Just saw the rambinwreck.com updated Georgia Tech Football depth chart for 2011.. here are my unedited comments....
What a disappointing depth chart. I love PJ, and believe in him in almost everyway, but two things I just dont like about him - 1. pre and early season depth charts, and 2. recruiting mentality. (I'm only going to comment on #1)
Except for PJ's first year (when the depth chart was a no-brainer), I've constantly felt like players are out of position on both offense and defense, and the best player for the position is hiding behind another position or on the bench.
Offensively, to contend for a starting spot, PJ does not have a very high talent requirment; most anyone on the team is in the mix (which is pretty cool), BUT it seems like PJ hands out a written test to all his contenders-to-start, and who ever gets the highest grade wins the job.It may as well be an algebra test. Gaming ability is thrown out the window. Before changing his mind, the decision must be painfully obvious to world.
I'm usually on the rivals board, and those guys rip on me every year I make the who should be where comment, but nothing I've ever said seems like a radical comment; it usually seems straight forward.Now, I know PJ doesn't make all the defensive calls, but I'm going to include them in the discussion.
In 2009: It made me cringe to see Joseph Gilbert starting over Uzzi; just plain disgusted, but any comment about it, was just interpreted as a shot on Gilbert and PJ b/c we are all supposed to have some blind faith in everything PJ does.... Ok, you are all going to hate this next one b/c Sean Bedford is an outstanding human and has the drive and intelligence everyone wants to see in every single person who ever plays football. But benching Dan Voss mid-season -our best O-lineman before hitting the bench - even when healthy, for someone Sean who was half his size. Now, Sean was an excellent football player, and was usually very successful, but there were blocks he was simply not capable of making. PJ praised him, so he never got any bad press, but it was funny how the interior line was widely considered the weakest spot on the offense - especially when we'd face big DT's. It wouldn't have been such a bad move had he any extra support from his right guard. The man was 1st team all-acc because his unbelievable drive, widely acclaimed intelligence, and, for the most part, strong performance on the field. But the poor guy had no chance against the likes of jeff owens, geno atkins, kade weston (UGA DTs), and joe joseph, marcus fortson (Miami Dts) - I hate saying this b/c sean bedford really should never have a negative word spoken about him, but Voss was big, strong, and experienced, starting every game in '08, and almost every game in '07 (when we led the league in rushing under Gailey).
A quick comparison btwn our rushing in 2008 and 2009 against the teams with NFL-type DTs after Voss was benched in favor of the smaller but pound for pound tougher Sean Bedford.
In 2008, with Voss at center, VS. 2009 w. Bedford at center - against NFL-type defensive tackes
Against Miami 2008 (Joe Joseph, Marcus Fortson: DTs) - 472 yards rushing by GT (Dwyer 125yds/10 carries; Cox 78yds/8carries)
Against Miami 2009 with Bedford at Center (same DTs) - 95 yards rushing by GT (3 GT B-backs combine for 19yds/8carries) - DTs forced nesbitt to keep ball away from b-backs
Against Georgia 2008, w/ Voss (DTs: Geno Atkins, Kade Weston) - 409yds rushing by GT (Dwyer 20/144 - roddy had the huge game, threat of the dive play freed up the corner for jones)
Against Georgia 2009 w/Bedford (DTs: Atkins, Weston, Owens) - 205 rushing by GT( Dwyer 14carries/33yards, Nesbitt 19 carries/41 yards)
I only did that because I couldn't understand the logic, Voss had proven himself against all qualities of DTs, yet Bedford was the favorite, and in 3/4 games in 2009 which Bedford faced NFL quality DTs, he was totally destroyed; UNC is the exception, and even the UNC game where Bedford started I saw one highlight where 40 of Dwyers yards came when Voss entered the game and popped open a huge hole up the middle
The defense in 2009 was a mystery to me how many times did everyone except the coaches need to say - put peters back at DE, move tarrant to safety (he sucks at corner), at least start Mario edwards at safety over all the other experiments -- well all that stuff eventually came true
Luckily for us, we did well in 2009, but 2010 was a whole different issue - With all the a-backs available, Embry peeples was starting... we were all excited with the Orwin commitment two years before, but some how nobody seemed to mind that Embry was starting ahead of him - Embry has run scared since he cam to GT - and it again took Peeple disaster for orwin to take the first snaps - ask yourself how could Paul Johnson have such poor player identification that the 4th best (at MOST) a-back on the team started 7 games over the HANDS DOWN best a-back on the team, who by the way, had played in 21 games before getting a start - so it aint like PJ had no data to go off of - he can't get away with saying orwin was a surprise or didnt know the offense as well as embry; I dont care if it was orwins first day on the field - I'll take orwin smith with a frontal lobotomy to start in that situation
Somehow Julian Burnette sunk to the deepest part of the depth chart pre-season last year.. What... a... Joke... That was a jaw dropper; PJ should have gone to Groh and informed him who JB is, and that height means nothing when you're the best defensive player on the team.. Maybe the best player on the team. yea, i dont think he was in the 3 deep to start the season, but i could be wrong about that..
