by Zachary Osterman cbssports.com
There were no pictures of Giff Smith in the image bank, which is probably the way it should be for a defensive line coach, even at an ACC school.
But the problems for Georgia Tech are twofold:
1.He was also Tech's recruiting coordinator.
2.He's not Tech's recruiting coordinator anymore. Chan Gailey just hired him away .
Remember that puff piece I just wrote on Al Groh coming in and making an immediate impact on Georgia Tech's recruiting efforts? Forget it.
All that talk about solidifying a solid class in 2010? Unimportant now.
Giff Smith was with the Jackets for six years, and he earned for himself a solid reputation as a recruiter. He was raised in Mableton and played at Pebblebrook High School. He's worked for Tech, Georgia Southern, and UGA, a man of his home state through and through.
In charge of recruiting since 2006, Smith was responsible for classes that brought players like Dwyer, Josh Nesbitt, Demaryius Thomas, and Derrick Morgan to the Flats. His crowning jewel was the heralded 2007 class, but he's quietly kept solid recruiting momentum over Paul Johnson's first two years, and as the AJC's Mark Bradley points out, Georgia Tech was setting up for a really pretty haul in 2011.
Now that's up in smoke and Gailey has again found a way to haunt the Yellow Jacket faithful.
Like it or not, recruits commit to people much moreso now than they commit to schools. Personal relationships and a necessary comfort level rule the recruiting scene in a time when a player's every action is magnified to unprecedented levels.
Losing Smith, no matter the reason, burns those bridges. Perhaps not beyond the point of repair, but now it's on Johnson and his staff to simultaneously strengthen those relationships and find someone who can successfully carry on what Smith built in Atlanta.
The departures of Dwyer, Morgan, Thomas, and Morgan Burnett were blows, but expected.
And replacing Dave Wommack with Al Groh is an obvious upgrade from any angle.
But recruiting is so important in college football, and now Johnson is faced with yet another challenge to meet. How he answers this one could decide the course of his program for the next four or five years—or beyond.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Monday, January 25, 2010
State of Georgia Alumni in the Super Bowl - AJC
By Larry Hartstein
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The football pipeline otherwise known as the state of Georgia extends to the Super Bowl.
Five New Orleans Saints and four Indianapolis Colts played high school or college football -- or both -- in Georgia. And for the most part, they're impact players.
The Saints' Jon Stinchcomb (Parkview High, UGA) started every game at right tackle and made the Pro Bowl as a reserve. Defensive end Charles Grant (Miller County High, UGA) started every regular-season game, posting 5.5 sacks, before a triceps injury ended his season. Defensive tackle Anthony Hargrove (Georgia Tech) had five sacks and a forced fumble while playing in every game.
Safety Chris Reis (Roswell High, Georgia Tech) and cornerback Leigh Torrence (Marist High) made 17 and 10 tackles respectively, mainly on special teams. Torrence went on injured reserve in November with a shoulder injury.
For the Colts, center Jeff Saturday (Shamrock High, now a DeKalb County middle school) started every game and made the Pro Bowl as a backup. Defensive end Robert Mathis (McNair High) was voted a Pro Bowl starter after getting 9.5 sacks and five forced fumbles.
Linebacker Philip Wheeler (Shaw High, Georgia Tech) made 61 tackles in the regular season, plus three in the AFC Championship Game. Corner Tim Jennings (UGA) made 57 tackles and two interceptions.
With the Pro Bowl coming up Sunday, a week before the Super Bowl, Mathis, Saturday and Stinchcomb will be honored but won't play.
Georgia's strong representation at Super Bowl XLIV comes as no surprise. A 2008 study by USA Today found that Georgia high schools sent the fourth-most players to the NFL, behind only California, Texas and Florida
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The football pipeline otherwise known as the state of Georgia extends to the Super Bowl.
Five New Orleans Saints and four Indianapolis Colts played high school or college football -- or both -- in Georgia. And for the most part, they're impact players.
The Saints' Jon Stinchcomb (Parkview High, UGA) started every game at right tackle and made the Pro Bowl as a reserve. Defensive end Charles Grant (Miller County High, UGA) started every regular-season game, posting 5.5 sacks, before a triceps injury ended his season. Defensive tackle Anthony Hargrove (Georgia Tech) had five sacks and a forced fumble while playing in every game.
Safety Chris Reis (Roswell High, Georgia Tech) and cornerback Leigh Torrence (Marist High) made 17 and 10 tackles respectively, mainly on special teams. Torrence went on injured reserve in November with a shoulder injury.
For the Colts, center Jeff Saturday (Shamrock High, now a DeKalb County middle school) started every game and made the Pro Bowl as a backup. Defensive end Robert Mathis (McNair High) was voted a Pro Bowl starter after getting 9.5 sacks and five forced fumbles.
Linebacker Philip Wheeler (Shaw High, Georgia Tech) made 61 tackles in the regular season, plus three in the AFC Championship Game. Corner Tim Jennings (UGA) made 57 tackles and two interceptions.
With the Pro Bowl coming up Sunday, a week before the Super Bowl, Mathis, Saturday and Stinchcomb will be honored but won't play.
Georgia's strong representation at Super Bowl XLIV comes as no surprise. A 2008 study by USA Today found that Georgia high schools sent the fourth-most players to the NFL, behind only California, Texas and Florida
Dawgs Take Care of Business; Jackets Don't
My Friday post talked about how important this weekend was going to be for both teams. One team took care of their business in an impressive manor. The other team underachieved again. The bulldogs played the spoiler role again in a 15 point win over #8 team in the country Tennessee Vols. Georgia Tech lost late to a Florida State team that had already beat them in Atlanta in December. This looks to be what both these teams are going to be this season. They both play up to and beyond the level of their good opponents, and they play down to the level of the less talented teams they play. UGA is glad to be showing signs of improvement under coach Mark Fox. Georgia Tech continues to underachieve under the leadership of Paul Hewitt.
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Favors Ready to Prove Himself
By Carroll Rogers
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
It has been more than a month and a handful of ACC games since Georgia Tech last played Florida State. In the development of freshman Derrick Favors, it has seemed a lot longer than that.
On Dec. 20, Favors was muscled around by the Seminoles, who welcomed him to conference play by halting his streak of nine consecutive double-digit scoring games to start his Tech career. Favors looked lost against Duke, when he had more traveling calls (three) than field goals (two). He disappeared altogether against North Carolina, playing only 19 minutes because of foul trouble.
But after using 12 points against Virginia to show glimpses of progress, Favors heads to Tallahassee on Sunday to take on the front line of Florida State with the confidence of his team-high 17 points against Clemson.
Ask Favors what's changed and he says adjusting to the physical play in the ACC.
"It was just hard work paying off," he said. "Go hard, practice hard, lift weights, get your body ready for all the punishment that goes along in the paint."
He has followed junior Gani Lawal's lead, lifting weights after every game. He'll do push-ups in his room.
"In high school, he had some guy leaning on him who was about 6-3, 185," Tech coach Paul Hewitt said. "Now he's got a guy like [FSU's Solomon] Alabi who's 7-1, 250. It's a big difference."
Hewitt said Favors' added strength translates into a better position down low, which made him a better target against Clemson.
