5 legit reasons Georgia Tech might disappoint in 2009
Jaybo Shaw with his collarbone intact. He'll be missed. (AJC photo by Johnny Crawford)
1. Jaybo Shaw broke his collarbone in practice. Losing your backup quarterback is a big deal when you run the spread option. Josh Nesbitt is going to get hit 30 times a game, and Shaw — who started a game and won it in Nesbitt’s stead last season — is fully capable of doing it again. Or was capable. Now there’s no telling when he’ll be back.
2. The special teams aren’t exactly special. Georgia Tech missed eight of 20 field goals last season and two PATs. It lagged its opponents in punt return average, kickoff return average and net punting. The kicking game essentially lost the Chick-fil-A Bowl. A team that wants to play in a BCS game will have to make a big kick of some kind along the way.
3. There are trap games on the card. Tech plays at Miami on Thursday night a week after it plays host to Clemson on Thursday night, meaning the manufactured emotion inherent in any ESPN production will be on the other sideline. And Mississippi State and Vanderbilt might be the two worst teams in the SEC, but the Jackets must go on the road to meet both a week after major conference games (North Carolina before Mississippi State, Virginia before Vandy).
4. Nesbitt completed 43.9 percent of his passes in 2008. That’s not a good number for such a talented player, and it’s even worse because roughly half his throws had the element of surprise working for them. He has a great receiver in Demaryrius Thomas and an A-back capable of catching the deep ball in Roddy Jones. As we saw last season, Tech doesn’t need a slew of passess to keep moving — its only completion against Georgia came on the game’s first snap — but Nesbitt does need to be more precise.
5. Paul Johnson is so self-assured it could work against him. Nobody outsmarts everybody else forever. Johnson has a splendid system and is justifiably proud of it, but what if Tech loses a game it shouldn’t and the second-guessers emerge for the first time in his tenure here? Will he develop rabbit ears? Will he snap at the media? Or will he act presidential and simply keep coaching his men?
(For our companion list of 5 bogus reasons Tech will fall short in 2009, please click here. Finally, we present defensive end Derrick Morgan’s upbeat take on the Jackets.)
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150 comments Add your comment
Saint Simons
August 26th, 2009
10:10 am
45 – 42!!!!!!!!!!! hahahahahahahahahahaha
Frank
August 26th, 2009
10:16 am
45-42 was an aberation!Even a blind hog finds an acorn every now and then!kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk
Johnny Test
August 26th, 2009
10:17 am
Interesting. 1, 2 and 4 make sense. There is risk of a let down after a big conference game when you are playing the weak sisters of another conference. #5??? CPJ is kinda smug but it hasn’t hurt him yet.
What you missed was an undersized OL and overall lake of depth. If teck has any injury issues it really hurt.
BuzzFactor
August 26th, 2009
10:19 am
1. missing Jaybo is scary, hopefully he will return a little early.
2. flat out truth, and the coaches know it. time will tell if it gets better
3. Miami is not a trap game, it will be a battle. Vandy could be a trap game, but Missy State is like playing Jax State.
ComputerNut
August 26th, 2009
10:20 am
1) I think you will find that the starting QBs at Navy and Georgia Southern were not injured all that much. This reason is a bit overblown. Besides, Tevin Washington is ahead of where Shaw was last year.
2) Jerrard Tarrant will improve the punt return game and Blair not punting should help the FG percentage. Since Johnson like to go for it on 4th down a lot, there won’t be that many attempts anyway.
3)Trap games are just a way of saying your team is not mentally prepared. The maturity that comes with being a year older and the Chick-fil-a experience should ward against that.
4)Better protection and more familiarity with the offense will make that number rise. (It has in practice) As you’ve said, he doesn’t have to complete to many. An extra 1 in 10 over last year would be enough.
5. It didn’t work against him when he won to national championships at GA Southern. I think you are reaching on this one.
Not that those have been dismissed, what else have you got?
BuzzFactor
August 26th, 2009
10:21 am
4. Nesbit WILL be better, not a concern.
5. ….okay, that was just stupid!
Mike Jay
August 26th, 2009
10:22 am
You forgot the emotional let down of having to play in a half full stadium….
PMC
August 26th, 2009
10:23 am
I’ve never known CPJ to be a jerk to the media self confident absolutely but not overtly arrogant… after all the media questions an offense that has been around and has worked forever and he does it well. It’s his second year. I think thier biggest concern honestly is health especially at QB. They are as good as anyone in the ACC.
Go Tech
August 26th, 2009
10:26 am
first!
TheDawgPound
August 26th, 2009
10:29 am
JohnnyTest…Tech has more depth than at any point since when? The 1960’s? Depth is not an issue for that team. Apparently some Dawg fans read more about your program than you.
Injury issues can hurt any ball team! Imagine UF without the QB. Same goes for Texas and Oklahoma. The only teams where injury can’t be pointed to as an explanation for lack of success would be my Dawgs. Cox is certainly not leap years better than the backups…we have depth at RB and WR. Our OL is back and we’d have to lose 3 or more starters here for this to be an acceptable excuse. This year we win and lose based on Richt’s coaching ability as much as any superiority in talent. We have gotten by on talent the last several years (see Martinez and his ability for proof that we rely on talent over “coaching them up”).
Rashad Jones
August 26th, 2009
10:30 am
bump
Seriously
August 26th, 2009
10:33 am
#5 is interesting. I don’t think the naysayers will bother him, but I do believe that he got into a pi$$ing match last year with Les Miles on who can gamble more special teams. We lost that gamble….by quite a bit. I think he lost his cool in that game and tried to outgamble the mad hatter, and thats not a great idea. T
TheDawgPound
August 26th, 2009
10:34 am
UGA and Miami might learn how to wrap up! FSU might not fumble! Gardner Webb might make a FG! Clemson might not throw a pick and score instead….Four games that just be some essentials could have defeated Tech last year. That would be a 5-7 regular season…why all the hype? Sophomre jinx more likely for Johnson.
Go Tech
August 26th, 2009
10:39 am
1. Tevin will be as good of a backup this year as Jaybo was last year.
2. When we kicked off out of bounds to start the Peach bowl, I knew we were in trouble. Gotta improve kicking.
3. WHY ARE WE SCHEDULING 2 SEC TEAMS AWAY FOR OUR OOC TEAMS? Look at UF: they ONLY schedule easy games OOC, and only at home! And UF knows how to win NC’s.
4. Passing and drops will improve.
5. CPJ has stopped 2 dreadful streaks and will stop one more this year (UVA). He has won games we would have lost in prior years. He has earned our trust.
Mac
August 26th, 2009
10:39 am
“Nobody outsmarts everybody else forever.” First of all, that ain’t true. See Paul Bryant, Tom Osborne, Vince Dooley, etc. Johnson has the capability of being that type of coach. I suspect he is that type of coach.
OL
August 26th, 2009
10:39 am
The smaller o-line is an asset not a liability. The option requires smaller, faster linemen. Part of last years problem was that we had too many 300 pounders. I loved Andrew Gadner, but he was simply not built for this offense, actually he would have been better suited at guard than tackle. Austin Barrick is the prototype for GT offensive tackles under the Pual Johnson era.
