Spring Game Thoughts

[white&gold]

Figured I would create a new thread for post-spring game discussion.

- Glad JT got limited time. Our season rides largely on him.
- Marcus Allen looked good and it was relieving to see him run well. I think if he continues to get more comfortable back there this summer and fall, and if we can add Skov, we'll be alright at BB. May even have another one-two punch like last year if Skov grasps things quickly.
- AB is a little concerning to me. Didn't see them do much tonight. Really hoping Snoddy comes back a full 100%. A Snoddy/Andrews/Searcy rotation would be solid but we're going to be light at AB this year. Likely have 1-2 true freshmen in the rotation.
- I think my biggest question mark going into the season is receivers (including AB in the passing game). Jeune looked good and could be our next go-to guy. But the 3-4 dropped passes and general lack of big plays in the air brought flash-backs to the era between DThomas and Smelter (2010-2012). We need Summers to finally make a presence out there and get separation. He at least ran a nice route in the corner of the end zone for a score.
- Offensive line will be great.
- I'm stoked about the defense. Jabari was huge, and made a lot of plays. The D-line in general played pretty well and looked the part. I think if PJ Davis had played, the 1st team O might not have had as much success. If we keep everyone healthy, this could be the best defense under CPJ.

All in all, it was a typical spring. A couple of question marks, but still a lot of optimism for next year.

 

[gtzulu]

Seating under the upper stands should now be referred to as "Spring Game seating". Deja vu with the weather.

 

[coit]

- Offensive line will be great.

This wasn't my takeaway at all. I don't know how the split was between White and Gold, but the Gold O-line was awful.

If they are second stringers then we are in trouble, depth-wise.

 

[GTLiebs]

This wasn't my takeaway at all. I don't know how the split was between White and Gold, but the Gold O-line was awful.

If they are second stringers then we are in trouble, depth-wise.

Don't we have like 3 starters on the o line out? If so would certainly make our 2nd level o line not so great at the moment. Also our starting D line figures to be pretty good, so that wouldn't help.

 

[JWilly]

Marcus Allen and Ike Willis impressed me. JHD didn't look to shabby either.

 

[ThisIsAtlanta]

Byerly is a total baller. It is crazy that we have an even better QB on the team.

I am turbo excited for this season. This whole team has real potential.

 

[Ballground Jacket]

Allen looked good tonight from my view in the gold seats. Thomas looked faster if that is even possible.

 

[white&gold]

This wasn't my takeaway at all. I don't know how the split was between White and Gold, but the Gold O-line was awful.

If they are second stringers then we are in trouble, depth-wise.

The first team O-line is very good. And we have depth. Sewak said this is the deepest line we've had at Tech. There are a lot of young guys on the 2 team. I bet they will all get better (and stronger) by game 1.

 

[techfowl]

Byerly is a total baller. It is crazy that we have an even better QB on the team.

I am turbo excited for this season. This whole team has real potential.

Agree - he'd certainly be a quality starter if not for Justin - very happy to have confidence that a second guy could step in and be a winner

We're missing some pieces and depth at positions but QB feels good

 

[EastboundJacket]

Didn't make it until about 7:20 and JT was already out which was a bummer. My reaction was essentially positive though, especially on the D line (especially with JHD)
Byerly looked great too and Marcus Allen was pretty good

 

[Nixon_Corral]

My thoughts are that it was fun and I can't ööööing wait for the season to begin.

I was also impressed with attendance, considering.

Passes seemed to be getting to their guys, but there were a lot of drops. I reckon we can blame that one on the rain.

 

[BuzzLaw]

öööö, listening to PJ tells me injuries and dropped passes will be our undoing this year.

 

[jacket67]

I think there were only a couple fumbles (by Marcus Allen and Byerly). That's about a fourth of the Spring Game average.

 

[JacketFan77]

öööö, listening to PJ tells me injuries and dropped passes will be our undoing this year.

Um, wut?

Don't suppose you remember our biggest issues entering into last year? Hint: rhymes with "synergies and propped lasses"

 

[hiveredtech]

I think there were only a couple fumbles (by Marcus Allen and Byerly). That's about a fourth of the Spring Game average.

That was simply a failed mesh...Allen never had it. That will get worked out with more than 7 days if time they have had together. No fumbles on contact for Allen which is huge.

 

[Gobees]

Didn't make it until about 7:20 and JT was already out which was a bummer. My reaction was essentially positive though, especially on the D line (especially with JHD)
Byerly looked great too and Marcus Allen was pretty good

Looked like JT tweaked his hammy on that last run. Anybody else see that? Will obviously heal, but if it happens again during the season, that will have a hugely adverse affect on our offense. Hope it heals completely.

 

[gtzulu]

Looked like JT tweaked his hammy on that last run. Anybody else see that? Will obviously heal, but if it happens again during the season, that will have a hugely adverse affect on our offense. Hope it heals completely.

yep. Maybe he was just drying his hand on the back of his leg? :hsughcry:

 

[EastboundJacket]

öööö, listening to PJ tells me injuries and dropped passes will be our undoing this year.

Wait so he was able to predict future injuries and future dropped passes? That's pretty cool, I didn't know he was that good

 

[JTS]

The Good

- JHD is not Reggie White, but he's pretty darn good. Getting JHD back will make a big difference for the D.

- JT looked good in the limited time that he played.

- Marcus Allen did better than I expected. No fumbles and a few catches....If he knows what position he's going to play maybe he can condition his body for it. Could stand to bulk up a bit for BB.

- We have a lot of OL that are pretty good. Just a matter of figuring out how the puzzle pieces best fit together.

- Byerly looked good. Had at least 2 TD passes that were dropped.


The Bad

- Jordan did not looked good at all. Mortenson looked much better. Still looking for the post-JT QB of the future.

- Devine looks out of shape. Huge potential....a real difference maker if he pulls it together. Let's hope he shows up in shape in the fall.

- Did not see a go-to WR. Lots of drops and guys not getting much separation. If teams feel like they can guard our WRs one-on-one without getting hurt it will be problem.

- Not a lot of talent at the skill positions on offense. Really not bad just definitely not good. Other than JT, I'm not seeing anyone that makes me think "how are they going to guard that guy".

- I was not impressed by Whitehead. Simmons is a better player IMO.


Thoughts

- If you are an incoming freshman at an offensive skill position and you show up in shape ready to play and willing to block, you've got a really good chance of playing.

- We should strongly consider the possibility of moving PJ Davis to BB. We are an injury away from Brady Swilling being our starting BB with no backups to speak of. God forbid if we get 2 injured BB's. We need to come up with a #1 and #2 BB with Swilling as the 3rd Stringer.

- I really wish that we would use a Freeman - JHD - Gotsis - Gamble in every down situations and then bring in Simmons for Gamble at DE in passing situations....maybe move Gamble into DT on passing downs. Gamble is much stronger against the run than the other DEs and his height causes problems in the short passing game. I also thought that Gamble did an excellent job of maintaining containment from DE when he played there.

 

[goldeagle]

How does one 'prop up a lass' and what are the advantages to doing so?:wink: