Bradley’s Buzz: ESPN assesses Tech-Miami and picks …
As we know, there’s never any cross-promotion between ESPN the TV network and ESPN.com. (Cough, cough. Roll eyes. Cough again.) But sometimes that’s OK. Because otherwise we wouldn’t get this extemely detailed breakdown of Thursday night’s Georgia Tech-Miami game, courtesy of ESPN’s Scouts Inc.
Because this is one of those requires-registration deals, I’ll quote liberally:
“Allen Bailey, Josh Holmes and Marcus Forston give Miami a formidable rotation of defensive tackles that will hold their ground working against the Yellow Jackets’ interior offensive linemen. Behind them, MLB Darryl Sharpton is a downhill thumper who has the strength to help neutralize powerful B-back Jonathan Dwyer and slow down QB Josh Nesbitt between the tackles …
“Georgia Tech will have problems converting in third-and-long situations. CBs Brandon Harris, Sam Shields and Ryan Hill possess the speed and quickness to shadow Thomas and Cone. In addition, Nesbitt has had issues with his timing and accuracy, while the Hurricanes have the athletes up front to force him to get rid of the ball quickly …
“OLB Sedric Griffin and MLB Brad Jefferson [of Tech] are going to have a difficult time slowing explosive RBs Javarris James and Graig Cooper both in the passing game and the running game …
“Miami has the weapons to exploit a Georgia Tech secondary that’s been vulnerable to the big play starting with slot WR Travis Benjamin (5-10, 175 pounds) who has world class speed and is capable of running by FS Cooper Taylor …
“DE Derrick Morgan is capable of disrupting the timing of [Miami quarterback Jacory] Harris and his receivers early and often. Morgan’s blend of speed and power will be too much for heavy-footed RT Matt Pipho to handle. However, Morgan must close under control because Harris does a tremendous job of avoiding the rush and buying his receivers time to get open downfield.”
From reading the above, you’ve probably gotten the notion Scouts Inc. is picking Miami. Well, you’re right. It projects the Hurricanes winning 31-28. Its rationale:
“While the Hurricanes won’t shut the run down, they are more familiar with Georgia Tech’s triple-option attack after playing against it last season so look for them to come up with a few timely stops. With Harris and his cast of weapons moving the ball against the Yellow Jackets’ secondary, these stops will open the door for Miami to eke out the win at home.”
I, on the other hand, disagree. And here are five reasons why. And I actually feel fairly confident about this one. Famous last words, huh?
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
117 comments Add your comment
swimdawg68
September 16th, 2009
12:06 pm
Miami will beat the nerds. We saw what the Clemson defense did against the nerds in the second half in the last game and Miami has a better defense.
Good programs this year are more prepared for Johnson’s run offense. Shut it down and you win because the nerds have no pass offense, they proved that against Clemson.
GO CANES!!
Jackets2009
September 16th, 2009
12:12 pm
Miami’s better defense as evidenced by the game ending stop? Actually it was the clock. They still had downs to go and just missed losing on the last pass. Some stop.
Jackets2009
September 16th, 2009
12:17 pm
Clemson actually did us the favor, not the rest of the league.
Paul solved the problem and that is why we got the W and not Clemson.
The 4th quarter was our time just like the Uga game last year. Remember?
BravesFan79
September 16th, 2009
12:17 pm
Funny how this Miami guys talking crap yet we rushed for almost 500 yards on them last year! I like to say this level of ignorance isn’t common among young black culture… but id be lying.
See this is why im a BASEBALL fan…. less blacks, less worthless punks.
And 2 of my favorite players growing up wer Mcgriff and Ron Gant….seems the newer generations are just getting worse and worse.
Its clear Music influences culture more than pple think. Especially when the majority of that culture has a IQ below 85.
Try selling out a 55,000 seat stadium......