"He understood what he had to do to hold position," Hewitt said. "When we threw the ball into him, he made sure he grabbed it and made a strong, decisive move. I thought there were times early in the year when we'd throw him the ball, and he didn't really go to it strong or didn't present a big-enough target. So our guys were a little afraid to throw it in."
Now guards Iman Shumpert and Mfon Udofia don't mind going in, or up. Favors has put together a highlight package of dunks, including a reverse alley-oop finish against Clemson.
The question circling now is whether Favors still is prepared to make a quick exit to the NBA, as most expect. In a mock draft at NBAdraft.net, Favors has fallen from No. 2 to No. 6 in a month.
Len Elmore, a former standout post player at Maryland and the NBA, has watched Favors in Tech's past two wins, over Clemson and North Carolina, as an analyst for ESPN.
He thinks another season or two of college play would benefit Favors, though admittedly, he believes that's true for all players coming out of high school.
"[Favors] is obviously a big, strong, athletic young man that has a great deal of potential," Elmore said. "The upside is almost unlimited in what he may be capable of doing. The question is understanding and learning the game."
Elmore thinks Favors could use more time to work on his footwork, his man-to-man defense, his face-up jump shot, and overcoming foul trouble.
"I think the most important thing is he appears to be a solid individual," Elmore said. "He's not so totally in love with himself and his skills that he can't work to get better."
For his part, Favors is focusing on the season.
"One of the things I tell him is don't worry about that," said South Atlanta coach Michael Reddick, who talks to Favors at least once a week. "Play as hard as you can, learn as much as you can, and when the season is over, you can evaluate that and make a decision whether you play another year or two or declare. Right now I want him focusing on Florida State."
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
It has been more than a month and a handful of ACC games since Georgia Tech last played Florida State. In the development of freshman Derrick Favors, it has seemed a lot longer than that.
On Dec. 20, Favors was muscled around by the Seminoles, who welcomed him to conference play by halting his streak of nine consecutive double-digit scoring games to start his Tech career. Favors looked lost against Duke, when he had more traveling calls (three) than field goals (two). He disappeared altogether against North Carolina, playing only 19 minutes because of foul trouble.
But after using 12 points against Virginia to show glimpses of progress, Favors heads to Tallahassee on Sunday to take on the front line of Florida State with the confidence of his team-high 17 points against Clemson.
Ask Favors what's changed and he says adjusting to the physical play in the ACC.
"It was just hard work paying off," he said. "Go hard, practice hard, lift weights, get your body ready for all the punishment that goes along in the paint."
He has followed junior Gani Lawal's lead, lifting weights after every game. He'll do push-ups in his room.
"In high school, he had some guy leaning on him who was about 6-3, 185," Tech coach Paul Hewitt said. "Now he's got a guy like [FSU's Solomon] Alabi who's 7-1, 250. It's a big difference."
Hewitt said Favors' added strength translates into a better position down low, which made him a better target against Clemson.
"He understood what he had to do to hold position," Hewitt said. "When we threw the ball into him, he made sure he grabbed it and made a strong, decisive move. I thought there were times early in the year when we'd throw him the ball, and he didn't really go to it strong or didn't present a big-enough target. So our guys were a little afraid to throw it in."
Now guards Iman Shumpert and Mfon Udofia don't mind going in, or up. Favors has put together a highlight package of dunks, including a reverse alley-oop finish against Clemson.
The question circling now is whether Favors still is prepared to make a quick exit to the NBA, as most expect. In a mock draft at NBAdraft.net, Favors has fallen from No. 2 to No. 6 in a month.
Len Elmore, a former standout post player at Maryland and the NBA, has watched Favors in Tech's past two wins, over Clemson and North Carolina, as an analyst for ESPN.
He thinks another season or two of college play would benefit Favors, though admittedly, he believes that's true for all players coming out of high school.
"[Favors] is obviously a big, strong, athletic young man that has a great deal of potential," Elmore said. "The upside is almost unlimited in what he may be capable of doing. The question is understanding and learning the game."
Elmore thinks Favors could use more time to work on his footwork, his man-to-man defense, his face-up jump shot, and overcoming foul trouble.
"I think the most important thing is he appears to be a solid individual," Elmore said. "He's not so totally in love with himself and his skills that he can't work to get better."
For his part, Favors is focusing on the season.
"One of the things I tell him is don't worry about that," said South Atlanta coach Michael Reddick, who talks to Favors at least once a week. "Play as hard as you can, learn as much as you can, and when the season is over, you can evaluate that and make a decision whether you play another year or two or declare. Right now I want him focusing on Florida State."
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Dawgs Take Down the Vols at Home
A win against Florida this week will give Georgia a fighters chance to make their way back up in the conference ranks.
Crucial Week of Basketball
Georgia Tech is coming off two recent wins over North Carolina and Clemson and they need to keep rolling and avoid their usual rollercoaster ride of a season. North Carolina has been exposed as not being as good as advertised; despite some big non-conference wins over Michigan State and Ohio State. Tech needs to prove they are as good as their record by beating a Florida State team that already beat the Jackets in Atlanta earlier this year.
Georgia needs to get an SEC win. Georgia Tech needs to avoid a letdown.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
680 The Fan interview with Todd Grantham
Todd Grantham interview
This is what former UGA quarterback and current 680 radio host,Buck Belue, had to say about the interview.
So I listened to Georgia's new defensive coordinator Todd Grantham on 680 The Fan on Thursday morning and left very impressed. His reputation on the field is "fiery." Off the field, in an interview setting he was very personable. Didn't hear him talking down to the guys, as he explained his 3-4 scheme and how it would fit at Georgia. Impressive. This guy looks to be a great fit.
Grantham is busy recruiting and analyzing his new personnel. He plans to meet with his new players starting tomorrow (Friday). In perperation for those meetings, he has put together tapes on each player, involving about 30 plays from last season. After the meetings, he will begin putting together a depth chart for spring football.
Richt is playing this recruiting angle correctly. Not much time is left, so Grantham is targeting guys that are hanging in the balance right now. That's smart. Let him sell Jeffrey Whitaker, Mike Thornton and Deon Rogers.
Coach Grantham's sales pitch is right on the money too. We want guys that want to come to Georgia and win. And I'll coach those guys up "just like I was coaching DeMarcus Ware or Jay Ratliff." Recruits know Grantham can help them develop and get a shot at the NFL. I like the first part...guys that want to come to Georgia and win.
The transition from the 4-3 to the 3-4 shouldn't be that radically different, once they get the personnel in place. DeAngelo Tyson wants to be the nose tackle. Abry Jones is thinking he's a better fit at DE. There will be some shifting around on the D-Line. And one of the big keys to a smooth transition is finding some playmakers at the OLB position. Not sure who those guys are right now.
It took 42 days, but it appears as though Georgia found a good fit for the job. Todd Grantham is a very impressive guy right now.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Couple UGA commits earn Bobby Dodd TD club award
Newnan safety Alec Ogletree has been named the Bobby Dodd National High School Back of the Year, and Douglass defensive tackle Garrison Smith has been named the Bobby Dodd National High School Lineman of the Year.
Ogletree led Newnan to 25 wins against two losses in his junior and senior seasons and had 85 tackles and 40 receptions this past season. He was GHSF Daily's Class AAAAA defensive player of the year.