Rod Sweeting.... is this seriously going to be his first start coming up this year? D. Reese was starting over him?//??
How about last year, all of our safeties pretty much sucked (except for Isiah, but still just premature), and Jemea Thomason was doing what?... red shirting? Okay, how about this; we have him at cornerback right now, such a convenient place to be lost on a depth chart while learning the wrong position, ruining him for other positions when. Oh my word - there is an opening at strong safety? Jemea Thomas had better be starting at safety next year, or we need to hire a coach who specifically evaluates and makes suggestions for the two-deep cause our top guys have vision problems in some big places.
The coaches will have no choice to start a talented secondary this year, but they are certainly doing their best to keep it handicapped slightly.. Reid is a great utility player, but Thomas might just be the best at playing the game of football out of all the DBs - he is just natural, oh and he is gifted physically.. the man shows up in game situations, what on earth is needed beyond that.
The front seven - two of the top three most talented players on the defense are not in the right position: Brandon Watts, Anthony Williams. Watts is not geared for MLB, he needs to have the freedom to move with more instinct, and he has the size to do it at OLB. Anthony Williams = What are we doing to this poor kid? We spit in TJ striplings face just to make sure we got Williams, now we are throwing him in the trash. A 3-4 DEFENSIVE END? Williams, at his biggest, is a tweener even in a 4-3 - the guy aint ever going to get over 250, and if he does, than the gifts that made him so attractive out of highschool will be gone forever. If he still can't do well in coverage, than use him in passing situations, BUT AT OUTSIDE LINEBACKER, or switch up to a one-gap 3-4..
Just please let S. Green start; this year is no different than the previous 2 on defense - I don't understand what is happening with the player arrangement - JC lanier got what 2 days at NT? what a joke, i understand he's a bit tall, but we have a 6-7 Starting Offensive tackle playing backup NT. How about Izaan, a pretty darn good solution for us at NT; regardless he is a solid end - now that we lost McCoy, I'm terrified for the future.. oh, but I just remembered F. Kallon committed to us - I'm OKAY now. My real hope is that Tuitt realizes that he is an NFL talent who may never see the field at DE, NFL wise he would be be a 3-4 OLB, but I'm hoping he realizes that coming back to GT,where he belongs, and where there is no log jam on the outsides of our front 7 - what a fool his mother is - his confidence might be shot by the time he has an opportunity to start - say as a RS sophomore or junior. And considering he has the personality of a giant teddy bear, he is not going to assert himself enough to force the coaches to do something about it.. passive aggressive - that boy needs encouragement his mom wont let him speak without permission, and not only has she probably cost him 50% of his mental masculinity, she might have cost him a career - poor kid was too scared to even tell his mom he was committing to GT, and she embarrassed him in front of countless fans. He doesnt want to be there, Notre Dame knows he doesn't want to be there, and he is a mental softy.. what a waste - he stands no chance in Notre Dame where the fans are like Yank fans, except Notre Dame is not good at football anymore. No, they are not good at football - even when ranked highly, they are not very good at football, but they sure will be good enough to trample S. Tuitt - if you read this ST, get out while there is still time; you're mother cannot control you, your education, food, and shelter will be paid for at GT, and then you will make a million bucks a year when you leave - she has no leverage.
Back to the out of position players on offense.
Tevin - tevin is great; he works hard, he's humble, he does what he is told (which PJ loves), he is a decent athlete - only has one catch to him - he sucks at football (by division I-A standards). Nobody realizes all the little things he does poorly that make other players look bad, but darn, the guy is cunning enough to find inflated stats, just so he can give the media a bit of justification before considering him a likely starter. He reminds me of a Toyota Prius, quiet, compact but goofy, and takes forever to get moving, but when there is no need for acceleration puts together some decent stats. Also, how many people have been killed so far b/c of prius' inability to merge on entry ramps, or b/c it is so quiet people step out in front of it in parking lots? How many fumbles does tevin force people to make b/c of his horrible fakes, or inability to take an angle toward the line of scrimage... just gives away to the linebackers what is happening with the 8th grade football fakes, and serves up his own a-backs to be destroyed by any safety or LB in contain cause he gives away the pitch with a flat run to the outside..