EW
August 26th, 2009
10:44 am
so MB you did a top 5 reasons uga should be worried about Cox and top 5 for why they shouldn’t worry. And for tech you do two top 5 lists on why they will flop?
ComputerNut
August 26th, 2009
10:47 am
Mr. Pound, The refs might not have called the H2H penalty in the VaTech game. They might have called the obvious holding on UVA on their last touchdown pass. This would have set us up to beat BC for the second time and Cincinati in the Orange Bowl. Looks like we were just as likely to be 13-1 as 5-7. Don’t play what if games. They’re a waste of time. Was is likely is that GT will be better in year two of a new system than year one. It is true of most anyone and has been true for Paul Johnson in the past.
Mark Bradley
August 26th, 2009
10:47 am
The first list, EW, presented five bogus reasons Tech will flop. Meaning: None of those were actual reasons, IMHO.
Hey Dogtards
August 26th, 2009
10:47 am
“Four games that just be some essentials could have defeated Tech last year. ”
Not really in English but I think I get what you mean. If you are going to play the what if game four times, surely you can play it once going the other way. What if there wasn’t the phantom helmet-to-helmet call at the end of the VT game? Tech wins that one, finishes the regular season 10-2. Probably beats a BC team it already beat much earlier in the season (before the new offensive system set in), and maybe beats Cincy in the OB instead of getting crushed by LSU. That would be a 12-2 season, just as easy (if not much easier) than your 5-7 call. Indeed, your 5-7 directly contradicts actual physical events that occurred on the field (UGA/Miami tackling, FSU holding on to the ball, Clemson not throwing a pick, Gardner Webb making a field goal). Mine is based on a judgment call (deciding to call a helmet-to-helmet penalty on an event that even most VT fans admit did not occur), a result that already happened (beating BC), and beating a team that – unlike LSU – was not foaming at the mouth to save a failure of a season.
5 bogus reasons Georgia Tech will flop in 2009 | Mark Bradley
August 26th, 2009
10:50 am
[...] Tech fans. That’s the good news. The bad news comes with our companion list: 5 legit reasons Georgia Tech could disappoint in 2009. And then, later today, defensive end Derrick Morgan tells us why the Jackets are the real [...]
Burdell
August 26th, 2009
10:51 am
I think as long as we have Jaybo back before the FSU game we should be okay. What makes me a little nervous are the 11 straight weeks of football before the bye week. The bye week came at a great time last year. Although having the bye week before the UGA game can’t hurt.
Paddy
August 26th, 2009
10:53 am
Mac, I agree. You could have added “that fla coach” also. As much as I hate to admit it.
MT
August 26th, 2009
10:54 am
gee dawg pound you could say the same thing about uga versus kentucky, vandy auburn and usc. you should have lost ky.
snapshot
August 26th, 2009
10:54 am
Hmmmmm, lets see, the mutts were pre-season #1 last year. What were the five reasons that disappoint. #1 45-42, #2 the dog did not hunt, #3 what the heck happened?, #4 cheerleaders did not do their job, #5 lost to the Gators again. I am glad they are ranked ahead of Tech again this year. Makes me feel proud.
Go Jackets!!!!!!
JB
August 26th, 2009
10:57 am
1. could run of of pizza with pent up demand for Tech tickets
2. rambling wreck may not start.
3. Paul Johnson can’t find khaki’s that fit, continues to wear PJ’s on sidelines.
4. Muslim night a big flop due to Old Hickory House as sponsor.
5. Finds out Reggie Ball has one year of Eligibility left.
NOW THESE ARE FIVE THINGS THAT COULD REALLY MESS TECH UP.
matt r
August 26th, 2009
10:57 am
Interesting tone to #5 and this is similar to something I’ve thought about… I worry that CPJ will get a little more criticism when things start going wrong than other coaches. If we de-gress for one or two years people will be quick to blame the system and want to ditch it to play copycat like everyone else. Unless of course he leads us to multiple division titles and a couple of conference titles and beyond… then their will be a little more patience.
SimpleDawg
August 26th, 2009
10:57 am
Reasons for Disappointment in Tech’s OZ:
1. Defenses will make Nesbit keep the ball. Last year UGA forced the pitch; bad move. There’s less pursuit outside than inside, and Nesbit was dinged up. More teams will figure that out.
2. Poor special teams spell disaster. Va. Tech has parlayed great special team play into success with a bunch of thugs and morons.
3. Over-confidence and arrogance = Paul Johnson = Trap Games. PJ will snap if his scheme is questioned or criticized. Let Tech lose a few games and watch the fireworks….it’ll be more fun than watching Jim Donnan explode on callers, fans, and journalists.
4. If the offense isn’t prolific, then the defense will have to play too much to hide their weaknesses. Tech will lose high scoring games this year.
5. The inability to pass effectively will be an albatross around the Tech offense. Nesbit isn’t a college passer….high school success doesn’t always translate to college success – especially in Nesbit’s case.
What will Tech do with all of those leftover complimentary hot dogs and cokes?
David Granger
August 26th, 2009
10:57 am
Can’t really argue with anything you say, Mark. But I do think that Paul Johnson is a good coach, and that…year-in and year-out…he’ll have about as good a team at GT as anyone can.
The offense he uses is hard to defend against, especially when it’s run by smart kids who believe in it. You won’t get the four and five star recruits very often. The top-rated QB’s and WR’s want to go to a school that passes a lot, and the top-rated RB’s want to go to a school that runs the I-formation so they can carry the ball 35 times a game. But you get those gritty kids…who sometimes have a chip on their shoulder because they weren’t recruited by the big powerhouse schools…and they can be hard to beat. Bleed red and black Dawg fan here, but I think the UGA-GT game is going to be a good one in the coming years.
KINGDAWG
August 26th, 2009
11:00 am
Computer Nut..Do you honestly think playing quarterback at Ga. Southern and Navy compare to being a quarterback at tech. Go back to your computer and leave the sports knowledge to the adults.
Native Atlantan
August 26th, 2009
11:04 am
One of the main reasons for Tech possibly not meeting expectations is the league is pretty good. There are several games on the ACC schedule that will be tough and possible losses.
I don’t think Vanderbilt will be that much of a problem for Tech since the Commodores really put everything they’ve got into SEC games and are flat for non conference games. They will play a good conference game and then lose to Middle Tenn St the next week. I’m curious how the game in Starkville will go, but MSU will be in a transition year with a first year coach.
Another variable is GT will have a target on their shirt…this hasn’t been the case too often so we’ll see how they react to it.
I think this team will be in some good games and some entertaining ones to watch.
rightofcenter
August 26th, 2009
11:05 am
The headline includes the word “might”. In light of that, I would agree strongly with the first three, somewhat with the 4th, not so concerned with the 5th. We definitely are a stronger team with Shaw than without. Washington may be better, who knows, but he certainly doesn’t have Shaw’s experience. Our special teams weren’t special last year – they must improve (which the coaches understand, of course). Miss St and Vandy on the road are definitely trap games – both have smaller stadiums and empty seats – and we can sometimes come out uninspired in such settings (at least in the past – perhaps CPJ has changed that tendency). To be as good as predicted, Nesbitt will have to pass more efficiently – but I think he will. I have confidence CPJ can weather any setbacks we have – he has been coaching a long time and has inevitably been through a few disappointments.