Smith is a four-year starter who was a bright spot for 1-9 Douglass. He was named co-defensive player of the year in Region 2-AAAAA.
Both have committed to Georgia.
The awards are selected by the Touchdown Club of Atlanta, and Ogletree and Smith will be honored at Georgia Tech on Feb. 13, when the TD Club also will announce its all-metro team.
GT drops 3rd top 25 team in 11 days
CBSSports.com wire reports ATLANTA -- Derrick Favors had a breakout performance, and Gani Lawal provided the 1-2 punch Georgia Tech has been expecting all along from its two big men.
At the end, though, it was the former starter who came through.
Zachery Peacock made two free throws with 3.2 seconds remaining and the No. 19 Yellow Jackets knocked off another ranked team, beating No. 17 Clemson 66-64 on Tuesday night.
Both teams turned the ball over in the final seconds, squandering chances to put up the winning shot. Finally, Georgia Tech inbounded to Peacock with 5.1 seconds left. He drove toward the free throw line and lost control of the ball, but Trevor Booker was called for a reach-in foul. The senior calmly sank both foul shots on a night the Yellow Jackets made just 11 of 22 at the line.
"Just like another day in practice shooting free throws," Peacock said. "I feel as calm and cool as I want to be."
Surpassing its Atlantic Coast Conference win total for all of last season, Georgia Tech (14-4, 3-2 ACC) improved on its best start since 2006-07 with its first back-to-back wins over ranked teams since a run to the Final Four in 2004.
The Yellow Jackets have beaten three Top 25 teams over an 11-day span, knocking off Duke and North Carolina before edging the Tigers (15-4, 3-2).
Georgia Tech got big production from its big men. Finally looking like one of the nation's top freshmen, Favors had 17 points, 14 rebounds and several spectacular dunks. Lawal contributed 16 points and 10 rebounds despite running into foul trouble.
Peacock, who started all 30 games last season, had to accept a role off the bench after Favors signed with the Yellow Jackets and Lawal decided to return for another season rather than enter the NBA Draft. It's a spot that seems to suit the senior just fine.
"It's all about finishing games, not starting 'em," said Peacock, who had six points and five rebounds. "I've beat that into my head so much it's just second nature. It doesn't bother me at all."
Favors has struggled a bit in his first -- and what's expected to be his only -- college season. But he was a force in this one, also coming up with three blocks and a steal. The only number he'd like to have back was a 1-of-5 showing at the foul line.
"I'm starting to play a lot better," Favors said. "All the hard work is paying off."
The game was hardly a masterpiece by either team. Georgia Tech shot just 39 percent from the field, including a dismal 3 of 17 from 3-point range. Clemson was even worse -- a mere 37 percent shooting -- and only 10 of 20 at the line.
Booker put the Tigers ahead 64-62 on a pair of foul shots with 1:25 left, but D'Andre Bell knocked down a couple of free throws to tie it up again with 1:09 to go.
That's when things got really sloppy. With about a six-second difference on the shot clock and the game clock, Georgia Tech's Mfon Udofia drove toward the lane, fell down and was called for walking. Clemson had a chance to set up for a winning shot, but Demontez Stitt took off toward the basket a little early, had Iman Shumpert and at least one other defender get a piece of the ball, then watched in dismay as it skidded out of bounds off his left thigh.
"That was the play of the game," said Georgia Tech coach Paul Hewitt, who wasn't sure which players got a hand on it.
Clemson had its final inbounds pass knocked away around midcourt and never got off another shot. Booker led the Tigers with 19 points.
"Our guys don't have anything to hang their heads about," coach Oliver Purnell said. "They came on the road in the ACC against a hot team and we put ourselves in position to win."
Georgia Tech got off to a miserable start, missing nine of its first 11 shots and squandering four other possessions with turnovers as Clemson raced out to a 9-2 lead.
But the Yellow Jackets finally got it going just before the midway point of the opening half, beginning with Lawal's dunk that provided the home team with its first lead, 13-11. They wound up making nine shots in a row, stretching out the margin to 31-21, before the streak ended on an airball by Favors.
Georgia Tech led 35-29 at the break, continually breaking Clemson's press with a series of high-flying dunks. But this one became an ugly grind, coming down to which team could deliver the final blow.
"That was a rough game to watch because both teams really played hard defensively," Hewitt said. "It just became a game of trading punches."
At the end, though, it was the former starter who came through.
Zachery Peacock made two free throws with 3.2 seconds remaining and the No. 19 Yellow Jackets knocked off another ranked team, beating No. 17 Clemson 66-64 on Tuesday night.
Both teams turned the ball over in the final seconds, squandering chances to put up the winning shot. Finally, Georgia Tech inbounded to Peacock with 5.1 seconds left. He drove toward the free throw line and lost control of the ball, but Trevor Booker was called for a reach-in foul. The senior calmly sank both foul shots on a night the Yellow Jackets made just 11 of 22 at the line.
"Just like another day in practice shooting free throws," Peacock said. "I feel as calm and cool as I want to be."
Surpassing its Atlantic Coast Conference win total for all of last season, Georgia Tech (14-4, 3-2 ACC) improved on its best start since 2006-07 with its first back-to-back wins over ranked teams since a run to the Final Four in 2004.
The Yellow Jackets have beaten three Top 25 teams over an 11-day span, knocking off Duke and North Carolina before edging the Tigers (15-4, 3-2).
Georgia Tech got big production from its big men. Finally looking like one of the nation's top freshmen, Favors had 17 points, 14 rebounds and several spectacular dunks. Lawal contributed 16 points and 10 rebounds despite running into foul trouble.
Peacock, who started all 30 games last season, had to accept a role off the bench after Favors signed with the Yellow Jackets and Lawal decided to return for another season rather than enter the NBA Draft. It's a spot that seems to suit the senior just fine.
"It's all about finishing games, not starting 'em," said Peacock, who had six points and five rebounds. "I've beat that into my head so much it's just second nature. It doesn't bother me at all."
Favors has struggled a bit in his first -- and what's expected to be his only -- college season. But he was a force in this one, also coming up with three blocks and a steal. The only number he'd like to have back was a 1-of-5 showing at the foul line.
"I'm starting to play a lot better," Favors said. "All the hard work is paying off."
The game was hardly a masterpiece by either team. Georgia Tech shot just 39 percent from the field, including a dismal 3 of 17 from 3-point range. Clemson was even worse -- a mere 37 percent shooting -- and only 10 of 20 at the line.
Booker put the Tigers ahead 64-62 on a pair of foul shots with 1:25 left, but D'Andre Bell knocked down a couple of free throws to tie it up again with 1:09 to go.
That's when things got really sloppy. With about a six-second difference on the shot clock and the game clock, Georgia Tech's Mfon Udofia drove toward the lane, fell down and was called for walking. Clemson had a chance to set up for a winning shot, but Demontez Stitt took off toward the basket a little early, had Iman Shumpert and at least one other defender get a piece of the ball, then watched in dismay as it skidded out of bounds off his left thigh.
"That was the play of the game," said Georgia Tech coach Paul Hewitt, who wasn't sure which players got a hand on it.
