5 things that could go wrong for Tech: Most involve talent
Linebacker Jeremiah Attaochu: Is he a playmaker? (AJC photo by Johnny Crawford)
To reiterate: I think Georgia Tech’s going to be OK this season. Not great, but OK. That said …
Tech is coming off a 6-7 season. With such a team — and Georgia is also such a team — there can be no givens. I’ve picked the Jackets to go 8-4, and with NCAA winds swirling around Miami and North Carolina it’s possible Tech could rise to second in the ACC Coastal Division. (Can’t see anybody catching Virginia Tech, though.) Things could, as things sometimes do, also go wrong. Such things include:
1. Nesbitt could prove irreplaceable. The new quarterback is redshirt junior Tevin Washington. The backup is redshirt freshman Synjyn Days. The people’s choice is freshman Vad Lee. They’re following a truly tough act.
Starting quarterback is the most important position on any team, and his value increases exponentially in Paul Johnson’s stylized offense. Johnson’s quarterback has to make choices — as opposed to simply handing the ball off — on every snap. The quarterback in the spread option also gets hit a lot, and even the indomitable Nesbitt wound up getting hurt. It was encouraging that the Jackets gained 512 yards against Georgia with Washington at quarterback, but that game might have been a red (and black) herring.
2. These B-backs could turn out to be C-minuses. Johnson believes he could deploy Wolf Blitzer at B-back and have the man gain 1,000 yards. (Although Wolf Blitzer would seem a better candidate for outside linebacker in the 3-4.) That’s the nature of this system and the faith Johnson has in his creation.
The past two feature backs have been Jonathan Dwyer and Allen, and both were NFL draftees. Preston Lyons entered camp as the No. 1 B-back, but has been supplanted by David Sims, who once was a quarterback. Sims isn’t as husky as Dwyer or Allen, which could be reason for concern: B-backs get hit a lot, too.
3. The defense could suffer more Groh-ing pains. Defensive coordinator Al Groh made a remarkable admission after Tech lost to North Carolina State 45-28 last September: His men simply hadn’t made many plays. (He counted three.) Then he said: “There’s no supermarket we can go down to and buy new players.”
This Tech defense will have had ample time to absorb Groh’s 3-4 scheme, which was new to the Flats last season, but the question lingers: Are there any playmakers in the house? If so, who? Outside linebacker Jeremiah Attaochu has that potential, and inside backer Julian Burnett does, too. And maybe end Izaan Cross. The secondary, however, is all new.
4. The Jackets could lose an early game they shouldn’t. Let’s go on record as saying Tech won’t lose to Western Carolina on Thursday night. But next week brings a dicey road assignment: Middle Tennessee in Murfreesboro. That’s the kind of game that could make the Blue Raiders’ season — and imperil Tech’s.
Middle Tennessee lost to Tech 42-14 last season, but that game was here, and Nesbitt was healthy. The Blue Raiders finished 6-7 last season, same as Tech, and will have already faced a team from a BCS league — even if it is only Purdue — by the time the Jackets arrive. And let’s recall what happened when Tech traveled in Week 2 game last season: It lost to Kansas, which would finish 3-9.
5. The talent gap could prove too great even for Johnson to override. Some keen-eyed Jackets-watchers insist this is the least gifted Tech team since the inglorious days of Bill Lewis. As good a coach as Johnson is — and he’s very good — he can’t outflank everybody all the time. Last season proved as much.
We on the periphery tend to overrate recruiting rankings, but the cold truth is that the playmakers Johnson inherited from Chan Gailey — Nesbitt, Dwyer, Derrick Morgan, Demaryius Thomas, Morgan Burnett — are gone, and suitable replacements have yet to emerge. Preseason all-conference lists aren’t the most reliable indicators, either; still, it’s worth noting that Tech placed only guard Omoregie Uzzi on the 25-man all-ACC team. If Tech is to have its bounce-back season, much coaching-up must be done.
By Mark Bradley
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127 comments Add your comment
GT Fan
August 31st, 2011
1:43 pm
Seriously,
For one, the ACC championship does count. Everyone saw it. PJ outschemed Clemson twice that year, beat VT (who was 4th best in the nation at that time) and beat UNC who had NFL talent all over their defense. Plus, the NCAA took the championship away because GT was “Uncooperative” since DRad told his HC the NCAA was going to come calling. No players were ever ruled ineligble, in fact in the report, the NCAA even told DRad it was fine to play D. Thomas. The kid who did receive improper benefits was TJ Barnes and he had to sit one game and he repaid his benefit. So, GT never played inelible players. Get the facts right first of all.
