TJ Barnes

Wreck02

Wreck02

Damn Good Rat
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I've been reading a lot about him almost being too tall to be a successful DT as he can't get leverage on the OL blocking him.

I haven't been able to make it to a practice yet. Can anyone provide some insight on this? Do you think he is capable of overcoming his height in order to become the dominant DT most of us think he can be?

He is supposed to be agile but is he quick enough to play OL?

Just wondering... :rolleyes:
 
IIRC, one of the main reasons he came here is because we'd given him a shot at DL, which he wants to play. Physically he's better fit for OL and will end up there is he can learn to get better leverage. But he's only a redshirt frosh so he has time. They'll likely give him a year to some them some progress, otherwise its to the OL he goes.
 
He'd be a good fit for a pro-style OT, but not in our system.
 
Wreck02 said:
I've been reading a lot about him almost being too tall to be a successful DT as he can't get leverage on the OL blocking him.

I haven't been able to make it to a practice yet. Can anyone provide some insight on this? Do you think he is capable of overcoming his height in order to become the dominant DT most of us think he can be?

He is supposed to be agile but is he quick enough to play OL?

Just wondering... :rolleyes:
Click to expand...
I read where there was a comment made about his getting leverage as it relates to his height, but I don't think it's a major issue. I can't remember where I read it--it's possible it was just some message board poster's theory about why he had a bad practice one day. I do remember reading multiple times where other players on the team mentioned that he is in fact a bad ass DT. I expect he'll be a serious contributer on defense this year.
 
Ish said:
He'd be a good fit for a pro-style OT, but not in our system.
Click to expand...

That concept is perhaps why we is having problems at DT (in terms of leverage and being too tall) against our O line. It is true we have slightly smaller, lighter offensive lineman so that perhaps could be a factor.
 
gthog61 said:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marcus_Stroud

Too tall for DT? Is one inch that much difference?

If he is not successful at DT it won't be strictly because he is too tall.
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That was my thought, as well. There have been several tall DTs that have done very well. It may just be an issue of being young and learning to get leverage.

whiskeyclear02 said:
I read where there was a comment made about his getting leverage as it relates to his height, but I don't think it's a major issue. I can't remember where I read it--it's possible it was just some message board poster's theory about why he had a bad practice one day. I do remember reading multiple times where other players on the team mentioned that he is in fact a bad ass DT. I expect he'll be a serious contributer on defense this year.
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You may be right about that... I've heard it a couple different places (messageboards and a couple guys that have been to practices).

Personally, I think TJ is gonna be a beast but I was just wondering if anyone else had seen this or had any concerns.

Thanks guys!
 
From macon.com about TJ:
T.J. Barnes, Georgia Tech’s redshirt freshman defensive tackle who tips the scales at more than 350 pounds, saw a lot of action Saturday, playing in multiple series.
He appeared in at least four of Georgia Tech’s 10 drives during the scrimmage and was a factor in several plays. Disrupting blocking schemes, the 6-7 lineman found himself in the backfield often.
Giving Barnes more work than most other defensive linemen Saturday, Johnson is hoping to work the player’s weight down to the point that he can comfortably maneuver with his size for long stretches at a time.
“At some positions there aren’t a lot of guys,” Johnson said. “So we need to get him a lot of reps because he needs to drop his weight so he can play a little harder for us.”
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• Defensive tackle T.J. Barnes (6-7, 350): Although currently on the second unit, Tech’s biggest player is being counted on to play a lot. Barnes got more reps than almost anyone in Saturday’s scrimmage.

“He’s a big kid who’s learning how to play within that big body,” defensive line coach Giff Smith said. “I’ve been real pleased with his effort. He’s got the ability one day to be a great player. How quick he gets there will be determined by how hard he continues to work.”

Smith wants Barnes to drop 10 more pounds.

Aside from conditioning, Barnes said he’s focusing on staying low and using his hands better.

Smith has been hard on him, but that’s fine with Barnes.

“I’m coachable, so I understand why he yells,” Barnes said. “It’s just to get me better.”
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http://www.ajc.com/gatech/content/s...009/04/06/georgia_tech_redshirt_freshman.html
 
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