offensive line? Should I keep going? I really am not on here to bash you tech fans and I agree with Mark’s article but let’s not jump overboard here with this kind of talk.
aztec
August 26th, 2009
9:25 am
im 62 years old now and i hope before i die the good lord will let me understand what the hangup is with dawg fans about ga tech smaller stadium and lower attendance is.
Hey Dogtards
August 26th, 2009
9:30 am
Lex –
“While the move to the 4-2-5 has been praised by a lot of the Tech people, the question is why make the change? The answer is it is to mask the lack of talent on the D line and to take advantage of the overall speed on the defense.”
Your logic is flawed. A switch to a 4-2-5 offense actually does the opposite. Moving a linebacker further away from the line will not do anything to help an inexperienced defensive line. In fact, if Tech were trying to mask a lack of D-line talent it would move to a 3-4 (so it would be able to start less D-linemen), or move eight guys into the box (either a 5-3 or 4-4) to try to stuff the run. Instead, Tech has taken someone out of the box and is left to defend the run mostly with 6 men.
Other than that you make good points. Thanks for a good post.
“I GUARANTEE you that coach Johnson would take our entire DL and receiving corp over yours any day of the week and twice on Sunday.”
Really? Because there are two WRs that were common offered by both Tech and uga that chose Tech. I think PJ is happy with his receiving core. I’d rather have two really good ones than one really great one too. I probably would take a couple of your linemen though.
Tech82
August 26th, 2009
9:31 am
GEORGIA97 – Please keep in mind that it was a UGA professor that recently murdered three people. So, I guess you speak from experience when counseling us on the need for kevlar vests. Thanks for the advice.
GEORGIA97
August 26th, 2009
9:34 am
Hey Dogtards: Thank you for proving my point while also showing that you apparently consider anyone who has a blue-collar job to be “lowly”. Who do you think built that chair your fat keester is sitting in while you talk down to people who put in hard day’s work for a pay check? Choose your words cautiously.
Hey Dogtards
August 26th, 2009
9:36 am
Tech, you don’t think Jeff Owens would be an upgrade? How about Kade Weston? How about Joe Cox? How about any of our tight ends? How about Darryl Gamble? DeMarcus Dobbs? Marcus Washington? Our entire offensive line?
Owens yes. Weston yes. Although you are comparing a freshman and a sophomore (I think) to two seniors.
Cox, definitely not. I’d have no desire to let a slow ginger lead my offense, particularly a run based one.
We don’t have TEs in our offense genius.
Gamble, no. Dobbs only opposite Derrick Morgan (not as a replacement for him). Ditto for Washington. I’d probably take 2 or 3 off your offensive line too.
So what’s that, 6 out of 22?
GTMike
August 26th, 2009
9:36 am
aztec….forget about understanding Dawg fans like many of those on this blog. Unless you can become an expert in immature adults and the repressed anger that many Dawg fans display, since their attitudes are neither coherent nor rational.
I respect UGa and their football program, but the jerks like many of those who post on these blogs do Georgia a disservice. Many of those seem type folks have helped create the resentment that Tech fans feel towards UGa fans, as i have witnessed many an episode of rudeness in person by UGa fans. Tech fans aren’t perfect either, and are wrong to ‘play the same game’ just because they get pissed, but UGa fans take the cake this way.
Oh, and I don’t measure myself by how nasty or cruel my comments in a public blog can be. I don’t consider it “witty” or “smart” to be name-calling in such forums.
GEORGIA97
August 26th, 2009
9:36 am
Tech82: An excellent point; however, said crime was not committed anywhere in the vacinity of the campus. Let us not forget that a couple of Tech’s finest were recently convicted as being terrorists who supported Al Qaeda.
the real Old Gold
August 26th, 2009
9:36 am
Let’s play the games. Talk is cheap.
Trade School Junkie
August 26th, 2009
9:37 am
honest_abe:
When the #1 uga “cheerleader” Barnhart has THIS MUCH concern for the dawgs against OKST, then you can take it to the bank that its gonna go very badly for ga in Stillwater.
Oh, and for the record, here’s MY 2009 predcition: GT 12-0.
Dawg in LaLa Land:
It’ll be a hard landing when your Kool-Aid runs out.
Buster
August 26th, 2009
9:38 am
Abe ain’t very honest, is he? Or, maybe he’s just delusional.
Pi$$onaDawg
August 26th, 2009
9:39 am
CUZ i just read your vents on the Stafford blog and you are freaking too funny. I hope Baylie is recovering well and with you as her dad I know you keep her spirits up. Damn Bill King blocked me from the Dawg Blog. If you will leave him a message to let me back in thanks. Prayers and best wishes CUZ.
Hey Dogtards
August 26th, 2009
9:40 am
“Thank you for proving my point while also showing that you apparently consider anyone who has a blue-collar job to be “lowly”.”
No Ga97, I was actually making fun of your “blue collar” work ethic, not your blue collar job. You claimed that “all the UGA grads are in management and can peruse the web while they bark orders to the Tech nerds out on the floor working for them.” That doesn’t sound so blue collar to me. Moreover, any job where you can peruse the web all day either i) can’t be rewarding; ii) can’t be very hard; or iii) can’t be very valuable to your company. Either that or iv) you do a terrible job at work shirking your responsibilities. Excuse me while I actually get to work. Keep perusing the web you blue collar worker you.
Sting 'em Buzz
August 26th, 2009
9:43 am
there’s a lot of love between the fans of the two schools
Trade School Junkie
August 26th, 2009
9:43 am
Oh, and BTW dawg in LaLa Land:
“Can Tech handle the hype?” WTH ?!?!
1. It aint no hype.
2. dawgs already P-R-O-V-E-D…THEY…cant handle the hype.
And..YES…it was ALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL hype for ga in 2008. LOL
Tech82
August 26th, 2009
9:44 am
GEORGIA97 – Touche’. I say we call that point a draw.
DawginLex
August 26th, 2009
9:45 am
trade school flunkie,
12-0?
Who is drinking the kool aid?
aztec
August 26th, 2009
9:45 am
i agree gtmike, both schools have there bad fans on the blogs, heck at SDSU we dont even have a real football rivalry where we can get on each others case, in fact i would say most people in san diego dont even know we have a football team..lol
Trade School Junkie
August 26th, 2009
9:51 am
dawg in lala land:
go ahead and share YOUR predition for the overall ga seasont, W-L.
Also, why dont you go ahead and share your okst/ga prediction.
I say something like: okst:49 ga:23
Of course, i dont think ga will score until second half.
GEORGIA97
August 26th, 2009
9:54 am
Tech82: Agreed.
DawginLex
August 26th, 2009
9:55 am
Now you have changed your mind. It was 66-13. i am not stupid enough to predict 12-0 for UGA. And yes, the hype for GT those years I mentioned was real and Tech didn’t perform. I say 36-35 UGA in a great football game, probably a better game than the VT/Bama game which is the highlight game of the weekend.
I believe UGA will win 9 or 10 games. The Florida game and the trip to Arkiesaw scare me more than OSU. I believe UGA will beat OSU. I also believe UGA will beat Tech.
Bash away oh delusional one!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
DawginLex
August 26th, 2009
9:57 am
Junkie,
If i don’t respond for awhile, it’s because I have an all day meeting to attend. I ain’t running…………………
GEORGIA97
August 26th, 2009
9:57 am
Hey Dogtards: You keep proving my point that you take this thing entirely too seriously when I’m clearing just having fun with the blog. I’m not a blue-collar worker and obviously don’t spend all day on the web as I would get canned. It was a JOKE. My God man, grab a Xanax and enhance your calm before your ticker explodes.
dagnabit
August 26th, 2009
9:59 am
bulldog is so close to bullshi$. like 45-42
teed
August 26th, 2009
9:59 am
ACC 6-4 vs sec 2008 season
Tampa Wreck
August 26th, 2009
10:03 am
Have to agree with most of “Hey Dogtards” 8:01 AM post. Pretty good analysis of where this team is. I would prefer that we skip the unnecessary name calling.
I too think that the concern regarding the defense and the defensive line is legit. While I think our secondary will be improved, lets’s not forget that Matthew Stafford carved them up like a Thanksgiving Turkey last November even with our 3 NFL draftees in place. We were very lucky to overcome some very poor defensive play that game. Even Miami started moving the all after changing their quarterbacks last fall. Yes, it was mop-up time and the game was out of reach, but they did it none the less.
I’m also still concerned with the passing game. A single receiver does not makea viable passing attack, and even Bay Bay dropped a few last year. It all starts with the offensive line and giving Josh time to set and throw. We need to improve dramatically this year on the line for the passing game to take off. Will it be better.. Likely, can’t get much worse than what we saw last year.
However, even with the issues, I’m still optimistic regarding this team. We will move the ball and score, regardless of whether we have a passing game, and I’m hopeful that some young men will step up on defense and we can improve on that side as well.
Go Jackets. Looking forward to an exciting year.
5 legit reasons Georgia Tech might disappoint in 2009 | Mark Bradley
August 26th, 2009
10:04 am
[...] our companion list of 5 bogus reasons Tech won’t fall short in 2009, please click here. And coming later today, we present defensive end Derrick Morgan’s upbeat take on the [...]
AtlantaTruth
August 26th, 2009
10:04 am
When most of the comments on the Tech blog come from Georgia fans that says. what goes around comes around! Tech fans need to grow up. Come talk to us when you consistently beat the Dawgs, consistently post double digit win seasons and consistently go to bowl games that mean something and aren’t played on a blue field in Idaho. Also, try winning the ACC, something you won’t be doing for a long time. Grow up Tech fans. Act like you have a little class and at least put your money where your mouth is and support your team by buying tickets and attending your home games. Unless you do nobody will ever take your football team and program seriously.
Gerbil in Lex's Bunghole
August 26th, 2009
10:07 am
HELP ME!
RAMBLE ON!!!
August 26th, 2009
10:14 am
I’m a homo
Hey Dogtards
August 26th, 2009
10:15 am
“Hey Dogtards: You keep proving my point that you take this thing entirely too seriously when I’m clearing just having fun with the blog. I’m not a blue-collar worker and obviously don’t spend all day on the web as I would get canned. It was a JOKE. My God man, grab a Xanax and enhance your calm before your ticker explodes.”
Sounds to me like a uga troll got the smack down and is desperately trying to get out of it. I’m just having fun too man. You did claim to be a blue collar worker who spends all day on the internet, I’m just pointing out the contradiction to the masses. Hope you guys are 11-0 come Thanksgiving.
“When most of the comments on the Tech blog come from Georgia fans that says. what goes around comes around! Tech fans need to grow up.”
I’m pretty sure that actually says that uga fans need to grow up, or at least stop trolling their rival’s blogs.
“Act like you have a little class and at least put your money where your mouth is and support your team by buying tickets and attending your home games.”
Nice redefinition of what “class” is. Class is more like not trolling on other team’s blogs, but if that were the definition you wouldn’t have any. Well played sir.
PMC
August 26th, 2009
10:17 am
The biggest is probably the pass rush that they lose some of and the defensive line depth. They have gained Tarrant though at CB and replacing Word Daniels is not going to be that difficult. Cooper Taylor has had an outstanding offseason. With Tech running so much clock opponents are going to throw more often and the best player on the team is likely Morgan Burnett who will be waiting to steal passes. They do seriously need to worry about keeping thier QB’s healthy.