Clemson had its final inbounds pass knocked away around midcourt and never got off another shot. Booker led the Tigers with 19 points.
"Our guys don't have anything to hang their heads about," coach Oliver Purnell said. "They came on the road in the ACC against a hot team and we put ourselves in position to win."
Georgia Tech got off to a miserable start, missing nine of its first 11 shots and squandering four other possessions with turnovers as Clemson raced out to a 9-2 lead.
But the Yellow Jackets finally got it going just before the midway point of the opening half, beginning with Lawal's dunk that provided the home team with its first lead, 13-11. They wound up making nine shots in a row, stretching out the margin to 31-21, before the streak ended on an airball by Favors.
Georgia Tech led 35-29 at the break, continually breaking Clemson's press with a series of high-flying dunks. But this one became an ugly grind, coming down to which team could deliver the final blow.
"That was a rough game to watch because both teams really played hard defensively," Hewitt said. "It just became a game of trading punches."
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
ESPN thinks Georgia Schools NFL losses are a big hit
Bruce Feldman of ESPN.com rates Tech the second-biggest loser, Georgia the fifth-biggest. His reasons:
“Georgia Tech: I was tempted to make the Jackets No. 1 on this list because every player who realistically could consider declaring did. Tech says goodbye to its two best defenders in DE Derrick Morgan and safety Morgan Burnett as well as quarterback Josh Nesbitt’s top two weapons, running back Jonathan Dwyer and wide receiver Demaryius Thomas.
“I still think Nesbitt, RB Anthony Allen and RB Roddy Jones are big-time players, but the offense takes a huge hit, especially when you consider that Thomas accounted for about two-thirds of the team’s receiving yards this past season. Meanwhile, Morgan had half the team’s 25 sacks.
“Tech could’ve been a preseason top five or six. Now I think it might not be in the top 20 …
“Georgia: The Dawgs’ defense has been really shaky the past few seasons and is in rebuilding mode. A new defensive coordinator is coming from the Dallas Cowboys (Todd Grantham), but he’ll have to retool Georgia’s scheme without the team’s two leading tacklers, LB Rennie Curran and safety Reshad Jones. Curran, a fireplug, had 130 tackles last season, while Jones, who put on a dazzling show against rival Georgia Tech, also picked off four passes this past season.”
Stewart Mandel of SI.com sees it pretty much the same. He has Florida first among his list of four losers, with Tech second and Georgia fourth. His comments:
“Georgia Tech: The defending ACC champs had a chance to return a staggering 19 starters, but leading rusher Jonathan Dwyer, leading receiver Demaryius Thomas, second-leading tackler Morgan Burnett and ACC sacks leader Derrick Morgan all turned pro. The Jackets’ running game should be fine with Josh Nesbitt and Anthony Allen, but Thomas was their lone receiving threat, Morgan and Burnett their best defenders …
Georgia: The Bulldogs’ defense struggled in 2009, costing coordinator Willie Martinez his job. New coordinator Todd Grantham would have inherited a depleted unit regardless, but his job wasn’t made any easier by the defection of Georgia’s two best juniors, linebacker Rennie Curran and safety Reshad Jones. The defense will now return just four starters.“
“Georgia Tech: I was tempted to make the Jackets No. 1 on this list because every player who realistically could consider declaring did. Tech says goodbye to its two best defenders in DE Derrick Morgan and safety Morgan Burnett as well as quarterback Josh Nesbitt’s top two weapons, running back Jonathan Dwyer and wide receiver Demaryius Thomas.
“I still think Nesbitt, RB Anthony Allen and RB Roddy Jones are big-time players, but the offense takes a huge hit, especially when you consider that Thomas accounted for about two-thirds of the team’s receiving yards this past season. Meanwhile, Morgan had half the team’s 25 sacks.
“Tech could’ve been a preseason top five or six. Now I think it might not be in the top 20 …
“Georgia: The Dawgs’ defense has been really shaky the past few seasons and is in rebuilding mode. A new defensive coordinator is coming from the Dallas Cowboys (Todd Grantham), but he’ll have to retool Georgia’s scheme without the team’s two leading tacklers, LB Rennie Curran and safety Reshad Jones. Curran, a fireplug, had 130 tackles last season, while Jones, who put on a dazzling show against rival Georgia Tech, also picked off four passes this past season.”
Stewart Mandel of SI.com sees it pretty much the same. He has Florida first among his list of four losers, with Tech second and Georgia fourth. His comments:
“Georgia Tech: The defending ACC champs had a chance to return a staggering 19 starters, but leading rusher Jonathan Dwyer, leading receiver Demaryius Thomas, second-leading tackler Morgan Burnett and ACC sacks leader Derrick Morgan all turned pro. The Jackets’ running game should be fine with Josh Nesbitt and Anthony Allen, but Thomas was their lone receiving threat, Morgan and Burnett their best defenders …
Georgia: The Bulldogs’ defense struggled in 2009, costing coordinator Willie Martinez his job. New coordinator Todd Grantham would have inherited a depleted unit regardless, but his job wasn’t made any easier by the defection of Georgia’s two best juniors, linebacker Rennie Curran and safety Reshad Jones. The defense will now return just four starters.“
Monday, January 18, 2010
D-Coordinators
Both schools made great hires this past week when they brought in their new defensive heads. Georgia Tech brought in a defensive mind that is respected all over the football world (except in Charlottesville, VA). UGA brought in a defensive line coach from the NFL who is going to emphasize their most glaring need on defense; getting to the quarterback. The progress will be immediate for both teams and these coordinators will give ACC and SEC quarterbacks a lot of trouble.
Overall you have to give the nod to Al Groh over Grantham right now. That is only because GT's coordinator has a resume that has to be respected. Grantham is younger and will have the edge in talent that could produce immediate results.
Next years Thanksgiving bash may look a little different than it has in the past few years.
Overall you have to give the nod to Al Groh over Grantham right now. That is only because GT's coordinator has a resume that has to be respected. Grantham is younger and will have the edge in talent that could produce immediate results.
Next years Thanksgiving bash may look a little different than it has in the past few years.
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Jackets avoid collapse; Beat UNC
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. -- Georgia Tech overcame everything -- a blown 20-point lead, the ear-ringing screams of North Carolina's blue-clad crowd and a second-half scoring barrage from Will Graves -- to prove it has plenty of fight to go with all that talent.
Now the defending national champions have to find the same kind of confidence.
Zachery Peacock made the go-ahead shot with 25.7 seconds left to rescue the Yellow Jackets (No. 18 ESPN/USA Today, No. 20 AP), who shook off that blown big lead and held off the Tar Heels (No. 13 ESPN/USA Today, No. 12 AP) 73-71 on Saturday.
Fast Facts
• Iman Shumpert set a career high with 30 points as the Yellow Jackets got their first win at Chapel Hill since Feb. 10, 1996.
• The win was the Yellow Jackets' 13th of the season -- one more than they totaled last season.
• For the Tar Heels, Will Graves (24 points) led the way with a career high, but the team suffered consecutive losses for the first time since Feb. 25 and March 1, 2007.
Iman Shumpert finished with a career-high 30 points to lead the Yellow Jackets (13-4, 2-2 Atlantic Coast Conference), who figured out a way to pull out a win after falling behind in the wild final minutes. Peacock managed just six points with one second-half field goal, but that shot in the lane rolled around the rim before dropping through to give Georgia Tech its first win in Chapel Hill since 1996.
