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.
Monday, January 18, 2010
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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