Bobby
August 26th, 2009
10:19 am
I BLEED RED AND BLACK. I HATE gt with everything in me almost as much as i hate florida. With that being said, gt is building a very nice program. I think you guys have one hell of a coach who has a system that is hard to stop. I know I sat in the rain and watched it kill us in the second half. I have said that we don’t worry about tech until the game gets here, and this pains me to say this, but we better start worring about tech every year. You guys are unfortunately heading in the right direction and its going to be hard to beat you every year. I hope Paul J. leaves you quickly so we can get back to owning tech, but I don’t think that is going to happen anytime soon. You guys are going to be very scary for us and other teams that you play for many years to come. GO DAWGS AND TO HELL WITH gt
Burdell
August 26th, 2009
10:30 am
DawginLex–
You may be right about CPJ taking UGA’s line and receivers…but the beauty is that he doesn’t need them to beat you guys!
Go Jackets!!
Smart Jay
August 26th, 2009
10:31 am
“Who do you think built that chair your fat keester is sitting in while you talk down to people who put in hard day’s work for a pay check?”
Uhhh, you?
Saint Simons
August 26th, 2009
10:36 am
Woo hoo…go vocational/trade school!!! can’t wait until mommy unlocks me from our basement sex dungeon so I can join the other 237 people that actually show up at our disgustingly unattractive football stadium.
I hear in order to bring more Tech fans to a game from the “Harry Potter/D&D Convention” in Gwinnett, they are giving away “Twilight” DVDs – woo hoo!
GEORGIA97
August 26th, 2009
10:42 am
Hey Dogtards: Are you familiar with the phrase “assumption is the mother of all f*ck ups”? You assumed that I’m a blue collar worker when I used the phrase “out on the floor” when nothing could be further from the truth. The phrase is commonly used when a manager sits in an office with a closed door and commands the troops “out on the floor” in their cubicles. You put the cart before the horse and got it all wrong. Rest assured, UGA will not be 11-0 come November 28th but when is the last time that either team’s record mattered in this game of pure, old-fashioned hate?
DamnGoodDawg
August 26th, 2009
10:45 am
I’m praying hard that they flop! Nuf Said!
gdawginkalamazoo
August 26th, 2009
10:51 am
“The Jackets lost 38-3 but were only outgained by 10 yards”. Tony, that makes it sound better.
Tech, what it means is that you don’t know football.
Should be an interesting season for Tech. Good luck until you play us.
GEORGIA97
August 26th, 2009
10:52 am
Smart Jay: Sorry, it wasn’t me. I was too busy out bangin’ your mom like a screen door in a hurricane.
Jared
August 26th, 2009
10:53 am
anyone that thinks the offense is why we lost to LSU just flat-out didn’t watch the game.
gdawginkalamazoo
August 26th, 2009
10:54 am
Sorry Mark I didn’t mean to call you Tony. My bad.
Green Tea
August 26th, 2009
11:19 am
FLASHBACK to the first day of school for ever nerd on this blog.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C3njjD41f48&feature=PlayList&p=1EC4F3B6403CE8FE&index=0&playnext=1
Green Tea
August 26th, 2009
11:35 am
every
steve
August 26th, 2009
12:14 pm
aren’t numbers 1 and 5 pretty much the same thing?
5 bogus reasons Georgia Tech will flop in 2009 | Mark Bradley | Georgia Today
August 26th, 2009
12:29 pm
[...] Go here to see the original: 5 bogus reasons Georgia Tech will flop in 2009 | Mark Bradley [...]
K with a K
August 26th, 2009
12:32 pm
If GT can reach the following goals I will be happy!!
1: Go To ACC Championship Game
2: Go Undefeated at Home
3: Lead the Nation in Rushing
Go Jackets!!!
gdawginkalamazoo
August 26th, 2009
1:42 pm
If GT can reach the following goals I will be happy!! Maybe, maybe not.
1: Go To ACC Championship Game (Tickets are available to anyone to attend, as a matter of fact you could probably just walk right in 5 minutes after kickoff and pick a seat for free. The players could wear their jersey and get a free hotdog and soda).