"They made plays down the stretch," Georgia Tech coach Paul Hewitt said of his team. "It wasn't about Xs and Os."
North Carolina's comeback seemed perfectly tailored for the program's storied history, but the Yellow Jackets regrouped and kept the pressure on the Tar Heels (12-6, 1-2), refusing to let the game slip away.
After Graves buried a 3-pointer to give North Carolina its first second-half lead at 64-63, Brian Oliver responded by knocking down an off-balance jumper from the right side. D'Andre Bell answered Marcus Ginyard's hanging layup with a jumper of his own. Then, after freshman Travis Wear put the Tar Heels up 71-70 on a short hook shot with 41.4 seconds left, Peacock answered with what turned out to be the game-winner.
The teams traded the lead seven times in the final 4½ minutes.
"I wasn't surprised that they came back," Shumpert said. "I was surprised that they got a lead on us. I knew they would make their run, so we just had to take the blow and come out and win the game."
The game bore an eerie similarity to a matchup between the teams four years ago, when the Yellow Jackets led by 20 points at halftime before a freshman named Tyler Hansbrough led the Tar Heels back with a 40-point effort in the 82-75 victory. This time, Graves did his best to rally the Tar Heels by scoring 22 of his career-high 24 points after halftime, but missed a desperation 3-pointer at the final buzzer.
"It shows our toughness," Peacock said. "To come into a tough environment like this and get a win, it just shows how tough we are. Our problem is being consistent, which we're not too far away from."
Shumpert had 17 points in the first half and finished 10 of 17 from the field with six assists in his best game since returning from knee surgery, while Gani Lawal added 12 points and 12 rebounds for Georgia Tech.
Still, there's no escaping just how disastrous a loss this would have been for the Yellow Jackets, who ran out to a 29-9 lead and led by 16 points with about 12 minutes to play. They followed last weekend's upset of Duke with a loss at Virginia -- a team picked to finish near the bottom of the ACC -- and squandering this one would have left a lingering sting.
Instead, the Tar Heels -- who have lost two straight and three of four -- are the ones questioning themselves.
"I'm not used to coaching [Kansas] Jayhawk basketball or Tar Heel basketball without any confidence," coach Roy Williams said. "We put ourselves in this spot and we've got to figure out a way to dig out of it. We can go belly up, but I choose not to do that and I told them that in the locker room."
They were coming off an 83-64 loss at Clemson on Wednesday night, the most lopsided defeat for the Tar Heels in seven seasons under Williams. In that game, the Tar Heels fell behind by double figures in the first 4 1/2 minutes and trailed 35-12 midway through the first half.
In a disturbingly similar opening, the Tar Heels fell behind by 10 points in the first 6 minutes Saturday and trailed 29-9 with 8:23 left before halftime.
"Point blank," point guard Larry Drew II said, "we've got to come out and swing first instead of always being swung on first."
Graves offered probably the only real highlight for the Tar Heels. After managing just two free throws in the first half, the junior had a burst of eight points in 2 minutes -- including two 3-pointers -- to help the Tar Heels close within 60-56. A few minutes later, he took a feed from Ginyard and knocked down the 3 for the 64-63 lead -- a basket that sent the Smith Center crowd into an ear-ringing roar.
But after Peacock's basket, Drew missed a layup and Georgia Tech got the rebound and managed to burn about 10 seconds off the clock before the Tar Heels were able to foul. Bell made 1 of 2 free throws with 3.4 seconds left, setting up Graves' final miss on an inbounds play near midcourt after a timeout.
Now the defending national champions have to find the same kind of confidence.
Zachery Peacock made the go-ahead shot with 25.7 seconds left to rescue the Yellow Jackets (No. 18 ESPN/USA Today, No. 20 AP), who shook off that blown big lead and held off the Tar Heels (No. 13 ESPN/USA Today, No. 12 AP) 73-71 on Saturday.
Fast Facts
• Iman Shumpert set a career high with 30 points as the Yellow Jackets got their first win at Chapel Hill since Feb. 10, 1996.
• The win was the Yellow Jackets' 13th of the season -- one more than they totaled last season.
• For the Tar Heels, Will Graves (24 points) led the way with a career high, but the team suffered consecutive losses for the first time since Feb. 25 and March 1, 2007.
Iman Shumpert finished with a career-high 30 points to lead the Yellow Jackets (13-4, 2-2 Atlantic Coast Conference), who figured out a way to pull out a win after falling behind in the wild final minutes. Peacock managed just six points with one second-half field goal, but that shot in the lane rolled around the rim before dropping through to give Georgia Tech its first win in Chapel Hill since 1996.
"They made plays down the stretch," Georgia Tech coach Paul Hewitt said of his team. "It wasn't about Xs and Os."
North Carolina's comeback seemed perfectly tailored for the program's storied history, but the Yellow Jackets regrouped and kept the pressure on the Tar Heels (12-6, 1-2), refusing to let the game slip away.
After Graves buried a 3-pointer to give North Carolina its first second-half lead at 64-63, Brian Oliver responded by knocking down an off-balance jumper from the right side. D'Andre Bell answered Marcus Ginyard's hanging layup with a jumper of his own. Then, after freshman Travis Wear put the Tar Heels up 71-70 on a short hook shot with 41.4 seconds left, Peacock answered with what turned out to be the game-winner.
The teams traded the lead seven times in the final 4½ minutes.
"I wasn't surprised that they came back," Shumpert said. "I was surprised that they got a lead on us. I knew they would make their run, so we just had to take the blow and come out and win the game."
The game bore an eerie similarity to a matchup between the teams four years ago, when the Yellow Jackets led by 20 points at halftime before a freshman named Tyler Hansbrough led the Tar Heels back with a 40-point effort in the 82-75 victory. This time, Graves did his best to rally the Tar Heels by scoring 22 of his career-high 24 points after halftime, but missed a desperation 3-pointer at the final buzzer.
"It shows our toughness," Peacock said. "To come into a tough environment like this and get a win, it just shows how tough we are. Our problem is being consistent, which we're not too far away from."
Shumpert had 17 points in the first half and finished 10 of 17 from the field with six assists in his best game since returning from knee surgery, while Gani Lawal added 12 points and 12 rebounds for Georgia Tech.
Still, there's no escaping just how disastrous a loss this would have been for the Yellow Jackets, who ran out to a 29-9 lead and led by 16 points with about 12 minutes to play. They followed last weekend's upset of Duke with a loss at Virginia -- a team picked to finish near the bottom of the ACC -- and squandering this one would have left a lingering sting.
Instead, the Tar Heels -- who have lost two straight and three of four -- are the ones questioning themselves.
"I'm not used to coaching [Kansas] Jayhawk basketball or Tar Heel basketball without any confidence," coach Roy Williams said. "We put ourselves in this spot and we've got to figure out a way to dig out of it. We can go belly up, but I choose not to do that and I told them that in the locker room."
They were coming off an 83-64 loss at Clemson on Wednesday night, the most lopsided defeat for the Tar Heels in seven seasons under Williams. In that game, the Tar Heels fell behind by double figures in the first 4 1/2 minutes and trailed 35-12 midway through the first half.