By miracle, we did have a chance to win some games he played in, but he would usually break the hearts of his team mates by building the hope and throwing an interception to seal our fate (3 times in 5 games, nice). Tevin Washington alone will cost the team 3 losses next year - and he has no capacity to win a game on his own. Tevin, you've should do everything you can to go out there and win the job and win some games, but Paul Johnson just might sink the program if he allows that to go on all year
Moving on to Preston Lyons... Come on.. First Tevin, now Preston?? we can't do both, it just isnt going to work - for the love of Bobby Ross, please don't do this to us PJ, make us both bad and BORING. So many other players could take this spot, and yes - I watched the spring game over and over again, picking it apart, and I'm sorry but Preston is our 4th best option at B-back.. I would actually say he is more like the 6th best option, if players at other positions qualify for this ranking. It isn't like the man has any real experience, just cause he was there, doesn't mean he participated. 14 carries last year? and none of those carries were impressive - i think i remember a cool touchdown pass he caught, but that is a little hazy
You know Paul Johnson's strategy this year might be to bore defenses so badly, they become disinterested and lose the football game. I'm sure Tevin will be nice enough to give other teams about 7 points a game with supremely timed turnovers. Alone, Tevin either gave a touchdown to the opponent, or cost us a touchdown in every single game he played real minutes in - yea, think about it, every single game. He is one player who i feel confident saying the experience he got so far is a BAD thing, and I will take any talented player with no experience to start over him; it will not be any worse than the best we've seen out of tevin. Good luck to tevin, putting up any numbers this year without Anthony Allen clearing space for him, or austin jackson sacrificing his body to give him some room. The combo of tevin, lyons, and kidney running the triple option to the right should make for some HUGE defensive highlight reels. What a joke - it's like PJ is testing GT world to see how much he will be allowed to get away with. It is a relief to have someone like PJ, who is incredible with Xs and Os, and great confidence in his play calling, but the man is terrible at just about everything else. He doesn't care to make his players happy; when a player questions him, he doesn't take the time to address the question, only disregarding the concern, proclaiming he is the know-it-all, and everybody else should just deal with it.. It's mind boggling that every player with even a shred of NFL talent has run as fast as possible from the program; morgan burnette gave up being a first round pick, dwyer ended up hating football so much that he can't bring himself to train, Claytor probably cries himself to sleep; Tarrant cared so little about the team, he willingly gave up touchdowns by intentionally letting receivers get a step deep, so he could time his break to get an interception-- he was trying to trick his way into the draft. Jaybo transferred, luallen transferred, Gilbert transferred (thank goodness), Antonio Foster is gone (i dont know why, but I could guess), Sims tried to transfer, far too many recruits de-commit, everybody who can go pro, does. Kyle Jackson gave up 2 years of eligibility to go to more school, rocker gave up 1 (i get rocker, but Jackson had not even taken the lsat; he just used law school as his scape goat). Cooper taylor transferred - it is a little scary when the core of a championship team genuinely does not like its own coach - the same coach who took the team out of mediocrity into an ACC championship and to its first BCS game. The man didn't think he needed special teams - I remember Mario Edwards' comments to the media talking about how a day at GT was so much different than at VT b/c beemer spent time on special teams, and GT practice didn't have much room (or care) for it - we ranked 97th in both categories of kick coverage? Now, that is excessive pride.. assuming no punts or field goals before the year begins.
Somehow, the world is convinced we are deep at b-back - where is this coming from? If depth is just a calculation of people going after one job, sure I guess so, but our starter would fight for playing time at duke, Perkins has some hype, but it is all from the mouth of PJ - on paper, Perkins seems like a no-brainer, but the fact that he hasn't even secured a backup role frightens me.. Preston has not even looked good against bad teams.. Richard watson was the by-far best b-back in spring, running behind a horrific line, which is undermatched compared to our #2 front seven, a pretty talented bunch - our starting front seven is not nearly as strong as some of the fronts we will see this year (clemson, unc, miami, even nc state is strong) also, Georgia is overflowing with talent on the front seven - and our #1 offense couldn't do anything in the spring game - preston looked like it was 4th&1 on every play, perkins looked strong, but he also looks like a runner who must find room, without much ability to create room on his own - If we had a good O-line, I'd say perkins should be the clear cut started, but Tevin screws the O-line b/c he gives away plays with horrible timing and mechanics, and he sits on his heels, requiring and extra half-step to get moving, giving opposing LBs a huge margin for error with their reads. SO, we b-back whose presence will make LBs think twice - preston and tevin will never make defenses suffer for making mistakes (not enough at least), and neither can take full advantage of an o-line executing well. Perkins will be able to maximize the good play of his o-line,but it would help him to have more room up the middle if the LBs worried just a bit about the QB taking things outside. Richard Watson was the best in the spring game b/c he would at least run with his eyes looking downfield, but it would certainly be tougher for him if he played with tevin b/c the defense would never waste the time of worrying what tevin is going to do, so the inside focus will be completely on the b-back.