2. He’s a great coach because he has one of the best coaching records in history, won multiple championships at GA Southern, made Navy more than it ever was in the win column, actually did something with Gailey’s talent (Which Gailey could not do), beat UGA with a team full of freshmen in his first year IN ATHENS when UGA had two first round draft picks starting on offense. That’s why PJ is a good coach. He does more with less talent that Richt does with the Second best recruiting classes over 10 years.
Mark Richt is on the hot seat because he had the luxury of having great talent last year, including your starting QB all year AND having AJ Greene, but only mustering 6 wins. Paul Johnson had to play the meat of GT’s schedule with the backup QB who had never started a game in his life after the senior QB got hurt. Losing games is expected.
Here, let me refill your red kool-aid for you though.
DawginLex
August 31st, 2011
1:43 pm
5 things that could go wrong for Tech this year?
Clemson
UNC
Miami
NSCU
Georgia
I don’t think all 5 will go bad but at least 2 will and maybe 3.
gt4ever
August 31st, 2011
1:43 pm
If these Jackets go 8 and 4, I will be the first to say I was wrong…. Good article MB. I think the statement about how this coach cannot continue to outflank everybody and last season will always be a reminder that his talent level has gone down… Personally I think we may win 6 games this year. I really think Vegas has it picked right…
GTBob
August 31st, 2011
1:46 pm
GTBob – must just be a conspiracy of sorts. The NCAA has always wanted to get after GT!!! That’s the only logical conclusion, right?
Call it whatever you want. The NCAA has never ruled D. Thomas ineligible. Look it up, it’s pretty easy to verify.
gt4ever
August 31st, 2011
1:47 pm
DawginLex,
You need to add Maryland to that 5…. The terps will bring their A game… Pathetically these are the only six real football games we play…
K
August 31st, 2011
1:49 pm
You are all wrong! Even Vegas.
Just wait.
Check back in December 2011.
gt4ever
August 31st, 2011
1:51 pm
Hope your right K
kudzu
August 31st, 2011
1:52 pm
Yeah, yeah, UGA is top five in talent every year, still can’t win a championship, so what’s the point about super talent? It’s coaching players UP, to play smart and with intensity.
Just Old Yeller
August 31st, 2011
1:52 pm
Mark,
nice article, excellent points, it definitely is a wait and see year for the performance level.
Stinger2
August 31st, 2011
1:54 pm
gt4ever: Agree with you. However, I hope we are both wrong. Mark is right about talent or lack thereof. Special teams worries me the most along with unproven defense.
GT Fan
August 31st, 2011
1:55 pm
BTW,
GT had 1 of the worst recruiting classes in GT history in 2008 after Gailey was fired. Last year, most of those players were upperclassmen and the talent in still being filled. Why do you think so many freshmen are playing significant time or starting over upperclassmen this year?
A coaching change will cripple a school like GT for a year or so until the new coach proves he can win, UGA and other “factories” can change coaches rather seamlessly. I blame it mostly on the ACC and the crappy conference that it is.
But overall, Paul Johnson has recruited better than Gailey did by ranking average stars given by Rivals, so when you guys say that Paul Johnson can’t recruit better than Gailey, you’re actually wrong.
DawginLex
August 31st, 2011
1:57 pm
HT
You really want Richt to lose to Tech so he can get fired?
Don’t sit with me at that game
JM
August 31st, 2011
1:57 pm
Mark, the odds are small for all those things to happen.
Lindsey Snot
August 31st, 2011
1:59 pm
Like our ugag buddies, Mark doesn’t understand the TriOpt.
Lindsey Snot
August 31st, 2011
1:59 pm
Every singel thing you said about GT can also be said of ugag.
gold dust,
August 31st, 2011
2:04 pm
@Seriously?
Classic shortsightedness… No one is judging CPJ or CMR based on just last year’s performance. Johnson has over-achieved for the last 3 years, and Richt has underachieved. There’s no if’s, and’s or but’s about that. Johnson has already won a game against Richt, which Gailey could never do. We played y’all down to the wire in Athens last year without our starting QB after a dismal season. CPJ is a very good coach, and anyone who says otherwise simply isn’t looking at his performance rationally.
UGA, on the other hand, is all about high standards for athletic excellence. Since you’re so focused on recruiting (which Johnson hasn’t been any worse at than Gailey, according both coach’s average recruiting class rank), you should be really proud that in the last decade, Georgia has ranked second in overall recruiting class rank. The only problem is, every other team in the top 5 in average recruiting has won a national championship over that time-frame. UGA was #1 for a summer, I guess. With so much talent, so much money, a sold-out stadium every game and SEC competition every week, what’s your real excuse? UGA is a chronic under-achiever, plain and simple.