2: Go Undefeated at Home (For Thursday nights no problem, those Saturday games will be tough)
3: Lead the Nation in Rushing (No problem there but you will have to score points and play defense and special teams. See 38-3 for reference).
Go Jackets!!! Go Jackets until you meet the Dawgs!
Okay I know it isn’t my turn to talk smack but hey a seven year habit is hard to break.
Braves73
August 26th, 2009
2:09 pm
I really think that GT has a decent chance at the conference title. The ACC is weak top to bottom, and PJ is a GREAT coach. The thing I admire most about PJ is his ability to game plan and make adjustments. He also does not accept anything less than the best on every snap, every play, every block, every tackle, every opportunity. He is one of a few coaches that can make a “difference”.
The only thing I don’t like is those HIDEOUS uniforms. What the heck color is that? It looks like puke yellow & green..not a good look.
Pago Flyer
August 26th, 2009
2:15 pm
Actually, GT will beat “thug u” by at least 20 points.
Not Disappointed
August 26th, 2009
2:17 pm
Does any of this have to do with Georgia Tech’s Football. Get a life guys and girls. The bogus reason by Mark Bradley is good food for thought, but just it. “Good food for thought.”
Looking forward to some actually football. Georgia have their own with Oklahoma State’s Offense. One thing is for sure about the game. Georgia will score several times to win. Tech will have an interesting game the following week. Until then Blog on….. “Ramblin Wreck!”
TW
August 26th, 2009
2:33 pm
6. Too many teams in the ACC with better recruiting classes over the last five years.
NC, FSU, VT, MIA
Old Dawg
August 26th, 2009
2:43 pm
I watched Paul Johnson’s teams when he was the HC at Georgia Southern and also when he was the offensive coordinator. His teams are always well prepared and execute the option better than even the heralded Oklahoma and Nebraska teams of the past. His Navy teams were also exciting to watch.
Josh Nesbitt is doing as well as he possibly can in this offense but after watching him play in high school I don’t think he is a natural spread option QB. Of all the QBs Johnson has coached, Tracy Ham was the best overall because he could ran and pass with equal authority. His career in the CFL speaks volumes about his passing ability. It will take a while for Johnson to find the perfect D-I player to fit his system. Once he does, watch out.
I still have concerns about the pounding a QB takes in this system, especially with the size and speed of D-I linebackers. As you can tell, I have great respect for Paul Johnson’s coaching ability. At the same time, the reality of today’s game creates concern for the long term health of his QBs.
Johnny DangerDawg
August 26th, 2009
2:54 pm
Mark Bradley,
“Flopping” is an ambiguous term. If Tech finishes with the same record as last year but below this year’s pre-season ranking, is that a flop or a success?
Life coach
August 28th, 2009
2:53 pm
Here is five reasons UGA will flop this year:
1) Overated (See last year)
2) UF, LSU, GT
3) Can’t win the big one (See 30 years and counting to a Nat Champ.)
4) Arrests of various players
5) History: Lot of wins but few against top talent See #1, 2 &3
Watch Make It Or Break It Episode 8 | Chanel News | News | Breaking News | News Headlines | Latest News | World News | US News | Entertainment News | Daily News | News Channel | Sports News
August 28th, 2009
7:03 pm
[...] break, MVP still had not made the hot tag to Henry as Jericho continued to cut him … 5 bogus reasons Georgia Tech will flop in 2009Gimme a break! As a Dawg fan its unfortunate that Johnson is at Tech b/c his brand of football is [...]
Sam Bradford Girlfriend
September 6th, 2009
11:28 pm
[...] reigning Heisman winner Sam Bradford of Oklahoma and Texas' Colt McCoy as competition. … 5 bogus reasons Georgia Tech will flop in 2009He had more passing yards, TDs, and was more touted than Sam Bradford coming out of high school. [...]