In a disturbingly similar opening, the Tar Heels fell behind by 10 points in the first 6 minutes Saturday and trailed 29-9 with 8:23 left before halftime.
"Point blank," point guard Larry Drew II said, "we've got to come out and swing first instead of always being swung on first."
Graves offered probably the only real highlight for the Tar Heels. After managing just two free throws in the first half, the junior had a burst of eight points in 2 minutes -- including two 3-pointers -- to help the Tar Heels close within 60-56. A few minutes later, he took a feed from Ginyard and knocked down the 3 for the 64-63 lead -- a basket that sent the Smith Center crowd into an ear-ringing roar.
But after Peacock's basket, Drew missed a layup and Georgia Tech got the rebound and managed to burn about 10 seconds off the clock before the Tar Heels were able to foul. Bell made 1 of 2 free throws with 3.4 seconds left, setting up Graves' final miss on an inbounds play near midcourt after a timeout.
Groh is a Jacket
CBSsports
A week after firing Dave Wommack, Georgia Tech has already found it's new defensive coordinator.
Former Virginia head coach Al Groh, who was fired from his position at the end of UVA's disappointing season, has agreed in principle to take the job on The Flat's, joining Paul Johnson on a sideline that now includes some of the greatest knowledge in the business.
Though the Jackets are losing All-American DE Derrick Morgan to the NFL Draft, Groh will have great centerpiece in 6'7", 341lb. TJ Barnes in which to build his 3-4 defense, which has been feared at both levels for over 20 years.
“They’ve got that program winning in a hurry,” Groh said on Sunday. “If winning impresses you, you have to be impressed with what Paul [Johnson] has done there.” said Groh in an interview with the AJC on Sunday.
If Georgia Tech looks to continue winning, they are going to have to do it with an improved defense, which ranked 54th in the nation this past year. The offense, though it is losing several key playmakers, should continue its production just fine.
Groh, whose resume includes several stints with Bill Parcells in the NFL, also includes two ACC Coach of the Year awards. The hire now gives the Yellow Jackets the last three ACC CoY award winners. (Groh won the award in 2007, and CPJ has taken the last two.)
A week after firing Dave Wommack, Georgia Tech has already found it's new defensive coordinator.
Former Virginia head coach Al Groh, who was fired from his position at the end of UVA's disappointing season, has agreed in principle to take the job on The Flat's, joining Paul Johnson on a sideline that now includes some of the greatest knowledge in the business.
Though the Jackets are losing All-American DE Derrick Morgan to the NFL Draft, Groh will have great centerpiece in 6'7", 341lb. TJ Barnes in which to build his 3-4 defense, which has been feared at both levels for over 20 years.
“They’ve got that program winning in a hurry,” Groh said on Sunday. “If winning impresses you, you have to be impressed with what Paul [Johnson] has done there.” said Groh in an interview with the AJC on Sunday.
If Georgia Tech looks to continue winning, they are going to have to do it with an improved defense, which ranked 54th in the nation this past year. The offense, though it is losing several key playmakers, should continue its production just fine.
Groh, whose resume includes several stints with Bill Parcells in the NFL, also includes two ACC Coach of the Year awards. The hire now gives the Yellow Jackets the last three ACC CoY award winners. (Groh won the award in 2007, and CPJ has taken the last two.)
5 Questions for UGA in 2010
Tim Tucker of the AJC
Like much of the country, Georgia's football program is hoping for a better year in 2010.
Here are five that leap to mind:
1. Who’ll take over at quarterback?
For a second consecutive season, Georgia will open the season with an unproven, untested quarterback. But this time the starter probably will be a redshirt freshman and will not be a fifth-year senior.
Aaron Murray and Zach Mettenberger have been prepping for what should be a spring-practice battle to succeed Joe Cox in an offense that returns its other 10 starters. Rising junior Logan Gray also could be in the competition, but his ongoing consideration of a possible position switch indicates he’s not in the forefront of the quarterback picture.
The 6-foot-5 Mettenberger, from Watkinsville, has the stronger arm of the two freshmen, while the 6-1 Murray is more mobile and well-known for bouncing back from a broken leg to lead his Tampa high school to a state championship.
“They are two guys who come out and compete every day at practice,” offensive coordinator Mike Bobo said recently. “It’s going to be a fun spring.”
After a 2009 season undermined by turnovers, Richt said the quarterback competition might swing on how the candidates protect the ball.
“They want to do something great to win the job,” Richt said, “but they also have to understand that ultimate respect for the football ... is a big part of the job description.”
2. How will Todd Grantham transform the defense?
After allowing 34 or more points in 10 games over the past two seasons, Georgia needs a new start on defense. And it's getting one.
There's a new defensive coordinator in Grantham, coming to Athens after 11 years in the NFL. There will be at least two other new defensive coaches. There will be a new scheme, Grantham's 3-4 replacing the 4-3. There will be at least six new defensive starters, replacing those lost to graduation and the NFL draft.
The defense is almost a blank canvas.
"I look forward -- not only myself but with the people we bring in -- to developing an aggressive style of defense that all Bulldogs fans across the country can be excited to watch," Grantham said Friday. "If you ask me to describe the type of defense I want, I can tell you I want big, physical, aggressive players and guys that want to be relentless every play."
3. Can the late-2009 improvement in the running game provide a foundation for 2010?
As the Bulldogs left the field after their Independence Bowl victory over Texas A&M, Bobo excitedly asked a reporter: "How many yards rushing did we have?" The answer was 208, all but 28 in the second half.
The biggest difference in how Georgia started the season (4-4) and how it finished (4-1) was vast improvement in the running game. After averaging 3.4 yards per carry in the first six games, Georgia averaged 5.5 yards per carry in the final seven games.
With the team in transition at quarterback and on defense, the running game appears the best bet to build around for 2010. Washaun Ealey likes the sound of that after finishing his freshman season as part of a strong tailback tandem with Caleb King.
"We had a lot of success running the ball," Ealey said. "I hope we do a lot more of it in the future."
4. What position changes will be made?
Richard Samuel was the starting tailback for the first six games in 2009 but never really found his stride falling far behind the King-Ealey tandem by late season. Richt has acknowledged the possibility of moving. Samuel to linebacker but has been noncommittal on the idea.
Samuel, who played both running back and linebacker in high school, said recently that he expects to remain at running back but is open to a move.
“I liked both positions equally,” he said. “It’s hard to pick.”
As for Gray’s long-rumored move from quarterback to wide receiver or safety, Richt has said coaches “want to respect what he wants to do,” whether that’s battling for the quarterback job or trying a different position.
A few other position moves are being considered, but Richt resisted revealing them yet. “There’s going to be some thought about [those possibilities] as a staff,” Richt said. “What you want to do ... is get everybody in the right spot to have the greatest chance of success.”
5. Will 2010 be the last season at UGA for A.J. Green?
At a Bulldog Club meeting early last year, someone asked Richt if he thought Green would play four years at Georgia. Richt laughed and said he was just glad football players, unlike basketball players, can't turn pro after their freshman season.
Green will be a junior in 2010 and will be eligible to enter the 2011 NFL draft. So the odds are that Georgia fans have one more season to enjoy the mega-talented wide receiver.