September 16th, 2009
12:21 pm
<—————————-
Get Real
September 16th, 2009
12:23 pm
Tom-are you accusing Paul Johnson of conspiring with the Refs against Clemson. Now that would really be a story I would like to here more about!Did you just say that Johnson got an OK from the refs to cheat?
F-105 Thunderchief
September 16th, 2009
12:27 pm
Were I Miami head coach Randy Shannon, I would discipline any player who would write such things. Speaking of short passing game out of the option. I’m sure it’s possible, but having observed Johnson’s work at Ga. Southern up close, I remember many more 30 and 40 yarders than dinks and dumps.
Get Real
September 16th, 2009
12:30 pm
Hay Mark Bradley there’s a story for you check into this alleged Johnson/ref cheating situation. This could have National implications. Maybe this game should be vacated. You know, do to all the alleged improprieties.
ratdawg
September 16th, 2009
12:34 pm
Dooley’s cardiologist…You compare how team A beat Team B therefore Team c is better than A. Let me get this straight. GA beat LSU last year, LSU crushed GA Tech, therefore GA’s loss to GA Tech was a total fluke….
Jackets2009
September 16th, 2009
12:43 pm
ratdawg, if it was a fluke ya’ll wouldn’t be so intent on running WM out of town.
Jackets2009
September 16th, 2009
12:45 pm
Tell me again how being a good fan means trashing the head coach, assistants and QB. That’s all the Uga blog has been full of for over a week. If any good fan tried to stop it and they just get trashed too. Man what fans. More like a lynch mob.
Mark Bradley
September 16th, 2009
12:50 pm
He is indeed, Jackets2009. I’m sitting in the press room at Flowery Branch, tying and Tweeting away.
East Cobb Hokie
September 16th, 2009
12:52 pm
Any speed advantage UM may have is not the issue against CPJ’s offense. The key is rotating assignment D. If Randy Shannon can get his athletes to do that they win. Otherwise they try to chase GT down the field from behind.
Supersize that order, mutt
September 16th, 2009
12:53 pm
Get Real, why don’t you spell it out? If you THINK there was cheating, then what was it? I’m sure you are full of it, but I would still like to know whatever rationale you THINK you have in making such a stupid claim.
Get Real
September 16th, 2009
12:54 pm
I know that I’ll be watching thursdays game intently,
cause I sure want to see if Tech can win a game by just playing good old fashioned grind it out football.If not i guess Johnson could hold another alleged powwow.
Wiley
September 16th, 2009
12:55 pm
Get real. I was on the side lines and trust me PJ did not have anything nice to say to the officials before or after the play. He would never conspire with them, because he hates hates hates officials. That play was legal as far as dabo, and PJ knew so STFU and act like you have seen a college football game before. Clemson also ran an illegal play, but both were not ruled illegal on the field.That was a good win for GT against a very very very talented Clemson team with more 5 star recruits than UGA. I think GT beats Miami because we played a bad game and still won….if we play better it should be a W. Now UGA played well against USC but barely got the W…imagine when they have a bad game….lol can you say 7-5
Get Real
September 16th, 2009
12:56 pm
I havn’t alleged anything I’m just pointing out what was stated by others. You need to reed the earlier comments.
Paul From Milton
September 16th, 2009
12:58 pm
It’s ironic that you would criticize ESPN for cross promotion when you use their material for so many of your columns. Quoting from ESPN’s premium site as much as you do is just lazy journalism.
Jackets2009
September 16th, 2009
1:04 pm
I await the next blog now that I’m addicted.
Jackets2009
September 16th, 2009
1:06 pm
No Paul it’s called using good sources and not just offering us one opinion.
Jackets2009
September 16th, 2009
1:07 pm
Flowery Branch? A Falcons blog this afternoon or evening I suspect
Steve
September 16th, 2009
1:07 pm
Are you going to admit your wrong when Miami wins, Bradley? Or are you going to hide in your office like you did with Smoltz? All the sports writers are cowards.
Mark Bradley
September 16th, 2009
1:10 pm
Well, Jackets2009 … since you asked. Here you go.