ComputerNut
August 26th, 2009
11:05 am
It’s nice to see more football talk and less elementary school antics. Let’s keep it up.
Sour Grapes
August 26th, 2009
11:05 am
Maybe one day the Yellow Jackets will not have to advertise their season tickets in the AJC! 10 days before kickoff and you guys haven’t sold all your season tickets? Embarassing.
Atlanta Sports Native
August 26th, 2009
11:07 am
Paul Johnson = Jim Donnan at GT
KINGDAWG
August 26th, 2009
11:13 am
The truth shall set you free.
Burdell
August 26th, 2009
11:16 am
ASN–
Thanks for the laugh!!
Who Cares
August 26th, 2009
11:16 am
GT will never get over it’s inferior little brother complex towards UGA. One of Eight years is herrendous and you still rate the success of your season to defeating UGA…I feel sorry for the Nerds.
razerGT
August 26th, 2009
11:24 am
I think reasons 1-3 are legit concerns, but not #4 or #5. Nesbitt was a passing QB in high school, he’s now in a system that focuses much more on the run, and our WR core is a bit deeper than it was last year. I believe his completion stats will improve. As for #5, well, PJ has been around the block a few times. If Tech loses a trap game, the only people getting an earful will be the players.
Volman
August 26th, 2009
11:26 am
Mr. Bradley, you posted the other day on why the “dawgs” would be okay this year. Now you post the five reasons Tech will fail? Come on now.
Seriously. At aleast write a Hawks blog to make me happy or something. Sheesh.
jfreak13713
August 26th, 2009
11:27 am
For all you Bulldog fans here let me remind you that Tech has won a National Championship since your team has so let’s not to TOO crazy in here!
Tech should have a good season and by that I mean they should compete every week and finish in the top 15 with a nice bowl bid. Are they a BCS type team probably not unless they overcome some of the obvious issues they have. However, I think it’s possible they win the ACC and get a BCS bid. What I feel like is certain is they will finish ahead of Georgia in the standings this year. Not because they are better but maybe because Georgia will be a little down this year and plays in a much harder confernce.
Go Jackets!
BLAZER
August 26th, 2009
11:28 am
Enter your comments here
ugafan
August 26th, 2009
11:28 am
There is no MIGHT tech will dissapoint!!!!!!!!
BLAZER
August 26th, 2009
11:28 am
IT IS STILL 45-42 ALL YEAR LONG AND PJ IS NOT SLEEPY HEAD DONNAN.
oledawg
August 26th, 2009
11:32 am
If you’re a high school player that knows he’s going to play in college, but has dreams of playing in the NFL, why would you want to play in a high school offense, that does nothing to prepare you for the pros? The poundings that the QB and running backs take, have to shorten any pro career. Just ask Campbell from Texas. If I’m playing high school football, then I’d want a pro type offense. Rarely does any “wishbone” QB make it in the pros. This will hurt Tech in recruiting.I don’t want my son to play that offense.
cjjacket
August 26th, 2009
11:33 am
UGA fans, you can say whatever you want but the FACT remains 45-42. There is nothing you can do about it until we play again. I don’t care about 1 for 8, series records or projections. 45-42 the last time we played and that is all that matters.
BankerDawg
August 26th, 2009
11:36 am
I would think points 1 and 2 are legit as they are more based in personnel than “gut feelings”, emotions, etc.
The fact is, if Nesbit goes down, Tech will be in trouble, at least initially, with Tevin Washington. Further, regarding special teams, you guys better hope that splitting the kicking duties will do Scott Blair some good, because last year was pretty much a disaster.
Points 3 and 4 are possible, although I don’t think very probable. I don’t believe CPJ will even admit that trap games even exist, much less let his team let down (I am writing off GW as a complete aberration last year-just a strange, strange game). Nesbit will be much improved, perhaps not so much percentage wise, but certainly in his efficiency.
Point 5 is hilarious imho.
Paul Johnson has been doing this for 25 years and you think he will have rabbit ears to fans or media telling him his system may be the problem?
Good luck with that.
Looking forward to the season coming up!
GOOOOOOO DAWGS!
the truth...
August 26th, 2009
11:39 am
Your alway come up with a negative don’t you? You’re just a hack reporter…Paul Johnson is a real live football coach…bets here are that he is the winner….and where does that leave you?
Demosthenes
August 26th, 2009
11:45 am
GT will be better on offense than it was last year, you’d have to be a fool to think otherwise; likewise, the defenses that played that offense last year will be better at defending it this year (again, only a fool would think otherwise). GT has a solid offense, and decent defense. The offense will win games it isn’t supposed to, though the defense will likely lose one for them. Their special teams are atrocious, and will likely cost them a game (at least). No way they beat UGA again this year; for the first time in years, UGA cares about the game, and the talent gap is still too wide between the programs. It’ll be a good game, but the Dawgs are just too strong to lose twice in a row to an inferior team (not a shot at a quality GT program, just the truth). I still think GT goes 9-3 and lands in the Gator Bowl, but may surprise me with a better record and a conference championship. I think the Jackets have a much better chance at a BCS bowl than the Dawgs, who should finish with an identical record, probably playing in the Outback or Peach Bowl.
Jared
August 26th, 2009
11:47 am
#’s 2, 4 and 5 are all good questions that we, as Tech fans, have been asking ourselves since the end of last season.
we can only hope that the Tech staff has been diligent in the offseason to make these areas a priority. my guess is that they probably have, knowing CPJ’s perfectionist nature.
as for nesbitt’s passing, the team could only work on so much in the spring and fall. the OL was as much to blame for nesbitt’s erratic passing as nesbitt himself.
CPJ only gets snappy when media asks stupid questions. Even really good offensive teams lose games. It does not mean that their system does not work. If somenoe had asked Urban Meyer if, after his team lost to Ole Miss last year, he was worried that everybody would now know how to defend his spread, he would have scoffed at them, as well.
special teams and turnovers were my biggest concerns in the offseason. i think st’s will get better, especially the return game, with tarrant. kickers need to step up.
last year it seemed to me most of the fumbles were not during the mesh or on pitches, but when guys were just running with the ball carelessly. seemed not as much a “system” problem as a “player” problem. that needs to be repaired.
Mac
August 26th, 2009
11:48 am
Yes, Paddy, you’re right. You could include two Florida coaches in that list, along with a couple of Auburn coaches, etc.
Moe Ronn
August 26th, 2009
11:48 am
All the mangy fleabags have is stadium size and hot dogs and cokes jokes. In other words, nothing about actually playing the game. That’s why they suck and are losers.
Brock
August 26th, 2009
11:49 am
….high school success doesn’t always translate to college success
That can be said for another quarterback as well. I think we all know who.
Mark Bradley
August 26th, 2009
11:50 am
In case anyone missed it, I’m on record as picking Tech to go 10-2, win the ACC Coastal and then beat FSU for the title. I’m also on record as picking Tech to beat UGA again.
jmc
August 26th, 2009
11:50 am
MB: (For 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 Jackets.)
Mark, you have a negative in there that should not be. That’s what EW was referring to earlier in the thread. “5 bogus reasons Tech won’t fall short”. The link is wrong, but the article says the right thing.