As good as Green has been in his first two seasons, a nagging groin injury bothered him all of 2008 and two late-season injuries -- a bruised lung followed by a separated shoulder -- sidelined him for 3-1/2 of the final four regular-season games of 2009. Georgia would love to see what he could do in 2010 if healthy from start to finish.
Like much of the country, Georgia's football program is hoping for a better year in 2010.
Here are five that leap to mind:
1. Who’ll take over at quarterback?
For a second consecutive season, Georgia will open the season with an unproven, untested quarterback. But this time the starter probably will be a redshirt freshman and will not be a fifth-year senior.
Aaron Murray and Zach Mettenberger have been prepping for what should be a spring-practice battle to succeed Joe Cox in an offense that returns its other 10 starters. Rising junior Logan Gray also could be in the competition, but his ongoing consideration of a possible position switch indicates he’s not in the forefront of the quarterback picture.
The 6-foot-5 Mettenberger, from Watkinsville, has the stronger arm of the two freshmen, while the 6-1 Murray is more mobile and well-known for bouncing back from a broken leg to lead his Tampa high school to a state championship.
“They are two guys who come out and compete every day at practice,” offensive coordinator Mike Bobo said recently. “It’s going to be a fun spring.”
After a 2009 season undermined by turnovers, Richt said the quarterback competition might swing on how the candidates protect the ball.
“They want to do something great to win the job,” Richt said, “but they also have to understand that ultimate respect for the football ... is a big part of the job description.”
2. How will Todd Grantham transform the defense?
After allowing 34 or more points in 10 games over the past two seasons, Georgia needs a new start on defense. And it's getting one.
There's a new defensive coordinator in Grantham, coming to Athens after 11 years in the NFL. There will be at least two other new defensive coaches. There will be a new scheme, Grantham's 3-4 replacing the 4-3. There will be at least six new defensive starters, replacing those lost to graduation and the NFL draft.
The defense is almost a blank canvas.
"I look forward -- not only myself but with the people we bring in -- to developing an aggressive style of defense that all Bulldogs fans across the country can be excited to watch," Grantham said Friday. "If you ask me to describe the type of defense I want, I can tell you I want big, physical, aggressive players and guys that want to be relentless every play."
3. Can the late-2009 improvement in the running game provide a foundation for 2010?
As the Bulldogs left the field after their Independence Bowl victory over Texas A&M, Bobo excitedly asked a reporter: "How many yards rushing did we have?" The answer was 208, all but 28 in the second half.
The biggest difference in how Georgia started the season (4-4) and how it finished (4-1) was vast improvement in the running game. After averaging 3.4 yards per carry in the first six games, Georgia averaged 5.5 yards per carry in the final seven games.
With the team in transition at quarterback and on defense, the running game appears the best bet to build around for 2010. Washaun Ealey likes the sound of that after finishing his freshman season as part of a strong tailback tandem with Caleb King.
"We had a lot of success running the ball," Ealey said. "I hope we do a lot more of it in the future."
4. What position changes will be made?
Richard Samuel was the starting tailback for the first six games in 2009 but never really found his stride falling far behind the King-Ealey tandem by late season. Richt has acknowledged the possibility of moving. Samuel to linebacker but has been noncommittal on the idea.
Samuel, who played both running back and linebacker in high school, said recently that he expects to remain at running back but is open to a move.
“I liked both positions equally,” he said. “It’s hard to pick.”
As for Gray’s long-rumored move from quarterback to wide receiver or safety, Richt has said coaches “want to respect what he wants to do,” whether that’s battling for the quarterback job or trying a different position.
A few other position moves are being considered, but Richt resisted revealing them yet. “There’s going to be some thought about [those possibilities] as a staff,” Richt said. “What you want to do ... is get everybody in the right spot to have the greatest chance of success.”
5. Will 2010 be the last season at UGA for A.J. Green?
At a Bulldog Club meeting early last year, someone asked Richt if he thought Green would play four years at Georgia. Richt laughed and said he was just glad football players, unlike basketball players, can't turn pro after their freshman season.
Green will be a junior in 2010 and will be eligible to enter the 2011 NFL draft. So the odds are that Georgia fans have one more season to enjoy the mega-talented wide receiver.
As good as Green has been in his first two seasons, a nagging groin injury bothered him all of 2008 and two late-season injuries -- a bruised lung followed by a separated shoulder -- sidelined him for 3-1/2 of the final four regular-season games of 2009. Georgia would love to see what he could do in 2010 if healthy from start to finish.
New DCs affect recruiting
Georgia and Georgia Tech both hired defensive coordinators in the last 24 hours. The timing is not a coincidence.
The Yellow Jackets are expected to name former Virginia head coach Al Groh as defensive coordinator later today. The Bulldogs tabbed Dallas Cowboys defensive line coach Todd Grantham head of their defense earlier Friday.
Why now? The NCAA calendar on Friday flipped out of the red of a dead period into the yellow of a quiet period. On Monday, it switches to the full-out green of a contact period that will continue for two weeks. Both schools are hosting official visits this weekend.
Tech and Georgia needed to have these situations resolved so they could introduce their defensive recruits to the men they’d be playing for if not just be able to say with certainty who it would be.
Ten of the Yellow Jackets’ 13 commitments so far are with either slated to play defense or have extensive experience on that side of the ball. Twelve of the Bulldogs’ 19 commitments are defenders.
“I got a text message from one of the players on the team this morning,” longtime Georgia Tech commitment Denzel McCoy said. “I think it’s a great hire. I think he’s going to bring some new things with him and that’s going to be good for us. I’ve heard nothing but good things about him.”
Georgia players are excited about Grantham’s pro experience.
“I’m kind of excited about it,” said Port St. Lucie linebacker Deon Rogers, who was about to board a plane for an official visit to LSU. “I didn’t know [the new defensive coordinator] was going to be from the NFL. I’m shocked but shocked in a good way.”
Rogers has been taking visits at other schools since Willie Martinez was fired as Georgia’s defensive coordinator last month. But he said he remains committed to the Bulldogs and the hiring of Grantham “definitely” helps.
Grantham’s hiring has helped with at least one other recruit. Manning, S.C., defensive end Dexter Morant has canceled a weekend visit scheduled for Clemson this weekend because he now intends to stick with the Bulldogs, according to DawgPost.com.
That does not mean Georgia’s top 10 recruiting class has been preserved. For the moment (Mark Richt doesn’t address media until 5:15 p.m.) we don’t know how Grantham’s hire will affect recruiting coordinator and assistant head coach Rodney Garner. The lone holdover of the defensive staff happens to coach defensive line, the same position Grantham has handled most of his career.
Garner is directly responsible for several of Georgia’s commitments, including high-touted defensive linemen Garrison Smith of Douglass and T.J. Stripling of Southwest DeKalb. He’s also the lead recruiter of defensive tackle prospects Mike Thornton and Jeff Whitaker
Jackets Allen Considered Draft
Interview by Heather Dinich of ESPN with GT's Anthony Allen
Earlier this week, I spoke to Georgia Tech's Anthony Allen about his upcoming role in the Jackets' offense now that leading rusher Jonathan Dwyer has decided to leave school early for the NFL. On Wednesday, coach Paul Johnson said Allen will enter this spring as the B-back. Here are the highlights of my interview with Allen, who could be Georgia Tech's next 1,000-yard rusher:
How did you take the news that Dwyer was leaving and how do you see this affecting your role?