David sims is the only player back there capable of scaring a defense - i know it would be only raw talent playing b-back, but he is good for a couple big plays a game, and that threat alone will free up the offense breath a little bit. Perkins would be best with a dangerous QB, lyons would be best on 4th down and hitting his assignment on blocks (but how much do we really need a back to block when he is the lone setback, lining up 3 yards deep - NOT MUCH, so why is blocking such a concern, it is more just being a dummy up the middle that is important. Back to perkins: despite his size, i think he would fit best with THIS cast of players as an a-back, where he will have some extra time to find some blocks to follow, and run through arm tackles, making a contain assignment more difficult. I don't see any way we can avoid using a healthy dose of sims; he is the only b-backwho can score in any scenario, so if tevin starts, we've got to have Sims back there to keep the defense honest, despite that play or two every game where sims will turn a 2 yard gain into a 4 yard loss - It will have to be sims on 3rd and more 4+ yards to go, at the very least. I understand why we wouldn't want to use him on 1st down.
Overall, I wouldn't characterize the b-back spot as "deep;" "full" is a better word. It all depends on field position (really, overall game situation); from the GT goal line to the 35 (our side of the field), perkins is generally my first and second down back, with watson my 3rd and less than 5 (keep perkins in for 3rd and longer). From the GT 35 to the opponents 40, Watson is my 1st down guy, perkins is my 2nd and 5-1 to go, Sims is my 2nd and 5+ to go (2nd and really short goes to sims b/c of the wide open field); lyons is the 3rd and short; 3rd&3or4 goes back to perkins, and up to 3rd & 7 if we would go on 4th 0-2 yds; if we wont be going for it on 4th and short sims is my 3rd&5+; from the 40-the edge of FG range sims is my 1st and 2nd as well as my 3rd and 7+, perkins is my 3rd & everything else, other than 3rd&really short (that is Lyons); Within field goal range I'm back at perkins for everything, other than some 3rd and mid plays for watson... Lyons will be the 3rd and 4th & short in most any situation, probably 3rd and 4th & 2 is where I keep Lyons.
That was all assuming Tevin is the QB, with Days at QB, I'm pretty much sticking with Perkins all the time, other than specialty situations, and I'd rather be running Sims at a-back most of the time with Days at QB.
Go ahead and forget about stephen hill if Tevin starts; the two simply do not have complimentary skill sets; Jackson and Waller (from what I understand) seem like the type of possession receivers, physical enough to come down with the balls tevin will put out there.. Hill is a finesse receiver, who catches over the shoulder only, and is not viable as a possession guy, so he needs a qb with a stronger arm and can actually throw while moving laterally.
Orwin is our best offensive started (other than Uzzi), so we will have to get creative with him, and I think Roddy is a good compliment, but other than that tandem - I don't think any of our current starters compliment each other; it is an erratic skill set, and I don't think the coaches are thinking about who fits compared to the surrounding cast. Seems the thought is only who can execute the generic version of PJs offense.
Tevin will not finish the season as the starting QB; considering his lack of deception, I'd be worried that he would get injured before anything else takes him out of it.
ALSO, a Tevin offense horrible on first downs, unusual for the spread option, so we'll see a lot more 2nd down passes from Tevin and company, but knowing his tendency to move to his weak side, I'm sure we will see a lot of interceptions.. Josh was quick enough to avoid strong side pressure in the pocket by stepping behind it and quickly moving to the right. Tevin isnt quick enough for that, and strong side heat forces him to the left, and if he doesn't get sacked before squaring his shoulders, he could complete some balls, but he is more likely to get sacked or just throw across his body, making for some potential interceptions.