Brock
August 26th, 2009
11:54 am
Who Cares….yet you still posted. Irony or Stupidity? I’ll take the latter.
homer
August 26th, 2009
11:56 am
Why do doggie fans constantly harp on number of fans at GT games? What difference does that make? I don’t think they hand out any awards for which teams have the BIGGEST CROWD, or which fans can bark louder and drink more booze. I think it is about who wins the games. What good did dogs BIG CROWD do against Bama last year? What good did it do against GT? The dogs get half the BIG CROWD in Jax every year but what good does it do? Quit worrying about crowd size and worry about how many more decades before dogs ever win another national title.
Hey Dogtards
August 26th, 2009
11:56 am
Oledawg sounds like Bobby Bowden in terms of senility.
“If you’re a high school player that knows he’s going to play in college, but has dreams of playing in the NFL, why would you want to play in a high school offense, that does nothing to prepare you for the pros?”
Are you not paying any attention to the press Dwyer is getting as the top RB pro prospect in college football right now? PJ also placed a lineman into the NFL last year at Tech. If you are an offensive lineman or a RB, there is no reason not to go to Tech.
As a WR, I understand the initial fear that Tech won’t throw enough. First, Tech will throw more this year. Second, PJ’s system requires WRs to be physically dominant and block, as opposed to just pass-catchers. While it certainly won’t showcase front and center a WRs talents, Thomas did put up respectable numbers. NFL scouts don’t just look to yardage numbers when picking a receiver, they look to physical ability too. By requiring receivers to be physically strong, Tech nurtures some of that skill set better than other skills. Training wise, you are just as prepared, if not more so due to Tech’s first rate training facilities. The only thing you won’t have is gaudy receiving stats.
If you think the only thing NFL scouts look at are college statistics, then you are clearly delusional. Demarius will get drafted because he is a gifted athlete, not because he only puts up 750 yards receiving this year.
“If I’m playing high school football, then I’d want a pro type offense.”
Yeah if you are a pocket passer. We aren’t after that type of QB. We are after dual threat, athletic types. When Nesbitt puts up 1000 rushing and 2000 passing this year, we are going to get that type of player’s attention. Joe Cox’s 40 rushing yards won’t. Apples to Oranges.
“Rarely does any “wishbone” QB make it in the pros.”
It’s not a wishbone genius.
“This will hurt Tech in recruiting.I don’t want my son to play that offense.”
Well unless your son is a dual threat athlete (which I doubt) then we don’t want him either. Same thing as above, but for QBs who run Tech is one of the better systems in the Country. Probably Fla #1 and we’ll see what RR can do with Michigan, but for a QB who is not a traditional pocket passer (see Vick, Vince Young, Tim Tebow), Tech will certainly get a look. I’m sure a lot of guys won’t look at Tech because of the system, but a lot of those guys wouldn’t fit Tech’s system anyways.
Hey Dogtards
August 26th, 2009
11:58 am
“Why do doggie fans constantly harp on number of fans at GT games? What difference does that make? I don’t think they hand out any awards for which teams have the BIGGEST CROWD, or which fans can bark louder and drink more booze. I think it is about who wins the games. What good did dogs BIG CROWD do against Bama last year? What good did it do against GT? The dogs get half the BIG CROWD in Jax every year but what good does it do? Quit worrying about crowd size and worry about how many more decades before dogs ever win another national title.”
To piggyback on this point, we donate less for better seats, we don’t have to worry as much about parking, its easier to exit and enter the stadium, and less lines for bathrooms and food. Why would you want 93k when you can have ~50k?
Jackets 84
August 26th, 2009
11:59 am
“The kicking game essentially lost the Chick-fil-A Bowl” ??? How do you get by with that statement? I was at the game, we were totally pushed around by a physically superior team.
chemdawg
August 26th, 2009
12:00 pm
And, as we all know, Bradley’s record is impeccable. ;p
ugafan
August 26th, 2009
12:00 pm
Mark Bradley: I strongly disagree with you
CairoBravesFan79
August 26th, 2009
12:01 pm
Bulldog fans appear to be a)Jealous, b)worried or c)both. I think C as they should be knowing that they will lose to Tech in back to back seasons. GO JACKETS!!!
ugafan
August 26th, 2009
12:02 pm
Jckets84 the kicking didnt lose the chickfila your players lost the game you choked in your hometown virtually right next to your stadium and not to mention LSU’s defense shut yall down
GT4Ever
August 26th, 2009
12:04 pm
Simpledog…5. The inability to pass effectively will be an albatross around the Tech offense. Nesbit isn’t a college passer….high school success doesn’t always translate to college success – especially in Nesbit’s case.
The same should be said about UGA’s Joe Cox. He didn’t lose a game in high school but will that tanslate into a good one year for him. Also, he hasn’t played more than a few snaps for 3 years. UGA fans think he’s going to take you to the NC, whatever!!!!
Nesbitt’s injuries were a spranged ankle and then a hamstring. He showed he could take it. I think the majority of the time last year he kept the ball himself due to inexperience in the offense. This year he’s more comfortable and will use the system fully by pitches and handoffs. He won’t try to carry the load himself. When you have an All-American back you use him and that’s what GT will do. We have many more legit players depth wise this year than ever before and PJ will have the offense hitting on all cylinders. The only thing that really bothers me is the kicking game as evident last year. GT will be much better, count on it!!! GO JACKETS
CairoBravesFan79
August 26th, 2009
12:05 pm
ugafan I think you misread jackets84 post…….
AustinJacket
August 26th, 2009
12:09 pm
#1) I was not that impressed with Shaw last year — he had good games against Duke and Miss St (neither of these teams are very good), but when he came in during FSU the mo shifted immediately and dramatically in their favor. But now that he’s out, I’m a little worried. It puts more pressure on Nesbit to stay healthy. This offense will be great if we have a healthy Nesbit and Dwyer.
#2) Agreed, and amen. We are going to lose a game because the kicking game sucks. Bank on it. I had hoped to read that special teams were looking better in camp, but instead I read about PJ dressing them down for being lacksidazical.
#3) If there are trap games they will all be in Nov when we will be tempted to take Wake/Duke/Vandy for granted. I think if we go into Nov w/ fewer than 2 losses and in position to win the coastal we will not blow it against those teams. If we go in w/ 3-4 losses, we’ll be in the same place UGA was last year – disappointed and nothing to play for. Then we could drop another.
I think the bigger deal is 11-straight w/o a week off. Last year we were pretty beat up and it showed at UNC. They had a week off, and we had to play dinged up and worn out. That’s going to come calling again right around the FSU / VT / UVA stretch.
#4) I’m undecided how much tech has to throw. If we can move the ball on the ground, I think we’ll keep the ball on the ground. But it would be nice to have the pass if needed. Plus the necessity of passing to open up the run. Still – I wonder how critical it’s going to be.
#5) hope not. Time will tell. PJ’s rep for being a great “Xs & Os” guy, and his ability to coach up a team like Navy to win would seem to suggest he’s truly a great motivator and a great leader and a great coach. On the other hand from last season you have Gardner Webb and LSU which leave you scratchjing your head. If PJ is as great as we all hope, he’ll take the Jackets to a new level which means 10 wins, a BCS bowl and another win over UGA. If we slip back into 7 wins it will be hugely disappointing.