DawginLex
August 31st, 2011
2:08 pm
gold dust
not chronic, just last 3 years
Actually from 2001-2007 Richt ended up ranked higher than the opening polls almost every year
He fixes it this year or he is gone
Pretty simple
gt4ever
August 31st, 2011
2:08 pm
Lindsey,
They have had Top 10 recruiting classes every year for 10 years….. What part of that can you correlate with GT….
SLOW LEARNERS
August 31st, 2011
2:10 pm
most football players “get hit a lot”
PerimeterCenterJacket
August 31st, 2011
2:12 pm
This recruiting talk is just too weird to me. Having the best recruiting classes but not winning titles with the talent is EXACTLY the same type of fake crown to wear as leading the nation in rushing and still losing games! Both are only worth bragging about when there’s no actual game being played since they don’t matter on a scoreboard.
PerimeterCenterJacket
August 31st, 2011
2:19 pm
Slow Learners, the B-back takes a hit in nearly every down in the spread option. He’s pretty much either faking or totin’ the rock, and that’s worth a tackle either way. He gets to know all the linebackers real quick. The point was there aren’t many positions that take hits that often, so Sims being slighter in build means the man had better be scary good or have very thick skin.
Burdell
August 31st, 2011
2:23 pm
The Tech team quit on Bill Lewis when he brought that moron QB Luginbill from Junior College and played him instead of Donnie Davis. Period.
Loyal Lifetime Tech Fan
August 31st, 2011
2:24 pm
I always count the days and the hours until Tech’s opening kickoff and then to the next and the next. My Love and passion for Tech football is a cornerstone in my Life. CPJ delivers for me because he’s a winner and a uniquely straight forward guy. It’s the same reason we love Dimitrof and Smith and the way the Braves have been run for over two decades now. Winning is great and losing hurts, but winning with class and sportsmanship is icing on the cake. D. Rad and CPJ deliver the whole package. I’m excited about the 2011 team’s potential, and I’m hoping that injuries and bad calls don’t get in the way of this team’s destinay, which I’m still thinking can be in the Orange Bowl. Go Jackets and THWG!!!
Ramblnwrek
August 31st, 2011
2:31 pm
@ Seriously? and any others with regards the recruiting class rank/star level: its like talking about the weather. Either they are right in their prediction: Great recruits = Great performance, and then everyone nods their heads and thinks “well we need to get better recruits” or something similar. But when the opposite happens, Great recruits = poor performance, no body talks about it. Example (all sources from ESPN) Texas has had a consistent top 5 recruiting classes since 2006 (except ‘08 ranked only 10th) and yet in 2010, the season after going to the National Chanpionship, they FAIL to even get to a bowl game. Coincidentally U(sic)GA has is very similar since ‘06 with a class rank of 4 in the nation and going ‘07-13, ‘08-5, ‘09-6, ‘10-10.and finally ‘11-6. Yet somehow, this past year was the “Dream Team”…. eat me.
Ramblnwrek
August 31st, 2011
2:34 pm
I personally think Star ranking/recruiting class rank is more about how much can they mess up rather than how good they can be. How good they can be is based on the coach.
sting em
August 31st, 2011
2:34 pm
Bark Madly, I mean Mark Bradly…you love to talk trash
Rickster
August 31st, 2011
2:37 pm
I know I’m 77th.. but any chance on birthday kudos?
Mark Bradley
August 31st, 2011
2:39 pm
Happy kudo’ed birthday, Rickster. Got one upcoming myself
T3
August 31st, 2011
2:40 pm
GT goes 10-2, with a win over UGAG. Been saying it since August 1, 2011.
GT’s Offense will score 21+ TDs in the first 3 games alone.
GT’s Defense will allow 10 or fewer TDs in the first 3 games.
It will be merciful, if GT doesnt crush WCU, MTSU, and Kansas
by 30+ in each of the first 3 games. These games will be blowouts.
PerimeterCenterJacket
August 31st, 2011
2:44 pm
T3, pass it here, friend. I need some of THAT!
1eyedJack
August 31st, 2011
2:46 pm
Which one Mark, 100?