Supersize that order, mutt
September 16th, 2009
1:20 pm
Sorry, Get Real, I haven’t seen any specifics in any earlier posts either. All I see is “alleged.” WHAT is alleged? Give me facts, jerk. If you are referring to the fake field goal, with BayBay more-or-less out of sight, then there was nothing illegal about that at all. He never left the field of play when the rest of the team ran on and off, and he never went to the huddle, so he couldn’t illegally leave it. Bobby Dodd ran a similar so-called “sleeper play” against the Vols in 1964. They HATED it, but it was legal, and it worked.
Get Real
September 16th, 2009
1:35 pm
Read the AJC. Blue column,sports and Toms comment above. Your awfully uninformed to be blogging.I hope your not a Tech grad, that would be embarrasing for them.
WHF
September 16th, 2009
1:37 pm
Based on the media, GT shouldn’t even show up, lol. Same crap, new year.
Supersize that order, mutt
September 16th, 2009
1:40 pm
Get Real, I don’t live in Atlanta. I can’t read the AJC. You’re awfully dumb if you think that everybody who posts here lives in the Atlanta area. So I am STILL waiting on specifics to your stupid allegation.
Supersize that order, mutt
September 16th, 2009
1:41 pm
Incidentally, Get Real, note that I typed “YOU’RE awfully dumb,” and not “YOUR awfully uninformed” like you did. There IS a difference, in case you never took an English class. If you did, you are an embarassment to your teachers.
BIG BEE
September 16th, 2009
1:48 pm
GET REAL, did you happen to notice that UGA was called for a cut block against SC? Don’t know why these coaches are allowed to cheat!!!
Get Real
September 16th, 2009
1:48 pm
You have a computer don’t you, check out what the Head of ACC refs had to say about your trade school. Now please stop wasting my time, i am very busy eating lunch and your stupidity is very annoying.
Supersize that order, mutt
September 16th, 2009
1:51 pm
I don’t really care what the head of ACC refs had to say, Get Real. He didn’t call the game. I doubt he was even there. Do you want some cheese with that WHINE you are having for lunch?
BEE 1
September 16th, 2009
1:52 pm
GET REAL, if you find someone spewing stupid and untrue information, you assume he is the enemy, and in most cases the enemy is UGA.
Get Real
September 16th, 2009
1:56 pm
What is that saying, oh ya “There’s a fool born every minute”. In your cases it was two.
Jacory "Ice Veins" Harris
September 16th, 2009
1:56 pm
Wow most of you GT fans are extremely cocky and seriously underestimating Miami. The talent on Miami is undeniable. We FINALLY have a whiz offensvie coordinator and big time QB to properly utilize that talent. Did you not watch that FSU game? How do you expect to slow down that offense?
Oh man, Thursday night is going to be sweet. I’ll be there, ready to laugh at devasted GT fans as the clock expires.
Supersize that order, mutt
September 16th, 2009
2:03 pm
OK, I checked the website, and quite frankly, I think the man is full of it. What was “simulated?” Bay Bay was on the field the entire time. There is nothing that requires him to be substituted if everybody else on the field is being substituted. If Dabo was fooled by it, that’s his problem; there certainly wasn’t anything illegal about it. I note in the same article that Clemson was apparently “guilty” of the same thing on their attempted fake. I don’t see that they did anything unscrupulous either. Did you get that cheese yet?
Get Real
September 16th, 2009
2:05 pm
Sorry, have to go. I’ve got bigger fish to fry.
Supersize that order, mutt
September 16th, 2009
2:06 pm
Oh, sorry, didn’t mean to keep you from your job at Captain D’s. I’ll be in shortly for my order.
mtraininjax
September 16th, 2009
4:02 pm
Mark – Our beloved Reds were officially eliminated from winning their division. They have many of the same problems as the Braves, but for now, Dusty can complain about injuries.