Mark Bradley
August 26th, 2009
12:20 pm
Thanks, JMC. I’ve corrected it.
As a negative person, I get negative for no real reason. As you doubtless know.
Green Tea
August 26th, 2009
12:24 pm
Saint Simmons and every other NERD on this blogs first day of college…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C3njjD41f48&feature=PlayList&p=1EC4F3B6403CE8FE&index=0&playnext=1
TechDan
August 26th, 2009
12:37 pm
ugafan, remember that time last year, when you got outscored by us in your HOME stadium?
That was great.
StingerSplash
August 26th, 2009
12:38 pm
Mr. Bradley,
Can’t wait for the next time you get one on one with PJ. The man does read everything. Very little escapes his notice.
But if you get him talking about basketball first, you might be all right.
Special teams is a concern but the return game ought to be better. Hopefully, they won’t need to kick field goals to win.
Good point about the trap games, especially the back to back Thursday night ACC tilts. The SEC road games … Missy State might be better with Mullen, but I think people are overlooking Tech’s talent level now. It’s as good, if not better, than the 90-91 team, on a pro rata basis.
Losing Shaw hurts, but Tevin Washington can play. He had a year to redshirt (which ordinarily means you run the scout team and somebody else’s offense all fall long), but he’s gotten snaps in spring and summer.
Nesbitt’s completion percentage will be higher. The play action package will be in place.
I think this Tech team is even better than its most optimistic fans realize.
rlinaug
August 26th, 2009
12:40 pm
“act presidential…” ??? Depends on the president… I mean, Coach Johnson could continue to coach his men, or he could stand up and talk about the mess he inherited from Chan Gailey or how the other team didn’t just roll over and let his team win.
Okefenokee Dawg
August 26th, 2009
12:41 pm
If I were a Tech fan , what would worry me is – How can CPJ recruit? At Southern he had football players as good or better than the competition and he prospered. At Navy he did not, but still had some success – although not against top flight ompetition. Tech fans make fun of 4 and 5 star recruits, but CPJ better start getting some, and get some that can play his system. He no longer has the luxury of the better players and weak competition if he wants to play with the BCS big boys. Can he recruit? I think the jury is still out, but so far he has done fairly well.
Born2Buzz
August 26th, 2009
12:59 pm
Green Tea, that’s funny, but as you might recall, the Nerds had the last laugh. That being said, Saint Simons, you are an embarassment. Stop it already. It’s a new year so focus on what’s in front of you.
MB, if your #1 reason is because Shaw got hurt, then I’m not worried. Washington was passing him on the depth chart anyway. Jaybo did well when pressed into duty but it was obvious that he was not a D1 QB.
As others mentioned, I’m more worried about the schedule and the fact that we have no bye week until before the UGA game. 11 straight weeks of playing ball is going to wear them down. Got to hope the injuries are minimal and not serious.
dawgkicker
August 26th, 2009
1:02 pm
oh wow Mark Bradley saying something negative about tech? who woulda thunk it…… Thanks mark once again for your extremely unfounded lame bias column on Tech….. Kepp up the sub-par work….
hailstate
August 26th, 2009
1:04 pm
“Miss St and Vandy on the road are definitely trap games – both have smaller stadiums and empty seats”
Not only is MSU’s Davis Wade stadium the exact same size as Bobby Dodd, MSU has outpaced Ga. Tech in season ticket sales. So get off your high horse.
Big Bob
August 26th, 2009
1:06 pm
Fumble Baby! Fumble Baby! Fumble Baby! The triple fumble option. Seven losses in eight years is not a winning percentage. Remember 51-7, thought you would.
Born2Buzz
August 26th, 2009
1:18 pm
Big Bob, Chan was 0-7 vs UGA and responsible for the 51-7 embarassement. He also holds the record for the worst loss ever against our other main rival, Clemson. Those are primary reasons why Chan is no longer our coach and why we prefer not to look back on that sad period of our history.
CPJ is 1-0. We will see how he does in year 2.
dap01
August 26th, 2009
1:24 pm
Another possibility is that BP may discontinue the promotion of free tickets with a fill up.
That may make the ACTUAL attendance for home games to drop below the attendance for Atlanta Hawks games.
GTPUG
August 26th, 2009
1:25 pm
Everyone give MB a break – - if you read the 5 points again you will see that this could fit for any team
#1 point from MB – - with Shaw out for about 6 weeks hurts but we really do not know about Tevin – we will learn a lot during the first game – - I believe we will are going to be very happy
#2 point from MB – - special teams will be better than last year – remember there is only 1 way up from the bottom plus CPJ is demanding special teams to be better
#3 point from MB – - every game is a trap game – that is why you practice – - every team has the same thing to worry about – remember MB is on record saying Tech will be 10/2 and the best beating the flea infested dogs
#4 point from MB – - Nesbitt is going to have a break out year – period
#5 point from MB – - the high road
and as always – “TO HELL WITH GEORGIA”
ArkyTech
August 26th, 2009
1:30 pm
So, Mark, you apparently could only come up with 4 legits, so you just wrote a bunch of crap down for #5 because that was the assignment?
5 legit reasons Georgia Tech might disappoint in 2009 | Mark Bradley | Georgia realestate live today
August 26th, 2009
1:35 pm
[...] lists fivesome reasons Colony Tech strength indeed spoil in 2009. See the example place here: 5 legit reasons Colony Tech strength spoil in 2009 | Mark Bradley Posted in Uncategorized | Tags: ajc, Art, august, events, lengthy-and, mark-the, [...]
Deerfield
August 26th, 2009
1:38 pm
Hey Jared, everyone in Rabun is pullin for you. Get better soon. We need you back.
Doggie dog
August 26th, 2009
1:45 pm
How will tech respond after loseing to clemson????????????
Tide Rising
August 26th, 2009
1:47 pm
Don’t know if its true or not but someone pointed out that Tech plays 11 straight games without a break. If this is true then that is a big deal. Its hard to sustain emotionally and physically for 11 straight weeks. Eventually you will have a letdown. Surprised you didn’t list this if its true.
Having Shaw out for awhile is a really big deal, especially if your qb is getting hit every other play. Not good.
Special teams are critical, especially in the biggest games where the margin of victory is narrow. More than likely this alone will cost Tech a game, possibly 2.
Trap games are something everyone has to deal with and as I noted in my first point trap games are more likely if you have to play 11 straight weeks without a break.
If and when you pass 43% is simply unacceptable. Tech has to improve here.
I’m probably one of the few souls that thinks that with some luck Tech could be a team that could run the table. Every single game is winnable for Tech but more than likely they will probably drop 2 of them somewhere along the line. Still, I think Tech wins not only their division but the ACC. As a big fan of option football I’m pulling for them.
Hey Dogtards
August 26th, 2009
1:48 pm
“He no longer has the luxury of the better players and weak competition if he wants to play with the BCS big boys.”
