Nervous Enthusiasm

law_bee

law_bee

Dodd-Like
Joined
Nov 25, 2001
Messages
6,399
One thing I have notices on these boards is if we aint "bitchin" we aint talkin.

Cautious optimism seems to be the watchword.

I will say this though. If we do not win that game saturday then it is going to be a long season that may resemble last year.
 
I didn't want to be the one that brought up that scenario but I disagree - I think we can still have a good season if that "if" happens. After Clemson, we have a stretch of very winnable games in BYU, UNC, Wake, Maryland, and UVa heading into the NC State game. I think the confidence level would be fine "if" we were 7-1 going to Raliegh.
 
Lawbee, I kind of disagree. I'll take a record like 8-5. Last season was so long because of 2 things:

1) We were supposed to have a big year and win the ACC. We badly missed out expectations.
2) The way we lost games was gut wrenching. The Clemson/Maryland/UVa games were just nightmares. We never should have lost those games like that.

I can better deal with being beaten by a superior team. We really don't know how this team matches up with the other teams on the schedule just yet. Last year's team was better than the 3 above teams and choked. This year our "talent" is unproven in key areas. I really think we will see improvement as the year goes on.
 
Originally posted by kirbee:
Lawbee, I kind of disagree. I'll take a record like 8-5.
Click to expand...
<font size="2" face="Arial, Verdana, Sans-Serif">If we roll an 8-5 out with this level of talent I think we will be saying that we have taken a step back as a program.

Because to be honest I do not know if the talent is ever going to get BETTER than we have right now.

Dorsey is one of the best lineman that we have ever had. Our LB's will probably play in the nfl. If we can't win with this group than we are going to have a tough time in the future.
 
Originally posted by law_bee:

I will say this though. If we do not win that game saturday then it is going to be a long season that may resemble last year.
Click to expand...
<font size="2" face="Arial, Verdana, Sans-Serif">I disagree. Last year's team had the season spiral out of control due to having multiple "gut-wrenching" losses that were close together. You find out a lot about a coaching staff after a loss. It is incumbent on the coaches to pick the kids up after a loss and get ready for the next opponent. As much as I liked O'leary, I think that his marine drill instructor approach wore thin on a team that crumbled under the burden of high expectations.

Regarding Sat.'s game, a win would really help the team's psyche, to be sure. However, I don't think that a loss right now would be a "knockout" blow. Nine winnable games remain after this one. Does any GT fan (realistically) expect the team to play the majority of its "swing" games on the road and be unscathed?
 
I'd prefer to stay focused (one game at a time). GT has and will have good teams, some great and will now and in the future be a competitive program in the country.

There really isn't any reason for this not to continue and develop ... unless for some ungodly reason we changes coaches and bring in another BL!!! I even hate mentioning it!!! Although, I can't imagine Tech making that mistake again.

Our national attention over the last 7 years has really helped this program. Being the only game on TV has made such a difference! Also, we continue to be on TV regionally ... sometimes more then other teams in the area ... all very postive for us.

Things are good and I'm very optimistic they'll will continue to even be better!
bigthumbup.gif
 
this level of talent
Click to expand...
<font size="2" face="Arial, Verdana, Sans-Serif">Untested and unknown and not really much different that the past. We've always had difficulty winning and always will. Can you really say that our talent is better than 98 or 2000 - definately not 90? I don't know, maybe. They have to prove that if they really are.

Since you brought up NFL, lets go there.

Dorsey is a stud, yes. But we've had at least one something-team AA on the OL almost every year as far back as I can remember. Some of those "talents" never even made an NFL roster.

We've got 1 linebacker that could play in the NFL (#51). We've also got a couple playing in the NFL now (Brookings, Flowers), so why couldn't we get more in the future?

We have no receivers that I see making it in the NFL. We have 2 alums -- the two all time GT greatest -- on NFL rosters now. Receivers LOVE our system because we use a lot and they all contribute.