Anthony Allen: The first thing, I was happy for Jon. He gets the opportunity to go to the NFL and do some big things with the rest of his life. Another part of me would say it’s a good friend leaving the program, a good player who’s dedicated to the team, dedicated to the school. As far as my role goes, it opens an opportunity for me to compete. We’ve got some good backs back there competing for that B-back position. We can get some more touches, do some more things next year.
Did Dwyer talk to you about his decision? Did you know it was coming?
AA: Oh yeah, I knew it was coming. With us being the same position, running backs, we hang out sometimes, but me and Jon definitely talked about it. I asked him questions about me leaving, and he asked me questions about him leaving. I knew what he was going to do, what his heart was leaning towards.
Did that influence you at all to stay?
AA: Oh, I don’t want to make it seem like, ‘Oh, Jon’s, gone, so I’m going to stay.’ I don’t want to make it seem like that, but it definitely played a part in my decision.
What do you think you’re capable of next year? Have you even thought about individual goals?
AA: You always think about individual goals. I’m waiting to see what’s going to happen after spring time, when we get into camp and everything. When I see what exactly I’ll be doing, I’ll make my goals from there, but I know when I get the ball in my hands I’m going to try to make something happen with it.
Is there any chance of you playing any A-back, or is it pretty much a given that you’ll be a B-back?
AA: I don’t even know. The coaches aren’t back yet. I haven’t met with Coach yet to talk about next year. I’m kind of taking this week to relax a bit. Of course when Coach comes back in we’ll talk about what we’re going to do for next year and we’ll find out.
Do you think you guys could be as productive offensively without Dwyer and, what is it, two starters on the offensive line?
AA: I mean of course, that’s how college football goes. You lose players and you get more in. It’s just a matter of us staying consistent.
What was up with the rumors I heard about you possibly leaving early?
AA: I sent my stuff in to the draft board. I had my two years of tape from Louisville, along with this year. I was just weighing the possibilities, if I went into the draft what would go on, but I talked to my family about it, and of course we decided to stay in school.
Are you willing to share what they said?
AA: I didn’t want to leave the Georgia Tech fans after just one year. I wanted to come back and of course get my degree and everything like that.
I mean the draft advisory board.
AA: Oh, you’re talking about them. [He laughed.] I said all I want to know is what round y’all are projecting me in. Let me know if it’s going to be in the first two, and if it’s not, then I’m straight. If you tell me it’s not the first two rounds, I’m good. I don’t need to know any more.
With all of the depth back there, do you want to be the guy, or will it be a group effort?
AA: We’ve got some great backs. I’m a big guy, but I played the A-back position. Coach is going to do whatever he can to get the best guys on the field. If you watch tape from his early years at Georgia Southern and Navy and everything, he’s always had a main B-back and a guy who came in to relieve him, and his A-backs rotated. I feel we’re going to do the same thing this year, regardless of who’s at the B-back position.
Earlier this week, I spoke to Georgia Tech's Anthony Allen about his upcoming role in the Jackets' offense now that leading rusher Jonathan Dwyer has decided to leave school early for the NFL. On Wednesday, coach Paul Johnson said Allen will enter this spring as the B-back. Here are the highlights of my interview with Allen, who could be Georgia Tech's next 1,000-yard rusher:
How did you take the news that Dwyer was leaving and how do you see this affecting your role?
Anthony Allen: The first thing, I was happy for Jon. He gets the opportunity to go to the NFL and do some big things with the rest of his life. Another part of me would say it’s a good friend leaving the program, a good player who’s dedicated to the team, dedicated to the school. As far as my role goes, it opens an opportunity for me to compete. We’ve got some good backs back there competing for that B-back position. We can get some more touches, do some more things next year.
Did Dwyer talk to you about his decision? Did you know it was coming?
AA: Oh yeah, I knew it was coming. With us being the same position, running backs, we hang out sometimes, but me and Jon definitely talked about it. I asked him questions about me leaving, and he asked me questions about him leaving. I knew what he was going to do, what his heart was leaning towards.
Did that influence you at all to stay?
AA: Oh, I don’t want to make it seem like, ‘Oh, Jon’s, gone, so I’m going to stay.’ I don’t want to make it seem like that, but it definitely played a part in my decision.
What do you think you’re capable of next year? Have you even thought about individual goals?
AA: You always think about individual goals. I’m waiting to see what’s going to happen after spring time, when we get into camp and everything. When I see what exactly I’ll be doing, I’ll make my goals from there, but I know when I get the ball in my hands I’m going to try to make something happen with it.
Is there any chance of you playing any A-back, or is it pretty much a given that you’ll be a B-back?
AA: I don’t even know. The coaches aren’t back yet. I haven’t met with Coach yet to talk about next year. I’m kind of taking this week to relax a bit. Of course when Coach comes back in we’ll talk about what we’re going to do for next year and we’ll find out.
Do you think you guys could be as productive offensively without Dwyer and, what is it, two starters on the offensive line?
AA: I mean of course, that’s how college football goes. You lose players and you get more in. It’s just a matter of us staying consistent.
What was up with the rumors I heard about you possibly leaving early?
AA: I sent my stuff in to the draft board. I had my two years of tape from Louisville, along with this year. I was just weighing the possibilities, if I went into the draft what would go on, but I talked to my family about it, and of course we decided to stay in school.
Are you willing to share what they said?
AA: I didn’t want to leave the Georgia Tech fans after just one year. I wanted to come back and of course get my degree and everything like that.
I mean the draft advisory board.
AA: Oh, you’re talking about them. [He laughed.] I said all I want to know is what round y’all are projecting me in. Let me know if it’s going to be in the first two, and if it’s not, then I’m straight. If you tell me it’s not the first two rounds, I’m good. I don’t need to know any more.
With all of the depth back there, do you want to be the guy, or will it be a group effort?
AA: We’ve got some great backs. I’m a big guy, but I played the A-back position. Coach is going to do whatever he can to get the best guys on the field. If you watch tape from his early years at Georgia Southern and Navy and everything, he’s always had a main B-back and a guy who came in to relieve him, and his A-backs rotated. I feel we’re going to do the same thing this year, regardless of who’s at the B-back position.
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Tough Day for the Jackets
Tuesday January 5th 2010 was a day that most jacket fans would love to forget. While coming up short in the Orange Bowl against the Iowa Hawkeyes down in Miami, the Tech basketball team had it taken to them by none other than the hated in state rival. UGA took the jackets down 66-73 for Tech's 13th straight loss in Athens. Talk about adding salt to the wound of a dissapointing night.
While Tech fans can't be too disappointed with the outcome of the 2009 season; many are concerned that this offense will continue to be exposed in bowl games for years to come. When the opponent has over a month to prepare for the running offense it seems to not be as effective.
While Tech fans can't be too disappointed with the outcome of the 2009 season; many are concerned that this offense will continue to be exposed in bowl games for years to come. When the opponent has over a month to prepare for the running offense it seems to not be as effective.
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