JACKETfan12
August 31st, 2011
2:49 pm
Mark consistently writes bad articles about GT and I am beginning to think that he is a UGA homer. Tech will be fine. B-back is one of the strongest positions on the team. Any tech fan knows that. The fact that David Sims beat out starter Preston Lyons and talented Charles Perkins speaks a lot of his work ethic and ability. Groh’s defense will be strong due to TALENT- not lack of. We will be fine.
m
August 31st, 2011
2:50 pm
Mark,
It is obvious that you are just as ignorant as usual.
Tech has plenty of talent. Thanks to God and Greyhound, your beloved Gomer Gailey is gone!!! And fortunately, most of his recruits are gone, along with their bad attitudes.
Tech is young, but young in a good way. Young with players that were recruited for this offense and defense. All 3 of these QB’s have way more potential than Nesbitt (who was a warrior).
Ugag went 6-7 with their QB….Tech went 6-7 without theirs…..BIG difference. And Tech ran all over Ugag…finally losing because of a missed extra point and several turnovers deep in ugag territory.
Mark. I hope you have the decency to come back on here and admit what an idiot you are as this season unfolds.
Gomer Gailey…..Thank God and Greyhound that he and most of his players are gone.
T3
August 31st, 2011
2:50 pm
PCJacket:
If you aint on-board already, grow a pair.
Gorilla Biscuit
August 31st, 2011
2:59 pm
Tech is going to suck this year, big time.
gt4ever
August 31st, 2011
3:04 pm
and then there was Gorilla Biscuit, the epitome of UGA fandom….
Seriously folks
August 31st, 2011
3:05 pm
The argument that PJ is recruiting players for this system is asinine, Pj offers all the same 4 and 5 star players everyone else offers he just doesn’t sign them.
BaldBeaver
August 31st, 2011
3:05 pm
With all of these so called questions, all I can say is let’s play some ball.
MH
August 31st, 2011
3:09 pm
The ACC is so weak that no one cares what happens in that conference. Its like watching Single A football.
Paul Johnson’s stylized offense
August 31st, 2011
3:15 pm
That made me LOL but it does sound and read better than antiquated offense.
TH
August 31st, 2011
3:17 pm
I wouldn’t call winning 66% of your games with 4 being gimmes as some sort appraisal Mark. Calling for Uga to win 9, with their schedule is an absolute joke. Yes I know…no lsu or bama. But I see 4 losses in that team easily. Reverse the records and you’d look more accurate but alas, you are the king uga leg humper.
TH
August 31st, 2011
3:20 pm
The 6 line at Vegas isn’t a straight up bet but it doesn’t surprise me the uga idiots that live on this board wouldn’t know some simple math. Bet 150 to win 100 doesn’t mean they think they will only win 6. Idiots!!
BaldBeaver
August 31st, 2011
3:21 pm
Enter your comments here
BaldBeaver
August 31st, 2011
3:23 pm
Well, you must enjoy single A football. I could care less
PerimeterCenterJacket
August 31st, 2011
3:25 pm
T3, it was a positive comment. I wish I were that optimistic about Tech. Doesn’t mean I won’t be at every game (I always am!)
WhiteGoat
August 31st, 2011
3:26 pm
You can bet the bulldogs lose the second game of the season. You what if know it all bulldog fans are all bark
Kb
August 31st, 2011
3:28 pm
Funny the whole college football world looks at tech and says there isn;t talent , but somehow people think PJ , who’s only been coaching at this level for 3 seasons can turn navy type talent into BCS talent, he didn’t do it at navy and will not achieve it at tech.The notion that some of you bring that PJ recruits for his system , he recruits and offers all the same players , that includes the 4 and 5 stars everyone else offers. They choose not to play for PJ and this system. Players aren’t standing in line to play in this system and PJ is not running off 5 star talent for 2 -3 star.
Wake up
August 31st, 2011
3:35 pm
GT will NEVER fire CPJ because they will have a heard time hiring anyone worth a damn.
GT must be poised to enter the top 10. They have sold nearly 20,000 season tickets so something is in the air. But it could be the hot dog and coke kicker – just sayin.
TomB
August 31st, 2011
3:39 pm
Funny, two of the playmakers you mentioned played on defense – Burnett and Morgan – and that 2009 defense was so bad they couldn’t stop anyone all year, but still won the ACC. Better in my opinion to be solid at all positions and make fewer mistakes than winning on talent alone. Turning the ball over last year ,especially in the red zone, was the difference in winning six games instead of nine.
Tech '10
August 31st, 2011
3:43 pm
Mark,
I think your points are a valid concern. Thanks for the assessment. I personally like to see what could go wrong, all Tech fans already know what could go right: We win the ACC, Win the Orange Bowl, Beat the Dawgs, etc etc, good to see another perspective from time to time.