Hey genius, Navy rarely played “better players” and their competition isn’t as weak as you think. First, obviously, they play ND every year. Other notables include NC St., Northwestern, BC, Connecticut, Wake, Rutgers, Texas Tech, Vandy, Duke, TCU, New Mexico, Maryland, Stanford, East Carolina, Pitt, and Utah. Many of those teams matched up against Navy several times. In fact, he lost to Utah while at Navy by three points in December of 2007 – almost exactly a year before Utah embarrassed Alabama in a BCS bowl. You know Alabama, that team thank monkey stomped your puppies hopes for a national championship last year. Does Utah count as a “BCS big boy?”
“Remember 51-7, thought you would.”
Are we talking history here? That was what, 2002? Even true freshmen who were redshirted that year graduated after the 2006-2007 season. If we are talking history I might as well ask if you remember 1990, Bobby Dodd, or Joe Heisman. Keep hanging your hat on a game that was seven years ago.
Innocent Bystander
August 26th, 2009
1:57 pm
I truly am concerned about Vandy. They always seem to give UGA a run for its money. Just because we aren’t their homecoming doesn’t mean they won’t want to beat us, especially if we are still ranked high going into Halloween (a very good possibility, seeing as we have VT and UVA the weeks prior). Sure, a trip to FSU will be tough, but we mustn’t overlook the Commodores. We can overlook Duke and Miss St all we want.
Lee`
August 26th, 2009
1:58 pm
why is this f++k nut writing negative posts about our team in our paper we should do top 50 reasons why MB is a douche bag
Lee`
August 26th, 2009
2:01 pm
but its like CPJ said “SHUT EM UP OR LISTEN TO IT” i hope that this guy looks stupid early an throughout the season
Mark Bradley
August 26th, 2009
2:02 pm
Yeah, it’s evident I’m biased against the team I’ve forecast to play in the Orange Bowl.
CairoBravesFan79
August 26th, 2009
2:03 pm
The Bulldog fans really are jealous and worried. HAHA They are bringing up games from Chan’s teams. That’s desparation, you “DAWG” fans come back after the GT-UGA game and we will talk, until then all that matters is ya got beat last year. Deal with it.
GT45
August 26th, 2009
2:03 pm
When we beat UGtArd this year, they’ll still be talking next year. It will never end. Mark, I think you really had to struggle to come up with these five reasons, but the scenario could play out. I just think this team, now, carries too much confidence to fail. They believe in the system and the coach, but more importantly, they believe in each other.
Truth
August 26th, 2009
2:09 pm
The real 5 true statements:
1) Mark Bradley=Village Idiot
2) Dawg fans are obnoxious
3) Mark Bradley doesn’t know Jack S.
4) Dawg fans are jerks
5) FLA 59 UGA 0
Dawgs Fan
August 26th, 2009
2:09 pm
Whaa Whaa (Thumb in mouth) So why did you make a list about why the jackets will flop,,,man you tech fans have real chip on your shoulder. You just need to get over it and get used to be the lesser talked about team in Georgia. The Dawgs will always be Number 1!
Tom
August 26th, 2009
2:11 pm
45-42!!!!! Suck it, mutts!
Urban
August 26th, 2009
2:13 pm
You thought 49-10 was bad?
Green Tea
August 26th, 2009
2:15 pm
Mark, you forgot #6.
#6 This guy goes to Tech
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YCXRvbS8dJk
-AMG
August 26th, 2009
2:16 pm
Alot of people are looking for reasons Tech will go 9-3 or 10-2, just like 3-9 last year. No one wants to be the one to state that with a little luck Tech could go 12-0 this year. Look for FSU to flounder, same with UGA and Miami (who lost two of there QBs yesterday). Who is the real danger VT? No, we will beat them handily, so barring serious injuries to multiple key starters, I do not see a real threat.
JacketMan
August 26th, 2009
2:17 pm
Mark, you forgot #6
#6 Green Tea is a teabagger
Green Tea
August 26th, 2009
2:22 pm
Jacketman do you have a cool calculator like that NERD in that video he filmed in his dorm room at Tech? I bet you do and I also bet you tuck it in your belt like he does. NERD!
dd
August 26th, 2009
2:22 pm
Saint Simons, you’re setting yourselff up buddy every time you post.
Lee`
August 26th, 2009
2:23 pm
JD’s goin to lower his shoulder and stright run defences over like a bulldog that fell out the back of a truck on I-20 an got plowed by every car in site till its just a spot
Ramblin Yech
August 26th, 2009
2:25 pm
Virginia will destroy the bees; always have, always will.
UGASlobberknocker
August 26th, 2009
2:26 pm
There are some of us on this blog who would not consider any of those 5 worries as disappointments, but merely potential happy events.
Lee`
August 26th, 2009
2:30 pm
an yes mb i must have missed it cause this crap is what im reading. who was jaybo shaw till he proved himself i think that these things are taken into concideration an the backups will step up an get the jackets through. there are def more strengths than weakness and a winning feeling back in atlanta that has been missing for quite some time as well as the falcons. its a good time to live in the atl tech an falcons will win alot of games this year and i can wait to be at the games
buttcutmutt
August 26th, 2009
2:31 pm
How obvious is it from this piece and a few others Bradley has written in the past that at some point Paul Johnson snapped at him. This is about the 3rd or 4th time I have seen Bradley refer to Johnson in terms of getting testy with the media.
I am not sure when you got your feelings hurt Bradley but get over it.
Maybe he doesnt have a problem with ‘the media’…maybe he has a problem with Mark Bradley. Maybe you could subtly remind him that you think you coined the term ‘evil genius’ for Spurrier and he will respect you?
Green Tea
August 26th, 2009
2:41 pm
Mark, you know why there are more DAWGS on this blog than nerds?? It’s because they are all surfin’ this page…
http://www.pojman.com/PP/pocket_protectors/pocket_protectors.html
BWAAHAHAHA!!!
Melinda
August 26th, 2009
2:42 pm
PJ’s teams have lost games they should before. Virginia at homecoming, close against GW (after which he said he was embarrassed and took the blame for not getting the team ready mentally). Most teams lose games they shouldn’t. Florida lost to Ole Miss last year. Michigan vs. Ap State 2007…
PJ usually tells it like it is. If it is his mistake, or an execution mistake, he’ll admit it.
GT4Ever
August 26th, 2009
2:48 pm
That only thing I’m worried about it the kicking game.
Gary
August 26th, 2009
2:55 pm
I want to know how the Jackets will respond to losing to that “inferior” Vandy team? You know the one who played in a bowl game last year and beat an ACC divisional champion? You heard it here first – overlook that Vandy team and it will result in an L.
And remember about expectations at Tech. Each time you are “finally” supposed to beat the better teams and play for a championship, Tech (like UGA) unfortunately finds a way to wet the bed. The hype going into this season is the same hype of the 2001 Tech team and just where did they end up playing their bowl game at?
SWFLJacket
August 26th, 2009
3:00 pm
Gators 47-UGA 0
Go GATORS!
BR
August 26th, 2009
3:02 pm
Reasons #1-100 that Tech will flop—they are TECH!
buttcutmutt
August 26th, 2009
3:11 pm
Gary- you should never end a sentence with a preposition. vandy is a good school. you should know that.
i agree that vandy is a trap game. if we take the ‘dores’ light we could be in trouble. they are are well coached, no doubt.
if we dont take them lightly, however, and things happen like they should, we will beat them soundly on their home field. its just the natural order of things.
in terms of wetting the bed, how yellow is your mattress after that 6-0 start last year. other than that, i cannot remember a vandy bedwetting because they have never had a bed to wet. they have had zero expectation on them because of their play since the inception of their program.