Two of our QBs have POTENTIAL based on size, athleticism, and arm strength. Be careful with your *expectations* here. Joe was in the NFL and QB recruits are attracted to our system.

I'm not real sure about our DL at this point to be honest. Gathers still has to show me something after this illness. We never get stud interior DL. We are able to grow smaller scrappy talents into DE however.

DBs? I don't forsee any NFL material there. There are a few alums in the league now.

RBs? Can't say anything there RIGHT NOW, Hollings has played 2 games. I can't remember the last time we had an NFL RB before Joe Burns.

We may have an NFL place kicker.

I really don't see that much diffence in this team "talent" wise (whatever that means) compared to the past 6 years or so. There is no reason why we won't be able to keep reloading our current level. We still need to upgrade IMO if we're going to level of top 10.

Yes, I think this team should be better than 8-5. But I don't know if they are yet.
 
MANY have said that this is the most talented Tech team in MANY YEARS.

If you read my post you will see I said our LB's will play in the nfl. Smith, Wimbush, and Fox will be playing on sundays IMO.

Our QB was a HIGHLY touted national recruit and arguably the best QB recruit we have had since Donnie Davis.
If you think there is not going to be a drop off in this talent level I believe you are very mistaken.

Lil Joe toted the WHOLE team on his back. Goose's talent level around him was at least 20% better than what Hamilton had with him, IMO.

Our talent level has steadily increased since '98 to where we are now. If this team goes 8-5 it will be a statement.

If you think 8-5 will bring the same quality of recruits that we have right now then there again I believe you are mistaken.

Beeware is VERY right when he says that O'leary left the barn full. In fact most expect that it will be difficult to mantain the talent level over the next two years, but you hope that coaching can overcome this.

This is a watershed game. In some ways it is a must win, IMO. The reason I believe that is if we lose this one we still have to play at least 3 tougher acc opponents.

If Clemson was the 2nd toughest team in our league we would have flexibility but they are not. FSU, NCST, maybe NC,UVA, MD may all be tougher.

Hopefully we win this game and this topic becomes MOOT.
 
Originally posted by law_bee:

If Clemson was the 2nd toughest team in our league we would have flexibility but they are not. FSU, NCST, maybe NC,UVA, MD may all be tougher.
Click to expand...
<font size="2" face="Arial, Verdana, Sans-Serif">Whoa, I think that it is a bit early to proclaim any team other than FSU as much tougher than Clemson. UVA will be quite young when we play them at home, and Maryland w/o Perry does not have enough for even Fridge to pull a rabbit out of the hat w/. UNC will play tough, but our talent level is much better. NCST remains the wildcard since they have a schedule loaded w/"bearded clams" and will not play anyone significant until late Oct.

I think that you are underestimating this Clemson team. This is a very winnable game for GT if we can execute and the secondary has in fact, improved. I do not think that our season is over w/a loss. Relax and enjoy the game--if we execute, we win.
bigthumbup.gif
 
Originally posted by kirbee:
So, if we win this ONE game Tech is the shiznit?

rolleyes.gif
Click to expand...
<font size="2" face="Arial, Verdana, Sans-Serif">If we win this one game it means that all our goals are still obtainable and CG has passed his first real test as a head coach.

If we lose we will just have a BUNCH of ????????.

You can downplay it all you want but this is a HUGE game for GT program.

This may be the biggest game since we went into FSU and lost 31-35.

This is Nat. TV and the recruits are watching. This is a new coach saddled w/ lofty expectations.
 
I am nervous but cautiously optmistic. Law, you have said since the schedule was first out that this game was very important and I concur but I don't feel that the season will be lost if we don't win. I feel CG will respond and the team will also respond. Remember the team slogan this season is "Finish Strong".

Hydrogen.gif
 
My view is simple. I think if we lose this game, we are in very serious trouble. Because I do not think Clemson is very good at all. I think BYU, FSU, NC State, UGA, and maybe UVA are all better.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top