Player predictions(if Tevin Starts):
Orwin Smith: 590 yards rushing, 7.7 ypc, 5 TDs; 375 yards receiving, 2 TDs
Perkins: 425 yards rushing, 5.7ypc, 6 TDs; 150 yds receiving, 0 TDs
Lyons: 260 yards rushing, 4.1ypc 3 TDs; 65 yds receiving 1 TD
Watson: 300 yards rushing, 4.9 ypc, no receiving
Sims: 375 yds rushing, 6.1 ypc, 4 TD; 280 yards receiving 2 TDs
Jones: 400 yds rushing, 5.5 avg 2 TD; 105 yds receiving, 0 TDs
Tevin: 715 yards rushing, 3.7 avg, 7 TDs; 1300 yds passing 6 TDs 11 Ints.... GT record 5-7
If Days starts every game: 890 yards rushing, 5.1 ypc; 12 TDs; 1,700 yds passing, 4 TDs 9 int..... GT Record 8-4 (win bowl game to 9-4)
Perkins w/ Days starting: 1,100 yards rushing, 6.0 ypc, 9 TD; 190 yds receiving, 1 TD
Smith w/ Days starting: 775 yards rushing, 8.1 ypc, 7TD, 310 yds receiving
Jones w/ Days: 225 yards rushing, 150 yds receiving
Sims: 275 yds rushing, 260 yds receiving (6 total TDs)
If Vad Lee starts every game: 1,120 yards rushing, 5.0 ypc; 1,900 yds passing 13 TD, 12 int.... GT record 8-4 (lose bowl game to 8-5)
Perkins at 700 yds rushing
Smith at 850 yds rushing; 450 yds receiving
Hill at 750 yds receiving
Sims at 250 yards rushing 275 yds receiving
Jones: 315 yards rushing
I say if Vad Lee comes in better than expected, let him go out there and start the whole year, Tevin is a death sentence for this team, and we will lose to North Carolina, NC State, and Maryland to start out our ACC schedule, permanently putting us in a rut.. we literally have no chance to win any of those games if Tevin and Lyons take the majority of those snaps - I say this with complete confidence we will be 3-3 heading into the UVA game.. I think Days will lead us to strong records every year, but can't quite do-it-all to really shred offenses
Lee, if his blend of running and passing is at all what it seems to be from his video, and he is strong-minded and intelligent, gives us our only opportunity to be a top 10 team again in the future; our Defense will be there two years from now, but I don't think our offense can every have consistency throughout an entire season without Lee getting the experience needed to be a master of a more open offense.. The best thing for this program is to roll the dice with the most talented QB, so long as the mental ability is there. If Lee has a good mind, and he's got the right personality, throw him out there Day 1 - we've got nothing to lose.. Tevin will not lead us to a winning season, it just wont happen, he makes the players around him worse, and the team is completely limited in its abilities, especially in tight situations - too many long third downs with tevin - he can't sustain a drive, even if he picks up solid yardage, the drive will be shut down eventually - defenses dont need to stay honest at any point; they can bring the pressure without fear of being punished, the safeties will never drop out of the box - there is absolutely no way to win with Tevin.. And Paul Johnson isn't saying so b/c he is a man of principal, and using a guy like tevin allows him to calculate every single move.
PJ spent 7 years at navy where he rarely played strong opponents, and was completely aware of the limitations on his players, so everything could be calculated with him.. Things arent so easily calculated when players could produce in ways plays might not necessarily be drawn up to produce yards.. he only sees a players capability within the execution of his own formula; to him - if a certain block is missed, the ball carrier is going own; the concept of a missed key block not preventing a talented guy from getting 9 yards has no room for his calculations.
He knows that Bey-Bey's ability to catch Nesbitt's jump balls, and nesbitt's ability to get those balls in the right area were the two primary factors keeping defenses from congesting the box, making them extra vulnerable if a mistake is made on D - the lateral threat is critical; if it isnt there, than we have to find other ways to spread the field or build cushions for our wide receivers. I think there is a real opportunity for a skilled a-back to take advantage of the middle third of the field in the air, and Orwin could be the guy to force an extra read step from the LBs, so long as a QB presents an actual ability to get it there. We've got to find a way to create mismatches and accommodate for the skill sets of our offensive weapons
The defense will be fine, but they are never going to be great without a disruptive DL - and let's be honest, or DL didn't do anything for us last year. Logan Walls should be playing DE, as he is too passive for a NT, not a centerpiece to a defense.. we need to roll the dice again here, and get our biggest meanest lineman at NT, and Shawn Green is the only guy I've got hope for there. We know what Logan brings, and it is solid, but nothing more. Shawn might not pan out, but at least it appears that his potential reaches a level that could bring the defense an entire step up, why not take the chance.. Nobody expects this team to go anywhere, we finished 5-7 last year; this is no time to be conservative, it is a time to play for greatness and set ourselves up for the next few years
I'm very happy we committed Marcus Allen - he seems like a talent at b-back that I didn't expect to have the luxury of ever seeing again at GT, hope he can live up to it...
Actual predicted record (considering that Johnson will actually make some adjustments throughout the season) 7-5 (bowl game is a toss up)