Back to Tech, Geez, from the drivel that Scout discusses, you’d think Tech would get blown out, only to lose 31-28. Something seems amiss. I know Benjamin is Harris’ go-to guy, as he did have 4 grabs for 128 yards against the Noles, and with world-class speed, he must be faster than what Tech saw with Spiller and Ford last week, so no way we can cover him.
I still think Tech wins on the road by 7, with Nesbitt learning from last game, and the O-line learning to play better. The Clemson D-line was the best we will play this year, aside from UNC and VT. The U is still a year or two away from becoming a force.
Funny how the Atlantic has 1 or 2 good programs year in and year out, FSU is not one of them this year. While the Coastal seems to be over-loaded with VT, UNC, GT and soon the U.
JaxDawg
September 16th, 2009
4:47 pm
I think this will be one of the better games to watch this week and a great way to start off the college football weekend.
The game will come down to GTs defense. Miami has a ton of speed and Derrick Morgan will be a key factor. If he can get pressure on J.Harris and get him rattled early and force him to rush his passes then I think GT wins without too many problems by 10 or so.
If not then it will become a scoring fest and likely the team with the ball last will win in a high scoring affair.
GT gets pressure on Harris they win 28-17
Miami able to pass at will – UM wins 38-34
Sting 'em Buzz
September 16th, 2009
5:33 pm
Get Real, in the pregame conference the referee and umpire ask the head coach if they are going to run anything that is different so that there is not an inadvertent whistle. It happens with every team in every game from middle school up to the pros.
Not Disappointed!
September 16th, 2009
6:22 pm
It should be a good game.
Let’s go Jackets!
CHI Cane
September 16th, 2009
6:37 pm
I believe some who are critical of UM’s defense due to FSU’s scoring output fail to see that Miami elected to take away the run (Ponder ran forever in the 2008 2 point loss). FSU moved the ball against Miami through the air. I see UM also trying to take the run away from Tech. Whether this will be successful of not is still TBA. As is Tech’s ability to throw.
I’m the first to say I don’t know much about the Tech D outside of Morgan, so difficult to say how much success UM will have, but expect more balance to keep the rush honest.
CHI Cane
September 16th, 2009
6:40 pm
That said, I expect a specialt teams TD to be the difference.
Miami 28
Tech 21
WestBlackburgJACKET
September 16th, 2009
6:48 pm
you know I expect the UGA fans on this blog, afterall we both share the same state and thus the same main newspaper in this state. What I do not understand is why Hokie fans(you know who you are) are giving their comments. Who cares what you think and there you are before the season and now before and after each game. And what is typical, you come deceiving like you care about the Jackets when in fact you and your Hokies are worried as Hell. What is laughable is you should have concentrated more on Alabama instead of how to defend the triple option which you did all the way back to your spring practice. Whether GT beats Miami or not, rest assured the one they want the most, is your deceiving-our jerseys are missing-Hoaxies. And until Oct. 17th, I will make it plain, can’t stand your team! As as much as I despise your team, still do not have the desire to spend time on a VT blog. And it is not GT’s problem if VT is located in such a bumpkin part of VA there isn’t a local newspaper that has a VT blog.
Michael
September 16th, 2009
8:32 pm
FIRST!
Michael
September 16th, 2009
8:32 pm
Dang. Sooooooo not first.
Nate
September 16th, 2009
9:47 pm
Fair assessment JaxDawg. I’ll take it. It’s going to be a good game either way. Hopefully Nesbitt bounces back with a good game.
Tim Tebow for President
September 16th, 2009
10:36 pm
Who cares… the only team that matters is the new U… Gators got this year locked down. THe best the old U and and the G.T. yellow bellies can hope for is they can win their weak division and maybe their weak conference. Once again, at years end the SEC will show everyone from the ACC where the best teams play… GO GATORS!!!
Hey Dogtards
September 17th, 2009
7:39 am
Thanks for jinxing us Mark
HURRICANE JOHN
September 17th, 2009
7:59 am
CANES WIN 33-20. THE SWAGGER IS BACK!