Hey Dogtards
August 26th, 2009
3:11 pm
“I want to know how the Jackets will respond to losing to that “inferior” Vandy team? You know the one who played in a bowl game last year and beat an ACC divisional champion?”
You mean the team that was no. 5 in the sec but lost at home to ACC cellar dweller dook? They aren’t gonna beat us.
Ramblinwreck83
August 26th, 2009
3:15 pm
TheDawgPound
Quite a few games that UGA played last year near the end could of ended up losses. Do you remember the UK or AUB games. I do believe they were a pass away from giving you two losses. Also, UGA could of easily lost to MSU. I sure it was a close game until the very end.
San Francisco Dawg
August 26th, 2009
3:17 pm
This is laughable! Tech fans, you can not honestly believe you can win the ACC, beat Georgia this year or even make it to a bowl game…this is a program that had its best years in the 50’s and its downhill ever since! Try concentrating on selling more tickets, building a new stadium or simply fixing those backed up toilets you have ignored all of these years! Calling Paul Johnson a great coach is ignorance…for god sakes, he coached Navy…wow, powerhouse! Celebrate the win over Georgia all you want, but keep you over the top expectations to yourself….please, again, fix those damn toilets!!
Just the facts
August 26th, 2009
3:18 pm
All this talk about TECH…GOOD! But the outcome will be different. TECH SUCKS! It will not be TECH that wins the ACC this year!
Just the facts
August 26th, 2009
3:22 pm
Don’t forget UNC coming to Atlanta 9-26-09!!! Go HEELS baby! Tech sucks and will be out of the top 25 SOON!!
Ramblinwreck83
August 26th, 2009
3:39 pm
San Francisco Dawg
Downhill since the 50’s. We’ve got a NC to show in the last 20 years. Does UGA? Nope. We’ll celebrate over the UGA this year too. Go Jackets.
uuugh...
August 26th, 2009
3:42 pm
Holy cow! You kids really do have your own Tech Blog. Good For you…I was beginning to think you clowns trolled the UGA blog because nobody cares about Tech Football or their Basketball Conference. Apparently there are a dozen or so out there…good for you!
Before I head back to my blog, I’ll give y’all two reasons Tech won’t beat UGA this year. 1) Bobby Dodd will look like the coctail party and be half full UGA fans, providing no home field advantage. 2)You idiots had the score of last year’s fluke victory engraved on rings for the players…I think the only thing that woudl fire our dawgs up more is if one of your players went over and kicked UGA during the game. That was just silly.
Heading out…I’ll stay off of your blog if you stay off of mine!
GatorNation
August 26th, 2009
3:52 pm
You UGA fans are amazing. Cheap talk from a bunch of whiners. You are a second rate team and until you can actually win a NC besides 29 years ago then be quite. GT will beat you this year and on and on and on. Oh I meant UF will!!!!!!! Well, GT too!!!!!!!
toh3llwithgeorgia
August 26th, 2009
3:55 pm
To be honest the only one I’m worried about is the third one. The other three are fixable, or manageable.
Go Jackets, and to Hell with Georgia.
Ramblinwreck83
August 26th, 2009
4:00 pm
uuugh…
i doubt you stay off our blog. Yeah that home field advantage really made a difference last year. 92,000 crying UGA fans. It was music to my ears.
GatorNation
August 26th, 2009
4:05 pm
Funny Ramblinwreck83. They’ll be crying a lot this year, won’t they!!!!!
W.R. Jacket
August 26th, 2009
4:10 pm
1. 2. and 4. ….agree
3. Don’t think they’ll have any trouble getting up for Clemson or Miami with an ACC title on the brain…or any SEC team.
5. You must’ve ran out of reasons or havn’t followed PJ very long
Herschworld
August 26th, 2009
4:13 pm
this article should have been called seinfeld because it’s really funny and it’s about nothing
Jackets
August 26th, 2009
4:29 pm
14-0 baby!!!!!!
BLAZER
August 26th, 2009
4:39 pm
lsu did not shut gt down-we out rushed them!!
turnovers- and it is still45-42 and 49-10!!
Stinger
August 26th, 2009
5:01 pm
Tech will stomp the Dawgs 56-6 this year. Make no mistake about it the Dawg fans are worried. They know that they have another AZZ whipping coming this year. Losses will be to South Carolina, Florida, Arkansas, LSU, Okie St., and the ACC Champs (GT). At least 2 and perhaps 3 of those loses will be by 50 pts. or more. Long live Willie Martinez.
This article is mostly garbage
August 26th, 2009
5:04 pm
#1) Tevin Washinton is wayyy better than Jaybo was this time last year..The qb’s at Navy and Southern were healthy for the majority of the careers..
#2)Jerrad should solve the return problems as well as the coaching staff doing a better job on blocking during the returns. However, kickoff and punt teams could be a problem but maybe not…
#3)I dont know about “trap games”…but the schedule is ridiculously hard..we will have a better team but maybe a worse record. However, if Tech beats Georgia and has the same record..it will be an improvement due to the gardner webb game and tougher schedule.
#4)Nesbit was known for his passing not his rushing in high school. However, his passing percentage does need to increase dramtically. I think the experience from last year is bound to increase this as well as other teams will be respecting the run not the pass…
#5) Ridiculously dumb…you write about him like its his second year of his career coaching!! You are dumb!!!!!!!!!
This article could have been decent…but you just tried to hard by making scenarios up like # 5….AJC must be desperate for stories
Pensacola dawg
August 26th, 2009
5:13 pm
Amazing what beating UGA will do for a nerds ego! No way tech wins acc, Miami, FSU and VA tech and maybe North Carolina will hand them thier hats and they will have another 3 or 4 loss season (after getting smoked in a bowl game again) but hey if you tech thats a good year.
Paddy
August 26th, 2009
5:42 pm
My prediction of U. Miami this year to be the flop of the ACC just got better. This afternoon both back up QB,s quit the team. They hope to transfer to schools that need qb’s this season. Div 1-AA. That place just gets more strange every day.
NYHokie
August 26th, 2009
6:20 pm
@SimpleDawg
“2. Poor special teams spell disaster. Va. Tech has parlayed great special team play into success with a bunch of thugs and morons.”
Interesting comment considering VT (not VaTech) hasn’t fielded the best special teams during recent years despite winning how many ACC titles? I believe their defense has been decent, but I could be wrong. Thugs and morons? Besides Marcus (Mike was fine in college), who would these be? Bryan Randall, ACC Player of the Year ‘04, culminated his college career in 2004, throwing for 2,264 yards and rushing for 511 yards. While excelling at several sports on a collegiate level, he managed to finish his bachelor’s in 3 years and went on to work on a master’s. Lee Suggs, an excellent RB who managed to set NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision records for most games scoring a touchdown in a single season (14 games in 2002), and most consecutive games scoring a touchdown (27 consecutive games, from Sept. 2, 2000 through Dec. 31, 2002; 57 touchdowns) was the son of a preacher. Tyrod Taylor, young guy who is doing well both on and off the field, attended the Manning Passing Academy in Louisiana, working with Peyton and Eli Manning and other top quarterbacks this summer. Shows some intelligence and a good work ethic. I could name many many many other outstanding scholarship athletes that have been or are at VT… Let’s not over generalize. I could say the same about UGA… seen a few headlines lately. I think one reporter said it the best, “In the SEC there are three seasons: football season, basketball season, and get-in-trouble season. The past couple of years, Georgia has excelled during get-in-trouble season.” I think you need to read up on UGA sports… UGASports.com for reference. Nuff said..
@AMG: Are you kidding me? Handily? Not likely. VT no longer fielding a full set of freshmen receivers (like last year), a QB who is the 1 and only (helps knowing you are “the guy” going into the season.. trust me), a back field loaded with talented runners (even with Evans injured.. go watch the JWC with Wilson… and Williams was the #4 RB in his recruiting class), and an offensive line that is much more experienced… and a defense that generally reloads regularly… much improved special teams… ehem… If you do not see any threats (not just from VT which I am bias about of course.. other teams should be of concern), you are just clueless… or more likely a victim of wishful thinking. Good luck with living in that bubble. lol. I hate ND, but they are probably one of the few teams who don’t have much to worry about schedule wise… its cake… even for them.
At any rate, here’s to a great ACC season!
Should be a lot of fun to watch with so many teams improving and bringing back experience. GT, VT, Miami, NC State, UNC, FSU, and Clemson should provide quite a bit of competition if all goes as planned. Hopefully Shaw’s down time will be as minimal as possible. Hate when players get hurt like that so close to the start of the season. I think Johnson will be fine if things fall short of expectations. Though intense, he seems to be a pro.
A Rob
August 26th, 2009
6:46 pm
Shaw’s injury is unfortunate, but the fact remains that he is not a legit D1 QB. The way he runs the offense, it is inevitable that he will continually be injured. Yes, he filled in admirably against lesser opponents. He almost lost us the FSU game after Josh was dominating, and got hammered against UGA for a series and thankfully wasn’t hurt. This gives Washington the chance to get some much needed experience, as he is more likely to be a playmaker at this level.
As for the special teams, that is a legitimate issue that remains up in the air. Unless improved markedly, it will again become an achilles heel. Let’s hope not!
No need to worry about Nesbitt’s numbers, as he was learning a new system last year and admitted himself he had no sense of timing with offense. Not to mention the fact that he had NO PROTECTION last year.
There are several teams on this schedule with the talent to beat us if we play poorly (FSU, MIAMI, CLEMSON, UGA), but we should handle the rest now that we have the experience and depth.
BUZZ SAWYA
August 26th, 2009
8:00 pm
AMG, I agree with you 100%. Mark Bradley after GT goes 12-0 you need to seek employment in ATHENS , Miami, or Blacksburg. ” YOU LOSER!”
Sandyspringsjacket
August 26th, 2009
8:40 pm
Bradley, why weren’t you laid off by the Athens Journal. You are so negative it is not cute. CPJ’s style won’t work in a major conferance is so worn out, pleasseee think of something worth while to say or shut up. your style is so ho hum, predictable, unnews worthy and boring! Face it the Jackets will be damn good this year and nothing you can do to discredit them will mean anything.
By the way UK basketball will get what it deserved with John Jail Bird as your coach, so go cover them.
Mark Bradley
August 26th, 2009
9:05 pm
You know, I haven’t seen a good pocket protector in a long time. Just sayin’.
Matt
August 26th, 2009
9:25 pm
Talk about a homer for UGA, or anyone but Tech. I’m sorry, I must have missed Mark Bradley’s “why UGA will not reach expectations” column last year, when the Dawgs were number one.
Sandyspringsjacket
August 26th, 2009
9:56 pm
Bradley,
Pocket protector? Very clever. That is so funny and original, never heard that one. Did you steal that from Clarance Moore’s files before he got canned.
We will just play out the schedule and see who has the last laugh, we know you are never correct and only write to be controversal, no real journalistic creative thinking ever comes from the AJC which is why readership is down.
Limpbuzzkit
August 26th, 2009
11:15 pm
If that’s all you can come up with we’re gonna win the BCS
macrotech
August 26th, 2009
11:39 pm
Who Cares, you’re confused….we celebrate our victory over the pups…. we rate the success of our season due to the whole new coach, new offensive system and the ‘obvious’ low expectations thing. Not expected to win more than three to four games and winning nine….the mutts were just icing on the cake! You’re a dawg…feel free to take a bite!
macrotech
August 26th, 2009
11:42 pm
Pensacola dawg, it’s kind of funny that your ‘prediction’ doesn’t include room for the dogs beating Tech! THAT may be the ONLY accurate thing you shared!
Twitter Trackbacks for 5 legit reasons Georgia Tech might disappoint in 2009 | Mark Bradley [ajc.com] on Topsy.com
August 27th, 2009
4:47 am
[...] 5 legit reasons Georgia Tech might disappoint in 2009 | Mark Bradley blogs.ajc.com/mark-bradley-blog/2009/08/26/5-legit-reasons-georgia-tech-might-disappoint-in-2009 – view page – cached Mark Bradley of the AJC lists five reasons Georgia Tech might indeed disappoint in 2009. — From the page [...]
Not Disappointed
August 27th, 2009
10:12 am
Jackets are 10 – 2 this year, but wins the acc. Ramblin Wreck!
GT4Ever
August 27th, 2009
1:10 pm
Granted Jaybo did well at times last year but he did have some trouble at times. He was a freshman and that’s expected. I’m too worried at Washington backing up Nesbitt. Washington had a great high school career and was an excellent running QB. He should be an adequate bcak up for Nesbitt if need be. We should be able to see his talents in the JSU game. Nesbitt should be out of the by the start of the second quarter.
Hal
August 27th, 2009
2:37 pm
Injuries scare me more than the talent on the other teams. I would rather be lucky and stay healthy and live to fight another day. I think the schedule filled with tuff defenses that would be hard to beat with an inexperienced QB. If Nesbitt gets hurt with Jaybo still out of action …all bets are off as to where Tech will be at the end of the season.
Mutts-R-Stupid-especially-journalism-majors
August 27th, 2009
4:19 pm
Are all UGAY people as dumb as their former quarterback, who could not remember the plays in the NFL??? OK, lets make it easier, how many of the faculty at UGAY could remember the plays in an NFL playbook? The correct answer is NONE, cause UGAY and ALL its people are IDIOTS.
JawjunY'all
August 27th, 2009
4:31 pm
Couldn’t tell whether GA fans were less obnoxious after winning or losing – - but in either case they’re obnoxious any time.
the real Old Gold
August 27th, 2009
11:34 pm
Not worried.
Twitter Trackbacks for 5 legit reasons Georgia Tech might disappoint in 2009 | Mark Bradley [ajc.com] on Topsy.com
August 28th, 2009
3:23 am
[...] 5 legit reasons Georgia Tech might disappoint in 2009 | Mark Bradley blogs.ajc.com/mark-bradley-blog/2009/08/26/5-legit-reasons-georgia-tech-might-disappoint-in-2009/ – view page – cached Mark Bradley of the AJC lists five reasons Georgia Tech might indeed disappoint in 2009. — From the page [...]